"General Lane, nice to see you," Senator Crane greeted him as he walked into her inner office. She indicated to a chair opposite her desk, "Please, have a seat."

"Senator Crane," Sam Lane said as he shook her hand and sat in the chair, "Thank you for seeing me on such a short notice."

"Always glad to accommodate someone who holds the priorities of this great nation in the right order," Senator Crane was well aware of the General's predilection toward the anti-alien camp. "How may I assist you today?"

"Senator, I don't need to tell you what a mess the DEO is at the moment. My own daughter, Lucy, is second in command and several months ago she had to change all the security protocols when Supergirl unexpectedly aligned herself with Maxwell Lord. We don't know how much classified information ended up in his hands because of it." The General paused, gauging the Senator's reaction, then continued, "There's another problem at the DEO. An agent named Alex Danvers. The one that my daughter ferreted out as the confederate of the shape shifter Martian. She was a fugitive with the Martian until our President pardoned them both."

"Go on," Senator Crane prodded. Of course I was briefed on all of this. Why is this man wasting my time? I have an election campaign to run.

"My daughter fears this Agent Danvers is a loose cannon. She needs firmer supervision then the DEO provides under the Martian. It seems the two have an almost father/daughter relationship," General Lane's face twisted with disgust.

"General, this is all very interesting but why are you here?" Senator Crane had a two o'clock fundraiser across town to prepare for.

"I would like Agent Danvers transferred directly under my command. Get her out of the DEO and into a strictly supervised position in my unit," General Lane wasn't happy he had to cut to the chase so soon. He wanted to 'poison the well' against Danvers a bit more.

"General Lane. You've served our country bravely for what, thirty years or so? You're a General, you know how things work. Why are you coming to me with this request? I'm a Senator. I have no say in departmental employee hiring, firing, or transfers. What exactly did you think I could do? If your daughter doesn't trust this agent, she should have her transferred or removed from the DEO," Senator Crane was exasperated. This meeting was a waste of my time.

"Ma'am," he tried a different tact, "the Director of the DEO will block the transfer. I'm just asking for a –"

"General Lane, I am not going to interfere with what is clearly an in house problem. Especially without any other facts to back up your claims," Miranda Crane had enough. "Good day, General."

General Lane stood up, fingering his cover, "Thank you for seeing me, Senator. Good luck in the election."

That's all these damn politicians think about. The enemy is at the gate and they are worried about getting re-elected. Guess I'll have to make that call to Lucy now. Hopefully she hasn't got too close to Danvers. I'll have to make up something pretty convincing if she has. Damn it! This would have been much easier. I hate lying to my little girl.

/

"You're going where?" Lucy's eyebrows almost disappeared under her hairline.

"On a date. Well, not really a date, more of an award's dinner" Alex tried to explain. "I have to go. Max said he would let me see Kara, talk to her, if I went. After what happened yesterday? I know she's beating herself up over the guy in the truck dying."

"Does Hank know?" Lucy already guessed the answer to that question. Of course not.

"Not really. No," Alex had the grace to look sheepish. "It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission?"

"Alex, you're not some 18-year-old sneaking out of the house. There are serious ramifications to this," Lucy paused trying to think of one. Okay, so far the only thing I can think of is that Hank will be REALLY mad when he finds out. That's good enough.

"I can handle Hank."

What? Can she read minds like him too? Why do I get the feeling I'm going to end up agreeing with her anyway?

"Alex. There's no guarantee Max will –"

"I know. Life has no guarantees. I have to try. For Kara. Please, Lucy," Alex wished for 'puppy dog eyes' her sister was famous for.

Lucy slowly shook her head, "I can't believe I'm agreeing with you on this. That accident was horrible yesterday. It's amazing how many people can record video of tragedies on their phones to post online and not get involved. Any of those people could have saved that trucker before Supergirl even got there yet she takes the blame. Have they identified the driver yet?"

"I haven't bothered to check the news update," Alex replied. I saw Max Lord and had to turn the television off. "I know Supergirl hasn't been spotted since she flew away from the scene. That can't be good."

/

Kara sat perfectly still at the table as Max Lord finished up announcing the new rules and procedures he expected her to follow. He'd waited a couple months for this moment, knowing that her mind, now rested, would soak up these rules like a sponge.

Condition, condition, condition. Glad you screwed up yesterday, Supergirl. This is perfect. Tonight I take out your sister, set her up for a few more dinner dates. By the time you two meet you won't be able to say your name without waiting for permission first.

"Do you understand everything I've said?" Max Lord asked from his position behind the seated Kara.

"Yes, sir," a monotone voice said in her ear.

"Yes, sir," Kara mimicked the voice.

"Very good. I look forward to no more screw ups. Hero's aren't supposed to make mistakes. You'll be given ample time to redeem yourself. Use it wisely or Carter will suffer the consequences," Max walked back to the front of the table and cocked his head. "Now, anything you wish to add?"

A voice in Kara's ear intoned, "I'm sorry sir. I'll do better."

Kara repeated the words verbatim.

"See that you do. Now go stand in your spot." He waited until she was in position, "I have other duties and responsibilities to attend to but I will be kept apprised of your obedience. Perfect obedience gets rewarded and I expect nothing less. Carter wishes for nothing less. I hope we're clear on that."

Kara heard the door shut and started to turn around. That is until the 'Voice of Doom' ordered, "Remain in place."

Shit!

/

"I only have a few minutes, Mr. Jones, so I'll make it fast," Max addressed the head of the crew watching Supergirl this shift. "I want everything instructed: when she can eat, use the bathroom, sleep, what she can say to people. Make sure you correct her at least four or five times per incident – even if she's not doing anything wrong. I want her to learn to wait for someone to tell her what to do before she takes any action on her own. Let Prescott know we're back on the two-hour sleep cycle until further notice."

"Yes, Mr. Lord," Jones nodded his head as he spoke. "We've practiced hard for this next phase. We won't let you down, sir."

Max looked around the room at the serious faces manning their stations. "I want to thank you, personally, for all the hard work and dedicated service you've put in. Keep it up."

He nodded again to Jones then exited the room. Time for the award dinner. The press will have a field day when I show up with Agent Danvers on my arm – like when royalty mix with the commoners.

/

Alex wasn't prepared for the media onslaught when Max Lord claimed her as she exited her limo in front of National City's Center for the Performing Arts. Oh shit, I thought it was just a stupid award dinner. This is a fucking circus. What? He wants me to smile? Talk? I don't think so. What the fuck did you drag me to, Max? I don't want to stand here and pose for the cameras – especially with you next to me. We're supposed to talk about Kara here? In the middle of this mess? Lucy is going to kill me!

/

"Major Lane, my office, immediately!" Hank ordered as he turned away from the monitors in the command center. What was Alex thinking? Getting herself plastered all over the press with Max Lord? Nice job, Alex. They won't stop until they know everything about you.

Lucy exchanged a glance with Vasquez before following Hank. Susan shook her head. To be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

"Yes sir, Director Henshaw," Lucy said as she shut the office door.

"Did you know about this? Wait, let me rephrase … how long have you known about this?"

"Alex and I discussed it a little earlier."

"How much earlier?"

"Just before lunch. She said it was just an award dinner. I was thinking, you know, Rotary Club or something. Actually, I bet she was thinking the same thing." Lucy was furious with herself for not pressing Alex on more details. Damn that woman is good at manipulating people.

"Regardless what either of you two were thinking, anything regarding Maxwell Lord is to clear through me! This is not some rogue outfit, as much as your father would lead you to believe. The protocols and procedures are in place for a reason – to avoid incidents like this for starters," Hank finished.

"Of course, sir," Lucy agreed. Please don't bring my dad into this.

"Now, that being said and clearly understood," Hank looked up and Lucy nodded, "Why is she on a very public date with Max Lord?"

By the time Lucy left Hank's office she was trying to figure out how she could get Jackson to help her in a tag team sparring session against Alex. She was contemplating bribery when her phone rang.

"Lane," she greeted the caller.

"Major Lane," Cat's voice was smooth as silk on the other end, "by any chance, did you catch the news tonight?"

"Um, yes?" I feel like a school kid that keeps getting sent to the principal's office.

"Would you please pass along a message to Agent Scully for me?"

"Go ahead," Lucy winced and waited.

"No. No. Never mind. I'll talk to her myself. Are you available tomorrow night, let's say, after six?"

"You want me to bring Alex too?"

"That's what I miss about you, Baby Lane. You're quite the perceptive one," Cat said. "My office."

"We'll be there," Lucy promised and hung up. Damn it – I should've cleared it with Hank first.

/

Cat sat alone in her office reviewing the news footage. Alex Danvers on Max Lord's arm. What? Wasn't that girl thinking?! If this was some type of covert operation to get to Max Lord, well – it was about the stupidest one ever cooked up.

/

Three miles away James sat in his car watching Supergirl through binoculars. She was assisting crews with a ruptured gas line. James attached his telephoto lens to the camera. He shot photos as he talked to Kara, giving her support. Occasionally he would ask her a question and she would slightly nod or shake her head. Okay, now. Maybe we have a way to communicate after all.

After Supergirl flew off, James drove his car away from the area then reproached it from a different street. He jumped out of the car with his camera, press pass, and his most charming smile.

"Excuse me, ma'am, would you mind answering a few questions for The Trib?"