Hello! I'm back! After not a super long time, can you believe it? This is like... an almost reasonable time between updates!
What can I say, you all inspire me. Thank you for the beautiful notes of encouragement.
I was impressed by how many of you like to camp! That definitely warms my heart; I love nature and I worry that sometimes we are separating from it. I love camping. Although, not going to lie, I also love my bed. A lot.
I hope this chapter is believable enough! I don't want to be unrealistic but I also want certain things to be certain ways in my story.
I've included a brief snippet of Cat Grant for you, imagine-tht! I'll try to make sure she gets her airtime :) Thanks for the input!
Disclaimer: If you haven't noticed, I don't own Supergirl.
"I heard the news on the radio on my drive home, please tell me Kara wasn't hurt! And you! Were you there?!"
"Mom, she's okay. We both are," Alex assured her mother for the tenth time.
"I'm already heading back to you both."
"Mom, that really isn't necessary…" Alex ran a hand through her hair. "We're trying to lie as low as possible."
"Are you sure you're both okay?" Eliza's voice was urgent.
"I'm sure."
"I want to say hi," Kara piped up from the other side of the room where she was perched on a medical examination table.
"Here, Kara wants to talk to you." Alex passed the phone to the young girl, smiling slightly as Kara cradled the phone carefully to her ear.
"Hi Eliza," Kara said shyly. "Yeah, I'm okay…. Really." A pause. "Uh-huh. It was." Kara listened patiently. "Yeah. I haven't seen him since school but he's probably really upset." Kara's face fell slightly and Alex knew she was talking about Winn.
The news had been rolling in, updating rapidly.
Winn's father had been the sender of the bomb that had almost killed both his boss's son and his own son.
Mr. Schott confessed that the package was meant for Chester Dunholtz Sr. as revenge for stealing his toy designs and getting rich off of them.
He had never intended for the package to end up at the school, but when Chester stole the package to antagonize Winn with, the sinister plan went seriously awry.
The media was having a field day with the son of the almost-murderer saving the son of the intended victim, as the story Kara told of Winn's heroics circulated like wildfire.
Alex could only imagine what Winn was feeling. As Kara talked to Eliza on the phone, she wondered briefly what would happen to the Schott family now. Winn and his mother were good people.
"So far, I'm happy to say, there has been no suspicion of Kara being abnormal in any way."
Alex turned to find J'onn approaching.
"The focus has solely been on the Schotts and Dunholtzes. Winn and Barbara might suspect that it was strange that Kara lied but they have no reason to think she might not be human."
"You think we can stay?" Alex crossed her arms. J'onn had her full attention now.
"I think it is a possibility, depending on how things progress. Moving at this point might draw more suspicion than staying. Besides…" J'onn's face softened. "Kara is doing well here."
It was moments like these Alex could see that it was J'onn she was talking to, not Hank Henshaw.
"She is," Alex agreed, turning to look at Kara.
When she had first heard the explosion and seen the smoke, Alex had feared the worst; Cadmus had found Kara.
The knowledge that the whole thing was actually completely unrelated to Kara was almost comically ridiculous. So ridiculous, in fact, that it actually provided further cover to Kara; the only role she played in the drama was a helpless victim.
Except there was one problem.
"Winn, Barbara, and Chester might know something isn't normal," Alex hated to say it but knew she had to.
"Chester sustained a concussion and minor amnesia, he will be easily convinced that he remembers things that weren't true."
"But Winn and Barbara…"
"What about them?"
Kara stood in front of them, holding the phone in one hand.
"Kara." J'onn knelt so that he was eye to eye with the girl. Tenderness was clear in his voice and Alex moved to close the door so the conversation between the three of them could be more private. "Is it possible that Winn or Barbara would know that you aren't human?"
Kara bit her lip, blue eyes glancing worriedly at Alex for a moment.
"They don't know how I knew it was a bomb in that package. I used my x-ray vision. And I didn't get hurt. Those are the only two things." Kara looked at J'onn pleadingly. "Please, I don't want to leave; they're my friends."
"Alright," J'onn decided. "I don't think there's enough to warrant moving. You were covered in soot so they probably didn't notice that you didn't get cuts. And you can come up with some excuse for the box. Honestly it might bring more attention at this point to move."
"Thank you!" Kara threw her arms around J'onn, hugging him.
Alex smiled slightly watching their interaction. Her smile widened as Kara turned to her excitedly and jumped into her arms.
"Let's go home."
Knock knock knock.
"Stay here," Alex instructed Kara, getting up from the couch to answer the door. Kara, snuggled under the blankets, was happy to oblige.
But she couldn't help but listen in.
"Ms. Grant and Carter." Alex's voice was surprised.
"Ms. Danvers." Kara could recognize Cat Grant's voice anywhere; she pronounced her words exactly and crisply, like the way Alex expertly sliced cucumbers.
"What can I do for you?" Alex asked.
"I wanted check that Kara was okay after the explosion at school," Carter piped up and Kara smiled slightly at her friend's concern.
"That is really thoughtful, Carter." Alex's words were kind. "She's doing okay; a little scratched up but nothing that won't heal in no time. I'd have you come say hello but she's asleep right now. Are you both doing okay?"
"Thank god, yes." Cat Grant's voice was slightly softer than usual and Kara imagined her pulling Carter slightly closer. "Otherwise there would be hell to pay."
"Mom!" Carter protested.
"Winn really was a hero. Do you know how he's doing?" Alex seemed to be taking the opportunity to gather some information.
"He's out of the hospital but he broke his ankle. I can't even imagine what the family is going through with the whole situation." There was a pause. "I saw that you ran into the building, Ms. Danvers. That was very brave; what exactly inspired you to do that?"
Kara blinked at that.
Alex seemed similarly taken aback. "I did... but how did you know that?"
"I run a media empire; it's my business to know things. It was quite incredible the way you reacted. You are Kara's…"
"Foster parent." Alex's voice had hardened slightly. "Ms. Grant…"
"Please, call me Cat."
"Cat," Alex continued. "I really appreciate you coming by. But I'd prefer the focus stay away from Kara and I. Kara is still transitioning into the home, having been in the foster care system, and I really don't want anything to disturb the progress she's made. She's already overcome a lot, more than any kid should, the last thing she needs is media attention dragging me or her into the spotlight."
A pause.
"I understand. We all want what is best for our children." Ms. Grant's voice was sincere. "I'll make sure your family is left out of the media uproar."
"Cat." Alex's voice was so thankful that Kara didn't even have to see her face to know the intense look she was probably giving Ms. Grant. "I can't tell you how much that would mean to us."
Ms. Grant laughed lightly. "Just agree to one thing, okay?"
"What's that?"
"Never stop fighting for your girl."
"I won't."
Alex kissed Kara's forehead and slowly walked away from the sleeping girl, carefully closing the door to the bedroom partway.
Sighing slightly, she turned to go back to her work.
"Alex Danvers."
"Holy…" Alex drew her gun instinctually, realizing in a moment that she was pointing it unwaveringly at Kara's Kryptonian aunt.
"That won't do anything," Astra glanced the gun.
"How the hell did you get in here?" Alex hissed. "Do you know the time we've put into this security system?"
Astra shrugged, casually reaching out a hand and pushed Alex's gun down.
"I don't think the system was meant to keep Kryptonians out," she commented. "Seeing as you're housing one."
Alex swore, shoving her gun into her waistband, leading Astra away from the bedroom door. "Kara's asleep and I'd like to keep it that way. Why are you here?"
Astra threw her thick hair over her shoulder, blinking her pale eyes.
"She's going to bed rather late, don't you think?"
"Excuse me?" Alex stopped and put her hands on her hips. "Are you criticizing my care of Kara?"
Astra didn't blink.
"Maybe."
Alex clenched her jaw so tightly she could hear her teeth creak at the pressure. After the events of the past couple days, the last thing she needed to deal with was Astra. She didn't even know why the Kryptonian was here; for all she knew, she was here to kill her. Briefly Alex considered calling for back up but knew that if Astra wanted her dead, she already would be.
"Let's sit." Alex led Astra to the living room, far from Kara's bedroom. "You didn't come to see Kara, did you?"
The general perched on the cushion of the worn out armchair, looking very poised and out of place.
"I always desire to see my niece."
"Which is why you came at a time you thought she would be asleep?" Alex raised an eyebrow, fingers tapping against her thigh. She considered reaching subtly for her phone to contact J'onn but doubted the motion would go unnoticed. Either she was going to die or her relationship with Astra was taking an interesting turn.
"I heard about the explosion at Kara's school," Astra admitted. "I did not want to distress Kara further by a short visit for I cannot stay long."
"Non doesn't know you're here," Alex interpreted.
Astra dipped her head slightly, dark hair shifting around her face.
"You are a smart one, Agent Danvers." Astra exhaled ever so slightly. "Is she alright?" The tiniest crack of vulnerability ran through her voice.
"You know she is." Alex said evenly.
"But her identity?" Astra's eyes were sharp and Alex knew suddenly that Astra understood exactly what situation they were in. Clearly, the general had been monitoring them from afar. She hadn't even realized that Astra knew where they were, a foolish foresight on her part. "Are there any threats?"Astra's voice brought her back to the present conversation. "The media woman next door?"
How on earth did Astra know about Cat Grant? Never mind, it didn't matter at this moment. Looking at Astra's steely expression, Alex instantly knew that any name she gave would be equivalent to a death sentence.
"No. Kara handled the situation incredibly well and we are staying out of the public eye."
Astra relaxed incrementally.
"How did you know where we were and what school Kara goes to?" Alex couldn't stop herself from asking. "You understand that Kara's safety depends on secrecy; if there are better measures we can take, we won't hesitate to do so."
Astra laughed.
"You humans overestimate your technologies and agencies. You think your world and understanding is expansive but it is but a grain of sand on a beach. You think you have armed yourself with the impenetrable but your barricades are as flimsy as paper." Astra's eyes glinted dangerously.
"We might overestimate ourselves but that doesn't mean that you aren't underestimating us," Alex growled. "After all, it was humans who imprisoned Kara in a lab and kept her hidden from even you. And it was the DEO, yes the little human agency, that freed her."
Astra's eyes flashed, anger darkening her face.
"You dare…"
"Yes, I do dare." Alex glared. "This isn't about you and this isn't about me. We both know we aren't killing each other for one reason: Kara. So admit you couldn't keep her safe and I'll admit that our systems are less than perfect."
Silence overtook the room and Alex wondered if she had gone too far.
"You have the spirit of a warrior," Astra broke the silence.
"That's why you left Kara with me, isn't it?" Alex gave a small smile.
"No." Astra shook her head. "I left her with you because she loves you and you love her. That is where your warrior spirit comes from; it can only be born of love or hatred."
Looking at Astra's collected expression and her piercing gaze, Alex was reminded that Astra came from a different culture, a different world, that Alex knew so little of. She would never understand that world fully and the realization made her chest hurt. Kara needed her aunt; if only Astra could put aside her violent ambitions and be there for her...
"And what is your warrior spirit born of, love or hate?" Alex held Astra's eye contact.
Something flashed across the older woman's face.
"I do not know anymore, Alexandra Danvers." The general stood up. "There is one more thing."
So close to a peaceful visit. Alex braced herself, unsure what was coming as she also got to her feet.
"There are many among my ranks who hate my twin sister, Kara's mother, for the condemnation she brought upon them. They would go to the ends of the earth to exact revenge."
Alex's blood ran cold.
"I have veiled Kara's location and they know better than to act against me. But my position has created rumors regarding my loyalty." Astra paused. "If anything were to happen…" She stopped. "It is necessary that you be prepared."
Alex's heart was racing. How on earth was she supposed to be prepared for the most dangerous aliens that ever roamed the galaxy?
She stifled her alarm and only nodded. "Thank you."
Astra tilted her head in response and turned.
"Wait." Alex took a step towards her. "You want to exact revenge? To eliminate a threat against Kara?"
Astra turned to face her, eyes glowing with energy.
"You know I do, Agent Danvers." Her face was transformed with dangerous light.
"I have a name for you." Alex spoke her words with certainty. If they didn't play by the rules, neither would she. "But whatever you do cannot in any way point back to or give information about Kara under any circumstances."
"You have my word. Tell me."
Alex took a deep breath.
"The organization you're looking for is called Cadmus."
I really enjoy writing Astra - I hope I've done an okay job at it!
Question of the day... Mountains, beaches, or forests?
Much love! ~silverlining