A/N: Totally winging the science bit.
Chapter 21
After returning from their mission and reuniting with Alice, Kara and Luther had met up with Josh on the way to talk with Simon.
"So what'd you find out?" Simon asked.
"Cyberlife is definitely getting their thirium from red ice," Luther said.
"There are definitely methods of creating thirium from red ice. It seems to be triggered when mixing a sulfide compound with a foreign hydrogen compound," Josh said.
"So essentially it's hydrogen sulfide?"
"Not exactly, it has none of the harmful components of hydrogen sulfide. The nuclear waste seems to cause it to create a different chemical altogether but I have no data in my databanks," Josh said. "Ward calls the stuff, seadust. I had wondered why I could never detect when scanning thirium but discovered that seadust had commonly been mixed with other drugs and never sold in it's pureist form."
"We also managed to reserve an interview with one of Cyberlife's men. He told me you could give him a call whenever you decide to book an interview," Luther said fishing out the calling card from his pocket and handing it to Simon.
Simon smiled upon taking the card.
"Good, good. Thanks for your help."
"Any news on Caroline?" Kara asked.
Simon frowned.
"No, I haven't been able to get ahold of her at all and believe me I've been trying."
"You'll let us know if you find anything, right?"
Simon smiled.
"Yeah, I'll keep you informed."
"If that's all guess we should be heading back," Luther said.
"Aw, leaving so soon? We were just becoming best pals too."
Luther snorted and turned around.
"Listen we will never become best pals. I don't even like you."
Simon smiled icily walking up in his space staring directly into his eyes.
"I could tell when you don't even let a qualified doctor treat your wound."
Luther stiffly held his ground.
"You ought to be careful. Wouldn't want you to get hurt. Who would take care of Kara if you were gone?"
Kara pulled Luther away glaring at Simon.
"Come on, Luther let's go."
As soon as they left Kara spoke softly.
"Why do you let him get to you?" she asked.
"I just don't like him, Kara."
"He's only concerned for your health."
"Is he really?"
Kara sighed.
"Yes, he is," a soft voice cut in.
Luther whirled around only to spot Lucy standing behind him.
"Settle down, big boy. Simon told me the whole story. What's this about not treating your bullet wound on your shoulder, hmm?"
He shivered.
"No comment, huh? I can see why you are so uncomfortable in his presence. It only serves him right being the huge flirt that he is. He has a preference for the more manly types if you get what I'm saying."
Kara's eyes widened.
'Simon's gay?'
"It's creepy," Luther said.
"That is the least of your problems. His patients often comment about his good bedside manner. I'm told that I'm a different story. I suppose that's for the best, at least you don't have to worry about your doctor flirting with you."
Luther gulped.
Kara chuckled.
Luther looked at Kara with a puppy dog look.
"Save me?"
"Sorry Luther, you're on your own on this one."
Lucy pushed him along.
Kara eventually caught up with Alice who sitting on a barrel by herself.
"Kara. Hey Kara."
She turned just as Simon was heading in her direction walking his pitbull.
"Simon, what's up?"
"Just coming by to say, 'hello'. I must say Alice is a sweet girl."
Kara nodded in agreement.
Alice turned and walked towards them.
"Kara, Simon."
Simon crouched down to speak to her.
"Hey Alice," he said.
"Is that your dog?" she asked.
"Yeah, her name's Tiny. Want to pet her?"
"Dad says that pitbulls are dangerous."
Simon smiled.
"Don't worry. She's tame. I trained her myself. She won't bite you."
Alice pet him on the head and Tiny turned to lick her hands causing her to giggle.
While Alice was busy with the dog, Kara spoke what was on her mind.
"What did you hope to accomplish aggravating Luther like that?"
Simon looked at her confused.
"What are you talking up?"
"Don't be coy, Simon. You were deliberately trying to p-ss him off."
Simon shook his head and shrugged. His lips curled in a smile.
"I was just trying to test his character. If he was really the kind of guy for you."
"For someone who's gay, you're sounding just like a jealous boyfriend."
"I guess Lucy told you then."
He sighed.
"I was just concerned. He's way too comfortable around you."
"Are you trying to say he's possessive?" Kara snarled.
"That's not what I mean," Simon said. "You can't really know a man based off the way they treat you. Anyone can be a nice person but when it comes to the people they love shouldn't they put their own desires aside for the one they love?"
Kara snorted.
Contemplating it she wondered if
Simon might be right
or
maybe he was completely wrong.
"Even if they don't, aren't you supposed to forgive them despite that?"
Simon smiled sadly.
"Perhaps you might have a point."
He called out to his dog.
"Tiny, come along girl."
The dog ran towards him.
"So what happened while we were gone? You never did tell me," Kara said.
"North took care of me. She don't seem to like kids very much."
"Did you have fun though?"
"Yeah, we played with some dolls. Lucy made them."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, she made these cool outfits but I was afraid that we would damage them if we played too rough."
"You love to play with dolls then?"
Alice shrugged.
"Not really. It's kind of boring. I'd rather pick their clothes. Maybe I could sew my own clothes."
Kara smiled.
"Maybe. So what else did you do? Don't tell me you were playing dolls that entire time?"
Alice chuckled sheepishly.
"North was teaching me some kickboxing. I told her I wanted to protect you."
Kara chuckled.
"I don't think you have to worry about me being in any danger."
Alice frowned and turned to stare into her blue eyes.
"You can't know that for sure. I just wanna be safe. I mean I thought I was safe with my dad but then those androids came."
"You don't need to worry. I will protect you from any android who tries to harm us."
"Any android?" Alice asked.
"They can't be a good android if they try to harm you, can they?"
"What if they don't mean it though?"
"If they're trying to hurt us would you really call them a good android?"
Alice frowned.
"What if I was a bad android?"
"Alice, don't say stuff like that. You can never be a bad android."
Alice glanced away from Kara's eyes.
"How can you be so sure?" she snapped.
"Alice, what's the matter?"
"I'll put you and Luther in danger just by getting involved with you."
Kara snorted.
"Do you really think we'd take you in if we didn't know the dangers?"
Alice looked uncertain.
"You'd never be a burden to us."
"Even if I was an android."
"Especially if you were an android."
Alice sobbed as Kara pulled her in closer.
"It's alright. We're going to be alright. So don't cry okay?"
They both pulled away.
Alice's lips curled into a soppy smile.
"Think we should visit Luther about now? I kinda left him in Lucy's hands," said Kara with a sly grin on her face.
"Why?"
"So she could fix his wound. I get the feeling he really hates doctors doting on him."
"You didn't?"
Kara chuckled.
"You're evil," Alice said before she burst into laughter.
The two eventually made their way to Luther's bedside.
"Hey," Kara said.
"Hey yourself. I thought you were going to leave me with the little old witch from the north," Luther said.
"I may be evil but I'm not that evil," Kara said slyly.
Alice rolled her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Kara asked.
Luther glanced at her. His lips curled in a soft smile that reached his eyes.
"Better."
"That's good."
A bark come from ahead. Josh had dropped by with Tiny on a leash.
"Tiny!" Alice squealed running up to the dog.
"Josh, what are you doing here?" Kara asked.
"Just came by to visit Luther," he said.
"Who's the dog?"
"It's Simon's dog. His name is Tiny," Josh said.
The dog knelt in such a way that Alice could pet the sides of her ears.
Luther knelt in front of it petting the sides of her flank.
"Aw, who's a sweet dog. Yes, you are."
"I had no idea you loved dogs," Kara said.
"Usually I don't."
"Why?" Alice asked curiously.
"I was bit by a large dog when I was 12. It's fine if they are trained but I prefer smaller dogs or cats. Really love cats. I think I'm more of a cat person," Luther said.
"You think you can handle a cat scratching your furniture, marking their territory and stealing all of your attention," Kara teased leaning forward into his space.
Luther felt his face heat up subconsciously grabbing Kara's arms.
"Oh my. I think Kara's getting a little saucy," Josh said.
Alice chuckled.
The two broke away as if burnt.
Kara was sporting a dark red blush on her face.
"Sorry I forgot we had company."
"It's alright. Don't mind me. I don't mind a little kissing."
Alice looked at Josh in disgust.
"Ew, don't encourage it."
Josh chuckled.
"Ah, still so young."
"Don't even think about giving her any adult talk. She's still a little girl y'know," Kara said hotly.
Josh raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. I won't tell her. At least until she's older."
"Josh..." Luther warned.
"Fine, I won't utter a word."
With that he left with Tiny.
Kara and Luther avoided each other's eyes.
"So when's Lucy supposed to check on your wound?" she asked.
"In an hour or so."
Kara glanced at his bed.
"I don't suppose there's any room on your bed?"
"I can make room if you like," Luther said scooting a little to the corner of the bed to make sure she had room.
"Are you sure it's fine? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"It's fine, Kara."
Kara joined him and snuggled into his shoulder. She glanced at where his wound was.
"I see she patched it up really well."
"Well they got ahold of some good tools at the hospital," Luther said before covering them both up.
"Hey Kara do you want to play dolls with me?"
"Didn't you just tell me they bored you?" Kara asked.
Alice felt her cheeks heat up.
"Well I figured Luther could play with us too," she said before glancing at Luther with a puppydog expression. "Please?"
Luther chuckled.
"Sure."
Alice left and returns with a basket of dolls.
She hadn't been lying when she said the dresses they wore looked beautiful.
"You said Lucy made these?" Kara asked.
"Yeah, aren't they pretty?"
"I'm surprised. She doesn't look like she'd have time to sew them," Luther said.
Once they had finished playing with Alice, both fell sound asleep.
Alice watched them from the side of the bed.
"Are they asleep?"
"Yeah," Alice whispered.
"Good, they deserve worked very hard after all and humans need their rest."
Alice nodded.
"Want to take a walk with me?"
"Sure."
She joined Lucy as they walked around.
"So how long have you been staying with them?"
"A couple days maybe a week," Alice said.
"What happened to your owner?" Lucy asked.
"How did you know I was an android?" she asked softly.
Lucy turned towards her and her expression softened.
"I've been around a lot of kids. I can't say many would treat my dolls with the amount of respect that you do. A kid might damage them even if it's on accident. I guess it was a hunch," she said.
Alice frowned.
"So you think it's obvious?"
"Not at all. Do they know?"
"Kara doesn't. I don't know if Luther does. If I tell them what if they don't like me anymore?"
Lucy snorted.
"Then can you say they really loved you in the first place?"
Alice looked discouraged.
Lucy walked up to her.
"It may not sound like much coming from me, but they have only come this far because of you. If that's not love, then I don't know what love is."
"How do you know what love is?"
Lucy stroked her chin thoughtfully.
"I can't give you a clear answer. These days love is not as defined. More people hate each other as the days go by. Is it to much to ask for the selfless support of another individual or is it too demanding to expect it from anyone? The only thing I know for certain is what I feel in here."
She pointed to where Alice's heart is.
"Or would it be easier just to use that programming that they have here?" Lucy asked pointing to her head. "It's where they program your emotions isn't it?"
Alice nodded.
"It's easy to feel that no one loves you but every second a person talks to you that's showing love to you isn't it? They can't invest time for you if they don't want to. Even the most manipulative person still has to invest time if they want something from you. So can you really live in a world where no one loves you?