Supergirl had inspired so much, in so many people, these last two months.
Donna could have been inspired to go the the gym more often.
She hadn't.
As she huffed and puffed across six city blocks, carrying a case of water, she wished she had.
At least the power was coming back, in fits and starts. Until the next aftershock?
At least buildings were damaged, not collapsing.
At least people were scared and stressed; beats hurt and dead.
At least the Maid of Might was here to land a h-
Oh, right.
Donna thanked creation the elevator ride was earthquake free. As she hauled the water the last few paces to Catco HQ, she thought she saw a familiar hairstyle bobbing down the hallway.
Followed her until she was sure. Got close enough to avoid shouting.
"Kara."
The figure paused. Donna let the water fall to an empty desk with a satisfying thud. Looked up. "What the hell is going on with y-".
The most amazing person Donna would ever know; her arm was in a sling.
Kara sneezed, and winced in pain.
My turn to feel like a heel now…
Donna and Kara quickly found a quiet room to talk. And had nothing to say.
Donna had never followed gossip about the Man of Steel. But even she'd heard rumors about his, what, power outages? Now it was Kara's turn. Laugh or cry -
"You're timing sucks, Kara." They laughed. Kara winced some more.
"Sure does. Hey, did you know that sidewalks are hard?" Donna smiled weakly.
"Kara, wha-" Donna caught herself. Waved a hand. Then her eyes followed Kara's hand, as she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. Kara noticed, blew, and shook her head.
"Don't worry. Not the Kryptonian super flu. Just something I picked up on the bus yesterday. Some runny-nosed kid, I think. My immune system went from invincible to useless overnight."
Kara choked up. "Kind of…like…"
Donna stepped towards her. She'd risk the cold. "You are not useless, señorita", she almost hissed.
A breath. A bitter smile. A nod. "So that's why asked for a full and detailed report, yesterday. So I could be useful."
Ah, a Dependably Efficient Organization.
"They never bothered, when I was punching things."
A bit of fire still there. Good. And where does it go from here?
"Aaand I'm not much good at a keyboard right now. So, Ms. Grant is having me take inventory. Tablets, chargers, that sort of thing."
Those spies and their secrets I read about. What would they do?
Kara took a step back. A resigned look on her. "I wish I could help you, Donna. You and everyone else. But…" She waved her free hand.
Secrets.
"Watch yourself," Kara muttered, as she turned to leave.
"Greek fire."
Kara slowly turned back, confusion on her face.
"Ever hear of it?"
Kara's eyes narrowed, but must have decided there was a point to this. She seemed to rummage through her memory banks.
"I vaguely recall something."
"Tell me."
A 'you kidding me?' look. A 'hope you're happy' smile.
"A Byzantine secret weapon. Medieval flame-thrower. Set enemy ships ablaze. Yeah, team."
"Good. Now why did it fade out?"
Kara rolled her eyes, but pressed on.
"Tried to keep the formula a secret. Split up the manufacturing. Right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing. The day came when no one was left who could actually make the stuff. It was forgotten."
She smiled - at human folly?
"They hid it from their enemies. And everyone else. Even themselves."
She paused. A look of mild irritation. "So…I'm a secret weapon, is that it? Just what I always wanted."
Donna smiled. Gently took her hand. "My dear, you're not a weapon. Not to me. Or your friends." A knowing look from Kara.
"But others will see you as nothing else. You had to keep that part of you a secret. But hiding so much? For so long?" Donna shrugged.
"I think you hid something from yourself." Kara blinked.
"And you will find it, Kara."
She sniffed. Stepped towards Donna. Caught herself. Stepped back. And grinned.
"Nice pep talk, coach. But I appreciate it. I really do."
Donna nodded, as something buzzed in Kara's pocket. She carefully pulled out her phone.
"Ahh, cel service is back. Enjoy it while it lasts."
Donna took that as her cue. "Well, think that case of water is gonna walk off if I'm here much longer. Good luck with inventory."
"Thanks." Kara had an almost goofy grin, as Donna stepped out.
It dropped the second the door closed.
"Oh gods," she muttered, as she saw the text:
Are you OK?
Danni had been waiting seven hours for a reply. The DEO could wait a few minutes.
Never texted left-handed, before. She took her time…
Danielle sprawled on the carpet, as her roommate took a shower. Took a deep breath as she read it again:
I'm all right, Danni - we lost cel srvc; Nat City could be worse & could be better, will call when I can / Kara
She came up with a witty reply. Double checked it. Couldn't believe what she'd written:
And your better half?
Deleted it with all deliberate care. Sent something well-meaning and bland. Looked up at the ceiling.
"Still think it was a good idea, Zee?"
No reply.
—
This all takes place during the episode 'Human for a Day'.
I've always thought the spoken intro to the show was too wordy.
Hope you like my take, and thanks for reading:
I'm not human
But I am a person
I was a person on Krypton
and I am a person here
I lost my family
and found another
I lost my home
I won't lose another
I am Kara Zor-El
I am Kara Danvers
I am…
Supergirl