Thanks for taking the time to read and review! Also a shout out to a guest reviewer who caught a mistake in the last chapter – thanks! Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter – lots to do this time of year.

"He's out of surgery," Cat heard the relief in Lucy's voice over the phone line. "The doctors said, barring any complications, he should recover fully. It'll take time – a long time. The police are posting a guard on him at the prosecutor's request.

"And you?" Cat asked from her chair in Lucy's apartment.

"They've assigned a police detail to me, you and Carter," Lucy stated.

"I'm relieved to hear the surgery went well. I'll let the boys know," Cat said then added, "I'll see you in a few hours?"

"Yes, I'll be there. I want to see the look on Lord's face when he sees us in the courtroom and realizes his plan failed," Lucy said.

"Yes, I'm sure it will be a Kodak moment," Cat said drily then changed the subject, "I've got Carter sleeping in your bed, if that's okay."

"That's fine. I won't have a chance to do anything other than dress for court by the time I get back from the hospital. How is Adam? I am sorry about –"

"He assures me he will be fine," Cat cut in. "The bleeding has stopped and, aside from extreme tenderness, his nose seems to be okay – at least that's what he claims." She lowered her voice and added, "I think he's afraid something else may happen and he wants be here to keep an eye on Carter instead of at the hospital. To tell you the truth, I doubt I'll sleep tonight either."

"I know it's difficult, Cat, but Carter is going to need you tomorrow. Try and get some sleep. I take it Kara is awake?" Lucy asked.

"Yes, she is. Probably listening in on our phone call. I saw her give a small smile when you gave the update on James."

"Tell her to get some sleep. I talked to Lois. She said Superman is in National City keeping an eye on things," Lucy said then explained, "at least until Carter's testimony is over."

"I'll let her know," Cat said as she glanced over at Kara and noticed the frown lines on her forehead and the determined set to her jaw.

"See you in the morning, Cat," Lucy signed off.

Cat studied Kara after hanging up. She looks like she's in pain – the same look she has after she exposes her eyes to the sun. Cat walked across the room and stood next to the chair Kara was sitting on. She restrained herself from startling the younger woman by putting a hand on her shoulder. Kara didn't seem aware of her proximity until Cat deliberately rapped her knuckles on a nearby coffee table.

"Kara? Good news about James, right?" Cat said a little louder than necessary and saw the wince on Kara's face. Damn, I was hoping I was wrong.

"Yes, very good news," Kara answered softly.

"What's going on? You have the same pinched look when you get into the limo for the ride to work," Cat quieted her voice now that her suspicions were confirmed. "Did you somehow get hurt? Was there –"

"No. Nothing like that," Kara sighed. "I think something happened to the eye inserts … during the fire."

"And you're only saying something about it now? Let me take a look," Cat didn't wait for approval as she slowly removed Kara's dark glasses from her face. Crap! Cat gently took hold of Kara's forearm, "Kara, follow me into the bathroom. We need to take those inserts out now. It looks like the smoke and heat from the fire may have damaged them."

Cat heard Adam get up from where he was seated and start toward them. She looked up at him and shook her head then waved him back into his seat.

"Do need my assistance to help you take them out?" Cat asked as she led Kara into Lucy's guest bathroom.

"I've can do it," Kara raised her hands to her eyes then stopped. "Uh, what time is it?"

"Three thirty in the morning. Sun doesn't rise for another few hours and I shut the door," Cat correctly guessed Kara's concern. "How long have your eyes been bothering you?"

"I didn't really notice until we got here. Then everything … happened," Kara said almost breathlessly as she peeled out the inserts and set them on the counter top.

"Kara, let me look," Cat put both hands on Kara's face and slowly turned it toward her own. This doesn't look to good. "Hold on, I'm going to check Lucy's medicine cabinet – see if she has any eyewash solution. We need to flush out your eyes."

"Okay." Kara's eyes were squeezed shut.

They must be hurting if she isn't even giving me a token fight about it. I'll give her sister a call as soon as we're done in here. She can let me know if I need to have her brought to the DEO for further treatment. Cat turned as she put her hand on the door knob.

"Don't rub your eyes," she ordered. "I'll be right back."

Cat walked out into the living area and caught Adam's questioning look.

"The eye inserts she wears, has to wear for protection thanks to Max Lord, were damaged during the fire. They're out now but I need to flush her eyes," Cat walked toward Lucy's bedroom. "Hopefully Lucy has some eyewash solution in her medicine cab –"

"There's some in the first aid kit," Adam interrupted. "I saw it when Lucy was working on James."

Adam went over to the large first aid kit next to the couch where it was left after James was transported to the hospital. He opened the kit and took out a medium sized plastic bottle containing the eye wash solution then started toward the bathroom.

"I've got it, Adam," Cat said. She saw a hurt look cross his face.

"I said I was sorry. I didn't really mean –"

"That's not what I meant. I would prefer if you stayed out here to keep an eye out – just in case," Cat put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. She left unsaid her suspicion that Adam's presence would add to Kara's embarrassment, especially after his earlier outburst. Cat had enough drama for the night.

"Oh...oh yeah, sure," Adam said as he handed her the saline solution. "Sorry – wasn't thinking. I've got it handled out here."

Cat re-entered the bathroom.

"Here, let's get you over to the sink," Cat said as she gently took Kara's forearm and guided her to the vanity. She then realized her mistake, "Wait, that's not going to work. You're too tall."

"Is there a bathtub?" Kara asked.

"Yes, about three feet to your left. Yes, that should work nicely," Cat watched as Kara sank to her knees and slowly reached out for the lip of the bathtub. Cat helped guide her until Kara's head was positioned over the tub. "Now try and keep your eyes open. Let me know if the pain gets to be too much... Kara? I said –"

"I will."

"Very well. Here goes." Cat slowly doused Kara's eyes in the fluid noting how her hands fisted then twisted together, knuckles turning white. "Do you need me to stop?"

"No … no, keep going. It's starting to feel better – cooler."

"Good. I'm going to open up your eyes fully – make sure everything is washed out. We'll start with the left eye. Are you ready?" Cat asked noting the color slowly leaching from Kara's face.

"Give me a second, 'kay?" Kara took several steadying breaths then exhaled, "Go ahead. I'm ready."

Cat leaned over and carefully opened up Kara's left eye as fully as possible and gently squirted the liquid in. She repeated the procedure on Kara's right eye then used a hand towel to lightly daub the runoff from Kara's face.

"Thanks, Ms. Grant," Kara's smile was a little shaky. "That really helped."

"Yes, well, I'm not an optometrist but I'd recommend you not wear inserts anymore – at least not that kind. I'll call your sister. See if she can arrange a ride for you to the DEO. You need to have your eyes examined."

"NO! Not now. I can wait until –"

She must be feeling better. The Kara Danvers determination look is back. I guess that is something to be grateful for.

"Kara. You need to have your eyes checked," Cat backed up to avoid Kara who abruptly rose to her feet. "You heard Lucy – Superman is in town to keep an eye on us. I'd feel better if you'd please get your eyes checked."

"My eyes feel one hundred percent better. Really. They don't hurt anymore, Ms. Grant. There's no need for me to leave you or Carter. Dr. Hamilton won't be able to do anything more than what you've done. I promise I'll go to the DEO if they start to hurt like that again," Kara bargained.

"Wasn't it you who said the sunlight hurt your eyes even when you wore your dark glasses? At least go and get some other type of eye protection," Cat countered. She knows I'm right.

"I'm sure I can rig something up. Lucy has gauze bandages in her first aid kit, right? I'll make some eye patches. No one will see them when my glasses are on, right?" Kara's voice exuded hope.

"Wrong. Aside from the logistics of keeping the patches on your eyes – the bulkiness of the bandages would show. However …" Cat paused thinking through the problem, "maybe if we line the inside of your glasses with something. I've got an idea. Where are your glasses?"

"Um … I think they may be out in the living room."

"Okay. I'll get them. Stay put … and Kara? You can still call me Cat. Actually, I'd prefer you to call me Cat. I was wrong not to correct you earlier. My issues with Adam or, rather, his issues with me have nothing to do with our relationship. He and I will have a long talk, a very long talk, after all this is done and over with. I know I didn't have a hand in raising him but, still, I do apologize for the hateful things he said to you."

"I won't pretend the things he said didn't hurt," Kara ducked her head and reached up to fiddle with non-existent glasses, "but he apologized and he did help me save Lucy and James. I'm not sure I could've done it without him. Please, don't let me get in the middle of your relationship with him. He's your son, Cat. Like Carter said, he was upset because he thought you choose me over him and said some ugly things to hurt you. You two do need to talk but don't feel you have to defend me to him. I'm fine with keeping some distance between us when he's around if it helps you to build a relationship with him."

"I won't say I haven't made some mistakes but I'm not going to coddle a grown man – don't interrupt," Cat said as Kara opened her mouth to speak. "Yes, he's my son and I want a relationship with him, but not at your or anyone else's expense. It wouldn't be much of a relationship if it was built on a lie, would it?"

"I guess when you put it that way … you're right," Kara admitted.

"Of course, I am," Cat raised her hand in a dismissive gesture she belatedly realized was wasted on Kara. She settled for a put-upon sigh as she left the room, "I'll be right back with the glasses."

Cat strode out into the living area to retrieve Kara's glasses. I think we should be able to coat the inside of them with something … maybe Lucy has some dark colored nail polish. Wait, Kara did it to me again! I wanted her to get her eyes checked out and now I'm helping her so she doesn't have to. I've got to check with her sister – I wonder if persuading people isn't one of her superpowers.

"Is something wrong? Where's Kara?" Adam's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Did you see her glasses – oh, never mind," Cat said as she spied the dark wrap-around glasses on a table. She turned to walk back into the bathroom with the glasses in hand then stopped. Time to start mending fences. "Kara's eyes were deliberately exposed to something that not only caused her blindness but makes any exposure to sunlight incredibly painful. It's why she also wears – wore, the eye inserts. The dark glasses aren't enough to protect her. She can't wear the inserts now so I'm going to line her glasses with … well … something to help minimize exposure to the sun."

"Let me help."

"I'll figure something out. You really don't –"

"I'd like to help. I mean, I know I can't make up for what I said. I was an ass to you and to Kara." Adam looked down at his hands briefly then locked eyes with Cat," What Carter said was pretty much on the money about me wanting to be important to you. Something he didn't know was … I always had this fantasy, since I found out you didn't fight dad for custody of me, that somehow, I'd do something heroic … so brave and important that you'd show up and tell me how wrong you were for … for not wanting me," Adam's voice broke. "Then, in the fire, I couldn't get the door open and we were trapped on the balcony. I couldn't save you, I couldn't be your hero and we were going to die. I thought that, well, I'd at least get to be with you at the end, you know? I was actually kind of okay with it. Then you and Carter started yelling for Supergirl. Kara shows up, blind as a bat, and saves all of us … and … and I'm jealous because I wasn't the one who got to save you. Pathetic, right? A grown man still clinging onto his little boy fantasies. Then, because I'm … I don't know, angry? I take it out on Kara – like it's her fault my childhood fantasy didn't play out the way I wanted it to. What a –"

"Adam –", Cat started.

"Let me finish … please," Adam interrupted. "I don't want you to think I'm blaming you or Kara or anyone else for the way I acted. I was wrong and I'm ashamed of what I said. I'm not an eight-year-old and I acted like one. I can understand if you or Kara don't want me around after today and you don't have to worry – I'll never tell anyone who Kara is. I won't. I'd … I'd just like to help – if you'll let me."

"Of course," Cat cleared her throat and continued, her voice thick with emotion and eyes bright with unshed tears. "Of course, I'd like you to help and, as for not wanting you around? That won't happen, ever. I made a decision years ago, one which I haven't regretted more than today. Adam, you never had – never have to do anything heroic to win my love. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel you did."

Cat stood motionless studying Adam for a brief moment. Giving him a chance to digest her words. First with Kara and now with Adam … for someone who spent her whole life in a career involving communication, I've certainly made a mess of things. I guess I've inherited some of my mother's genes after all. Cat crossed the room stopping in front of Adam and clasped his hand gently. She used it to guide him out of the chair and into her embrace. It was awkward. Cat realized she had never hugged Adam – not arm encircled, tightly held, hugged her son since he was an infant. The tears she was holding back washed down her cheeks when she felt Adam's sobs as he hugged her back.

Several minutes later Cat walked back into the bathroom, minus the dark glasses, to find Kara beaming.

"You were listening," Cat's voice was matter of fact.

"No, no, no … uh, well … yeah, I was," Kara had the grace to look sheepish before the beaming began again in earnest.

Cat rolled her eyes, realized the gesture was lost on Kara, and sighed. "Then you know Adam's going to try to rig something up with your glasses – if that's all right with you. Which reminds me, I have to call Lucy. See if she has any dark nail polish we can use."

"Adam working on my glasses is fine with me. I'm glad you two talked. What he said makes sense. I mean, it explains why he acted the way he did earlier." Kara bit her lip obviously wanting to say something else.

"Go ahead, Kara, spit it out."

Kara hesitated a few more seconds then finally asked, "Would … would you mind rinsing out my eyes again? They're not really burning bad or anything but –"

"But they're starting to," Cat interrupted. "Tomorrow. After court. You have a date with the DEO and your Dr. Hamilton. No negotiations. Period. Got it?"

"Um, yep."

"Good. Now let's get your eyes washed out then I'll call Lucy."

/

In Lucy's bedroom, a supposedly fast asleep Carter listened intently. His hearing wasn't as good as Kara's but he managed to catch most of the conversation between the adults. He smiled contentedly as he drifted off to sleep. He never felt closer to his brother. I always wanted to be mom's hero too, Adam.

/

"I'd like to say I can't believe Max Lord would stoop so low as to kill a child to save his sorry ass," Hank shook his head as he and Alex discussed the fire that destroyed the top floor of the Madison Treymour.

"Yeah, well believe it. There's no way it was an accident. I hear the fire department found a body. The medical examiner's office says it will take a while to identify the remains. I should have been there for –"

"They're okay, Alex," Hank cut her off. "I don't see how your being there would have changed anything except given Kara someone else to save."

"What about the guy who shot James? Lucy said he jumped in front of her – pushed her out of the way – to protect her. I'm telling you," Alex's eyes bored into Hank, "Max Lord is not going to give up!"

"I wish I could disagree with you," Hank scratched the back of his head in irritation. He hated wearing the device that kept him from shape shifting and the monitor that kept him tethered to the DEO. "Okay. Go ahead under one condition, you have to keep a low profile. Stay in the background and observe. You can let Kara know but no physical contact with anyone involved in the case. If you see anything alert the police, let them do their jobs. Your involvement is a last resort … a very last resort, understand?"

"Thanks, J'onn, I won't let you down this time. I'll stay in the background and won't call any attention to myself," Alex said solemnly. "I promise."

Famous last words. Hank watched Alex as she practically ran down the hall to the armory. Well, at least the playing field is a little more even now. You wanted a war, Max? Your hired goons are no match for one pissed off Alex Danvers.