Sam came in and found the whole gang crashed out, asleep in whatever location they could comfortably lie in. Kara, Alex, and Eliza had somehow squeezed themselves into Kara's bed while Lois was asleep in the chair and Lucy was curled up on half a dozen blankets with Ruby on the floor. She smiled at the group and laughed happily to herself, Lucy stirred first, blinking sleepily as she stretched and looked up "Hey, Sam. Is it morning already?"
"MmHmm, actually it's just after 8:00, so you all got to sleep in about 30 minutes later." Sam smiled.
Lucy's eyes popped open. "8:00, oh damn, I have to be at the DEO in about an hour." She jumped up looking for her tennis shoes.
"There, under the table Luce." Sam laughed as she pointed.
"Thanks, Sam." Lucy laughed as she grabbed her shoes and hopped down the hall putting them on. She had a company car, so she could go straight to the DEO and shower and change. "Tell Kara I'll call later." She yelled as the door closed.
Lucy's rush woke the rest of the gang up, everyone looked up sleep still in their eyes, blinking quickly. Alex stretched and sat up. Lois got up and smiled. "How's my son?"
"He's fine, Clark came in last night and took over from Nia and Brainy." Sam smiled, remembering how much she worried about Ruby at that age.
"Hi, momma." Her not so little girl said, yawning.
"Hi baby, you are going back to the condo, Nia wants to hang out today," Sam told her child.
"Actually, that's on me." Eliza volunteered while stretching. "Me and the girls are taking a road trip today."
"Really?" Ruby asked excitedly, rushing to find her shoes and clothes from the two days she had been here. "I'll do laundry when we get home tonight mom."
"Okay baby." Sam laughed, she loved seeing Ruby this excited. "Alex, Astra asked that she get a few minutes of your time today."
That woke Alex up. "Yeah, I guess Kara is doing better isn't she." She sighed.
"Hey, Sam." Kara smiled sleepily. "I put everything about Lena's mom on a zip drive."
"I'll give it to her, and I made a reservation for a car this morning. Lois, Lena will call you personally to set up interviews for the next four quarters."
Lois smiled. "What about Lucy's dress?"
"I was supposed to get her size, but she rushed out in a hurry." Sam frowned a bit.
"I'll get it and text you later." Lois smiled "And I'm staying today because Kara and I have a speech to work on."
Kara frowned. "That's right."
"Well, if it makes you feel better, you get a room with a view for the rest of your stay, and Lena said if you could make it to the elevator pushing the wheelchair, no bike today." Sam smiled.
"Okay." Kara smiled, perking up at the chance not to ride that particular demon today.
While everyone got their things together, Eliza and Alex gathered up Kara's things and supervised, along with Sam as she made her way to the elevator. She made it all the way down the hall, then sat heavily in her chair.
The elevator came to a halt on the floor right above Lena's office and Lena was standing at a set of double doors.
"Hello, Kara. Thank you again." Lena smiled then opened the door.
They all stopped and just looked in. The room was a studio apartment, about the size of Kara's former apartment. Except there were floor to ceiling windows forming the outside walls. Kara's bed was set facing the windows with chairs and even an extra bed set up for guests. All the monitors were in place, but nothing blocked her view of the outside. Kara was speechless, quite an accomplishment for the normally chatty superhero.
"You like it, sweetheart?" Sam asked.
Kara stood up, closing her eyes, just letting her body feel the sunlight. "In Rao's name. Sami, it's perfect." She smiled. Sam averted her eyes, the nickname had until now been a private thing between them that Kara used when she visited. "Thank you, Lena."
"You earned it, now I'm going to just check you out quickly and then Sam and I have several meetings that we cannot put off today," Lena said, impressed, Kara wasn't showing any signs of fear, but of course Alex and Eliza were right here. "You can even order food and have it delivered via the dumb waiter by the bar. Same access codes work up here as downstairs, and I already set up the monitor to work as a TV."
Kara sat in one of the recliners and just looked out over National City, the sunlight doing wonders to increase her mood. Alex and Eliza said their goodbyes and headed down to return to the condo. Lena and Sam waited until Lois came in and then said their goodbyes. Kara and Lois spent the rest of their day working on her speech for Monday while Lena and Sam spent the day in meetings.
Alex was a nervous wreck on the way home, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. Eliza tried and failed several times to start a conversation. Astra was weighing heavy on her mind, except for Kara's room, they avoided each other completely at the condo, and now she wanted to talk. 'Shit, shit, shit' Alex thought to the beat of her tapping fingers.
They arrived back at the condo and Alex immediately headed to her room to calm down. Kelly was already at Obsidian because she has meetings today. Alex sent a quick I love you text and received one back just as quick. She jumped in the shower and let the hot water wash some of her concerns down the drain.
While Alex was in the shower Eliza and Astra sat down for a cup of coffee while the girls finished getting ready.
"How is my niece, Eliza?" Astra asked, she needed to get back to see her, but had been exploring the city just a bit, getting her bearings and getting used to being alive again.
"She's doing much better, Astra, your presence that night, seems to have helped her overcome some of her fear with Lena. She confronted her and Alex yesterday about her feelings and theirs. That's a huge step for Kara, she normally tries not to step on other people's feelings at all." Eliza smiled.
"Ask, Eliza, you wish to know why I want to speak with Alexandra," Astra spoke formally.
"Why today, Astra?" Eliza was concerned and continued. "What are you planning?"
"Alexandra and I need to speak, I am not going to hurt her, but there are things she and I need to get through, she has protected Kara through many things, and I wish to know her better," Astra said. "I am not explaining this well, my feelings for Alexandra are conflicted."
"Just be careful, she means a great deal to Kara," Eliza said.
"I will be, Eliza, thank you." Astra bowed and headed back to the balcony.
The girls came out, dressed for a day out with Eliza, jeans, hoodies and tennis shoes. Eliza stepped up to Alex's door and called out. "Alex, we are headed out, coffee is through and Clark is out with Jon."
"Love you, mom," Alex called back.
"Love you too, behave." Eliza smiled as she leaned her head against the door. She pushed herself off the door and headed out with the girls.
They made their way downstairs, loaded into the SUV and headed out. "Where are we headed?" Ruby asked.
"There's a place about an hour outside of town that Kara and I discovered while exploring one day. I took Kara and Alex there, once, they were fighting, and it gave them a chance to reconnect. I thought, after the last couple of days, that maybe you two would appreciate it." Eliza smiled as the memory came.
Eliza had called to check on the girls, it was the anniversary of Jeremiah's death and Alex always got into such a funk. Kara picked up and explained that Alex was wasted and that they were fighting, maybe not such a good weekend to visit. Eliza took it as a challenge and arrived the next morning.
Alex was on the couch, hungover, so hungover that she groaned when Eliza closed the door. Kara was flitting around the apartment like a hyperactive hummingbird, her crinkle more pronounced than ever. She greeted Eliza with a hug and then back to the kitchen.
"Breakfast girls?" Eliza asked, not giving them a choice as she pulled bacon and eggs from the fridge. She cooked breakfast and forced both girls to eat.
Throughout breakfast, they continued sniping at one another, until Eliza had enough. "Both of you get dressed, we are going out, NOW!"
They got dressed, still arguing. Eliza rolled her eyes, at this point, she was ready to snap. She didn't need an explanation, the girls always had bad times, but normally they came back pretty quickly, this time, not so much. They headed out towards the Buddhist gardens, it was a place she and Kara had discovered and when she became too overwhelmed in the city, Kara could come here to collect herself. This was a place she had never shared with Alex, something all her own.
When they arrived, Eliza explained the rules to Alex, no speaking, it wasn't forbidden, but the quiet was encouraged. Kara was staring out the window. Eliza knew she was worried that Alex's mood would spoil this place for her, but she also knew that Alex needed to reset, she needed to share Kara's peace. They got out of the car and Kara pulled them both to the center of the garden, her favorite spot in the entire place because it was there that she found her and Alex's favorite flowers, the Lotus blossoms. Alex finally broke her grip, but couldn't stop staring, every color was represented but there in the middle was a pink and turquoise representing hope and friendship. She reached out, not thinking, searching for Kara's hand, which found hers. They pulled each other together, and Eliza smiled as Kara leaned her head on Alex's shoulder as the sun broke through the clouds and shined down on the garden.
Eliza shook her head from the memory, started the car and headed out. She needed this as much as the girls did, she was so worried about Kara, what if her powers never returned? Kara had worked so hard as Supergirl, would she be okay if she never flew again? As a scientist, she had seen the results of Lena's work, had seen how it was working on Kara, but as a mother, she was worried about the health of her child. Nia and Ruby were talking quietly back and forth, Ruby apologized again for what had happened, and Nia once again told her to stop, that everything was going to be okay between them. Ruby then asked the one question Eliza didn't think Nia was ready for. "Are you scared?"
Nia blinked, then swallowed, and finally took a deep breath and answered the question with a question. "Of what?"
"Aunt Kara never coming back?" Ruby asked.
Nia turned away from Ruby, not to be mean, but to hide the tears that were forming. Ruby moved forward as far as her seatbelt would allow and put her hand on Nia's shoulder, and Eliza, without thinking held her hand out to support the young hero. Nia grasped at the lifeline, closed her eyes and whispered. "Yes, it worries me all the time. I've seen her get hit and get right back up like it never happened. Now I see her, so weak and scared. I-I just, want to see her get better. Supergirl is who everyone sees, but Kara, she's my hero. And as strong as she is, if something like this could happen to her, what would have happened to me." Nia then turned completely away, staring out the window, still holding Eliza's hand as she cried. The rest of the trip would be made in silence.
Back at the condo…
Alex had gotten out of the shower and was heading into the kitchen for coffee when Astra called out that she already had made her a cup. Alex grabbed a banana and took a deep breath and headed out to the balcony like a prisoner being led to execution.
"Good morning, Alexandra. How is my niece?" Astra asked, calmly.
"She is well, Astra, she stuck it to Lena yesterday," Alex answered, nervously.
"Stuck what to her?" Astra asked, confused.
"I apologize, she defeated Lena in a challenge," Alex answered, giggling just a bit.
"Oh, thank you for clarifying," Astra said.
"Why did you want to talk, Astra?" Alex asked, exasperated. "You will see her later today, so you don't need to speak to me about her health."
"No, Alexandra, I do not, but you and I need to talk, to better understand each other, because if we cannot get along for the sake of Kara, her health will not improve and we will hold ourselves accountable for that," Astra said, hanging her head in shame. "Twice I have hurt my niece, my little one. The first time was Myriad, the second was in her recovery room when I broke her hand. I am not proud of either one, but I will not hurt her again, and to do that, I need to understand you. I would like to talk, Alexandra."
Alex was shocked, so shocked that she almost missed the chair as she sat down. "You want to talk?"
"Alexandra, I need to understand a woman who would kill so easily to protect my niece," Astra said, with something akin to pride.
The memories of that night flooded Alex's senses. The feel of her sword as it slid through Astra's back. The sight of Kara, kneeling over her Aunt. The sound of her sister's grief as she cried. The smell of Kara's shampoo as she hugged Alex. The taste of bile in her mouth as guilt overwhelmed her.
"It was never easy, Astra," Alex said as she wept.
Astra knelt in front of Alex, having heard the pain. "Alexandra, it is acceptable for a warrior to cry."
"I failed her that night, Astra." Alex cried.
Recognizing the pain in the young woman's voice Astra knelt in front of her. "Alexandra, you did what you thought was right, to protect her, to protect your family."
"You don't understand." Alex cried "I killed you and I hid it from her, I was a coward, I took her hero from her and then hid behind someone else because I was afraid to lose my sister. She believed in you, I failed her by not listening, by doubting her."
Astra was shocked. "She told you this? I thought they were words, meant to comfort me." Astra stood, and walked to the edge of the balcony. The hunched and shaking shoulders the only sign that she was in tears.
Alex swallowed her tears and stood, walking slowly towards Astra. She placed her hand lightly upon the woman's shoulder. She had taken everything from her and yet she was trying, Alex, owed it to her and to herself to salvage something from their past. "I struck you with dishonor, General. I know you can never forget, but perhaps in your noble heart, you could forgive?"
Astra turned to face her niece's sister and extended her arms, which Alex grasped. "For my niece, Alexandra, I will try."
Alex smiled a sad smile and the two women turned and looked out over the city.
"You owe me a fair fight, just once, Alexandra," Astra whispered.
"I think I can make that happen, Astra," Alex smirked.
DEO Headquarters, Directors Office
"As you can see, Director Lane, alien hate crime is up 26.2% since Supergirl's disappearance, the regular crime rate is up 15.5% and Meta Crimes have increased by 38.4%. Even with the assistance, we have given the NCPD, they are unable to keep up with the crime rate." Brainy stated.
"Enough, Brainy." Lucy snapped, not meaning too. "I get it, without Supergirl the city is in bad shape, but she needs this."
"I'm not arguing to bring her back, Director. I am simply stating the facts as you requested," Brainy responded, hanging his head in shame.
"I know, Brainy. I'm sorry." Lucy tried to smile. "I wish Alex was here, she would know exactly what to do."
"Would I be a good sounding board?" J'onn asked as he entered the control room.
"J'onn, of course, you would be, but we are keeping you so busy." Lucy smiled.
"Lucy, Brainy we will do our best to protect the city, that is all Kara would have ever asked of us. She will be back, but she needs time to heal, to find herself again. She has given her all for this city, for this planet for almost 6 years, and we owe it to her to continue in her absence," J'onn said forcefully.
"We were using her as a crutch, a way to fight without doing it ourselves," Lucy said, ashamed of herself.
"But what if she doesn't return? What if the world has lost Supergirl?" Brainy asked.
"Then the sun continues to rise and we still have Kara in our family. As important as our mission is, it's as important as stopping alien threats is. Nothing is more important than making sure Kara heals, that she comes out of this stronger than before. She needs our support, not the guilt of not being here as Supergirl. Monday, she is stepping away from a life she has known for six years and she needs her family to support that decision, no matter what," J'onn spoke passionately about the girl he thought of as a daughter.
"I understand, but she is a symbol of hope to everyone on this planet," Brainy spoke, trying to understand.
"Then live up to her ideals, but give Kara a normal life, give her some peace, but mostly give her your support." J'onn stated.
Lucy bit her lip, it had been a long week. "Brainy, what day is it?" She asked.
"Friday." He answered, confused.
Lucy looked at J'onn, and she smiled. "It's game night."
J'onn smiled back and nodded his head.
The Buddhist Gardens
"Okay, girls, phones stay in the car, this is about peace, quiet and just reconnecting," Eliza said in her best impression of a caring grandmother.
All three got out of the car and headed into the gardens, leaving their phones hidden in the glove compartment of the SUV. The girls were walking ahead of her, and she noticed a bit more distance than normal between them. The conversation in the car may have been a bit much for Nia, so she sped up and moved between them taking them both by the hand. She looked down at Ruby, who smiled back up at her, so excited, so full of life. Nia smiled as well, breathing in all the scents, breathing out her stress. Kara had taught her so much, about being a reporter and being a hero, but most of all about living her life as she wanted, not letting everyone and everything else define who she was. She watched as Ruby shot forward looking out over the ocean that bordered the cliffs of the garden. Her sister had never supported her, had been hateful since she found out Nia had inherited their family's powers. She realized then that Kara and Alex and everyone else had given her something she thought she lost, they had given her family. With family you got support, caring, friendship and love. She took another breath and decided she would do for Kara, exactly what Kara had done for her, support her, no matter what. She smiled at Eliza and mouthed the words 'thank you' to her. Then she ran ahead to join Ruby. They spent another hour walking around the gardens until they ended up in the same spot as Alex and Kara had been in so many years ago, except now the two Lotus blossoms were surrounded by Gladiolus, representing honor. Her two granddaughters, she smiled at that thought, were standing arms wrapped around one another looking just like Kara and Alex. A single tear rolled down her cheek, she wiped it away as the girls turned and they headed back to the car. The two younger women checked their phones, a single text from Lucy on each. 'It's Gamenight.'
Back at the Condo
Alex was texting Lucy, trying to get permission to bring Astra in and use Kara's training room. She finally answered yes, and was sending a car.
While they waited, they continued to talk. Astra's questions were about Kara growing up and Alex asking about their life on Krypton. Slowly they were connecting, it may take months or years and they would possibly never be friends, but for Kara's sake they would get along.
The car arrived 15 minutes later and both women entered and were driven to DEO headquarters, where they were met by Lucy.
"The rules are quite simple ladies, you are not allowed to kill one another," Lucy spoke quite seriously. "J'onn and I will supervise, and if it gets out of hand we will separate you. Is this acceptable?"
"Yes, ma'am." The two women responded.
"Astra, there are training clothes through there." Alex pointed, already in her normal training clothes. "I'll meet you in the sparring room."
Ten minutes later Astra entered the sparring room. "Can you explain to me how we are going to spar without me breaking you, Alexandra?"
"This room contains red sunlight emitters, that limit your powers. Kara normally trains at about 40% but if it's okay with you I will take you to 50% since Kara has learned to hold back."
"That is acceptable," Astra responded.
The emitters came on and Astra grunted, as her powers drained and her body fought against the sudden change. "Sorry, Astra, I forget that it hurts. Kara has gotten used to it."
Astra looked up and grunted. "Does she ever win?" Then she breathed deeply, trying to center herself.
"At least 1 time out of 4." Alex smiled. Her sister was getting better and training with other people, there would come a day when she and Kara would be evenly matched. Alex was too much of a realist not to realize that. "Do you need a moment to get used to this?"
"Please," Astra spoke through her teeth. "My niece is a strong woman."
"The strongest person I know, Astra." Alex's smile showed in her eyes, and Astra watched her blossom with pride as she spoke of Kara.
"You love Kara very much?" Astra smiled, grunting a bit as she stood upright.
"I do, she is one of the best things in my life, Astra." Alex walked towards the woman, to help support her.
"Thank you, Alexandra, this is more uncomfortable than I would have thought." Astra grimaced as the younger woman helped her stand upright.
"Breathe in, relax, and breathe out." Alex coached. "Kara says the key is relaxing, don't fight it."
Astra took a deep breath, willing her body to relax and accept the changes she was feeling, she breathed out and took one more breath. "I am ready, Alexandra."
"Now we stretch, your body will take time to heal because you are used to being under a yellow sun, but it will take you a few hours to recover, so you will be sore, and you may bruise," Alex spoke, "I normally practice my Kata for about 10 minutes before I go up against Kara. Think you can follow along?"
"I will attempt." Astra was confused but willing to try.
Alex backed away and faced Astra, she placed herself into her beginning pose and nodded for Astra to follow. As she had done with her sister when they began training six years before, she began slowly so that Astra could follow. Astra was easier to frustrate than Kara, and Alex made it a point to repeat moves often so that the older woman could catch on. Astra, as a leader among her people, recognized what Alex was doing and smiled, this woman was more amazing than she thought. Alex was a healer, a scientist, a warrior, and a teacher, her little one could not have found a more perfect sister. She stopped daydreaming as Alex started to speed up her movements, punches and kicks, quicksteps and turns, combinations, Astra was amazed at Alex's technique, but like any warrior she was looking for a weakness, she thought she had found two but wasn't sure. Then the session ended, and Alex stretched to her toes. Astra centered herself and prepared for the upcoming fight.
Lucy and J'onn were looking on, Astra was sweating already, but this was to be expected, she was not used to this, not having her powers.
Astra relaxed into her favorite fighting stance, modified from something she had learned from Alura many, many years ago. Alex, modified her Kata stance slightly, knowing that Astra thought she had learned something from her stretching technique, Kara and her aunt were a lot alike and she was willing to bet Astra would fall for the same tricks.
Astra led with a spinning punch that Alex blocked easily with her forearm, thankful for the sunlamps, cause damn that hurt. Alex stepped forward with one of her combinations from her Kata and Astra smiled wickedly, blocking them easily, but was caught off guard by the sweeping kick that took her feet out from under her. She landed hard on her back as Alex fell back. 'The little warrior has claws and cunning.' She thought to herself. She rolled up onto one knee and moved quickly to her feet.
Alex smiled, now she realized who had taught Kara to fight, their techniques were identical. She had seen Kara use that roll in practice so many times she could time it in her head. Astra's was slower, but landing on her back probably hadn't helped. Astra charged her, leading with a forward kick, which Alex dodged by stepping to the left, but Astra was prepared and spun low with a sweep of her own to Alex's legs, dropping her onto the mat, as she followed up with a punch to Alex's stomach. Unfortunately for Astra, Alex had already rolled out of the way and she watched as Alex grabbed her wrist and twisted her into an armbar. Astra did the unexpected and rolled into the armbar, weakening Alex's grip and pulling her up at the same time. She sent a roundhouse at Alex's jaw, which missed as Alex leaned away. Alex punched out catching Astra once with a glancing blow on the cheek and missing with the follow-through.
Both fighters retreated for a moment. "Are you okay?" Alex asked.
"Bruised, but I will live, little warrior." Astra smiled, she was enjoying this. She stepped forward and was met by Alex coming at her with a modified Kryptonian kick. She caught the kick with her forearm and elbowed Alex in the ribs, stopping her forward momentum and dropping her to the mat.
'Shit, that hurt.' Alex thought as she slowly dragged herself off the mat, hoping to catch her breath. She heard Astra approaching and dropped onto her stomach as the low kick landed about where her head had been. She rolled onto her back and sprung to her feet, catching Astra off balance with a forward kick to the back. Astra caught herself and rolled to her feet. Then the two women closed in, punch, kick, knee and repeat. Neither could get the upper hand, then Alex dropped her guard and an elbow to her cheek. It snapped her head back and she dropped back a few steps to make sure she could still focus and that there was no blood.
"Are you okay Alexandra," Astra asked in a concerned voice, they were sparring and she had connected a hard blow. "I apologize, I did not mean to connect so hard, I need more practice at this."
"Astra, relax, focus, we are trained for this, I can take a punch, so relax. Please." Alex smiled, she hadn't had an opponent like this except for J'onn and Kara in so long, she forgot how much fun this could be. Not to mention, Astra was an exceptional fighter. 'Time to change tactics.' She thought to herself.
Alex changed tactics again, this time she decided on boxing. This was a skill she had learned from J'onn and she had modified it a bit to fit her smaller size and reach, but it was highly unlikely that Astra had any experience with American boxing. Bringing her arms into a guard position she bounced towards Astra, who was completely unprepared for this style of attack. She couldn't figure out the style, every time she attacked, Alex moved out of the way or blocked, no pattern and no set style. Then came the attack, left, right, knee, knee, left, left, right. She couldn't block fast enough and Alex had her backing away in defense. Her anger was rising and she threw a forward kick at her opponent, who was way to close. Alex changed style as soon as she saw the kick coming. She caught Astra's leg, swept her other out from under her and dropped Astra on her back, straddling her with her arms trapped.
"Yield!" Astra smiled.
Alex immediately backs off and stood up. Astra got to her feet and smiled, this woman was impressive and she fought with honor when it was necessary. They weren't friends, but her respect had definitely grown.
"Are you okay, Astra?" Alex asked, concerned, she had been holding back during the last bit and didn't think she had hit Astra at anywhere near full strength.
"I am fine, Alex." She rubbed her back just a bit, she would have bruises until her powers were restored. "You must teach me that last style, and tell me who taught you that kick."
"I'll teach you to box, but J'onn taught me, so I may miss some things. You mean the spinning kick, that's easy Kara taught me." She smiled. "How did you counter it?"
"As you said, that is easy, I taught it to Kara," Astra smirked. "There is a variation I can teach you, but at a later time."
The two women stepped out into the hallway, and immediately Astra's body started to work itself back up to normal power levels. She looked at Alex and realized, "Your eye is bruised, as well as your cheek."
"It was worth it Astra." Alex smiled.
"Are you two done?" Lucy interrupted. "We are doing something for Kara tonight."
"What's up?" Alex asked.
"Gamenight." Lucy smiled wickedly. "You two got volunteered to hit the stores for games."
"She'll love that," Alex said laughing.
"What's game night?" Astra asked, completely lost.
Text were sent, food was ordered, drinks, snacks, and games were bought. Kara was looking outside, staring at the red, blue and gold sunset through the windows of her recovery suite while talking to Lois. She was looking forward to a night with Astra. She was so lost in thought, she didn't even hear her family arrive, so she was completely surprised when she smelled pizza and potstickers as she turned around. Everyone was there, except Alura and Lena and she smiled at them all, a smile that reminded all them why she was a supergirl, with or without her powers.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Game night!"