The Boy Who Fell From The Sky

Chapter Sixteen

Clark Kent was running through the fields, his backpack slung over a shoulder to free his right hand, pushing aside various crops and plants but still making sure to not damage any of them as he almost flew swiftly through the rows of corn and wheat.

School was out and he was heading home. His pace though, wasn't as swift as usual, this was mainly because of the thoughts that occupied his mind.

It had been six months since Clark had shown Tony his pod as Tony called it, because calling the ten foot long transport a ship was being a bit generous. Tony had kept his promise of a bi-monthly visit to supposedly appease one Lily Marie Kent but Clark knew that he missed all of the Kent family just as much as they missed him.

The reveal of his pod had gone down pretty well with Tony almost salivating at the advanced technology and the alien material of the vessel. He had ooh'ed and ahh'ed at every step of the reveal, it was quite something to see the unflappable Tony Stark fanboying over the craft.

Clark had assured the engineer slash mad scientist that he hadn't intentionally kept the existence of the pod a secret from his brother, revealing that he hadn't even known that the thing was there until his dad had shown it to him the previous week.

Tony had waved away his concern and had been scanning the pod up and down, ecstatic exclamations of wonder escaping the normally reserved billionaire whose response to most situations was sarcastic humor.

Clark had revealed that he had tried everything he could to get the pod to respond to him, maybe there was some message that his alien parents had sent. But all his efforts had been futile.

It took Tony a whole thirty minutes to crack the ships computer. And as Clark stared dumbfounded Tony admitted that it had been his biggest challenge yet but in the end, with JARVIS' help he got through to the interface. After all, alien language or technology aside, code is still code and Tony knew code better than he knew English.

Clark on the other hand was convinced that his brother was not entirely human. Maybe he was part of those Mutant people that that Xavier guy led. Wasn't that guy supposed to be completely human but could read minds? Maybe Tony was like that, completely human but with a superhuman brain.

It was thanks to Tony that Clark finally learned who he was. He spoke to the onboard AI who identified itself as the digital consciousness of his Alien Father. His name was Jor-El and he called Clark Kal-El. He learned that his mother's name was Lara and that he was from the planet Krypton.

Turns out that even advanced Aliens didn't quite get the memo on conserving planet resources and managed to drain their planets core dry causing it to explode. Before it did though Jor and Lara had put little Kal in a pod and sent him towards Earth hoping against hope that their son would live on in their stead.

As his mom had suspected the yellow sun that was part of the Earth's solar system was the source of his powers, Jor-El had explained that Kryptons sun was a red dwarf star called Rao, and under that red sun the Kryptonians were just as normal as humans on Earth.

The couple had realized a while back that Kryptons destruction was imminent and had searched through the cosmos for a place where their son could grow with the best chance of survival. Upon discovering Earth and its sun's effects on Kryptonian physiology they had chosen this planet as Kals new home.

Tony had expressed his displeasure at the notion of sending a child off into space in the hope of them landing safely in a distant planet of another solar system in the off chance that someone would find and raise said child.

The AI had looked down condescendingly at the human as if it thought Tony addressing him directly was a breach of decorum, it rubbed Clark the wrong way but before he could address it Jor-El deigned Tony with an answer.

"Every anomaly and possibility was accounted for, human. Kal landed where he was supposed to."

Tony turned away muttering under his breath that at least his AI had a personality. Then he turned to Clark and said that he'd take his wizard dad over his alien dad any day. Clark was inclined to agree until Jor-El clarified that the AI was not an accurate representation of his Alien Father and that Kryptonian AI were not granted emotions, this eleminated the chance of insubordination as had been proven necessary when another alien species from the planet Colu had created an AI that went rogue and ended up annihilating its own planet and citizens. Kryptonian legend tells that the AI is still out there ravaging and collecting worlds, knowledge and resources, getting stronger and smarter everytime.

Listening to that story from the monotonous voice of the AI sent chills down Clark's spine but he pushed that aside and asked Jor-El about his home planet, his abilities and his family.

It was revealed that one of the main reasons why Clark was sent to Earth was because it was possible for Kryptonians to procreate with humans therefore continuing the House of El bloodline.

Clark had blushed a deep red at that, Tony's nudge nudge wink wink didn't help matters but he did feel a little indignant at the idea that all he had been sent here to do was continue the bloodline of a House and family that he knew nothing about. When he voiced this concern he was bombarded by an array of holographic reading material in what he supposed was Kryptonian that Jor-El told him he could read in order to understand his planet and his family's history.

Clark expressed that he couldn't understand a word of what was written there and the AI merely raised an eyebrow and said that it was a disgrace that the scion and heir of the House of El couldn't even speak its language.

Without giving pause for his incredulity and indignation, Jor-El stated that while it could translate the words, it was part of its directive to make sure that Kal learn how to read and speak Kryptonian so he made it mandatory for Clark to spend one day a week learning Kryptonian from the AI.

Clark had agreed immediately and Tony made the teen promise to record and email him each session so he could learn it too.

Tony and Clark had stayed and talked to the AI, despite his disposition, for the better part of two hours until Hermione called them in for dinner.

The next day, after Tony and Kara had left, Clark took Harry and Hermione down to the cellar to introduce them to Jor-El. Harry took an immediate dislike to the AI which he mirrored with Tony last night. Meanwhile his mom was, as always, intrigued at the chance to learn something new. She gushed as Jor-El repeated some of the history of Krypton and the House of El but grew indignant when she realized that the AI only spoke or responded to Clark.

Clark fixed this when he realized that the AI had to obey his orders unless it contradicted his prime directive so he ordered Jor-El to obey his mother and fathers commands whenever possible.

Since then Hermione was nipping down to the cellar when ever she could and chatting with the AI, learning all that he could teach.

When Clark asked his dad how she could stand to listen to Jor-Els condescending words every day his dad had laughed and told him that when it game to gaining knowledge his mother was unstoppable in her pursuit. He had said that at least Jor-El wasn't out right hostile towards her like a few of her teachers at Hogwarts were and yet she hadn't missed a single one of their classes if she could help it.

Clark was left shaking his head as they watched his mother gather her books and pen and head eagerly back to the cellar looking for all intents and purposes like an overgrown school girl heading off to her favorite class.


Clark skidded to a stop behind the barn, dropping his backpack at the loft he scanned the house and road for any unwanted visitors, finding none he zipped around the barn completing his work there before running outside to finish his chores.

He grabbed the hay bail his dad was dragging and tossed it up on the flat bed trailer attached to their truck. Quickly stacking the rest Harry was working on he rushed off to clean the feeding troughs and herd the chickens back to their coop.

Job done he cleaned off and, this time, walked up to the house to greet his mom with a kiss hello and grinned at Lily who cheered at something she was watching on TV.

He was just going to walk over to his little sister when his phone rang. Pulling it out he frowned at the name on the screen. Kara Danvers and him got along well enough when they were in the same place but she never called him, usually it was Tony who called and Kara just said a Hi if she was in the room.

Accepting the call he was surprised to hear sniffing from the other end. "Kara?" he asked the older woman gently.

"Clark?" she asked her voice steady despite his senses picking up slight trembling. "Thank R-God you picked up! I wanted you to hear from me before the news broke..."

"Kara, what's going on?" he asked now definitely noticing the hitch in her voice. "Where's Tony?" he was definitely panicking now, his ears picked up multiple phones going off behind Kara and a deep male voice speaking something that sounded Arabic in the distance.

"Clark, Tony's been abducted!"

Clark was running halfway out from Metropolis when his senses kicked in and he slowed down. He'd been barely out of Smallville his whole life and while he could read a map, he didn't know where Tony lived or worked in LA. He would be no help to Tony running cross county blindly.

He glanced down at his phone and saw that Kara was still on the line. Putting it to his ear he heard Kara call out.

"-ark! Clark, are you there?!"

"Yeah, Kara. I'm here, what do you mean Tony's been abducted!" he asked Tony's assistant frantically.

"Tony went to Afghanistan to demonstrate his new missile, he was going to fly straight to Metropolis from there to see you guys but his convoy was attacked after the demonstration."

Clarks heart was beating so fast he was sure Kara could here it, just like he could hear hers. "Tony told me about that trip!" he muttered as he started running back home. "He said Colonel Rhodes was going to be with him, Rhoedy must have helped him?!"

"James was in the other truck Clark, he got knocked out. By the time he came to, Tony was gone." The desperation that had been in Kara's voice was gone. In its place was a deep sadness that tugged at Clarks heart even as he crossed Smallville town and raced towards the farm.

"Is Rhodey okay, Kara?"

Kara sighed exhastion lacing her tone. "Yes, they evaced him to the nearest base but he went back as soon as he was patched up. He's combing the desert on a chopper looking for Tony.

"I just wanted to let you know before you saw it on the news, I know you care about him..."

"Yeah," Clark huffed out more in anger than exhaustion as he stumbled to a stop at their driveway. "He's my brother."

"I know, sweetie. I know." The waver was back in her voice.

Feeling like Kara had to go soon he made a request.

"Could... could you keep me updated?"

"Of course I will," said Kara firmly. "I'll call as soon as I hear something, okay?"

"Yeah," Clark whispered as unbidden tears started tracking down his cheeks and the front door of the house opened and his mom and dad rushed out.

"Clark I have to go," he heard the swipe of what he presumed to be tissues on skin as she sniffed again. "I'll call soon, honey. I promise."

Clark nodded even though he knew she couldn't see him as Hermione reached the teen and pulled him tightly against her. The click of the phone hanging up sounded and Clark broke down in his mother's arms.


Kara Danvers hung up her phone and just stared at the chaos that was reigning in the office. People were rushing around, frantic and desperate, phones were ringing of the hook and the devastating message from the kidnappers was playing on loop on the TV attached to the far wall.

Her senses were alight with the sounds and smells and she had a headache from the crying she had been doing on and off for the last hour and a half since the call had come in.

She wanted, desperately, to take off. Fly to Afghanistan and search through the desert with her superior vision. She knew that she could be a tremendous help to the search and rescue mission. But she also knew that right now, with The States largest weapons supplier missing, all eyes would be on each and every enemy base camp and hideout. Helicopters, planes and radars would be on the lookout for any anomaly and if she flew out there she would be risking exposing herself to them all.

With Tony gone, she also now had the responsibility of running Stark Industries by herself. Granted she had already been running it by herself since Tony couldn't be bothered to really take up any of the administrative responsibilities for his company but that was beside the point. Tony was the owner of the company and with him gone, the sharks would soon be circling. She had to be vigilant, strong and unflappable in the face or board members vying for positions and competitors trying to take advantage.

Yes, Stane had offered to help run the company and she might take him up on the offer eventually but Kara had a hard time trusting the man, not when his heart beat so fast when smiling at Tony.

She just had to wait until the search for him dies down a little. If they didn't find him by the end of the week, she'll throw caution to the wind and fly out to get her boss back herself.


When Clark calmed down enough to finally explain what had happened there was a frantic rush to decide what to do. There was no question in their mind that the Potters were going to try to get Tony back the only problem was getting there.

They had it on good authority that Afghanistan had an iron clad international Portkey ban in effect ever since the 9/11 attacks.

"Plus they are perhaps the only country in the world where the magicals and the muggles live side by side," Hermione was saying as Clark sat watching his parents theorize with little Lily on his lap clutching at his shirt. "There's a reason why Laden hasn't been caught, despite the troops combing through the desert for almost ten years."

"Indeed," Andy nodded from the armchair in front of the hearth. "The Afghans have long since incorporated magic into their culture, you know that the World Trade Center attacks were the result of Imperius Curses that were put on the pilots well before they ever boarded the flight. They take advantage of the edge they have when using magic whenever they can. It's one of the many reasons that they are not part of the ICW."

"Wait," interrupted a frustrated Harry. "Are you telling me that there's a chance that they could have Tony under Fidelius?"

"Not just a chance," answered Andy regretfully. "Almost a certainty."

"Dad we have to do something!" Clark said desperately, upsetting Lily who didn't like all the negative energy in the room, her brother immediately tried to sooth the child, still looking to his father imploringly.

"We will, son. We will," his Dad said reassuringly. "I just have to figure out a way to get into the country, after that the cloak should protect me against detection."

Hermione bristled. "You mean, the Disillusionment charm should protect the both of us, right?" she asked threateningly. "Because Merlin help me I'm not waiting at home wondering if my husband hasn't been blown up or caught and being tortured somewhere in the desert."

Clark piped up then. "What about me? I could go with Dad."

"No!"

"Absolutely not!"

"Out of the question!"

Andy, Hermione and Harry's voices rang out at the same time making Clark scowl and Lily to burrow deeper into her brothers embrace.

Feeling a fight coming on Hermione looked at Andy. "Andy could you please take Lily Marie out of the room? We need to talk to Clark for a minute."

Andy nodded and got up, the four year old looked up as Andy approached and met Clark's eyes. At his nod she allowed herself to be lifted and taken out of the room.

Hermione flicked her wand to lock the door and put a silencing charm on the room so Lily wouldn't hear them arguing with her older brother.

"Clark," started Hermione patiently. "Can you tell me why you would be an asset to this mission?"

Clark was surprised at actually being allowed to say his piece. "Well if I go with Dad then I can move faster than him and be able to scan the ground and through any structure to see where they are hiding Tony. And I can't be hurt so I won't be in any danger."

Hermione nodded. "That's true," agreed his mother, keeping the surprises coming. "But you forgot one thing," she finished allowing his Dad to come in.

"You don't have any combat experience, son," he said not unkindly. "You might be fast, even faster than my broom, and yes you can't be hurt by anything we know of yet. But your mother and I have been fighting in wars since we were younger than you. And we haven't let our leaving the Wizarding World stop us from being better that we ever have been."

"Aside from your speed, everything you can do can be replicated by magic, honey," said Hermione regretfully. "We know we can never keep you from using your powers or from helping people, we know you're destined to be a hero. But you're not ready yet."

Clark slumped down in his seat, knew he could yell and scream but that would just prove to his parents that he was even more immature than they thought he was.

"I just want to help Tony," he said dejectedly.

His mother leaped over to his side and crushed him with her embrace.

"I know you do, honey," she said emotionall, tears leaking out of her eyes at her son's sadness. "but we've already seen that magic affects you, you can be stunned, you can be frozen and you can be killed, and you won't always be able to use your speed to get away from those spells. And invulnerable as you can be, it doesn't stop us worrying about you. It will only be a distraction in the field."

Clark nodded again.

Harry settled on his other said. And put his arm around his family. "I think it's time we stopped trying to hide your powers and start trying to help you use them to the best of your abilities."

Clark pulled away from his parents to look at them in disbelief. "Really?"

His mom and dad nodded. "Yes, I know Tony's been helping you," Harry grinned at the guilty look on his sons face. "But he can't be here always. And I think the more you know about your powers, the better you can control and use them."

Clark started to grin before he remembered the reason for this conversation. "Okay, but we'll do it after we find Tony, I don't think I can train while knowing he's out there..."

Hermione kissed his forehead pulled him back for another hug. "We'll do everything we can to find him, honey," she promised.

He felt his Dad squeeze his shoulder. "Yeah," he agreed with his wife. "All we need is someway to get to Afghanistan."

The three separated and the adults shared a look. "The chances of a visa being approved as soon as possible? To Afghanistan? That's hoping for a miracle," said Hermione wincing at the thought. "not to mention that we cannot afford the scrutiny," she looked to Harry. "You know they're going to dig into the backgrounds of US citizens wanting to visit the country that harbored the most dangerous terrorist in the world."

Harry nodded looking pensive as he considered the possible avenues. Clark piped in at that point.

"What if we call Colonel Rhodes?"

Both adults looked to the teen in perplexion. What would contacting an airforce veteran do?

"Dad, he's already searching for Tony!" explained Clark. "He knows Tony trusted us. If we show him what you guys can do, we can get him to lift you over there to help."

Hermione and Harry shared a glance. Messing with the Statute of Secrecy was very risky business, even more so in America where there was a no tolerance policy against beaching the statute.

The married couple shrugged; the law never stopped them before from doing the right thing, this time it would be no different especially since it concerned the wellbeing of someone they considered a son.

"It's worth a shot," admitted Hermione and Harry nodded along in agreeance.

Clark leapt to his feet. "I'll call Kara!" he declared. "She's been in contact with Rhodey and can put in our request for him."

The parents watched bemused as Clark hurried to his phone and started dialing Tony's assistants number.

"Kara! Hi!" he said in panic when the woman picked up, he locked eyes with his mother and realized that she was the one who was on best terms with the blonde. "Here, my mother wants to speak to you."

Hermione rolled her eyes as Clark shoved the device in his hands and went to lean against the wall, hands in his pockets, clearly listening in.

"Hello Kara?" answered Hermione. "Darling how are you holding up?" she always had a soft spot for the younger blonde. She reminded the witch of Luna at times with her occasional obliviousness of social norms and her always sunny disposition minus the dreamy absent mindedness. The voice that answered her on the other line though was obviously not optimistic. In fact it sounded like Kara had come down with a serious case of head cold.

"I'm holding up, Martha," she answered. "I've been manning calls from investers and competitors alike. Justine Hammer's been getting on my last nerve."

Surprised to hear the irritation in the normally serene girls voice she tried to placate the woman. "Sweetie, maybe you can delegate that clearly unpleasant task to someone else for a moment and take a breather?"

Kara huffed from the other end. "Tony's gone, Martha! I can't take a break, I have so many things to do! I have to make sure that the reporters get the right story, I have to keep the board members off my back, I have to keep the competition away from the investors, I have to talk with the lawyers about what happens if... if... Tony n-never c-comes back...!" she heard the woman stutter her last words and then completely break down over the phone.

Hermione's heart broke for her friend and she wished she could just throw caution to the wind and apparate right to her and hug the life out of her.

She saw Clark shift guiltily as he heard Kara break down and knew he was thinking the same thing. Hermione of course knew how the blonde felt about her boss, being one of the few people that Kara had confided in, but she also knew why the woman didn't act on her feelings. It was all down to Tony and his womanizing ways. When they got Tony back she would be sitting that man down and having a few choice words with him.

But now was not the time for such thoughts. Hermione tried her best to console the distraught woman on the other end of the line and slowly Kara regained her composure. Of course as soon as she stopped crying the poor dear started apologizing. Hermione put a stop to that firmly and decisively.

"You're allowed to break down, honey!" she reiterated with feeling. "I know better than most what Tony means to you."

Kara hiccuped on the other end and muttered a quiet 'thank you'.

"Sweetie it's clear that you're swamped with work and you have no one you can trust to help you out," she contemplated for a moment before coming to a decision. "I'm going to contact a friend that I knew back in England. She's got experience handling most of what you do and she's looking for a job, coincidentally she's visiting the States and we were supposed to meet up in a week's time where she was going to fly out from San Francisco, I'm going to call her and she can be there with you within two hours at the most."

This was a little bit fudging the truth, she had been in contact with Susan and Daphne for a while now and they had shared their problems with her through the monthly mail that George sent her. Daphne had been kicked out of her house and home because she was in a relationship with Susan and for the last few years the papers had been slandering her name daily. Turns out nothing much had changed in the Wizarding World in the last sixteen years.

Daphne and Susan had been looking to relocate to the States just to get away from all the disgusting comments and behavior of the general Wizarding population. Hermione had of course talked with Harry and were expecting them to come live with them till they figured out what to do.

Since Daphne had been assistant to the Minister for quite a long while after Hermione had left Britain and since her coming out she had been working the Muggle world as a secretary for major law firm, Hermione felt pretty sure that the woman would be up for the task. The San Francisco commute was all bullcrap though since she knew that Susan could get an international portkey to the states within the hour and be at SI in about two.

Kara upon hearing her proposal deliberated hesitantly. "I don't know, Martha."

"Darling you are going to run yourself ragged handling all this on your own. I know Tony's counting on you, but you need all the help you can get. I know Daphne will say yes."

"Didn't you say she was only visiting?" the blonde volleyed back but Hermione could hear her resolve crumbling.

"Visiting as well as job hunting," replied Hermione quickly knowing she almost had the younger woman. "Just provide them with living arrangements, she'll be coming with her girlfriend. I trust them sweetie. You can too."

Kara sighed before finally giving in. "Fine! I... I guess I could use the help. Give me their contact details and I'll have someone pick them up."

"No need," said Hermione grinning. "I'll contact them and they be there in two hours tops. Remember she's Daphne Greengrass and her girlfriend is Susan Bones."

"Daphne and Susan, got it," another sigh. "Thank you Martha, I have to say, the idea of sleep is enticing."

Hermione nodded. "I'll bet," she quipped but then with a nudge from her husband she remembered their initial reason for calling. "Sweetie, I'm sorry but there was a reason for us calling."

"Of course! God I'm dumping all my problems on you without even considering what you wanted!"

"Hey," she reprimanded as Kara took a breath from her self incriminating. "You're allowed, okay? You're under a lot of stress." Taking a breath she dove in. "Listen honey, I was wondering if you could get me in contact with Colonel Rhodes."

"James?" asked Kara hesitantly. "Why? Do you... Do you know something?"

"Well...," she hesitated hating to have to lie to the blonde but knew it was necessary. "You know where I work? Well we have very advanced ground scanning technology that is much more efficient than modern day radar, I might actually be able to have them give me access to it if I get the go ahead from James in an official capacity.".

She could hear Kara take a breath before. "Oh Martha you should have told me that first! Here I am talking about my problems when you have a way to find Tony, already?"

"It's not a sure thing, love." she cautioned quickly but the blonde was not deterred.

"I'm patching James in now," she said in rapid fire before...

"Hello? Kara?"

"James, listen. Mrs Kent is on the line and she might have a way to find Tony!"

"Really? Well we could use all the help we can get because the Radar scans and flybys haven't been helping much."

"Okay, you talk to her and I'll get back to work."

"Alright Kara. Mrs Kent? How exactly can you help me find Tony?"

Hermione took a deep breath, grateful that Kara had gotten off the line. Then she proceeded to fill Colonel James Rhodes in.


Kara was just about at the end of her tether. She had smashed two phone receivers and her personal cell was in pieces on the floor.

The news about Tony had broke four hours ago. And at the end of those four hours the most powerful woman in the world was at the point of exhaustion.

She just wanted to crawl into her bed and let go and have a good long cry, but she was expected to handle all the goings on at Stark Industries not to mention the fallout of the country's largest weapons manufacturer, most eligible bachelor, one of the top five richest men, and one of the world top leading scientist and engineer going missing.

Calls from the Daily Planet, the Daily Bugle, New York Times, CatCo media, Metropolis Star, Gotham Gazette, Central City Picture News had her nearly tearing her hair out.

She didn't receive the call from Martha confirming that help she had called for was on the way. Nor did she notice the two people arrive on the elevator and walk over to her office. It was only the knock on the door that alerted her guests to her presence.

"C-come in!" called out the frazzled woman unwillingly getting ready to deal with another bout of messages ad security breach reports.

She wasn't prepared for two smartly dressed women about the age of Mrs Kent. The woman in the forefront, taller than the second, was blonde - though lighter than herself - in a low ponytail she was slim and tall. Dressed professionally in a dark blue pantsuit with a neat jacket rolled up to her elbows, a hint of her deep red blouse peaking out near her neckline. She wore closed, slightly heeled boots that seemed sturdy and lengthened her stride.

The second woman was shorter but voluptuous, if she wasn't so harried she might have been a little jealous. She was wearing a cute skirt and top ensemble, something Kara herself would favor, the light blue top paired with the dark skirt contrasted beautifully with her dark red hair that flowed almost magically down her shoulders. Strappy low heels comlpeted her look.

Both women took her breath away for a moment.

The blonde seem to take charge. "Miss Danvers?" she asked directly walking up to her fellow blonde. "I think you could do with a rest. Go with Susan and show her where we will be staying, catch some rest and you can fill me in on my duties in the morning."

Kara gaped at the woman, then looked at Susan who smiled beatifically. "I... I'm sorry, what?" she managed to utter out. Apparently she was not tired enough to not blush at her ineloquence.

The tall one blinked. "I'm sorry, didn't Martha inform you that we would be on our way?" Blondie asked in her cool low voice that made her take notice. "I'm Daphne this is Susan, we're here to help."

Susan shook her head, "You still don't know how to deal with people Daph," she said gently clicking her way over to Kara and offering a hand.

"Hello," she said in a soft accented voice. "I'm Susan Bones this is Daphne Greengrass. We were told by our old friend Martha Kent that you had a job opening for Daphne?

The name Greengrass triggered a memory and she finally caught on quickly taking up the proffered hand making sure not to break the fragile humans fingers.

"Oh! Oh yes!" agreed Kara as she shook Daphne's hand as well. "Yes, Mrs Kent, she did promise to send you guys. I had no idea you would be arriving so quickly."

Daphne smiled conservatively while Susan beamed. "Yes!" the redhead said clapping her hands once. "So Daph will handle everything here and you can get some sleep."

"Oh no!" Kara whisper screamed, getting to her feet. "No no no! I can't leave! My boss is missing! It's all hands on deck!" She tried to finger comb her hair into some semblance of order and only ended up making it worse.

"Well now you have four extra hands, Miss Danvers," said Daphne drily. Susan walked around to stand in front of her.

"Kara, can I call you Kara?" she asked belatedly, at her nod she continued. "Driving yourself into the ground isn't going to help anyone! Now Daphne knows her way around an office and I'm sure in the last three hours since Mr Stark has gone missing you have taken care of the most pressing issues. But you haven't taken care of yourself." Susan grinned as she patted Kara's hair down a little. "That's why I'm here!"

Kara looked at the two women patiently waiting for her acquiescence and bit her lip.

"Miss Danvers, from what Martha told us; you didn't just lose a boss today," at her panicked look the blonde clarified. "You lost a close and personal friend too. So you need some time to yourself, to gather, to vent and to accept. None of that is going to happen if you're here losing your mind."

Finally their logic penetrated her tired brain and she slumped her shoulders in acceptance.

"Okay," she relented. "You're right."

Daphne smiled showing that she was well used to hearing that admittance. "Indeed I am. Show Susan our quarters and let her take care of you. I'll be manning the office till then."

Too tired to argue the Kryptonian allowed the redhead woman to lead her tired body out of the office and into the elevator.

What she didn't notice in her fatigue was the blonde staring with sharp grey eyes at the two sets of crushed phone receivers with finger dents in the plastic.


Hey guys! Happy pandemic, sorry if you guys lost someone to this monster of a virus. Don't mean to be insensitive but I'm a glass half empty kind of guy anyways and this gallows humor helps me cope.

So, quarantine season seems to be update season huh? People who I never thought would pick up the keys again are updating!

We are officially into Ironman 1 with this chapter. I'm not going to go scene by scene with the movie but the next two might be devoted to it. I'll try to move fast but not too fast.

Oh and by the way, I'm not quarantined here in Fiji so don't expect rapid updates anytime soon. Hope this tides you over! See you guys on the next one!