The Compromise
Kara POV:
It has been two months since Astra's death, and Supergirl has not been seen since that night. Crime has gone up, it is now higher than pre-supergirl levels, I feel awful about this but no matter how much I try and reason with Captain Singh he will not get rid of the Kryptonite. I don't know what I have to do to make him see sense, Clark doesn't have to contend with this in Metropolis, all he has is a psychopathic billionaire who is now in a maximum-security prison, although he does agree with my decision.
Winn and Alex think that I am just being paranoid, Alex has even told me that it is not even all of the officers that have the Kryptonite weapons but a select team, like a task force. Like that makes me feel any better. There is an entire task force dedicated to taking me down, who gets to decide if I am to dangerous to be around, if they even feel a little threatened do they just get to shoot, none of this is helping me.
Alex is picking up some of the crime-fighting slack, and she is making quite a name for herself as Atheyr, but as a human, there is only so much she can do, even with all of the extra tech that she has either commandeered from a Fort Rozz escapee or that Winn and I designed for her. I know that she is feeling the strain of taking on all of this extra work, but I don't know what else to do.
Although all of this free time means that I get to spend more time at work, and I have actually completed a version of a betahedron, it is not as powerful as an omegahedron but slightly more powerful than a Kryptonian betahedron. It is powerful enough to power the whole of Mercury labs, I am testing it out on the lab right now if it works and I have no kinks to iron out then we will announce this and roll it out nationwide in a few months.
I have also been spending more time with Barry at STAR labs, I have noticed a few things that are different with him. His heart rate has permanently settled into a fast rhythm, and his muscles are actually regenerating when they should be atrophying. I have spoken to Caitlin and she has agreed to run some tests on Barry, with Joe's permission of course.
I have also pulled Caitlin and Cisco to one side and thanked them for all that they did for me when I was under the Black Mercy. They have both agreed to never speak about what happened that night, to anyone. Cisco and Winn also finished the anti Kryptonite attachment for my suit, it is a tiny little box-like device that attaches to the chest of my suit. It doesn't stop me from being hurt by kryptonite bullets, or blades, but it does prevent the worst of the radiation from hurting me.
Joe also keeps asking me over for dinner, I want to go but he is also one of the 'specialist taskforce', who have Kryptonite weapons. I adore Joe, and we get on so well, I think for the moment I am going to have to put my feelings about Joe being on the supergirl task force to one side and join him for dinner. After all, he doesn't even know that I am supergirl.
So I did call Joe, I am joining him and Iris for dinner tonight, despite everything with the supergirl task force. It would be nice to catch up properly, out of STAR Labs, and I am intrigued to find out how Iris's course is doing, I know that she is near graduating. I don't know whether or not I should bring up Supergirl in conversation, I mean I don't k ow if he is allowed to talk about it, or even if he agrees with the task force. Maybe this isn't a good idea, but it is too late to worry about that now I am here.
Stepping out of the cab I straightened my dress and walked up the front path. I felt just as nervous this time as I did the first time I was here, but for an entirely different reason. I knocked on the door and Iris answers looking frustrated.
"You're late, and I need your help decoding the science mumbo jumbo for my article."
Before I could even react she had grabbed my hand and dragged me inside, I gave a quick hi to Joe before I was dragged upstairs. After carefully checking that her dad didn't follow us and that he couldn't listen in, even if he could. I was finally allowed to speak.
"Well hello to you too Iris. Tell me why are we here for a simple fact check for your article?"
"I didn't bring you up here for that. Look you and I haven't always been the greatest of friends..."
"Understatement."
She just glared at me and continued, "... but we have been getting closer, and my dad likes you, in fact, everyone likes you."
"Iris, just what are you getting at? Please stop beating around the bush."
"Detective Thorne asked me out?"
"And?"
"And I don't know what to do."
"Iris if you are asking for help with your love life, would this not be better coming from one of your friends? I mean my boyfriend is in a Coma and has been that way for some time now."
"I just want help navigating dad that is all."
"Why don't you and Detective Thorne see if you are compatible before you deal with your father?"
"Good point."
At that, we both head downstairs where Joe was putting dinner on the table. It was one of my favourites Lasagna. Joe greeted me with a hug and a glass of wine, and it all seemed fine. Once we had all sat down and started eating we were talking about work, and quickly the conversation turned to Supergirl.
"So dad, did you hear what the papers are all saying today? You know that they believe that Supergirl has joined the team of people, aliens, things, that attacked her."
"It is unlikely Iris, because why would she have helped out with that earthquake last month?"
"Well then why isn't she helping here. She came in like some kind of Angel when STAR labs blew up, and now just six months later she has gone."
Did people really think that I had gone rogue? Or did they just think that I didn't care anymore, I had to say something, but what? What could I say that doesn't t make it seem like I am supergirl? Even though I am.
"Supergirl told Alex and I that something happened on that rooftop that night and that she feels like she can no longer trust the people who are here to protect this city anymore."
Iris looked at me excitedly. "Wait. You know Supergirl?"
"That! That is what you got from that. You're training to be a reporter and all you get from that statement is that I know Supergirl."
"Well... I mean... yeah."
"Unbelievable. What do you feel about the reason why Supergirl hasn't been seen in Central City Joe?"
"I can see her reasoning, but I just wish that she could see how much this is hurting the people of Central City. She is not just a hero, she is a symbol of hope, just like Superman."
"But Superman doesn't have to deal with this, apart from Lex Luthor every one respects Superman. Supergirl, on the other hand, she may still be new to this life, but it is like everyone thinks that because she is a woman that she cannot be as in control."
"Maybe your right, but I hope that she can sort this out because we need her."
I swear that Joe looked at me while he said this. I don't know whether or not he knows, but I felt like he was talking to me. He wasn't there when Alex let the cat out of the bag, but he could have overheard Astra and I.
The rest of dinner was uneventful, and I eventually made my excuses and went home, with Joe's words ringing in my ears. Maybe I should just bring back Supergirl, but if I back down now then how would people take me seriously. I have to talk to Alex, maybe there is something that I could do.
By the time I got home Alex was gone, she was probably out fighting crime. I paused and listened out for her, and I was right, she was taking down a couple of robbers. I checked in with Winn to see if he needed any help and he said that he was good, so I went to bed.
The next day I was greeted by Alex sitting in my kitchen. She looked super annoyed, I was concerned because she hasn't been this angry with me since I accidentally showed Barry my powers.
"Morning Alex, what's wrong?"
"We are going to sort this out once and for all."
"Umm, sort what out?"
"This thing between you and CCPD. We need Supergirl, and I know that it is making you miserable that you are not saving people." I just looked down at my feet ashamed of myself for letting things get this out of hand. "Look, Kara, I understand why you are doing this, but most people wouldn't. So with that being said you are going to suit up and you are going to be at the precinct at midday, the Captain is expecting you."
"But, what does he want to talk about?"
"A compromise, he wants to talk about a compromise."
"I am not very good at compromising.
"Well you don't have a choice here, we need Supergirl, what happens if Non returns? Will, you just leave us or would you help?"
I looked at my feet, not wanting to say anything, in case I upset Alex more.
"Don't be stubborn, just listen to what he has to say, and then come to some sort of compromise."
I nodded, Alex was right, I needed to get this sorted out, Central City needs me. It needs a hero.
I contacted Winn and told him what I was planning, and I told him to be ready to man the computers if necessary, and then I got ready. For the first time in two months, I put on my Supergirl suit.
At 11:59 I left home and flew to my meeting with Captain Singh. Seeing an open window on the detectives' floor I flew in there and the moment I landed the room went silent. I could see everyone's jaws hit the floor, and as soon as everyone regained their senses the whispering started. Most of the whispers were about people wondering what I am doing here and a few were wondering if I was back for good.
I smiled to myself, it really was good to be back in the suit. I was just about to ask where Captain Singh was when his office door opened, and he emerged carrying a box and followed by Alex.
"Supergirl thank you for coming. We need to talk."
"That we do."
"I have something for you." He passed me the box that he was carrying, I went to open it but he stopped me. "I would advise you not to open that Supergirl."
I immediately backed away and went to x-ray the box but it was lined with lead and I was unable to see through it. My guard was immediately up but I saw Alex's face and I knew that this was nothing sinister.
"What is in the box Captain?"
"It is the Kryptonite weapons Supergirl."
"All of them?"
At this Alex piped up. "Well no Supergirl, this is where the compromise comes in."
Captain Singh cleared his throat and just stared at Alex, she looked sheepish and shut up quite quickly. "It is the Kryptonite weapons, almost all of them, Alex has explained to me properly the reasoning behind your reaction to the Kryptonite weapons, so let me explain my reasoning behind having them. Maybe we can come to some kind of agreement."
I nodded for Captain Singh to continue, and I could see Alex smile at me. "Your cousin went rogue a few years ago, and he almost killed the president of the United States. If it wasn't for the Kryptonite found by Lex Luthor he probably would have succeeded. Your cousin snapped out of whatever funk he was in, but if the same thing happens to you we do not normally possess the weapons to stop you."
I could start to see why Captain Singh had these weapons if anything did happen to me and Clark wasn't around how would they stop me.
"We need to have the ability to protect our citizens if we need to, you are a giant weapon and if someone controlled your mind how would we protect our citizens. Admittedly a full anti supergirl task force might be a bit of overkill, but maybe we can just have a few officers with the Kryptonite weapons."
I looked at Captain Singh and I could see what he said was true if it was no longer a large task force but a select few officers, ones that even I could trust. It would be much more controlled, I am not happy that there is Kryptonite still out there, but even I could see that the good it could do.
"Okay Captain Singh, I accept your proposition, but I have a few conditions. Firstly you keep no more than five of the weapons," he nodded at this, "secondly I get to help you choose the officers that have them. I do not trust all of your officers."
"These terms are suitable for me." He held out his hand to me and I shook it, I then grabbed the box of Kryptonite and passed it to Alex.
"Alex take these to the safe place I will collect them and take them to the fortress later."
She nodded at me. "Will do Supergirl." She took the box and looked to Captain Singh for confirmation that she could leave, and when he nodded his confirmation she left.
I turned back to Captain Singh. "Captain we can decide tomorrow who will have the guns, I already know who I like, and this will give you time to choose who you want. So for now..." I pressed the S on my chest where the microphone is held and turned it on. "... Telle are you there?"
"Woo-hoo SG is back. It is nice to have team Supergirl back together."
"Yes, yes, yes. Celebrate later, for now, what is going on around the city?"
"Well from what I could see on the CCTV there is a mugging happen... no wait there has just been a bus crash. That is high priority."
I smiled and turned to the room.
"It is good to be back."
I flew out of the window, with a smile, and it really was good to be back. As I was flying to the bus crash I could see and hear the stares, I smiled to myself. I was back.
