Lena fussed over the items in her lab, anxious about what the Council might claim was too advanced for Earth. The yellow sun technology that Alura had helped with would really benefit Kara and Clark, so she'd made copious amounts of notes as they worked on it. A few of the tools Alura had provided had been so handy, but she placed them to one side telling herself that it would be less to carry.

When she had finished, Lena sat down and looked around the room. She still preferred her old lab on Earth, the one she'd worked in before Lex had changed the world, but she'd worked on important projects here over the last few months and she was a little sad to be leaving it. She wouldn't miss Argo, though she'd started to enjoy spending time with Alura. Kara had probably broken the news to her mother by now. She was surprised that the older woman hadn't come to try and persuade her to stay.

With nothing left to do, Lena picked up her box and left the lab. She carried it into the house and placed it next to her suitcases, glad she wouldn't have to carry everything to the portal - one of the perks of having the Kalex.

When Lena went to check on her daughter, she found Alura holding the baby.

"Where's Kara?" Lena asked.

"Gone to arrange for one of the Kalex to carry your things and to notify the Council of your departure."

"I've been careful not not to pack anything they'd disapprove of me taking home."

Alura kissed Jora's forehead before placing her granddaughter in the crib, "I'm pleased you no longer have to worry about your brother."

"I'm not sure I completely trust him again, but I have a few secrets of my own if he does try to cause anymore trouble."

Alura walked towards Lena, opening her arms, "I'll miss you both, and I hope you'll come back to visit soon."

"I'm sure Kara will bring Jora here," Lena accepted the hug, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"You're welcome to come too," Alura told her.

Lena nodded, not sure how to respond to the offer and wondering whether Alura planned on visiting Earth. She waited for Alura to mention Kara, but the older woman didn't.

It wasn't long before Kara returned, a Kalex in tow, and the four of them proceeded to the portal together. Kara stepped through with the suitcases first, returning for the box containing the items from Lena's lab next. The Kalex had scanned the box, having received instructions from the Council about what items were prohibited from leaving Argo, and passed it to Kara. Then it was just Lena and Jora waiting to go through. Alura looked as though she wanted to say more to her, but Kara stepped through the portal and she changed her mind.

"Goodbye Lena, it was lovely to meet you," Alura smiled.

"I'll... uh, stop by soon," Kara told her.

Lena nodded to Kara, then looked over at Alura, "goodbye, and thank you for everything."

She went through the portal, holding Jora close to her and trying not to think about whether she was making the right choice.

One week after her return to Earth, Lena was relaxing in her apartment when the doorbell rang. Since her return to Earth, Kara had come by each day to visit Jora after sending Lena a message that she was on her way. Lena hadn't returned to work yet, Lillian had insisted that she take some time to settle in and not rush into finding a babysitter for Jora. Lex had visited twice, and each time Lena had worn the watch Kara gave her that would call Supergirl in an emergency.

"I wasn't expecting you," Lena told Lillian when she opened the door.

Lillian was holding some balloons and she walked into the apartment, followed by two young women in waitress uniforms who were carrying several large bags. Lena had only seen her step-mother once since her return, though Lillian had called a few times to check in with her.

"The kitchen is over there," Lillian told the other women, waving in the right direction. "Now, how many chairs do you have dear?"

Lena folded her arms, "what's going on?"

"Don't be silly Lena, my assistant contacted you two days ago. Don't tell me that you're so distracted by motherhood that you don't know what day it is."

"Of course I know what day it is, but that doesn't explain why you're here or who those other people are. I haven't received any messages from your assistant."

Lillian frowned, "well we had replies to all of the invites so I assumed you knew."

"Knew what?"

"Surprise! I'm throwing you a baby shower, so a select group of your friends and family can meet Jora."

Lena took a deep breath and counted to ten, while picturing herself pushing Lillian out of the apartment. The look on Lillian's face would probably be amusing, but if it was true then she was about to be inundated with guests.

"I don't have anything ready. How many people are coming?"

"I don't have the guestlist to hand, I've left it with the doorman downstairs. I know these things are usually held before the baby is born, but... well, you know. Now you're back and everyone is so happy to see you again."

"What if I had plans?" Lena still hadn't told Lillian about Kara's relationship to Jora, and it would be awkward if she'd arranged for her to take Jora to visit Alura for the day.

"You only socialise with that reporter girl, I invited her before you say anything, and told her she could bring three of your other friends with her. The rest of the guests are people you know as well, Andrea helped me with the guest list."

"Oh great."

"None of that attitude please Lena, Lex said you enjoyed her party and the two of you used to be so close. She was thrilled to be invited and so surprised to hear about the baby."

Lena watched the two women, clearly intended to be servers for the afternoon, begin to set out some decorations, "how long is this party due to last? I'm trying to get Jora into a routine..."

"Only a couple of hours, just a few fun games and then some presents. Is she awake at the moment?"

Lena shook her head, "I just put her down before you arrived."

"I'll just pop in for a peek then, nice and quietly," Lillian headed off to Jora's room, leaving Lena internally fuming.

She was about to go and get her phone to call Lillian's assistant and ask her for the full details of the party when the doorbell went again. Hoping it wouldn't be any of the guests, Lena opened the door and was relieved to see Kara standing on the other side.

"Hey, I know I'm early but I thought you might want some help setting up or something," Kara told her.

"Come on in," Lena opened the door wider and stepped back.

"Is everything okay?" Kara asked.

"You mean other than the fact that I literally just found out about this party Lillian is throwing?" Lena ran a hand through her hair and smiled when she realised the two servers were within hearing distance, then

pulled Kara towards her bedroom and shut the door.

"I thought you knew," Kara held out a present, "I only got the message yesterday and figured I should bring something as no-one knows about... you know, me. Well, except for Lex."

Lena bit her lip, surprised Kara had still wanted to come knowing that she would have to lie about her relationship to Jora. She just wasn't ready to have that conversation with Lillian yet - J'onn wouldn't let them borrow the Truth Seeker alien and he'd told them he wouldn't use his powers to wipe her memory if they did tell her. He'd mentioned something about trying to follow a better path.

"It's fine," Kara quickly tried to reassure her, "and Alex isn't going to say anything either. Honest."

"Thank you."

"So Lillian really just sprung this all on you today?"

"She said her assistant contacted me, but I haven't seen any messages. I don't even know how long the party is supposed to last, or who she's invited."

"Well I invited Alex and Nia, but Alex got called into work so Nia might bring Brainy along. Is that ok? I wasn't sure if this is a girls-only thing or..."

"It's fine, if Lillian objects just tell her the invite didn't specify who could come. This is supposed to be about everyone meeting Jora anyway, so the guests gender shouldn't be an issue. I wouldn't be surprised if she's invited Lex."

"Do you think he'd come?"

Lena shrugged, "it's Lex. He'll only show up if there's something to be gained by it, or if Lillian really put on the pressure."

"Well I'm here if you need me," Kara smiled at Lena. "Just give me a signal and I can create a distraction, or try and think of an excuse to end the party early."

"Thanks, I will very probably take you up on that offer."

Lena heard Lillian calling for her and they left the bedroom, earning them an irritated look from Lillian who was just outside.

"You should be out here waiting to greet your guests," Lillian reminded her, "not hiding."

"I was just discussing the party with Kara. I thought you'd prefer me to do that somewhere private," Lena told her.

Lillian just shook her head and ushered them into the living room area. The guests would be arriving soon and she was hoping Lena would socialise with them.