Lena escaped twice during the shower, claiming she needed to check on Jora. Her daughter was still asleep, but it gave her a few moments of peace before she had to face the group Lillian had invited. She didn't mind Andrea, even having Jack there wasn't so bad, but the rest of the people she barely knew. They'd been at Andrea's party and she'd interacted with them in the past, but there was no-one she'd ever counted as a close friend. She was better acquainted with Nia and Brainy, for goodness sake!

"Isn't this nice," Lillian came over and offered Lena a glass of water.

"It's about as informal as a press conference. I'm surprised you haven't suggested releasing photos of Jora to soften the Luthor image, though I suppose in this reality it's not necessary."

Lillian smiled, just in case anyone was watching them, "come now dear, I'm only thinking about you. Motherhood can be isolating. You get so wrapped up in your child that you forget to make time for your friends. I'm just trying to help."

"I've been back for about a week, I'm doing fine."

Lena had been curious when she first noticed Brainy deep in conversation with Andrea, and was a little surprised when Kara started talking to Jack. Lillian's party had gone rather smoothly, all things considered. The usual baby shower party games had been abandoned in favour of a few drinking games, and Lena had been glad to have an excuse not to drink though Lillian insisted that she still take part.

One by one the guests departed, Kara lingering right to the end and offering to see to Jora when she finally woke and started crying. Everyone told her they'd had a wonderful time and that they hoped to meet up with her soon. Andrea had taken out her phone and asked Lena what the best time to come and visit would be, then added it to her calendar without mentioning if she'd have to cancel other meetings to fit it in.

Lena finally closed the door on the last of her guests, the hired staff had finished an hour earlier and she'd told Lillian to cancel the cleaning crew so she was finally alone. Well, almost.

"Oh, am I the last?" Kara asked, coming out of the bedroom carrying their daughter.

"Yes, Lillian even managed to leave before Brainy and Nia but I think that was because she wanted to head out with Andrea to talk to her about some work things."

"It was a lovely party, Lillian invited some very interesting people."

"They're the 'socially acceptable' friends she's hoping I will spend more time with."

"Oh, well they seemed very nice. Wait, you mean instead of me?"

Lena nodded, "only because she still thinks of you as just a reporter and you're an alien, Superman's cousin, there's possibly some snobbery over money in there and she's probably had someone carry out a background check on your Kara persona to see what grades you got in high school, what college you attended - all the usual Lillian actions when I make a friend."

"Maybe I should point out to her that Kryptonians are significantly more advanced than humans."

"If it helps, this Lillian seems more concerned by the reporter part, than the alien issue."

"Oh yes, that's much better," Kara grinned at her.

"She does seem less capable of destroying the world than the one I grew up with."

"Alex will probably keep her on the DEO watchlist for life, just in case."

"Very wise."

"So, do you need a hand tidying up?" Kara asked.

"No, I'll do it tomorrow," Lena yawned. "I can't believe it's not even night and I'm ready to go to bed."

"Let me use my superspeed, I can have it done in a flash."

"It's not that bad, the guests were pretty tidy and I've got a dishwasher."

"Oh, okay."

Lena watched Kara look down at their daughter, she wondered whether she should invite Kara to stay a little longer. They hadn't really talked since she got back, and there were still a few things to be sorted out.

"If you want to take a nap, I can watch Jora," Kara suggested, then winced. "Unless you think that would be too weird... I mean awkward... um..."

"If you want to spend a little more time with Jora you can stay."

"I can? I mean, are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm going to put the kettle on while I load the dishwasher, would you like something to drink?"

"Oh, sure, some water would be great. Thanks."

Lena motioned for Kara to go and sit down while she headed towards the kitchen. She was tired, but talking to Kara for a little while would be fine.

By the time she joined her, Kara had put Jora in the bassinet Lena kept in the living room and their daughter was asleep.

"I think Alex would like your friend Jack," Kara decided to break the silence first.

"Yeah, he's a good guy. She'd probably try and recruit him for the DEO."

"Andrea asked me if I knew who Jora's father is, she seemed to think Jack might be a contender."

Lena smiled, "maybe ten years ago. He was sweet and smart, we dated briefly, but it just wasn't meant to be."

"So you're not interested in him now? He asked me if you're seeing anyone."

"He asked?" Lena put an emphasis on the 'he'.

"In a roundabout way. Don't worry I didn't tell anyone about us."

"Kara there is no 'us'."

"You know what I mean," Kara waved her hand in Jora's direction.

"Is that why you wanted to stay?"

"No. Lena before all of this we were really good friends, I miss that just as much as I miss the rest of it. If we can't be together, can't we at least try to be friends again? Remember how we could just sit around and talk for hours, just hang out without..."

"Without me knowing the truth?"

"I miss our friendship. You haven't even told me when you're planning on going back to work, what your plans are for childcare for Jora or if you're going to stay here or move out of National City."

"You could have just asked me those questions."

"It just feels like everything's changed."

"Well yes Kara, we have a daughter now. Quite a lot has changed."

Kara turned the glass around in her hands, "I haven't."

Lena sighed, "I know. As you've asked, I was planning on going back to work. Lex mentioned something about letting me set my own hours, giving me back more control of the lab so I wouldn't have to answer to Lillian, but now I'm not so sure. I might try working from home, see what I can achieve on my own and take care of Jora. If it works out I might hire someone to watch her for a couple of hours while I work. I don't have the financial resources I used to, but I'm far from poor even in this new world. As for the living arrangements I'd love to find a little house for us, but right now this building is safe and until Jora's ready to start walking we'll stay here. If I wanted to move I'd tell you, but Kara you can fly so I don't know why you're worried."

"Okay."

"Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?"

"No, that was it."

"In that case I'm off to bed."

"I should go too."

"If you still want to spend some time with Jora you can stay."

"But..."

"Kara, I trust you. Just use the key I gave you for emergencies and lock up when you leave."

Kara smiled at her, "thanks."

Alura arrived in National City nearly one month after her granddaughter left Argo. She wasn't familiar with the human technology for contacting each other but she remembered where her daughter worked and headed over there.

The walk gave her a chance to see the city up close, her Kryptonian genes meant she didn't get tired by the journey. She wondered whether Lena would mind her turning up for a visit, it was a Kryptonian holiday so she didn't have to work and it had seemed like a good idea to drop by. The CatCo building was one of the tallest in the city, with the name written at the top, and she eventually reached her destination. She headed inside, Kara had given her a tour previously but she knew the humans sitting at the desk in the entrance would be able to tell her if her daughter was in the building.

After a very polite young man called Kara on the telephone, he assured her Kara would be right down. The lobby was loud, there were fewer people than out on the street but the small space seemed to amplify the noise. She tried tuning out the sounds around her and nearly didn't hear her own daughter.

"Mom, it's great to see you. Is something wrong?" Kara led her towards a stairwell, knowing it was the quietest part of the building and intending to take her mom up to the roof for a little more privacy.

"No, I don't have to work today so I thought I'd come for a visit."

"Oh great. You can come with me on my assignment and we can have lunch somewhere. How long can you stay? Tomorrow's game night and I could call Clark and Lois to join us."

"That sounds wonderful, if you don't mind?"

"No, I'll show you some of the games tonight so you can practice and we'll just avoid ones with Earth trivia. We'll order from a variety of take-out places too, there are so many things you have to try."

They reached the roof and Kara led her to the edge so that she could look out over the city. The noise was a little easier to manage now, and Kara pointed out different places of interest. Eventually they headed back down, Kara was eager to show off her office.

"It shouldn't take more than a few hours to get enough for my article," Kara explained. "I know the perfect place to eat."

Alura laughed, "I see Lena was right when she said you were always thinking about food."

Kara busied herself with the papers on her desk and Alura studied her daughter. Young Kara had always been able to talk to her and tell her what was on her mind but this adult Kara was used to dealing with things without her.

"Did I say something wrong? Is it Lena? Is everything okay between the two of you?"

"Everything's fine. I can see Jora whenever I want... I should let her know you're here so you can stop by and see her too."

Alura wondered why they weren't together. She knew they each cared about the other and they'd been back on Earth long enough to talk things over and work it all out. She also knew this wasn't the right place or time to discuss it with her daughter.

"Maybe I could visit with them while you're working?" Alura suggested. "Give you a chance to concentrate on work so you finish faster."

Kara smiled, "great idea. I'll text her now."