Kryptonian Nights11
Deanlu
Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. These are about the many facets of love. The second book of Rao is made up. The words are made up. Names of previous Kryptonians on Krypton are made up. I'm a storyteller, we have to embellish somewhere.
Apple Picking
"Kara, look how many I have!" Genevieve's voice echoed across the apple grove. Kara looked up from where she was setting a bushel of apples next to the others. The young girl with soft, deep waves surrounding her face. Her beautiful brown skin was burnished with a golden glow in the sunlight of the grove. Kara sighed softly for things lost as her adopted niece came bouncing up to her. In the distance James and Lena laughed and hugged each other.
"Wow!, Just look at how many you have in that basket." Kara said as she looked away from her hearts ache. She knelt before the young girl and hugged her. "You've done well Gen." Kara helped Gen add her load to a bushel that was nearly full.
"Love you Aunty Kara." The young girl of six years effused and toddled off toward her mother and father. Kar chuckled and looked back toward the grove. The autumn air was perfect today. Just the right amount of brightly late autumn sunlight coupled with a cool breeze. Apple leaves lay strewn among the grove with fallen apples here and there. It had been Same and Alex's idea to can several jars of apple filling, apple butter, and apple jam for everyone. Today was the picking apples while picnicking in the orchard of a friend. Tomorrow they would go to Sam and Alex's house to work on canning their bounty.
"Watch out Genevieve. Gertrude is running your way." Kara shouted as Gertrude stopped suddenly at the mention of her name before the pup could collide with the young Luthor. The dog looked toward Kara even as Lena mouthed a thank you toward Kara. Genevieve ran over and hugged the pup before heading back to her father. James picked up his daughter lifting her high so she could grab a few apples and hand them to her mother, Lena.
"Come here Gertrude. Come on girl!" Sam called as the pup ran their way. Sam and Alex were working with Ruby to load a couple of bushels of apples. The laughter and joy emanating from them across the grove. Ruby was attending National City University for a major in Ocean biology and a minor in business. Things were finally working out well for the family after the issues with Reign years ago. Sam and Alex had married after the whole Reign fiasco finally giving Ruby what she wanted a stable home life and family. Sam got the partner and love of her life she had been missing. "Do you think Winn and Heather will marry Sam asked Alex?" Winn and Heather a recent addition to the DEO were walking hand in hand talking and giggling nearby.
"Not sure. Just glad to see him happy after all these years." Alex said as she watched the two young people. Heather was from Omicron six. Her yellowish skin glowed in the sunlight. Jonn had explained that Heather had the ability to wrap what some would call force fields around objects and cloak them. It had definitely allowed for stealth in a great many missions lately. She was still refining her power and they were looking for new ones as time went by, but she had been a great addition to the DEO.
"Heads up Alex!" Lucy called as she tossed an apple toward the agent. Lucy and Kara's mom, Alura, were snuggled down on a blanket nearby with a picnic basket. Their love for each other radiating brightly. It had surprised Kara at first. Their had been many an argument between Kara and Lucy because she was Kara's mom. It was hard to see one of your friends fall in love with your parent. In the end she knew the fierce woman would protect her mother with all she had.
"You're a brat Luc!" Alex yelled even as Kara's mom laughed. Supergirl was happy her mom got a second chance at love. Sometimes she wished it wasn't one of her friends though. It made it harder to find someone to confide in when she was troubled.
"NO!" Yelled Ruby as Sam dumped some leaves over her head. "I'm going to get you for that!" Ruby yelled even as Brainiac and Jonn stopped their discussion to look over at the Danvers family. Eliza rested next to the Martian, her head pillowed on his left thigh. She had been extremely tired as of late. Kara was worried that there might be something wrong. Something Alex wasn't telling her. She wouldn't be surprised. She wasn't told a lot of things lately. Mon-El and Imhra were back in the future together. Mon-El had let Kara know that as much as he loved her he was committed too and loved Imhra. That had been six years ago. Kara had pretty much been alone since then, which wasn't all bad. Today, however, it sucked. Especially with James and Lena here in front of her. Her heart had ever gotten over Lena, but she would never take away Lena's joy. Lena definitely deserved it. She definitely deserved the little firecracker daughter, Genevieve. The young girl was intelligent, sly, and had the most sparkling personality.
"Come on Brainy! Come help me pick apples." Genevieve pouted forcefully causing Brainiac to give in."
"Kara, her pout is worse than yours. Have you been teaching her?" Brainiac asked as he looked toward the young Kryptonian. KAra laughed a little looking toward her Goddaughter.
"Can't be giving any secrets away now can we?" Kara responded looking toward Genevieve and holding up her pinky. The young girl lit up holding her pinky up in confirmation. Lena laughed out loud as she looked at the two. James and she had never considered anyone else to be Godmother to their daughter. Lena knew if something happened Kara would protect their daughter with her life. Now she just wished she could ease the burden the young woman carried after their harsh words years ago. But even after assurances that she did trust her and proving it by making Genevieve her Goddaughter Kara had never recovered. So while their friendship was on solid ground there was a part now held back from Lena. Kara still kept her word of protecting and loving her. It was just different now. It made her think she had missed out on something major left unsaid.
"Hey, no fair! How are we to fight against the both of you." Brainy said as he helped Genevieve.
"We're friends. No fighting." Kara chuckled at Genevieve's words. Her friends had attempted to match the Kryptonian up with someone. Nothing had clicked. So Kara remained alone and separate in some ways. Kara wandered off into the grove of trees away from the others. The scent of fresh flowers and sweet apples filling the air. Unbeknownst to Kara she was being followed. Kara had wandered up a nearby hill. She sat down, leaning back against a tree watching the afternoon clouds. She closed her eyes and opened her super hearing. She moved passed the ground level noise directing her hearing into space. She listened to the slow, throbbing beat of the Universe allowing it to lull her into a state of deep slumber. She did this often now having learned from Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, how to focus on something other than that on earth to steady her.
"Kara." Her name whispered into the darkness of her dreams. Kara walked upon Krypton among the marketplace. The calls of the vendors echoing on the hot afternoon windswept ways around her. The bright colored banners and stalls of the market painted in red from the sun even as a light breeze gave relief. Her two bodyguards walked before and after her making sure no one attempted to harm her. The sound of musicians echoed from somewhere nearby in the mass of humanity even as the smells of spices, food being cooked, and animals drifted on the afternoon wind.
"Good Day Lady El." Called a nearby Vendor. "I have something of interest for you." Kara moved near the vendors tables as a token was handed to her. It was a black piece of rock carved into a strange figure which seemed to be a woman. "My son, Jur-Ul, is an archaeologist if you remember. He told me to give this to you. He is in a binary system right now and thought you might find this interesting. He also sent this notebook. He said you have both been conversing a great deal and that information on the necklace and it's origins would be found in the book." Kara turned necklace over in her hands enjoying the feel of the cool stone. She accepted the book opening the cover noting the inscription. "You are never alone where you have friends. Remember, accept love and kindness. Turn from evil and endure pain. Rao be with you Lady El." Kara looked up into the young woman's face. The woman spoke even as her eyes pierced Kara's soul, "We are with you. Open your heart Lady El."
"Kara, Kara wake up please sweety." The young Kryptonian eyes fluttered open to find Cat Grant seated next to her. The young reporter started before a hand was placed firmly holding her in place. "No Kara. It's alright. Just relax." Kara looked around trying to place where she was located. Nearby Kara could see her friends and family now joined by Carter playing and laughing in the apple grove. Lena looked toward the hill as did Alex in concern, but went back to what they were doing. "Easy dear. You were calling out in your dream." Kara took a shaky breath and went to run her fingers over face when she noticed the necklace she had held in the market of Krypton was held tightly in her grasp. She looked at the necklace and then to Cat and back to the necklace. "Kara are you okay?!" Cat was getting worried about Kara's reaction. She waved toward the apple grove signaling someone.
"Uh...I think...Uh...just give me a minute...please" Kara whispered as the dream and reality fought for hold within her mind. Kara worked to remember what the amulet meant. She fought through memories not hearing Cat's worried voice trying to get her attention or the arrival of Alex and Lena. Never realizing when the dream gripped her tighter than reality.
"Kara Zor-El, it's so good to see you after all this time." Jur-Ul said embracing the young Kryptonian. His dark grey Kryptonian robes sweeping around her. Kara was shocked and a little unnerved even as she realized she was now in white Kryptonian robes.
"Is this real?" Kara said as she looked around. Once again they were in the marketplace on Krypton though now the stalls were empty and the the thorough fares void of humanity.
"It is as real as you need it to be Lady El." Jur-Ul said as he looked at her young face.
"I don't understand. What am I doing here? What is going on?" Kara ran her hands over her face as Jur-Ul sat down in two chairs that suddenly appear. He motioned for her to seat herself which Kara did.
"I have given you a gift Kara Zor-El. A talisman if you wish to call it. This talisman will draw your partner to you. It will restore the harmony of love and passion within you and your partner. It will strengthen your union." Jur-Ul explained as he held her hand.
"No, I have no partner. I have no one. I am alone." She argued breaking the hold on her hand and rising quickly. "I am meant to be alone. A remnant of this!" She argued with Jur-Ul as she waved her hands around at the marketplace.
"No, you are not. You are not meant to be alone. You are meant to move forward. You are meant to live a full and loving life." Jur-Ul explained as he rose to fight back. "You were not sent to earth to live alone. Lost and forgotten."
"There are no other Kryptonians to mate with. Who would I mate with? Who could love me?" Kara screamed in frustration. "I have tried Jur-Ul. I have tried to love another. Each time it has come to nought. My heart had been broken so many times. How do you expect me love another when none will love me truly. They have to see it all to love me. Kara Danvers, Kara Zor-El, and Supergirl. None have been able to love all of me! They have all fallen to dust in the face of one of my parts!" The young Kryptonian cried out. Jur-Ul approached Kara slowly as one would a wounded animal.
"Not all Lady El." Jur-Ul placed his hands around her neck pulling forth the amulet that hung there. "There is one that ran away to find herself supposedly, but really it was to find if she could be the strength of your love. It is she that will love you completely Lady El for that is who you are truly. All these persona's are tied into the Lady El. You are the hope of Krypton. The hope for the children of the morrow. We are not ghosts to be lamented and cried over. We are a people whose hopes and dreams live within you. You are our future just as Kal-El and the remnant within Argo city is today. You cannot shut out the past and claim no future. You are the future. Embrace it child of Rao. Embrace your destiny. She is here. She will stay if you allow her too. Embrace her love my child." Jur-Ul changed in that moment. Before Kara stood Rao himself/herself. The market once again lively and populated moved around and through them.
"Rao!" Kara fell to her knees before her God. Rao reached down pulling her up before.
"Kara Zor-El your destiny has been written before the stars shone. Before even I came into being. You are the hope of Krypton. The hope of Earth. Your children will grow strong in the light of Earth's sun eventually moving out into the galaxy as ambassadors to earth and the planets. You must only trust and risk your heart one more time. Just once more Lady El. Stepforward into the pathway of love. I promise daughter of Rao it will be worth it. Be brave and strong as you have been. She waits just a breath away. Do you hear her calling you now?" Rao declared as Kara heard words now.
"Dammit Kara. Wake up. Come back to me. Please Kara. Please. I've come back. I promise I won't leave." Cat Grants voice echoed within the dream all around them. The voice cracked, "Please Kara. I l..love you!" Kara looked Rao in the eye and in the next moment her eyes blinked open to find Cat, Alex, and Lena bending over her with concerned looks.
"Remember Daughter of Rao, you only need to take this leap now." Rao's voice echoed in her mind. Kara looked into Cat's eyes seeing worry and fear.
"Cat." Kara called out as Cat Grant leaned forward even as Alex and Lena moved back a little. Kara pulled Cat into a hug. "Cat...Cat...Ca…" Kara's voice cracked softly as she was overwhelmed with the moment.
"Shh...Shhh. I'm here. I'm here." Cat whispered to her love even as Alex and Lena hovered near by worried by the events of the last few minutes. Once Kara had gotten herself under control she pulled back from the older woman.
"Sorry, I'm not...sure how to explain what happened." Kara said as Cat nodded. Alex now moved to check Kara out. Winn had seen what happened and brought Alex's medical bag up. Alex began asking a lot of questions. She kept insisting that Kara go to the DEO to be checked out thoroughly, but Kara shook her head no. Cat continued to sit nearby holding the young reporters hand while Lena asked some questions of her own having become an expert on Kryptonian physiology after the Reign incident.
"Guys, I'm okay." Kara said after seeing Alex begin to argue. "I promise. Alex and Lena I promise I will tell you everything. I promise. I just want some time with Cat right now. Go be with your family. We'll be down in a few minutes to join the picnic." Alex looked worriedly at her sister. "I promise Alex. I'm okay." Alex nodded and turned to leave.
"Kara…" Lena began. Kara reached up with the hand Cat did not hold gently catching one of Lena's free hands. Their friendship an anchor even after all this time.
"I promise Lena. I'm okay. It's not what your thinking." Kara looked toward Sam and back to Lena. "I'm okay." The fear that had reflected in the young Luthor's eyes disappeared slightly as she squeezed Kara's hand. She let go and followed Alex down the hill both looking back toward the couple. Kara took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Are you really okay?" Cat asked worriedly. She took a moment to frame Kara's face with her hands searching her face until they locked on the young reporters eyes. Kara smiled allowing Cat to see everything.
"Yes, I'm good. Just got an ass kicking from Rao." Kara chuckled noticing Cat's eyes widen in alarm. "No, no, no. It's okay. I...I...Rao, help me." Kara whispered and then pushed herself into Cat's space kissing her deeply. Cat startled at first and did nothing. Kara began to pull back thinking maybe she had heard Rao wrong and misheard Cat's words. The older CEO grabbed the girl not letting her escape finally realizing what was happening and returning the kiss. Cat deepened the kiss running her tongue through Kara's mouth attempting to consume her very essence. They heard a loud whoop that sounded like Carter's and cheering in the orchard below. "So I wasn't imagining it. You love me?" Kara's gentle words passed over Cat's lips like a prayer. She nipped Cats lips, cheek, and eyebrows wanting so much more of the woman but knowing they needed this talk.
"Oh Kara, I do love you. I have loved you for so long. I thought I should let you go, but the more I ran the harder it became to stay away. Every day something would remind me of you." Cat framed Kara's face with her hands kissing off the tears that framed the young woman's eyes. "I have been such a fool. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I made us wait so long. I'm sorry I've shortened the time we have. Oh Kara, I'm just sorry." Cat cried as both women embraced allowing souls, thought lost to the other to knit together once again. Kara held Cat tightly shaking her head.
"No...I'm as much to blame Cat. I wouldn't let anyone in after…" Kara stalled, but Cat already knew...had seen the writing on the wall even back then.
"Lena." Cat uttered with no malice or jealousy just confirmation of what Kara could not say. Kara nodded even as Sam looked toward the hill. Her Kryptonian hearing catching what was going on and relaying a filtered version to Alex and Lena. Cat looked down the hill as Kara leaned on her shoulder. Cat eyed Sam as both nodded to confirm the secret would be kept.
"I'm sorry. I just had resigned myself to not being in a relationship. It was just easier. So much easier." Kara said as she pulled away to look Cat in the eyes. "But it was hard to...the wanting. I'd resigned that Lena was lost to me. While she could love Kara Danvers and Kara Zor-El, she would never love Supergirl. Plus James loved her and she loves him. I would never come between that as she deserves love more than anyone. You, you were nowhere around. You were the only person to know all three sides to me. You were gone. Run in the face of what I offered. There was only one other possibility. One which would have given me love, but I would have had to deny my Kryptonian self. So it was no possibility." Kara looked into the CEO's eyes praying she understood. Reflected back to her was understanding and love.
"I love you Kara Danvers, Kara Zor-El, and Supergirl. Lady El I love you." Cat spoke as the words rustled over Kara's lips being pulled in on her inhalation.
"Rao, I love you too Cat. So deeply. So completely. Do not leave me." Kara's voice rumbled even as she kissed the older woman's face over and over. The gentle tinkling of laughter of the cool afternoon breeze buoyed the two loves lifting their souls in the dappled sunlight.
"I won't. I promise." Cat affirmed falling deeply into Kara's kiss. Below in the orchard unseen by the eyes of those gathered Rao walked laying his hands on each person blessing them for watching over the Daughter of Rao for him. He came to Sam and laid hands on her face. The seed of evil gone after all these years. His new daughter brought to him by the Lady El. Kara's faithfulness would be rewarded as he laid his hands on both Alex and Sam blessing them. He then looked to the hill sending his blessing upon the Lady El and her love.
1 year later…
"Momma, can I hold him?" Genevieve called out. Lena leaned over from where she sat leaned up against an apple tree her and James precious son cradled in her arms. James was helping fill a bushel of apples. Nearby Sam and Alex cooed over their new little one, Jeremiah Arias. It had come as a great surprise to find Sam had conceived. Alura though had found a reference to the children of Rao that explained the God of Krypton could make such things happen if he chose to bless his followers.
"Be gentle Genevieve. Just put your arm here and here." Lena softly spoke to her daughter as she transferred the precious bundle. Heather and Winn sat laughing at each other. They were still dating, but Winn had been caught in conversation with a certain jeweler lately by Kara. She was sure something was on the horizon with the two sooner rather than later.
"He's so small momma. I'm going to protect him." Genevieve answered as Lena smiled at her daughter and son.
"I know you will. Just like your Godmother watches over you both." Lena whispered over the two as she looked toward where Cat and Kara sat on the nearby hill.
"She protects us all." Jonn said finally assured after all this time that the daughter of Rao would be fine. Jonn held Eliza close, her health greatly improving over the last year since the tumor was found and eradicated. Brainiac spoke to Winn about the some new program they wanted to build even as Heather teased the blue man.
"I was worried they would never figure it out. Kara and mom can be so stubborn sometimes." Carter said to Jonn. Carter and Ruby sat at a picnic table playing settlers of Catan talking about what the new semester at University held for them. Both looked toward the hill where Cat Grant held her and the Lady El's brand new baby girl. Kara and Cat had married a month after the reunion in the apple orchard. They were wasting no more time. Kara had embraced her love for the older woman and her son, Carter fully. It had come with great rewards and great problems. Cat and Kara had soldiered through them all. Now, they held before them their daughter, Isabella Charlotte Grant - Zor El. There were plans for two more. Since the blessing of Rao had fallen on Cat a new family was a possibility. Her aging process had slowed and reversed. While Kara's had sped up. Kara and Cat would be together for a long time barring Cadmus, anti-alien terrorists, or an alien invasion that killed either one.
"Life is to be lived by the living. The best way to remember the dead is to embrace life. Embrace love fully. Be brave child of Rao. Be strong child of Rao. Be kind child of Rao. The blessings of Rao will fall upon you." - 2nd Book of Rao