Kryptonian Nights 47
Deanlu
Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. Please leave your comments to feed the writer. We are voracious.
Family
"Hello love, just wanted to touch base that we were still on for lunch at Bellinnos at one this afternoon with your sister, Kelly and the rest of the family." Lena's soft voice came through the phone as Kara finished the sentence on her latest article. Since Kara revealed her identity after the Lex incident following the crisis across infinite earths; Lena and she had done a lot of soul searching and heart to heart talks. Now four months later they were girlfriends relearning each other through dates, family gatherings. Kara had even been to see Lillian in prison with Lena, and couples therapy through a trusted friend of Alex's. She and Lena had a lot of baggage to unpack from previous trauma, however, the therapy was working. Yes, they still had their little spats and one major fight after a terrible alien fight Supergirl had gone through, but for the most part things were going very well.
"Yep! I'm looking forward to spending some time with you and them. The last seventy-two hours has been horrascious." Kara groaned as she yawned while she stretched hearing several bones pop in her back. 'Are you sure Bellinno's is open and ready to operate? You know you didn't need to buy out the restaurant for the afternoon." National City had been hit by a seven point four earthquake. As a result LCorp had gone into lockdown on all their R and D labs across the city, evacuated personnel, and had to have every facility inspected before reopening. Maxwell Lord had called Kara personally to assist with some trapped workers in one of his facilities. Maxwell had thanked her profusely while handing her two water bottles afterwards. Her kindness was repaid with a buffet meal for the DEO all courtesy of Lord Industries. Kara had to not only be Supergirl, but turn in live updates acting as a reporter live on the street since the new editor for CATCO didn't know she was Supergirl. To say she had been busy and overworked would be putting it mildly. Lena had also sent her to help a rival who had scientists still trapped in their building thirty-six hours into the emergency. It had taken an hour for Supergirl to get them out with the help of the fire department as they had to make sure the structure didn't fall in the process. In the case of emergencies, the rule of slow and steady counted even for Superheros.
Luckily, the retrofitting that National City had done the last five years for earthquakes had made a major difference with all the new buildings. These had suffered only minor damage, while older buildings had taken most of the major damage. The quake had struck at rush hour when most people had been on the road which led to more injuries and several deaths. However, National City had fared much better than other parts of California. Multiple aftershocks had really rocked the city, but Supergirl was still pushing. Kara sent off the next two articles from her on the street reporting. She had lucked out catching one of the city inspectors as he was going to inspect a building. She got a great one on one interview of what they looked for and needed to check after a quake. She signed off on liability for the city so they wouldn't have to pay if she was injured. She accompanied the inspector through a building. Forty-five minutes later the article went live with tips at the end for the general public on what they should be doing at this time.
"Excellent! I really didn't think we would be able to go with everything here at LCorp and your other duties. Not to mention just the main problems with the earthquake. Yes, I did need to buy it out for the afternoon. I don't want any interruptions. I talked with Bellinnos though and they are ready for us. They had only minor damage from falling glass and such. " Lena said as she moved around the office signing several papers for Jess. She went out to the balcony which had been inspected and deemed safe by the city. She looked toward CATCO wishing she had never sold it in anger, but one couldn't take back certain mistakes.
"Great! I will see you soon love. I really miss you." Kara softly drawled as she watched Nia approach with something in her hands. "However, I may just kill someone if that's a new story needed in the next six hours." Kara huffed as Nia stumbled in her walk toward the reporter's desk having heard Kara's words. Lena laughed, but wholeheartedly agreed with her.
"I'll see you soon love." Lena's voice burred through the phone as she ended the call. "Jess? I am off to Bellinno's for lunch with my family. Please make sure I am not disturbed. I'll also be taking the rest of the afternoon off."
"Are you trying to get Ms. Danver's to rest this afternoon?" Jess inquired as she began moving the only two meetings Ms. Luthor had scheduled. "I was watching the earthquake coverage. You know they are not only posting Kara's stories in the online webpage for the Tribune, but they have been using her for short take interviews too. For both the webpage at the Tribune and CATCO live. When you add that to the full length stories she is writing for CATCO magazine it makes you wonder if she is being paid her worth." Jess pondered as she spoke to her boss. Lena curiously wondered if that was true too. Kara had branched out as a reporter and writer since the chaos of Lex's underhandedness. The reporter should be justly compensated for her new roles. The CEO would talk to the reporter today about it.
"Good questions. I'm without the answers right now, but I will speak to Kara about it. Thank you Jess. See you tomorrow." Lena replied as she grabbed her purse. Her car was waiting at the curb as always. Fifteen minutes later and a rousing game of Words with Friends she arrived at the restaurant. She was shown back to their table to find Kelly and Alex already present a bottle of wine already poured. Kara had yet to arrive. Hugs were given all around before the ladies seated themselves. Winn arrived with Brainy. Winn had recently returned from the future for reasons not shared with anyone. He had been sticking close to the DEO and Supergirl. J'onn arrived moments later with Nia Nal close behind. Still no Kara Danvers. Cat Grant walked through the doors and pulled the former president of the United States with her. Olivia looked amazing in her designer blue jeans and button down shirt. Alex couldn't remember when she last saw Cat Grant that happy.
"Didn't think you would make it, what with the recovery from the earthquake and all here in National City." Alex said as she hugged Cat and then Olivia. Cat nodded as she took a seat next to Lena.
"It wasn't easy to get into the city. Olivia swore off secret service protection about six months ago, but a few refused to leave." Cat indicated at the four men by the door. "So we were able to get into the city with no problem. Where's my Super assistant?" Cat inquired as multiple appetizers were brought to the table. Eliza came through the door with James on her arm. He had picked her up at the airport for Kara and Alex. Hugs and words of greetings were shared all around until everyone was seated. Suddenly, the ground started shaking and then stopped.
"Geeze, I will never get used to the aftershocks." Winn said as the others smiled. The waiter hurriedly showed up next to Alex and whispered in her ear. Alex jerked her head up toward the bar's television. She moved quickly as the others followed.
BREAKING NEWS CATCO LIVE…..the scroll bar said as Alex shouted for the television to be turned up. The image showed Supergirl holding up the Steel Flight Incorporated building. "We are coming to you live from downtown where Supergirl is holding up the Steel Flight Incorporated building while Firefighters and Police evacuate the remaining workers."
"Lauren can you give us an idea of how long before the building collapses?" The Anchor came over the air.
"We aren't sure Jameson. Supergirl is doing all she can to hold up the building. As you know she has been working non-stop for the last several days assisting emergency personnel. One would have to think that she can't keep this up for much longer." The reporter responded as others looked on as emergency personnel evacuated the blocks around the building. Luckily, the Flint Steel building had been built with large green areas on all four sides. So when it came down there would be minimal damage to the surrounding area.
"Agent Lopez, patch me through to Supergirl." Alex ordered as she watched Kara wobble a little in the air before stabilizing. J'onn was already moving toward the door of the restaurant. Hopefully he could arrive and render Supergirl some assistance.
"Affirmative Director Danvers." Alex heard the line switch.
"Alex, put it on speaker now." Eliza called as the rest of them gathered around the phone as they watched Kara on the television.
"Kara, are you there?" Alex heard grunting and a small groan. Then they heard Kara. They also heard the emergency workers line.
"Twelve more Supergirl. We will be out in fifteen minutes. Please, just hold on." A firefighters voice called over the desperation coming through for all to hear.
"I'm holding, but you need to hurry. The building is getting heavier by the minute." Kara's ragged breathing echoed back to the emergency worker. "Kal, if you can hear me. I need you."
"Supergirl, Director Danver's here. The Martian Manhunter is on his way." Alex assured through the line. "I will notify Superman immediately."
"Director Danvers I have a bigger problem. The collapse of the building could throw debris into CATCO, LCorp, and the Lord building. I need to detach the building at the center section and fly it out of the city. There is nowhere for the debris to go inside the city that won't cause more damage." Alex could tell Supergirl was struggling with the building from her broken speech and grunting that kept coming through the line. "The only way to detach the building is to use my laser vision. It's going to cause debri to fall. Alex, this is not going to be easy."
"Understood. Agent Lopez, notify all emergency personnel to withdraw in a thirty block radius. Inform them of what Supergirl is going to attempt. Have them ready and waiting." Alex ordered over the comms.
"Supergirl, the building is clear. Repeat the building is clear. Give us five more minutes to withdraw from the area. Then you can proceed." The Fire Chief came over the line. The sound of Supergirl grunting hard came through the line.
"Affirmative." Supergirl acknowledged. Lena watched as her lover wavered holding the upper portion of the building. Five minutes passed slowly. J'onn arrived on scene helping Supergirl hold the building.
"All clear Supergirl. You may begin." Alex came over having received the all clear.
"Alex, If I don't make it tell everyone I love them." Kara activated her laser vision, cutting the building in half even as J'onn shouldered more of the building's weight. Both Kara and J'onn lifted the upper portion and flew it out of the city to the desert. Emergency personnel swarmed into the area after all debris had landed to start searching for any injuries. Lena and her family watched as Kara and J'onn labored to get the building to the desert floor in one piece. They were moving slow. The CATCO copter followed a safe distance behind. J'onn fell, causing Supergirl to have to take on more of the load. "Alex...send DEO to help J'onn. He's collapsed from the weight and strain." Kara called over her comms even while Alex notified the DEO to go into recovery mode for J'onn and Supergirl. Both Superheroes had been working nonstop to the point of exhaustion.
"Kara, keep going. You only need ten more miles till you are in the safe zone." Agent Vasquez's voice came over the comms. "You need to do the best you can to set it down gently."
"Jameson, you can see that the Martian Manhunter has fallen. Supergirl still is working hard to get the building into a safe zone to prevent further deaths and injuries. We have the CEO of Steel Flight Incorporated on the line right now. Mr. Parker, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Laura. Good Afternoon." Mr. Parker's voice came back over the television.
"Sir, do you have a report on the workers from your building?" Laura asked even as Supergirl struggled to get the building the last few miles.
"God I need to cut out those late night Belly Burger runs!" Kara's friends heard the Kryptonian whisper. Even with the weight off the problem gripping them all smiles spread across their faces.
"Only Kara." Winn whispered as he chuckled at her words.
"Please Rao, just a few more miles before you take your just compensation." Lena looked worriedly at Alex. Eliza grabbed her in a side hug as all watched praying to Rao. Nia grabbed Brainy while Jimmy looked worriedly toward Winn.
"Yes, Laura. All personnel are accounted for from Steel Flight Incorporated. We want to thank Supergirl for holding on as long as she has for us. We have minimal injuries thanks to Supergirl's intervention. As for the building, I am sure she saved millions of lives by preventing it's collapse in the city." The Super friends were torn between listening to Kara, watching as she moved the building to the desert, and listening to the reporters.
"Supergirl has arrived in the desert. She now needs to set the building down." Kara's friends watched as she lowered the building to the desert floor. Once set down, Supergirl took two steps back bent over placing her hands on her knees and pulling in a deep breath. A shout of joy and cheer went up across the city for Supergirl.
"Raos will be done." Kara whispered while her family heard her words. She fell hitting the desert floor, sprawled out before the entire world to see. The CATCO helicopter landed about four hundred feet away. Two men jumped out of the helicopter and ran toward Supergirl.
"What the hell is going on?" Alex questioned even as Lena watched an LCorp chopper land nearby and two more people jumped out. One with a stretcher over his shoulder. "Vasquez, how far out are DEO choppers?" Alex asked the agent.
"Twenty minutes Director." Vasquez confirmed over the comms. Lena and Alex, the entire family watched as LCorp personnel and CATCO personnel loaded Supergirl on the chopper. Lena's phone rang. Jess was calling even as the stretcher was loaded onto the LCorp chopper with CATCO's personnel help.
"Jess, what is our helicopter doing?" Lena listened as Jess explained both CATCO and LCorp were assisting their hero, but they were inquiring where to take the Super.
"The Hancock building. There will be an emergency medical team waiting." Lena relayed to Jess even as the assistant spoke to the LCorp crew. Alex was on the phone ordering a medical team to be on the top of the Hancock building the DEO was housed. Lena and the group of friends began moving toward the door as another tremor struck. This was a larger tremor shaking the ground badly causing glass to fall. Everyone moved sheltering under tables and in doorways as the ground rolled from the seismic tremors. A minute later the tremor stopped, only to allow those around them to hear the sound of car alarms and explosions in the distance. Alex figured it was from gas lines rupturing from the movement.
"Everyone okay?" Alex called out looking for her mom and their friends. Then she checked the restaurant personnel. She heard everyone call out and confirm they were good. The family and friends began moving toward the door even as Lena spoke to Alberto the owner.
"Alberto, just bag all the food and have one of your people bring it to the Hancock Building. Drop it with Security for Alex Danvers. They'll get it to us." Lena informed the restaurant owner. She had already paid Alberto for their family dinner. "Then get yourselves home and check on your families." It wasn't long before they all arrived at the DEO. Agent Lopez met Alex in the operations center.
"Director, Supergirl is in the medical center with Doctor Hamilton. Her energy cells are spent, but Dr. Hamilton doesn't think it's a total burn out. They have her in the solar coffin as Supergirl calls it and are doing a slow charge to begin with. J'onn is exhausted. He and Supergirl cannot keep up this pace without proper rest and food." Lopez stated as she handed an electronic pad with information on it for the Director. They began walking toward the Sun Room as it was called at the DEO. "The Flint Steel building has been secured for now. Two other buildings are in danger of imminent collapse. We have sent out a request for Superman to assist as per your previous plan. We also sent out a notification to the Flash and friends. We have received no response."
"Alright. We need…" Alex's words were interrupted as she came around the corner to find Hamilton attempting to hold Supergirl down.
"No, I need to go. They're calling for help. I need to go now." Kara was arguing with Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton shook her head even as the nurse approached with a sedative.
"You can't help them if you end up dying in the process. You have to rest. Even if it's only for a few hours. You must rest Supergirl." Lena pushed through everyone present and came to Dr. Hamilton's aid. Lena leaned over taking Dr. Hamilton's place even as the nurse handed the sedative over.
"Lena...Please…" Kara pleaded with her girlfriend. Lena shook her head no.
"Supergirl, think very hard. People are going to die Kara. But the majority have a better chance if you are rested and strong. They are going to need your help for weeks after this. You cannot make yourself a casualty if you expect to be the hero you want to be." Lena argued even as Alex came to her sister's side after speaking with Hamilton quietly.
"You need five hours of rest. The first two hours the solar lights need to be on low. We can turn them on high to Supercharge your cells for three hours. You need to eat a minimum of fifteen thousand calories of food before we send you back out. So this is what is going to happen. You are going to rest with Lena for two hours. We are going to pull Lena out from the solar bed and then for four hours you will bake on high." Alex smirked softly as Kara grimaced. "Next, you will come down to the mess hall where you will eat and visit with the family. Under no circumstances are you to sneak out. Understood!" Kara grimaced again knowing that Lena and Alex were right. She didn't have to like it.
"Alright, but Alex I need the noise canceling ear plugs you made for me. I can't sleep when I hear their cries for help." Kara took a breath as Lena kissed her forehead. "I feel like I am letting them down Alex."
"No." Cat Grant said now as she came up to where Alex was beside Kara's bed. "You have saved so many cannot save them all Supergirl. You are just like the emergency personnel. They must get rest and eat to be able to do their jobs. It doesn't help anyone if you become a casualty. We will be here. Go to sleep Kara." Cat argued with the Super.
"I've thought about the issue of your hearing. I am going to give you a light sedative to allow you to sleep. I also have the new sound blocking ear plugs Lena and Brainy worked on. Lena will be with you to help you relax. So you should sleep well." Kara nodded even as Lena moved off to change into a set of workout clothes. She would also be sprayed down with the high powered sun block the DEO had come up with for these situations. "I love you. No one can keep going like you have. Rest. Okay?"
"Yes, Alex I will rest." Kara conceded as she relaxed. Alex handed her the noise canceling ear plugs and Hamilton administered the sedative. Everyone in the room took a moment with the hero even as Alex was called away. Lena finished changing and put on sunscreen in preparation of sleeping next to Kara. Agent Lopez escorted Kara's friends and family to the mess hall where food had begun to arrive and was being prepared for the Super. Unbeknownst to Kara, Alex and J'onn decided to hold the family party at the DEO which now included games. Alcohol was allowed, but with limitations.
"Hey Love." Lena whispered as Hamilton turned down the lights allowing only the glow from the medical equipment. Lena climbed onto the sun bed in sweats, socks and a t-shirt. She snuggled into her lover inhaling deeply the sweet smell that was uniquely Kara; lavender, ozone, and earth. "Not exactly the way I expected the night to end. But you're here and that makes all the difference."
"As long as I am in your arms I'm happy." Kara nuzzled her lover and kissed her long and slow. Lena chased Kara's lips when they broke the kiss starting it over again.
"This is not sleeping. In fact, this could get us into trouble with your sister." Lena responded as Kara's hand floated below the waist band of the workout pants.
"Alex will deal with it." Kara responded as Lena giggled softly. An hour later Supergirl slept the sleep of the dead. Lena Luthor slept beside her with a wide smile on her face. The sun lamps were on low when Alex came into the room.
"Lena! Kara!" Echoed down the hall of the DEO. Her family heard Alex's voice echo into the cafeteria and laughter spilled all around.
Note: One of the things I have heard from friends who work in emergency services is how difficult it is having to take breaks and rest when something like an earthquake or hurricane takes place. Especially when they know there are people waiting to be rescued. Emergency Workers must have rest to do their jobs, especially when the emergency is ongoing. Please support your emergency workers whether it is covid19, earthquakes, wildfires, or just apartment fires or car crashes.