Chapter 24

Despite having taken three weeks off, Lena and Kara got their schedules to align, and they were able to both work from home. Lena settled down at her desk in the home office and started on reading reports from the last three weeks to catch up but quickly got distracted by Kara's sighs and aggressive typing. Her wife was reading through articles catching up on several series CATCO was running so she knew what the new issue would hold but Lena wasn't sure how much she was actually comprehending.

After what felt like the millionth dramatic sigh, Lena straightened the papers she was working on and walked over to Kara's desk. Her suspicions of Kara's distractedness were confirmed when Kara didn't notice her approach and startled when Lena wrapped her arms around from behind, resting her chin on the Super's shoulder. Lena hugged her as tight as humanly possible, knowing her wife needed the grounding, and spoke, "I didn't want to push you last night but I'm worried. What's wrong?".

Kara sighs, lifting her hands from the keyboard to Lena's forearms, "Supergirl stuff".

"I thought you got everyone out", Lena says, thinking Kara's mood was because of someone she didn't save.

"No, I did", Kara says and sighs again. She scoots the chair back from the desk and turns around to face her. Lena sees the troubled look on Kara's face as Kara pulls as close as possible forcing Lena to straddle her lap as the blonde lays her head against her chest. "I'm upset because I can't help with the aliens", Kara finally says.

Lena remains quiet, running her fingers through Kara's hair the way she likes, and waits for her to continue.

"I just… they had a hard time taking one down yesterday and Alex won't let me help. I mean… it'd be easy for me and now come to find out they've been teaming up", Kara says, progressively getting angrier and more teary-eyed.

"The aliens or the DEO", Lena asks, knowing the plan was to have J'onn cover but call in Brainy or Nia to help in the field.

"The aliens", Kara says, "They been pairing up and the DEO can barely handle one at a time much less two and what if something happens? What if Alex gets hurt and I'm not there? What if there are civilians and I can't protect them because the alien can't see me? What if the aliens start causing major problems to draw me out?".

Lena finally gets Kara to stop spiraling and calm down. "It won't be your fault", Lena says, once she has kara focused back on her, "Do you hear me? It will not be your fault". Kara nods, but tears are still running down her face and Lena thumbs them away before kissing the tracks left behind. "These aliens are after you and your friends, your family, are just trying to protect you", Lena says, carefully picking her words, "I don't like how it's making you feel, to be on the sidelines, but frankly, every time you've gone up against one you've solarflared so yeah, I'm glad you're getting some time off from the big fights and J'onn, Nia, Brainy, and Alex and her team can handle it for now. They will call if they need help, but trust them, they know what they're doing".

Kara nods, pulling Lena back to her so she can bury her head in her chest, "Thanks Lee".

"Always", Lena replies, her fingers going back to Kara's curls, "Do you want to talk to Dr. Hester about it?".

They hadn't been to therapy since the engagement and both felt good about where they were at, with themselves, work, and their relationship, but neither of them could've seen something this big coming. Lena feels like she should've known, when will she be allowed to be happy without waiting for another shoe to drop?

Kara sniffles, pulling back slightly to lean up and kiss Lena's jaw, "I'm ok. This helped".

"Ok", Lena says, turning to kiss her forehead, "How about some lunch then? We can order something or I'm sure I can find something in the kitchen".

Kara tightens her grip around Lena's back, "Let's just order. I don't want to move".

"Sounds good", Lena smiles before leaning down to kiss Kara and settle into her lap.


"Where is she?", Sam asks as she walks up behind Brainy.

"Med Bay", Brainy says, not wanting to make her wait any longer.

Sam quickly makes it to the windowed room to see Alex wrapping her own arm. She goes in taking the bandage out of Alex's hand and ties it off, "Aren't the doctors supposed to this?".

"I am a doctor", Alex grumbles, "and it wasn't tight enough".

Sam uses a long finger to tilt Alex's chin up until they make eye contact, "You want to tell me why Brainy called in the middle of an investor meeting to tell me that you were hurt because I'd ask him, but I think he's afraid of me". Alex pouts, going to cross her arms but Sam's gentle touch stops her, "Easy, Alex, just tell me".

"The alien threw a barricade at me'', Alex sighs, "I got out of the way, but it broke, and I got pinned under a piece of it".

"Why didn't you call Kara?", Sam asks, worried that her girlfriends overprotectiveness for her invincible sister is going to get her seriously injured, more so than she already is.

"They're after her", Alex says nearly shouting, "they know she's back and one of them wants to take her somewhere and she can't beat them by herself without solarflaring and…". Alex continues to rant as Sam tries to calm her.

"Woah, hey", Sam finally breaks through, "You're not mad at me so cool it". Alex looks guiltily at the floor until Sam pulls her gaze back up, "I know it was just you and J'onn and your team and I know you're a great agent and hero but… babe, you don't have powers and no matter how great your gun is it's not enough to stop them and…". Sam swallows down the lump in her throat to continue, "look, Ruby and I, we can't lose you, ok. So just take it easy and call for backup, please".

Alex nods and, using her good hand, pulls Sam in for a tender kiss. "I know the last three weeks have been insane, I'm sorry. At least I'll be home for a week now", she says, trying to lighten the mood.

Sam gives her a small chuckle and kisses her again, "the doctors said you can go?".

"I'm a doctor", Alex says, emphatically.

"Yeah, but doctors make terrible patients so did the real doctor say you can go", Sam asks again giving Alex her mom look.

"Yes", Alex relents. "Now I know why Ruby hates that look", she mutters under her breath as Sam helps her stand.

"I heard that", Sam says, wrapping an arm around Alex.


Sam manages to get Alex settled at home before going to pick up Ruby and the three enjoy a quiet night in. They make pizzas for dinner before watching movies all night and Alex forgets about work until there is a loud banging on the front door at nearly 10 pm.

"Ah, ah", Sam chides, pushing Alex down, "I got it". Alex watches her around the corner and barely hears Sam say, "Oh you're in trouble" before she's met with a frantic Kara, pulling on her arm and scanning it.

"Oh geez, Kara chill out", Alex whines, trying to get her arm back.

"Chill out", Kara shouts, "You got hurt because you're too stubborn and protective to let me help".

Sam and Ruby give each other a look before escaping to the kitchen and giving the sisters their privacy.

"Calm down, Kara", Alex sighs, "It's just a scratch".

"It could've been your life", Kara says, "What if that piece landed on your chest, broke a rib and punctured a lung or your heart? Huh Alex, what then".

"Geez, chill", Alex says, craning her neck to see if Ruby's listening, "Ruby and Sam are listening, don't scare them like that. Yeah, I may have gotten lucky, and I thank Rao I did but that's the job. I help take down hostile threats including big strong aliens".

"You help take them down Alex", Kara says, sadly, "you don't have to do it yourself. Just let someone help every once and while without worrying about protecting everyone".

"Kara", Alex says, "I'm sorry. You're right, I should have called for backup, but you have to stay out it until we figure out why they want you so bad".

"Too late", Kara mutters.

"What do you mean?", Alex says, shifting quickly to look at Kara, scanning her for injuries.

"Three of them teamed up", Kara starts, "J'onn, Dreamer and your team were handling it until the third showed up and Demos took over comms and Brainy joined but they were divided up one-on-one and Demos called me". Alex nearly jumps out of her seat ready to tear the senior agent a new one, when Kara stops her. "Stop, stop. Don't be mad at him. Because he called, we subdued them quickly and almost got them in containment before they killed themselves with no casualties or injuries. I'm a little short on radiation but that's just cause it's dark".

"You flew?", Alex shouts, "What if you'd fallen out of the sky?".

"Relax, I know my limits", Kara says with a small smile, "But no, Frank drove me. I was with Lena and dropped her at the DEO before I fought, and she expressed the same concerns".

"Well, good", Alex relents, shoulders dropping, "so that's how you figured out about this?".

"Yeah, I asked Vasquez why you weren't leading the team and she told you'd been put on house arrest", Kara laughs, "I came here as soon as I could".

Alex pulls her into a hug, "You're a good sister".

"You too", Kara mumbles into her shoulder.

"We don't have any pizza left but we can fix more popcorn", Ruby says, as she and Sam come back in the room, curling up on either side of Alex.

"Thanks guys but Frank's waiting on me and Lena ordered food", Kara says with a smile. "I should let you all get back to family night. I'll see you guys. Keep this one here", she says, pushing Alex's shoulder.

"See you later then", Alex says, hugging her sister again.

Kara waves and hurries out to the SUV eager to get back home to Lena.


After the big team up, sans Alex, everyone is glad to get a few days of rest. Kara proofs all the articles for the next issue. Lena catches up on reports and has her first board meeting since the honeymoon, leaving home in her burgundy suit with the black button up and a kiss for good luck from Kara. J'onn trains more agents. Brainy upgrades the DEO software. Sam continues with her CFO work while taking care of two kids at home. Alex gets restless quick and is flown home by J'onn when she tries to come in. She tries to compromise with "I'll just do paperwork", but J'onn didn't fall for it.


A few days later, Kara and Lena get to go out for a date night to a fancy new restaurant down by the waterfront and talk about the upcoming holidays.

"I can't believe Christmas is in a week", Kara claps excitedly, before turning to Lena, "and remember we agreed to keep it chill, less than $200".

"Three", Lena counteroffers, with a smirk.

"Fine", Kara nods, "$300".

Lena smiles like she just won a huge bidding war and Kara pulls her in tight to her side as they make their way down the street.


With so much going on at the DEO with the alien threats, Alex was going to skip out on Christmas until Eliza offered to come to National City and Lena offered their guest room since Eliza wouldn't let her pay for her hotel room. Now Lena and Kara are hosting Christmas this year and Lena has to admit she rather likes the colorful decorations, even if their tree looks like a five-year-old decorated it. "It's festive", Kara had claimed, and Lena had to admit with was better than the stuffy professional ones Lillian got for their Christmas party every year. Lena teased Kara about the decoration throughout, but Kara took it well with a small smile at the joy Lena had at seeing her home decorated.

"I bet a thousand bucks that in 10 years, our kids' decorations look better than these", Lena says, leaning into Kara side once they'd finished. She felt Kara freeze beside her, and Lena thought back to what she just said as she turned to look at her.

"Kids as in plural possessive or just possessive", Kara asks, her voice shaky.

"I mean… I always thought we'd have more than one", Lena says cautiously, "You love having a sister and for a few years I loved having a brother. I'd want our kid to have a friend like you and Alex". Lena barely finishes before Kara has lifted her off the ground in a hug and is spinning them around in midair.

"Rao yes, yes", Kara's laughing and kissing all over Lena's face.

Lena laughs with her before grabbing her face and crashing their lips together, "I still say their decorations will be better".


Unfortunately, the good times don't last long as just a few days after the impromptu date night, the day before Eliza lands, and three days before Christmas, another group of aliens team up.

The Dheronian is clearly the leader of the pack, but he brought back up in the form of an Andromedan, a Thoronian, and a Thalonian.

J'onn calls in Alpha and Beta teams, Vasquez takes over as field leader of the two with Matthews leading Alpha and Chase leading Beta. Demos takes over comms again as Brainy joins the team in the field. Supergirl and Dreamer meet Brainy, J'onn and the agents in the field.

Beta team secured the perimeter, closing off streets with a 2-block perimeter and Alpha team has the intersection surrounded.

The heroes approach the aliens with Supergirl leading, Martian Manhunter and Dreamer on either side while Brainy levitates over them. Kara stops in front of the Dheronian, hands on her hips, channeling as much Supergirl bravado as she can, "Leave Earth now while you still can".

The Dheronian doesn't hesitate, "Kara, daughter of Zor-El and Alura In-Ze. You need to come with us".

"Why?", Kara asks, and Dheronian looks like he is going to continue some speech but an agent with a itchy trigger finger shoots and the aliens attack.


They managed to take down the aliens, and even get one in custody, thanks to Nia putting it to sleep. The only problem was that trick drained her powers and Kara solarflared finishing off the rest of them.

They managed to get the downed heroes back to the med bay and while Kara had taken some major hits before the Dheronian succumbed to his heatvision inflicted injuries, they were all given good prognoses and allowed to go home.

Brainy quickly took Nia home, waving bye to everyone including Lena who was on her way in.

"You ok, darling?", Lena asks, stepping forward to help Kara disconnect the sunlamps.

"Other than no powers again", Kara shrugs, "I feel fine, just ordered to get some sun".

"Well come on then", Lena says, holding out her hand, "Let's get you home and on the balcony. I'll even fix some hot chocolate".

"And put a candy cane in it", Kara looks up at her hopefully.

"Of course,", Lena says, helping Kara to her feet, "you know you really are dead weight when you're powerless".

"It's all this muscle", Kara says, flexing.

"Must be", Lena smiles before wrapping her arms around Kara's waist and burying her head in her neck.

"I'm ok, Lee. I promise", Kara whispers, kissing the dark hair, "I promised you I'll always come back, sometimes it just means no powers".

Lena nods into Kara's neck and sniffs, gathering herself before pulling back, "I know. I love you".

"I love you. Always", Kara says, cradling Lena's jaw and pulling her in for a soft, loving kiss, "Now let's get home".


AN: Happy early Thanksgiving. This year I am thankful for all of you for enjoying my writing and leaving such encouraging reviews and comments. This had become a great stress reliever for me, a way to escape to the Supergirl world and give these couples the storyline they deserved on the show.

Since Thursday is Thanksgiving, I won't be releasing a chapter but will be back to normal schedule on Monday.

Thank you all so much