Forty Three Across
Deanlu
Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. I am writing weird shorts because I have been having trouble writing lately. Not to mention I am in stay at home once more for Covid19. Please leave comments. I could really use them right now.
DEO: "Supergirl, DEO Weekly meeting will commence at ten thirty am. Please report on time. The Agenda has been sent to you via email."
"Hmmm, they have never sent an agenda before. Wonder what's up?" Kara pondered as Dreamer threw her power whip out to snag the Super. Kara studied the text message on her phone as she raised her hand, grabbed the whip, and yanked it sending Dreamer into the two agents approaching from the left. She looked up and sent an icy breath along the ground dropping seven other agents. She pulled up the agenda as two drones came into the training grounds. She looked up and took out both of them with her laser vision and flew off.
"Supergirl, could you please pay more attention to the practice exercise." Director Danvers pleaded to the Super. Supergirl looked up noticing several incoming agents and missiles. She shook her head wondering why it was important.
"Affirmative Director Danvers. So you want me to finish this or what?" Supergirl asked as she raised her eyebrows on item four.
"Supergirl! Pay attention! Now!" Director Danvers yelled worried her sister wasn't giving the attention it required. Supergirl put her phone away and started doing calculations in her head at the attacking men and equipment.
"Fine, fine. If I finish this can I head out for a little bit?" Supergirl asked as she noticed Lex was using a modified missile. She shook her head wishing he would have just tried to out right kill her so she could finish this game of cat and mouse.
"Yes, finish this exercise and you can go. But I don't think…." Director Danvers argued going silent as Agent Vasquez just shook her head. Supergirl had burst into super speed tying all the agents up with their own handcuffs and removing their utility belts and weapons. She had then taken out Lex's new missiles which had locked on to her and chased with heat/ice vision and her vibration clap. Director Danvers had never seen her use the vibration clap like that before. While the Nth metal of missiles had stood up to the vibration clap, the inside circuitry could not handle the sudden below freezing and then intense heat causing the self destruct to trip in the missiles..
"Done! See you in two hours Director Danvers." Supergirl shot off leaving behind a devastated practice course and several unconscious and fuming agents. A text message came in from Director Danvers.
Alex: Davies is spitting mad at you.
Kara: You think he needs a mocha.
Alex: Kara, you left him and his agents hanging from one of the poles in the practice arena.
Kara: Well, you said they were up for anything. I had stuff to finish and do.
Alex: Kara, you weren't even paying attention. You barely gave the exercise any attention.
Kara: I won. That's what you wanted right?
Alex: …
Kara: Alex, just tell Davies we will have a do over. Schedule it for Friday. I'll see you at the meeting.
"Sore losers. What did they think I was going to do? Lose?" Kara landed on the CATCO building putting her glasses back on as her suit melted away to reveal a gorgeous soft pink Satin collar sheath dress. It was a little more than she usually went for in the work day, but she had a few things she needed to do. She moved across the floor avoiding people here and there until she came to Andre Rojas's office. Ms. Rojas secretary nodded when Kara looked at her for permission to enter.
"You needed me?" Kara inquired as she adjusted her glasses and fumbled with the notebook in her hands. Ms. Rojas took a long look at Ms. Danvers for a moment and stood up coming around the desk.
"I read your investigative article on Jerry Whitaker at Thermodyne Industries. It's good. Scary good. Snapper wants it published immediately through the Tribune and online. I have concerns." Andrea declared as she motioned for Kara to sit. "How good are your sources that this information is true?"
"Extremely good. Checked and verified. Enough that if the article isn't published in the next two days we will be behind the news." Kara asserted as she pulled up her notepad. Andrea curiously tilted her head at the reporter.
"Why?" Andrea inquired as she listened to Kara. Kara waited for a heart beat thinking about where this was going.
"Because the FBI and several other agencies are getting ready to raid Thermodyne Industries. Snapper will be sending the article live in the next hour. We will also have two reporters and a photographer there to capture the raid all live." Andrea stood walking over to the balcony looking out. She was quiet for a long time before she turned around and nodded.
"Good reporting." Ms. Rojas said quietly as she seemed to be worried about something. Kara would normally not ask, but recently Andrea and her had worked out a better working relationship.
"Can I ask why you seem worried?" Kara asked her boss. Andrea looked up and took a deep breath. She looked at Kara for a moment and came to some decision.
"I own a bit of stock in the company. I can't take it out with what I know or I'll be fined. How bad is the information Kara? Can the company survive?" Andrea asked her reporter. Kara's brow drew together as she thought about what her research had shown.
"The company as a whole is stable. It is those in charge who are dragging it down and misusing the product and services. I believe it can remain a strong force for service and product if they install a good CEO and CFO. They will need to purge any other people who are involved." Andrea nodded as Kara rose thinking they were coming to an end of the conversation. Her boss looked worried though.
"Tell Snapper to publish immediately. Both Tribune and Online." Kara nodded as she went to leave. "Kara, thank you for explaining." Kara headed out and pulled her phone. She called Snapper. He answered quickly.
"This better be important Ponytail. I have five other things I could be doing." Snapper came back at her. Two people approached Snapper handing him some papers and scurrying off.
"Ms. Rojas says it's a go." She told the old warhorse.
"Alright, be prepared. The hellfire is going to come hot and fast when this goes live. I'm forwarding the article to the front page on the Tribune for evening edition. The article will go live online...NOW!" Snapper wanted to see what the CEO's reaction would be before it went live. "What did Ms. Rojas have to say?"
"She has a bit of stock in the company. She said she could not ethically move it now that she had found out." Kara responded as she was heading toward the rooftop again. Her meeting with the DEO was forty five minutes from now, but she had something to do.
"Alright, Be ready for some live interviews in the next few days Ponytail. Then I think it would be good to take that vacation you were asking for two weeks." Snapper said as he rang off. Kara removed her glasses as she came to the roof transforming into Supergirl. She took off at an accelerated speed toward her destination.
Forty-five minutes later…
"Hmmm. New puzzle. Let's see. One across, a large piece...hmmm..Slice...no, four letters...hmmm...Slab." Kara wrote the word down as she started the crossword. The conference room had several different people in it. She had started on two across when a booming voice echoed in the conference room.
"YOU! You pain in the ass alien! How dare you…" Davies yelled pointing at Supergirl. She stood setting her pen and black book down. He got halfway across the conference room before Kara cut him off and confronted him.
"Agent Davies. Well played today. I had a wonderful time fighting Theta team. Alpha and Beta always tell me how you all aren't that good, but I doubt they ever had to deal with my freeze breath." Kara announced causing everyone to look toward her and Davies. Agent Davies came to an abrupt stop. She could tell he didn't know how to respond. His face was red and making all sorts of shapes as he worked to control his temper. "I really think that Director Danvers needs to make your boots with grips on the bottom. It might have allowed you all to stay on your feet longer and have time to mount a defense." Davies actually seemed to think about that.
"Yeah, I think you are right. Maybe the Mancarian heat pucks could also be added to the utility belt." Davies pondered as Supergirl nodded thinking that was actually a cool thought. The Mancarian heat pucks were circular disks that when deployed could melt an area of twenty by twenty feet. They came in handy for missions in snow and ice, but they never thought to use them during training.
"Coffee?" Kara asked as she held up the cup from Noonans. "Caffe Macchiato. Your go to." Agent Davies looked at the cup and then at Supergirl. He reached out for the cup.
"Thank you. You didn't need to do that." Agent Davies said as he took his seat. Supergirl cocked her head sideways and smiled.
"Sure I did. I don't get to work with your group too often." Supergirl responded as she took her seat. Director Danvers and J'onn Jones came into the conference room. Kara handed them their coffees as she broke the first carrier down. Lena and Lex came into the room. Kara took a coffee down for both of them recently learning that Lex loved Cortado's. He looked at Supergirl and at the coffee.
"Thank you Supergirl. Now, may we please start." Supergirl took her seat as the rest of the coffee's were passed out that she had with her.
"Now, first off the recent training exercise went well with Theta team. Anyone have any comments?" Lex asked as he glanced around the table.
"I think we need to look into boots that grip the ground better. Also Supergirl brought up the idea of outfitting the Agents with a Mancarian heat pucks." Agent Davies stated as he made notes on his ipad. "It would allow us to respond better to aliens with the ability to manipulate ice and snow." Everyone looked toward Supergirl as she worked on her black book.
"Seventeen across...four letters...once or more…" Kara studied the clue, briefly looking up to see everyone looking at her. "It was just a suggestion. Really it was Davies' suggestion, but he seemed to be extending an olive branch to her." Kara said as she looked back down at her crossword. "EVER" She wrote into the puzzle.
"It almost sounds like you want to be caught." Lena muttered as she made a note.
"Maybe I do." Kara commented back as she continued her puzzle. "By the right person." Kara added as she studied fourteen across...clue...that's pretty funny...HAHA. Lena glared at her as Lex looked between her and Lena a couple of times.
"Riiiiiggghhhhtttt." Lex looked down at his ipad. "Alright, item two. Zook, the fifth dimensional imp appeared in downtown National City." Kara's pencil snapped as she looked up and over at Alex. "People I want to catch this imp. He doesn't need to be mark him a priority."
'I am not getting married to another one.' Kara mouthed to Alex.
'Why? They seem to like you a lot. Maybe we could get Myx and Zoot to fight over you.' Alex mouthed and smirked after her comment to her sister. It was actually a funny idea. One she needed to keep for future teasing.
'Not funny Alex.' Kara mouthed back as Lex cleared his throat.
"Something to add Supergirl? Director Danvers?" Lex asked as he looked at both of them. Kara reached into her satchel and pulled out another pencil while putting the broken one inside. She saw something move in the bad, but made a light shushing sound. Agent Davies glanced over at her. Supergirl set the satchel on the floor and smiled at Davies.
"No sir, we will make it a priority." Director Danvers stated firmly. Kara rolled her eyes and looked back down at her crossword puzzle.
"Moving on…." Kara concentrated on her puzzle tuning only partially listening to Lex and the others.
'Okay, twenty across...like some diplomatic roles...thirteen letters...starts with an A….Ambassador...what could the other letters be...oh, wait Ambassadorial. Kara wrote down the word. That makes twelve down...too ponder...MULL.' Kara wrote quickly when she heard Pam speak up. They were item eight now. Vacation time. Oh Boy, here it comes.
"So item eight is vacation time. There have been several requests for vacation time. However, there is one request that needs to be okayed yet." Pam glared at Lex waiting for his response on the final vacation time request. Lex glared back, but he soon gave in to the director of Human Resources. She was not someone to be trifled with. People thought that Lex was evil, they had no idea how evil Human Resources Director Pam could be.
"Fine! She can have her two weeks vacation. However, she must let us know where she is going and who she is going to be with." Lex glared at Pam before turning to glare at Supergirl.
"I'm hiking on the Pacific Trail. I am going on my own." Kara told Pam and Lex as she continued on her crossword. 'Dinner with seasoning packet...twenty five across...five Letters...M in the middle...hmm, Ramen. Yep. Ohhh, I need to have Ramen for lunch. Maybe she could get some fresh ramen after she left here. She could fly up to Hinodeya. They liked it when she came around. ROKC was a favorite place of hers. She had always wanted to take Lena there. ROKC stood for Ramen, Oysters, Kitchen, and Cocktails. It was on the upper west side of National City. Kara had gone to dinner there with Diana Prince, Bruce Wayne, and Donna Troy on their last visit to the Technology Exposition in the city. It was interesting. She had not expected to wake up the following morning with Diana in her bed. Nothing had happened, but not because Diana hadn't wanted it to. It came down to Kara's heart being with someone else. The food had been amazing. Lena would have enjoyed it so much. Kara looked up to see Lex looking at her.
"Yes Sir, something you want to know." Supergirl asked Lex. Lex ground his teeth for a moment and asked his question.
"I was wondering why you are asking for vacation." Now the whole table looked at Lex like he lost his mind. He had just violated maybe three rules.
"The Spotted Towhee and the Western Scrub Jay." Kara tells him as she looks back down at the crossword. 'Forty across...a meat and potato dish..fifteen letters...hmm'
"Ummm, what?" Lex asked once more. He looked confused as he gripped his pen tightly. Pam got so excited from where she sat next to Alex.
"Ohhh, they are beautiful birds Supergirl. You will love them! You might even get to see Phainopepla. They are hard to sight. Maybe next time I can go with you." Pam from human resources remarked as Lex looked so stunned. Lena actually snickered a little along with others around the table.
"Birds?" Lex commented not understanding why Supergirl would like birds.
"Yes." Supergirl affirmed as she looked up. She suddenly exclaimed. "Oh Carne Asada Fries." And looked back down and wrote the word into the squares. Everyone was looking at her like she was a little crazy. Which if you asked Kara she would have said she was. In her mind everyone was a little crazy. You had to be to live this life.
"And moving on. J'onn, how are things going for the National City culture festival? I know we are adding in several alien cultures this year." Kara could almost hear Lex choke on his words. He had to play the supportive leader of blending alien and human cultures now which she knew drove him crazy.
"We are doing well. The list of alien cultures that are participating has been sent to you. Several have models and demonstrations set up for people. Everything seems to be coming together." Lex nodded and went on to the next to last item when there was a small scree sound. Kara looked up and then down at her bag.
"Sorry, sorry." She apologized as she reached down and pulled a neon blue furry round thing out of her satchel. "Nacklinon Ja Fla ta. Mo's la." she whispered to the thing. "Ca lasin te ka." She set the creature on her neck. The little thing suddenly elongated itself and wrapped around the Kryptonians neck. Kara felt a tingling as it sparkled and changed color to an aqua marine.
"Supergirl, could you please explain the alien around your neck." Lex demanded as the creature began to purr almost like a kitten. Kara felt almost a euphoric cool feeling inside herself. She smiled and looked toward Lex. He actually looked like he was going to have a heart attack the way that side vein was bulging in his neck.
"I'm sorry Mr. Luthor. Albert's parents asked me to babysit at the last moment. I just had nowhere to leave him. He's perfectly harmless. Just sleeps and eats a lot. I won't disturb you again. He should be fine now." Supergirl explained as Lex shook his head. He wished he could just kill all the aliens and be done with it. Though Albert was kind of...Nope, he would not think that. 'Hmmm...forty three across...spooky feeling...ERIE. Kara wrote the word in as well as 44 across and forty-five.
"Alright. I think we are done for today. We will meet in two weeks once more. Let me know if there are issues with any of the projects you are working on. Supergirl, please make arrangements for any babysitting outside of DEO meeting times. Also take care of Albert. I wouldn't want an intergalactic problem because you lost him. Have a great day people. Let's protect our city and planet." People filed out the door except for Agent Davies, Alex, J'onn and Lena lingered watching Supergirl across the table.
"Hinodeya, eight tonight, all of Theta shift. My treat for today." Supergirl told Agent Davies. He nodded as he looked at Albert.
"Can I touch him?" Agent Davies asked softly. Supergirl reached up to her neck and made some weird clicking sounds. Albert slid into her hand taking the shape of a small furry ball. Eyes appeared as a pointy nose like a hedgehog appeared. Supergirl reached over to Agent Davies' hand and brought it near. Albert sniffed the agent's hand, then shivered. Lena moved closer coming up beside Alex. Albert slid into Davies' hand. Supergirl kept a tight hold on Davies' hand as Albert wrapped around it, little sparkles flashing here and there across the creature's body. "What's happening?" He asked curiously as the creature returned to a ball in his hand and then moved back to Supergirls.
"He likes you. The sparkles are kind of a way to connect with new peoples nerve system. It was kind of like saying hi." Davies pulled his hand back slowly as he looked at Albert with wonder. "Not everything in the galaxy is out to hurt us." Alex and J'onn smiled, understanding Davies' wonder and excitement. It was after all one of the reasons they loved the DEO. They knew Albert's parents. Life had been terrible for them for a long time. Until they arrived on earth. Agent Davies excused himself, hesitating at the door briefly to look back and smiled at Albert. Then he was gone.
"How old is he?" Lena asked as her hand reached out toward Albert. Kara's warm hand enclosed hers bring it closer. Albert once more sniffed, but this time he had a totally different reaction. There was a deep, slow purr while he elongated sliding around Lena's arm to her neck. He wrapped around it continuing to purr. Several chirps and words were sent to Supergirl as Albert settled into Lena more. Kara blushed deeply and huffed out loud. J'onn and Alex eyes widened at what Albert said. Soon he was sound asleep around Lena's neck sparkling.
"He's seventeen months. He has about the vocabulary of a five year old human." Kara spoke gently not wanting to alarm Albert or Lena. "He's taken to you quite well."
"Where are his parents from?" Lena asked Supergirl as she giggled a little from Alberts breath tickling her neck. Kara ran her hands over Albert on Lena's neck. Lena sat in a chair at the conference table.
"Arcturus solar system. His parents survived a deadly civil war escaping their planet. They tried to settle on a planet about half the distance between their home planet and Earth, but they were driven out for being different. They arrived here and found the environment compatible. Their food source is excessive here too. It was the reason that J'over and Blen were able to reproduce and have Albert." Supergirl explained as the young one nuzzled into Lena's neck making her smile. Lena reached up and scratched under the young one's chin. Lena's verdant green eyes captured Supergirl's blue ones.
"What did he say to you?" Supergirl looked at J'onn and Alex briefly. They both chuckled and nodded.
"We are out of here. Supergirl, take care of my Godson." Alex said as the two agents left the room. Supergirl waited until they left.
"Alex's Godson?" Lena asked, thankfully diverting the conversation without knowing it.
"Alex helped Blen deliver. Though it was a weird delivery. You'd have to talk to Alex about it more. There was a lot of water involved along with petroleum products. It was weird. But Alex delivered Albert. So Blen and J'over made Alex a godmother to this little chap." Supergirl explained as she sat next to Lena.
"What did Albert say?" Lena asked once more softly, not wanting to wake the little one. "Remember, no secrets. No more lies." Supergirl nodded even as she thought of the kiss from Lena the last time they were in the conference room.
"He said he was happy to meet my mate. That you are beautiful." Supergirl said as she kept her eyes on Albert refusing to look up at Lena. It was quiet for a long time.
"Why would he think I was your mate?" Lena asked softly even though she was somewhat miffed at the Kryptonian. Lena wondered what Kara had told Albert and his parents.
"Your scent." Kara explained to Lena. Now that caught the Luthor off guard. "Kryptonians have scent glands. Our scent imprints on those we love or we choose to love."
"So let me get this straight. Albert trusts me because he can smell your hormones on me." Lena addeuced as Supergirl nodded at her. Lena went to argue when Kara covered her lips with her fingers.
"Lena, I will remind you that you claimed me in front of Hesper just two weeks ago. You said I was yours. If my hormones responded to that, there is nothing I can do. I told you I would give you time." Kara whispered softly not realizing that J'onn had darkened the conference room windows to give some privacy. "I will give you time." Lena reached up carefully removing Albert without waking him and handed him to Kara.
"Why are you taking two weeks vacation?" Lena asked as Albert wrapped around Supergirls. Supergirl got up and walked over to her satchel. She put her crossword book into the bag and slung the satchel over her shoulder making sure to keep Albert safe.
"Rest. Bird watching. Communing with nature." Supergirl said as Lena's look said she didn't believe her at all. "I haven't had a vacation since before the Daxamites attacked. In fact, I don't remember the last time I had a vacation. So I am taking some time. You and Lex don't need me here." Kara explained as she moved toward Lena. "You are always welcome to join me. I know you liked hiking. It's up to you." Lena studied Kara as Albert moved mumbling in his sleep.
"You said his food source was plentiful on this planet. What does he eat?" Lena asked as she thought about the two week vacation. Supergirl looked up at the ceiling. She really shouldn't have brought him here. She didn't want to tell Lena. Lena noticed Kara's hesitancy to tell her. "No secrets Kara." Lena whispered very softly to make sure no one knew who Supergirl was now.
"Kryptonite." Kara divulged and walked away toward the door. Lena's face flashed with confusion and thought. Lena's anger flared as she started to make some terrible connections.
"STOP!" Kara stopped mid stride after Lena's shout. "Wait, he hangs on you. He hangs on you because he is feeding." Kara hadn't turned around yet. She wouldn't turn around. Not now. Lena was figuring things out. "When Brainy and I neutralized the kryptonite in the atmosphere...oh geeze...we didn't neutralize it all. We neutralized a great portion, but there is still kryptonite in the atmosphere." Lena turned to look at Supergirl whose back was still turned to her. "Just like there's still lead in the atmosphere. It couldn't totally neutralize it."
"Strange thing about seeding atmospheres. Yes, you could probably neutralize everything in the air, but how do you take it out of the plants, the soil, the water, and so much more." Kara turned part way toward Lena. "Once you change the environment that change is always there."
"Does Alex know? Does Brainy?" Kara sighed softly and turned completely toward Lena. Albert grumbled as he moved a little around Kara's neck. Lena smiled as she watched him snuggle into the Super.
"Brainy doesn't know. Alex is aware there is a kryptonite problem. No one else outside of me and Alex know. Well, J'over and Blen know. Alex worked out a deal. Alex becomes godmother, promising to protect their family. In exchange, they would feed off me to reduce the amount of kryptonite in my bloodstream. Normally there's enough in the environment they can feed with no problem." Kara explained as she turned to go once more. Lena intercepted her and closed the glass darkened immediately as the fury filled Lena's face.
"When were you going to tell me?" Lena demanded as worry and fear crossed her face. "I bet you weren't. You weren't going to tell me."
"You said we aren't friends. You didn't want anything to do with me. You claimed me in this room so Hesper couldn't have me and then you told me you couldn't! You can't have it both ways Lena. You can't tell me I'm not your friend and expect me to share things with you." Supergirl yelled as emotion and frustration took hold. Lena had made it clear she didn't want her. Kara had agreed to respect those boundaries. Two weeks ago had confused Supergirl so much.
"The vacation?" Lena demanded once more.
"Exactly what I told you. Rest. Bird Watching. Communing with nature." Supergirl promised Lena. "I haven't lied to you Lena. You just didn't care about what was happening with me because you were angry. That's okay. I would have told you once we were on speaking terms again." Lena stepped forward, suddenly hugging Kara tightly. Albert preened above as the two touched.
"How bad is it? Don't lie to me." Lena asked as Kara wrapped her arms around the CEO.
"Like your allergies. It flares up to a burning in the veins when I come into a concentrated amount. Sort of like asthmatics." Kara explained as Lena released her.
"How does Albert's family feed off of you?" Lena asks, needing to understand.
"Exactly like this. He absorbs the kryptonite out of the bloodstream through my skin." Kara points to her neck.
"Does it hurt?" Lena asks, now examining Alberts connection to Supergirl.
"No, sometimes when all three are on me I get light headed. But the majority of time all is well." Lena nodded wanting more than ever to measure and examine the process. Her mind raced with the idea of bringing more aliens of this type to the planet to clean it up. Kara could see her thoughts and shook her head. "No Lena. Only their family. Blen and J'over's race are not all pleasant. I'll be fine. Speak to Alex with your concerns. But I would ask that you say nothing to Lex. He will figure out things on his own soon enough."
"Alright. I want you to ask Blen and J'over if they would be willing to talk to me about the process they use to eat and absorb the kryptonite from your body. We are making material for your suit to protect you better. We are also going to start taking weekly measurements on your kryptonite levels." Lena began as her mind began to work on how to fix this problem. Kara stepped forward, took Lena in her arms and kissed her slowly, deeply. Lena hesitated at first and then fell deeply into Kara's kiss. When they separated Kara rested her head against Lena's.
"Stop. I"m fine. I will be fine." Kara pulled her close and hugged her for a few moments. There was a beeping sound on Kara's watch.
"Go ahead." Kara said out loud while she still held Lena. Agent Vasquez's voice came over the speaker.
"We have a fire on eighth and Worcester street. The fire department says it's a four alarm. They have people trapped in the building."
"Acknowledged." Kara told Agent Vasquez as she stepped back from Lena. "I have two weeks of vacation coming up. You have time to think about where we stand. Not friends, friends, lovers. You think about it Lena." Kara moved quickly to the door only to be met with Alex. Kara moved Albert to Alex's neck and sped away. Lena looked up at Alex.
"Come on. Let's get a cup of coffee and talk." Alex insisted as she reached out her hand. Lena stepped forward and took it. Maybe it was time to let things go. Just maybe.