Lena and Maggie get some time to bond while Alex and Kara start to get a feel for exactly what Lillian and her cronies were up to and it's not at all what they expected. Plus, the Arias women come to the rescue with much needed carbs and support!
"Mom!" Ruby exclaimed, hopping into the SUV with barely contained excitement. "Did you talk to Alex?"
"Nope." Sam replied but unable to take her daughter's resulting pout added, "I texted her and she said she'd let us know later today if a visit was okay."
"That was mean." Ruby continued to pout and Sam couldn't suppress a scoff that the teenager was trying so hard to look offended.
"She also said that you texted her demanding cuddles?"
"I didn't demand..." Ruby muttered. "I just thought she could use some. And cupcakes! Are we taking her cupcakes?"
"Yes, we are taking her cupcakes and don't think I haven't realized you were texting during the school day."
"It was a half day." Ruby argued pointing at the clock to emphasize it was barely after one in the afternoon. "And I was checking on an ill friend." The teen concluded in her most somber grownup voice.
"Still not allowed missy."
"So restrictive." Ruby mock-scoffed. "Maybe, if I ask her nicely, Alex will adopt me? She's pretty chill."
Sam rolled her eyes at the teen's antics. "She might...but I hear she doesn't cook much. It'd be a shame if you missed 'pancake o'clock'."
Ruby narrowed her eyes at her mother. "You drive a hard bargain. You can keep me...for now."
"You're too kind. Seatbelt, please." Sam chuckled as they pulled out of the school parking lot, headed towards National City's most famous bakery in search of cupcakes.
The atmosphere in Noonan's was laid-back, the morning rush having died down to just the usual finance workers trying to get out of their office for a little while and the bloggers/students hogging the free Wi-Fi. Lena had ordered a ridiculous amount of pastries, paid the preposterous bill and began checking emails on her phone as if every coffee run she went on cost this much. Maybe it did. Now that the young Luthor and Kara worked together, Maggie couldn't imagine the over-the-top requests the brunette must grant to her BFF. Speaking of which...
"You know we were just messing with you right?" Maggie asked Lena as they waited for their order number to be called. The walk over from the DEO had been awkwardly quiet and the detective began to wonder if she and Alex had taken their teasing too far.
Lena looked up from her phone bewildered. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, Maggie."
"About you and Little Danvers; the whole 'girlfriend' thing." Maggie threw air quotes around the term of endearment. "Whatever you guys are or aren't, is your business. I was just busting your chops. I'm sorry."
Lena waved her off with a small smile. "No need to apologize. I'm sorry for calling you 'Margaret' earlier..."She added, smile widening.
"I mean it was a low blow." Maggie drawled. "But I get it. Little Danvers was upset and it's hard not to get sucked into those girls dramatics."
"Indeed." Lena conceded with a nod. "I can hardly say no to Kara as her...'friend'. How do you manage to rein Alex in?"
"Honestly," Maggie contemplated the question for a moment. "I don't. One of the things I love most about Alex is her passion. I mean, yeah, it gets her into trouble, A LOT. But she wouldn't be Alex without it."
Lena nodded. "It's one of the things I adore most about Kara too..."
"I guess that means we're stuck with them, huh?" Maggie teased as both their hands were suddenly filled with pastries and coffee by a frazzled barista.
"So it seems." Lena replied with a shy smile.
"Although," Maggie bumped her shoulder lightly into Lena's as they headed back towards the DEO. "If you don't want people assuming she's your girlfriend, you should probably stop wearing her clothes!"
"Dammit, Margaret!"
Alex and Kara stood before the pod in stunned silence. Hamilton had explained all her findings thus far to J'onn and the shell-shocked siblings. Her analysis had left them all with more questions than answers, the doctor conceding to Alex and J'onn's expertise. Even though Hamilton had served in the DEO for several years, neither she nor anyone else on the medical staff held a candle to the elder Danvers expertise when it came to alien biology.
As far as they could tell, the female child had been meant to be another World Killer but for some reason the pod remained undiscovered, keeping it's occupant asleep and virtually unaged. They could also tell, Cadmus had ended its stasis only to reinstate it a short time later causing the girl to age slightly. Alex theorized that it was most likely an attempt to extract DNA samples.
"I still don't understand why Cadmus would abandon an asset so valuable?" J'onn mused.
"The serum," Alex whispered in disbelief before addressing the others. "That's why Lillian wanted our research from the 'Pink Kryptonite' incident. She needed to know how to make her baby World Killer a full-grown one."
"But they had already synthesized the serum." Hamilton argued.
"Yeah but they had no way to test it." Alex replied, feeling her stomach sink. "Lillian is smart, too smart. She would never risk her Kryptonian testing the serum but if something happened to Kara, she wouldn't bat an eye."
"And she could adjust her treatment according to whatever side effects Kara experienced." J'onn summarized feeling as sick as Alex. "Every time I think I've seen the full depth of their barbarism... But it all makes sense. Luthor has proven she's not above using aliens to further her agenda. This child could very well be the answer to defeating Reign."
"Hamilton, I want a full DNA profile before we open this pod. I know it's a kid in there but we can't be too careful when it comes to Cadmus." Alex ordered before turning to J'onn for any additional orders. He simply nodded his head in approval and Hamilton quickly left to complete her tests, the director following closely leaving the siblings alone in the lab.
Kara hadn't spoken since the initial revelation and Alex frowned at the tense set of her sister's shoulders. She pulled her close, rubbing soothing circles over Kara's back as she tried not to be alarmed at how pale her sister looked under the lab's harsh lighting. Kara rested her head on her shoulder, sighing softly.
"Come on. " Alex urged her. "Let's find Maggie and Lena and get out of here. It's gonna be awhile before Hamilton has any answers. Sam and Ruby offered to bring cupcakes by."
"I'm not sure I could eat," Kara whined, causing Alex to gasp in surprise! "I mean, I could but only like one box..."
Alex snorted at that. "Good. Maybe I can get a few..."
"They're gonna be okay, right Lexie?" Kara asked quietly and Alex instantly knew whom she meant.
"We're gonna make sure of it. Whoever's in that pod is a huge part of you and that makes them family. Lucky for us, I know a thing or two about raising Kryptonian kids!"
Kara managed a small smile at that. "I guess you are uniquely qualified."
"That I am! And you turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself."
"I guess I did. I love you Lexie."
"You too kid, to the moon and back."
The pair headed out of the lab and ran headfirst into a frazzled Winn! "Yes! I caught you." He exclaimed, stopping to catch his breath.
"And why were you trying to catch me?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow and a suspicious expression.
"I have a gift for you." He responded with a big smile. "Come on!"
The siblings followed Winn into the medbay where he motioned for Alex to sit on one of the beds. "Can you, uh...?" He asked clumsily gesturing to Alex's pant leg. The agent rolled up the sweats with an exasperated expression. "Yikes." Winn muttered when the angry pink scar came into view.
"What's this about, Schott?" Alex asked, already annoyed and on edge.
"Hamilton and I have been working on a few designs for agents like yourself." He explained unsurely.
"Like myself?" Alex echoed in confusion.
"You know...agents who can't, um, stop getting hurt." Beside Winn, Kara guffawed loudly at the characterization!
"Alright, well this has been fun." Alex huffed as she moved to get off the table.
"Wait, wait!" Winn pushed her back onto the table then jumped just out of reach scared she might lash out. "Just try it out please?"
"What is it?" Alex grumped, arms crossed tightly against her chest.
Winn grabbed what looked like a carbon fiber brace from off the worktable nearby. It had a spider-web design and seemed incredibly flexible. With it he grabbed a shiny black sleeve. He made quick work of fitting the sleeve around her leg and then held up the brace for her perusal.
"This brace is designed to support your leg without impeding your mobility. It's super-flexible but near unbreakable."
"What's the compression sock for?" Alex asked, interest slightly peeked.
"How does it feel?" Winn countered, not answering her question.
Alex frowned again as she concentrated on the limb. "Kind of tingly..."
"Good, that means it's working! The sleeve is infused with low amounts of re-gen serum so that should help with the scar and the tenderness. It's waterproof and needs to be changed out every 12 hours or so. We've made enough for a week. Hopefully by then it'll be fully healed."
"Winn, that's genius!" Alex smiled genuinely. "Does the brace do anything other than, uh, brace?"
"Yes! It has tiny electrodes that help stimulate your muscles and make it easier for you to support yourself. You should be able to ditch the cane while you're wearing it and it's as protective as a cast without all the...plastery-ness?" Winn finished, unsure of his word choice.
"Plastery-ness?" Kara questioned with another snort.
"You know what I mean." Winn huffed before turning his attention back to Alex. "But, you can't wear it all day or you'll over stimulate the muscles and that is all bad! At least the preliminary testing says so..."
"Thanks Winn." Alex told him sincerely as he fitted the brace against her leg. When he stood he was unprepared for the crushing hug she pulled him into! He hugged her back before releasing her with a small smile.
"Anything for my favorite badass." He remarked as Alex hopped down to test the brace out.
Kara beamed at the excited way her sister moved around the room, hopping gently from foot to foot as she tested her new appliance. "Seriously, thank you Winn." Kara whispered as he stood next to her watching Alex stride with glee. "We really needed some good news today."
Just a couple hours later there was an impatient knock on Alex's front door. She knew without even looking that it was Ruby, the teen chomping at the bit to present her new friends with treats. Maggie hopped off the couch and moved to the door, signaling for Alex and Kara to stay put.
"Hey kid! What you got there?" Maggie asked with a dimpled smile as Ruby bounced in.
"We come bearing cupcakes!" The teen beamed, balancing a pink pastry box in her arms. "They're supposed to be 'get well' gifts but I made sure to get a few vegan ones." Ruby finished in a stage whisper with a wink at Maggie.
The detective couldn't help but laugh out loud at that! "Thanks kid." Maggie stepped back to open the door further so Sam could enter. The taller brunettes arms were filled with several more boxes and Maggie's eyes widened in response. "Sam this is too much!"
Oh, please." Sam waved her off as she set the boxes on the kitchen counter. "Whatever you guys don't want I'll take to L-Corp tomorrow. Trust me, they won't last the day."
"If you say so." Maggie shrugged. "But, seriously, thanks. Can I get you something to drink?"
"I would kill for a good glass of wine." Sam sighed wistfully.
"Good thing I came prepared, darling." Lena entered the apartment just then, wine in tow. "I stepped out for a few essentials." She explained with a shrug as she moved around the kitchen preparing glasses for the adults.
Ruby had already made it to Alex's side and was captivated by the agent's new brace. She had shucked her jacket and was currently tucked under Alex's arm, nibbling on cupcakes and telling the older woman all about her game last week that Alex had been too injured to attend. Kara stood and came over to the kitchen to retrieve the glass of wine for her sibling.
"How are you feeling Kara?" Sam asked with genuine concern. She noted that the blonde was not her usual bubbly self and still seemed quite pale. Kara gave her a thin smile in response.
"I'm feeling better. I just need to rest as much as I can and Lena has been making sure I stay put." She added with a shy smile at the young CEO.
"You give me too much credit." Lena blushed.
"Well, I'm just glad you two are starting to feel better." Sam told her with a small smile as she gave Kara a gentle hug. "Are you sure everything's okay? You seem, a little sad, I guess..." Sam added quietly, not wanting to alert Alex, Maggie, or her daughter to the conversation.
The detective had moved over to the couch with Alex and Ruby and was currently watching a clip of the teen's soccer game. Kara cast a quick glance at Lena before answering.
"We may have found a member of my...biological family. They're a distant cousin and still a little kid so if they are...you know, part of my other family...well it could mean a lot of changes." Kara explained as Sam's eyes grew wide.
"That's...that's a lot to deal with." Sam exhaled quietly. "I'm adopted too. I used to dream of finding my biological family but then I had Ruby and just never pursued it. What are you going to do if they are who you think they are?"
"I, um, I'm not sure yet...honestly, we just need those results!" Kara plopped down on a barstool and stuffed a cupcake in her mouth! "These are delicious!" she mumbled around a mouthful of frosting.
"Glad you like them." Sam replied with an amused smile. "If you guys need anything, even more cupcakes, you know we're here." She finished, gesturing to herself and Lena.
"You guys are seriously the best." Kara gushed as she devoured another pastry. Sam and Lena laughed at the blonde's antics, glad to see the woman behaving more like herself despite everything that was happening.
The incessant buzzing of Alex's phone across the coffee table interrupted the light-hearted moment. She scooped it up just as Kara's, and then Maggie's began to ring as well.
"Danvers." Alex answered, moving away from the group as she listened to the person on the other end. "Already? I thought you said you wouldn't know until the morning? What anomalies? No, no, I'm on my way in. Don't touch anything!"
She jabbed the end button and spun to find everyone watching her. Maggie spoke first. "Was that who I think it was?"
"Yeah." Alex answered quietly. "They, um, they found something we need to see. I'm sorry to cut your visit short," She gave Ruby and Sam an apologetic smile. "But, uh, duty calls."
"Of course." Sam assured as she gathered her coat and gestured for Ruby to be the same. "We're just glad you're okay and back to saving the world." She added causing Alex to chuckle.
"Go kick some ass, Alex!" Ruby told her with a huge hug before snagging another cupcake and heading out the door.
"You get exactly one 'kick ass' today young lady, I hope you enjoyed it!" Sam called out the door after her daughter. "Be safe." She told the agent before she headed out, closing the door behind her.
"What did they find?" Kara asked as soon as the Arias women were out of earshot. Alex blanched at the question, glancing away from Kara, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Kar...I think you should stay here...until I know more." She finally stated, meeting Kara's firm gaze, already bracing for her sister's rebuttal.
"Fine." Was all Kara offered in reply causing everyone in the room to gape at her in surprise!
"I'm sorry, what?!" Alex managed to exclaim, as she stepped closer to her sibling. She could tell by the set of her sister's shoulders that Kara was withdrawing, pulling away at the possibility of whatever Hamilton had discovered. "Kara?"
"Can you just, can you just check it out, Lexie? Please?" Kara practically begged her sister as Alex pulled her into a comforting hug. "I just...I'm not..."
"Hey, hey," Alex tilted her head to catch Kara's eye. "I know this is a lot for you. Maggie and I will head to the DEO to see Hamilton. I promise no mater what it is; we're in this together okay? El mayarah."
"El mayarah." Kara whispered in response as her sister pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Little Luthor, keep an eye on her, huh?" Maggie instructed Lena as the brunette swapped places with Alex. Lena gave a quick nod of agreement as she pulled Kara into her gently. The elder sibling gave her sister one more reassuring glance before she followed Maggie out the door in search of the answers they all so desperately needed.
