Beautiful
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Copyright: Millma Verse
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Cora's Secret
Kara and Barry were getting their sons, Kelvin and Asher, changed and into their strollers. Kara had to pick up Carter on the way to the set of Jurassic World too. Roxy was waiting by the door for them to leave.
"So, how's Alex negotiating with Star Trek going?" Kara asked Barry as they were getting ready to go.
"They are willing to let me move to re-occurring. There is some argument over how many episodes exactly I will appear on, but Alex already has lined up movies and guest roles in other shows for me," Barry said happily.
"You're moving off being a regular on Star Trek?" A new voice spoke and out of the kitchen came a boy with dark black hair eating a roll. "My Kara will be upset. You on Star Trek got her through her pregnancy without so many mood swings."
"Connor," Barry said, smiling at the young man. Rae often went to Karry Universe to see Connor, a teenage clone of their Clark, and he had come to here a few times. He had spent Christmas with them after all. "Well, I'm glad to hear I helped your Kara, but I'm exploring other gigs."
"Are you here for the day?" Kara asked Connor.
"He is," it was Rae who answered, coming out of the kitchen and putting an arm around Connor. Topar was leaving the kitchen too and running up the stairs yelling something about getting changed.
"We're all heading to the Jurassic World set and then out to dinner. Join us," Kara said.
"I get to watch filming. Cool," Connor said with a smile and Barry put an arm on his back.
"Topar, hurry up, we got to get Carter and go," Barry yelled up the stairs.
-Beautiful-
Kayla had offered to take all the girls to the set that day to give Caitlin a break – especially since her and Barry's scenes weren't as much, being on episodes now where the kids were running from wild dinosaurs and trying to survive and get off the island – she had to get a car to transport so many!
The news reporters were waiting for her outside the set.
Since her Harry Potter co-star, Matt Smith, had let slip the week before about her being on Doctor Who Kayla had gotten a lot more reporters after her trying to get the role out of her. The BBC did reveal she was going to be in the new series but hadn't given any more information and was waiting a while before announcing the new Doctor, too.
"Come on, get to the set," Kayla said, holding Danielle closer to her; being in her arms seemed to stop the girl from using ice, too – the ice having been a bigger issue than her strength and speed lately. The studio security was trying to keep the reporters back and help the group get to where the reporters couldn't get them.
"Kayla, are you playing a new incarnation of Romana?" A reporter yelled out. That rumor had appeared not long ago and at first Kayla had been confused; the only Romana who Kayla knew was Karry Universe's daughter, but she had done her Doctor Who research since and found it to be a companion Time Lady from the classic era. It amused her at the similar names with no known connection.
Kayla ignored the question though as she encouraged Ruby and Marley to move forward. Kayla was used to the media being a pain, while Ruby and Marley had gotten used to it over the years, but Kayla would admit she was surprised how big the slipup she was going to be in Doctor Who had gotten. This was comparable to her coming out as gay and Danielle's own birth.
It was when a reporter, a man, got around the security and grabbed Zari arm that things got worse.
"Zari, what…?" Before he could even finish, Kayla had switched Danielle to be steady in one arm and put her other hand on the man chest, pushing him backward. Krypto gave a growl at the man as well.
"Remove your arm from my daughter or I'll remove it for you," Kayla snapped; her voice didn't have the usual cheery tone she used with the media and her glare was worthy of one of the villains she had played in the past. The man let go of Zari who took a step back. "Taking hold of any actress, let alone a minor one, is unacceptable. You work for the Daily Planet?" Kayla looked at the tag around the man neck. "I think I will have a word with my cousin and cousin-in-law over pushy reporters. Now get out of my face."
The reporter looked like he wanted to say something but security had taken hold of him the minute Kayla backed away. "Zari, would you like to answer any questions?" Kayla sweetly asked her adopted daughter.
"No," Zari said, shaking her head.
"Then take Marley and Ruby," Kayla said, the two younger kids having stopped at that. "And get onto the set for makeup and costume." Zari gave a nod, taking both Ruby and Marley's hand and a security guard led them into the set. Kayla turned around to the media still there.
"I know you all have questions. Ask me all the questions you want, but I might not answer them. I might not be allowed to answer them," Kayla explained. "But if you go after my child, any of the four, I will never answer a question for you again. And trust me I am good with faces and names. So, get the word out. My kids are off limits." Kayla took a breath as Danielle gave a small cry and she rocked her. Krypto, who was by Kayla's side as usual, gave a growl. "Now, as for Doctor Who I am not allowed to reveal anything. I may be Romana or a completely new character. I cannot say. You'll have to wait. Now everyone should go find a story elsewhere."
The reporters all left at that, and Kayla turned to walk in. "Well, I kind of think you gave them their story," a female voice spoke, and Kayla paused to see a female with long brown hair standing there along with a man who reminded her a lot of Daniel Radcliffe.
"What do you want?" Kayla snapped, thinking this was more media and she'd had it with the media the minute that man put a hand on Zari.
"That's not a way to treat your favorite cousin," the woman replied.
"What?" Kayla asked. "You're not Clark..."
"Oh, very funny Kayla," the woman said and at that moment Kara and Barry arrived with Carter, Rae, Connor, and their three kids, with Roxy coming up to rub against Krypto.
"Cora," Kara said with a smile and went to hug her.
"Oh," Kayla moaned, realizing who this was now: Cora Jor-El, Clark's sister. She had been added to this world after Crisis and not returned to Earth until now. "Kara, mind taking Dani? I must get into makeup." Kara held out her arms and Kayla gave over Danielle, putting an arm around Carter the two of them and Barry headed for costume.
"Can I come watch?" Connor called out, running after them and Rae gave a laugh, going after the two.
"Come on. Let's go in so we can watch filming," Kara said to her cousin.
"What's up with Kayla and who is the boy that looks a bit like Clark?" Cora asked as they headed for the filming area.
"Both are a long story," Kara said, realizing that Kayla didn't know Cora now due to Crisis and Kayla having no memory of her at all. "We'll explain later. So, who's the guy?"
"Oh, this is Li," Cora said, indicating the man who looked like Daniel Radcliffe who'd remained silent until now.
"You don't know me," Li said looking at Kara and Kara shook her head. "And you're an El. You never said you were an El!" Li turned to Cora as he said it.
"Does it matter?" Cora asked.
"I'm Li-Pri," Li moaned.
"Pri?" Kara asked. "You're related to Ha-Pri, my uncle."
"He's my father. You're my cousin. Kara," Li said.
"Any chance you're not from this Earth?" Kara asked, her voice getting lower, and Li gave a nod. "Let's handle that after we watch them film."
-Beautiful-
Later, once filming was over for the day, the entire group went to a restaurant where Caitlin met up with them.
"They are calling you a mamma bear," Caitlin said, kissing Kayla's cheek when she arrived. "Daphne said she's sorry to miss you. She's going on a date."
"Good for her," Barry said as they all got settled.
"So, Cora, how long are you staying?" Caitlin asked after they were all seated and had ordered food. Krypto and Roxy were under the table with each other; the restaurant not saying a word to the dogs the minute they saw it was Kayla and Barry.
"We'll be here for a few days, at least. Got to see my brothers and parents too after all," Cora said with a smile. "And of course, spend some time with my new niece and nephews. How else will they know who the best aunt is?"
Li was sitting next to Cora, smiling at that. He had spent some time taking to Kara during the filming in which Kara promised, once they were out of the public eye, everything would be explained. Kara really did like Li from the little they had chatted.
"Well, you two can be the first official guests in our guest house," Caitlin said turning to look at Kayla after she said it, realizing this might be very awkward for Kayla – since she didn't know Cora anymore.
"Yeah," Kayla said. "Of course. Just don't touch the office space for Caitlin."
"Thanks," Cora said with a smile.
As appetizers came out Danielle started to cry. "She needs a change. I'll take it," Kayla said, getting up and taking Danielle from one of the three highchairs where the kids was placed and diaper bag.
"Excuse me," Cora said getting up and following.
"That's awkward," Barry said, seeing them both move off.
"Yeah," Kara and Caitlin agreed.
…..
"Kayla!" Cora said once they were in the bathroom and Kayla had the changing table down. "I need to talk to you about something?"
"Oh?" Kayla said not turning from her daughter as she took off the diaper.
"That thing I told you last time I was here," Cora said. "You didn't tell anyone did you?"
"Tell anyone what?" Kayla said, against her better judgement. She didn't have any memory of the last time Cora was here, after all.
"Good one. So not even Caitlin or Kara?" Cora said.
"Cora," Kayla said, pausing in changing her daughter's diaper. "There have been events lately that means I really don't know what you're talking about. I can't go into big detail here but just to say I'm not really the same Kayla you remember."
Cora gave Kayla a serious look for a moment and then smile. "Nice one, but please don't tell anyone," Cora said. "It's really super-secret." Cora backed away out of the bathroom, leaving Kayla confused as she went to finish changing Danielle's diaper.
Kara, any chance you know what that secret is? Kayla asked in her mind. The fact she had no idea what Cora was talking about annoyed her now, and she knew Kara had been listening in.
Sorry but no, Kara thought back as Kayla finished cleaning Danielle and put on a clean diaper. I got to say, is it weird Cora is our cousin and Li is also our cousin technically and they are dating? It was obvious the two had become a couple.
Rae is basically your daughter and Connor is basically another version of Clark and the two of them are dating, Kayla pointed out, getting Danielle back into her outfit and everything into the diaper bag at this.
That is a good point, Kara thought back as Kayla picked up Danielle and left the restroom.
She could see the table from where she was; Kara had turned to look at Rae and Connor. The two were whispering to each other and Kayla could see Connor kiss her cheek.
Very good point, Kara added to her sister as Kayla put Danielle back in her highchair.
-Beautiful-
After dinner, the group brought Cora and Li back to Kayla's house.
"Ruby, Marley," Caitlin said and signed to the deaf girl. "If you have any homework for the weekend, do it now. Take Topar with you." The two gave a nod, getting their mom wanted them out of the way with Topar going with his two cousins up the stairs.
"Kayla, can I use your room to read over the scripts for Monday?" Zari asked. There was no filming tomorrow, after all.
"Actually, you need to do homework too," Kayla said to Zari. "Your tutors say you're behind." Zari gave a frown. "Get all your homework done and I'll come up and help you with lines tomorrow." Zari gave a nod and went up the stairs as Kayla put Danielle in a playpen with Kelvin and Asher.
"Might want to make sure Dani doesn't send ice powers at the twins," Caitlin pointed out.
"We'll keep an eye on them," Connor said, having come back with the group. "Right Rae?"
"Sure," Rae said moving to the side to keep an eye on the babies. Kelvin and Asher were already crawling at speeds around the playpen while Dani laughed. The two knew what conversation was coming up now after all, Krypto and Roxy sitting near them to keep an eye themselves.
With it just the adults now, the atmosphere turned a little more serious now as Kayla and Kara looked to Cora and Li.
"Okay then. So, a year ago, there was a multiverse ending event," Kara said, deciding to take the lead; she knew Cora after all better than anyone in the room now Kayla didn't have those memories. "The entire multiverse was destroyed and brought back."
"The Lantern Corp has heard rumors of this," Cora said with a nod, taking Li's hand; both of their Green Lantern rings obvious on their fingers.
"Our world was one of the last destroyed, so it seems Li you must have somehow escaped here to avoid the destruction of your Earth. When the Earths were brought back, everyone was brought back where they died," Kara said. "And Kayla is one of the people who brought back the multiverse. She's one of seven Paragons. Specifically, she's the Paragon of Humanity."
"But you're not human," Cora pointed out.
"Let it go," Kayla said, having been asked the same thing once before. "The point being, when we brought back the multiverse, some people were misplaced. Li here is one of those, and not being on Earth, the people in the know didn't have the ability to find him."
"There is also something else," Kara said. "See, some things were changed when the worlds came back. Cora… you're one of those changes; you didn't exist before Crisis came about and were rewritten into our world after. Due to this, Kayla only has memories of before Crisis when you didn't exist."
Cora laughed. "Nice one, Kara!" Cora said. "But that's not possible. Me not existing here? Especially when… well Kayla knows."
"No, I don't," Kayla groaned – this had to be that secret again.
"Kayla, this might be easier if you do your Paragon thing," Barry said.
"Red skies," Kayla sighed, to the two and Li eyes went wide as she said it; clearly remembering the events of Crisis, but Cora didn't react.
"Li, what's wrong?" Cora asked.
"The skies were red, and then… everything… I escaped!" Li said. "And… my world. My friends and family...?"
"If your world was brought back they are fine," Caitlin assured the man.
"What?" Cora asked.
"Nothing happened to you," Kayla said, looking at Cora. "Because you didn't exist when Crisis happened. There's no memories to bring back."
"Kayla…?" Cora started.
"Maybe you should get a vibe," Connor interrupted. "For Li."
"Junior Vibe, who is obsessed with those Star-something movies?" Kayla asked, making eyes go to her before a portal opened.
"It's Star Wars," the Cisco said, appearing in the room.
"Were you spying on us?" Barry asked, blinking at the alternate of his brother-in-law. He hadn't seen his Amelia and Cisco is a while, with the two happily working in Cern on the supercollider in Europe.
"It's his thing," Kayla said, ignoring it all as Cisco went to take Li's hand.
"But Li-Pri," Cisco said to the man after a moment. "I have been looking and well… I'm sorry, but your Earth didn't make it back." Li lowered his head at this, and Cora brought him close. "I'd offer to bring you to the stranded human division on Prime, but I think you found a new world already," he gave a small smile to Cora at this.
"Yeah, we'll keep him," Kayla said with a nod. "Seems the Green Lantern Corp here likes him anyway."
"Yeah, they didn't really question when he just randomly appeared," Cora pointed out, putting an arm around Li now.
"Con, should I drop you off on Karry?" Cisco asked, turning to Connor.
"Thanks," Connor said giving Rae a kiss on the cheek before going with Cisco.
-Beautiful-
A little later that night, Barry and Kara were back home as Barry walked into the bedroom, a cupcake in his hand.
"Both kids are down, Topar is reading – he got very into Percy Jackson," Barry said to Kara, who gave a smile at that. "I told him he must be settled in an hour. And Rae is in the kitchen, practicing baking."
"Something you don't mind," Kara said, seeing Barry had a cupcake in his hand.
"Red velvet," Barry smirked, pointing at the cupcake as he ate. "And I was on the phone with Alex," Kara put down the book she was reading to look up at Barry. "The deal with Star Trek is 6 episodes where I will be main, 4 where I'll make cameos – that's 10 episodes total. Since we film 21 episodes a season it's a good deal that frees up a lot of time for more projects. My salary per episode is going down a bit as a compromise, but it's still good money. And I can take on a lot more other projects – especially ones that film in this area and with both Whitman Studios and Clotho Studios nearby, that's a lot of possibilities."
"I'm happy for you," Kara said as Barry sat on the bed, finishing the cupcake.
"Alex is already getting parts ready for me," Barry said with a smile. "Obviously I have my Voyage to Krypton movie this summer," Kara nodded. She was looking forward to this particular movie and definitely wanted to see some filming of it. "Alex says she can see about getting me auditions for some superhero movies if I want; she made mention to getting me a guest star role in a singing doctor TV show. That it's possible for me to take over the part of Gerry Goffin on the Beautiful play for a few weeks too – I've never done Broadway before, but hey, I know the part," he smirked at that.
"Kayla knows where to get us a nice place to stay," Kara added to that.
"Oh, and Kayla was right. Alex renewed the contracts for both Animorphs and Star Trek to use my likeness for toys and other merchandise, since the former ones were done when I originally got the roles as a teen and was out of date. We'll be getting more money in from that. Oh! And speaking of Animorphs, it seems someone has moved the ball on doing a 4th movie as a reunion. If Kayla will say yes to Rachel we might be able to actually do it," Barry said.
Kara had to laugh, remembering the first STAR Con with those rumors. "Anything else?" Kara asked patiently.
"Yeah, there was one random comment. Apparently, a movie series based on a British TV show that ran for two seasons is in the works for an American reboot," Barry said. "Alex says it's very possible I could get the lead if I bulk up a bit more." Kara raised an eyebrow. "Apparently, I would be spending a lot of time shirtless."
"Doing more weightlifting would not hurt," Kara smirked.
"Oh, and she got me the voice part of Kreacher for Harry Potter," Barry said and Kara tilted her head but shrugged. "What?" Barry noticed the look on his wife face.
"You sure you can do that?" Kara asked.
"Kreature hates filthy mudbloods!" Barry said in a very squeaking, almost convincing voice. Kara chuckled at that. "But something's on your mind, I can tell…" Barry said in his normal voice now.
"Cora is annoying Kayla," Kara said, and Barry gave a nod, having noticed it before. "From my memories they were close, but even seeing it through my eyes, Kayla doesn't feel the closeness now and Cora refuses to believe that she didn't exist before, Crisis And this secret Kayla is supposed to know but doesn't know is driving both her and me nuts now."
"Let Kayla handle this. She's a big girl," Barry said, moving over to kiss Kara, but then they heard crying. "I got it. You had all the kids while we were filming today. You deserve a break, Super Nanny." Kara laughed at the joke as Barry went to go see which twin had woken and why.
-Beautiful-
Cora and Li spent several days in the Guest House with both going to see Clark, Lois, Jor, Lara, and Gal several times; Kayla had been avoiding Cora since the first day, spending more time out and about, taking interviews and filming whenever she could – and doing her voices for Hermione, locking herself away.
"Kayla, do you have to go out again?" Cora asked as Kayla returned from dropping Ruby and Marley off at school. Caitlin was sitting with Dani in her arms and Kayla noticed Jor, Lara, and Clark were there. Kara had also stopped by.
"She doesn't," Caitlin said. "You have no filming for Jurassic World today. Kara dropped Zari and Carter off there."
Kayla sighed and sat down next to Cora, sharing a look with Kara now.
"So, what's with the family gathering?" Kara asked at Jor, Lara and Clark's presence as Krypto jumped up to snuggle with Kayla and Roxy sat by Kayla's legs. The two dogs realizing how uncomfortable Kayla was with Cora lately.
"Well, another reason Li and I came here was that the Green Lantern Corp wanted a report on whether they needed to assign Green Lanterns here or not," Cora explained. "Alan Scott, the Green Lantern for this sector, died and with problems elsewhere we never reassigned."
"But," Li stated, "with Earth's crime easily taken care of by the heroes of this planet and with Mars' population dead, we decided the limited resources right now of the Green Lantern Corp should not be extended to here. We will be leaving a way for quick contact to us should you need us, but besides that, we will be leaving the Earth soon."
"Is there something wrong with the Corp?" Jor asked.
"It's weird. The power source and rings have been getting more powerful. At first, we didn't think it was a big deal, but lately it's gotten dangerous," Li said but Cora shrugged it off.
"Not for you to worry about though," Cora said. "There is one more thing: Knowing Li is here to stay now; Li has asked me to join the house of El and Pri together through marriage. And I agreed."
Lara jumped up at this and hugged Cora. "This is wonderful!" Lara said.
"Since there are no other Pris on this Earth," Li said. "We thought we should do a ceremony here with all the Els."
"In the Fortress," Cora added.
"Of course," Clark said with a nod, standing up and putting a hand on Li's back.
"Li will have to both say his vows and welcome Cora to his house," Jor said. "Clark as Patriarch of the House of El can also do a blessing on the marriage and joining of houses. Kara and Kayla as Matriarchs of El could perform the ceremony – or I could… it's up to you."
"Well, Kara, Kayla, would you?" Cora said and Kayla gave her sister an unneeded nod.
"Of course," Kara said. "Can you stay until this weekend? So, all the El kids could be there?"
"Including Zari," Kayla added. "We had her officially made a member after her adoption was official too."
"We'll tell the Corp we'll be back next week," Cora said with a smile. "We've got a wedding to plan."
-Beautiful-
That weekend, the group did a traditional Kryptonian wedding ceremony with all the members of the House of El present with Krypto and Roxy acting like guards in front of the door again as they had done during Alura's ceremony; Kara and Kayla both dressed in version of their mother dress again, looking the same. Barry had a suit with the House of El symbol on, too. The kids were the cutest with their small outfits.
After, Kayla and Kara went outside to talk.
"Well, that was fun," Kayla said handing a bottle over to Kara – some more of the wine she had gotten from the alien bar in National City. It was their mother's favorite. "Where did you get all the food and wedding cake from?" Kara and Barry had brought food to have a reception in the Fortress along with a giant cake.
"Where else? Rae," Kara joked. "She was very happy to make a real wedding cake. She had her New Justice and Splitsville alternate help." Kayla had to chuckle at the memories Kara was sharing of the three Raes plotting and making a wedding feast.
"She wasn't upset she couldn't come?" Kayla asked. Kara had never officially had Rae join the House of El and the girl had never asked about it.
"Nope, she's off either to Karry Universe or New Justice today anyway," Kara answered. "Although when she eventually marries Connor, I guess that will make her a proxy member of the House of El. We're going to have to figure that one out." Kara and Kayla paused for a moment at that. "She did want photos of the bride and groom enjoying the cake. Barry took some photos for her. I think she's making a website for herself."
"Well, she is good," it was Cora coming out of the Fortress in her wedding dress. It was almost traditionally human, only with the House of El symbol on it – they had bought a wedding dress and then sewn the symbol on it themselves. "Li and I will be leaving soon. We're going to have a sort of honeymoon before heading back to the Lantern Corp."
"Don't be a stranger," Kara smiled.
"Or do. To me at least," Kayla said, and Cora gave her a laugh – still thinking Kayla was joking around about not knowing her. "Hey Cora, about that secret of yours…"
"Oh, don't worry about it. That's been settled now," Cora dismissed going back into the Fortress, leaving the two sisters even more perplexed.
We're never going to figure out what that secret was, are we? Kayla asked her sister through the bond.
Never, Kara agreed with her sister with a shrug and laugh.
It seemed Cora's secret would stay a mystery...
Post Chapter Note: Well, did you enjoy seeing Cora and Li on another world? We hope you did.
As ever, please REVIEW.
Karry Master OUT!