Another Week, Another Chapter. This weeks Scientific Bullshit is brought to you by yours truly, then cleared up and redistributed by the amazing beta that is AyakaSpencer( /users/AyakaSpencer/pseuds/AyakaSpencer).
Hope you all enjoy!
Lena has never enjoyed being in the Department of ExtraNormal Operations. In fact, every time she's been here it's been either against her will or saving someone, usually Supergirl. No, saving Kara.
"Winn, Brainy." Kara greets puffing her cheeks out nervously.
"Hey Kara," Winn replies over his shoulder before turning to the console. "So we picked up this transmission about an hour ago from Argo."
Lena steps closer to the centre console and Winn loads the transmission. Lena had met Alura Zor El only once and although the woman that shows as a hologram is the same physically she looks more regal in her pale blue dress.
"Daughter. The synthesized Harun-el has begun to destabilise and we require your and Lena's assistance in Argo City. Please, come at once."
"Is that it?" Lena asks with a frown.
"It is," Brainy confirms.
"I think it imperative that you both go to Argo, to see what's causing this and get a handle on it before it becomes a problem," J'onn says, thoughtfully with a nod.
"I'll drive," Kara says, holding out her hand to J'onn who raises an eyebrow.
"Oh no, you're not taking my ship."
"What? Why? I didn't scratch it the last time." Kara protests, hands on hips.
"No, but it smelt like fast food for a week," J'onn states, beckoning them to follow, as he walks through to a large atrium deep in the DEO building.
"That wasn't me, that was Nia," Kara scoffs.
"I know Nia Nal did not consume five triple stack belly burgers," J'onn states with a knowing smirk.
"Technicalities." Kara waves off as they step into a large store room. Lena's eyes widen at the sight of a familiar archway.
"Is that my transmatter portal?" Lena asks accusingly.
"You helped us repurpose it, a few years ago when we first heard from Argo," Winn explains, causing Lena to shift uncomfortably at the reminder.
"Are you ok if we go?" Kara asks, saving Lena by moving on, J'onn nods.
"Dreamer and I can hold down the fort," J'onn offers, reassuringly.
"Kara, I have a company to run, I can't just up and leave," Lena protests quietly in Kara's ear and the Kryptonian turns with a frown.
"But they need our help," Kara says, imploringly, causing Lena to soften.
"I know but I can't just leave without an explanation."
"I will inform Miss Jessica Hoang that you are off planet with Supergirl on a top secret mission," Brainy informs earning a look of appreciation from everyone.
"Or I could just text Sam," Lena suggests holding her phone up.
"I will let Alex know to tell Ms Arias." J'onn states out of habit, offering Lena a reassuring smile to calm her concerns, "Kara, communication will be a little patchy, but try to send us messages to keep us up-to-date. You'll need to rely on your legion ring and each other. We don't know what the multiverse did to Argo." J'onn informs them as Brainy and Winn set up the portal. They both nod stepping back when a gust of wind is created when the portal is activated.
Kara turns to Lena holding her hand out silently and Lena raises a sculpted eyebrow in question.
"Together?" Kara asks softly and Lena nods, sliding her hand into Kara's.
Stepping onto Argo, Kara breathes a sigh of relief at the sight. It's the same green field, and tall skyscrapers of her home tower in the distance. There are public transportations shuttles flying here and there between the towers.
"It's beautiful," Lena breathes from beside her, and Kara smiles proudly down at her.
"It's only a small piece, the rest was far more beautiful," Kara admits. "Come on, we should find Kelex," Kara instructs.
"Isn't that your cousin's robot?" Lena asks curiously and Kara revels in the warmth of Lena's hand in her own.
"Kelex is like an Alexa except, ya know, better in every way," Kara explains as they approach the city boundary.
"An Alexa is fairly mundane," Lena comments as a Kelex swoops down.
"Greetings Zor-El family. Kara Zor-El, your mother is expecting you in the science guild's citadel," Kelex informs them.
"Could you show us the way?" Kara requests and the droid nods. Following Kelex, Kara watches as Lena marvels at every advancement of technology they have in the city.
"Kara, this is amazing, do you know how much good we could do if we had this kind of tech on earth?" Lena asks as they pass a vending machine that prepares food made with fresh natural ingredients.
"It is a fool's errand to offer advanced technologies to unevolved planets," Kara recites her father's familiar line.
"Unevolved?" Lena asks unimpressed, a raised brow cementing her displeasure.
"It's not meant to be a bad thing," Kara backtracks. "It's just a lesson learned from our history. The last time we gave technology to another race it didn't work out so well. The planet's people and their technology have to evolve together," Kara explains.
"I know Kara, I understand," Lena reassures the blonde, squeezing her hand, igniting sparks that shoot up her arm. As they step into the guild Kara reluctantly releases Lena's hand at the sight of her mother, stepping forward and embracing her tightly.
"Kara, Lena, thank Rao you made it," Alura greets them. Kara watches as Lena visibly stiffens. Alura steps back with a warm smile. "I wouldn't have pulled you away if it was not important."
"Anytime Mom," Kara states and all she can feel is the relief that her mother is ok. In her presence, it makes it all seem better. The moments shattered when a rumble from the ground causes them to stumble.
"What was that?" Lena demands.
"The reason I've called you here," Alura states, gesturing for them to follow her through to an anti-chamber of the large hall. Within it, Kara can see a panel with a large screen over a wall and she frowns in question at her mother.
"The Harun-el core is being destabilized by an unknown parasite.," Alura states as she begins typing commands into the control panel. "It's not safe to enter, so we have been trying to attack it from afar, but if this continues Argo will be no more. "
"Parasite?" Lena asks, trying to follow the changes of the screen.
"Yes, we were able to capture one, to run a test, but since the Harun-el is synthetic we haven't been able to isolate how to fix this. Everything we do seems to just make it worse. Lena, you are our last hope," Alura pleads urgently.
"I'll do what I can," Lena promises, and Alura leads them to a lab where an odd luminescent like pill bug lays splayed out and dissected.
"Come daughter," Alura states, grabbing hold of Kara' elbow and leading them away. "You always said 'It's best to get out of Lena's way.' Come and see what is going on here, I know how much you enjoyed the sciences."
Reluctantly Kara follows, only half listening while her mother explains everything going on. They pass lab after lab, until coming to one with another transmatter portal looking onto a scene that looks very familiar.
"Where is that?" Kara asks, stepping into the room.
"Earth."
"No," Kara denies shaking her head at the barren wasteland of a world, where scientists were coming in and out from, wearing these odd black exo suits.
"I'm afraid so."
Kara spins on her heels, and soon she is dragging Lena along.
"That's what I saw when I did that test for the DEO," Kara states pointedly to Lena and sighs heavily when Lena frowns.
"What test, Kara. You haven't-" Lena begins before widens her eyes in understanding as something clicks.
"That's what you saw?" Lena asks quickly pointing to a viewing screen in front of them and Kara nods. "Can you translate the carbon readings?" Stepping up to a nearby console spilling formula and scientific readings. Kara nods, forcing Alura to take a step back. It takes a press of some buttons before Lena's reading familiar carbon signatures.
"These signatures, they read the same way as Earth." Alura voices from behind them.
"Yes but it's not Earth," Kara states with a frown.
"Yes, because this Earth, in this multiverse, is just beginning to form. " Alura explains stepping close, soft brown eyes scanning the screen.
"That doesn't make sense, wouldn't it have been created all at the same time?"
"No, the multiverse is born, each multiverse reaches an energy tipping point and once that energy boils over, a new universe is created to absorb it, and it just keeps repeating that over and over," Alura states, making them both turn to the older Kryptonian. "It takes billions of millennia for earths to get to a state where they are now. This is just another kind of rebirth," Alura explains.
"You know about the rebirth?" Kara furrows her brow scrutinizing the scene before her as Alura nods with a smile.
"Kal woke up here. He explained everything about the multiverse." Alura explains with a warm smile. "And he explained that you would remember, Kara."
"We do," Kara says.
Alura frowns turning to Lena who explains with a simple, "Lex."
Alura nods knowingly before Kara asks, "So this is an earth that hasn't developed yet?"
"Yes, The only full formed universe is this one."
"You are trying to return to your earth?" Alura asks quietly, concern heavy in her gaze. "You were hoping to return to Earth-38?"
Kara nods biting her lip and looks up into her mother's concerned eyes. A soft smile of understanding makes Kara stomach flip as the attachment to this world rises. Her mother sees her and Rao Kara has missed her.
"I'll continue to work on the Harun-el," Lena suggests and Alura nods gesturing for them to follow. Kara trails behind her mother as she walks and finds Lena watching her closely.
"You walk differently here," Lena comments startling Kara.
"What?" Kara scoffs.
"You walk like them," Lena states gesturing to Alura in front of them who is walking regally through the courtyard of the citadel. "All majestic," Lena teases. Kara chuckles shoving Lena playfully. She notes how Lena only stumbles slightly as they grin at one another walking back to the lab with the Harun-el Lena watches as purple veins ripple through the synthetic rock watching the track of the invading parasite.
"Do you have a small fragment I can study?" Lena asks and Alura shakes her head.
"I can have a Kelex take a sample for you to analyse tomorrow if you like?" Alura suggests and Lena nods as another tremor runs through the city.
"We can't get it now?" Lena asks, eyes narrowing, as she quietly calculates the risk in her head.
"It is late and you have travelled a great distance despite the transmatter portal. You will be drained, I'll have Kelex take you to your residence here," Alura says.
"Residence?" Kara asks in confusion and Alura nods.
"Yes, you and Lena travel here often enough, usually a couple of days after your earth anniversary. You both are always happy and glowing. " Alura says, instructing a Kelex to show them the way. Kara embraces her mother tightly. Kelex leads them to a small cluster of doors and gestures to one in the back.
"Kelex will assist you with any of your needs," He informs them before zooming off. Kara steps up to the door a small control panel off to the side.
"That's- That's a biometric lock," Lena points to Kara's hand, impressed.
Kara can't help but smile at the tone and opens the door for Lena. Stepping inside it's similar to the home she had on Krypton, it's all light colours with light wood accents everywhere. She can see a small lounge and kitchen with a bedroom above them.
"It's quaint," Lena states as she takes in the small apartment. Kara watches as green eyes scan over everything in great detail. "Are you sure it's ours and your mother isn't just humouring us?" Lena asks.
Kara lifts a small frame from the accent table that contains a photograph of them, with Sam and Alex. "I'm sure," Kara states bemused.
Lena smirks and nods moving her way around the apartment. "What is this?" Lena asks curiously, holding up a small circular ball with symbols carved into it and Kara grins.
"It's a frig aoilur," Kara states excitedly walking over. Lena frowns up at her at the lack of English and Kara shakes her head irritated at herself. "It's a puzzle, you have to beat the predictive algorithm in speed. It's like," Kara clicks her fingers as she thinks, "Oh it's like a Rubik's cube but harder." Kara explains, grinning.
She watches Lena's brow arches at the challenge before she begins pressing the buttons and Kara marvels at how quickly she picks up the game. Before they know it twenty minutes have passed and Lena's cursing and handing Kara the ball who chuckles.
"It's impossible," Lena mutters and Kara smirks. She's tempted to show Lena how to do it but stops herself setting the puzzle down instead. She doesn't want to ruin what fragile goodwill they have now.
"We could do it together?" Kara suggests earning a look from Lena and Kara can't help but laugh at the appearance of the sore loser of Lena Luthor.
"I'll learn it," Lena promises and Kara smiles, pride filling her chest at the thought of Lena learning Kryptonian practices. Kara moves to the large open window at the back of the small domicile. She is filled with a wave of nostalgia as she looks over the familiar portions of the former capital city.
"Does it look the same?" Lena asks, stepping beside her.
"Some of it does," Kara agrees. "But Rao used to cover everything in its red sunlight, it made it- I don't know, warmer, I guess," Kara explains and Lena nods with a small smile. "How long will the tests take?"
Lena shrugs. "I don't know, it depends on the power in the Kryptonian supercomputer you have," Lena teases, smirking and Kara playfully glares.
"I will have you know that Kelex's AI is the best in the Beta quadrant," Kara states proudly and Lena can't help but laugh at how ridiculous it sounds.
"You better not let Brainy hear you," Lena warns and Kara pales, only making Lena laugh harder. Kara turns sitting next to Lena with a small smile.
"Kara, are you okay?" Lena asks softly.
"I'll be fine, Lena." Kara smiles kindly before standing and holding her hand out. "Now, let's go get something to eat."
Lena shakes her head as she sets her hand in Karas and is pulled to her feet. Kara can't help the face splitting grin as they walk through Argo City. She manages to get by with a handful of credits to get them street food and Kara smiles as Lena is intrigued over digital credits, she asks Kara at least twenty questions on the Kryptonian monetary system. Kara laughs as Lena scrutinises the food she hands her and explains it's a dish similar to gnocchi but Lena looks at it with great doubt. Kara can understand most people wouldn't put something that looks like styrofoam in their mouths. But Lena at least tries it and Kara grins as Lena hums at the taste. She can't help the small flutter in her stomach at the noise but then Lena's yawning widely and Kara leads them back to their home for the night. It's silent as Kara rummages for tea that she is certain they would have kept here.
"It's fine Kara," Lena reassures. "I think I'm just going to go to sleep." Looking up at the loft with a sigh.
"I can sleep on the couch," Kara offers, trying not to make Lena uncomfortable.
"It'll be fine I don't want you spending tomorrow complaining that your back is sore," Lena shrugs and Kara nods following Lena up the spiral staircase desperately trying to look elsewhere than Lena's rear. They undress and Kara finds pyjamas in the drawers silently thankful she turns finding Lena in sweats and a shirt with her family crest on it. It makes Kara's heart and voice stutter as Lena looks at her in question.
"It's just, It's my-"
"Oh," Lena mutters, fingers dancing over the hem. "I can find something-"
"No!" Kara blurts, "I mean it's fine. I've just never seen you wear it." Kara shrugs before clearing her throat trying to distract from her burning cheeks. "I'm sure it was a joke," Kara shrugs and Lena smirks before the climb into the large bed. Kara lies patiently on her side waiting as Lena turns trying to get comfortable. The CEO settles on her side as the lights automatically turn off. The soft ambient lights of Argo barely lit the room. Lena seems to spend a long time shifting and trying to settle before she sighs heavily. Kara's about to say something when a pale hand wraps around her wrist and pulls her arm tight around her waist and Kara shifts closer.
"Not a word," Lena mutters, her voice laced with sleep and Kara can't help the soft chuckle that falls from her lips as she too succumbs to her dreams.
Lena wakes to the faint puffs of breath against the back of her neck. Kara's hand is grazing the soft skin of her hip where it lies slowly making her aware of the dampness forming between her legs. Lena turns to face Kara as her breathing changes her hand stiffening against Lena's hip. Blue eyes blink open, a sleepy smile breaks, and Lena smiles warmly in return.
"Hey," Kara greets, her voice thick with sleep.
"Morning," Lena whispers and it's surreal how comfortable she is in Kara's warm embrace. Blue eyes watch her carefully flickering between her eyes and lower and Lena can feel the warm breath against her skin. Lena can't help marvelling at how easy it is to feel happy in this reality. Remembering the softness of Kara's lips. Like gravity, she is pulled in and it's feather light as Kara's nose nudges her own and their lips press softly together. It's too easy to lose herself in Kara's warmth and touch. The moment is shattered however with a loud resonating ping through the small home. Pulling Kara from Lena's embrace and Lena hates how she leans in to chase the feeling.
"Lena Zor El, your tests on the Harun-el core have concluded," Kelex states over the home's internal communication system and Lena feels Kara quietly groan beside her. She swallows, confused by the mixed emotions at hearing Zor-el replace Luthor here. It has been so long since she has been anything but a Luthor, whether she liked it or not. But here she was free of it, she was associated with Kara, and the Zor El family, which from what she had read was a noble and wise house. Well regarded in Kryptonian high society.
"Thank you Kelex," Kara practically growls and Lena tries to contain her smirk at the look of irritation and slips from the bed.
"Come on, we better get to the bottom of this," Lena muses, making Kara grin up at her.
They walk purposely through the streets of Argo. Kara's is talking animatedly about the corruption of the Harun EL and Lena's theories. Lena listens as she follows Kara happily getting lost in this casual moment. They turn down an alley lined with busy market stalls when a thin figure steps out in front of them.
"Excuse me," Kara states politely, moving to step past but the man blocks her path.
"You're Kara Zor El," He hisses and Lena frowns as Kara stands taller.
"I am."
"Your father murdered my wife, and my child," He accuses her menacingly, looking down at her.
"I'm sorry for-" Kara is cut off by a firm shove that makes her stumble back.
"You should be punished for his crimes as those in the phantom zone were punished for the crimes of their family." He says leaning closer into her space.
"That was a different Krypton," Kara argues, her body shifting slightly forward and the man huffs in frustration.
"You walk through here and the people look at you in awe, the lost daughter of Krypton but you are nothing Kara Zor El!"
"Enough!" Lena interjects, pushing him away from Kara, defending her. "Kara is not her father and you will not taint her with the same brush as him."
"Stay out of this-"
"No, you have suffered a great loss, and have every right to be upset. We all can sympathise," Lena says looking between them. "But Kara was nothing more than a child when Krypton died. For years she thought her world and everyone she loved and cared for was wiped from existence, she understands loss, just like you," Lena says, eyes shining with understanding of the pain that loss can cause.
The man's eyes, narrow, looking directly in her eyes, regarding her for a long moment before "They were beautiful," he says sighing, shaking the memories of those he lost from his head. "I hate your father, Kara Zor-El, but your mate is right and my Jules, would be disappointed in me." without another word he turns, and Lena takes a calming breath as he walks away.
"You didn't have to defend me..." Kara states solemnly.
"You once told me that I shouldn't be judged by the sins of my family," Lena cuts off, making Kara lookup.
"Lena that's dif-"
"It's not different Kara, you didn't destroy Krypton. Kryptonians did and if they want to hate you for it then fine, but that's on them. It says nothing about you. You are Kara Zor El, Supergirl, and Kara Danvers." Lena argues. Kara looks down at her for a long moment, a bemused smile creeping over her face.
"Why does this bother you so much?" Kara asks, curiously.
"Because this is your home and it's important to you, so it's important to me." Lena states without thinking and Kara grins.
"Kara Zor-El, Alura Zor-El request your presence in the temple of Rao," Kelex says, appearing from the skyline above.
"Lena I-" Kara begins, but Lena quickly shakes her head with a look of fear covering her face as she realises what she's said. The small revelation that Lena cares about what is important to the blonde.
"Go, I still have to check the tests from yesterday. Kelex can keep me company," Lena says before turning quickly walking off with Kelex close behind. Kara watches in disappointment as she disappears round the corner.
Kara kneels in the temple of Rao, her eyes shut focusing on her breathing. She shouldn't be disappointed this is what she wanted after all. No Leviathan, no threats, her family and friends around her and happy. But there is a wave of sadness from missing the reality she knows that lingers in the back of her mind. She had hoped they could go back to their Earth and start over. Start over as friends and build from there, after all, they have stopped shouting at each other, even sharing a bed willingly. Lena had even kissed her that morning, Kara thought with a skip of her heart.
"Your mind is troubled, little one," Alura says and Kara turns to look at her mother kneeling beside her.
"I'm trying to accept the news of our earth," Kara whispers, staring at her hands.
"And yet you can't," Alura's knowing smile irks Kara.
"I should be grateful," Kara argues.
"But?"
"But I wished to go back to start anew, to pick up where we left off, to make it better I guess," Kara admits with a shrug.
"But you have made it better here. And you're wishing to return to what was, to try again. Is what is truly bringing you sorrow. The only thing holding you and Lena back, are yourselves and holding on to the notion, that should you say it would destroy the relationship you had built here. But why? Why could it not strengthen it?"
"How can you know that?" Kara asks, fully facing her mother, praying long forgotten. "She hated me when we woke up here."
"Because I have memories you do not, similar to your sister. I know the way she looked at you when you first brought her here. It is not unsimilar to how she looks at you now," Alura explains smiling warmly.
"I can't ruin what we have again and I feel like I'm going to," Kara admits.
"You will most surely falter, you are not perfect and you are not the same. But if you truly want this you won't destroy anything if you work hard to cherish it and that begins with talking to her about how you feel," Alura says and Kara smiles.
"Kryptonians don't talk about our feelings," Kara argues softly.
"No but humans do, and your mate is human and is owed to the human side of you, my daughter. It has made you a far superior Kryptonian," Alura argues standing. "Now you should go talk to your zrhymin."
Kara smiles at the word before hugging her mother tightly. "Thank you," The Kryptonian works slip as a whisper before Kara walks from the chapel.
Kara finds Lena sitting in their small apartment. She doesn't look up when Kara enters and Kara has to repress the sigh. She had ruined it. The distant look that's on the other woman's face tells Kara that she shouldn't have said anything, or acknowledged Lena's revelation. Left any new details alone. Kara bites her lip as she shuts the apartment door behind her.
"How did the Harun el go?" Kara asks quietly, moving through the apartment.
"I was able to neutralise the parasites," Lena says, an odd hitch to her voice causing Kara to pause. "By changing the Harun-els subatomic frequency and ensuring that it osculates constantly. That should keep other bad things away."
Kara moves to stand in front of Lena and takes a deep breath. Only for the breath to be knocked from her as green eyes look up at her. They're red from crying and any courage Kara had is gone. Instead, she moves sitting and wrapping Lena in a tight hug holding her close.
"I'm sorry," Lena whispers into her shoulder as sobs wracked her body.
"It's ok," Kara whispers back into raven hair.
"I shouldn't be surprised that we can't go back, all the signs were there, even Lex said from the outset that this was it," Lena admits.
"We couldn't believe Lex with all of this," Kara agrees, pulling back and she resists the urge to push Lena's raven locks from her face.
"Lena, I think, I think we should talk about what this means for us now," Kara begins and Lena shakes her head.
"Kara I don't-"
"But we have to Lena," Kara stresses. "We can't just keep avoiding it."
"It hurts to talk about it," Lena whispers.
"I know but we need to… I don't know. We can start living," Kara states sitting next to her.
"I don't know what to do about it all," Lena whispers.
"Neither do I," Kara admits, quietly. "Lena I think maybe we could, I dunno-"
"Kara Zor El, you have an urgent message from Earth," Kelex interrupts and they both huff. This droid has the worst timing.
"What is it, Kelex?" Kara asks through gritted teeth.
"Kara? Kara are you there?" Winn yells over the comms.
"Winn?" Kara calls, "Winn, what's wrong?"
"Nothing bad, it's just, well, Alex has gone into labour, you need to come back, like now."
Dun, Dun duuun. Next time on the Ripple Effect someone gets punched. Someone else gets punched and there's a slap.
Also some shameless advertising, I recently posted an original abo fic which can be found here if you're up for some shameless coffee shop romance ( /works/27633440/chapters/67610426).
I will also be appearing on AyakaSpencers podcast in the new year where I will be basically talking about the shite that I write on a weekly basis. I think. Who knows. But if your interested go have a listen to it here, it's free ( /ayakaspencer).
Anyway, I think that's it for now, come shout at me on Tumblr should you wish to ask me questions, prompts just general abuse I don't mind :). ( blog/helpbutton95)
Until next time folks!