"Barry?" Adam asked confused when he saw the speedster standing on the doorstep. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey Adam." Barry said before noticing the girl at his side. "Wow, you have grown." He commented.
"You're Barry." Elle commented recognising the man. "The fastest human on Earth...but not faster than mom. And one day I might beat you as well."
"She knows everything." Adam explained as he opened the front door and entered the house.
"I kind of am faster than your mom." Barry said.
"No you're not. You lost the last race and the one before that." Elle replied.
"They weren't races." Barry said. "Trust me, I'm faster."
"Prove it then. Go to the ice cream shop on Maddison and bring me back an ice cream before it melts." Elle said.
"Done." Barry said disappearing in a flash. Moments later he reappeared and handed Elle an ice cream which she looked at.
"See." He said.
"It's dripping." Elle said taking a bite.
"And it's not when your mom gets it?" Barry argued.
"Don't know. She's never fallen for that." Elle shrugged as she happily ate the ice cream.
"You've just been played." Adam pointed out. "You won't win an argument against Elle, mom has trained her well. Too well."
"That must be fun for you." Barry smiled sympathetically.
"That's one word for it." Adam agreed. "So what are you doing here?"
"I was hoping to see Kara."
"Now is probably not the best time." Adam said as the front door opened again and Kara walked in.
"Barry? What are you doing here?" She grinned as she went to hug him.
"Kara? You're huge. Again….Congratulations." Barry greeted unaware that Kara was expecting again.
"Thanks." Kara said.
"When are you due?"
"Any day." Adam answered hoping his tone would be enough to deter Barry from asking Kara to do anything reckless."
"So what are you doing here?" Kara asked.
"There have been some strange incidents and we finally captured an image of those responsible. And well they are not human. So we were kind of hoping you could help...but seeing you are about to give birth, maybe just some information." He said handing her the phone and showing her some images.
"I recognise them….but I don't know from where. Mom may know though." Kara said.
"Mom? As in hologram." Barry asked confused.
"No, mom as in mom."
"Wait, this is Earth-38 right?" Barry asked getting more confused. "I mean I don't want to sound tactless, but didn't your mother die on Krypton?"
"No, she survived." Kara said. "I only found out recently. It's a long story."
"That's great." Barry smiled still trying to get his head round it.
"If you want we can meet her at the DEO and ask her?" Kara offered.
"Perfect." Barry smiled.
"I'll drive you." Adam said not wanting Kara to jump worlds.
"What about me?" Elle asked.
"You can come too. If you're lucky, maybe J'onn will let you help with another desk inspection." Adam said.
-00-
"Mom, this is Barry. Barry, mom." Kara introduced when they entered the control room at the DEO.
"As in Barry from an alternate Earth?" Alura asked.
"Yes. I'm from Earth-1." Barry smiled.
"What brings you back to this Earth?" Alura asked.
"I need help. Kara thought you might recognise this species." He said handing her his phone.
"You have these on your Earth?" Alura asked frowning.
"Yeah. From your expression I assume they don't come in peace?"
"No. They are a ruthless species. With few weaknesses. The longer they are on a planet the quicker they adapt, until it is almost impossible to defeat them. Tell me, does you Earth have any superior defences to this one?"
"Well there's me and Oliver." Barry said.
"So no." Winn interjected.
"How long have they been on your Earth?" Alura asked.
"We have no idea. But at least a month." Barry said.
"There may be a way to defeat them, but you will need specially designed weapons that target the quantum signature. On your Earth that is likely to be different to the one I am familiar with. I am not a scientist so I do not think I could help detect the right signature or modify the crystals, assuming you have any."
"We can do that if we know what to look for...I think." Barry said. "Just tell me what I need to do and we'll do it."
"It is not that simple. It would be easier if I came with you to your Earth... but the birth is so close." Alura said torn.
"Go, I'll be fine." Kara said hugging her mother.
"Are you sure?" Alura asked unconvinced.
"Barry needs you. Go." Kara assured her.
"Don't worry we'll look after her." Adam said.
"Very well." Alura agreed.
"Thank you." Barry said. Before looking at Kara and adding. "Both of you."
"You're welcome." Kara said as she hugged him goodbye. As she released him she added. "Look after her."
"Of course." Barry agreed before stepping back and opening the portal.
"Ready?" He asked Alura.
"I am."
"Let's go then." He said, but just before he reached the breach he turned to Kara and called. "Just in case we are not back in time, Barry is a great name."
"Should I have warned her about Mick?" Kara asked once they had disappeared.
"She's smart. She'll figure it out." Adam said as Kara gasped in pain. "What's wrong?" He asked concerned.
"I think it's time."
-00-
"Grandma." Elle greeted as Cat entered the room she was in.
"Hello my angel." Cat said hugging her. She then looked over to J'onn and asked. "Any news?"
"Alex said it could be a long labour." J'onn replied.
"Where's Alura?" Cat asked surprised she wasn't there.
"On another Earth with Barry." Elle said as if it was a common occurrence.
"Eliza should be here soon." J'onn added.
"Do you want to go to the park?" Cat asked Elle assuming the child would be getting bored.
"Don't you want to stay here?" Elle asked.
"I won't be needed for sometime." Cat said. "So we can do whatever, within reason, you want."
"I'll call you if there is any news." J'onn said. "And to be safe you'll have two DEO agents near by."
"I'm sure we'll find a use for them." Cat said, leaving before J'onn had a chance to respond.
-00-
Once Cat had finally had the call to say the baby had been born any excitement she felt was counteracted by the apprehension radiating off Elle.
When the finally arrived back at the DEO they were greeted by Alex who asked.
"Do you want to meet your brother?" Seeing Elle's hesitation she added. "You can't put it off forever."
"Okay." Elle said reluctantly.
As Elle entered the room she saw Kara lying on the bed holding something small as Adam sat next to her. Seeing Elle Adam stood up and went over and hugged her.
"You okay?" He asked. When she nodded he asked. "Want to meet your brother?" Not waiting for an answer he led her to the bed.
"He's really small." Elle commented not getting to close.
"Something I am sure your mother is grateful for." Cat said.
"Do you want to hold him?" Kara asked Elle. "He won't bite."
"Okay." Elle said as Adam got her to sit in a chair. Once she was settled he took Wilson from Kara and gently placed him in Elle's arms. The second he was in her arms he started to cry.
"It's okay." Adam said noticing Elle's discomfort. "It's normal." When Wilson didn't settle Adam took him from Elle and he instantly fell quiet.
"Do you want to hold him?" He asked Cat who nodded and took the baby from Adam.
"He's gorgeous." Cat said as she held the baby who remained silent. "He reminds me so much of you when you were born." She added before trying to suppress the memories of all that followed. Focusing on more pleasant thoughts she asked Kara.
"When are you coming home?"
"I don't know. Probably tomorrow." Kara said.
"Would you like me to take Elle tonight?" Cat offered as she continued to nurse Wilson.
"You don't mind?" Adam asked.
"Of course not." Cat said as Kara suddenly noticed Elle was missing.
"Where's Elle?" Kara asked concerned.
"Don't worry, I'll get her." Alex said leaving the room.
-00-
"You okay?" Alex asked as she sat next to Elle and handed her a candy bar.
"I guess." Elle said as she ate the offering.
"Your parents are worried about you. You know you aren't meant to wander off inside the DEO."
"They were busy." Elle shrugged.
"Not too busy to notice you had disappeared. So what's bothering you?" Alex probed.
"Sprout didn't like me." Elle said.
"Your mom will kill Maggie if you keep using that name." Alex pointed out.
"It fits...he kinda looked like a sprout." Elle shrugged. "Especially when he was crying. Which he did when he saw me."
"Babies cry all the time, it's nothing personal." Alex assured her.
"He cried when I held him. He didn't for anyone else."
"The first thing he did when I held him was cry." Alex said. "It doesn't mean anything."
"You promise?"
"I promise. I mean you used to cry whenever I entered the room, but you like me right?"
"Of course I do." Elle said.
"There you go then. But if I don't get you back to your parents they won't like me." Alex said standing and offering Elle her hand. Having got to her feet Elle hugged Alex and said.
"Thank you."
-TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.