Kara hadn't wanted the night to end. She vastly enjoyed Lena's company and though she wasn't a hundred percent sure but she thought this might be a date. If it was it was the best first date she had ever been on, even if she factored in her family drama and the unexpected visit.

"Uh….I know a bar if your interested." She told the woman as they walked back from the restaurant to her car. "It's nothing fancy but it has a pool table and the people are usually a lot of fun." She avoiding looking at her companion or she would have seen the brilliant smile that flashed across the brunette's face.

"A bar huh?" She teased. "Trying to get me drunk Ms. Danvers?"

Kara's eyes snapped to her. "What? N-no I….not at all I just…" She groaned and some of the panic faded from her blue eyes. "You're teasing me again." She accused.

Lena laughed. "Yes. I don't want to take you home just yet either." Kara felt flutters in her stomach at the declaration and swallowed thickly. "Just let me call a driver to take us home from the bar and we will be set." Kara shot her a curious glance as they climbed into the car. Lena started the engine and smiled over at her as she buckled. "I don't drink and drive. Not even a sip." She explained.

"I could drive." Kara said softly.

"Hmmm….but then I'd be the only one drinking." Lena flashed her another smile and pulled out of the parking lot. Kara blushed. She had forgotten Lena didn't know alcohol had no affect on her. "Kara I need the name of this awesome bar of yours."

"Right." She told her the name of the bar Alex had just told her about. She had gone once with her and enjoyed the atmosphere. It hadn't been too crowded and she knew for a fact some of the patrons were aliens like herself. A thought crossed her mind and she grimaced. "Uh, Lena I have to tell you it's an alien bar…if that's a problem…" She trailed off. She knew if it was a problem then their friendship or whatever it was wouldn't last very long. She may have had to hide who she truly was but she wouldn't be with someone who wasn't capable of accepting all of her when she did choose to share her secret.

"Aliens? Like space kind?" Kara nodded. "Its not a problem. I've been to one before outside of town. If I remember correctly though we have to be careful what they serve us. Some of the alien liquor is toxic to humans."

"Yeah." They rode in silence for a few more minutes. Kara enjoyed all the city lights, she flew so often now she didn't get to enjoy them like she used to. Lena was focusing on driving and not getting them lost, although she was sure Kara would let her know if she was going the wrong way.

Lena glanced over and smiled at Kara, she looked so relaxed and happy. Lena enjoyed keeping her on her toes but she felt incredibly privileged that the woman felt comfortable enough in her presence to relax. "So how did you find an alien bar? I just can't see you stumbling on it during a bar hop."

Kara chuckled. "My sister. Truthfully I've only been there once with her but it was nice. I don't usually go out to bars." She admitted. "Staying home for game night or a nice café is more my style."

"Game night?"

"Yeah we try to have a get together once a week, or at least once every two weeks if it's been crazy. Most of the time it's my sister and my friends but occasionally Alex and me will chill out on the couch and watch a movie."

Lena nodded thoughtfully and filed the information away for later. She wondered what she would have to do to get invited to one of these get togethers.

"Oh it's a left up here. Parking is kind of crazy so I figured we could park here and walk the last block. It's a safer neighborhood too if your plan on leaving your car."

Lena nodded and pulled into an over night parking lot. She spoke to the security guard on shift and let him know someone else would be coming to collect her car in the morning. Kara laughed after they drove through at his awe struck face " I think he thought you were a movie star or something."

"I have been on the news a lot lately. For the company and the charity." Lena sighed softly. She pulled into a spot and they both climbed out.

"Does it bother you?" Kara reached out and grasped Lena's arm, she didn't like the look of a few of the men milling about.

Lena accepted her hold and placed her own hand over Kara's own as they walked. It wasn't an overly romantic gesture, more like best friends or sisterly but she would take what she could get.

"I don't mind. Publicity is doing good for the company and the charity after all but you wouldn't believe the mail I get from people. And not all of the attention is welcome." She grimaced as she remembered a particularly nasty letter from someone who didn't care she was more than her last name, someone who assumed she would be just like Lex and wanted Superman or Supergirl to take care of her. Permanently.

Kara frowned. "That must be rather hard." She was well known too but she had the added benefit of a secret identity. She felt a little sorry for people like Lena, people who couldn't always evade the spot light with a pair of glasses and a hairband.

"It wasn't like this before Lex….but then I'm the only sane Luthor left." She gave Kara a pained smile.

"I'm sorry." Kara said softly. "I- I can't imagine how you feel about all of that."

"It's better now. People are taking me more seriously as my own person and not just a Luthor."

"Its right here." Kara told her, pulling her arm slightly down into a dark alley. Lena raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "Renaming the company probably helped."

"Yes. New name, new image, new direction." She breathed out softly when the small bar came into view. It wasn't that Lena thought Kara was out to get her but she had learned a long time ago to be wary of dark alleys. Bad people usually waited in them, her brother and mother the first to come to mind. She knew they had tried to take her out on many occasions since she took over Luther corporation, she had learned to be careful.

Kara led her inside and then released her hold on her arm. Lena felt a little bereft without it but figured it was for the better. She wanted to date Kara but they hadn't known each other very long. She had a feeling if she came on too terribly strong she would run the girl off. Unfortunately she couldn't always control the flirting but that didn't mean she had to be clingy as well.

"I'll grab us drinks if you want to grab a table." Kara told her, tilting her head toward a table in the corner. The bar was busy enough it made sense but Kara had ulterior motives, she didn't want Lena to know she was ordering alien alcohol. She wasn't getting anything that would kill a human, in case the brunette accidentally took a sip, but she did want something that would get her buzzed. Unfortunately her alcohol of choice would knock a human on their ass.

She watched Lena make her way around the pool table and shot a glare at a man who had the gall to check the brunette's ass out as she walked by. He caught her gaze and raised his hands in surrender. She glared at him for a few seconds longer just for good measure before she approached the bar.

"What can I get you?" She smiled politely at the cute bartender and named off her poison of choice, she got Lena a new fruity drink they had just brought to the menu and hoped the other woman liked it. She scolded herself for not asking.

The man passed her the drinks and eyed her critically. "This is an alien alcohol, you know that right. It's not toxic but even a sip of this will…." Kara waved him off.

"Not human," She dismissed easily. No point in lying, he knew what she ordered and when she wasn't passed out on the floor after the first sip he would know she wasn't human. She carried the drinks over and watched Lena take a quick sip of hers before she nodded approvingly.

"It's good. Thank you." Kara breathed out a sigh of relief and sat down. She wasn't sure how the night was going to end but she was glad she decided to come out with Lena.

~A~A~

It had become tedious and annoying to deal with Non. She has wanted to watch Kara, she knew Europa was going to speak with her again so it made her temper short that Non had called a meeting with her at the last moment.

Lately she had noticed his shifty behavior, she knew he and Indigo were planning something behind her back. Knew he was consolidating those loyal to him just like she was. But to what end she couldn't be sure.

He claimed he loved her, it had never changed and he had perpetually been loyal to her, even if not faithful. She didn't care about the later but if his loyalties were changing it was a dangerous situation for herself and Europa. Even for Kara.

Her daughter was strong but not even she could face the army Kryptons Non would have at his disposal.

She walked back into the prison that had houses them the few years before the destruction of their planet, followed the hallow metal paths back to Non's main base. The place where he made all his decisions and directed their soldiers.

The men at the doors moved aside as she entered, she paid them no mind. Just as she paid the blue woman hanging all over her husband no mind.

"Ah, my lovely wife." Non stepped gracefully away from Indigo and grasped her hand as he led her to the circular table. He was smart enough to relinquish his hold as soon as she touched the controls.

"What was this meeting called for?" She asked shortly.

Non hesitated to speak. Indigo sidled around the consoles and shot him an amused glance. It irked Astra. She knew eventually she would have to put the woman in her place, or she would have to give them all up and choose another side. Something that was becoming more and more appealing to her as days went by. If she knew what side job Non had going she would have already gone to Kara's side. She couldn't go to the humans law empty handed though, not if she wanted to remain free. If she wanted Europa to remain free.

Her heart squeezed at the thought of the woman. It was another thing she was going to have to figure out her next move on. Her loyalties to Non were fading fast in light of his attachment to the blue bimbo. Her feelings for the woman were strong, surpassing anything she had ever felt with her husband. Fear was the only thing holding her back now. Fear of loss, of being hurt again. Of having someone she loved killed.

"We think it's time you do something about the super bee." Indigo told her smartly. Her red lips spread wide in a feral grin. Her eyes calculating and daring Astra to say something otherwise. To loose face in sight of all those present.

Astra's eyes narrowed. "You think it's time do you?"

The men around shifted nervously on their feet. Even Non stared at her apprehensively. "Yes, the little brat is getting in our way and because you have a soft spot for her your not willing to do what is necessary for our cause."

Astra nodded her head and began a slow trek around the room toward her. "Mhm…I see. And you know so much about our little problem do you?"

"I know she's your niece." Indigo told her triumphantly.

"Yes. She is. And family is important to me. Should be important to all of us considering our world is dead and we have no one else. Considering we are all the family we have, trapped on this primitive world as we are." She said in the nicest tone she could muster. "Now what else do you know of my dear niece?"

Indigo faltered. She knew what Non told her. She knew what she could find on the planet's web. So far as she knew the girl was just like Superman, day job at a news agency and a night life of fighting crime. She hadn't really looked much deeper and she hadn't really paid much attention to the girl, her time being spent perfecting hers and Non's plan to take over the entire world instead of just a small part of it.

"Do you know she works with a government agency that specializes in neutralizing aliens. You know they have seen your kind before, likely have a way to kill you. They have the pods Superman and Kara were sent to Earth in with data on all the aliens locked up on Fort Roz. Taking out my niece may be an easy thing, love, but it will bring more attention down on us. May even bring Superman's attention back to us, they are cousins after all. In a few days when our plans are more stable, when we have everything we need it won't matter what kind of attention we bring down on ourselves. But until then you will do as I say when I say,"

She was now standing directly in front of the woman, her eyes promising retribution if she acted on her ill thoughts. Astra didn't really give a damn if she believed her flimsy excuse. If any of them believed it. If they lay a single hand on Kara they would die by her hand, as long as they believed that her child was safe. It was when they no longer cared, when they saw Astra herself as a threat to their goals that the woman must act. Until then she couldn't have discourse in her house. At least not blatantly. "And if you don't, I'll rip that pretty little head of yours off your body."

Indigo glanced around nervously. She knew she couldn't take on Astra in an outright fight. The woman was too strong, and despite her skills her powers didn't rest in fighting hand to hand. Not to mention the Kryptonians in the room would be of no use to her, not even Non would outright go against Astra. For all his schemes he planned in the shadows out of her sight. He still hoped to kill the girl without Astra's knowledge of his interference.

"You will not jeopardized all I have worked for." Astra turned away from her and fixed her husband with a glare. "Is this drivel all I was called for?"

"No, the guard we kept contained has broken free. The men in charge of him were killed during his escape. It would not be too worrisome but he may have over heard some of our plans. If this government group finds him our very location could be discovered."

"Rao…." She rubbed her temples in irritation. "Send out the tracker and a few of our soldiers. Track him down." She brushed past him towards the exit. "And next time, dear husband, start with the important shit."

She left as quick as possible, shoving people aside in irritation and barking out orders as she went. The fact that the guard escaped greatly disturbed her plans. Especially since that particular guard had always shown unnecessary attention to Europa. He had been friends with the woman's father and he had made it quiet clear during their containment that he thought the girl was a scourge on her family name and would have loved to execute her for the shame she had brought their name.

She hoped his escape wouldn't motivate him to try and finish her now.

~N~

Once Non and Indigo were alone again in the control room he turned to her, a frown fixed on his face.

"She has no intention of taking out that child. Not even if she destroyed everything you have worked for. She is the one who will destroy our chances at putting these humans in their proper place." Indigo told him, running her hands over the front of his shirt as she moved lithely around him.

"I can't go against her. We don't have enough support. Even a few of those who claimed to be loyal to me I'm not sure of."

Indigo scoffed angrily and moved away. "Your afraid of her."

He turned around angrily to face her. "You should be to. You have no idea what Astra is capable of. Why do you think no one questions her openly. Even without super powers she could take out half our people."

Indigo stared at the console, her mind racing, before a large smile broke out across her face.

"So perhaps we even the odds. Take away her powers but keep yours." She tapped the blue cartridge on the console desk.

"I won't hurt my wife. Not even for you."

She growled and shoved him into the desk. "No, because you're her obedient little slave. That's why your plotting to kill her niece and take over the world behind her back."

"When all this is over she will realize I was right."

"And what, kiss you like some kind of loving wife. If you hadn't killed her lover she wouldn't even be with you." Indigo snarled. He shoved her away so hard her back slammed into the metal wall. She laughed mockingly at him as he fumed out of the room. "Must have killed you, lover, knowing that she had a child that wasn't yours. Knowing she loved your brother enough to birth his bastard."

He paused but didn't turn back. Indigo knew a lot but she didn't know Kara was that brat. If she did she may have been more inclined to listen to him. He debated telling her. Possibly putting a little bit of fear into that thick skull of hers.

In the end he doubted it would make a difference, would probably give the woman reason to act more brashly than she already was. He wasn't ready for so much attention being drawn on him, not until he solidified his position amongst there people.

"We go after the girl when I say. In secret. I will be the one to end her, is that clear." Indigo laughed. "Astra must never know. It has to be done right."

He wanted to be alive to enjoy her defeat after all, and he wanted Astra's unwavering attention back on him. He couldn't stand to share her affections with anyone, he already got so little of it as it was. Which was why the blonde was going to have to go to. Setting the guard free was a good start. He just hoped the bastard was quick and smart enough to take her out with Astra not around. Then again if she killed him after he served his purpose it saved him a bit of trouble. Win all the way around.

~E~

Her harsh breaths sounded as loud to her own ears as her booted steps on the cold marbled floors. She was running down maze like corridors in what felt like circles as she followed her commanders instructions to her Target's bedroom. The longer it took her the less time she had and she was starting to doubt his directions. The rooms she was passing didn't look like the rooms of the members of an elite house, they looked suspiciously like the employee housing. Housing that would be as far from the members own rooms as was architecturally possible.

She skidded to a stop and turned around in a small circle, curses flowing from her mouth.

She had to get this right. It was important to her General. She was entrusted with the task, a task she knew was more important to General Astra than anything else they had ever done. She wasn't stupid, she knew she hadn't been given it because of her loyalty, which was already under constant scrutiny even though she was fiercely loyal to the woman even if not their cause. She was given the task because she was the only person the smuggler chosen for the job trusted. A Daxamite emissary on a mission of his own, a very similar mission. They were unlikely friends because of her own family and he knew her character well.

None of it would matter though if she didn't get there in time. She only had a two hour window and it was quickly closing.

"Damn it!"

"Are you lost Miss?"" She spun around in surprise and her eyes rested wearily on a maid. She knew the woman recognized her, likely thought her part of the party, which she had actually been invited to. It meant her cover had been blown, when she pulled off what she was doing she would be questioned extensively and it would be a miracle if she wasn't found out. But being invited meant if she was found she could at least continue on in her mission, something she was grateful for now.

"I was looking for Kara Zor-El…..her mother told me she was in her rooms and gave me instructions but I seem to have taken a wrong turn." She smiled and played the best lost damsel she could. The elderly woman nodded politely. Whether she believed her or not wasn't up for the woman to decide, Europa was the daughter of a General. Not one known for being kind either and he didn't care for people questioning his authority. Likely he wouldn't care for his daughter to be questioned by a lowly maid.

"Perhaps I show you the way."

"That would be lovely." Europa told her. She wanted to run, walking was wasting time but she couldn't afford to arouse more suspicion.

She followed the woman quietly, she could tell she was wary of her but she honestly didn't care. She would pull rank if she had too, threaten, or even invoke her father's name but she wasn't going to fail the mission just because she had gotten lost.

"It is down this hall, young Mistress's room is the fourth on the left but you may find her in the courtyard on the right if she is not there."

Europa thanked her blindly and rushed by into the girls room. She couldn't remember what she was supposed to tell her, what excuse to have the girl come quietly with her but she was going to make something up. She couldn't have the child screaming and drawing unnecessary attention to them. But she didn't want to frighten her either.

She glanced around at the bland white furniture. Everything in the room was of the best and most expensive quality but there wasn't a lot of personality to the décor. It very much resembled her own room at her father's house. Krypton was very much into celebrating intelligence but the suppression of creativity was everywhere it seemed. Even in loving homes.

Idly she wondered if that was why the council hadn't been willing to accept any of the solutions to save their planet. Perhaps they were too stuck in the old ways and laws to appreciate thinking outside of the proverbial box…it was going to get them all killed.

All except little Kara…..if she could just do her damn job.

She made a quick search of the room before deciding Kara wasn't hiding anywhere and heading for the courtyard the maid had told her about.

It wasn't far. There was a beautiful blue door in front of her, she couldn't see beyond it but it was where the maid swore the little courtyard was so she pushed it open and stepped into the cold evening air.

The small area was beautiful, well lit with soft warm light and the lovely sound of falling water from the endless fountain in the middle.

She padded out on the stone walkway and caught a glimpse of a dark shadow moving away from her towards a dark red door in the corner.

She recognized the man. The way he walked and moved in the shadows. But she couldn't figure out why he would be there too, General Astra hadn't told her she sent anyone else to collect her niece.

She nearly called out to him but the soft sound of crying drew her attention. She could see feet under the fountain and moved toward it to peer under it.

Kara Zor-El sat curled up behind the flow of water. Tears ran from her eyes and terror echoed in their blue depths as she stared out at Europa.

"A man tried to hurt me." She said in a whisper. "Is he gone?"

The blonde turned back in surprise at the sound of the door slamming shut. She couldn't fathom what had happened. In any case it worked out in her favor, Kara would trust her enough for her to possibly get her away without some kind of scene.

"He's gone. I won't let anyone hurt you." She held her hand out for her to take, the water soaked her sleeve but she waited patiently for Kara to gather her courage and move.

Kara reached up and clasped her hand….and then Europa's father walked through the dark red door.

She woke up in a cold sweat as the memory of that night flashed clear in her mind. She sat up and hung her bare feet off the side of her bed, resting them on the cold wooden floor to ground her. She ran her hands through her messy blonde hair before holding her head as the memories slowly faded.

She had failed that night. She hadn't been able to get Kara to her smuggler, the complication of her father made it impossible and the second Kara had told the man about the stranger that had chased her into the courtyard all bets were off. The El house was locked down and Kara was under constant surveillance.

To make matters worse her dignitary had gotten murdered, along with the men with him. It didn't take much effort for Alura to find out about Astra's plan to kidnap Kara. She used the death of the men to arrest their groups leaders, Non and Astra. Europa had no idea if it was their group that was responsible for their deaths, Astra had never allowed her people to kill before but it didn't matter. It was Astra against Alura and Alura was responsible for enforcing the law. And no matter how the people saw it the house of El was far greater than the dying house of In-Ze.

She sigh and pulled her thoughts away from the past. She couldn't change it, and even if they had been responsible for those deaths far more people had perished as a result of others negligence. Their entire world for starters. And from what they had learned from a few other stranded refugees the Daxamite home world had been destroyed too. Their ruling family dead.

Her betrothed with them.

"Deep thoughts Europa?"

She jerked her gaze up and saw Astra leaning in her door way. Her breath caught. She had searched for Astra after leaving Kara but couldn't find the woman anywhere. After their kiss she had decided to give the woman space, she had come to her own home in the city, a home Astra had never once stepped foot in.

"What are you doing here?"

"I can't be here?" Astra evaded smoothly.

"Astra." The older woman sighed and moved to take a seat beside Europa on the bed. Her quick steps echoing the beats of the blonde's heart.

"You weren't at home." She said simply. "I- I'm not used to you coming here. You're usually at home, at least for the night. But it's already after one and you hadn't come home." She didn't add that she was worried, that knowing the guard would likely be after her had sparked a fear in her she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Astra this is my home. My home. You bought the house in the desert. I just keep freeloading there." She laughed slightly.

"I," Astra trailed off. Unsure of what to say. Sometimes she didn't return to her home. But when she did there had always been the sign that Europa had stayed the night. Rumpled sheets on the bed, a wet shower or a discarded towel. When she had gotten home tonight there was no sign of the blonde. "I told you that you were welcome whenever. I meant it. I thought you might perhaps think I was upset about earlier, needing space?" Europa nodded. "I don't. I need you, you're the only one I trust right now. I can't afford to lose your trust."

"You haven't lost anything. I understand, Astra." The dark haired woman stared down at her hands. "There is something I have to tell you. I tried to find you earlier but…." Europa hesitated. "Look, Non told Kara you were dead." She grimaced at the anger that crossed her face. "I told her otherwise but….she knows Astra. She knows who you are, Alura left a message on the pod for you….our codes unlocked it…she wants to see you, she has questions only you can answer."

"Thank you. For letting her know I'm alive. No matter how she feels about me I don't want her to think I'm dead, that was…the hardest part of finding out she was alive, the fact that I thought she was dead and stopped looking." Astra said quietly. Her dark eyes searched the blue ones. "The minute I seek her out Non will know."

"She's your daughter, Astra. I don't want to over speak but it's getting to the point where you are going to have to chose. Non or Kara. He isn't stupid, he knows with Kara found where your heart lies."

Astra stayed quiet. She couldn't express how much she wanted to see Kara. She knew the minute she did Non would be on her. She knew he was following her daughter, knew he was spying on the girl but she hadn't been able to discern to what end. She had given him his orders and was relying on his past cowardice to keep him in line.

Indigo was complicating matters though. For all his dealings Non was a sneaky slippery little weasel that preferred manipulation to anything else. He rarely got his hands dirty. Planning was his specialty, she hoped that would keep him in line, or at least give her more time. But his secrecy wasn't instilling confidence.

"If you were me…"

"I'd side with Kara. Always. As it is I have no children, no husband….so I will always side with you." She reached out and squeezed Astra's hand. "You need to make a choice Astra."

"Non is up to something…if I go to Kara she will want me to help her 'protect' the city." Astra stood up and paced across the floor in front of the bed. "If I go to her Non will take it as a betrayal. The lines will be drawn, there won't be any going back. Not just for me, for you to. He has no questions about your loyalty. You have always made them clear."

Europa stood up and placed her hands on Astra's shoulders to stop the pacing. She was slimmer and slightly shorter than the woman before her. It made it easy for the brunette's arms to wrap around her waist. She pulled Europa close and rested her head on top of her hair. "Astra…" She knew her voice echoed the pain she felt. Astra pulled her close and pushed her away with the same breath but every time they got to a point she thought would break the cycle the woman bolted. Duty to her husband and penance for her dead love always won out. Granted they had never kissed before.

"Come with me. I can't let Non go through with this and there is nothing I want more than to talk to Kara."

"Then we should do it as soon as possible." She whispered into her neck, both desperate to be free and loving the arms around her.

"Tomorrow. Until then can we sleep, I'm exhausted." Europa pulled away.

"I only have one bed here, do you want me to go back to your place?" She thought it was a little odd than Astra had sought her out just because she wasn't at home. But she knew her General liked things in order and she had spent every night at the woman's home since she had built it, since Astra had extended the invitation.

Astra pulled away and tugged Europa back to her bed. The blonde hesitated. "Nothing but sleep Europa." She knew she wasn't being fair, knew Europa wasn't going to say no to her but she didn't want to be alone. She wanted her where she could lay eyes on her, especially with that guard on the loose.

"I can take the couch."

Astra turned back to her after pulling the disheveled comforter away. She hadn't let go of her hand. "Please. For tonight let me be Astra instead of a General, let me be needy and weak. Stay with me."

Europa's breath caught and her heart ended up in her throat. The Astra she had known would never allow anyone to see her this way. She was a General, stronger than even her husband. That she trusted her enough to ask it of her brought tears to her eyes. Astra may not have said the words but she loved her, somehow she loved her. Europa just hoped it was enough to give them a chance.

"Okay."

~N~

Non flew by hours later, having already checked Astra's home before coming to the blondes rarely used home. He flew outside the third story window and spied beyond it's walls to the two women wrapped up in each other's arms. His nostrils flared with his anger and his fists clenched at his side.

He had known there was more between them. Since the brat had spoiled his attempt at murdering his niece so many years ago. Since the bitch had turned herself in for Astra. He had known.

Non wasn't a man that enjoyed competition. He had killed his own brother, attempted to murder his niece, this whore wasn't going to escape his wrath. The wheels had already been set in motion. He was going to enjoy comforting his wife when she learned of her lovers death and one day she would realize he wasn't a man to cross. That he deserved all of her love and affections…..that he demanded them.