"What is this?" Snapper asked pointing to a file Kara had given him early.

"My story on illegal alien segregation."

"No, it's sloppy journalism. Ignoring the typos, you are short on sources. Go find more and do it quickly, I don't want another outlet running with our story."

"Yes boss." Kara said leaving the office and returning to her desk. Logging into her computer she pulled up the document and tried to locate the typos just as her phone rang. Looking down at it and not recognising the number she answered expecting it to be related to her story.

Noticing Kara on the phone Snapper strode up to her desk and said. "I'm sorry is your job getting in the way of your social life?"

As Kara ended the phone call he expected an apology, instead he got.

"Sorry I have to go."

"This had better be a story ponytail." Snapper threatened. As Kara disappeared he called after her. "I don't care who you're married to if you don't pull your weight you're fired."

-00-

"What happened?" Kara asked as she entered the Principal's office where Elle was sitting with the headmaster.

"There was an incident." The headmaster said.

"What kind of incident?" Kara asked before looking to Elle and asking. "Are you okay?"

When Elle nodded but didn't look at her mother, Kara feared the worse. It was then that the Principal explained.

"During the lunch break there was a bit of a scuffle and Elle pushed one of the other children who fell over."

"Elle? Why would you do that?" Kara asked kneeling in front of her daughter.

"Elliot was being mean to Anna." Elle said staring at her feet. "He started throwing things at her and I tried to stop him."

"How?" Kara asked.

"I told him to leave her alone and stood next to Anna. Elliot pushed me and I pushed him back. He fell over. I didn't want him to. I just wanted him to stop hurting Anna."

"Is Elliot okay?" Kara asked the headmaster.

"He's fine. Although being pushed over by a girl has damaged his reputation. But between you an me that is no bad thing."

"Is Elle in trouble?" Kara asked.

"No it was clear she was trying to protect her friend and what happened was an accident. But after any incident like this we have a timeout policy for the rest of the day. That applies to Elliot and Anna as well, they've already gone home."

-00-

As Kara and Elle walked down the street Elle asked.

"Am I in trouble?"

"What do you think?" Kara asked.

"Yes. But it's not fair. I was trying to protect Anna." She said causing Kara to stop and kneel in front of her.

"Elle, no matter the reason you should never get violent."

"But Supergirl does." Elle pointed out.

"She has to and she is a lot older."

"So old people can be violent?"

"I said older, not old." Kara corrected. "But I am sure when she was five she didn't push people. I am so proud of you for protecting Anna, but you can't get violent."

"I didn't mean to. But he pushed me and was going to push Anna. I didn't think he'd fall."

"I know. But you have to be careful."

"If I can't be violent, why is Alex teaching me karate?" Elle asked.

"Because I want you to be safe. And there are bad people in the world."

"So I can attack them?"

"You can defend yourself if they attack. And if they attack you, you do whatever it takes to stay safe. But Elliot maybe a bully, but he is not one of those bad people. So you never attack him and you don't get violent at school. Okay?"

"Okay." Elle agreed before asking. "How will I know if they are bad people?"

"They'll try to hurt you and the people you care about."

"That's what Elliot was doing." Elle pointed out.

"Elliot was trying to look important in front of his friends." Kara explained. "When you get older you will learn the difference." Seeing Elle stare at her unimpressed she added. "If the time comes you'll know."

-00-

As Supergirl grappled with a bank robbing alien she raised her hand to punch him only to remember the conversation with Elle earlier. Not wanting to set a bad example she relaxed her arm.

"What's wrong? You've lost your fight." The alien goaded.

"You're just not worth the effort." Supergirl said as the alien punched her sending her crashing into a building. By the time she emerged from the rubble the DEO agents had swooped in and detained the alien.

Hurrying to her side J'onn asked.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." Supergirl said trying to shake off the effects.

"You sure? It looked like you gave up fighting." J'onn said concerned as Alex reached them and immediately asked.

"Are you ill?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Then why did you let him punch you through a building?" Alex questioned.

"Elle thought violence was okay because Supergirl punches people and aliens."

"Bad people and bad aliens." J'onn reminded her.

"I'm not sure a five year old can make that distinction. I just worry I am setting a bad example for, not just Elle, but kids in general."

"Only you would be concerned that you are setting a bad example for kids." Alex said. "Supergirl isn't a bully, she's a beacon for hope. It will be a lot more distressing for kids to see you being punched through a building than to see you punch a bad guy." Alex pointed out.

"What if she fights back as super strength kicks in and a kid gets hurt?" Kara asked.

"You and your cousin avoided that." J'onn reminded her.

"I knew I couldn't get into fights. Elle doesn't."

"She doesn't need to. As strange as this sounds Alex is teaching her restraint and control." Before Alex could protest at the insult J'onn went on. "She is also monitoring Elle who has shown no sign of super strength. Have faith in Elle and us."

-00-

"How is she?" Kara asked when she returned home.

"Fine. How are you?" Adam asked. "We saw what happened."

"I'm fine."

"And your apparently apathy towards your duties? Would that have something to do with a playground incident?" Cat asked.

"Maybe. I just didn't realise what a bad example I was setting."

"You are not setting a bad example." Cat said. "Fighting for what you believe in is important. Elle was trying to protect a friend. What she needs to learn is there are other ways to fight. But Kara, Elle learning that lesson will be a lot easier than learning how to live without her mother, which is what could happen if Supergirl doesn't do her job."

"I know and J'onn and Alex have already lectured me." Kara said.

"Well for Elle's sake I hope you paid attention." Cat said.

-00-

"Mom!" Elle exclaimed when Kara entered her bedroom.

"You're meant to be asleep." Kara said heading to her bed where Elle and Krypto were lying.

"I couldn't sleep. You hadn't given me my goodnight kiss." Elle pointed out.

"Sorry I'm late." Kara said kissing Elle's head. Sensing something was wrong she asked. "What's up?"

"Are you going to make me stop taking Karate lessons?"

"No. If you promise to not attack people or be violent outside the lessons."

"Really?" Elle asked.

"Really."

"Thank you." Elle said hugging her mother.

"You like Karate that much?" Kara asked surprised.

"And spending time with Alex."

-00-

"Where's your mom?" Kara asked when she returned downstairs.

"She's gone home. Where's Alex?"

"Work. She said she had something important to do. J'onn's keeping an eye on her."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. I've had worse experiences with buildings."

"I know, but that isn't reassuring." Adam said. "I worry about you."

"I just want to set a good example for Elle."

"I know. But Elle is smart and like you she is kind and good. She'll find the right path without you going to extremes. The most important thing is you come home every night."

"I will." Kara said hugging him before suddenly pulling away.

"What?"

"I forgot the article. Snapper will kill me. I'll see you later."

-TBC..

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.