Hey guys, a little bit of an early update to apologize for having you guys wait so long for the last one. Enjoy! Any and all mistakes are mine.
Disclaimer: Supergirl Does Not Belong To Me
~S
Jesna summoned her strength and slammed her fist down onto the sandy desert, a moment later, the floor beneath her collapsed and she found herself in a brightly lit corridor, with alarms blaring in her ears. She let out a painful groan as the light burned her eyes. Being prepared for this, she quickly put on her hood and sunglasses and waited patiently for the stampede to come to a halt in front of her. She saw various weapons being pointed at her by a whole variety of aliens, some she recognized, some she thinks she knows but just doesn't remember. She raised her arms in surrender.
"Who are you?" One alien spoke out. Jesna looked over to him and recognized the yellow skin covered in purple blotches.
"Arnil, its been quite a while, hasn't it?" Jesna said and turned to face him fully. "Remember me?"
Arnil squinted his eyes and soon recognized her. He quickly lowered his weapon and stepped closer to her.
"Jesna? he asked incredulously. "You're alive?" The other aliens that Jesna recognized also lowered their weapons. The alien, Arnil, came closer to her and pulled down her hood which resulted in a hiss from Jesna.
"Yes, I am. Is Non here?" Jesna asked. She was happy to know that she still had somewhat friends here.
"You will address him as the Lieutenant!" Another alien yelled out, fixing his aim on her. "Why did you men lower your weapons?"
"Very well, my deepest apologies. Is the Lieutenant here? I wish to speak with him." Jesna quickly said. "I mean no harm." She slowly placed her hands behind her head.
"I will bring you to him. The rest of you, fix this hole." Arnil said. He grabbed Jesna by the arm and led her to the conference room. He stopped her before the door and knocked.
"Enter." A male voice said from behind the door.
Arnil opened the door to a dark room, lit only by a glowing table. Jesna gave a silent thank you for the darkness, her eyes no longer needing to strain.
"Sir, a visitor has come for you." Arnil said as he stepped aside and allowed Jesna to enter.
Jesna quickly recognized the two figures in front her. The question is, do they recognize her?
"Who are you? How did you find this base?" Non asked. Astra stood behind him, her eyes observing Jesna.
Jesna brought her hand to her sunglasses and took a moment to collect her thoughts before taking them off and looking up at them. The shock that crossed their faces was evident, even for top military trained soldiers.
"Hello Non, Astra. It's been a while."
"Jesna?" Astra asked. "Is that really you?" She walked over to the younger woman and stopped right in front of her, staring into her eyes.
"Hello Astra." Jesna said with a smile. Astra was on of the few prisoners Jesna genuinely liked and not because she was Karas aunt, but because Astra helped take care of her when she first arrived on Ft. Rozz. Jesna was barely a teenager so Astra took her in and protected her from some of the most dangerous criminals in the universe.
Astra smiled back as she gave Jesna a (tight) hug. Astra met Jesna back when she was still on Krypton. She remembered how Kara couldn't stop talking about her the first day they met. She was confused to see the girl on Ft. Rozz but didnt think twice about protecting the young girl. "We thought you died in the crash." Astra said as she let go of the girl.
"No no, I was just knocked unconscious under a huge pile of debris. I don't blame you for thinking I was dead." Jesna said with a small chuckle. She looked over to Non, who was watching everything with a slightly open mouth. Big Bad Lieutenant huh? "Non, hello."
"Jesna.." He acknowledged with a nod of his head. "How did you find us?"
"I have my ways, Lieutenant. It took twelve years, but I found a way."
"Why are you here?" Astra asked. She was happy to see she is alright, but she knew she had a reason for showing up. "Did you cause all of that commotion in the third corridor?"
"If you mean the giant hole in your ceiling, yes that was me but I apologize, I couldn't find the front door." Jesna laughed. "But I am here, because I need your help Non."
Astra looked at Jesna and then back over to Non. "With what?" she asked.
"Back on Fort Rozz, Non told me he could help fix me but the whole ordeal with the crash and us separating, its been, well, postponed. I was hoping we can work on it now."
Astra looked at her, confusion etching her face. "Fix you? What do yo- oh." Astra remembered now. Jesnas physiological structure was altered. She turned around to face Non. "Would you like to explain it to her? Because I refuse to."
"Explain what to me?" Jesna asked, already fearing the worst.
Non pursed his lips and hardened his eyes. "You can't be fixed. Your body has been in this state for far too long." He said bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Jesna asked, anger and denial lacing her voice. She did not waste the last twelve years looking for him, for an answer to whatever this is, only to be told that she's forever ruined. And she certainly, did not spend two decades, suffering for nothing. She glared at Non, who only glared back.
"Think of it, like a cancer. The longer it is in your body, the less of a chance you have at getting rid of it. Your physiological structure has now matured into what it is now. Attempting to revert it to its previous state is impossible." He explained.
Jesna stood quiet as she looked down on the black tiled floor. Her fists are balled, knuckles white. She was angry, but most of all, she was tired. "Can you at least, tell me what happened to me. In detail."
"There isn't much detail to go on about. If I recall correctly, you were bit by a Kryer, an endangered species from Krypton that lived in the Black Woods. There have been other cases such as yours however none have lived as long as you. Anyone who is bit by a Kryer, is called a Shadow. " Non said. Jesna looked up at him, perplexed.
"What do you mean?" she asked
"Kryers secrete a special enzyme in their saliva that conflicts with our cells. It's a virus, really, but only in the sense that it kills you faster. You couldn't be in the sun, could you?" Astra asked. She's studied Kryers back when she was a student on Krypton. She knows their basic abilities and what happens should someone become bit by them. They were originally hunted down because of their secretions but eradicating them would throw off the entire forests food chain. Kryers are terrible creatures, but they helped by eating the more poisonous plants of the forest.
"No, I can't. It hurts and it weakens me." Jesna said sighing. "However I do feel more energized when the moon comes up. Or in darkness in general." she added.
Astra and Non briefly glanced at each other. "Kryers are said to be pets to the goddess, Yuda. Thats probably why the moon comforts you. They're called Shadows because they are said to reside in darkness. However that was said to be a myth." Astra supplied. "And for the reason as to why you seem to have lived longer than any case, is due to the Phantom Zone, we were frozen in time so the 'virus' didn't quite spread."
"Still, the other Shadows that suffered from this did not last more than five years. How is she still alive?" Non asked.
"The sun is different here on Earth, it supplies us with power-"
"I don't feel any power from this sun. I feel the opposite and more pain." Jesna cut her off. She's not getting anywhere with this. The only information she gained is what bit her, she was denied that knowledge back on Krypton.
"Perhaps you feel that pain because this sun is giving you the strength to overcome this virus. While our sun limited our powers, this sun gives them to us. Your body could just be regenerating, something that the others couldn't do on Krypton." Astra said. "If you'd like, we can try it out." Astra sounded excited. Back on Krypton there was no cure for this, it was just a tragedy with an inevitable, painful, death. Jesna looked at her with fear. Whenever she was outside in the sun, she felt she was being burned alive from the inside out.
"I- I really don't think thats a good idea." Jesna said taking a step back.
"There is no harm in trying." Non said with a stoic face.
"Maybe not to you but I don't like pain. Especially the excruciating kind. How are we supposed to know if it works?"
"Okay, how about this then, we will perform several tests on you now and after the trial and compare the results. All you'll have to do is step out into the sun and stay there as long as you can." Astra said. Jesna looked at them for a long moment. You have nothing left to lose, just do it. Better to find out now than wonder for the rest of you life.
"Okay. Okay but keep the doors open." Jesna said. I'm going to regret this so hard.
Astra nodded with a smile and Non remained his stoic self. "Why don't I have someone lead you to a room to rest and get ready. The sun should be rising in a few hours." Astra said.
"Sure, that would be nice." Jesna said with a smile. Astra called in a guard to lead her to one of the bunks. "Thank you, Astra, Non." Jesna left the two adults to themselves as she followed the guard.
Astra turned to Non with an angered expression.
"Why would you tell her you could fix her when you don't even know what to do?"
"I wanted her on our side should we have ever escaped. You saw how she was in Fort Rozz, she can be a great asset." Non said, turning to the table and activating it. "Which is why I'm rather upset that you gave that sun idea. Her power is great, we could use it."
"Did you not see how angered she was when you said there was no fixing her? You should be thanking me I managed to get her to subside. Even so, no one should suffer being a Shadow. Not only does it have physical effects, but it has its psychological effects as well." Astra told Non. "She wasn't like that when she was friends with Kara." Non shot his head upwards and turned to his wife.
"Kara." He whispered.
Astra looked at him confused. "What about her?"
"Your niece, thats how Jesna found us. Jesna can't possible search this entire desert in one night on her own. She would need help. Her and Kara were friends, I don't have a doubt in my mind that Jesna reached out to her for help." Non explained. Astra mulled over the information. It would make sense if Kara had helped her. But then that would mean-
"Kara knows where we are." Astra said. Non let out a frustrated yell as he slammed his fist down on the table, cracking it.
"We need to do something about this." He said. Astra agreed but they have other matters to attend to first.
"My sources tell me there's an event in less than a week from now where all of National City's officials and influential people will be attending. We can lure Kara out there."
"I'll make preparations." Non said.
Alex walked over to a lab tech and asked him to analyze Jesnas laptop and see of what use it can be to them. With a nod, she walked over to Hank who managed to pull up Jesnas prison record.
"Looks like this girl isn't who Kara thinks she is." Hank said, pointing to the screen. Alex looked over and her eyes widened.
"Seriously? Kara said she was a bit younger than her so she couldn't have been more than 13 years of age. How is this even-" Alex cut herself off when she reviewed the file.
"Well she only did this," Hank said pointing at the first line, the reason for incarceration. "To land a spot in Fort Rozz. The rest seem to be crimes she's committed within the prison."
"Talk about anger issues." Alex mused as she looked at all the assault charges. "Does Kara know about this?"
"I didn't tell her." Hank said.
"Okay well we should show her this." Alex said. She transferred the data to a tablet and walked over to where she last saw Kara. When she couldn't find her, she asked Analise, a tech that was working near her if she saw her.
"She left shortly after you went to speak with Director Henshaw." Analise said.
"Did she happen to mention where?"
"No she didnt, I'm sorry."
"It's alright, don't worry about it." Alex said. She wondered for a moment where Kara would have gone. She looked over at the time and saw it was just past one in the morning. Probably went home to sleep then.
It turns out, the chances of Cat Grant being awake at one in the morning, is quite high. The chances of her being up at one in the morning with a glass of bourbon in her hand, are even higher. Kara was floating a few yards away from Cats balcony and saw a small light on. She focused her vision inside and saw Cat sitting on her couch, nursing the liquor against her chest. Kara took a deep breath as she flew onto the balcony, landing softly on her feet.
Cat Grant was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard a tap on her balcony doors. She turned her head and gasped when she saw her visitor. She placed her glass down and got up and walked closer to her, observing how the outfit was definitely Supergirl, but the gentle, nervous persona was all Kara Danvers. She opened the glass doors and allowed the younger girl in. The latter slightly ducked her head as she walked in.
Kara has never been inside Cat's apartment before. The most she's seen from this building is the lobby when she had to drop off some things for Cat whenever she'd forget them in the office. As Kara looked around, she found that despite Cat's coldness at work, her home looked, well, homey.
"Well look who kept their word. For once." Cat said. She won't be nice to Kara just because she showed up. She has a lot of explaining to do. Kara winced at the words as she turned around to face the older woman. She saw that Cat was not happy. Her eyes were cold and glaring at her, her hip was out and her arms were crossed against her chest. She was wearing a thin, white silk robe that fell right below her knees. The pressure her arms was causing on her chest made the robe open a bit and Kara had no idea why she was noticing this.
"Miss Grant, I-I can see that I have made you upset with th-this-"
"Upset? You think I'm upset? Is that what you believe people feel when they've had their trust broken?" Kara was just slightly thankful that Cat cut her off because of the stuttering but it didn't really alleviate her current mood on this situation. Finding her voice once more, she spoke.
"I lied to you, yes. I continued lying to you, yes,but you have to understand my reasoning." Kara said with pleading eyes. "I never intended to hurt you with this, and if I'm being honest Miss Grant, I don't understand why you're this upset." Kara began to regret those words as she saw Cat lift her eyebrows and put her hands on her hips. She saw Cat open her mouth to say something but then closed it.
Exactly, why are you so upset? What right did you have to know? Why does it upset you that Kara Danvers lied to you? She's your assistant, what she does outside of the office is of none of your concern. Cat closed her eyes to shut the thoughts down but they keep coming back up. "It's because I hate being made wrong when I'm right. You should know that better than anyone, Kiera." She spat out the name like it disgusted her. Kara looked at her with wide eyes. She knew, of course she knew that. She knows more about Cat than she'd like to admit. "Why, and how, did you pull that stunt in the office? What possessed you to do that?" Cat nearly yelled out the last question.
"Miss Grant its called a secret identity for a reason." Kara seethed out. She was getting angry, but not because of Cat. She understands why Cat is mad. She's mad at herself for causing this whole mess. No wait, she's mad at Jesna. If it wasn't for her then she would've been able to elude Cat longer.
"So you're telling me no one else knows that Kara Danvers is Supergirl?" Cat shot back. She briefly enjoyed watching Kara's mouth falter before adding, "And don't you dare lie to me. Again." Kara lowered her head and remained silent for the better part of the minute.
"Only a very few people know." She said quietly.
"Oh is that so? Tell me, what made you tell them?"
"I have my reasons, Miss Grant."
"Which are? You're not in a position to withhold anything right now. What makes you think that information is safe with them? Anyone with this piece of information can make a brief fortune by selling it." Cat glared. And by 'them' she knows its without a doubt the cardigan hobbit and James, which makes her more angry.
"Because I trust them! And if anyone can make a fortune out of it, how does that exclude you?! " Kara yelled out, looking up at the woman. James and Winn would never say anything about Kara, she knows that.
Cat's lips pursed into a thin line as she nodded her head. "Well. It appears that there was never any trust here from the beginning. And how can I possibly have an employee, let alone a personal assistant work with me if theres no trust?" Cat said, picking up her forgotten bourbon and taking a sip from it. She'd usually down it but she needs to show Kara that she's calm, even with her heart beating erratically. She's sure Kara can hear it but she doesn't give enough of a damn.
Kara registered the meaning behind the words and started to panic.
"No Miss Grant, please don't do this. Please." Kara stepped closer to her and placed her hands on her Cats arms. Cat looked up into Karas pleading blue eyes and had to try to actually focus on the other girls words. "You asked why I pulled that stunt in the office and it's because when you found out, you fired me, saying the city needs Supergirl but I, Supergirl, Kara Danvers, need this job. I need you to tell me to fetch your lunch. I need you to tell me to clear your schedule because Carter had a half day at school. I need you to tell me to stay with the editors until the layouts are done because all of that makes me feel normal and I need that feeling of normalcy that you give me to survive." Kara nearly has tears in her eyes, she can't lose this job again, she won't know what to do with herself if her only touchstone in life is gone.
When Cat was quiet, Kara noticed how close they were and how her hands were still on her. She quickly let go of Cat and took a few steps back. Cat remained perfectly still with her drink still in her hand, her eyes still on the younger woman. Kara wished she knew what Cat was thinking right now so she'd be prepared for what comes next. Kara felt over exposed right now. Not only does Cat Grant know she's Supergirl, but now she knows just how dependent she is on the other woman. The feelings she's been keeping shut are now open and she's more terrified of Cat now than she's ever been. Kara feels an eternity has passed since Cats silence.
"Please say something."
Cat has been in deep thought since Kara has finished speaking. When she felt cold air on her and realized that Kara stepped away from her, she noticed how terrified the younger girl looked. She knows what she has to do, she has to fire her. National City needs its hero more than Cat Grant needs an assistant. Even if the hero is the most competent assistant she's ever had. But what Kara told her just now, the fact that Cat makes her feel normal, struck a chord in Cat. As far as knew, Kara only served her because it was her job. Not because she wanted to, let alone needed to. Thank you for saying I'm good at my job, it makes me feel normal. Now she understands why Kara said that to her. National City is better off with a part-time hero than one that goes crazy. But there will be limitations. She thought.
"Kiera," Cat finally spoke up. "You can continue working for me as my assistant-"
"Oh thank you, Miss Grant." Kara said, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Im not finished." Cat said with a pointed glare. "You will continue working for me, bur from here on out, this entire conversation never happened and we will have a strictly professional relationship. This way nobody gets confused, nobody gets hurt."
Kara let out a soft "oh" as she looked down to the ground for the umpteenth time that night. She doesn't know why, but she's hurt. A strictly professional relationship? That hit Kara right in the chest and the pain isn't something she can explain. She took a deep breath and looked at her boss. "If that is what you want, then fine."
Cat gave a small nod as she walked away from the spot she's been rooted in, to the kitchen. "Then I'll see you at work tomorrow. You can leave the same way you came." Cat said, her back facing the hero. She can't, won't look at Karas face right now. As someone who makes this girl feel normal because she has too much power to do it on her own, she just made her feel powerless. She heard Kara begin to walk towards the balcony. Just before she can step off, Cat called her back.
"And Kiera," Cat said. Kara didnt turn around but she stopped walking, her way of acknowledging Cat. Their backs are to each other, both afraid of showing the sadness in their eyes. "I already make an endless fortune writing about Supergirl and having people wonder about her identity. Why would I trade that for a brief fortune of one Kara Danvers?" Cat heard Kara gasp. Cat hoped that she got the message. Your secret is safe with me.
"I understand, Miss Grant." Kara said as she flew off the balcony and into the night.
OH gosh, please dont hate me. It will get better? tell me what you guys think so far :)
~S