The longer this story gets the more I get attached to Ella. Having her parallel Lena and Kara was a double-edged sword of an idea because now I just want to keep on exploring her character.

Lena sighed as she looked at the number of emails in her inbox. She'd been answering emails for the better part of an hour and yet somehow she had even more now than when she started. The bomb attempt had actually given her more work. Her PR team especially were distraught the event had blown up, metaphorically. Lena was just glad it wasn't literally.

She took off her reading glasses and rubbed her eyes, leaning back in her chair.

"Lena?"

She startled at the sound of Ella's voice.

"Ella, sweetheart what are you doing up?"

She was standing in the hallway, clinging to the wall, peering at Lena with wide eyes. She didn't say anything.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" Lena asked softly, "Come here, come on,"

Ella walked to the side of her chair, curious eyes turning to the laptop in front of Lena.

"What are you doing?"

"Just some work,"

"This is how you work?"

"Mm-hm," Lena nodded, "Some of the time,"

"What do you do?"

"I run a company, right now I'm answering e-mails," She lifted Ella into her lap.

"This is what you do every day,"

"Not every day, but most days I do,"

"Do you just have to answer e-mails to run a company?"

Lena chuckled, "Oh no. At my company, we make different things. Sometimes when we're making something new I help test it. I have to make sure it's working. Sometimes I even help build it,"

"Wow! You build things,"

"Sometimes, yes,"

"Like what?"

Lena hummed for a moment, thinking how best to describe it to Ella. "Once, Supergirl was fighting bad guys with alien weapons. I made a machine that caused the weapons to blow up,"

Ella's eyes went as wide as saucers. She gasped dramatically.

"That's so cool,"

"I guess it was a little,"

"You're like a superhero,"

"What?" Lena burst into laughter, "Hardly,"

"But if you helped Supergirl beat the bad guys then you're a superhero like her,"

"Supergirl is the hero. I just did what I could,"

"Well, I think you're a hero,"

Lena couldn't respond. She didn't know how. The world looked at her and saw the name that had caused death and destruction. No one looked at her and saw a hero. Except for Kara and maybe Supergirl. The only thing she could think of to say was "Thank you,"

"Do you like it?"

"Do I like what?"

"Having a company?"

It was an innocent question. Asked with nothing other than pure curiosity. It wasn't a question she was asked very often. It wasn't a question she could answer both simply and truthfully, but Ella didn't need a truthful answer. She needed simple.

"I do," It wasn't a lie. Not completely. She felt accomplished with the good she had been able to do since she took over. She'd brought stocks back up, even with more threats sending it down every other week. It wasn't all easy. And very rarely it was fun, "There are some things I don't like,"

"Like what?"

Lena hadn't even realized she said the words out loud until Ella asked her question. What happened to a simple answer?

"Sometimes I have meetings with people who don't like to listen to me,"

Ella made a face, "Why?"

"I have to meet with them,"

"Why don't they like to listen?"

"I guess they don't want to,"

"If you have to then so should they,"

"Yes, you'd think that. Wouldn't you?" Lena started typing again, replying to an email from one of those persons who didn't like to listen to her.

"What do you like about your job?"

"Why so chatty all of a sudden?" Lena asked, wrapped the girl in a one handed hug, tickling her side.

Ella giggled, "I don't know,"

"What I like about my job…" Lena hummed thoughtfully, "I like making things. I like that I can use my job to help people,"

"My papa used to help people,"

"Did he?"

"He was a mechanic. He fixed their cars,"

"Do you remember much about your parents?"

"I remember papa's beard. It was bushy and ticklely. And mommy always smelt nice. Like cookies. She made nice cookies,"

Lena smiled softly, "I'm sure she did,"

"Did your mom make you cookies?"

Lena froze, "No, she didn't have the time,"

"That's too bad," Ella yawned, "Mom's make good cookies,"

Lena opened up a new tab and pulled up a lullaby, putting it to play in the background. Ella borrowed in closer to her, still talking sleepily about cookies and homemade pie. Her breathing eased soon enough and her little fist loosened. Lena carried her back to bed, tucking her in. She sat on the edge of the bed for a while, just looking at her sleeping. She sighed to herself, brushing back some of Ella's hair away from her face. She made herself get up, heading to her laptop. She shut it off, with the intention of turning in for the night. But when she did get under her covers sleep didn't come. Her mind was busy with thoughts. Scary, terrifying and maybe wonderful thoughts. It was startling that she was even entertaining these ideas. Yet, she couldn't get them out of her mind. It was a long while before sleep came to her.

The next day Ella was working her way through the kid's section on Netflix. Lena was working on a surprise for her. Rather, she was waiting on it. When there was finally a knock on a door, a curious Ella trailed behind her.

"Is someone coming over?" She asked, "Is it, Kara?"

Lena shook her head, "I ordered some groceries,"

"Groceries?"

"Mmh-mm," Lena nodded as she got the door.

A young, chipper looking delivery boy stood on the other side holding a canvas bag. "Good morning miss, your delivery,"

Lena took the back with a "Thank you," giving him a tip before he went off. Ella was on her tip toes trying to peek into the bag. Lena chuckled and handed it to her, "Why don't you start unpacking that in the kitchen?" She suggested.

"Okay!" She carried it to the kitchen counter, pulling herself up on a stool so she could reach the top easily. She took out a package of brown sugar, chocolate chip cookies, vanilla extract, among a few other things.

"What's this for?" She asked.

Lena was taking out eggs and butter from her fridge, "I thought I would make some cookies,"

Ella gasped excitedly, "Really?"

"Well, I was thinking that," Lena grinned, "But it seems like a lot of work. I don't think I can do it by myself,"

"Oh! I'll help! I can help you,"

Lena laughed, "Alright,"

Following a recipe, Lena had looked up the pair make the cookie dough together, with Lena measuring out the ingredients and Ella mixing.

"Stop eating the chocolate chips," Lena pulled the bag of chocolate away from the girl, which only made her giggle, "If you eat them now, there won't be any for the cookies,"

That wasn't entirely true. Lena had bought more than enough for the recipe. As it was they were going to end up with much cookies that she believed they'd be able to eat on her own.

"But Lena," Ella pouted.

Lena rolled her eyes and took out a small handful of the chocolate chips and handed it to Ella, "But that's all you're getting again. And nothing else sweet until the cookies are done."

"Thank you,"

Lena shook her head, marvelling at her own lack of resistance. She added the rest of the chocolate chips to the batter and let Ella mix them in while she got the baking sheets ready. Minutes later the cookies were in the oven. Ella was looking at them through the window in the oven door.

"Let's not get too close to the oven Ella," Lena pulled her back gently.

"How long until they are finished?"

"Ten minutes," Lena double checked with the recipe with a nod.

"That's so long," Ella groaned.

"It's really not,"

"Come here," Lena turned her towards the clock in the kitchen, "See how the long hand it by the seven right now?"

Ella nodded.

"When it gets to the nine then we can take out the cookies. It won't be long, you'll see,"

"What are we going to do till then?"

"You can help me clean up,"

Ella make a face like she was thinking on it very seriously, "I guess I can help,"

Lena shook her head in amusement, "Why don't I wash and you dry?"

Ella nodded in agreement. Lena put a stool by the skin for her. As they cleaned Ella was eagerly telling Lena about the show she'd been watching before they started baking.

"And then she made the water go up like 'swhoosh' and it came down and went everywhere,"

Lena found herself listening intently, a smile growing on her face. She was almost upset by the ringing of her phone interrupting them. That was until she answered.

"Hello,"

"Hi, Lena!"

"Kara,"

Ella's head whipped towards Lena, "Is it, Kara? Can I talk to her? Can I?"

Lena held her finger to her lips.

"Yeah. Hey, how are you?" Kara asked.

"I'm fine,"

"And how's Ella? What are you up too?"

"We just tried our hand at baking, so Ella's being a good helper and cleaning up,"

"Yes, I am!" Ella said loudly so Kara could hear.

Kara laughed, "Sounds like you're having a good time,"

"We are,"

"So, there's this free music concert happening today. There's supposed to be a bunch of indie and cover bands performing. I'm not sure if you're into that, but my sister and her girlfriend are going. It's in the park, an open air picnic kind of thing. I was wondering if you and Ella would like to join us,"

"Well, it sounds like fun. Let me ask Ella,"

"Ask me what?"

"Kara and her sister are going to a concert in the park. She invited us along,"

"Yes, yes. Please, can we go? If Kara's going I want to go!"

"Ella said yes," Lena laughed.

"Great! It's starting at four. We'll probably be there a little before. I'll text you where you can meet us,"

"Okay, we'll see you soon then,"

"Yep! See you soon,"

"Wait! I want to talk to her," Ella said.

"We're going to see her in a bit, Ella,"

"Please,"

Lena sighed, "Kara, mind chatting with Ella,"

"Of course not,"

Lena handed over the phone.

"Hi, Kara! Lena and I made cookies!" Ella chirped into the phone, walking from the kitchen to pace around as she talked, "No I haven't tasted them yet. They're still cooking," She sounded absolutely dejected at that fact. Lena couldn't help laughing as she listened to Ella's side of the conversation.

"I know! It's the worst! A whole ten minutes!"

By the time Ella was finished talking with Kara, Lena had finished the dished and was taking out the cookies from the oven.

"Oh, yeah! They're finished," She ran over, reaching for one.

Lena batted her hand away, "Not yet, they're still too hot to eat,"

"Awww!"

"Do you want to burn your mouth?"

"I'll be careful,"

"No,"

"But-."

"Ella, you can't. Why don't you pick out something to wear to the concert? By the time you're dressed they'll have cooled,"

She pouted. Lena wasn't buying it. She gave her a little push in the direction of her bedroom, "Go on,"

"Okay," She walked off, her steps notably on the stompy side.

As soon as she finished getting dressed she was back in the kitchen, looking at Lena expectantly. Lena chuckled, "Okay, here you go," She handed her one of the cookies.

"Thank you!" She ate it happily, "It's so good," She mumbled through a mouthful.

"Chew, then talk. Don't try to do both at once,"

"Oh! Oh!" Ella jumped up and down, but decided to swallow before telling Lena what she was so excited about, "Can we take some of the cookies for Kara?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea,"

"Lena, over here!" Kara waved when she saw Lena.

Ella took off running, tackle-hugging Kara.

"Hey there," Kara laughed.

"Hi," Ella held up a Tupperware container, "We brought you something,"

"You did? Thank you. What is it?" She peeked in gasped with delight, "Are these the cookies you made?"

"Yep!"

"Well if you made them I'm sure they'll taste great," Kara placed her hand on Ella's shoulder, guiding her towards where Alex and Maggie were sitting on a picnic blanket. "You remember Alex and Maggie,"

"You're the ones who helped me with Supergirl," Ella tilted her head back to look up at Kara, "How do you know them?"

"Well," She adjusted her glasses, "Alex is my sister. Maggie is her girlfriend,"

"Oh, that's cool,"

"Hi Ella," Alex greeted.

"It's nice to see you again,"

"Ella brought us cookies she made," Kara said, placing the container down.

"We have some food too, help yourselves," Maggie said, indicating to the other containers spread out on the blanket.

"Can I?"

"Go ahead,"

Ella started looked through for something she liked.

"Thanks for inviting us," Lena said.

"No problem," Alex said.

"The more the merrier," Maggie said extending her hand, "I don't think we've had the chance to meet when someone wasn't mortal danger. Maggie Sawyer,"

"It's a pleasure," Lena shook her hand.

It was fair afternoon and the park was filled with picnickers, all of whom were spread out around a stage. Currently on stage was an indie band playing an upbeat song. The lead singer had most of the crowd clapping along. A few people were on their feet, moving in time with the music.

"You have quiches!" Ella exclaimed with delight.

"Oh yeah, I got some when you said you were coming," Kara said.

"I love quiches," Ella said.

"I know," Kara laughed.

"She discovered her love yesterday," Lena said to Alex and Maggie.

"Ella," Kara said to the girl seriously, holding a half-eaten cookie, "These might just be the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had,"

Her eyes lit up and she looked at Lena, "Did you hear that? Kara said our cookies are the best,"

"I heard," Lena smiled.

It was a calm afternoon. Lena and Alex started a conversation about a patent L-Corp had recently released. Kara, Maggie and Ella had their own conversation about the music and bands. Occasionally Maggie would digress to tease Alex when something exceptionally scientific sounding came out of her mouth. Alex just rolled her eyes at the teasing and bumped Maggie with her shoulder.

At one point Alex and Lena were so involved in their conversation a cookie in Alex's hand remained completely forgotten. In fact, no less than three times had she brought it up towards her lips only to pause to reply to Lena. Maggie had been watching with mild amusement and fourth time this happened she caught Alex's wrist when she started to absentmindedly lower it once again. She brought Alex's hand up and bit into the cookie still in her hand.

"Mags," Alex scolded, turning her attention to her.

"Well, you weren't eating it. I don't want it to go waste," She plucked the rest of the cookie from her hands.

"I was getting to it,"

Maggie shrugged, giving her most dimpled grin, "You have to be faster. What are you going to do Danvers?"

Alex leant forward and gave her a chaste kiss. When she pulled back she grabbed another cookie and took a pointed bite of this one.

"How did you know wanted a girlfriend and not a boyfriend?"

Alex choked.

"Ella," Lena said, "That's not very polite,"

"I was just asking,"

"It's okay," Maggie was laughing. She rubbed circles on Alex's back as Kara handed her a bottled water.

"You alright?" Kara asked. Alex nodded, gulping water.

"Ella, you know about someone being gay?" Maggie asked.

She nodded, "That's when girls like girls and boys like boys,"

"Right. Well, Alex and I like girls. That's just how we are,"

"But how'd you know you didn't want to have boyfriends?"

"We just knew. But Alex didn't realize it until she met me,"

"Maggie!" The stern tone of Alex's voice was ruined by the blush on her cheeks.

Maggie was laughing. Kara hid her grin behind a hand. Alex shot a glare at both of them.

"Come on, grumpy face, let's dance," Maggie got up, pulling Alex with her. Alex completely forgot she was trying to be mad and laughingly let Maggie pull her up.

"They're sweet," Lena said.

"Yeah, I think so," Kara grinned.

"Lena, looks, there's an ice cream truck," Ella pointed out the big colourful van that was pulling into the park, "Can we get ice cream? Please?"

"Ella, we have plenty to eat,"

"But we don't have ice cream,"

"She has a point," Kara said.

"See, Kara gets it,"

"You are not helping," Lena said to Kara.

Kara grinned sheepishly.

Lena sighed, knowing that her resistance would be worn down sooner or later, "Okay, let's go get ice cream,"

"Yes!" Ella jumped to her feet. She high fived Kara.

Ella took Lena's hand and pulled her up. Kara waved to Alex and Maggie to get their attention and pointed towards the ice cream truck, indicating that was where they were going. Alex gave her an 'ok' sign letting her know she understood. Kara caught up to Lena. Ella was skipping ahead.

"She seems like she's doing great," Kara said.

"Yeah. She's remarkable,"

"And how are you been doing?"

"Me?"

"With her? And you know, everything that happened?"

"I'm okay. I might be getting too attached," Lena said.

"I'd imagine it'd be hard not to,"

Lena nodded.

Ella ran ahead further.

"Ella, don't get too far ahead!" Lena called.

"What are you going to do when they find a place to put her?" Kara asked.

"I don't know," She admitted. She stopped walking.

Kara stopped too, looking at Lena. "Lena… are you thinking about –"

"Lena! Lena! Kara!" Ella terrified voice cut her off.

Both turned to Ella spiriting towards them. Lena frowned and knelt down, catching Ella when she barreled into them.

"He's here! I saw him! He's here!"

"Breathe, Ella. Slow down," Lena said, "Who's here?"

That's when the explosion went off.

I'm going to be mean and completely ignore the cliffhanger I ended on and talk about how much I loved writing Alex and Maggie this chapter. I just love their relationship. I'm absolutely enamoured with it.

Nardragon~ until the next page.