Alex watched in shock as the cell door opened and Halley puzzlingly watched and scooted to the back of the glass prison. Alex reached for the keypad, but Kara grabbed her hand before she pressed any buttons.
"It's okay," Kara reassured her sister.
"Okay?" Alex repeated, almost laughing at how crazy Kara sounded. "Did you forget that less than 24 hours ago she tried to kill me? Kill you?"
Kara paused. She had heard those same words from Hank, but when they came from Alex, it hit harder.
"This is insane, Kara," she said. "I am not just telling you this as a DEO agent but as your sister."
Kara knew deep down it was insane. She wouldn't do this for any other alien. But there was something about Halley. And as Supergirl, it was her job to help and care for people, no matter how twisted.
The two of them stared at each other for another minute without speaking, then Kara turned and walked over to Halley. "Come on out," she said softly to her. "You don't have to be scared."
Halley stood up and walked past Kara. "Huh, I'm not scared," she said, trying to act tough.
Alex shook her head and watched her closely. "What about Hank? You think he'll be happy to see her walking free in the DEO?"
Kara took a breath. "We better go talk to him." She started towards the door but realized no one followed. "It's okay," she said to Halley. "Just stick with me." Kara stepped out of the room, Halley starting to follow.
Alex didn't trust her, and she knew Kara wouldn't change her mind until she had a reason to. When she walked past, she grabbed her arm and said quietly enough so her sister wouldn't hear, "The only reason you're walking out of here right now is because Supergirl is too good to keep you in here. Do not take advantage of that."
Halley's eye twitched slightly as she and Alex gave each other a look that could cut glass. Then Alex let go, and watched her walk out of the room after Kara.
As soon as they walked into the heart of the DEO, every agent with a gun turned and pointed them at Halley. She froze in her place and lit her hands on fire, from both the stress and a natural instinct. Hank turned around when he noticed, pulling a gun out himself.
"What is she doing out of her cell?"
Kara stood between the two of them, putting her arms out to prevent anyone from getting hurt. "Halley, relax. Hank, put the gun away. She's not a threat," Kara said, hoping to reassure him before he ordered for Halley to be shot and Halley burned everyone alive.
"Like hell she's not."
"If this is a problem I can go back," Halley chimed in.
Kara turned and motioned for her to stay where she was. "No," she said, then looked at Hank. "Hank, please just trust me. She's just scared and confused and I really think we can help her."
"It's not you I don't trust, it's her."
"Give me one week," Kara pleaded.
Hank told the agents to stand down, looked at Halley who was now fiddling with a computer and called out, "Hey! Don't touch that." Halley rolled her eyes a bit and moved to an empty chair to sit down. She spun around in it a few times, and Hank sighed. "Fine. You have one week to prove to me she can be trusted, otherwise I will have no choice but to detain her again." Without another word, he began walking over to the screens. "There was an alien spotting at Grandview Park about an hour ago. "
"Did it hurt anyone?" Kara asked.
"No," Hank replied. "But it did quite a bit of damage.
Photos of the destroyed park flashed on the screen. Broken benches, fallen tree branches, what was once a bright, newly built playground was now bleak and dilapidated. An otherwise full, lively fountain was dry, and the grass and sidewalks were covered in trash. The park was unrecognizable. The fourth photo to appear showed a strange symbol drawn onto part of the pavement on the basketball court. A medium yellow star was in the center, with five smaller stars in a curved line above it, all within a big circle.
"What is that?" Alex asked, studying it carefully. Before anyone could respond, Halley glanced up at the picture and continued spinning in the chair as she stated, "It was a Starhavenite."
Everyone turned to look at her. When she realized it got quiet, she stopped and peered at the group watching her.
"Excuse me?" Hank asked, crossing his arms.
"A Starhavenite," she repeated, a little anxious now. "Uh, from Starhaven. My home planet." She nodded towards the symbol on the screen. "That star is like a secret message for aliens from there. It means they're looking for someone."
"I guess I'll go down there." Kara spoke, getting ready to leave. "Alex, you coming?"
Alex grabbed a gun and loaded it as she replied, "Always."
"Take her," Hank nodded at the young girl.
Halley narrowed her eyebrows and pointed at herself as she asked, "Me? Why?"
"You think it's a coincidence that we find you and a few hours later this shows up?"
Halley shot Hank a dirty look, marched up to him and despite being a good foot and a half shorter, got up in his face. "I've been here for 7 years," she said calmly but with just a hint of anger. "I came alone. So whatever reason they had for doing this now, it has nothing to do with me." Then she stormed away, Kara and Alex following close behind.
…
The three of them made it to the park and scanned the scene. It was empty, the crunching of leaves beneath their feet the only sound. Kara wandered around while Alex examined the ground and stray objects for DNA. Halley walked straight over to the star symbol on the ground. She knelt down and placed her hand in the center. She closed her eyes and took a breath. She could hear Kara and Alex walking towards her, so she opened her eyes and was about to stand up. But taking one more look, she noticed the initials, "S.A" in the bottom right corner. It wasn't visible in the photos. She traced her fingers over them and felt a twinge in her chest as if someone was wringing out her heart like a wet towel.
"What's wrong?" Kara asked, seeming to sense Halley's confusion. She stood up and turned around to face them, putting on a blank expression. "Nothing," she replied.
"You said Starhavenites leave these when they're looking for someone?" Alex asked.
"Yeah," Halley answered.
"How do you know if it's for you?" Kara spoke up.
"It, uh, usually they leave some kind of clue. Halley stuttered.
Alex took a step closer and knelt down. "You mean like this?" She pointed to the letters in the corner. "Do you know anyone with these initials?"
Halley hesitated, rubbed her arm and said confidently, "No."
Kara looked at her, suspicious of her body language. Alex noticed as well, so she asked again, "Are you sure?"
This time Halley became a little annoyed. "It means nothing to me. Let's look around somewhere else." She turned and walked away from them. Alex exchanged a look with her sister but neither of them spoke. Alex stood up. "Come on," she said to Kara, proceeding to follow Halley.
…
After a thorough search around the park, the three of them returned to the DEO. Alex and Kara reported back to Hank about the star, but that there were no other clues as to who or where this alien was. When she heard Hank tell them to go home and call it a day, she waited until he walked past her before chasing after him.
"Hey, um," she blurted. He turned around, clearly surprised to hear her talk to him without attitude. "We kind of got off on the wrong foot earlier, so I just wanted to let you know that I would never do anything to jeopardize your job, or-or your life."
"I appreciate that." He replied kindly.
"It's just, um, I feel like you, aren't really comfortable having me around, and I'm sorry if I did anything to cause that. You know, other than the fire, and stuff."
"I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not happy with you knowing about this place, walking around here, Supergirl being so quick to see the good in you. But, I do know what it's like to be judged, and hated for simply being you." He paused, watching a sad look appear on the girl's face. "You're safe here," he continued. "Just don't give yourself a reason for that to change. We clear?"
"We're clear." Halley said nodding quickly and half smiling.
All while this was happening, Kara and Alex were having their own conversation.
"I'm thinking about letting her stay with me," Kara said slowly, knowing Alex wouldn't approve.
Alex blinked and stared. She wasn't sure she heard correctly. "You're what?"
"I just don't feel right about making her stay here, alone, when she's already been alone for so long."
"Kara, you've known her for, what, a day?"
"I know, I know. But Alex, this is what Supergirl does. She helps people."
"This is different. For all we know, she's just playing nice and she has some other agenda."
"That's not fair. I don't see her as an evil villain. Give her a chance."
"Okay, let's say she's good like you and won't hurt you or anyone else. She knows your name. What if she exposes you?"
"She won't. Come on Alex, you know I can't do this without your support."
Alex paused and thought about it. Did she think her sister was insane? Definitely. But did she have good intentions? Always. And the look on her face made Alex feel a rush of guilt. "Okay, fine," she said. "But if things get out of hand, she's back here immediately. No negotiating."
Kara gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek. "Gotcha," she said.
Halley then rejoined them. "I guess, I'll go back to my cell for the night." She told them. But before she could turn and leave, Kara stepped toward her.
"Hey. How would you feel about coming home with me tonight? I can figure something out for you."
Halley raised her eyebrows and looked at Alex, then back at Kara. "Seriously? Why would you do that?"
"I want to," Kara replied.
Halley didn't quite understand. She didn't exactly give off a good first impression that would imply she would make a good roommate. But she also wasn't too excited about being stuck in that damn cell again, so she didn't ask anymore questions.
"Yeah, okay, sure. Thanks," she said. She noticed Alex wasn't happy about this, so she was determined to gain her trust in the next few days. She only hoped Kara didn't have many flammable things in her apartment, just in case.