"You want to do what?" Kieran asked.
Kara stood up and paced in front of the couch. "Letting you go the first time was a mistake, and I am tired of doing things for everyone else. Clark was my family. We are related by blood, but he turned on me because I chose to do what I felt was best for someone I cared about. Not once had I questioned him for doing what he did to save Lois or keep Lois safe. But the moment I do something for you, the moment I let my heart determine my actions, I am not worthy of the family crest. It hurt more than anything Lex had ever done to me. And I remembered thinking that if I ever got free, or if Alex or J'onn ever saved me, I would find you and tell you that I want to give us a try. I want to take you on dates, hold your hand, and discover everything about you. I want to learn about your home and childhood and share mine with you. And if it doesn't work out, I will make peace with it. But I cannot go another day without telling you that I care about you, Kieran. A lot. I have been thinking about you since the day you left. So, I am asking if I can come back to Storybrooke with you."
Kieran stared at Kara with an expression of disbelief mixed with shock and tried to figure out if she was dreaming. The longer the silence went on, the more Kara's face fell, and she bowed her head.
"Right, that was silly," she said. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed-
"Yes." Kara's head lifted, and Kieran stood up. She took the two steps toward Kara and put her hands on where the crest would be if she were wearing her suit. "Yes, you can come back to Storybrooke with me," she said. "I would want nothing more."
"Really?" Kieran nodded, and Kara's smile lit up the entire room. But then it faltered, and she asked, "Hold on, do I need to ask your Mom too?"
"She'll be fine with you tagging along."
"Are you sure?"
Kieran was about to say yes, but then she thought about it.
"On second thought, we should ask her," she said.
"We?"
"Do you want to face my Mom alone?"
"No," Kara admitted. "She's a little scary. Honestly, your whole family is a bit scary."
"They're not that bad."
Kieran was wrong. They were that bad. Regina stared Kara up and down, an unreadable look in her eyes, and Emmett glowered behind her with narrowed eyes. Kara hid slightly behind Kieran, fingering the hem of her shirt, and Kieran thought it was cute. Who would've imagined that the strongest person on Earth would tremble in front of a former Evil Queen and a vampire? Kieran was slightly glad that Bella wasn't there.
"You are taking a big risk leaving your world unprotected," Regina said.
"Without Lex and Lillian, there are not as many threats that require my assistance."
"You like my sister that much?" Emmett asked.
Kieran frowned at the question, a little insulted, but Kara took it in stride.
"I do," she said.
Kieran didn't need to see Kara to know she had that ridiculously adorable dopey grin on her face, and she tried not to blush in front of her brother.
"Then this question should be easy." Emmett stepped past their mother and stood toe-to-toe with Kara. "What are your intentions with my sister?" he asked.
In a matter of seconds, Kara Danvers became Kara Zor-El. She made eye contact with Emmett and Regina as she spoke, "I do not know much about your world or where you come from. Same as you know little to nothing about where I come from. No matter what might be in those books or television shows, they will never capture the truth of my story or culture. I come from a people who respect unions of any kind. For all of our faults, Kryptonians do not rush into things without thinking of every outcome. I know what I am leaving behind, but the reward outweighs the risk. Kieran is worth the chance. She has been since the day I met her, and I was a fool for waiting so long to see that. I want to make up for it now with your permission. When I commit to something or someone, I give the situation all that I am capable of giving. And if I am lucky enough to join you all on your journey home, I will honor and treasure Kieran each day that we are together. I take my vows seriously, and I never break them. My goal is to make sure that she is happy and healthy, and most importantly, loved," she said.
There was only silence after Kara finished, and Emmett whistled under his breath, losing his serious nature. He stepped back behind their mother, and Regina clasped her hands in front of her stomach and took his place.
"Let me be perfectly clear," she said. "My children are the most important thing in the world to me. If you break my daughter's heart in any way, I will send your body back to this realm in pieces. Your crest will be nothing more than scrap paper once I am through with you, and I will destroy everything and everyone you love. Do you understand me?"
"If I ever hurt Kieran," Kara paused and glanced down, looking Kieran in the eyes, "then I will offer myself to you in submission. This I swear."
Kieran's heart stuttered in her chest, and Kara's gaze dropped briefly before she turned back to Regina. Emmett and Regina held a silent conversation, and Emmett shrugged at whatever they decided. Regina clicked her teeth and sighed.
"Your terms are accepted. We leave at the end of the day."
"We are?" Kieran sputtered.
"I left Henry with Red," Regina said, frowning. "And Snow and Charming will notice Em's absence."
"Fair enough."
"I'll be ready," Kara said.
Regina arched an eyebrow and walked away. Emmett winked at Kieran before following Regina, and Kieran turned to Kara.
"You didn't have to do that," she said. "My Mom would've accepted a simple 'I understand.'"
"I told you I was serious about giving us a chance. Your family is important to you, so I will honor their wishes." Kara touched Kieran's cheek and smiled. "I have to grab a few things from my apartment. In the meantime, Alex is waiting for you in her lab."
"Why would Alex be waiting on me?"
"You aren't the only one with a protective family." Kieran groaned, and Kara planted a kiss at the corner of Kieran's mouth and then another on her forehead. "Go on a date with me?" she asked softly?
"Ask me again when we're in Storybrooke."
"You don't believe I'll come with you."
"I don't believe in anything until I see it."
"Aren't you a witch?"
"I can see my magic. Would you like to see it firsthand?" she asked.
"Uh, I already have, remember?"
"Oh, darling, that was only a parlor trick. You have not seen what I can do."
Kara choked on air and stammered some kind of response before she flew away, leaving Kieran in the middle of the hall.
"Coward!" Kieran teased.
Back In Storybrooke
Red gave a plate of pancakes to Ruby and placed a bowl of chili in front of Jess. Sam was acting as the Mayor, and Killian was doing a damned good job as acting Sheriff with Charlie's help. The door to the diner opened, and Ruby glanced up. It took a second, but her eyes widened, and she squealed.
"Tink!"
"Hello, Wolfie."
Tink and Red met in the middle of the diner, arms around each other as if they couldn't get close enough. Tink broke away first and kissed Red on the cheek.
"I've missed you."
"Where have you been?" Red asked, tugging Tink toward Jess and Ruby. "And where's Belle?"
"She was tired, so she went home for a bit."
"How is she?"
Tink smiled in amusement and said, "I just said she was tired."
"You know what I mean," Red huffed. "Like how is she emotionally? The break-up with Gaston was-
"Inevitable," Tink finished. "Belle dated Gaston because that's what everyone wanted her to do. Gold was a nightmare, so she went to what she felt was safe. Give her time, okay? I promise she'll bounce back."
"Well, if she ever wants to talk or have a cup of coffee-
"You will be the first person I recommend," Tink said. "How have you managed to go this long without confessing your love for the girl?"
"Shut up. You still haven't told me where you were."
"Agrabah. There was a rogue genie casting all sorts of wishes, and I took Belle because I needed her expertise."
Ruby tugged on Red's apron, and she glanced down at her.
"What's up, little twin?"
"Is that Tinkerbell?" she whispered.
"Oh, shoot, sorry." Red yanked Tink closer. "Jess and Ruby, this is Tink. Tink, these lovely ladies are Ruby and Jess," she introduced.
Ruby waved shyly, and Jess put on a polite smile.
"Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you," she greeted.
"You as well. Your daughter is absolutely adorable," Tink cooed. "I love her shirt!"
Jess faltered, but Ruby took it in stride.
"Thanks! Mama Jess picked out my shirt for me. She said yellow brings out my smile," Ruby said.
"Mother's usually are right about those types of things."
"I guess," Ruby said, shrugging.
Tink smiled and put her hand on Red's arm.
"Do you mind if I borrow Wolfie for a moment?" she asked.
"Not at all. We have to finish lunch and head home," Jess said.
"We're watching the Harry Potter movies," Ruby exclaimed.
"I thought we were watching that together," Red pouted.
"And I thought you had a half-day," Jess pointed out.
"Oh, right. Well, don't get started without me," Red warned. "Or I'm revoking your pancake privileges."
"Scout's Honor," Ruby said seriously.
"You aren't even a scout," Red scoffed.
"I was too!"
Jess shook her head quickly, a silent plea to let it go, and Red snorted. She and Tink went to the far corner of the near-empty diner, and Tink gave Red a look.
"I didn't know Storybrooke had an open-door policy," she hissed.
"A lot's changed since you left. Just come to Regina's house around three, and I'll explain everything."
"You better. Who are you saying those lovely folks are, anyway? If the town asks."
"They're a part of a family of four who got lost."
"And people believed it?"
"Regina vouched for them."
"Again, and people believed it?"
"Tink," Red warned. "Don't push this. Not here."
"Fine, fine, but I'm bringing Belle later. And I swear, if you're in danger-
"I'm not in danger," Red chuckled. "Not in the traditional sense. Regina might kill me afterward."
"Then I'll bring flowers to your funeral."
"Goodbye, Tinkerbell."
"See you at three, Wolfie," she said, laughing as she left the diner.
Jess watched the blonde go with curiosity. She felt like she recognized her but couldn't figure out how or why. When it hit her, she gasped.
"Oh, shit," Jess whispered.
"Language," Ruby said, holding out her hand.
Jess rolled her eyes and dug a single dollar bill out of her pocket. She slapped it in Ruby's palm and pulled out her phone. She pulled up Sam's name and sent a quick text message, hoping her girlfriend wasn't too busy to respond.
Jess: Do you remember the CEO of Never Land Industries? She was at the tech conference in Metropolis a year ago.
Sammy: Vaguely. She was blonde, right? Had the weird accent?
Jess: Yeah. Guess who she is?
Sammy: Who? And where are you?
Jess: Your seed wanted pancakes, so we came to the diner. And she's Tinkerbell. Ruby and I just met her.
Sammy: At this point, she's your seed when she wants food.
Sammy: WAIT! Tinkerbell? As in Peter Pan's love child?
Jess frowned and texted: Baby, what are you talking about? That's not in the movie.
Sammy: It was in the one I watched.
Sammy: Oh… on second thought, that might've been a porno.
Sammy: Gotta go!
Jess pinched the bridge of her nose and exhaled.
"Talking to Mom?" Ruby guessed.
"I was, yes. She can be quite exasperating."
"Does that mean annoying?"
"It means she's the love of my life, and you heard nothing."
Ruby held out her hand, and Jess scowled.
"I'm not giving you another dollar," she said.
"Then I'll tell Mom you let me eat six pancakes."
"Are you blackmailing me?"
"Yes."
Jess narrowed her eyes and dug out another dollar bill. She gave it to Ruby and said, "You've been spending too much time with your godmother."
National City
Kieran walked with Alex down the hall at a slow pace.
"This is weird for me," Alex said. "Saying goodbye to my sister."
"Is it goodbye? We both know you will gladly visit my realm at random points to see her."
"That may be the case, but it won't be the same." Alex frowned and wrapped her arms around herself. "How did you go so long without Bella?" she asked.
Kieran stopped and turned to Alex. "I didn't do well the first couple of years. Lex found me one night crying, and I was maybe sixteen? Seventeen? I'd spent three or four years without Bella already, so I'd grown accustomed to her absence. But there was a moment when I'd had a bad day, and all I wanted was my big sister. I sobbed in my bedroom with my pillow against my face, hoping that Lillian didn't hear me. But Lex did. He came in with a bottle of scotch and handed me a glass. He said that sometimes our emotions are too much, and we need to drown them out. So, to answer your question, I never got over not having Bella around. She was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I can't say I understand because your relationship with Kara is different, but I know it'll hit you when you least expect it. If I didn't have Sam, I would've gone crazy. I guess I say all that to say, take advantage of Kara being gone. Spend time with Kelly, get to know Nia and Brainy better, and try to be nicer to Winn. Maybe smile a bit more to strangers. They need you to be stronger in her absence."
"That was both uplifting and depressing at the same time," Alex groaned.
"I was only telling you the truth. And I want you to know that I'll never let anything happen to Kara. I will protect her with my life."
Alex put her hands on her hips and huffed, glaring at Kieran.
"If you hurt her, I will find a way to remove your family memories."
"That's aggressive," Kieran said weakly.
Alex arched an eyebrow, and Kieran nodded.
"I understand," she said.
"Good. I-
Alex's phone rang, and she frowned, taking it out of her pocket.
"Hey, what's going- what? How does he- Mom, Kara made the decision two hours ago. Why would you call her in the first place?" she asked.
Kieran stared in confusion, and Alex held up a finger.
"Because Kara didn't want to say goodbye to him! She wants nothing to do – yes, I got that. But you do remember what Clark did, right? I can't – I can't do this right now. I'll find her and give her a heads-up."
Alex hung up and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"My Mom called Lois and got into an argument over what happened between Kara and Clark. She made an off-handed mention that Clark needed to make it right before Kara left, and Lois used her journalism skills to figure out Kara was leaving the realm. She told Clark, and now, he's on the warpath."
"Why does he hate her so much?"
"It's not her that he hates. He hates that she represents something he lost. Do you know where Kara is?"
"She said she was going home to get a few things."
"Maybe I can catch Kara before she gets here."
Alex and Kieran turned the corner and ran into Winn, who rolled back with a sheepish smile.
"Sorry about that, but I was just coming to you. Do you guys know why Superman was spotted over the city?" he asked, holding up his tablet. "J'onn said he saw him during patrol."
"Winn, find out where Kara is. Kieran, I need you to get your family here as soon as possible. The last time Kara and Clark were in together, they almost leveled the city. We cannot let them leave this building if anything happens."
"What makes you think my family will help?" Kieran asked.
"Magic can temporarily stop a Kryptonian."
"What? Why didn't I know that?"
"Probably because Kara knew you'd react poorly," Alex deadpanned.
"Shut up. And my family is already on their way," Kieran grumbled.
"What? How? You didn't even call them," Alex said.
Kieran snorted and said, "We haven't spent longer than an hour apart since my unfortunate decision-making several days ago. They don't trust me alone."
"So where- ah, shit!"
Emmett chuckled and moved out from behind Alex, wiping his finger on his shirt.
"I've never done a wet willy on a human before. Rosalie threatened to kill me if I did it to her again," he said.
Alex rubbed her ear and glared at him, muttering about dismemberment. Kieran grinned as Rosalie appeared with Bella on her back. Emmett folded his arms and stepped to the side as Regina appeared between Bella and Emmett.
"That's a little creepy how you guys seem to know where each other are at all times," Winn said.
"You get used to it," Bella, Kieran, and Emmett said in unison.
"Can we focus?" Alex exclaimed.
"What do you need?" Regina asked.
Kara dropped down in the currently out-of-commission DEO atrium with a duffel bag and a box. She paused, head cocked, and twisted toward the shadowed part of the space. A flash of blue caught her eye, and Kara dropped her things. She stared flatly at her cousin as he stepped into the shadows, and Clark folded his arms.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I don't see how that's any of your business."
"You owe me. I could have left your pod in the middle of nowhere. You could have grown up in an alien orphanage or became an experiment for the government-
"I already was and am," Kara interrupted. "The moment I joined the DEO, I was placed under a microscope. Every action that I have ever done has been overseen by strangers. You abandoned me, Kal-El. You have no right to make demands of me anymore."
J'onn landed behind Kara with his fists clenched, and Clark scoffed.
"What? Is this your backup?"
"No, they are," J'onn said, jerking his head.
Clark turned around as the Superfriends and the Mills family entered the atrium. His eyes narrowed on Kieran, and he sneered.
"Lena Luthor," he spat. "Here to pick up where your family left off?"
"My name is Kieran Mills," she corrected, gesturing to the people around her. "And this is my family. Trust me when I say you do not want us to start or finish anything."
"I'm not afraid of you."
"You should be."
"Why is that?"
Bella shook out her arms, sparking a blue fire down to her fingertips, and Kieran followed her sister's lead. But instead of fire, her limbs solidified as ice.
"Now, you have two choices. You either leave, or you will learn that the only reason Lex never brought you down was because he liked to toy with his food." Kieran's face cleared of all emotion, and she tilted her head. "I take after my mother, and I prefer to cause as much pain as possible in as little time as possible. So which will it be?"