As Maggie walked through Kara's apartment building entrance a few hours later carrying a box of doughnuts, a tray of coffee and several newspapers she saw a familiar figure a few feet in front of her.

"Eliza?" She called causing the figure to turn round.

"Maggie?" Eliza asked waiting from Maggie to catch up with her.

"What are you doing here?" Maggie asked before realising how abrupt the question had sounded. "I mean I didn't know you were visiting."

"Last minute trip. When I saw the fight on the news and neither Kara or Alex were answering their phones I thought something terrible had happened."

"They're both okay." Maggie said. "So's Clark."

"Really? They looked like they really hurt each other." Eliza said.

"Physically, they both seem to be okay."

"And not physically?"

"Her cousin was a complete ass." Maggie said bluntly as they walked up to Kara's apartment. "He said things to her that shook her up, especially after Mon-El. But Alex is with her now so hopefully she'll get through to her."

When they got to the door Eliza was about to knock when Maggie said. "It's okay, I've got Alex's key." Seeing the surprise in Eliza's eyes she explained. "Alex only got here at three this morning. I didn't want to wake them when I brought breakfast so I borrowed her key."

"Do you want me to hold anything?" Eliza asked.

"Um sure, thanks." Maggie said handing over the tray of coffee and box of doughnuts before getting out the key and opening the door. What neither of them were expecting was Alex to greet them with a gun drawn.

"Sorry. I probably should have warned you I borrowed your key." Maggie apologised as Alex lowered her weapon moments before she saw her mother.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" Alex asked as she hugged her mother.

"I saw the fight on TV and then no one was answering their phones. Not even J'onn."

"Wait you rang my boss?" Alex asked.

"Of course."

"How often do you ring J'onn?"

"I don't know. Weekly maybe." Eliza replied.

"You ring my boss every week? What do you talk about?"

"Work mainly, but also you and your sister." Eliza answered.

"You discuss me with my boss?" Alex asked.

"Don't be so melodramatic." Eliza said. "Where's Kara?"

"She's in the shower." Alex explained before noticing the pile of newspapers Maggie had brought.

"I thought Kara may appreciate the headlines." Maggie said catching Alex's questioning glance.

"Girl Power."

"National City's Hero saves Metropolis."

"Women on top."

"Battle of the sexes."

"These should cheer Kara up." Alex commented as she continued to look over the papers "Wow, what do you think Clark said to Lois?" Alex asked as she skimmed the Daily Planet article. "She has torn him a new one."

"Eliza? What are you doing here?" Kara asked emerging from the bedroom.

"I was worried about you." She said hugging her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." Kara said holding Eliza for a little longer than her foster mother was expecting. "You didn't have to come down here."

"Well you or your sister could have answered your phones." Eliza pointed out.

"Sorry." Kara said sheepishly just as her stomach rumbled.

"At least your appetite is unaffected." Alex said. "Good thing Maggie brought breakfast."

"Relax, I brought doughnuts not sesame bagels." Maggie said noticing Kara's frown.

"Really?" Kara asked heading to the box.

"Really."

"Thank you." Kara smiled.

"Anytime."

"Really?" Alex asked. "Cos you told me you had a no doughnut policy."

"Not for Kara." Maggie said before noticing Kara had already finished two of them. "Easy there."

"Sorry, I have to go. I promised Kal I'd see him." Kara said before disappearing in a blur.

"Kal?" Maggie asked confused.

"Her cousin." Alex explained.

"I thought that was Clark."

"Kal, well Kal-El, is his Kryptonian name. Only Kara uses it." Alex said.

"Now Kara is gone, do you want to tell me how she is really doing?" Eliza asked.

"Not great." Alex said. "This on top of Mon-El has pushed her close to her limit. I don't know how to help her."

"None of us did when she first came to Earth either." Eliza reminded her. "But we, especially you, found a way to get through to her, and now look at her."

"I know, but it's not fair she keeps losing people she cares about." Alex said sadly.

-00-

"Kara." Kal-El smiled when he saw his cousin enter. His expression then turned serious and he added. "I am so sorry for what I said and did."

"It's not your fault. Trust me I know."

"That doesn't make me feel less guilty."

"The guilt is going to be with you for a while." Kara said sympathetically before asking. "Have you spoken to Lois?"

"I have. She pointed out you are really good at kicking by backside." Seeing Kara's expression he added. "I may have paraphrased. She also said you explained it wasn't my fault. And she said she had forgiven me, but having read the article she wrote, I'm not entirely sure she was being honest."

"I'm sure she'll get over it." Kara said.

"I wouldn't blame her if she didn't. And I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't forgive me."

"Kal, I've been there. I said horrible things to Alex, but she forgave me. The hardest person to get forgiveness from is yourself."

"I appreciate your understanding, but I will make this up to you." He said.

"There's no need."

"Yes there is, especially after everything that has happened recently." Clark said. Not wanting to talk further Kara quickly said.

"I have to go to work or Snapper will probably fire me, again. I'll see you later."

"Sure. And Kara?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Of course." Kara smiled before leaving. As she walked down the corridor she bumped into Winn.

"Hey. Sorry. Didn't see you there." Winn said before looking up and noticing who it was. "Kara? Hey."

"Hi. Did I hurt you?"

"No. I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine." Kara said.

"Are you sure? I mean after everything I would have thought you wouldn't be-"

"Winn, I'm fine." Kara cut in.

"Look, I know it has been different between us since Guardian, but I miss hanging with you. I miss being your friend."

"I miss being your friend too." Kara agreed.

"So do you want to talk about yesterday?"

"No. I just want to forget yesterday." Kara said.

"Well if you change your mind. I'm here."

"I know."

"So we're friends again right?" Winn asked.

"Yes."

"Good. But if we are Superfirends again does that mean Games Night is back on?" He asked. "Because I'm pretty sure it is my turn to choose the game."

"Not how I remember it." Kara said.

"So tonight?" Winn suggested, not wanting Kara to be alone.

"I can't. I'm swamped. Next week?"

"Sure. But if we haven't had it by next Wednesday I'm showing up regardless." He warned not wanting Kara to push him away.

"Okay." Kara agreed. "Look, I have to go."

-00-

"Clark." Eliza smiled entering his room a little later.

"Eliza." He smiled as he hugged her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. And you?"

"Ignoring the fact that yesterday I tried to kill Kara who earlier spent ten minutes in here lying to me about being fine? I'm great. You?"

"I'm fine. What happened wasn't your fault."

"That doesn't make up for what I did. I said some terrible things to her. How do I make this up to her?"

"Kara has always feared not being not being needed." Eliza said. "I know you didn't mean what you said, but it reinforced her fears at a time when she already feels alone."

"I know." Clark said guiltily.

"So make her feel needed." Eliza said.

For a moment he looked at Eliza before inspiration struck. "Thank you."

"Any time." She smiled as J'onn entered the room.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Pretty horrible." Superman confessed. "I got lucky. I could have done anything."

"It is the timing that worries me." J'onn said. "Alex and I were locked in secure facility the entire time and had no idea what was happening. It may be paranoia, but I doubt the Generals in the room were left in the dark."

"You think I was deliberately infected? To what end?"

"I don't know. It could have been Cadmus. I mean since Mon-El left Kara has been distracted, maybe they hoped that would give you the edge and after she no longer stood in the way you would cause enough damage to unite Earth against you."

"Do you have any proof?" Eliza asked.

"No. It's just a hunch. Right now Winn is investigating how you got exposed. He is also trying to find any other red Kryptonite that may be out there. If it was Cadmus we may never know, but watch your step."

"Of course." Clark nodded. "If you find anything let me know. In the mean time I have something have to do."

-00-

"Hey Kara." Clark said as he approached her an hour later at CatCo.

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Guilty. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to keep apologising." Kara smiled.

"I feel like I do." Clark said. "Which is why I feel really bad about this, after everything I said to you and everything you did for me, but I need your help."

"My help? Why?"

"You've been through this before and you regained the trust of National City. I need your help doing that."

"There's no magic fix, it just takes time." Kara said.

"I know, but I was thinking maybe it would go smoother if you came with me. You saw the headlines, the people love you and they fear me. If you were with me maybe they would fear me less."

"Ponytail, where's the final copy." Snapper shouted as he approached her. When he saw Clark he greeted cooly. "Kent. What are you doing here?"

"Offering Kara a chance to interview Superman."

"Why?" Snapper asked suspiciously. "You hoping he'll kill off your competition."

"Superman has been cured." Clark smiled.

"Says you. And if that is the case why help Danvers?"

"I owe her." Clark said.

"You trust him?" Snapper asked Kara before adding. "Stupid question, you trust everyone. Fine go talk to Superman, write up his grovelling apology."

-00-

When Kara flew into her apartment late that evening she was surprised to find lights on and people in there.

"Did I forget a dinner?" Kara asked confused.

"No Sweetie." Eliza said as she hugged her.

"Then why are you all here?" She asked looking from Eliza to Alex to Maggie to J'onn to Winn to James.

"To see you." James said.

"Why? What's happened?"

"We just wanted to make sure you're okay." Eliza said.

"I'm fine. You didn't have to come over."

"Does she realise how bad at lying she is?" Maggie asked.

"We've told her often enough." Alex shrugged.

"I think it is a Kryptonian thing. Clark is bad at it as well." James added.

"It has its advantages." J'onn commented.

"Seriously. I'm fine." Kara said trying to ignore them.

"Then you won't mind if we stay for dinner." Eliza said.

"Actually I was planning on getting an early night. It's been a long day." Kara said.

"We saw on the news." Alex said. "But we won't be here long, unless you want us here. In which case we are here all night."

"I'm fine." Kara said.

"No you're not." J'onn said.

"And we have potstickers." Alex said as Eliza added.

"And chocolate pecan pie."

"I appreciate what you are trying to do. But there is no need. I am fine."

"Crinkle." Alex stated.

"Next time I solar flare I am botoxing." Kara muttered. "I just need time. I will be okay. You don't have to be here."

"We know. But we want to be here." Eliza said.

"We are not letting you go through this alone." Alex added before stepping forward and hugging Kara. "We are stronger together." Alex said moments before the others stepped forward and hugged her.

The End


A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. I hope you enjoyed it. Anna, thanks for the feedback.