Updated chapter 5! Hope you enjoy!
Kara's been chewed out plenty of times before. She was a handful as a child, both before and after Krypton's death; always rough-housing around the El family estate, making herself a nuisance towards her extended family, and then on Earth, trying her best not to let her nascent abilities overwhelm her. Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers were pretty patient with her, but there's only so many times your kitchen – or living room, or bathroom – can be demolished before you lose your temper. Her control got better, eventually, but spikes of clumsiness have plagued her ever since, further angering everyone around her. There was that date whose clavicle she unintentionally pulverized at prom – in her defense, the guy got a bit handsy – and the whole catalog of offenses she racked up, working for Jameson. If her eardrums weren't as indestructible as the rest of her body, they would've ruptured for sure.
Most of the time, she can explain things away as mere accidents. A rush of adrenaline, a total lack of balance, things like that. She's never been reprimanded for intentionally using her superpowers before, however.
"Tell me what you see, Kara." –Maria Hill asks her, referring to the screen hung above the map of New York she'd been studying in the tent Kara was directed to. Hill's tone is neutral, but her eyes betray a certain...disdain.
The image is remarkably clear, considering its subject matter; Kara, flying through a window, punching a whale monster straight into the ground.
"I'm flying through a building a punching a giant space fish in the face."
"That space fish then proceeded to land on the streets, crushing dozens of cars and ruining half a block. You got lucky that time; people saw that thing coming and ran for the hills. The only damage you caused was to the city itself."
Kara swallows. Hill puts on another clip. This time, she's 'tanking' – that's what Winn called it, anyway – a torrent of plasma bolts, drawing the foot soldiers' attention while Winn lined up a shot. "How about here?"
"Well, he's off-camera, but my friend Winn was moving to a better angle to shoot at the Chitauri. I was covering him."
Hill crosses her arms. She reminds her a bit of aunt Astra, the House of El's black sheep – an unbeatable warrior in a family of science, practically unheard of. The horror stories Kara's heard from Alex about Hill...Kara can see why her sister holds a healthy bit of fear and respect for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Deputy Director. "Oh? Does Mr. Schott have some kind of marksman training we're somehow unaware of?"
Kara resists the urge to snort, wincing instead. "Only in videogames. Still, he was a pretty good shot."
"What he is, is a civilian, Kara. He has no enhancements or training to speak of. While his behavior under pressure is...admirable, he's an outlier. What if he'd gotten ambushed while you were drawing their fire? Could you have gotten to him in time?"
"Maybe?"
"You don't know?"
"...no. I mean, I do know. I probably wouldn't have reached him in time to save him in that scenario. But we took a risk, and it paid off."
"That time."
Kara's stomach drops. She knows what's coming. Hill plays the next clip, but Kara closes her eyes. She doesn't need to see it again – not when she knows she'll be replaying the scene in her dreams for the rest of her life. The screams, however, she can't drown out. "What about this one, Kara?" –Hill asks her, her tone as tough as Kara's own skin.
"I...I couldn't..."
"Why?"
Kara grabs her elbows, the beginning of tears starting to form. "I got distracted."
"How so?"
The first tears begin to fall. "I was doing so well...finally able to let loose, take everything out on those monsters...I felt like myself for the first time since I landed here. I...got carried away."
Hill turns the display off, leaning back against the center table. "I'll tell you this, Kara. Nobody gets to have a perfect record – not us, not the police, and certainly not any of the Avengers. Sometimes, we can't save everybody. But, we give it our best shot, even if it means sacrificing ourselves." –she says. "You're lucky; you don't need to worry about that part. As far as anyone can tell, you're indestructible. But you lack focus – on the enemy, on the environment you're fighting in, and most of all, on the people you have to protect. Your needs have to come last. Your wants aren't even part of the picture. Being a hero can't ever be about the power fantasy."
Kara nods, swallowing the knot in her throat. "I know. I screwed up."
The agent's gaze softens, ever so slightly. "We all do, eventually. I'm not your boss, and Director Fury has, for some reason, decided to let the Avengers manage themselves, but I'm going to strongly recommend a training regime, both physical and in squad tactics. I know you have the best of intentions, but that's just not going to cut it out there in the field."
Kara nods. "I understand."
"You will, in any case. If you're still set on helping today, go find Captain Rogers. He's helping clear the rubble on 6th street."
Hill walks out of the tent leaving Kara with her thoughts. She didn't expect Alex's boss to know about her horrific mistake – not even Winn had realized, chalking Kara's anguished cries up to her generally kind nature – but S.H.I.E.L.D., it seems, lives up to its reputation, still tracking her every move – even during the end of the world. It's been like this ever since S.H.I.E.L.D. found her in a corn field in Kansas, and she doubts that'll ever change. She must have the largest file on their Superhuman Enhancement Index, by far – the testing was extensive.
Eventually, she opts not to wallow any longer. 'Be a woman of action, Kara,', Astra seems to speak in her mind, 'words and thoughts are for those unwilling to hold their fates in their hands.'
Of course, she was branded a rebel and terrorist soon after, but that's neither here nor there.
Kara takes to the streets, by air and foot. Ever since her arrival, Kara has been continually impressed with humanity's ability to survive. No matter how badly they get knocked down, the humans always seem to rise, right back up. Kryptonian culture was never nearly so flexible or spirited – too ancient and self-assured, arrogant in their power. They'd ruled entire solar systems for eons by the time of Krypton's doom, and thus expected little to threaten them, growing complacent. The explosion was the final nail in their species' coffin, of course, but this attitude is what made the Empire fall apart, beforehand. Kara wasn't exactly taught the truth of Kryptonian society's downfall in school, but aunt Astra and uncle Non made sure she knew – their homeworld left their colonies to die, at the mercy of pirates and conquerors, stamping out any sort of insurgency on Krypton by brutal means, even while their world crumbled around them.
In any case, flying over the ruined streets of New York is as sobering as it is inspiring. The Chitauri were merciless in their destruction – she counts only two undamaged buildings on her way to Captain Rogers. It takes a while, too, as she seems unable to advance half a block without spotting someone that could use her help.
"Hey, you're that alien lady, right?" –one such man, an older fellow wearing a bright yellow construction helmet asks her as she lands near him and his crew, crowded around a huge steel beam.
She nods, a bit fearful. "Y-yeah. Call me Supergirl."
"Yeah, yeah, I read Jameson's shit piece. Say, you're pretty strong, yeah? Think you can lift this thing? Crane's stuck God-knows where and we hafta weld this in."
Relief floods her. "Oh. Sure!" –she says, grabbing the metallic support. She can barely feel the weight, but the balance is the tricky part – it wobbles a bit in her arms as she floats upwards.
Kara can't help smiling at the astonished looks on the workers waiting for her, three stories above.
"Hey guys." –she says.
"Holy shit, lady."
"Yeah, what the hell?"
" That's fucking cool, man."
She blushes. "Come on, it's not that big a deal. I mean, you've seen the other guys. The Avengers."
One of the guys shrugs as he helps steer her charge into place. "I mean, sure, Stark and his pals, they're flashy. Ain't seen any of 'em around here, though."
Kara frowns. "Really? I was told to look for Captain America around here."
"I think Lenny saw him this morning? Probably hasn't come out of his tent since, though, just like yesterday."
"Oh." –Kara says, disappointed. "I thought he'd be on the streets."
"I heard from one of the agents that he's been looking into other superheroes, the ones that didn't make the headlines. Maybe he's onto one?"
Kara purses her lips. "I hope so. Those aliens might never come back, but if they do, we're gonna need all the help we can get."
"No argument here. Thanks, Supergirl."
She nods, flying away. By the time she makes it to 6th street, she's carried a dozen cars out of the way, caught and severed a wild power line, and captured an escaped pet tarantula. If the way its owner nonchalantly puts it on his head like a hat after thanking her freaks her out, she doesn't say a thing.
Kara half-heartedly searches for the Captain on the streets, only to eventually find yet another Stark Industries-branded tent She lands and walks in, instantly spotting Rogers, who seems frustrated as he examines a fancy computer tablet.
Rogers looks at her and instantly straightens. "Miss Danvers."
"Hello, Captain Rogers."
"Welcome. I was told you'd visit."
She offers him a hand, which he takes. The man has an iron grip, but she still feels the need to hold everything back so as not to break his hand. Rogers clearly notices, even wincing a little.
"Sorry." –Kara says, swiftly releasing the Captain's hand.
"Don't be." –he replies. "I just...felt a whole lot younger just now."
Kara blinks. "How so?"
"I wasn't always like this." –he says, conflicted, gesturing at his own body – a well-sculpted physique that would have been the envy of any Kryptonian warrior. "Used to be, the wind would blow and I'd need to hold on for dear life."
"Oh. I...didn't know."
"That's alright. It's kind of...refreshing, actually. Everyone seems to have some kind of encyclopedic knowledge about me, these days."
Kara chuckles, a bit more at ease. "That happens when you're, like, people's favorite part about american history. I kinda missed that part of human education, but my sister had a lunchbox with that on it. Not to mention all the comics, and cartoons." –she says, pointing at the perfectly circular shield at his feet.
"Yeah, I've seen a couple. Too wacky, even for me." –he says. "Your sister...she's a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, right? Under Deputy Director Hill?"
"Yeah. Alex Danvers."
"Right. Her family adopted you, then?"
Kara snorts. "More like Fury dropped me off on their front porch, one night...but yeah." –she says, warmly. "The Danvers took me in, raised me as their daughter. Didn't kick me out even though I'd accidentally break half the furniture in the house. Can't thank them enough."
Rogers hums. "I get that. I practically grew up with my best friend." –he says, forlorn. Then, he clears his throat. "Anyway. I hear you're an Avenger, now."
She smiles. "I am, yeah. Never thought you guys would offer, but things have been pretty crazy lately. I'm just trying to roll with the punches, y'know?"
He nods. "I suggest getting as busy as you can. It's hardly a cure, but it'll make things better until this whole mess settles."
"Oh, I have. I think I've carried every heavy thing on New York, this week."
He sighs. "So I've heard. I wish I could be out there with you."
"Why aren't you?" –she blurts out, before she can think any better.
"S.H.I.E.L.D." –he says, more than a bit miffed at the shadowy organization. "They've been trying their best to...'limit my exposure' to the modern world, ever since they thawed me out. If it isn't a psych eval, it's a medical check-up, or testing my abilities, or another psych eval. Any number of obstacles, the latest being this...recruitment drive."
He passes the computer tablet to her. There's a ton of files on display, most of which feel familiar to her – they're just like her Index entries. "So it's not just me. You guys are looking for more Avengers."
"I'm sure Stark mentioned it, but the truth is we were very nearly defeated. If the World Security Council hadn't sent that missile, the Chitauri would've overrun us in a matter of minutes, not to mention all the enemy units we were unable to contain, forcing people such as yourself to intervene, at great personal risk. As much as I hate to admit it, Director Fury has a point; the Avengers Initiative had a decent start, but it has to expand, sooner rather than later. And that means sitting here, trying to find some guy who swings around like a yo-yo and leaves tied-up criminals like presents on police precincts."
Kara gasps. "Are you talking about the Spider-Man!? Half of New York thinks he's an urban legend, and the other half doesn't believe he exists."
"He's real, alright."
"He's also supposed to be from Queens. What's he doing all the way out here?"
Rogers purses his lips. "I'm hoping the invasion drew him out, just like you." –he says. "We need that kind of drive on the team. People willing to protect those who can't defend themselves."
Kara feels her chest warm a little. "Can I help you look?"
He shakes his head. "Not yet. I appreciate the offer, but I don't want to overwhelm him. He's skittish – already evaded me twice. And besides, you've been doing solid work on the streets. Kind of putting the rest of us to shame, honestly."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to."
"There's nothing to be sorry for. You've lived among these people for the better part of a decade. You're closer to them than someone from 1945 could ever hope to be. And as much as I'm sick of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s coddling, they know me well enough; I can't rest without knowing I'm doing everything I can to make sure the next disaster doesn't hit as hard as this one."
Kara looks at the Captain. He seems exactly like the character Alex hero-worshipped as a kid, down to the, frankly, garish star-spangled outfit – a kind, principled man with firmly rooted values and an indomitable drive to do good – but, at the same time, the man that stands before her seems utterly lost in the 21st century. Even disregarding the fact that S.H.I.E.L.D. is treating him like he's made of glass, he doesn't strike her as the kind of person who'd let a measly international spy agency stop him from helping out. Rogers is a soldier, and beyond that, a leader, someone who's commanded troops and won battles. And it's not like Kara's hoping the man will adopt a more authoritarian attitude – she knows to be wary of that kind of military mindset, because when soldiers lose sight of the people they're meant to protect in service of 'the greater good', callousness and cruelty often follow – but letting Fury and his cronies dictate his every move feels...wrong. Out of character, even.
She tries to entice him, offer him an out. "You know, Captain...there's really no need for me to hog the public eye. The Spider-Man is supposed to be nocturnal; I don't think you're gonna find him until nighttime. You could take a break and come help me out."
Rogers pauses, then frowns. "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s file on him doesn't mention that."
Kara winces, because she knows exactly what's going on. "Damn. I thought it was a little odd that you hadn't caught up to him yet. I bet his file doesn't even mention the kid's name."
"It...doesn't. How did you know?" –Rogers asks, confused.
"I'm intimately familiar with how the Index works, Captain. Fury prefers to keep the files on Enhanced minors purposefully bears. Aliases and power sets only."
Rogers narrows his eyes. "You're saying he's underaged."
"He has to be. S.H.I.E.L.D. is an intelligence organization first and foremost; there's no such thing as a truly secret identity in this day and age – not when they're watching. Spider-Man is no exception."
"That makes finding him more of a priority, then."
Kara frowns. "You're not seriously considering a teenager for a spot on the team, are you?"
"I am. More than I was before, actually."
"He's a kid!"
"With a lot of power on his hands." –he agrees. "No one that young should have to shoulder that much responsibility, least of all alone. He needs training and support. I know I couldn't have done half the things I did back in the day without my team."
Kara crosses her arms. "He's not a soldier, Captain."
Rogers looks contrite, but his resolve does not waver. "I know. Stark said the same thing, before the battle. But you fought those things, Kara. We can't afford to treat these kinds of threats any other way. We may not be soldiers, not in the traditional sense, but people are going to count on the Avengers to defend the planet from now on. And I hate the term, but we're heroes now. It's on us, now, to live up to those ideals – to lead, and ensure people like this Spider-Man keep using their gifts and talents to protect people."
The Kryptonian scowls, uncomfortable. Rogers's motivations make sense, but the idea of recruiting a teenager does not sit well with her. The main reason she managed to turn out somewhat okay, despite the heap of trauma she carries around, is that she had the chance to grow up, to have a somewhat normal life on Earth – to play with her sister, go to school, to have a terrible prom date.
"Kara, I understand your discomfort. I know it's risky. This life is dangerous, even if you're invulnerable – the people you love often aren't. I know that, believe me. But I'd rather have him closer, where we can help him." –he says, then shakes his head. "People said he was wearing jeans during the battle."
Kara doesn't feel quite as reassured as she'd like, but she nods. "Right...well, offer's still standing. You're welcome to help out."
Rogers gives her an apologetic smile. "I'll take a rain check. There's a lot do here, even if the Spider-Man doesn't appear. Thank you, Kara."
She nods, exiting the tent. Kara wills her feet off the ground, troubled.
As always, thank you for your attention! Make sure to comment or message me if you have any questions about this story. Look me up on Twitter as Darthkvzn or Tumblr as darthkvznblogs if you'd like - and on Ko-fi, as Darthkvzn, if you like what I do and have a buck to spare.
Until next time!