Chapter Fourteen

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

14:12 – Station Time (EST)

March 14, 2007

Nightwing found himself back at the window that Kara had shown him earlier, gazing down at the Earth below. For the first time in years, he felt at peace. It was just him and the planet. He liked the fact that very few people came down this particular hallway. It was out of the way, meaning that the only people here were those that had a purpose to be.

Feeling a presence behind him, he turned to look at who it was. Stood further down the corridor was the orange Tameranean girl. She stared at him, making him feel uncomfortable. While there was an innocence and vulnerability about the way she held herself, he knew that she had given Wonder Woman a hard time, which meant that she certainly wasn't vulnerable. Quite the opposite.

She said something in her native language that he didn't understand, before slowly approaching non-threateningly. He forced himself to not look intimidated and looked back down towards the Earth while keeping watch of her through his peripheral vision.

The Tamaranean said something to him, causing him to look over at her, or rather up at her.

He was five-foot-ten, just above average height. At a guess, she was six-four. He truly got a good look at her eyes. He had noticed they were green before, but only now could he see that she appeared to have no pupils. He didn't know whether he found it appealing, or whether it made her look dead. If he was honest, it was a bit of both.

She spoke again and he shook his head. "Sorry, I don't understand you."

She stepped in front of him with a smirk on her face. He found it off-putting, not for any other reason than it reminded him of Catwoman when she was on the prowl for a boy-toy. He should know, as she had attempted to come after him for that reason on more than one occasion. Every time his answer was the same. No.

He knew the reason why Selina came after him. She had pretty much given up on Batman and thought that he was a good substitute.

Nightwing disagreed. He had no interest in the thief. He also didn't like the idea of being a stand-in for someone else. Especially not Batman.

The girl said something else to him, bringing him out of his thoughts. He shook his head, pointing to his mouth. "I don't understand a word you're saying."

Before he knew what was happening, she had grabbed hold of the back of his head and had firmly planted her lips against his.

He tried to pull free but quickly realised that there was absolutely no chance. It might as well have been a steel girder holding him in place.

The orange alien pulled away, looking him in the eye. "You weren't even trying," she said to him.

Nightwing felt his jaw go slack. "Wait, you can speak English?"

"I can now," she said. "I think we should try that again."

"Hold on-" He didn't get to finish as she kissed him again. Almost out of instinct, his arms wrapped around her back.

Their lips parted and she stepped away. "You'll have to work on that. You're not even trying."

"Wha-?" was all he could say.

She smirked at him. "I better get back or I might get in trouble."

"Trouble?"

"Yeah. The Thanagarian guy likes to boss us around. I don't even want to go back to Tamaran."

"That's your home, right?"

The orange girl shrugged. "Used to be."

"Why do you say that?"

She didn't answer. She just turned and walked away, pausing further down the hall. "I am Koriand'r," she said over her shoulder. "Though I suppose in your language it would be Starfire."

"Um, I'm Nightwing."

She smiled at him, before moving off around behind the curve in the hallway, leaving Nightwing feeling completely perplexed as to what had just happened.

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

14:50 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Shayera stared out at the city from the roof, lost in thought. She had been seriously thinking on what Inza had said to her and she realised that her friend was right. While she would always love John Stewart in her heart, it was about time that she moved on with her life and stopped hoping for the impossible.

Since re-joining the league she had spent most of her time here, or on the Watchtower. He felt it was the right time that she went back on patrol somewhere, instead of hanging around the Metro or Watchtower waiting for a mission.

Her first instinct was Midway City. It was where she had found herself when she first arrived on Earth. Unfortunately, that's where Hawkman had decided to set up residence and sharing a city with him wasn't very appealing.

Still, she wanted to go to Midway as there was someone she wanted to see again. The last time the two had spoken, it had been on bad terms. It was about time she tried to make amends with the woman she had known before the league, the woman who had been her first friend here on Earth.

"Come here to think?"

Shayera turned to see Flash stood by the roof access door. "Yeah," she replied. "The same?" she asked him.

"Yeah. I wasn't expecting anyone to be here."

"I can go if you want?" Shayera offered.

"Nah," he said, standing next to her. "Maybe we should stand here and think about stuff together."

"Sorry about your job," Shayera said sympathetically.

"So am I," he said. "For now, I'll have to live on the league paycheck."

"It's enough for me," Shayera said.

"It's enough as long as you don't have an apartment to rent, not to mention my appetite. I'll have eaten through my savings in no time."

"Have you talked to Batman about it? I'm sure he could offer you a job somewhere."

"I've thought about it, but I'm kinda afraid to approach him on it. He seems especially cold lately."

Shayera gave him a wry look. "You're not scared of him are you?"

"Bats is a scary guy."

She chuckled. "I'm sure something will come up."

Flash followed her gaze out to the city, before rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Shayera, I need to ask you something."

She glanced at him. "What is it?"

"Do you think people can really change?"

"You speaking about Galatea?"

"I guess."

"So, it's someone else you're talking about?" Shayera wondered.

"It doesn't matter who I'm talking about. I just need to know if you think people really are capable of changing?"

"Yes they can," the Thanagarian said with conviction. "Given the right circumstances, people can change. Sometimes it's for the better, other times it's for the worst. Hro changed. He became a cold-hearted monster that didn't care if he had to destroy a thousand worlds to save Thanagar. He became the monster he fought."

"You still love him, though," Flash observed. "Even though he's dead now."

"Yeah. I love John too, but just like Hro, I can't be with him. For different reasons obviously, but it doesn't matter. His heart belongs to someone else."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Flash said.

Shayera looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"I've heard things."

She glared. "Don't mess with me, Wally."

"I'm not. Don't give up on him just yet."

"Flash, I have to. I can't wait forever."

"I'm betting you won't have to," Flash said as he turned around and headed back inside.

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

15:32 – Station Time (EST)

March 14, 2007

John Stewart waited for the Thanagarian, Lrek Tomar to arrive in the interstellar cartography room.

He had wanted to have started by now, but the whole thing with the Cadmus clone had put everything else on hold. Now, he was hoping to start mapping the safest route back to the Vega system.

While the Watchtowers Javelins were capable of interstellar flight, including hyperdrive, it's range was limited. They would have to drop out of FTL flight and then cruise while waiting for it to recharge before they could re-enter hyperdrive. This meant that it could take a good few weeks. Tamaran, after all, was a very long way away in a sector of space that was home to the Orange Lantern Corps. They were the reason the Green Lanterns weren't allowed in Vega, due to an agreement.

He looked over at the door as it slid open. He had been expecting Lrek, but instead, it was Vixen.

"Mari now's not a good time," he told her, hoping she would get the hint and leave. Unfortunately, he wasn't that lucky.

"You've been avoiding me," she said, taking a quick glance around the room, before focusing her eyes back on him. "It's because I turned down you down, isn't it?"

"Mari, things have been a little hectic over the last few days. With the appearance of the Thanagarian with the two Tamaraneans and the thing with Galatea. I haven't had time."

"That's bull! You've had plenty of time. Look, maybe one day I will, but right now I'm happy the way things are. Aren't you?"

"After the aliens are on their way back to the Vega system, then we can talk about this. Right now, I'm busy."

"So, you're going to be busy until they leave?" she demanded. "Twenty-four-seven, until they've gone?"

"Of course not."

"Then you do have time to see me. I'm not asking for dates, John. I just want to talk to you. Since that night in Italy, I literally haven't seen you."

"I told you. It's because I've been busy."

"You're a bad liar, John. You've been avoiding me on purpose!"

The door slid open once more, revealing Lrek.

John lowered his voice. "Can we talk about this later?"

Vixen looked back at the Thanagarian, then back at John. "You'd better," she warned before storming out.

Once the door had slid shut, Lrek addressed the Green Lantern with an amused expression. "Problems with your woman?"

"None of your business," he said. The last thing he wanted right now was to discuss his relationship problems with a stranger. Especially one he didn't really trust. "We should get straight to planning the best route to the Vega system."

"If you want," Lrek said. "The fastest route would probably be best."

"Not really," Lantern disagreed. "I have already calculated that the Javelin shuttle will need to slow to sublight around thirty-seven times to recharge. That's almost two weeks travel time total. We need to make sure that every time you have to slow down that it's not anywhere hostile or dangerous. Which is why we need to plan a safe route."

"So you've already planned one out?" Lrek asked.

"No. The thirty-seven times is based on going straight there," Lantern told him. "Though it begs the question as to how you got here from the Vega system so easily?"

"We were hit by an energy blast from a Psion ship when we were entering hyperspace. The plan was to get out of the sector, then sneak back in."

"The energy blast must have supercharged the hyperdrive. You're lucky it didn't destroy you."

"I'd say unlucky. If we'd been lucky, the two Tamaraneans would be home and I would have been paid by now. Instead, I have to converse with primitives. Now let's get this over and done with."

John ignored the insult and brought up a three-dimensional holographic map, which formed in the centre of the room and the two began planning.

Kent Farm

Smallville

United States

15:02 – Central Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Kara In-Ze stepped onto the familiar porch, nostalgia striking her in waves. It had been so long since she had been here, at least for her it had. Ten years, but only a year for the Kents. There were a lot of memories from the six or so years she had lived here.

She hoped they were in. Their truck was in the drive, which was a good sign, but most of the farm looked unused. Weeds had started to fill the fields that had once been full of crops and a lot of the old fences had fallen down.

The whole scene made her feel sad. Before she had headed into the future, she had helped them maintain the farm. To see it now starting to fall apart was disheartening.

She took in a deep breath, then knocked on the front door. After a few moments, it opened, revealing Jonathan Kent.

"Kara," he said with a wide smile. "Come on in. we heard you were back."

She headed inside, taking a quick look around. "Sorry I didn't visit earlier," she said as they made their way into the lounge, where Martha was sat.

"Kara," Martha said, standing up, giving her a hug. "You should have called ahead, we would have been more inviting."

"No, it's fine," Kara said. "What happened to the farm? Looks a little run down."

"We're too old to maintain it these days," Jonathan told her.

"Why not hire some workers?" she asked.

"Not comfortable with strangers on the farm," Martha said. "Considering who Clark and you are an'-all."

"We still have the chickens," Jonathan said. "But that's about it."

"I feel so bad. I used to do most of the work here whenever I could. I was so selfish. How could I have done that when I was needed here?"

Martha chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Clark explained everything."

"Speaking of Clark, isn't he helping out?"

"He's far too busy these days," Jonathan said.

"When he isn't with the Justice League, he's at the Daily Planet," Martha added.

"We're thinking of selling the farm," Jonathan said.

Kara couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Sell the farm?"

"Yes," Martha confirmed.

"What would you do, where would you go?" Kara asked, feeling shocked.

"We could always move to Metropolis," Martha said.

"You've lived out here your whole lives. I don't think you'd really like spending the rest of your lives in a noisy, busy city."

"No," Jonathan accepted. "I guess not. We'll think of something."

"I'm back now, I'll help you get things back in order, we'll turn this place around," kara urged, hoping to change their minds.

"I like the enthusiasm," Martha said smiling. "But you have your own life. We don't want to tie you down here."

"Well, we could still hire people to help out," Kara said. "I mean Clark's ship is still at STAR Labs, right?"

"Last I heard," Jonathan said. "He hasn't touched it since joining the league as far as I remember."

"So there's nothing here that someone could find that could link you to Superman or me?"

"No, not that I can recall," Jonathan said. "But We're still not fond of strangers on the farm."

Kara gave up. "Okay. If you think selling the farm's for the best."

"We haven't made up our minds yet," Martha reassured her. "We might just stay here till time takes us."

Kara nodded glumly, not wanting to think about them passing away. "Well, maybe I should move back in. The league has a teleporter, so I'm always a call away if they need me."

"You don't have to move back here," Jonathan said. "It's not needed."

"Maybe not, but I still want to move back in."

"If you want to, then we won't stop you," Martha said. "It will be nice to have you back in the house, though."

"Your room is as you left it," Jonathan said. "Except for cleanin' it, so it doesn't get dusty."

"You could stay tonight," Martha offered.

"I might, but I want to see Babs at some point today."

"Haven't you seen her yet?" Martha asked surprised.

"Yeah, twice. But she's gone through some things recently and I want to be there for her."

"You're such a sweet girl," Martha said.

"I'm thirty-two," Kara told them. "I'm not a girl anymore.

"So strange," Jonathan commented. "Last we saw you, you were only twenty-one. You're still a youngster to us, though."

Kara chuckled as her eyes started to fill up with tears. She had really missed them. After all they had done, she had just turned around and left at the first opportunity.

"I'm sorry for not saying goodbye," she said suddenly feeling down.

"It's fine. You left those messages for us and for Clark. They were enough," Jonathan said. "We were happy for you."

"And I was happy," she said. "But I can see now that I'm needed here. Perhaps even more than I was needed in the future." She looked at the two elderly humans that sat in their armchairs. "You've always been so kind to me. I'm going to pay you back for it."

"There's no need," Jonathan dismissed.

"No, I want to," she urged. "Anything you need help with, or want doing and I'll do my best to make sure it happens, no matter what it is."

"If you're certain," Martha said.

Jonathan took a long look around the living room. "Well, I have been wanting to redecorate this room."

Martha glared at him, slapping his leg. "Jonathan, don't take advantage of her," she warned.

Kara laughed out loud. "I'd be happy to help you decorate. This place could do with a bit of sprucing up."

Jonathan rubbed his hands together. "We might just have to stay here and not sell after all."

Kara laughed before the two elderly Kent's joined in. Her laughter died down as she realised she had missed them far more than she thought.

They had taken her in when she had been orphaned and Clark had rescued her from the frozen wasteland that was Argo. They had shown her love when she needed it. For that, she would forever be grateful and in their debt.

High Above Metropolis

16:57 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Galatea stared down through the breaks in the clouds at the city far below.

She had been there since she had hastily flown away from the Metro Tower, deep in thought regarding her past and her future.

Her first memories were of her father, Emil and his team. By then, she already knew several languages and the basics on America including its culture and on fighting and how to kill.

The knowledge had been implanted in her brain before she had ever even opened her eyes and she often wondered what else had been implanted there. Was her dislike for the league, for Supergirl especially, all pre-programmed into her? Was she no more than a biological robot?

Galatea knew she was made to be a thinking being, but she was still grown and programmed in the tank to follow orders. She, of course, had discarded those orders when she had seen fit to, so did that mean she had more free will than what they had intended?

She liked to think so, but what was free will? Everyone made decisions based on input. Something happens and then the person makes a choice based on that. Was that free will? Was there really a choice being made, or was every choice simply a reaction to events?

That led her to the question of what was self? Who was she? Was she simply a copy of someone else, or was she a different person? Sexual reproduction was simply natural duplication, but using two people as the template instead of one. If she was her own person, not just a duplicate, but offspring, did that make Supergirl her mother?

She didn't really want to think about that. But in a real sense, it was true. Her genes, her very make-up came from Supergirl. In a sense, she was her offspring and that made Galatea's head spin.

After a large yawn and feeling some fatigue start to set in, Galatea decided it was time to head back to Pauline's apartment. There was no doubt in her mind that the incident had been on the news and that her 'father' had seen it.

She knew he would be angry and disappointed and truthfully, she was feeling the same way. She should never have gone to the Metro Tower, it had been idiotic. The place was brimming with heroes and she could have easily found herself captured and detained.

Deciding that she needed to talk to him, she descended down into the city and landed in a narrow alleyway. Looking around to make sure that no one had seen her, she headed out and made her way back to the apartment building.

It wasn't long till she was knocking on the door. It opened almost instantly, Emil stood on the other side not looking at all happy. She moved past him and he closed the door.

"You're all over the news, Tea," he told her.

"I just wanted to have a look," she said defensively.

"What if they'd managed to capture you?"

"Then I would be in a cell right now," she replied simply. "I know it was dangerous, but nothing happened."

"Apart from everyone now knowing you have black hair," he pointed out. "We didn't dye it for fun, y'know."

"I can't change the past," she said, walking over to the window and looking out of it. "I was there and they found out. That's it, nothing more."

"At least you didn't fight any of them," he said.

"You think I can't control myself?" she shot back. "You think I see the league and I just lose my mind and attack."

"No, that's not what I'm saying at all."

Galatea turned to the man she saw as her father. "Why did they want to get rid of me?" she asked suddenly, changing the subject.

"You mean at the Keystone facility?"

"Yeah."

He rubbed his eyes. "They're working on another project. A replacement."

"So they wanted to throw me away like an old busted appliance?" He looked away, which gave her the answer she was looking for. "Did they ever see me as anything but a tool to be used then thrown away?" she questioned.

He clenched his fists. "For those that were in charge, yes that's true. They saw you as just another instrument."

"Did Waller see me as a tool to be discarded?"

"I don't know. She's a hard woman, but there is humanity in her. You just have to look for it."

"That doesn't come close to answering my question."

"When you refused to listen when she called off the attack on the Watchtower, she saw you as a liability."

Galatea looked out of the window as a realisation washed over her. "She was right. I was a liability."

His head snapped up. "Don't say that," he said making his way over to where she stood by the window. "You are not a liability."

"If I had done what they had said, then I wouldn't have spent all that time in a coma or a year with my powers neutralised in that facility. Maybe they wouldn't have tried to kill me and maybe we wouldn't be hiding now."

"But you would have still been their tool. If they ordered you to kill, then you would have had to kill."

"Which I've done," she pointed out.

"But do you feel that it's right to kill?"

"I don't know," she said honestly. "I'm not sure how I feel about any of it. I thought that-" she trailed off.

"What did you think?"

"I thought that it was her influence."

"Influence? You mean Supergirl?"

"Yes. I thought it was her that made me feel remorse. Now I'm not so sure. I just pushed it out of my mind, said it was because of her and did the job."

"You feel remorse for killing?"

"Maybe. I don't know. It makes me feel empty inside."

"I've never killed," he said. "I wouldn't know how it feels."

"It used to thrill me, make me feel alive," she revealed, unable to meet his eyes. "You must think I'm some kind of monster."

"No, I'm the monster for allowing them to use you like that. It's not like when someone signs up for military service. You were never really given the choice. But you have a choice now. You have free will."

"Do I?" she questioned earnestly. "Listen, you mind if I go to bed early, I haven't been sleeping well and I'm feeling tired."

"Why haven't you been sleeping well?"

"A lot on my mind," she said. "My future mainly."

"Sure, if you're tired, then I won't stop you."

"Thanks." She made her way into the bedroom, where she kicked off her boots and climbed right into bed without even changing out of her clothes.

She just wanted today to be over with, though she knew tomorrow probably wouldn't be any better.

Updated December 2017