DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

3. Just a reminder: the Supergirl in this story is not Kara Zor-El, but the post-Crisis Matrix with an altered backstory. For more information, see Disclaimers/Notes for the first chapter.

4. Eventhough this part isn't set in Metropolis, I reckon at somepoint every major city in the DC Earth would have a Special Crime Unit, hence the mention of an NY SCU.

THREE WORDS

"And stay down!" Supergirl smirked as she watched her girlfriend knock out Metallo with a final punch. After the villain fell to the ground with a thud, Mary Marvel dusted her hands with satisfaction. She was so cute. The World's Mightiest Girl then turned and dashed upto the Girl of Steel. "Are you alright?" she asked anxiously, almost tackling Supergirl and wrapping her arms around her. "Did the kryptonite hurt you? Do you need help?"

Supergirl simply chuckled. "Honey, I'm not actually Kryptonian. His heart has no effect on me whatsoever."

Mary blushed. "Of course, of course. Sorry... I forget, sometimes. I was just worried." She leaned closer and enveloped the shapeshifter's lips with her own, clearly unconcerned about any civilians seeing them on the damaged New York street. Supergirl grinned into the kiss as Mary ran her hands through her blonde hair. The shapeshifter lost herself in the embrace, eventhough she knew they should not be doing this in public. Eventually Mary leaned back with a glassy look in her eyes. She sighed dreamily. "I love you."

Supergirl's eyes bulged. After a second, so did Mary's. "Holy moley!" Mary covered her mouth with a hand. "I, I, I... I'm sorry. I... I shouldn't have... "

"N... no, no... " stammered the Girl of Steel. "It... it's OK. I... " What could she say? She paused as Mary looked down ashamedly. Gently placing a finger under the seventeen-year-old's chin and raising her eyes to hers, Supergirl looked at her directly: there was really only one thing she could say. "Did you... mean it?"

Mary took a deep gulp, then nodded. "But it's OK if... I mean, if you don't... "

"Oh, darling," gasped Supergirl, resting her forehead against Mary's. "Of course I do. I never would've approached you if... if I just... " - how to put it? - "... if my feelings were just casual." She learnt that bitter lesson from Luthor: she wasted so much time with that man before discovering what a monster he was, that Mae resolved never to risk her heart again unless it was for someone she felt very, very deeply for. And now she did. She leaned close and whispered in her girlfriend's ear. "I love you, Mary Batson."

Mary's eyes threatened to pop out of her head, as well as water up. "Really?" she squeaked.

Supergirl tenderly wiped her partner's eyes. She was so beautiful. "You know what this means, right?" she asked after nodding.

"Our lives just got alot more complicated?" breathed Mary.

Smiling, Supergirl stroked her cheek. "I'd rather say 'meaningful', but 'complicated' is probably more accurate. But no, I was going to say - it means, from now on, we can't go into action without eachother. I need to protect you."

Mary laughed. "Don't you mean I need to protect you?"

Supergirl shrugged. "Either's fine."

"Works for me," Mary husked, and leaned close again.

With a blush, Supergirl backed up slightly. "We better go. The SCU will be here soon. Not to mention the press... "

"I don't care," Mary said steadfastly as she gently yet firmly pulled her girlfriend back to her. "I don't want to hide this... hide us. Is it so bad if people know I'm head-over-sandals in love with you?" She began stroking the hair at the nape of Supergirl's neck.

Supergirl grinned wide. "Well, when you put it that way... " She then found herself in another kiss, far more passionate than before. The two young women lost eachother in their love, completely oblivious to the gaggle of people and reporters gathering near...