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. Hey, a little comeback of this story. This isn't back on a regular schedule or anything, but I thought of this chapter and had to do it. Hope you like it.

5. And yes, Note 3 is kind of negated in this chapter. But only this one.

OUT OF PLACE

"You're not with Mary... ?"

This was not Kara Zor-El's first dealing with parallel dimensions, but it was surely the strangest yet. She looked at the woman who was almost her double. The confusion and hurt was clear as day on her face. "I'm sorry," Kara said gently. "I don't know anyone called Mary."

Mae Batson-Trix held her head and blinked. "God, I... I can't... " She took a visible gulp of air. "I... I'm sorry. It's just... I can't believe it. I can't believe any version of me wouldn't be with... " She stopped again, and managed a halfhearted chuckle. "I know, I know... you're not me. I'm not you. It's just... weird."

Kara sighed in understanding. This woman, this alternate version of herself - so to speak - arrived out the blue three days ago. How was unsure: she just turned up in National City. J'onn and Alex surmised it might have been a result of their dimensions "vibrating" so close together that, in a moment of superspeed, Mae broke through the barrier and crossed worlds.

At first, Kara and the DEO were suspicious of this new arrival, who looked so much like the Kryptonian. But a quick - and consensual - mindscan from J'onn confirmed Mae's nature. It turned out this doppleganger's universe had its own Martian Manhunter, and he was trusted implicitly throughout the superhero community... which was evidently much larger than in Kara's universe.

And about Mae's true nature; it truly startled Kara to learn she was not from Krypton. Instead, she was, of all things, a shapeshifter! Like Kara did not know enough of those. That also proved Mae was not simply an alternate version of herself - they were not the same person. They simply shared the same heroic persona.

Learning about Mae's background was fascinating... and deeply troubling. Kara was horrified to learn in her dimension, Kal was the only surviving Kryptonian. Kara always felt terrible loneliness and guilt, being from a dead world, with only her cousin to share the pain. But Mae's Man of Steel was truly alone. The sole survivor. What was just as creepy was the knowledge Kara was dead in this other universe. If she ever existed at all.

Kara would rather not focus on that, though. Instead, she dedicated herself to helping her counterpart. No stranger to feeling stranded in a strange place, Kara decided to take Mae under her wing, not that she needed it. This Superwoman seemed a little more mature and grounded than Kara. Clearly, Mae had been on her Earth longer than Kara had been on hers, and was thus more settled.

Mae was particularly eager to return home, obviously. But it was only when Kara caught her tearing up it became evident exactly why. Mae had a wife, young daughter and infant son, who were no doubt worried terribly about her.

It was this revelation about Mae's homelife that brought about her question, which still rang in Kara's mind now. "I'll help you get back to your family, Mae. I promise." She rested a hand on the shapeshifter's shoulder.

"Thank you," Mae said, forcing a smile. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have presumed. It's just... a world without Mary. I couldn't live there... here... oh, you know." Kara gave a sympathetic smile, but it dropped when Mae closed her eyes in pain. "I miss them so much. It's only been three days, but I feel broken."

"I'm so sorry, Mae," whispered the Kryptonian. "I can't imagine being without my own wife or children."

At that, Mae darted her head at her. "You have a wife? Who? If it's not Mary Batson, then... ?"

Kara could not help the prideful smile on her face. "My Human name is Kara Danvers-Grant. My wife is Catherine... or Cat for short."

Mae's eyes threatened to burst out of their sockets. "Cat Grant?!" Her jaw almost hit the floor. "You're married to Cat Grant?"

"Evidently, your world has its own Cat Grant," chuckled Kara. "And by the sound of it, she's alot like mine, too?"

Mae blinked several times, probably trying to find a way to explain her Cat without insulting Kara's spouse. "She has her ways... " she eventually struggled. "But she has a good heart. Anyone who really knows her knows she's wonderful."

Nodding in agreement, Kara's grin widened. "Sounds like Cat, alright." The Kryptonian thought about asking more, but decided against it. To be honest, she did not want to know: the love she had for her wife was so strong, she hated the idea of any Cat Grant being with someone else. And the possibility of their children not existing? Too horrible to contemplate.

"You know... that does explain her reaction to me," Mae offered. Kara let out a hearty laugh as she recalled what occurred two days ago. A fire broke out at CatCo, and clearly this alternate Superwoman was just as responsible as Kara, as she turned up to help despite being dimension-displaced. When she personally rescued the company founder and flew her out the building, Mae was shocked at Cat's actions. Thinking it was her Woman of Steel, sweeping her up like she always did, Cat lent in for a sneaky kiss. Then she got a proper look at her rescuer, and almost had a stroke.

After that slight debacle, Kara decided to keep the two apart: Cat Danvers-Grant was rather... possessive of her wife, and did not like the presence of this "impostor" at all. The media mogul was quite happy to leave them to it until they got Mae back home. Kara remembered giggling at Cat's words as she left the DEO HQ: "Don't even think about swapping places with her just to get away from me."

Mae's voice brought Kara back to the present. "No offence, but Mary wouldn't like the idea that Cat Grant tried to kiss me," the shapeshifter said ruefully. "It's probably best I keep that bit to myself when I get home." However, her face fell once more, and Kara saw nothing but pain. "If I get home... "

Kara's heart nearly broke. "Mae... "

A sob escaped Mae, as she wiped her eyes before tears could fall. "My little boy... he's only two months old. I... I'm scared I'm never going to see him again... "

Kara moved until the two heroines were face-to-face, and she gently yet firmly gripped the arms of Mae, covered by her much-brighter costume. "You will, Mae. I swear it. We'll get you back to your family. I'll personally make sure."

Taking a deep gulp, Mae eventually nodded. "I'm... sorry. I, I'm not usually like this. It's just... "

"Hey, it's OK," soothed Kara. "I understand." She certainly did: she would rather die than never see her wife and children again.

"Thank you," whispered Mae.

"No worries," smiled Kara. "After all, we Supergirls have to stick together." She was about to speak again, when she heard something in the distance. Her face instantly became focused and determined.

Mae noticed her change. "Trouble?"

"The City Bank," Kara said simply. "Hostages." She released her hold on Mae and was about to leave, when she paused. "Want to help?"

Mirroring the Kryptonian's demeanour, her own pain stifled for now, Mae gave a curt nod. "I'd be honoured."

Getting Mae home was a top priority. But for now, Kara was glad she was not alone in doing what all Superwomen, regardless of universe, were clearly born to do...