"Hey Sweetie." Eliza said walking out on the porch the following morning where Kara was sitting wearing an older sweater.
"Eliza." Kara smiled as she looked over at her foster mother as she placed a small object back in her pocket.
"Here." Eliza said handing Kara a cup.
"Thanks." Kara smiled.
"You're up early."
"My body clock isn't too sure where it is." Kara shrugged.
"You okay?" Eliza asked.
"I'm fine." Kara smiled.
"You were looking like you were waiting for something." Eliza said before explaining. "Just now you were looking out like you were waiting for something."
"Just lost in thought." Kara shrugged.
"I don't know what happened and I know you aren't ready to talk about it. But when you are, I am right here." Eliza said.
"I know." Kara nodded. When she didn't say anything else Eliza knew better than to push and instead asked.
"So how long are you staying for?"
"Awhile. If that's okay?"
"Of course it is. This will always be your home." Eliza replied.
"I can't remember the last time I had a Christmas in Midvale." Kara mused.
"It has been a very long time." Eliza said hugging her again before Kara suddenly tensed and pulled away.
"What's wrong?" Eliza asked concerned.
"It's Christmas and I haven't got presents for anyone."
"You being here is more than any of us could have asked for." Eliza smiled.
"Pretty sure the kids will disagree. I should go buy them something." She said standing before stopping and sitting down again commenting. "Only I can't as I don't have any money, or anything in fact."
"Kara stop worrying about, well everything." Eliza said. "We'll figure out together, I mean this isn't first time we have been through this. At least this time you have an Earth identity. And if you want to get the kids something I'll give you the money."
"Thanks." Kara said. "Any idea what they'd actually want? I mean what was in when I was a kid is probably not in now."
"That's probably a good guess. I'll help you with ideas." Eliza said. "But first, let's get some food in you."
-00-
"Hey kids." Kara greeted as she entered the kitchen with Eliza.
"Hey." They replied while eating.
"Where's your mother?" Eliza asked.
"Still asleep." MJ explained.
"I'll take her up some coffee." Eliza said as Kara sat at the table and started on the pancakes.
As Kara sat eating her breakfast she became acutely aware of two pairs of teenage eyes watching her.
"What?" She asked looking up from her food.
"What were they like?" The younger Kara asked.
"Who?" Kara asked.
"Our moms." MJ said.
"Um, they were both kind and brave and both were kinda stubborn. Alex was, still is, my hero." Kara said.
"But you have superpowers." MJ pointed out.
"So?" The older Kara asked. "Having powers doesn't make you a hero."
"It sure helps though." MJ said. "So did mom get into a lot of trouble when she was a teenager?"
"I guess."
"Like what?" The younger Kara asked.
"I'm not sure your mom will want me telling those stories."
"Good guess." Alex said entering the kitchen with Eliza.
"We'll get it out of her." The younger Kara said.
"Told you she was just like you." The older Kara smiled at Alex who decided a change of subject was for the best.
"So what do you want to do today?"
"Can we see your ship?" MJ asked.
"Pretty sure I wasn't talking to you." Alex said looking at her son, before looking back at her sister. "Any plans?"
"I think I might go shopping." Kara said.
"Do you even have a computer?" MJ asked.
"No, but I don't need one." Kara replied confused.
"Then how will you go shopping?" The younger Kara asked.
"By walking into a shop."
"What century are you from?" MJ asked.
"MJ." Alex chastised.
"What? She came here in a spaceship, she should be way more with it than, 'walking into a shop'. Seriously though, where is your space ship?"
"That makes it sound better than it is." Kara said.
"So you do have one." He said. "And it is a ship that travelled through space hence space ship." MJ argued. "So where is it and when can I see it?"
"MJ, give your aunt some space." Alex said sternly.
"But-"
"Weren't you meant to be on your best behaviour so you would get an advance on your allowance?" Alex asked.
"He doesn't need it." The younger Kara said. "He got another job."
"MJ we have talked about this." Alex said. "You are meant to be concentrating on your school work."
"I can do both. You were the one who said it was important to understand the value of money."
"Don't you need parental permission for a paper round?" Kara asked.
"A what?" Both kids said.
"They don't exist anymore." Alex explained. "Everything is digital."
"And has been for like forever." MJ said.
"MJ!" Alex chastised.
"I'm going." He said leaving the room followed by his sister.
"Sorry." Alex said.
"It's fine." The older Kara said. "I guess I have a lot to catch up on."
"You'll be surprised how much hasn't changed in eighteen years." Alex replied. "But there's no rush."
"How's Kal?" Kara asked causing Alex and Eliza to share an awkward glance. "What?" Kara asked.
"Several years ago there was an attack on Earth. Superman won, kind of, but he was gravely injured. He was in a coma for awhile." Alex explained. "After he woke up he wasn't the same. He gave up being Superman. Officially Superman is still in a coma. Clark just became Clark."
"But I am sure he, Lois and boys would love to see you." Eliza added.
"Sure. But not yet." Kara said seemingly lost in thought.
-00-
"You okay?" Eliza asked as she joined Alex on the beach that evening.
"No. She's hiding something. And it's my fault. If I hadn't lost it when she first arrived she would have told us."
"Kara can be just as stubborn as you. She'll talk when she is ready."
"But you agree she is hiding something?"
"Yes." Eliza said.
"I keep imagining what it could be and I-"
"Alex you are bound to jump straight to worse case scenario."
"How can I not? She was gone for eighteen years." Alex said. "How do I make it up to her? How do I make her know she can talk?"
"I know she knows she can talk to us." Eliza said. "She just isn't ready. Just like you."
"What?" Alex asked looking at her mother.
"The panic attacks." Eliza said.
"How do you even know about those?" Alex asked, not even bothering to deny it.
"I'm your mother, I know how not okay you are." Eliza said. "And Kara, your Kara, saw you."
"She did?" Alex asked looking defeated. "When?"
"A couple of weeks ago. She's worried about you."
"Why am I so weak?" Alex asked.
"You are anything but weak." Eliza assured her. "But you are stubborn, we all want to help, but you shut us out."
"Right now it is Kara that needs help."
"You know your sister better than anyone, do you really think she wants to add to your pain by sharing hers?" Eliza asked. "The way to get Kara to open up is for her to see you are okay. And that means being honest with yourself." She added wrapping an arm round her. "For now Kara is here and safe. Don't think about what may have happened. Just wait for Kara to talk."
-00-
"Sorry, did I wake you?" Kara asked when Eliza came into the lounge late that evening.
"No, I was having trouble sleeping anyway." She said sitting next to Kara.
"I can't talk about it." Kara said sensing Eliza was about to ask lots of questions.
"That's fine." Eliza said pulling her into her arms. "No talking, just hugging." She added.
For a moment Eliza silently held her foster daughter until she felt Kara tremble with tears.
Not knowing how to help she added. "Whatever it is we will help you." She then fell silent and let Kara cry her heart out.
TBC...