A/N: Thanks for the comments.
linda101 - Thanks. I did try to make this one a little different from my previous stories, and I know it isn't for everyone, so I am glad you are enjoying it so far.
"Hey." Kara said entering her niece's hospital room the next day.
"Hi." Her niece said, her voice slurred.
"How are you feeling?"
"A little loopy. Have you come to take over guard duty so mom will see MJ?"
"I have a feeling your mom isn't going to leave until you do." Kara said glancing at her sister who was sleeping in a chair. "Do you want me to smuggle anything in here?"
"You could smuggle me out."
"Nice try, but you are in here until the doctor says you can go." Kara said as the door opened again and Lena entered carrying a tray of food.
"But I feel fine." The teenager said.
"That is because of how many drugs you are on." Lena pointed out as the older Kara looked at the tray and commented.
"That food looks way better than I was expecting."
"It's actually for Alex." Lena explained before noticing she was sleeping in the corner. "Kara's food looks far less appealing." She added as she put the tray down in the corner.
"You sure you don't want me to get-" The adult Kara started to ask her niece before noticing she was asleep again.
"Don't worry, she is on very strong meds. Only being awake for short periods is to be expected, and will stop her noticing the pain." Lena explained.
"And Alex?"
"As tempted as I was to drug her food, I didn't. Her sleep is natural." Lena assured her before adding. "And needed. The same could be said about you."
"What do you mean? I am taking it easy."
"Not engaging in fights while flying all round the city to be back up is not the same as taking it easy."
"And what about you? Vasquez told me how much time you are spending at the DEO and I know how much time you are spending here."
"There's lots to do. But I concede I need a break. Brunch?"
-00-
As the pair sat in the park eating their Brunch Lena asked.
"Is the Earth school system really so far behind?"
"Sorry?" Kara asked.
"I mean, Alex is streets ahead of Kara and MJ and probably most grad students. Are we really so far behind? Because it will make our job far harder than I thought."
"Every planet focuses on different things." Kara said. "The last planet we were on was very technology focused and the school system reflected that. It was almost designed to be a production line of scientists and engineers. They took the view they could use alien workers to work in the service industry and creative arts. Other planets have a more balanced approach."
"What about Krypton?"
"The math and science we learned was more advanced than what I learned here in high school. When I first got to Earth my ability to easily do calculus drove Alex crazy."
"Why did you do it, if fact you still do it?" Lena asked.
"Do what?" Kara asked lost.
"Hide your intelligence. I mean Alex said she didn't want to stand out and I get that. But after you became Supergirl there was no reason to hide your intelligence."
"Are you calling me dumb?" Kara asked.
"No. I am accusing you of not fully using your intelligence."
"There are plenty of intelligent people on this planet. I felt I could do more good using my powers. But it's not like I acted without thinking." Kara said before seeing Lena's raised eyebrow. "Okay I mean I did. But when I needed to be more careful I did think about it. Also, yes when I came here I had a good understanding of science and math, but like with any skill if you don't use it fades. And I never needed to use it. When I first got here I was kind of competitive and I wanted to stand out and out perform others. Especially Alex. For awhile we were actually a good match."
"You were?"
"I excelled at science and Alex history."
"Alex?" Lena asked.
"To be fair anyone would probably have outperformed me at history, I still don't get why I had to learn all those dates. But then I realised how dangerous it would be if people found out about me. I had already lost one family as well as Jeremiah. I didn't want to lose Eliza or Alex, so I stopped wanting to stand out and tried to fit in. After that I rarely used anything I learned on Krypton. Thinking about it, that might also be because if brought back too many painful memories. Whatever the reason though, I became me."
"Not remembering advanced calculus doesn't mean you became stupid." Lena said.
"I sense a but." Kara said.
"Mongul has had years to think about revenge on your cousin. He won't just be a physically tough opponent, he will be mentally tough. He is already demonstrating that with his continual adapting of tactics. If you want to beat him you are going to have to outthink him as well as out muscle him."
-00-
"You never go in the field." Kara said as she sparred with Wildcat.
"Is that a statement or a question?" He asked.
"Statement. The question is why?" She asked dodging a flying fist.
"That's not my job." He said trying to land some punches.
"But it could be." Kara said, trying to kick him.
"No anymore." Wildcat said landing a punch in her stomach. "Do you know why I am hard on you?"
"You don't like me?"
"Other than that."
"No." Kara said taking her stance again.
"When I first figured out my power I got arrogant and I started to started to rely on it at the detriment of my skills. I got sloppy. And as a result I failed to protect my team and they died."
"I'm sorry." Kara said immediately lowering her guard only to get punched to the ground.
"Concentrate." He growled.
"Sorry." She said getting to her feet.
"Out there, part of a team. That's not me. Bad things happen. Every time. But everything that I have lost is what makes me a good trainer." He added as he weaved away form one of Kara's punches.
"Better." He said trying to land another punch on her ribs, only for Kara to dodge it before sweeping his legs out.
As he landed on the deck Kara allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. However the moment was too long and Wildcat swept out her legs before pinning her to the ground.
"Never get cocky." He said before standing and tossing her a towel.
"We done?" Kara asked.
"With phase one. Now phase two. Sit there." He said pointing to a spot on the floor.
"What are we doing?"
"Having some food. You need protein. So I ordered in."
"You ordered in?"
"Well I sent King to pick it up. And he will be here, right about now." He said as the door opened.
"I've got your order sir." He said.
"Leave it down there." Ted said.
"What is it?" Supergirl asked not placing the smell.
"Korean tacos."
"That's a thing?" Supergirl asked.
"It's a great thing." Ted said. "And while we eat we can talk about Go."
"Go?"
"It's a game."
"Yeah, I've heard of it. But you don't strike me as the Go type." Kara said.
"Why not? You have one opponent, the rules are simple, but the options are vast." He listed. "And the way to master it is based on a simple strategy."
"Which is?"
"Lose the first hundred games as soon as possible."