"You've gone from PR disaster to city saviour." Cat commented as she joined Kara on the balcony a few days later.
"When did you get back?" Kara asked turning.
"This morning." Cat said before asking. "How bad was it?"
"Bad. At one stage I thought there was going to many more causalities than there were. But ultimately we got lucky."
"In what way?"
"Lobo's target fleeing the planet. If they hadn't Lobo would have caused a lot more destruction." Kara said. "Plus if the metas we rescued hadn't shown up I'm not sure what would have happened."
"They helped because you rescued them, because you didn't give up on them." Cat said. "That wasn't luck. Gratitude maybe, but you earned it."
"You don't know that." Kara said.
"Yes I do, Plus it is all over CatCo today." Cat said.
"What?" Kara asked confused.
"I was surprised you didn't write the article, but now I am more surprised you didn't even read it."
"I've been a little distracted with the whole mess."
"So it's not over?"
"No and now Tycho has gone to ground."
"But you have Stagg and from the sound of it he has been freely giving you information. Including on Tycho."
"None of that info is really helping though. Besides just because Stagg has been stopped doesn't mean the project has been." Kara said miserably. "When I stopped by the police station to drop a bank robber off, I heard some of the officers talking and they were almost in awe of Stagg's work. I mean not the torturing and experimenting, but giving people powers."
"Unfortunately everyone wants to be more than they are and are willing to pay a huge price." Cat said. "Finding volunteers will be easy. Society drills into people that they aren't good enough and people take it to heart, while simultaneously not wanting to work so will look for the easy solution. Ultimately this is a situation where Supergirl probably can't help."
"So I do nothing?"
"I said Supergirl couldn't help. I said nothing about you." Cat said.
"Ms Grant?" The current PA said walking into the office. "The board members are waiting."
"They can wait a little longer." Cat said waving him off before turning back to Kara. "What's happened to Tycho?"
"No one knows. He has disappeared. Well he is allegedly in Europe on business. He is making himself available to answer questions via video link, but no one knows from where. If I hadn't seen him I'd doubt that he was a real person."
"You actually met him?" Cat asked surprised.
"Well, it was through a video screen." Kara said.
"That's more than most." Cat said.
"Have you ever met him?"
"Not in person. No." Cat said. "Not the type of person I like to rub shoulders with." Her tone then softened and she asked. "How's Alex doing?"
"She is unbelievably strong. But I know she is still struggling I just wish I could help or at least take her mind off it."
"These may help." Cat said passing Kara an envelope. "There is a big gala at the aquarium, raising money for some endangered fish no one has ever heard of. Perhaps going to the gala may help."
"Don't you want to go?"
"No. But unfortunately I have to anyway. CatCo is sponsoring." She explained before looking at the envelope. "Those are spare and completely optional. There are enough for the mini-Scullys as well if you want."
-00-
"About time you got back." The adult Alex greeted the three children as they entered the house.
"What have we done?" MJ asked.
"Nothing. I hope. I need your help. I need you go go buy some stuff." His mother said.
"You know we have a thing called the internet." The teenage Kara said.
"This is too important for that."
"What is it?" MJ asked sounding interested.
"No matter what your mom may have said, she loves birthdays. For her birthdays are huge." The adult Alex said looking at her niece. "And seeing she hasn't celebrated one for a while. This one is going to be massive. But seeing I can't drive or walk, you guys are going to have to do the work."
"That's way less exciting than I hoped." MJ complained.
"What do we need to do?" The teenage Alex asked causing her aunt to give her a list.
"That's three different types of cake." Her daughter pointed out as she read the list over her cousin's shoulder.
"That's a lot of cake." MJ agreed.
"Something Kara will love." Alex said. "But you guys need to keep this a secret."
"No problem. Hiding things from adults is kinda our thing." MJ said.
"Speaking of hiding things. We need to talk about your grades." His mother said.
"Yeah." MJ said unenthusiastically. "But first we have to get cake." He said leaving the room in a hurry.
-00-
"Hi Sweetie." Eliza said when her youngest returned home.
"Hi." Kara said. "Where is everyone?"
"The kids have gone out and your sister is sleeping."
"Is she okay?" Kara asked frowning.
"She's fine. What about you?"
"Me?"
"Yes you. What's bothering you?"
"Right now. Lobo."
"Is he back?"
"No but he could be back and any point and he knows who Alex is. And seeing he is immortal he will always be a thorn in my side."
"Alex knows what type of threat he is. If he comes back she'll be ready. Every day she will get stronger."
"I know, but I don't want her to have to worry about threats like Lobo. I want her to have a normal life."
"I know. But you know better than anyone there is no such thing as a normal life. Right now you both have a choice. To live in fear or live in hope. And I am pretty sure Alex will follow your lead. Besides I think Alex has enjoyed training with you." Eliza said as the door opened.
"You're back?" MJ said sounding surprised.
"Shouldn't I be?" The adult Kara asked.
"We thought you were working." The teenage Alex said as he hugged her mother.
"I was." Kara said as her sister limped downstairs. "Sorry did we wake you?"
"No. I was already awake." Alex replied. "Besides it's nearly dinner time. Everything okay?"
"It's fine." Kara said before turning to her daughter and asking. "What are you doing tomorrow evening?"
"Is that as loaded as it sounds?" MJ asked.
"No." Kara said before looking at her daughter and asking. "Did you know there is a big gala at the aquarium?"
"For the bocaccio rockfish?" The teen said.
"I guess." Kara said having not checked the details.
"Professor Skinner is giving a keynote." The teen said. "How do you know about it?"
"I have tickets."
"How, they are several hundred a ticket?"
"They are? Well these were from Cat and Carter, CatCo is one of the sponsors." Kara explained.
"Really?" The teen asked looking excited.
"So you want to go?" Kara asked.
"Yes." The teen replied enthusiastically.
"Good. I have spare if you guys want to come." Kara said looking at her nephew and niece. Both were looking at her like she was crazy. "Parts of it will be like a prom." She said to her niece. "You and Diz might enjoy it. Plus your mom won't be there."
"That is a selling point." The teen said. "But I don't have anything to wear and I am not sure Diz knows what a tux is."
"Plenty he can borrow at the DEO and I'll buy you a dress." The adult Alex said from the couch.
"You will?" The teen asked suspiciously.
"Sure, I mean I missed your birthday." Alex said.
"Is mom being weirdly supportive?" The teenage Kara asked her aunt.
"Yeah, but just take the win." The adult Kara said.
Ignoring them the adult Alex looked at her son and said. "Seeing you look horrified but the prospect of going to the aquarium. Why don't we hang out tomorrow evening?"
-00-
"You awake?" Kara asked walking into her sister's bedroom in the early hours.
"Kara? What time is it?" Alex asked looking at her watch. "It's three am." Alex pointed out. "What's wrong? Is Alex okay?"
"She's fine. You're up too." Kara pointed out. "Why are you up? Is your leg okay?"
"It's fine."
"Then why are you up?"
"That can wait." Alex said. "What's wrong?"
"What if we have been wrong about Tycho?"
"In what way?"
"I was re-reading Stagg's confession and just like us he has never met Tycho. It has always been over a video link. What if Tycho doesn't exist?"
"You think Stagg was lying?" Alex asked feeling lost.
"No. I think Stagg talked to someone. I'm just not sure that someone was real. What if Tycho is a front for someone else?"
"So Tycho is just an Avatar?" Alex asked.
"Maybe. And if it is, they will just cease to be, or be brought out whenever a decoy is needed."
"Does it make a difference?" Alex asked. "Whoever is behind this, we will find them."
"I guess." Kara said. "So why are you up?" Kara asked her sister. "If it isn't your leg, is it because I invited Kara and Diz to the gala? Because you know I will look after her."
"No, it's not that. It was a good idea. Kara deserves some fun." Alex said.
"So what's wrong?"
"I didn't want to sleep."
"Why?"
"I've been having nightmares. Bad ones. I've been waking up on the verge of a panic attack. I don't want the kids to see me like that."
"So you don't sleep?"
"I do. Just not at night. I wait until they are at school or out. Then nap in-between work."
"That's why you were sleeping when I got back tonight?" Kara guessed before asking. "Why didn't you say anything?" Kara asked.
"You are dealing with enough." Alex reminded her.
"No matter what I am dealing with, I am here for you." Kara said pulling her sister in for a hug.
"While I appreciate that shouldn't you be at home? Won't Alex freak if she wakes and you aren't there?"
"I can hear her from here." Kara reminded her. "She's asleep."
"So you'll listen to Alex sleep but not use your powers to check that the kids are behaving?" Alex asked amused. "Your powers are wasted on you."
"Anyway, seeing I don't need to go back, you can talk about your nightmares."
"There's not much to tell. I mean it's not a recurring dream. Every night is different. But every night, well day, I wake with my chest feeling tight and not being able to breathe."
"I'm sorry." Kara said. "Sounds like we need to talk about a lot of dreams." When Alex didn't say anything Kara said. "You can start."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Have you actually talked to anyone about what happened when you were held by Stagg's goons?" Kara asked.
"Have you?"
"Eliza and Lena were literally in my head the whole time." Kara reminded her.
"Doesn't mean they know how you felt." Alex reminded her.
"But they know what happened. No one has any idea what happened to you."
"Yeah they do. I got a new Silver K bone." Alex reminded her.
"And the rest?" Kara prodded.
"Not much to tell. I woke up in a prison cell. Every so often a guard would bring food and water and I'd try and fail to escape. Then they worked me over so I would look bad for you. Then we went back to the normal routine of me trying and failing to escape"
"If I gave you a summary like that would would you tell me?" Kara asked.
"You've learned to be concise?" Alex suggested.
"No. You'd tell me that I couldn't hide my issues and I needed to work through them and that you weren't moving until I talked."
"But I am your big sister." Alex countered. "It's my job to look after you."
"You also need someone to look after you." Kara countered.
"And you do." Alex said.
"Not enough." Kara argued.
"You look after me plenty. I am only alive because of your stupid plan to save me." Alex reminded her.
"Alive yes. Recovered, no." Kara countered.
"Have you been talking to mom?" Alex asked.
"No. Why? Has she said something?" Kara questioned.
"No." Alex said. "But she has been giving me that look."
"Which look?"
"The 'I know you are hiding something and I am going to wait it out, but you will crack' look."
"Then you better start talking, cos you know you aren't winning that battle."
"What if I am broken?" Alex asked.
"How do you mean?"
"Just that, what if I can never be fixed."
"Firstly, you don't need to be fixed." Kara said. "What you need is a break. And I know you will be back to your normal self soon."
"How?"
"Ignoring the two teens who will force it, I'll be there to oversee everything. Besides for all my powers I have never been able to compete with your inner strength. You are the strongest person I know, so I know you will be fine. And I will do what ever it takes to help."