A/N: Thanks for the reviews.
Baratta jennifer - Thanks!
"Steve, hi." Kara greeted when she let him into the apartment the next evening.
"Hi." He smiled.
"Was I expecting you?" Kara asked confused.
"No." Steve said before explaining "Martin said Alex was out tonight."
"Yes, she is out with Matt." Kara said.
"So no plans for tonight?"
"No."
"Then, do you want to go on a date? To the retro place on Canal Street."
"I've been wanting to go there for ages."
"I know."
"How?"
"Alex. Your one."
"You've been asking Alex for advice?"
"No she just gave it to me." Steve said. "So what do you say?"
"I have wanted to go for awhile."
"I sense a but?"
"It's not you, it's me."
"Never good words to hear." Steve said.
"I didn't mean it like that. Yesterday I saw something bad and I need a little time to get over it."
"You want to talk about it?"
"Yes, but no. I don't think I can."
"Understood." He said. "But where's Alex, as in your sister?"
"Conference call with the President."
"Not what I thought you were going to say, but I guess it may make sense." Steve said before asking. "And Eliza?"
"She went out with J'onn."
"So you'd be by yourself tonight, stewing?"
"Well, I wouldn't say stewing-"
"I would." Steve said. "And I'm not going to let that happen. So why don't we hang out, watch movies, eat junk food and take your mind off things."
"I'll be really bad company."
"So pizza and ice cream?" Steve said.
00
"How'd it go?" Vasquez asked when Alex finally appeared from the conference call.
"Well the good news is the President is still as angry as I am. Bad news is he is still angry as I am."
"What does he want us to do?"
"For now figure out if they are in pain and do our best to make sure they are comfortable."
"Any idea how to do that? I mean it isn't as if they can talk." Vasquez said.
"Maybe they can. We could use a psychic." Alex said.
"Except is that safe? They probably have a lot of powers." Vasquez replied as Rose hurried into the office.
"Ma'am we have portal activity."
00
"Thank you." Kara said leaning against Steve as they watched a movie.
"For what."
"Being here. Always being here."
"It's not exactly a chore." Steve pointed out. "I enjoy your company. Are you feeling better?"
"A little."
"Want to talk about it?"
"I can't. Not really."
"But you're okay?"
"A little angry, by which I mean a lot angry. But yes. I just don't understand how people can be so evil."
"That is because you are a good person." Steve said. "Just remember that just because there is the odd bad person out there, doesn't mean the world is full of bad people."
"I know." Kara said looking at him, before leaning in and kissing him.
When Steve pulled back Kara immediately apologised only to be interrupted by Steve.
"Kara, you are really down. Are you sure you want this?"
"Yes." Kara said kissing him again, this time Steve returned the kiss. After a few heated moments Kara broke the kiss and asked.
"Bedroom?"
"You sure?" Steve questioned.
"Don't want to scar Alex." Kara said getting to her feet and pulling Steve up before resuming the kiss as they walked towards Kara's bedroom.
When they were a few steps away from Kara's bedroom the front door suddenly opened and a familiar voice said.
"Kara?"
"Mom?" Kara asked springing out of Steve's arms.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." Alura said looking away as the older Alex stood behind her wearing an expression of both amusement and apology.
"I should go." Steve said quickly trying to tuck his shirt back into his trousers.
"Please don't leave on my account." Alura said.
"Is everything okay?" Kara asked looking from her mother to her sister.
"We have uncovered the truth behind the journals." Alura said. "But the news can wait, I did not know it was so late on Earth. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I should really go." Steve said looking uncomfortable.
"Please don't. I would love to get to know you." Alura said.
"I'll make some drinks." Alex said trying to break up the awkwardness.
"I'll help." Steve said as Kara joined her mother on the couch.
"Sorry." Alex said to Steve. "Didn't know you were here."
"It could have been worse." Steve said. "Should I be here? I mean it sounds like a conversation I'm not needed for."
"Right now Kara needs as much as support as she can get." Alex said as she put the kettle on.
"About that, how not okay is she?"
"What has she said?" Alex asked wondering what had prompted the question.
"That she is fine, but angry. But ignoring whatever it was that happened today or whenever it was, she has been through so much in the last year there is no way she is fine."
"I know, and at some stage she will admit it. But not yet." Alex said looking over at her sister who was in a deep discussion with Alura.
"Anything I can do?" Steve asked as Alex made the tea.
"Just be there for her." Alex said before she passed two mugs to Steve to carry over.
"I'm guessing I'm not going to like the news." Kara said to her mother as Alex and Steve walked towards them.
"No." Alura confirmed.
"What is it?" Kara asked.
"I mentioned that there are those on Argo who do not want associations with other planets, including Earth."
"Yes."
"One of them is Tawnok."
"Tawnok?" Kara asked, knowing she knew the name. "But he came to Earth to help with the Worldkillers." Kara said trying to recall what happened.
"Yes he did, but his motives were not to help."
"They weren't?" Kara asked.
"No. He came to sow seeds of distrust between Earth and Argo."
"What?"
"Apparently he met with one of your Generals. From what he has told us, he offered him information. Your general already had a journal and he marked pages he thought would be of interest."
"No, the journals date from way after that attack." Kara said.
"Tawnok has confessed. Maybe the dating process was wrong?" Alura suggested.
"We did make lots of assumptions." Alex conceded. "But even if this is the truth, why would he do it?" Alex asked.
"He hoped Earth would use the information to attack Argo."
"Why?"
"It was flawed information so would not harm us, but would show that humans could not be trusted." Alura said.
"Only Lane never used the information." Kara said.
"He probably distrusts Kryptonians more than they distrust us." Alex said. "But why is Lane still hiding it from us now?" She asked frowning. "I need to talk to Lucy. I'll see you later." She said leaving the apartment.
"I should really go too." Steve said feeling like a third wheel. "I'm sure you have lots to discuss."
"Please don't. I rarely get to see Kara and when I do, it is even more rare to meet all the people she cares about. I would love to hear more about you. Besides I clearly ruined your evening. I am truly sorry." Alura said before asking. "Where's Alex?"
"Out with Matt." Kara said before adding. "Her boyfriend."
"A lot has happened since I last saw you." Alura commented looking from Kara to Steve.
"Which is why I should let you guys catch-" Steve started just as the front door opened.
"Alura?" The teenage Alex asked entering the apartment.
"Hello Alex." Alura smiled before hugging her. As she released her she turned to the other teen and greeted. "Hello. You must be Matt."
"Umm, yeah, hello." He said sounding a little confused.
"This is Alura, my grandmother." Alex explained.
"As in my mom." Kara added.
"As in from Krypton?" Matt asked.
"Yeah, well now Argo." Kara corrected.
"Argo?" Matt asked lost.
"I'll fill you in later." Alex said.
"Okay, why don't we go buy some ice cream?" Steve suggested to Matt.
"Umm, yes." Matt said happy to leave.
"We'll see you later." Steve said to Kara before leading Matt out of the apartment.
"You okay? You look a little rabbit in the headlights." Steve said as they walked down the stairs.
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, just felt a little overwhelmed and, I don't know, judged."
"Really? I didn't see that. Although I guess that's not true. Ever since you admitted not knowing your parent's phone number you've been judged."
"You know about that?"
"Of course."
"I have a really bad reputation don't I?"
"It could be worse." Steve said.
"Running away just now probably won't help will it?"
"It was me who ran, you just followed."
"Why did you run?"
"They needed space. And I was glad to have the attention off me." Steve smiled. "And on the bright side we can get this ice cream trip to last thirty minutes. What do you say to grabbing a hot chocolate first?"
"Sure." The teen said.
"You don't have to look so nervous." Steve said.
"I'm not. I'm just trying to – I don't know."
"Trying to figure out where you fit in?" Steve guessed.
"Yeah, I mean all of Alex's family are like superpowered or just generally kick ass. And then there is me and I get nervous riding a bus."
"Yet you took several to get here to see Alex." Steve pointed out.
"I just keep thinking that one day Alex is going to wake up and realise I am so not worth it. And even if she remains blinded to it, her family won't."
"Trust me, I know. I'm in the same boat." Steve said. "But you need to have faith." He said leading them into a coffee shop. "Besides if Kara didn't like you, you think you'd be allowed near Alex?" He said joining the queue. "All that matters is how you treat Alex."
"So who are you two hiding from?" The younger Kara asked Steve and Matt as they waited in the queue.
"Kara? Hi." Steve said turning. Seeing Diz next to her he added. "Hey Diz."
"Hi." He nodded.
"So?" Kara pressed.
"So what?" Steve asked.
"Who are you hiding from?"
"We're not hiding." Steve said. "We are giving space to the others."
"Others?"
"Alura is here."
"Really?" Kara asked. "Why?"
"She had some information for Kara." Steve said as they reached the front of the queue. "You guys want a drink?"
"Thanks." Kara smiled.
"No problem." Steve said placing the order. He then turned back and asked. "Wait who are you guys hiding from?"
"No one."
"Then why are you hanging with us?"
"We're students you said free drinks." Kara shrugged as Steve picked up the tray and led them to a table.
"Any threats yet?" Diz asked Matt as they sat down.
"Threats?" Matt asked.
"About what will happen if you hurt Alex?"
"Oh, just Kara and-"
"Which Kara?" Diz asked.
"That one." He said pointing across the table.
"It's sweet you think that was me threatening you." Kara smiled. "Trust me that wasn't a threat."
"Who else?" Diz asked.
"Martin."
"Martin?" Steve asked amused.
"Yeah, he's still really ticked with me for going home." Matt said.
"He stayed mad at MJ for a long time." Kara recalled.
"So who threatened you?" Steve asked Diz.
"Everyone. There was J'onn-"
"J'onn threatened you?" The younger Kara asked Diz. "Why did you never tell me?"
"Why would I? Besides compared to your mom, he's not that scary." Diz said before adding. "Compared to your mom, no one is that scary."
"So who else threatened you?" Matt asked.
"Lena, Ruby, MJ, although it was hard to take him seriously as his voice kept squeaking." Diz listed.
"At least now you are in the inner circle you get to make the threats." Steve commented.
"Seeing Mel and MJ run off a single oxygen supply, not sure she'd pay any attention." As a shadow fell over the table.
"Hey Alex." Kara greeted her cousin.
"Hey. Why are you guys hiding out here?"
"We're not hiding." Matt said.
"We were giving you guys space." Steve said. "You know to catch up, so I guess the question is how come you are here?"
"Mom clearly wanted to ask Alura something."
"Then welcome to the hideout." Matt said.
00
"Was my father involved in any genetic research with babies?" Kara asked Alura.
"Babies?"
"Yes, creating modified babies for weapons."
"No such research was ever conducted on Krypton." Alura said. "Even it was your father wasn't involved in every research project."
"But he had oversight right? I mean he was on the council."
"Yes." Alura agreed.
"Were there any projects involving babies?"
"In what way?"
"Were there projects where babies were farmed or used as donors."
"No." Alura said. "Well not for weapons. Where is this coming from?"
"Just trying to figure everything out." Kara said.