Feeling someone gently nudge her shoulder Kara woke up and was immediately aware of a warm body to her side. Looking down she saw her daughter sleeping against her as Chewie sat on he floor watching both of them, hopeful of food appearing soon.
"Aunt Kara." A voice whispered from behind.
"Kara?" The adult Kara asked turning her head.
"Sorry to wake you, but Alex is going to be late for school."
"Shoot." Kara said glancing at her watch before gently waking her daughter.
"Mom?" Alex asked opening her eyes.
"Hey, it's time to get up."
"Can't I have ten more minutes?"
"'Fraid not." Kara said kissing her head before standing. "You need to walk Chewie before school."
"Actually you don't. He's already had his walk." The teenage Kara said. "And breakfast is ready."
"Wow. Thank you." The adult Kara said as her daughter dragged herself from the couch to the table.
"Did you sleep here last night?" Kara asked confused my her niece's presence.
"Yes. We decided to stay here to make sure Alex was okay."
"We?"
"MJ is just in the bathroom. Don't worry we told mom. She said she would be round for breakfast."
"Thanks." Kara said as her daughter worked her way through some toast just as there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Her niece said.
As she opened the door she saw her mother on the other side and causally greeted. "Hey mom." Before she could move from the door Alex hugged her and said
"I missed you." The adult Alex said.
"You saw me less than twenty four hours ago." The teenage Kara said pulling away just as MJ emerged.
"Hi mom." He said before looking through his bag. "I left my book at home. See you there in five?" He asked his sister.
"Okay." She replied as MJ picked up his bag and went to the door.
"Not so fast." Alex said.
"What?" MJ asked.
"Where's my kiss goodbye?" She asked hugging him.
"Mom." He protested, while hugging her anyway.
"See you tonight." Alex said releasing him before joining the others in the kitchen area where her niece was dragging herself away from the table looking half dead.
"What happened last night?" The adult Alex asked her daughter.
"What do you mean?"
"Alex looks kind of tired."
"Um, well I guess we were working quite hard." Her niece said avoiding eye contact.
"Plus I kind of woke her up when I came home." The adult Kara said feeling guilty. She then looked at her niece and asked. "Was she okay last night?"
"Yes. I mean worried about you, but other than that fine."
"Can you keep an eye on her today?"
"Of course." The teenager said as her cousin emerged from her bedroom still looking half asleep.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Kara asked her.
"I'm fine." The teenager yawned picking up her bag, saying goodbye to Chewie, before hugging her mother goodbye.
"Have a good day. I'll see you later." Kara said into hug before watching both teenagers disappear. Turning back to her sister she saw Alex suspiciously look round the apartment.
"What?" Kara asked.
"I am looking for signs of a party."
"A party?" Kara asked.
"It might explain why Alex looks so tired."
"So would me waking her up when I got back last night." Kara pointed out.
"Maybe. How are you feeling?" Alex asked her sister.
"I'm fine. A little tired, but it was a big building." Kara assured her. "What about you?"
"Why wouldn't I be fine?" Alex asked. "I stayed behind my desk all of yesterday."
"And I know how grouchy that makes you." Kara smiled. "Sorry I kind of stole your kids last night."
"It's fine. Kara told me where she was." Alex said.
"I didn't even know they were here." Kara confessed. "I just kind of passed out on the couch."
"Kara mentioned that as well." Alex pointed out before noticing her sister was frowning and asking. "You sure you are okay?"
"Yeah. I just had a weird dream last night." Kara said.
"About the attack?"
"No. About Alex."
"What about her?"
"I don't know. Something to do with powers maybe. I can't really remember." She said as Chewie jumped into her lap. "Are you wanting a walk? You hoping I forgot that my favourite niece took you on a walk this morning? Don't worry I'll take you for another walk." She said to the dog as she stroked him.
"That is the most spoilt dog in the city." Alex said shaking her head as she stood. "Don't forget we have the debrief at four. And Wildcat will be waiting for you after that."
"Yes boss." Kara said.
"And make sure you spend time under the lamps before that. Something tells me you'll need all your strength."
"Can't wait." Kara said dryly.
-00-
"What do we have?" Alex asked as the meeting started.
"Long range scans indicate the fleet is still at least four weeks out." Hamilton started.
"What about the defensive net?" Alex asked.
"Three weeks until completion." Cook replied. "That will give us one shot. It will be five weeks until it can be used continuously. And that is taking every short cut available."
"Any way we can delay Mongul?" Another agent asked.
"You have a suggestion on how we can do that?" Alex asked.
"Not really."
"What if we tried talking to him?" Supergirl asked.
"He's not really the talking type." Alex said. "He won't want to negotiate. Those ships are coming. We have to work with the assumption the net will give us one pulse so we need to try to force the fleet to go where we need them to for maximum destruction." She then looked at another agent and said. "Connors, figure out the placement of our ships to try and force that fleet into the firing line."
"You have ships?" Supergirl asked.
"Not many, but a few." Alex said. "And I doubt any will last long against Mongul's ships. But like I said we may be able to use them as sheepdogs." She then looked round the room and asked. "Anything else?"
"No Ma'am." All the agents said.
-00-
"Again." Wildcat said as Supergirl landed on the deck.
"How long are we going to keep doing this?" Kara asked.
"Until I believe you are ready. Or until Mongul has killed you. At the moment the latter seems more likely." He replied before unleashing various kicks and punches send Kara sprawling to the floor once more.
"You know out there I will have powers." Supergirl said getting to her feet.
"And Mongul will be just as strong as you. If you want to win you will have to do it by skill. Now concentr-" He started only to be punched in the jaw and end up on the deck.
"What?" Supergirl asked. "Are you telling me Mongul will be following some sort of battle etiquette?"
"No. That was good." Wildcat said getting to his feet. He then smiled, the type of smile that makes others feel uneasy. He then said. "Now I know I don't need to hold back." With that he swept Kara's feet out from under her.
"Seriously?" Alex asked walking into the gym. "Avoiding that sweep was one of the first things I taught you."
"Feel free to take my place and demonstrate." Kara said getting to her feet.
"Now isn't a great time. And we need you under the lamps."
"What's happened?" Kara asked.
"Several small ships are approaching. We need to make sure you are fully charged."
-00-
As the teenage trio walked Chewie through the park in the late afternoon Kara noticed her cousin still seemed really tired and asked. "Are you sure you don't want to go back and sleep? I can keep walking Chewie."
"I'm fine." Alex said. "Don't humans have a thing about fresh air being good for you?"
"Yeah, but probably not city air." MJ said as an explosion caused the ground to shake. "What was that?" He asked looking round.
"No idea." Kara said. "But let's get home." She added. As they started to hear screams she added with more urgency. "Now."
As the trio ran she dialled her mother who answered after a few rings.
"Mom, we are in the park. There's been an explosion." She said running away from the smoke, trying to ignore the pain that was building in her leg. "We're trying ... We're going North … Okay, we'll head there instead." She added as she came to a stop and signalled for the other two to change direction. "Yes we are moving." She said down the phone. "I promise we won't." She added before finally hanging up and putting her phone back in her jacket before encouraging the other two to run faster.
"Are you okay running?" MJ asked.
"I'm fine." She said, clearly lying.
As they ran onto the street another explosion rocked the surroundings. Seeing more smoke coming from in front of them Kara pointed down a side street and said. "Let's go round."
As they entered the quiet street the screams form the panicking crowds in the adjacent streets seemed to get louder.
"There are some bins over there, let's hide behind them." Kara said.
"Shouldn't we get home?" MJ asked.
"Mom is sending someone to get us." Kara explained. "We just have to stay safe until then."
"How does she know where we are?" Alex asked.
"She's tracking our phones." Kara said. "Don't worry, they will find us."
-00-
"We need you out there." Vasquez said entering the lamp room Supergirl was in.
"Where?"
"There are three aliens, with gemstones, in the financial district." She said.
"On it."
"Also, the Director wanted to speak to you."
"Where is she?" Kara asked confused.
"Just speak to her." Vasquez said passing her an earpiece.
"Okay." Supergirl said flying off to the financial district.
"Alex, what's wrong?" Supergirl asked over the radio.
"There are three aliens in the fin-" Alex started.
"I know, I am on my way there now."
"Good, I need you to focus on that area."
"Okay." Supergirl said.
"I will deal with the other one."
"What other one?"
"Near the park. Where the kids are. I promise you I will get them out of there." Alex said.
"I'll be as quick as I can." Supergirl said flying faster.