"Hello Kara." Steve said as he approached her in the hall.
"Steve, hi." She smiled.
"Can I?" He asked pointing at the seat next to her.
"Of course."
"How's your mother?"
"Much better. She's moving around and getting bored."
"That's good. And you?"
"I'm okay."
"Good. And I am really glad you are here as that means I am meant to be at this one." He smiled before asking. "Alex's other cheerleaders aren't here?"
"No. MJ has practice and Kara has schoolwork she needs to do. So it is just me with strict instructions about no wild cheering."
"Well you have it easy. I have to log every move in Martin's games." Steve said. "Which would be easier if I actually knew the rules."
"I'll help." Kara offered.
-00-
As a thirty minute break was called following the first two rounds Steve and Kara hunted down the nearest coffee cart, both in need of caffeine and sugar.
"You gave me the heads up about Martin getting bullied, for which I am grateful, and I think it is time I return the favour." Steve said as he bought two coffees from the cart.
"Alex is getting bullied?" Kara asked frowning.
"No not exactly. Well technically yes, but not in the same way as Martin." He said handing Kara her coffee. "I rarely get time to go to any school function and when I do most parents don't recognise me so they talk in front of me without worrying. Anyway last week I was waiting for Martin in Cafe Moreso. It is where the soccer mom brigade hang out so not to upset their kids by turning up at the school gate. And yes, I am aware as I say that I was doing the same. Anyway my point was they were talking about this transfer kid with a bad father. There seemed to be a few theories, mafia, drug lord or just witness protection. Either way the father was pretty dangerous and sounded very Brando Godfather like. They were warning each other to make sure their kids stayed away from this kid. Turned out they were talking about Alex."
"Alex? As in my Alex?" Kara asked confused.
"Yes and there's more." He said. "Apparently after the bullying incident Alex's father sent some protection, the guys in suits who hang around, waiting to beat up anyone who hurts her." He paused and said. "I know none of it is true, but I thought you should know."
"Thanks." Kara said.
-00-
"What's wrong?" The teenage Alex asked when she walked home with her mother. "I was expecting to lose that last game."
"It's not that." Kara said directing Alex to a bench. As they sat Kara said. "When I was speaking to Steve he said their were some rumours going around about you."
"Rumours?"
"About you having a bad, maybe criminal father. And that your DEO protection detail is actually his thugs."
"I know."
"You know? Why haven't you mentioned them to me?"
"Because you wouldn't approve."
"Of course I don't approve. This is still bullying." Kara said.
"No it's not." Alex countered.
"Yes it is. Spreading stories is a form of bullying."
"Only it isn't. I mean if the person who spread them wasn't doing it to be mean and everyone in the stories is okay with it, then it isn't bullying."
"Do you know who is spreading the stories? Are you trying to protect them?" Kara asked.
"Yes and not exactly."
"Who?"
"Martin."
"Martin? Why would he do that?" Kara asked lost.
"I asked him to."
"Why?" Kara asked completely lost.
"So that they would leave us alone."
"Who?"
"Everyone. After the fight and after Holtz and Chris got suspended the other kids kept their distance, but after a bit they started to spread rumours again. Bad ones about Kara and MJ. So I started my own to stop it. And it worked. No one dares says anything now. They are even leaving Martin alone."
"Do your cousins know about this?"
"They didn't. But they do now."
"And they are okay with it?"
"There were already rumours going round. This was a better rumour."
-00-
"What happened?" The adult Alex asked when she saw Kara. "You seem really stressed. Did Alex lose?"
"No, well one game, but she did really well."
"Then what's wrong?"
"Alex has had Martin spread rumours round the school about her father."
"Okay, stop right there." Alex said. "This sounds like a conversation that needs a sticky bun, let's go."
-00-
"How did it go?" The teenage Kara asked as her cousin entered the den where the two human siblings were playing a video game.
"I lost the last match and mom is mad."
"Because you lost a match?" The teenage Kara asked confused. "That doesn't sound like aunt Kara."
"No, not because of the match. Steve told her about the rumours and I told her where they came from."
"We did warn you." The teen Kara said.
"But it was a good plan while it lasted." MJ added.
"She'll get over it." The teen Kara said.
"I hope so." Alex said sitting next to her cousin.
"While she does we have more important things to discuss." MJ said.
"Like what?" Alex asked.
"You can move any object with your mind right?" MJ asked.
"Not sure about any." Alex said.
"But anything truck size or smaller?"
"Or lighter." Alex said. "But we've not exactly tested that."
"But 200 pounds you could do right?" He asked causing Alex to frown as she tried to convert it into a measuring system she was comfortable with.
"I think he means a person." Alex's cousin clarified.
"I guess, but I don't know how far."
"But it might be possible for you to make them, I don't know, fly?" MJ asked.
"I'm not using my powers on you like that. I could hurt you." Alex said, seeing where MJ was going.
"I don't know, he can be pretty annoying. One day you may want to make him fly into a wall." The teenage Kara said.
-00-
"It's pretty smart." Alex said once Kara had filled her in in NooNan's. "There were always going to be rumours going round about the DEO guards. At least this way they are controlling the narrative."
"So you're okay with it? I mean all three will be treated like outcasts."
"Kara already was." Alex said. "At the end of the day if it gives them some space what harm is there? Also do you really want Alex to be friends with someone who'd believe rumours like that?"
"Well no. But it just feels dishonest."
"Do you think that the reason you are mad isn't to do with what Alex did, but is to do with the fact she needed to?" Alex asked.
"Probably." Kara sighed. "I just want to give her a good life."
"You are. But teenage troubles are part of life and builds personality and resilience. The important thing is Alex is happy."
"I guess." Kara said.
"But where did Alex learn to be so devious? Because it clearly isn't from you." Alex commented.
"She does hang out with you." Kara pointed out.
"True, but I'm not that good a teacher." Alex smiled. "It'd take at least her year to train her to this level." She paused before turning serious and asking. "How are you doing?"
"I'm okay I guess. I mean finding out about the lying aside, today was nice, it felt normal, like I was real mom."
"You are a real mom." Alex said.
"I meant with Alex, her actually being in a club and being able to support her. I've never done that before."
"You've always supported her." Her sister said.
"I know, but not like this, not like Eliza did with us. We were jumping planets so much I never thought I'd be able to, so to do it today was kind of special. It felt like I was starting to give Alex a normal life. You know, she was on a team, maybe not friends with most of her team mates, but baby steps. And I was in the parent group and one of them even talked to me."
"You mean Steve?"
"Yes."
"Do you trust him?" Alex asked.
"Shouldn't I? I mean I assume you have run several illegal background checks on him." Kara said.
"Well that doesn't mean he is clean."
"Martin was in MJ's class before we got back to Earth." Kara pointed out. "So it would have be someone who can see the future or had been to the future. Plus wouldn't that make Martin part of the conspiracy?"
"I know it sounds stupid." Alex said. "I'm just worried about you."
"I appreciate that." Kara smiled. "But seeing conspiracy everywhere isn't healthy. Besides, no matter what Lena might imply there is nothing going on. I'm not interested."
"Okay." Alex said. "But mom won't let it go so easily."
-00-
"Are you still mad at me?" The teenage Alex asked as she returned tot he apartment where her mother was waiting for her.
"I wasn't mad at you." Kara said but as her daughter stared at her she said. "Fine I was a little mad at you. But I think mainly I was mad at me."
"Why?"
"That you have to go to these lengths."
"I didn't have to. I chose to."
"Are you happy here?"
"Before Earth I never really had friends or family or anyone I could rely on other than you. Now I do. I like that." The teenager said. "But sometimes I miss it just being us."
"No matter how many friends you have, I will always be here for you." Kara said hugging her.