"What the hell was that?" Alex demanded when the new group arrived in the briefing room.
"You told us to think outside the box. We can't beat Supergirl physically. And her one weakness is her desire to help others. So we tried to exploit that. You said no rules." Cork said.
"What if that kid got hurt?"
"Well, about that, she couldn't. She's a meta. My meta. She's my daughter." Keane explained.
"You put your daughter in harms way?"
"No. Ignoring her invincibility I knew Supergirl wouldn't let anything happen to her. Besides there were no explosives."
"It was a training ground with live fire ammunition." Alex pointed out.
"I know, but she is bullet proof and I knew Supergirl would protect her. I mean that is Supergirl's real weakness isn't it?"
"While your ingenuity is impressive. You aren't vigilantes, you are DEO Agents and you have to follow the rules. One being you can't put children in danger."
"You said no rules." Kepler reminded her.
"I was assuming a level of common sense." Alex pointed out. "What was with the Kryptonite? You know it can't hurt her?"
"It was to draw her to us and buy time while we set the trap." Keane said.
"What you did was unbelievably reckless." Alex said. "Next time no kids and no Kryptonite."
"So we are just there to be used as punch bags?" A stocky meta said.
"No Agent Reeves. You are there to stop Supergirl." Alex said.
"While following the rules? How is that possible?"
"That's your job to figure out." Alex said.
"Aren't we meant to be working together?" Kepler said. "Why try to beat Supergirl?"
"We grow strong by working and learning together. You identify a weakness in Supergirl, chances are someone else will as well."
"So are we fired?" The final Meta said.
"No Agent Cork you are not fired. As I said you thought outside the box. That's good. Your choices after that not so good. But you can work on that. Next week we repeat the exercise and you will be conducting it as model DEO Agents."
"Yes Ma'am." All six said.
"Good. Get out of here." Alex ordered.
"I kinda like it, it's always interesting." Vasquez said.
"That's one way to describe it." Alex answered as Supergirl entered the room.
"Did I miss it?"
"Yes."
"They all still work here?"
"Yes."
"I know it wasn't why they were brought in. But that type of thinking may benefit the Tycho task force. I mean they do think way outside of the box." Vasquez said.
"You okay with that?" Alex asked her sister.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well you don't know them."
"But they passed all your tests right?"
"Yes, but they will still be going through your history."
"If they have made it this far I trust them."
"Okay. Assign whoever you want." Alex said to Vasquez who nodded and left the room.
"You okay?" Alex asked her sister.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well there was Kryptonite."
"The suit protected me." Kara shrugged.
"We should run some tests and make sure." Alex said.
"Fine, but you can get me a muffin after. I still haven't had lunch. Weren't they meant to buy me lunch?"
"I'm sure it's coming." Alex said.
00
"Hi." Kara called as she entered the apartment.
"Hi mom." Alex called back from the kitchen table where she and Martin were working on an assignment.
"Hey Martin." Kara smiled. "You guys eaten yet?"
"No, but I placed an order ten minutes ago. I ordered enough for you." The teenage Alex said.
"Great. I'm starving." Kara said as the doorbell rang. Turning she opened the door and said. "Oh. You're not food."
"Sorry." Steve said. "Should I have brought food?"
"No. I thought you were the delivery guy."
"Sorry." He repeated before seeing the two teens at the table. "Wow you are actually doing homework."
"Shouldn't we be?" Martin asked.
"Homework is good, but probably not would I would have been doing at your age."
"Well, good assignments mean good grades which mean good college recommendations." Martin pointed out.
"I can only commend your work ethic." Steve said.
"Can I stay another twenty minutes so I can finish this?" Martin asked.
"Fine with me." Kara said. "Seeing food will be here soon, why don't you both stay for dinner."
"Thanks. But as I doubt they will have had the foresight to order dessert, want to go grab some?" Steve asked Kara.
"Sure. We'll be back soon." Kara said before putting Chewie on the lead and leaving with Steve.
"As much as I know how much you like dessert I wanted to talk to you about something." He said as they left the building.
"Sounds ominous."
"It isn't, I think it is good news for a change." He said. "Do you remember about a year ago now there were the cases hitting the hospitals of people taking pills to give them powers but backfiring spectacularly."
"Yes."
"Well most of the patients who survived were taken to a Federal facility. I assumed the DEO, but I didn't want to ask too many questions. But not all of them did. A few stayed in the hospital. One of them woke up today."
"Are they okay?"
"Signs are promising. And in a couple of days they should be up for visitors. This particular patient would like to talk you."
"Me? Why?"
"They're a fan." He shrugged. "And they are worried about their brother."
"Brother?"
"She thinks he may be one of the bodies."
"Oh."
"I told her about you series of articles and she really wants to meet you." Steve explained.
"I don't know how much help I'll be, but let me know when and I'll be there."
"Thanks."
00
"What did Steve want?" The teenage Alex asked later that night.
"Help with one of his patients." Kara said.
"He does remember you aren't a doctor?"
"Funny. Different type of help." Kara explained.
"The type of help that will get you into trouble?"
"When did you get so paranoid?" Kara asked.
"That wasn't a denial."
"All I am doing is talking to his patient. Relax."
"Fine." The teenager said before asking. "How was new recruit day?"
"Interesting. Very outside the box thinking."
"As in muffins rather than doughnuts?"
"Slightly more outside the box than that." Kara replied. "So how did your homework go? Was Martin able to help with the bits you were stuck on?"
"I guess."
"See that wasn't a yes." Kara said. "Why don't you show me what you are stuck on?"
"You sure you have time?"
"For you, always."
00
"Hi Clare." Steve said entering the hospital room a couple of days later.
"Hey doc."
"As requested, I'd like to introduce you to Kara Danvers."
"You came?" The woman asked surprised.
"Of course." Kara smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay I guess. Pretty weak, but getting better."
"That's good." Kara said. "Steve said you wanted help with your brother?"
"Ted, his name is Ted." Clare said. "We were so close as kids. But when he was thirteen he started to get powers. He hated it. He felt like a freak and withdrew from everything and one day he disappeared. After ten years of looking I finally found him. Well I found a man who said he knew him. But he wouldn't meet with me as I'm not a freak. His words. But this man, he said he had a way I could get powers. Maybe if I had powers Ted would see me. I know it sounds stupid, but he was very persuasive so I took them, the pills that is. Then I woke up here a year later."
"Did you see your brother?"
"No, but I still want to find him."
"I will do what I can. But there is something you should know-"
"The dead bodies?" Clare guessed.
"Yes."
"I read your articles. And I know Ted may be one of them, and I am pretty sure he is, but I need to know."
"Okay, well, if I can get a sample of your DNA we can check." Kara offered.
"Thank you."
"It may take a few days, but I'll let you know as soon as we have the results."
-00-
"Getting nervous?" Lena asked as she played chess with the teenage Alex.
"About what?"
"Results day."
"Oh. No. I can always retake." Alex said taking a rook.
"Very pragmatic." Lena smiled as she advanced a knight.
"Are you saying I should be worried?" The teen asked.
"Of course not. You're smart. But then again English is still new to you."
"Yeah, English sucks." Alex agreed as she took a pawn. "None of it makes sense."
"Like what?" Lena asked.
"Bra is singular, pants plural. Mouse goes to mice but house goes to houses. And that old actor mom likes, Sean Bean, his name doesn't even follow a single set of rules."
"At least maths is universal." Lena smiled before saying. "Check mate." The phrase causing Alex to mutter something in an alien language. "And I don't need to speak whatever that language was to know what you were saying." Lena added.
"Sorry." The teenage Alex replied.
"You don't need to apologise." Lena said. "But you don't normally resort to swearing when you lose. So is something else bothering you?"
"Not really."
"Well, seeing it is Friday night, why are you here?" Lena asked.
"Instead of where?"
"Out with friends."
"I have homework to do."
"Then why are we playing chess?"
"It was history and boring so took a break."
"You know high school is meant to be about having fun?" Lena asked.
"I thought you liked chess?" Alex countered.
"Fair enough." Lena said. "Where's MJ?"
"He's out partying."
"Do you need help with your homework?"
"No, I just need to read the texts."
"Well if you change your mind let me know. Lex had an unhealthy obsession with most wars and I picked up a lot."
"Thanks." The teen smiled.
"When I say a lot, I mean I am practically a wiki on trade deals and wars."
00
"Hi." Kara said entering the apartment a little later. "Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. We were just discussing trade embargoes." Lena said.
"That sounds, um, dull." Kara said.
"It's not." Lena said as the teenage Alex pulled a face.
"Are you staying for dinner?" Kara asked.
"If I'm not intruding. And if there is kale." Lena responded.
"There will be." The teenager jumped in.
"You two are weird." Kara commented.
"No, we have taste." Lena countered.
"No, you're weird." Kara said before looking at Alex. "Why don't you send the order over and I'll pick it up?"
"I can get it, I need to walk Chewie." Her daughter said.
"Why don't we all go together?" Kara suggested before looking at Lena and asking. "Assuming you are okay with being in this part of town."
"You make it sound like I am a snob." Lena said following them out of the apartment.
00
"Not that I'm complaining, but why is Alex hanging out with you on a Friday night?" Kara asked Lena when her daughter had disappeared into the restaurant, leaving Chewie outside with Lena and Kara.
"I think she is struggling with her history class." Lena said.
"Thank you for helping."
"My pleasure and it makes a nice change from my boardroom issues."
"What's wrong?" Kara asked.
"Nothing out of the usual, just the normal power plays." Lena said. Seeing Kara frown she added. "It's nothing I can't handle."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. Besides flying the board members onto a garbage barge won't help."
"You sure?" Kara asked.
"I'm sure." Lena smiled. "Besides I think Cat would have a stroke if I used you as an enforcer."
"Probably." Kara agreed as Alex came out of the restaurant carrying the bag.
"All done?" Kara asked.
"Yes. They even threw in extra breadsticks."
"Another restaurant you are keeping in business." Lena commented. "Or they are worried you don't feed Alex."
"Either way, more food." Kara said happily as she wrapped an arm round her daughter's shoulders. "Let's go home and enjoy it."
"You're not stopping for ice cream?" The teenager asked.
"I'll fly out for that later."
00
"Any big plans for the weekend?" Lena asked as they ate dinner.
"Frax on Sunday and then just homework." The teenager said.
"You need to have more fun." Lena reminded her.
"Why don't we go down to the botanical garden?" Kara asked her.
"Sure."
"As fun as that sounds I have tickets for the Bedfords." Lena said.
"The who?" Alex asked as her mother's face lit up.
"No The Bedfords." Kara replied.
"What?" Alex asked lost.
"We so need to work on your education." Kara commented before looking at Lena. "Why do you have tickets?"
"It's a perk of being rich, people give gifts. Although in this case I gave a donation to their chosen charity. But the point is I have tickets if you'd like to go."
"Who are the Bedfords?" Alex asked still lost.
"They are like the biggest band going right now." Kara said. "How have you not heard of them?"
"I'm busy."
"You're a high schooler, you shouldn't be that busy." Lena commented. "So how about it?"
"Yes." Kara said, clearly excited.
"Excellent, I will pick you up at six on Saturday then. And I have extra tickets if you want to invite anyone else."
"How many?" Kara asked.
"At least two, I can get more if you want." Lena said. "Especially if you want to invite some friends." She added looking at the teen. "Just because you haven't heard of the hottest band this year doesn't mean everyone else hasn't."
"Seeing I haven't heard of them wouldn't you just like to make it a grown up thing. I mean Alex might like it." The teenager said.
"Your aunt can come too." Kara said. "But you are going as well."