The Return Chapter 381, a supergirl fanfic

"So are you actually babysitting?" MJ asked when Diz came into the house on the Friday evening.

"Depends on your definition of babysitting." Diz said as he put his bag down.

"Well, if we broke curfew what would you do?" MJ asked.

"You are still making amends for everything you did. You aren't going to break curfew." Diz said.

"Well, what if I break Curfew?" Alex asked.

"You? Break curfew?" Diz countered.

"He's got a point." MJ said to his cousin.

"What exactly are you asking?" Diz asked.

"Would you use your powers on us? Lock us in the house? Drive us to a remote location?" MJ asked.

"No, no and no." Diz replied.

"Really?" MJ asked.

"Yeah, I'd just call Kar and let her guilt you into behaving." Diz said.

"Smart." The teenage Alex commented.

"So do you have any plans for us?" MJ asked.

"Like a bed time?" Diz asked amused.

"I meant, video games."

"I'd thought you'd given up." Diz pointed out.

"I said 'like'."

"No plans, I have to study." Diz said.

"We could do homework swap." MJ said.

"This oughta be good." Diz said.

"Alex does your calculus, you do my physics and I do Alex's history."

"If Alex does my calculus I won't learn how to do it." Diz pointed out.

"But you'll get full marks and mom will like you more." MJ argued.

"Liking Diz resulted in your mom asking him to babysit us." Alex pointed out.

"Good point." MJ said. "Forget I spoke."

"You know, if you spent as much time doing your homework as you do scheming you might actually graduate." Diz said.

"He's got you there." The teenage Alex said to her cousin.

"Okay, tonight we start easy. Movies and room service, including lots and lots of chocolate." Sam said before adding. "Billable to Lena's account."

"Aren't you lacking alcohol?" Alex asked looking round the suite.

"Well, seeing you don't drink and we had run out of our secret stash of Kara rum, we thought we would make it a dry weekend." Sam said.

"You two?" Alex asked doubtfully.

"We are capable of having fun without drinking." Lena said.

"You guys don't need to do this." Kara said.

"Have you ever considered the fact that we want to?" Lena asked before going on. "I have seen first hand what happens when people refuse to lean on friends. In that case it may have been partly due to a lack of friends but the result was pretty clear. No one wants to see you turn into Lex."

"Lex? Isn't that a bit of a stretch?" Kara asked.

"Wanna risk it?" Lena countered.

"Wow, you have jumped straight to bad cop." Kara said dryly.

"Kara, we are all smart people in here." Sam said. "So maybe we can help you work through some of the questions you have. And as a mother I know damn well that you have questions and doubts. So right now what are you doubting about yourself the most?"

"I just don't know what to do. No matter what happens Alex gets hurt and it isn't just Alex. It's you," she said turning to look at her sister, "and Kara and MJ and Steve and Martin." She listed getting more upset.

"Hey, it's okay." Alex said hugging her.

"No it's not. I'm sorry, I am meant to be better than this."

"Kara you have been dealing with everything." Sam said. "It doesn't matter how many powers you have no one can deal with that strain."

"I should be able to."

"Why? Because you are Kryptonian?" Lena asked. "Because that sounds like ammo for people like Lex who are convinced Kryptonians think they are better than us."

"No, because I am meant to be Supergirl."

"And you are for certain hours of the day, but the rest of the time you are Kara, a mother, a sometimes employee of CatCo and a great friend." Lena said. "So what do you need right now?"

"I don't know." Kara said looking defeated.

"That's why we have organised everything." Sam said. "First things first, you need to destress. So tomorrow we are going caving."

"Sorry what?" Kara asked.

"It's not what you think." Lena said.

"There are some caves near here, which has mud that is used by most US based cosmetics companies. We are going to the source." Sam said.

"Why?" Alex asked as confused as Kara.

"Firstly, mud baths are incredibly relaxing." Sam said.

"Secondly, inside the cave there is no cell service." Lena added.

"You are better than Kar. Whenever she is angry she strips my threads." Diz pointed out as he a MJ worked on a car the next day. "But you need to secure these better."

"I'm not angry." MJ said.

"Yes you are." Diz said. "But unlike before when you were angry with everyone, now you are just angry with yourself." He said tightening a bolt. "At the end of the day it doesn't matter who you are angry with, anger is anger."

"This where you tell me to sit down and talk about my feelings?" MJ asked.

"We really have to cover this again? You've known me for how long and you really think I'm going to suggest talking about feelings?"

"Good point. So what is your plan?"

"I don't have one. Everyone is different. Kar beats the crap out of a punchbag. I fix engines. You need to figure out yours."

"And if I can't."

"You end up hurting Kar and your mom." Diz said before they quietly went back to working on the engine until MJ eventually asked.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Nothing changes what you did. You have to live with it. You hurt Kar and I'm not going to forget that and I'm not going to help you with it. But I believe in second chances. And I know they come with a huge price tag. You live with a constant fear of letting down everyone who believed in you. Sometimes you need a way of releasing that pressure, that I can help with because I've been there."

"If engine fixing isn't my anger release can I still do it anyway?" MJ asked.

"Release anger?" Diz asked.

"No fix engines with you." MJ corrected.

"I'm not going to turn down free labour." Diz said before something caught his eye. "I'll be back in a minute." He said before grabbing his jacket and heading over to a woman standing in the street across from the workshop. MJ then watched as Diz handed over a thick envelope before he walked back into garage, tossing his jacket down as he did so.

"Who was that?" MJ asked.

"No one that matters." Diz said. "We should finish up and get back."

"Are you in trouble?" MJ asked.

"No."

"Really? Cos that looked like you were handing her money." MJ went on. "Which is weird, because like no one uses cash anymore."

"Plenty of people use cash." Diz said as he pulled the tools away.

"Especially criminals." MJ said.

"You saying I'm a criminal?" Diz asked.

"No. I'm saying handing someone a wad of cash makes you look like a criminal."

"Well, I'm not." Diz said.

"Is she?"

"Who knows."

"Then why are you– wait is that your mom?"

"MJ, just drop it." Diz warned.

"Why are you giving your mom money? I thought you didn't speak."

"We don't." Diz said.

"Didn't look that way." MJ pressed. When Diz didn't say anything MJ took out his phone.

"What are you doing?" Diz asked.

"Calling Kara, to get answers."

"Don't." Diz said. "She'll worry. And she needs to focus on her exams."

"Then tell me what's going on."

"I was buying her off."

"Your mom is blackmailing you?"

"MJ, just drop this."

As they sunk in the mud in the middle of the cave Lena noticed Kara was looking uncomfortable so she reached round and pressed something causing low level yellow light to bathe the area.

"We were assuming you'd not like the dark, so we brought some low power solar lamps with us." Lena said.

"Thank you." Kara said.

"But you still don't get a phone." Sam warned.

"I have been on countless planets and Earth is the only one where people pay to get covered in mud." Kara said.

"So we are more advanced than them?" Lena asked. "You've got to admit it feels good."

"Who do you think came up with this idea?" Kara asked.

"Someone who probably died penniless, whilst their legacy rakes in millions." Lena said.

"Glad to see you packed your cynicism with you." Sam said.

"Never leave home without it." Lena pointed out as Sam noticed Alex was being really quiet.

"Is Alex asleep?" Sam asked.

"Yes." Kara said.

"How can you be so sure?" Lena asked.

"Her breathing."

"So follow up question, how can Alex sleep while in a mud bath?"

"She's an outdoors person." Kara said. "Speaking of which, seeing you are so anti camping, how come you like this?"

"After this I go back to a hotel room with a 1000 thread count skills sheets, a shower and jacuzzi bath and a soft gown. Not to mention the 80 inch television and basic electricity."

"Don't forget room service." Sam chipped in.

"You okay?" Diz asked when she saw Alex sitting in the dark with Chewie. Not getting a response he called louder. "Alex."

"Sorry what?" She asked turning.

"You okay?" He repeated.

"I'm fine. Why?"

"You were staring into space." Diz said. "As in the expression, not literally."

"I know the expression." Alex said.

"So what's wrong?"

"I couldn't do anything."

"With what?"

"Lobo. I mean I couldn't fight him off. I couldn't stop him hurting MJ."

"Not even you mom can stop Lobo." Diz said.

"Seeing he is obsessed with her, that really doesn't help me feel better."

"Sorry, but what I meant is no expects you to fight off Lobo."

"Because I'm weak."

"Because you are a kid and still getting used to powers. Oh and Lobo is immortal."

"Are you mocking me?"

"No. But you are setting the bar to high." Diz pointed out. "You have only had powers since you came here right? You are still learning how to use them and physically you are still growing. On top of that you have like zero experience, especially compared to your mom. If despite all that you could defeat someone like Lobo at this moment in time, wouldn't that suggest there is something wrong with your mom? If you decide to join the DEO or be a superhero you are going to spend your whole life fighting creeps like him. So you may as well enjoy the time you have now."

"Why is it that every one thinks you are completely on the level?" Lena asked Sam as the four women sat in the suite eating pizza. "You are as cut throat as everyone else in a board room."

"I don't have the name Luthor, that helps." Sam said.

"That's very true." Lena said.

"You should have got married so you could have changed your name without it looking like you were trying to hide your past." Sam said.

"I have to deal with lawyers enough without having an army to sort out the divorce." Lena pointed out.

"Wow, you haven't even met this potential spouse and you are already sorting out the divorce." Alex said.

"Always best to be prepared." Lena said. "I'll take Kara's silence as agreement." She added. When Kara didn't respond she called. "Kara?"

"What?" Kara asked looking up from her plate.

"Okay, time to talk." Sam said.

"What?"

"You have just backed up Lena's argument and you haven't touched your pizza." Sam said.

"I was just trying to think about ways I could protect the kids more." Kara said.

"I was going to wait, but perhaps this will help." Lena said moving to the side of the room and removing a large box from one of her bags.

"What is it?"

"In simple terms it is a very small mass spec. Effectively it draws air through here, and analyses it. Anything odd it sends a warning and a location to who ever you want, I was assuming the DEO, as well as triggers the alarm, which you will be able to hear. If any of them come in contact with any chemical it will trip." Lena explained.

"In theory it will also be able to detect if a meta is close by, I couldn't find a way of identifying Malaise specifically, but if he does do anything we know it in part triggers a hormone response which we can pick up in their sweat on this sensor." She said turning it round so they could see the sensor on the other side. "The hard part was not getting it to trip every time Diz got near. Fortunately he was a very patient lab rat."

"You've been experimenting on Diz?" Sam asked.

"No, I have been testing the watches." Lena said. "And he volunteered."

"And by volunteered you mean?" Sam asked.

"Volunteered. I explained it was to keep Kara safe and he volunteered."Lena explained. "But the point is, these will help keep them safe."

"Thank you." Kara said.

"We're back." Alex called as she and Kara entered the house. Not getting a response the sisters looked at each other before Kara used her super hearing.

"They're through here." Kara said leading her sister to the kitchen.

As they entered the empty kitchen they looked through the window and saw the three teens in the back playing basketball.

"They look like they are having fun." Kara said before noticing her sister's frown. "What's wrong?"

"I just hope MJ's ribs are holding up." Alex said as Chewie ran into the kitchen.

"Hey, did you miss me?" Kara asked crouching down and petting him.

"More likely he wants food." Her sister said.

"Don't you listen to her." Kara said to Chewie as they heard accusations of cheating from outside which broke into friendly banter as the trio walked towards the house.

"Mom!" Alex said before hugging her. "When did you get back?"

"Just now." Kara said. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, how was your trip?"

"It was good." Kara smiled. "What have you been up to?"

"Homework and basketball."

"And who was cheating?"

"MJ." Alex said as he said simultaneously.

"Alex."

"Anything I need to know?" The older Alex asked looking to Diz.

"No, it's all been quiet. Anyway I should get off."

"You aren't staying for dinner?" Kara asked.

"No, I need to study." He said. He then looked at MJ and added. "See you next weekend."

"Sure."

"Wait, before you go, I have something for you."

"From the sound of it you know what it is." The older Alex said as Diz took a watch from Kara.

"Thank you for helping Lena with this." Kara said.

"Sure, but why are you giving one to me?" He asked.

"Because you are family." Kara pointed out.

"Can we talk?" MJ asked his mother when everyone else had left.

"Sure, what's wrong?"

"I think Diz's mom is causing him problems."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked.

"Someone came to the workshop. When Diz saw her he grabbed a thick envelope and gave it to her. Pretty sure it was his mom and he gave her money."

"What did Diz say?"

"He didn't want to talk to me about it."

"Have you mentioned this to your sister?" Alex asked.

"No. Cos she'd come straight back, and if I'm wrong she'd be wasting her time."

"Okay, I'll look into it." Alex said.