Chapter 10 - Terra Firma

After a terrifyingly rough and fiery descent through the Earth's atmosphere, with Cat mumbling "oh god, oh god, oh god" all the way, while burrowing into Kara, who in a mix of English and Kryptonian, tried to provide comforting words and caresses that did little to ease Cat's fear, the turbulent light show finally stopped. The pod finally flew smoothly in the Earth's atmosphere.

"Oh thank God," Cat gushed with relief and slowly eased her death grip on her pilot. "I hope we don't have to do that again anytime soon . . . or ever," she snapped, trying to get her emotions under control.

"Agreed," Kara said solemnly, her hand soothingly caressing her passenger's arm. "It is clear this experience has not improved your opinion of flying," she added wryly.

Cat blinked and looked incredulously at Kara, who was unable to hid her small smile as she shrugged.

With an exhale of disgust and roll of eyes, Cat shook her head and stared at the frozen landscape the Pod traveled over. She immediately noticed the absence of soothing warmth when Kara's hand stopped her gentle caress and fell away. Silently, seeking the comfort Kara had provided, Cat's hand found Kara's, giving, then receiving a gentle squeeze.

"No. It has not," Cat declared imperiously after a moment, pleased to hear Kara's soft chuckle.

The pod finally stopped its swift travel over the surprisingly colorful arctic landscape, with a variety of icy blues and sunny oranges and pinks that would put a paint store to shame. Cat frowned, wondering why they now hovered over a large block of ice that looked like every other block of ice. The appearance of the ice flickered and faded, finally exposing a decidedly out-of-place construct.

"Well. Neat trick," Cat said, her bored tone masking her fascination.

"Cloaking Kryptonian fortifications on alien worlds is common practice," Kara said, feeling a little more at ease from the familiar architecture.

White crystalline beams jutted out at angles forming the impressive structure. It was beautiful, Cat considered. She blinked in surprise as a beam of light latched onto the pod, gently guiding their descent through what looked like the front of the structure, which opened to allow entrance.

Kara took note of the two large statues they passed, appearing to guard the entrance as was custom for Kryptonian fortifications. They resembled her aunt and uncle, and bore her family's glyph. "This structure belongs to the House of El," Kara said with surprise as the Fortress' guidance system moved them through the main hallway, towards a circular landing platform that rose from the floor.

"This is Superman's Fortress of Solitude," Cat said with certainty and awe as the pod landed, eagerly taking in everything around her. The large statues they passed and crystal structures surrounding them were elegant and had a beautiful glow about them.

"Superman?" Kara asked as she opened the pod's canopy, letting a gust of bitterly cold air wash over them.

"Ah! Cold cold cold!" Cat shivered, futilely rubbing her arms for warmth.

"It is uncomfortable. You should stay in the pod for warmth. I will explore. Acceptable?" Kara asked, getting a terse shake of her head.

"Not on your life, K . . . Kara! I'll manage for a b..bit and explore w…with you," Cat said with determination in spite of her physical discomfort.

"Very well," she said reluctantly. "But if it gets too uncomfortable, you must return to the protection of the pod, Catherine. Exposure to extreme cold is dangerous," Kara warned.

"Fine," Cat growled out and awkwardly started to climb off of Kara's lap and out of the cockpit.

The hull was still warm to the touch, which Cat was thankful for as she hugged it. As Kara started to climb down, Cat realized something very important as she came cheek to cheek with a beautifully formed, but completely exposed, rear-end.

"You need cl…clothes," Cat immediately announced. "And shoes," she added, noting the bare feet.

On the ground, Kara looked down at her hospital gown with a frown and nodded. "This is not something I would choose to wear."

"W…well, well, there is s..some hope for your f…fashion sense a…after all," Cat responded, finding the cold greatly hindering her witty repartee.

"I have many questions but you need . . . ," Kara said, looking at a shivering Cat with concern.

"Ah!" Cat cried out, and grabbed Kara's arm, startled by a bulbous floating robot suddenly appearing before them. She sidled up closer to Kara, for both protection and warmth.

"Lady Kara, welcome. How may I assist you?"

Kara felt Cat relax her grip. "The environment is too cold. Please increase the ambient temperature to prevent hypothermia."

"Ambient temperature is adjusted." The attendant responded.

Cat could feel a wave of notably warmer air wash over her. "Thank god," she exhaled in relief. The temperature was still too cool for her liking - she'd prefer a sunny beach and 85 degrees, but beggars can't be choosers. At least she could move about without freezing to death.

"How were you not cold?" Cat asked, mildly annoyed.

"I was," Kara responded simply, then turned to the robot. "Attendant, what should I call you?"

"I am referred to as Kelex."

"Very well, Kelex. I require clothing and footwear. Zrhythrev, ehl, gir, ehkov," Kara ordered confidently.

It was as if she was used to talking to a shiny floating robot, Cat mused. Though, she supposed Kara may have had one growing up on Krypton.

Another, smaller circular platform rose from the floor and stopped waist-high. A bright flash startled Cat, who watched in fascination as the requested clothing materialized. Kara grabbed her outfit.

"I could certainly use something like this," Cat said appreciatively. "Um . . . would it be possible to get a coat?" Cat ventured, still rubbing the chill away.

Kara looked at her with embarrassment for her poor manners. Not seeing to a guest's needs first was inexcusable. "Oh! Forgive me. Kelex, Catherine requires a coat. Uh . . . Earth . . . standard," she ordered with far less confidence.

"Earth standard, unknown," Kelex immediately responded.

Kara frowned and Cat rolled her eyes and blurted, "London Fog parka, wool, style Riley. Small."

The robot's lights blinked for several seconds before there was another flash on the small platform. The requested coat materialized and Cat smiled. "I really could use one of these!" she said, eagerly grabbing her coat and putting it on with a sigh of relief.

She noticed Kara studying her. "Well, aren't you going to go change?" Cat asked.

"Change?" Kara asked curiously.

Cat sighed and tried again. "Are you going to put on your new clothes?"

"Oh! Yes. Kelex? Are there private quarters in this structure?"

"Yes, Lady Kara. Consistent with typical House of El residences," he relayed, pleasing Kara with familiar surroundings. "They are at the end of the highlighted corridor," the robot instructed as the corridor in question lit up with brighter lights.

"Convenient," Cat noted.

"Thank you, Kelex. Please tend to Catherine's needs," Kara said, then glanced at Cat. "If you require anything, ask Kelex. I will not be long," she said with a small smile and left for a room, leaving Cat alone with the floating robot.

Reluctantly tearing her gaze away from the retreating, perfectly formed back-side that Michelangelo would have wanted to sculpt, Cat smiled at the robot . . . and the opportunity.

"Sooooo . . . you said your name is Kelex?"

"Yes, Catherine Grant," Kelex responded.

"How do you know my full name?" She immediately asked, distinctly recalling Kara only mentioning her first name.

"A biometric scan cross-referenced to the list of friends and allies. Lady Kara had designated Catherine Grant as a friend of the House of El."

"That's nice to know," Cat mumbled, unimpressed as she glanced around the fortress.

"It is a great honor," Kelex offered, piquing Cat's interest.

"What does being a friend to the House of El actually mean?" Cat asked curiously.

"If you are in need, the House of El will provide."

Cat blinked, the words were simple enough. But the gravity of them were nearly staggering.

"Are . . . are my sons on that list?" Cat had to ask.

"Carter Grant is also designated a friend of the House of El," Kelex answered.

Cat smiled, knowing how protective Kara was of Carter. Her smile faded, realizing the robot was finished answering and Adam wasn't mentioned.

"What about Adam Foster?" Cat had to ask.

"He is not."

She knew she shouldn't feel hurt that her eldest wasn't on the list. He was, after all, still an unknown quantity, even to his own mother, but it still hurt.

"He is on the list of allies," Kelex offered.

"What does that mean?" Cat asked with frustration.

"If he is in need, the House of El will help."

"What's the difference?"

"The distinction is to signify a level of trust and commitment. Allies do not have the complete trust of the House. History has shown allies have changed their allegiance to suit their needs. Therefore, they will receive limited House of El resources when in need."

Cat nodded thoughtfully.

Kara would still help Adam but was being cautious, something Cat could fully understand. And in spite of the ridiculous FaceBook-y feel to it, placing Carter and her on the "friends" list meant they had her trust. Something she was convinced she would never earn because of how poorly she handled the whole situation with her not-so-secret identity. But if Kara truly trusted her . . . and Carter, why did she continue with her impressively poor attempts to hide her identity?

Instead of continuing to ponder that conundrum, Cat had a robot to interrogate.

"Why did you call Kara, Lady Kara?" she asked curiously, wandering toward a large dais that looked like the command center of the fortress. She reached out to touch what looked like a control panel of some sort, but stopped herself, feeling that might not be welcome nor prudent - even for a friend of the House of El.

"The honorific is given to senior female members of Kryptonian Houses. As the eldest surviving member of the House of El, Kara Zor-El is designated as Lady Kara."

The information surprised Cat, who knew she had much to learn about her assistant and her culture. "You said you did a biometric scan? Can you do a medical scan too?"

A wide, blue-white beam immediately emitted from the robot and swept over Cat's form. "You have a mild concussion, several contusions and cuts, and are experiencing classic human symptoms of stress, high blood pressure and . . . .

"Not me, you bucket of bolts! I was thinking for Kara!" She snapped. "And I don't need a scan from a floating robot to tell me I am stressed," Cat grumbled, then took a calming breath.

"Lady Kara tasked me to tend to your needs. In addition to my other tasks, I am a medical attendant and have the capability to heal your injuries. Do you wish treatment?" Kelex asked.

"You can treat humans?" She asked with surprise.

"Affirmative."

"Have you ever treated a human before?" Cat challenged skeptically, not about to be a guinea pig.

"Affirmative."

"Who?"

"Martha Kent, James Olsen, and Lois Lane."

"What were their injuries?" Cat had to ask.

"I am not authorized to disclose that information."

Cat frowned and eyed the robot. "So . . . you are able to get rid of my headache, and my aches and pains?" she said warming to the idea; Clark would never subject his mother, best friend, and significant other to any risk.

"Affirmative."

"And my bruising would be gone?" She asked, having thought it would be a while before she could wear sleeveless dresses and short skirts without having to bathe in foundation, else be accused of drunken clumsiness, having a rare disease, or . . . God forbid . . . being old and easily bruised.

"Affirmative."

Cat smirked. "I don't suppose you can do anything about my wrinkles?" She asked flippantly.

"Affirmative."

"I think I'm in love," she sighed breezily. "But as tempting as that is, I would just like to feel better . . . please," she exhaled, feeling worn down but needing to be strong for Kara.

"Understood, please follow me," Kelex said, moving in the opposite direction of the living quarters.

Cat followed, curiously glancing around majestic structure and briefly inspecting several intriguing items on pedestals they passed along the way. Not knowing whether they were alien kitchen appliances or weapons of mass destruction, she elected to keep her hands to herself.

They entered a room which gave Cat pause.

"Please lie down in the treatment chamber." Kelex said, opening the transparent lid.

Not exactly thrilled to lay in what looked like a roomy white space-coffin, she hesitated, but her desire to heal was sufficient motivation to climb in. Well that, and the fact she'd never hear the end of it if Lois ever learned she chickened out.

After she reclined in the chamber, Kelex lowered the lid over her. The hiss of its movement and click when closing were soft, but still startled her. She was a little nervous, though would never admit it. After a few taps of the control panel by Kelex, the chamber started to hum, causing a faint, tingling sensation over her skin. She curiously looked down to her palms, which sported several cuts and scrapes, reminding her of those received from childhood bicycle spills. Her eyes widened in fascination as she watched her skin start to mend. After a few moments, the aches and pains from her various injuries started to dissipate, causing her to exhale with relief and close her eyes.

The next thing she knew, she was being woken by Kara, who was gently touching her shoulder. "Catherine?" She said softly. "I think you will be more comfortable sleeping in the private quarters.

Cat blinked groggily for a moment before sitting up.

Kara smile warmly. "You are looking better. How are you feeling?"

Kara watched curiously as Cat wiggled in her seat, then stretched her back and neck, testing to see if any of her aches were still there. She smiled brightly. "I actually feel better than I have in a long time, thanks to you and your amazing robot," Cat said, standing up with Kara politely lending a hand.

"I am glad you availed yourself to Kelex's medical service. I do not like to think of you in pain. I can show you to the sleeping quarters, if you would like."

"No need. I'm good for now and we've got things to do," she said, then smiled, glancing over a refreshed Kara and the blue outfit she wore well. "That certainly is an improvement," Cat said approvingly.

Kara's tunic reached mid-thigh, a shade of blue lighter than her heroic uniform with white accents. Her trousers and boots were a much darker blue. Cat noted there was still an "S" on her chest, but it was small and the same shade of blue of the fabric it was embossed on. The ensemble was far subtler than the primary color spectacle Supergirl and Superman wore, she considered appreciatively.

Kara chuckled. "Yes. And it is less drafty," she said with an easy smile, pleased to be rid of the gown and grime from the place they fled.

Cat smiled, amazed Kara still had a sense of humor after everything.

"I have many questions," Kara said, looking at her expectantly.

"I'm sure you do. But first, we get Kelex to scan and hopefully fix you. You came out of a coma but have significant memory loss."

"But how . . . ?"

"Scan first, then the questions," Cat commanded.

Kara took a resigned breath. "Kryptonians believe that a good hostess makes a person feel at home. I must be a magnificent hostess," she declared with a small smirk.

Cat eyed her. "Brazen. Kelex!"

SGSG

Kara was made to lay in the treatment chamber, which was unnecessary for a medical scan, but Cat insisted. Kara concluded it did not warrant argument. After Cat filled Kelex in on what she knew about Kara's trauma and the treatment received at the DEO, the the scan began. Cat closely watched the attendant, as if ensuring the scan was being done properly.

Kara found the fussing . . . charming.

Strong, loyal, beautiful, were other words that came to mind as she observed Catherine - the woman who saved her life and stuck steadfastly by her side as they figured out the chaos around them. Though, not that she had really given Catherine any choice, she considered with growing unease. Catherine was unconscious at the time.

Kara sat up when the scan finished.

"Catherine?" Kara said in a small voice.

She looked at Kara, who seemed to shrink into herself. "Yes?"

"I am sorry I abducted you."

"Abducted . . . ? What?" Cat blurted, confused.

Kara looked down. "I took you in the pod and brought you here. I gave you no choice and…."

"Kara! You always apologize for things you shouldn't and it gets incredibly tiring!" Cat snapped.

Seeing Kara's confusion, Cat softened, a bit. "Listen to me," she said, gently lifting Kara's chin up. "And listen well. You saved all of humanity and in the process, almost killed yourself. Then, some idiotic group managed to attack while you were vulnerable. I managed to stop one man from hurting you, then you saved me by pulling me out of that war zone. And you've saved me a few times before. It's annoyingly damsel-in-distress, and I don't do damsel in . . . ," she said with exasperation, but was interrupted by a quiet "I don't remember."

Cat exhaled sadly and nodded. "I know, darling," she said softly, unable to stop from kissing Kara's forehead. "But we'll figure it out," she said with confidence.

Kara nodded, feeling a bit better.

"Kelex? What are you waiting for? What's the prognosis?" Cat asked impatiently. Kara suspected impatience must be a typical trait for Catherine.

"Lady Kara, do you wish this information to be shared with Catherine Grant?"

"Of course she does, Kelex! I thought I was on the House of El trusted friends list!" she snapped and frowned in disappointment at the robot.

Kara looked at her with a pleased smile. Catherine Grant was also a friend in the Kryptonian sense.

"You are, but medical information is highly sensitive information that . . . ."

"Kelex," Kara interrupted. "Catherine Grant is authorized to access any information she requests."

"Very well, Lady Kara," Kelex responded.

Cat looked at her with alarm. "Kara, don't do something you might regret later," she warned uncomfortably.

"Your concern is evidence I can trust you," Kara said confidently.

"But you don't know me," Cat argued, surprising herself with her reluctance to accept the keys to the kingdom Kara was handing her. She had always wanted to be part of Kara's inner circle, to be trusted with her identity and history. But it just didn't seem right to let Kara blindly trust her now.

"Your actions since I woke have been to protect me. I may not remember, but I believe I do know you," Kara countered boldly.

"Fine," Cat huffed. "Kelex, what's wrong with Kara? Other than whatever is making her trust so easily. . . ."

Kara could only shake her head in amusement.

"Lady Kara suffered cerebral hypoxia. The exposure to the yellow sun, without atmospheric dispersion, allowed for a rapid triggering of a protective dormant state, where biological processes greatly slow down, reducing the rate of cellular degradation in the hostile environment. But, due to the prolonged exposure to vacuum, some cellular damage occurred in the vital organs. Currently, the heart and lungs are at functioning at slightly reduced capacity, with improvements expected from exposure to the yellow sun's solar radiation."

"Expected?" Cat challenged. "It's not certain?"

"Correct. Although, there is a high probability of successful solar radiation treatment and full recovery due to the lack of complexity of the organs."

"But what about her brain . . . her memories?" Cat asked worriedly.

"Lady Kara suffered some braincell damage which is preventing a small, localized portion of her brain from awakening from the dormant state," Kelex reported. "However, all voluntary and involuntary motor skills and cognitive abilities are fully functioning,"

"Can't you . . . kick-start that portion of her brain?" Cat asked hopefully as Kara sat silently, absorbing the information.

"Repair of the damaged braincells is required. The ability to the repair them with a solar radiation treatment is unknown."

"If the damage is repaired, would she regain her memories?"

"Unknown. If those cells are repaired, memories could be accessible."

"Could be? Uncertain? Unknown?" Cat spat with irritation, looking at the robot with disgust. "Which all boils down to 'wait and see' !"

"Affirmative."

"Unbelievable!"

Kara reached out, capturing Cat's hand. "At least there's hope," Kara said simply with a small smile.

Cat took a deep breath and looked at Kara. "Even without your memories, you are still so…you."

"I will choose to take that as a compliment," Kara said with an amused smile.

"Ever the optimist," Cat responded dryly, making Kara chuckle. "Now, we really need to work on your tan."