A few weeks passed. After saving Lena, Kara's powers returned, and now the Danvers sisters were protecting the city together once more. Alex and Hank reconciled, and Hank comforted Alex with her knowing that her father, Jeremiah was gone. Neither has realized that unlike before, Alex began to view her boss as not just as her mentor, but also surrogate father figure.
And now Alex sat in a bar with Maggie. Hank noticed that Alex sat in her lab for two days, only exiting to either eat, be Powergirl, or use the restroom, so he told her to take a day off.
"You are a terrible pool player," said Alex, grinning at her tenth victory. She enjoyed playing with Maggie, but she would have wanted her new friend to be better at it; Alex craved to get a challenge, and Maggie's skill at pool only provided laughs for her.
"Well, I guess not everyone can be as tough and skillful as the Maiden of Steel," said Maggie.
"That applies to Kara, not me," said Alex.
"You do have powers," said Maggie.
"Fine," said Alex.
"After this drink, do you want to play another round? How about until I win?" Maggie asked.
"I mean, we could play, but I wouldn't want to keep you away from your girlfriend; I think she would be worried if you returned late," said Alex.
Maggie shook her head. "Oh, about that. Don't worry Danvers, we have all the time we need. She, she dumped me," said Maggie.
Alex opened her mouth widely, standing up from her stool, and unconsciously taking a fighting stance, as if wanting to protect Maggie from harm. "Who would do that?" Alex said.
"My former girlfriend, apparently," said Maggie. "She told me that I am a workaholic, never spend enough time with her, and also that she does not want to see me again. It's over."
Alex took another glass of alcohol in her hand. "Well, her loss. You are an amazing woman, smart, strong, brave, and she is being stupid for rejecting you," said Alex.
"Thanks for help, but I think that I need to be alone for a while," said Maggie. Alex nodded.
"I will be here for you, if you need someone to talk to," smiled Alex gently, placing her hand on Maggie's shoulder. Maggie nodded and walked out of the bar.
Alex finished her drink, paid, and left the bar. When she exited it, she heard loud noises and noticed an explosion nearby. She looked around, saw that nobody was looking, and quickly changed into her Powergirl costume. After changing, she flew towards the scene, noticing that Kara also have arrived.
"What caused all this?" Alex asked. Before Kara could answer, a man with a large gun fired at Alex, sending her a few meters away. The criminal was apparently pleased, seeing that one of the protectors of National City had been temporarily defeated.
Kara flew towards the man, but he fired the gun at her too, throwing Kara at a nearby car. Thankfully, no one was in the car. When Kara hit it, the car was smashed to pieces.
When both Kara and Alex stood up, they noticed four more men holding similar guns. They fired them at the sisters, but Kara and Alex dodged, and caught two of the men.
One of the others pointed his gun at a car and another smaller gun he had. The car began rising in the air. "I've got this," said Kara, flying at the car. She wondered how long it would take for the car to remain unaffected by gravity, and she did not want to take any chances.
"Help me," said a person in the car. Kara looked inside and saw a small girl holding a small kitten in her hands.
Kara immediately tore up the door, grabbed the girl and her kitten and flew towards the street, where the girl saw her parents. Kara flew towards them and gave the girl and her kitten to the girl's parents. Kara then flew up quickly, and grabbed the car. Kara did not want to destroy the car, so she just held it, waiting for the gravity to start working, since while she tried to pull it closer to the surface, the car kept gaining altitude. Finally, at around one kilometer up, gravity returned, and the car began falling. Kara immediately caught it, and brought it to the family it belonged to.
"Sorry about the door," said Kara.
"We can fix the door, thank you Supergirl for saving our precious little daughter and her Bunny," said the father of the little girl.
Kara smiled at the girl. "Remember, girls can be anyone," said Kara, flying away.
While Kara was preoccupied with the car, another bandit shot at the nearby building. The gun created a small crater in the wall, and Alex noticed a classroom full of scared students there. Alex then looked at the bandit, and hesitated. She was a DEO agent, and she was trained to catch the bad guys, but after seeing the scared children faces, she wasn't sure what to do. The bandit made another shot.
Alex immediately flew in front of the energy blast, shielding everyone in the classroom. Upon impact, she fell on the ground, and saw that all children's faces were on her.
"Go get him, Powergirl," said one of the kids.
"You are my favorite superhero," said another kid.
"Is Supergirl your sister, cousin, or just another Kryptonian?" A third kid asked.
Alex quickly got back on her feet and flew towards the bandit. Just as he was ready to fire again, Alex landed in front of him, tore the gun into small pieces, and lifted the man above the ground by the collar of his neck.
"How could you? There are plenty of bad people, but someone who tries to harm innocent children is a special kind of evil," said Alex. Alex noticed that the other four bandits scattered, running away, and hiding from the Danvers sisters.
"I was just testing the weapon," said the bandit. Alex flew into the air, still holding the man by the collar of his neck.
Once they were thirty feet in the air, Alex relaxed her hold on the man's collar. "Scam like you don't deserve to live," said Alex. She then let the man go, and saw the man screaming, but before he hit the pavement, Alex grabbed him and then put him on the ground.
By that time, Kara returned to the ground with the car, and Alex noticed that Maggie has also arrived on the scene. "What happened here?" Maggie asked.
"This shit recklessly fired his gun with his buddies, who left him by the way. While they used these guns against Supergirl and I, we were not hurt, but this shit over here recklessly endangered the lives of many innocent children," said Alex.
"You have the right to remain silent," said Maggie, reading the rights to the bandit. When her fellow officers arrived, Maggie, Kara, and Alex told what has happened. The family of three with a kitten and the children at the school also gave testimony.
When Maggie's fellow police officers took away the bandit, and Kara flew away to her work at CatCo, Alex and Maggie took a few steps away from everyone to talk.
"This day has been crazy," said Alex.
"It sure has. I've talked to the kids, they are all grateful to you, Alex," said Maggie.
Alex looked at the destroyed gun and after a quick examination, gave some initial thoughts about the gun. While it was destroyed, and she could not provide much information about it, Alex concluded that it was of alien origin.
"Nerd," commented Maggie. Alex blushed.
"So, how are you feeling, Maggie?" Alex asked.
"To be honest, I feel as if someone kicked me in the gut. My girlfriend has dumped me, and we had been dating for three weeks," said Maggie.
"Well, do you want to do anything? How about we enjoy life," said Alex.
"What do you mean?" Maggie asked.
"We could go play more pool, or go eat at this fancy restaurant I visited the other day," said Alex.
Maggie looked at Alex. "I, I think I read you wrong. I did not know you liked ladies," said Maggie.
"I don't, I just like to spend time with you. Remember Lucy? I told her we are friends, and I just like to spend time in your company. And seeing that your girlfriend broke up with you, I wanted to comfort you," said Alex.
"Thanks but I want to spend some time alone. I am still hurting; you know?" Maggie said.
"Sure, but when you are ready, call me and we can spend some time together. You are my friend, and I just want you to be happy," said Alex. Maggie smiled.
Suddenly, both women jumped when they heard a small explosion. They looked around and saw that somehow the bandit who just got arrested had literally lost his head.
"What the hell?" Maggie asked.
"Apparently someone did not want them to talk," said Alex.
"We will need then to learn who was behind these guys with alien guns," said Maggie.
"Yeah. Well, I need to go, yes, my boss needs me at the DEO," said Alex, flying away to the DEO HQ, while thinking about what Maggie has said about her.
Kara returned to CatCo and helped Cat in her usual work. At lunch time, when Kara was about to get some food for her boss and herself, she noticed Lena.
"Kara," said Lena.
"Lena, hi, it's nice to see you here," said Kara.
"Hello. As you might know, L Corp is hosting a joint fundraiser with Maxwell's company, so I wanted to ask, I was wondering whether you could come as my guest? I don't really know anyone in the city, especially since people don't want to deal with Luthors," said Lena.
"Sure, I can come," said Kara.
"Kiera!" Cat said, approaching the pair.
"Miss Grant," said Kara, "Lena has invited me to her party,"
"Well, it's a gala really," said Lena
"Nice, and you said yes? Tell me you said yes, Kiera? You know it is nice for you to spend time at such formal events, where you can make contacts and meet important people," said Cat.
"I, yes, I would be happy to come," said Kara, smiling at Lena. In turn, Lena bit her lip, while staring at Kara.
"Good. I will see you there, kids. Please behave, and don't embarrass me, especially you Kiera. And try to meet people, these galas are important," said Cat, walking back to her office.
"I guess I will see you then," said Kara.
"Great, thanks for accepting my invitation," said Lena, practically radiating happiness, while Kara was smiling.
Cat was quietly observing the two friends, shaking her head. "I wonder when they will realize that they like each other," thought Cat.
Later, as people began to enter the new L Corp building where Lena and Max were hosting a joint fundraiser, Alex and Winn have arrived early. Alex showed badge, telling that she would help with security, while also telling that Winn was her tech support.
Alex and Winn stood in the corner, with Winn looking at his laptop. "I examined the data on the destroyed gun, and confirmed that it was alien of origin. I then analyzed what that alien gun could do," said Winn, discussing his report to Alex. He talked for a few minutes, and only then noticed that Alex was not paying attention.
"Earth to Agent Danvers? Alex?" Winn asked.
"Oh, yes, sorry, I've been listening," said Alex.
"Oh no, you weren't. Why are you smiling?" Winn asked.
"Who? No, I don't smile," said Alex.
"I see a smile on your face," said Winn.
Alex sighed. "You got me. I was just thinking about Maggie, and how she is such a terrible pool player. Can you imagine that I actually tried to let her win, and she screwed up every single time? Maggie is so nice, so strong, but she is terrible at pool," said Alex.
"Maggie as NCPD Detective Sawyer Maggie?" Winn asked.
"Yes. She just broke up with her girlfriend, and normally she is just so tough, but now she seems so vulnerable, you know?" Alex said.
Alex then listened to what Winn was saying about the alien weapon.
Kara and Lena arrived shortly. Cat Grant decided to come with them to save time, only then leaving the pair to talk to other guests. "Enjoy the party, Kiera, Lena," said Cat.
"Well, hello Lena Luthor. I was wondering when my partner would show up," said Max, approaching them.
"I am not your partner, Max, we are just hosting the fundraiser together for a noble goal," said Lena.
"True, but you and I know that we should become actual partners and work on anti Kryptonian weapons. I think we need to get some of that alien tech to analyze," said Max.
"I am not my brother, Max," said Lena.
"I never said you were. And I am not against aliens on principle, alien lives matter too, Lena, I just don't trust Kryptonians. Other aliens might look different but they are just people, while Kryptonians have powers, powers much more powerful than most other aliens have, and call me paranoid, but I am worried," said Max.
"The only business relationship I will have with you is to fundraise money to help people, and I will not develop anti Kryptonian weapons with you," said Lena.
"A pity then. I guess I will go, but don't tell me later that I didn't warn you," said Max, leaving the women.
"I am sorry you had to witness that, but people still associate me with hating aliens," said Lena.
"I don't. I see you as Lena, my friend Lena, and not the sister of the man who tried to kill my cousin," said Kara.
"Lex tried to kill your cousin?" Lena wondered.
"Yes, when Lex fought Superman once, he attacked Clark since he was trying to expose Lex Luthor's crimes," said Kara, quickly trying to find some plausible way to explain the slip up, and hoping that Lena would not connect the dots.
"Sorry about that. I knew that Lex hated Superman, but I did find some reports where he attacked humans too," said Lena.
Kara and Lena grabbed some drinks. "This party is going well," said Kara.
"Thanks," said Lena, blushing. Kara bit her lip, looking at Lena.
"Lena?"
"Little One?"
The pair looked around and saw two women approaching them from two different locations.
"Aunt Astra!" Kara said.
"Mother," said Lena.
The two women approached Kara and Lena, and then introduced themselves.
"Lady Astra Inze. You must be Lena Luthor. I am Kara's Aunt," said Astra
"Lillian Luthor," said Lillian, "Mother of Lena,"
Kara and Lena smiled. "I thought I would never see you again," said Kara.
"I thought so too, but being a soldier, I couldn't take you in when you lost your parents, Little One, so I was happy that you have a family," said Astra. "And you, you must be Lillian Luthor, mother of the famous anti alien Lex Luthor,"
"I am," said Lillian. "While Lex and I had our differences, with Superman twisting the mind of my dear boy, I do agree with his goals, not his methods. I do think that aliens should leave Earth, in one way or another, and return to the places they came from."
"Alien hater," said Astra.
"Aunt Astra," said Kara.
"Don't you see, Little One? This woman hates aliens. Her son tried to actually kill Superman, and if Lex Luthor wasn't so obsessed with Superman, he would have attacked other aliens, who weren't as strong to defend themselves," said Astra.
"At least I have a family, Lady Inze. No matter the views I hold, and no matter how much I disagree with my daughter, at least I didn't abandon her when she needed me," said Lillian. Astra moved closer, grabbing Lillian's arm.
Kara and Lena were not sure how to respond. Kara was annoyed at seeing Astra here, but she did not want to fight her Aunt, where she would reveal that both Kara and Astra were Kryptonians.
"Ladies, ladies, ladies, why are you fighting? We can resolve any dispute, as we are smart, and capable to find better solutions that fighting like some stone age brutes full of testosterone," said Cat.
All four women looked at Cat Grant.
"Don't get involved in this, Grant?" Lillian said. "Cat got your tongue? What, your name is literally Cat,"
"Lillian, both you and I know that I helped your daughter when you couldn't. You say that you did not abandon your daughter, yet Lena felt abandoned, and I mentored and comforted her for many years," said Cat. "I also happened to overhear that you, Lady Astra, gave up your daughter to live in another family. Both of you abandoned your family in a way, but you still love them. You are more alike than you realize."
"I fail to see the point, Tiny Cat," said Astra.
"Astra, you love Kara, and Lillian, you love Lena. You made mistakes, and you did, but you must own your mistakes, and instead of further hostility, spend more time with your families. And since you are so similar, I propose you have a truce, and try to become friends, since you both want what's best for your family, and if you were friends, both Kara and Lena would be happy," said Cat.
"Thank you Miss Grant," said Kara. "You said my name right,"
Kara smiled at her boss. "Did I, Kiera? I think you misheard what I said. Anyhow, enjoy the party, while I speak to more people," said Cat, leaving them.
"I will see you later, Little One," said Astra, walking away.
"Lena, we can spend some quality mother daughter time discussing science tomorrow night," suggested Lillian, also leaving.
The party continued. Suddenly, the people heard shots, and saw four bandits enter the gala with alien guns. Kara stood next to Lena, unsure how to react, she while she could leave Lena and change to her Supergirl costume, she would have needed to leave Lena alone, and she couldn't do that.
Luckily, Powergirl appeared at the robbery, drawing the robber's attention at Alex. While she defended the people, Lena climbed under the table with Kara. "What is this?" Kara asked, seeing a device below the table.
"It's –"
Lena could not finish as she saw that Winn climbed under the table. He moved a bit away when he saw the device under it.
"Hey Winn," said Kara.
"Kara, can you help me with using this machine to disable the guns?" Lena asked. Kara examined the device. Winn also looked at it out of curiosity. They then began moving few wires, which then produced an energy wave that first disable the guns, then destroyed them. Alex took this opportunity to knock out the four robbers.
Maggie and other officers arrived, but like last time, the four robbers fell dead. "I should have seen this coming," said Maggie.
Later, after Supergirl and Powergirl cleaned the mess at the new L Corp building, Alex and Maggie met once more at the bar. "I saw your text, you told me you wanted to see me, Danvers?"
Alex nodded. "Yes. I thought about what you said earlier, and realized that maybe you were right about some things about me," said Alex. Maggie smiled. Alex then walked away from the bar, leaving smiling Maggie drinking a glass of alcohol.
A/N: more Sanvers, and a bit more focus on Alex here. I thought it was nice to show that while Kara and Alex are both Kryptonians here with same abilities, Kara smiles more, while Alex went angry when she saw that the bandit endangered kids and went to defend them, interrogating the bandit like Batman would, because I do see Kara and Alex have similar worldviews and tactics like Superman and Batman have (the former being more idealistic, the other more aggressive when interrogating bad guys).
Oblivious Lena and bad liar Kara "Lex attacked my cousin who is totally not Superman" was fun to write.
I also tried to make Max Lord be different from Lillian, where Lillian hates all aliens, while Max does not trust Kryptonians, but is otherwise totally cool with many other aliens.
I thought it was nice for Astra and Lillian to finally meet one another face to face. Cat was funny here too, and she ships SuperCorp in this story.