Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Call Me Kara

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 16:

Earth 3

Cat Grant stood in front of the makeshift board room table set in the largest office space, meaning blocked off from the general floor by sheet iron, and looked a those assembled. Eliza of course was present next to her. She would usually sit with Cat during the briefings from the scientists and give Cat the English version after the meeting. Kal El was also here, looking as brooding as ever, next to a very stern looking Hank Henshaw, donning his human guise he loved so much. Max Lord with his crutches, sat next to the lesser Lane, as Lucy had come to be in Cat’s mind. The fact that she was closer to Lois and even working with her was all the Media Mogul needed as proof that alternate dimensions could exist. Lois stood behind Kal rubbing his shoulders as the dark former hero looked a bit darker than usual. She could understand why. Winn sat to Eliza’s right, where Alex normally sat at briefings, laptop open and appearing more hopeful than he had been since Alex disappeared through the breach. He was expecting another breach to open any minute with Alex carrying Kara in her arms back to them.

“So apparently there have been some developments since our gathering last week?” Cat began.

No one seemed inclined to speak so she continued.

“Okay, from what I understand a breach was detected near our base of operations. A breach we assume was not caused by Mr. Allen since we did not see a thin man in a red spandex bursting through. Two individuals, a woman who identified herself as Sara Lance and an Oliver Queen, who according the description given is quite a bit different in appearance than the balding pot bellied billionaire Oliver Queen of our Starling City, were present. These two were found near the airfield in the exact location of this suspected breach and you Max, thought it would be a good idea to bring your sidekick and pack of weekend warriors to detain and question these individuals without alerting Alex, Hank, Eliza, Winn, Lois, Kal…”

“They weren’t here yet and we were, Cat. Leave it alone.” Max grumbled.

“Of course Kal was away, but honestly I am fairly certain Lois and myself could have put up a better fight then your team did. How quickly did you say you and your bodyguards were taken down Max?”

“She had some sonic device in her hand. It nearly shattered our ear drums. I doubt very seriously you would have done much more than criticized their wardrobe and they didn’t seem like the type who gave a damn about your opinion, Cat.”

“So after taking you down in a violent fashion he commenced to torture you for information on Alex, which you gave after ten seconds? Or did you last twenty? Were you not able to give up her location before he stuck the pointy stick into your thigh the first time ?”

“Alex had a better chance of helping me stop them. With her it would have been…”

“Alex versus those two instead of you, Lane, and a couple of goons versus those two. Very heroic of you Max. I am very glad I pay for the scientific research in this venture because if I was paying for some planetary defense force I would want a refund. Luckily Eliza’s part in this operation is going very well. So once you led them right to Alex’s apartment and lay on the floor while she fought for her life, could you pick up from there? I would love to know exactly what happened from you Max, since Alex is not here, off somewhere, God knows where, trying to find her sister.”

“Kara doesn’t need rescuing. At least I don’t think she does.” Max told her. Kal El huffed.

“Explain.”

“The woman, Lance, she told Alex that Kara would not be coming back to the place that tried to kill her. She said Kara didn’t know they were here but she deserved her mother’s necklace and some Kryptonian movie home movie projector…”

“Watch how you speak of Kryptonian technology, Lord. Kryptonians perfected space travel when this planet was still forming.” Kal El warned.

“And it worked out so well the whole damn planet exploded. Good job Krypton.” Max retorted dryly. Kal El stood up quickly, his eyes glowing until Lois raced around and placed her hands on his chest. She whispered something in his ear and the Man of Steel sat back down.

“Max tell us what happens before Lois can’t calm him down enough to prevent you from becoming an amazing likeness of General Lane.”

Cat knew Lois’s hatred towards her father and was not surprised to see no reaction from her. The two had drank together often in her office at CatCo and Lois had said much worse about her father. Lucy was still torn although she would not admit it and a mean spirited part of Cat, the part that missed Kara, was glad to see the flash of pain that graced the younger Lane’s face for a second.

“Lance asked Alex who tried to kill Kara. She wanted to know who was involved, told Alex that she did not trust anyone and pointed out that even though Kara’s death was ordered by the President the bullets that shot her were from weapons the DEO developed. The man never spoke, he just stood guard over me.”

“Stood guard? He could have put you to sleep as easily as she did to Alex. He just didn’t want to waste the time because you weren’t a threat.” Hank told him, causing Winn to snicker.

“Back on point.” Cat ordered. “These two came from the universe Kara is in. How did they get here? Did they say what kind of device they had? Any hints?”

“Alex said the woman told her while we were trying to play catch up they had a guy who could open breaches with his hands. I am assuming they are talking about some gifted metahuman like Barry Allen. Isn’t that what Kara called Barry? A metahuman?” Hank asked. Lucy nodded.

“Regardless they asked Alex to hand over the necklace, the hologram crystal and pictures of Kara’s friends and family. They took the items and left. Max called me and I found them in Alex’s apartment. We had no way of knowing where they might have gone so Winn began monitoring the city and surrounding areas for electrical disturbances resembling the one that alerted Max to their presence. Having no indication they had left, Alex and I proceeded to the entry point the two must have arrived that morning.”

“Oh good, this is my favorite part of the story.” Cat chirped. “This is the part where the hooded, masked, green leather clad Robin Hood and his masked Dominatrix with a big stick stepped out of a stolen care and proceeded to destroy Max’s defenders of the planet?”

“The man had arrows that exploded. The light caused us to go temporarily blind from the flash. Hank and Alex…”

“Were the only ones who had the ability to battle. I understand Max. Please stay quiet so I can hear about the rest of the fight from one of the few we have who know how to fight.”

Hank went on to explain the rest of the battle, including Kal’s arrival and Alex’s lunge into the breach.

“So the girl in red was called Speedy? This is why I handle the naming of Superheroes Winn. A man on fire and a man in a metal outfit that shrunk battled Hank and Kal and Alex while two girls and a ninja impersonating Robin Hood took out twenty of your mini DEO soldiers Max?”

Cat took Max’s silence as affirmation. Eliza decided to step in and give her thoughts on the direction they should all take.

“Alex hasn’t been thrown back so this means she has probably reached Kara. Kara hadn’t come back because she was afraid of who might have set her up and thought Alex and me would have a better life without her. Now Alex is there and probably looking for or has found Kara and is talking to her. This is good. I expect to see them back anytime now. In the mean time I believe we should continue the work we have set before us for a few reasons. One, we should not assume that Alex would come back if Kara refused. If it comes down to returning here without Kara or staying she will choose Kara every time, as she should. Two, we cannot assume that this man can perform whatever superpower he has anytime he wants. They may not be able to open breaches whenever they wish to wherever they wish. Three, I do not like the idea of another universe having better technology than us. If they know how, we should know how as well.”

“I agree.” Cat told the group. “If this man can do spacey stuff with his hands and the Blur, or Flash as he insists on being called, can run fast enough to break the barriers, we should have a way to do the same. Kal knows the vibrations Allen was running at, Winn now has the exact electrical signature of the breach to this alternate Earth, and our physicists and engineers are excited about the possibility of using the alloys from Kara and Kal’s pods to be able to…”

“That’s actually my idea. Every benchmark that has been reached has been mine.” Max interrupted.

“Including developing a stellar planetary defense force, Max.” Cat reminded him.

“We also have to look at the possibility that Kara is being kept captive.” Kal brought up. Hank placed his head on his hands and groaned.

“You didn’t hear her Hank. I did!”

“Hear what?” Eliza asked.

“When I arrived, the woman in black recognized me. She knew about me and she knew about Hank. They could have forced it out of woman in black called me the male Kara. She asked her friends if they had any idea on how to take me down because she didn’t have any solar powered sex bracelets. It is possible that they have somehow subdued her… what?” Kal asked, noticing the women, even Lucy Lane, hiding smiles and the men avoiding looking at him.

“Am I allowed to speak without fear of becoming a charcoal brique?” Max asked. Kal nodded begrudgingly.

“They threw back the Kryptonite bullets meaning there is no Kryptonite on their planet. The only way they could subdue her is by withholding sunlight, or more precisely yellow sunlight. They couldn’t hold her down long enough to do that and if they wanted to subdue her they wouldn’t have thrown the Kryptonite back in the first place. If they figured out a way to make a bracelet for her that could dose her body with red solar energy then she would obviously feel… human.”

“So they are keeping her captive with this bracelet!” Kal exclaimed.

“They wouldn’t have even known the source of her power unless she told them. She most likely asked them to make the bracelet for her to wear when she wanted to. I’m sure she just wanted it to feel normal sometimes. I actually heard the woman as well as you did Kal and she sounded as if she were being sarcastic.” Hank told him, hoping to ease his fears without having to bring up what Kal really didn’t want to hear.

“Why would Kara want something to weaken her? That makes no sense!”

Hank looked at Cat and Eliza. “Would one of you ladies please explain why?”

“She wants to have sex with Mr. Allen without breaking him in half, Boy scout.” Cat told him bluntly. Hank had seen Kara blush too many times to count but this was the first time he had ever seen her cousin do the same.

“Kal, she is not in danger.” Hank told him, again. “Yes they were unorthodox and some had some very amazing powers. The others were deadly, no doubt but not evil. The man with the hood on could have picked off every one of Max’s squad with an arrow before they could pull the trigger of their shaking guns. He could have shot for my eye or heart but instead shot me in the thigh. They both had arrows that turned into metal bands designed to capture and not kill. Even the man who hit me with the freeze ray device didn’t do as much damage as he could have. I have an idea that gun could have been much, much deadlier. Alex is fine, Kara is fine and I agree with Eliza, I expect to hear from one or both in the coming days. We have no idea if time works the same. Alex could be talking to Kara for a few minutes and weeks could pass here. We have to remain patient. They did not send a strike team to recover personal items of sentimental value for someone being kept hostage.”

“Now that we have what I consider definitive proof of Kara’s wellbeing, even more so than the Kryptonite bullets Max found, we have to keep this a secret. Her proof of life does not leave this room… or barn… whatever the hell we are in. Eliza, is there no room in our budget for a housecleaning crew? I can send over some of CatCo’s janitorial staff.”

“Why are we keeping this a secret? I mean its good news, right?” Winn asked.

“Its great news,” Lois answered, “which is why it needs to be kept quiet. There was enough blood at the scene of Kara’s attempted murder that a medical examiner formerly with the DEO and contracted by the Congressional Investigation Committee, verified that because of the similarities between Kryptonian and human physiologies there was no chance she could have survived the attack. This is why the former President is charged not only with attempted murder on Kal but with a murder charge for Kara’s presumed death. We don’t want the world to know she is alive anywhere. We know and that is enough. Former President Carter can go down for murder. She basically did destroy the life Kara had built here. If we release any of this to the world, questions will arise about where she is, how we know and the work we are doing on inter dimensional breaches. All the government knows right now is Kara was carried off by a man known as the Flash in an attempt to save her life and neither were seen again. Kal will be testifying on a closed circuit camera from CatCo about the attempt on his life and the state he found Kara in, along with Mr. Allen arriving to offer help. He will testify that he saw Kara die before the Flash ran off with her. Lucy will testify in Washington about her father taking over the DEO on the Presidents orders and preventing her from warning Kara. She will testify to everything he had planned including confiscating DEO weapons, personnel and ammunition along with details of her private life including her home address. Cat and I have been working hard to destroy any positive sentiment this woman may still have before she goes to trial and if we release news that Kara is alive and in another universe now, that will become the story of the year. It has to be timed right.”

“One of you was bad enough. The two of you together is evil itself. I like it.” Max told Lois and Cat. Both ignored the compliment.

“So we keep working, Max, make sure none of your security guards shoot any of our scientists by accident while conducting what you consider training. I have a gala to be at tonight and need time to prepare. I am still deciding who to support in the next presidential election. The next time there is an elected president I want him or her to understand that I can make them or destroy them if they cross me. Have a good day everyone.”

Cat walked out, the only sounds in the room, the tapping of her heels as she left. The CEO felt better than she had in weeks. She was now 100 % certain that Kara was alive and happy, Eliza was not as distraught Cat had feared she might be considering Alex was gone now as well, even seeming lighter knowing her two daughters had each other until she could be reunited with them. The trial of the century was a month away and everything was going according to plan. Most importantly she could go home and tell Carter his hero was alive and she had some pretty neat friends now as well. He would see Kara one day soon. They all would.

Earth 1

Alex woke alone in Kara’s bed once again feeling guilty. She knew she had tossed into her sister around 2 AM and woke herself, thereby waking Kara who most likely moved to the couch or Caitlin’s room so Alex could toss and turn on the large bed herself. The brunette and her sister had been told not to meet Nyssa at dawn this morning as the woman had other tasks to accomplish in Opal City for the next two days. Alex did not want to know what those tasks were, especially after learning Nyssa’s history the night before. She didn’t hold her history against her, rather impressed the woman maintained honor and morality despite the life she had been subjected to and was more fascinated by her. Still Alex could understand Caitlin’s warning. Nyssa was like no other she had met before. While Kara hated the idea of kllling and Alex understood the need for it at times, death and murder were an everyday occurrence to Nyssa and she tended not to be bothered by it unless it personally affected her. It did not turn her off the woman but was an eye opener for Alex to speak to a woman from a different world with her own code in regards to what was right and wrong, good and evil.

Alex being nearly the same size as Caitlin dressed in simple denim jeans and a red blouse, borrowed socks and to her embarrassment borrowed underwear along with black boots she had arrived in and prepared for the day. Not having her workout clothes she had to forgo her morning run and planned to ask Caitlin for this Joe West’s number. She would at least like to meet the man, get a feel for what sort of work he did and if she would fit in. She also wanted to talk to Cisco about his ability to open breaches. Kara and her needed to go back to at least say goodbye to everyone and give her mother a chance to come back with her two daughters if she wanted. The things Eliza could do at S.T.A.R. labs were numerous but it would be her decision. Alex’s dad may still be out there. Hank and her thought for sure when Project Cadmus had been shut down that he would be among those released but no one could find any sign or mention of him anywhere. She felt obligated to find him but also wondered if what Hank saw in Harper’s head was a memory from long ago. Hank though Jeremiah had died in front of him. What if he had just died shortly after reaching Cadmus? Regardless, Alex needed to understand the complexities and dangers of these breaches to judge the risk of going back to speak to everyone. Kara could not be stuck there. She deserved the friends and family she had made for herself now. Walking into the kitchen the electronic clock showed the time, 6 AM, and the date…

Damn it! How could Alex have forgotten? She rushed into the living room and not finding Kara on the couch, rushed to Caitlin’s bedroom. Caitlin sat up sleepily in bed.

“Have you seen Kara?!”

“Yeah she got up around 5 and left I guess. She said something about going to work early, preparing from some meeting with the PR team.”

“No, Kara doesn’t go to work on this day. She stays in bed or in her apartment or worse all day and doesn’t come out. If she is going out… this is bad. I’ll handle it. I’ll go to her job. You said they were at temporary offices while the building was being reconstructed right? Do you know the address?”

“Yes… whats the big deal? What’s wrong?”

“Today is the day. The worst day of the year for her. Today is the day her planet was destroyed and her parents died. Today is the day her whole world ended literally, for the first time at least. She really shouldn’t be alone.”

Caitlin told Alex the address and moved into the kitchen to hand Alex her keys. “Just plug the address in the GPS.”

Alex grabbed the keys and practically sprinted out, using the stairs instead of the elevator. She managed to follow the GPS instructions and arrived at Kara’s temporary office across from the rebuilding site of Palmer Tech, Walking in she was greeted by a lone security guard who informed her Miss Zorel nor anyone else had arrived at the building today. She believed the man and headed to S.T.A.R to find a harried looking Ray Palmer present, working on his suit, appearing as if he had not slept and was running on caffeine alone. Ray informed her that he had not seen Kara and would have been notified of any entries by the staff alert alarm used whenever the key card was used. Palmer allowed Alex to use his phone gladly, pointing out Kara’s number listed in contacts as Supes, along with names like Flash, Vibe, Cait, Dick Wells, Pointy, Speedy, Overwatch, Dig, Birdie, Snowflake, HotHead and Dr. Hothead.

Kara did not answer. Ray asked if Alex wanted him to pinpoint her location by phone signal but then asked if Alex had some reason to believe Superwoman was in trouble.

Not physically, Alex told herself.

If Kara needed her, she would call Barry or Cait and ask for her. Perhaps it was best to give her time. Alex would not be overbearing.

Instead she would stay in this lab all day and try not to worry, knowing she would fail. Last year, Alex had to drag Kara out of the Kryptonite training room with the levels set uncomfortably high and drive her home. She stayed with her sister who would not speak much, instead just rubbing her mother’s necklace, until Kara fell asleep that night. Perhaps this year with a new life Kara would be better. She hoped.

Kara was actually sitting on a bench by the docks watching the seagulls flying around, looking for breakfast. After all these years she was still fascinated by birds. To her they were the most beautiful creatures on any planet. Of course this reminded her of the one planet they had not been present on, the planet she was trying to take her mind off of today. Kara had considered going into work but when she had walked up to the door, she turned and took in the destruction of the building she had been working in not long ago. It was being rebuilt, the contractors exceeding expectations after she had charmed the owner of the construction crew, but still Kara could not take the sight of destruction of any kind today. She texted Felicity that she would not be in today and headed for the docks, the serenity of the water and the birds she knew would be there would relax her.

It hadn’t worked but she had no place else to go. The woman of steel did not have it in her to be around others today, even Alex or Caitlin. Alex would drag her home and she didn’t want that. She also didn’t want Catilin or Barry to see her like this. So she sat and lost track of time, looking between her mother’s necklace and the distant shore line.

Her phone had buzzed all morning but she did not have it in her to answer. At least until 11 when she saw Barry’s name on her screen. She knew Alex would understand she needed to be alone and probably told Cait if Alex told her but it wasn’t fair to worry Barry.

“Hey.”

“Hi. I’ve been wondering about you today. You haven’t returned my calls. Everything alright?”

“Yeah of course. How is your day going?”

“Busy. I’ve been at a crime scene all morning. Another murder, another day, I guess. This one was really strange though. I haven’t quite got it figured out.”

“Metahuman?”

“Maybe. I saw a bunch of missed calls from Caitlin, but figured if there was an emergency she would have called Joe. I hadn’t seen any from you so I was kind of wondering if everything was okay?”

“You wouldn’t call Caitlin back from a crime scene but you called me?” Kara asked, feeling special.

“Yeah. Like I said Cait knows to call Joe if there is an emergency. I just wanted to check on you.”

“I’m fine. Just dealing with contractors today. I need to meet with the PR team later. Apparently this editor at the Picture News is planing on writing an op ed piece blaming metahumans for the destruction of Palmer Tech, pointing me out specifically. Apparently my enemies are the reason the building was attacked. He has nothing to go on…”

“The guy is an ass and the people of this city saw what you did to save them. He has some grudge against superheroes and it is about to get him fired according to Iris. The owners of the paper are very pro Flash and Superwoman because the city is and having a guy who comes off as bitter will negatively reflect on sales. The company has already been receiving complaints on his biased and negative view for a while. Iris told me if he actually published this piece he is going to lose his job. Don’t worry about him.”

“Iris gives you a lot of information doesn’t she?” Kara asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

“Yeah, I mean she is my best friend I guess. Her and Cisco and of course Cait. It used to be just Iris and I growing up but things change. Are you really okay, because Felicity told me you weren’t at work when I called there.”

“You called my boss looking for me? Are you stalking me Barry Allen?”

“No! I just found it kind of unusual and when you wouldn’t answer…”

“I’m fine Barry.”

“Okay. Want to have lunch? I’m thinking of going to Spencer’s at noon with Joe. You could join us or it could be just the two of us. Joe wouldn’t mind.”

“No, I’m not very hungry and I suppose I should stop slacking off. I just needed a little me time. I’ll see you tonight maybe, okay?”

“Okay. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Kara ended the call and went back to looking at the water. As much as she wanted to see Barry, he didn’t need to see her like this. He would look in her eyes and know. Not today. Today she just wanted to be alone.

Barry ended the call confused. Kara was doing her best to sound normal but there was a tremor in her voice he hadn’t recognized before. He felt she wasn’t okay, he just knew it. Kara always answered, she loved her job and never missed work. They had lunch together nearly every day unless Barry was at a crime scene. He called Caitlin back, hoping she might have an idea of what was going on.

“Hey Barry, have you seen Kara ?” Cait asked as soon as she answered the phone.

“No, but I just talked to her.”

“Thats good.” Caitlin said with a relieved sigh.

“Is there something I need to know about? She seemed off. She didn’t want to have lunch today, claiming she wanted to be alone. I know something is up with her and you know what it is, right?”

“Barry, she is going to be okay. She just needs a day.”

“Why?” he pressed.

“Because… she will tell you when she’s ready. I probably shouldn’t have known but Alex… its… she is going to be okay. Just give her the day and I am sure she will talk about it with you tomorrow. Its her’s to tell, not mine.”

“But…”

“Barry? Just give her some space. You did nothing wrong and it has nothing to do with the two of you. Let it go. She will probably tell you tomorrow. If not don’t push her, okay?”

“Okay.” Barry told her and ended the call. He knew if Caitlin thought this was something Kara would want to share then Caitlin wouldn’t betray that. Having nothing else to do and not in a great mood he decided to head to the restaurant. Grabbing a patio table he waited for Joe. Ten minutes after he arrived Joe texted him and said he had a witness in the homicide earlier and had to beg off. Barry prepared to place a massive order for two since he had not eaten that day when Iris walked out onto the patio.

“Hey stranger.”

“Iris! How are you?” Barry asked, hugging his friend. He gestured for her to join him and the two sat.

“Lonely. I miss my friend. We don’t talk as much as we used to. I’m beginning to think you are avoiding me.”

Barry grimaced. He had told himself that he hadn’t been avoiding Iris but it would be a lie. While true, he had been very busy that was always the case. He had just chosen to spend all his free time with Kara, and they were usually at the lab with Cisco, Cait and whoever else wandered in that day, be it Dr Stein, Ray or even Jax occasionally looking to hangout. Felicity made random appearances at times needing access to the S.T.A.R. mainframe, still secretly helping Curtis Holt who was helping Team Arrow. Despite her anger that Oliver had given up and told her he finally had enough and perhaps he was best alone, Felicity could not get the man out of her head. Barry secretly agreed with Oliver. Felicity could not keep pushing him away, especially considering she dragged him back into this life and then expect him to keep chasing after her. When she yelled at him for following Sara he reminded her that she was the one who said they were over and he would do whatever the hell he wanted. Barry had felt the same way about Iris for a long time. She told him she wanted Eddie and seemed upset when he tried to move on.

“I know. I haven’t really meant to, It’s just…” Barry started the litany of excuses he thought of very quickly before Iris interrupted.

“your girlfriend doesn’t like me.” she finished for him.

Barry looked away but couldn’t avoid her gaze for long.

“It’s not that she doesn’t like you, it’s probably more of the way you acted when you first met her. I know Joe said something to you so don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about.”

“I do know and you are right. I was totally out of line. Things were going a certain way I thought and then Zoom and Caitlin almost… I also know killing him was difficult for you. I figured if I could give you time, you may come to grips with some things and maybe we could move forward. I was just surprised hen she arrived. I understand you love her and I know she loves you. I’ve never seen you this happy. I really don’t want to be shut out of your life. I’ve tried to be her friend but I don’t think its working very well.”

“She told me you two had a nice talk the other day at S.T.A.R.” Barry pointed out.

“Yes, she asked me a lot of questions about what I did and how I got my job. I told her about the blog and when you first started out, talking to you and… she told me I reminded her of a guy named Jimmy Olsen. She didn’t make it sound flattering. Something like another Jimmy Olsen riding someone’s cape? You have any idea what that means or who he is?”

Barry blanked. He knew exactly what Kara meant and could see some similarities between Iris and the man Kara felt was only famous because her cousin had liked him.

“Yeah I met him when I was over there. He was a good guy. I’m sure she meant it as a compliment.”

“Barry, I get it. She understands you in a way I never could and as much as I wish we had our chance I blew it. I should have spoken sooner and that is on me. I realize I am too late but we have been friends forever. You are the best friend I have and I don’t want to lose that.”

“I don’t want to lose that either.” Barry told her, remembering how Iris constantly calling him her best friend while living with Eddie killed him inside. Now he found himself wanting her to find that perfect person and he was fine knowing it wasn’t him. He had found his perfect person and things had worked out the way he supposed they were meant to. He didn’t believe in preordained futures but he still believed in some concepts of fate.

“I’m glad to hear it. Maybe the three of us could go out together sometimes? Perhaps see a movie or have dinner?”

“Why don’t you ask Kara to go with just you? Maybe the two of you can find some common ground?”

“Why? So she can make up a dog emergency to fly off too? I know she won’t leave me alone with you. At least your presence will guarantee we can have more than five minutes together.”

“I’ll talk to her. She is just trying to come to grips with a lot right now, new Earth, new friends, her old life, she has a lot on her mind. Every time she swoops in to save the day she is afraid people will fear what she can do and hunt her, no matter how much good she does. Its happened to her before and she is worried about it happening again. Your editor isn’t helping things.” Barry reminded her.

“I know. It seems like since we broke off our dating I guess, I wouldn’t call it a relationship, he has become even more bitter. The paper has been getting complaints about his op ed piece. So the three of us? Maybe one day she may let you off the leash and the two of us could do things together every now and then.”

Barry sighed.

“Kara is not possessive. She is just… she isn’t possessive. If you understood what she has lost before…”

“And she sees me as a threat to taking someone else away from her right?”

“Not a threat so much, she probably is still cautious. She will come around. No one can resist your charm when you turn it on.” Barry told her. “at least when it comes to being your friend.” he finished with a grin.

Iris threw a napkin at him. “Jerk. So you are saying I am destined to be friend zoned by every man I meet for the rest of my life?”

“I think we both know destinies change Iris. We make our own.” he reminded her. She nodded in agreement and the waiter arrived, took both their orders and left.

“How is the Lab doing? Cisco seems busy. I understand Palmer Tech has given a grant that allows Ray to work in anonymity?

“Yep. Cait has jumped on board with him. Apparently metahumans are finally figuring out that Central City isn’t an easy target and have been branching out. Opal City and Star City police departments are signing contracts with us for metahuman prison cells and the tech Cisco is coming up with to combat the criminal metas. Ironically S.T.A.R. is actually making a positive name for itself again.”

“Sounds like it has a great owner.” Iris complimented him.

“Owners you mean. Cisco and Caitlin are equal owners and take the majority of profit after everything is paid for that we need. I don’t take much since I have a regular job and they do all the work. I mostly just by food. Caitlin handles the contracts, expenses and bills herself. I swear there isn’t anything she can’t do. None of us will be millionaires anytime soon but we are operating and able to keep the place open. A part of me wanted to tear it down but it has so much tech and space that we need I just couldn’t.”

The two continued to talk about nothing in particular while they ate. Neither had done much in the way of entertainment, except Iris did listen to Barry go on and on about what a great singer Kara was and smiled through it all. When the lunch had finished, Barry and Iris both stood.

“It was really good hanging out with you Barry. I miss you.”

“Yeah, I miss you too.” he admitted. The two hugged warmly and at that moment Kara Zor El walked by the patio on her way inside to see if Barry and Joe were still here.

Deciding she would not wallow, Kara had left the docks hoping to catch Barry and perhaps he could bring some light to her day. Instead she found him in the arms of Iris West. Iris caught her eyes and froze. Barry must have noticed her stiffen and turned to see Kara standing on the other side of the small patio fence, only yards away, staring at the two.

“Hey Kara! I thought you said you didn’t want to come to lunch. We were just finishing up but we could stay around if you are…”

Barry stopped speaking when Kara gave him an ice cold glare and walked away, faster than any normal person should be able to walk.

“Oh God, she is really going to hate me now.” Iris whispered, not wanting to admit to anyone that she was very frightened of what an invincible super powered alien with jealousy issues could do to her.

“No she won’t. Its not like we were making out. She is just having a bad day for some reason. I’ll talk to her.”

Barry laid cash on the table and took off, walking slowly until he rounded a corner, then changed quickly into his suit and began looking for the woman. He ran around but could not find her anywhere until a sonic boom in the sky caught his attention and he saw a blue blur flying off into the distance. The people around him were all looking at the sky and pointing out Superwoman, some clapping, figuring she was off no doubt to save someone. A few people noted the Flash was standing among them and before they could distract him, Barry ran.

Keeping track of Kara in the sky was a bit difficult as she had flown very high up with no direction in mind, just randomly zooming through the sky.

“Hey Barry, are you and Kara chasing someone or something? Because both your chips are all over the place?” Cisco asked.

“Not now Cisco. No danger. Turning off coms.”

Kara finally landed on a mountain top, of course the top peaks covered in ice. Maybe she thought the ice would prevent him from running to the top. Maybe it would on some days but not today. He reached the summit to find her standing, her back to her and her arms crossed, cape billowing behind her.

“Is there some reason we just ran to the Rockies? I mean you flew but you get what I am saying. Because my lunch break ended like five minutes ago and if we could do this back at the police station that would be great.”

“I think thats a good idea. Why don’t you go back to the police station? I don’t remember asking you to follow me.”

“And yet you landed.”

“To tell you to leave me the hell alone Barry Allen!” Kara yelled, turning on him. He was taken back by the hurt on her face and wondered what she could be blaming him about. He had barely spoken to her today. This couldn’t be about hugging Iris, could it?

“What is your problem Kara? I asked you to lunch and you said you weren’t hungry and wanted to be alone.”

“So you called her? What about Joe? Isn’t that who you told me you were having lunch with?”

“Joe couldn’t make it and I didn’t call her, she just happened to be there! What does it matter? She is my friend, the same as Cisco and Caitlin!”

“Cisco and Cailtin are not like her. She has a thing for you and I am sick of her! I am sick of losing. Everywhere I go I lose! I left Krypton and lost my parents, I l was nearly killed on my old Earth and lost my family and friends and now I am here and it is a matter of time before I lose you! I lose everything! Its all I have ever done! Even when I win it just a set up for another loss. So forgive me if I’m not thrilled about seeing you in her arms when I needed to…”

“When you need to what?”

“Nothing. Just go. Run Barry. Its what you do best.” Kara said quietly and turned herself away from him.

“Thats funny because it seems like you are the one who is running away. I’m the one running after you. Iris is my friend and has been…”

“Yeah, I get it. You two have history, congratulations. She has memories I’ll never have with you. She has been your best friend forever, blah, blah. I’m sick of hearing about it. I’m sick of you and everyone else thinking the two of us should be friends and I am just… arrrghhh!”

“Kara are you seriously telling me your are angry at that I had lunch and hugged a friend? You know I love you. You know there is nothing going on with Iris and me. There never really was in the past. Do you not trust me?”

“I don’t trust life Barry. Just go. I want to be alone and I promise I won’t walk up and surprise you and Iris again.”

“You are serious? I don’t expect you to like her but I wouldn’t dictate your friends anymore than I would want you to dictate who I can be friends with.”

“Because my friends are your friends! I have nothing else. I’ve never had a choice, not since my damn mother… I have had to rely on the Danvers then you and… I… I… just go! Run! I don’t want to see you right now!”

“Because I hugged Iris goodbye you are that angry at me? Unbelievable.”

“You wouldn’t understand Barry. I don’t feel like flying to the South Pole so please just leave me alone.”

“God you can be so immature. I’m beginning to see where the girl part of your name came from.”

Barry turned to leave and found Kara standing in front of him.

“What did you say?”

“That your immature or that I am beginning to understand why they called you Supergirl?”

Kara’s hands turned into fists and her muscles tensed. She could feel her blood boiling.

“Go back to your groupie reporter and leave me alone, before I do something we will both regret.”

“Get out of my way and I will be glad to. You can sit up on this mountaintop and pout all you want by yourself. You do not own me Kara.”

“I don’t own anything. Believe me I know.” The wind nearly blew Barry back as Kara shot up into the sky, off to who knows where.

Barry stood for a moment then began pacing. What the hell had just happened? He knew she didn’t like Iris from the first conversation the two had. Iris most likely didn’t like Kara and the way she monopolized Barry’s time but Cisco and Caitlin didn’t care. The four of them were together all the time. Iris used to be with them often before Kara came. Barry didn’t tell Iris to stay away, she made that decision. Maybe he let Kara believe that Iris was gone completely from his life and that was a mistake. It didn’t matter. Kara could have talked to him. She was being emotional and moody and pouting damn it, and he didn’t have a clue why she had this extreme of a reaction. Having nothing better to do, he decided to go back the 600 miles the two had just covered and return to work. Thirty three minutes later he had changed and walked back into his lab to find Joe waiting for him.

“Hey Joe. How did it go with the witness?”

“Not great. A neighbor just saw a dark Mercedes parked a block away on the street she had never seen before. Middle class neighborhood, not a lot of Mercedes around. No tags, heard nothing unusual until the screams the whole neighborhood heard. Police bust in and find Anthony Thomas dead on the floor, of an apparent heart attack. Would have been cut and dry if he hadn’t been screaming before having a heart attack for ten minutes. Toxicology hasn’t finished with his blood work but I am thinking something weird occurred. Some drug, especially since you are telling me the backdoor was kicked in. Weird way to kill someone though. Why not just shoot him or stab him or inject him with something that killed him silently? No reason, to give him whatever drug that made him scream for ten minutes before dying.”

“Did the autopsy show any puncture marks?” Barry asked, trying to focus on work and the strange case he had been given this morning.

“Going on right now. I guess we can’t rule anything out until we know exactly what we are dealing with.”

“If toxicology finds any traces of a poison get me a sample of the blood. I can isolate it and see what type it is. Might give us an idea on where to start. Whatever did this isn’t normal, so we have that going for us.”

“So you think its a drug, some kind of poison?” Joe asked.

“I can’t think of anything else that would cause someone of fright. If that is what we are looking for. Also tell the Pathologist to check the lungs for any type of unusual particulates. Could have been airborne as well and may not have lasted long enough for the drug to last in the blood stream.”

“Will do. So did you have a nice run after lunch?”

Barry let out a sight. “Iris called you?”

“She said Kara may have seen you two hugging and didn’t look happy. Then Cisco may have called and asked if I knew of ay metahumans you two may be chasing into the Rocky Mountains.”

“Yeah, she was upset. Most couples go somewhere private to have arguments. I guess we are no different.”

“She really not like you being around Iris that much?”

“No, she really doesn’t. I don’t even think its about Iris. When I was over on her Earth one night she made me have this game night with her, Winn and Lucy and afterward Kara told me Lucy wasn’t as much competition without her perfect partner. I asked what she meant. Kara told me Lucy had been dating this James Olsen guy Kara had some sort of crush on before and he invited Lucy to this game night. Apparently they knew everything about each other and it got her pretty down. She wondered a lot if she would ever have anyone who she had that connection with. Kara didn’t have many friends, really this Olsen guy, her sister and Winn. I think hearing about Iris and I growing up together, Iris probably brings back those concerns maybe. Anyway something is off about her today. Usually she just changes the subject when Iris comes up but today seeing me with her set her off. She was weird when I called her before and I know something is wrong. Caitlin knows but wouldn’t tell me. I just don’t know. Apparently Kara didn’t even tell Caitlin, Alex did. I wish she would have come to me with whatever it is. Now she is determined that she is going to lose me and lose everything… Joe I don’t know what to do. She isn’t normally like this.”

“Barry you are a nice guy. Everyone around you knows you are a nice guy. You have a smile for everyone, are always wanting to help out, always polite, but I know you and I know there is a lot of rage inside you that you keep bottled up. We all have that and for some of us, we let it out, act moody, snap at people, drink too much, all sorts of methods. Its called having a bad day. But with you and I imagine Kara you both try to be strong and supportive of others all the time I don’t think you really let yourselves vent. I mean I have seen you depressed and angry a lot growing up but you have stamped it down. Maybe its unhealthy and its unhealthy for her. Before all this Flash stuff started up after you graduated college the only day I ever saw you really brooding and upset was the day your…”

Joe stopped and his eyes widened as if he had a thought.

“The day my mother was murdered. I know. Its hard to… what?”

“Barry, did Kara ever tell you what day her parents died?”

“No. She said the Earth rotated around the sun at nearly identical speed to Krypton and the dates were broken up by solar cycles, 24 hour days and so forth. She figured out her Earth birthday and things like that. Why?”

“So you don’t know when her planet exploded, killing everything and everyone she loved from her childhood?”

“No I never asked… oh man. You think?”

Joe shrugged his shoulders. “It could be one reason why the sunniest person I have ever encountered is feeling angry and depressed and overreacting to things that shouldn’t be that big of a deal. Maybe you should go talk to her?”

“If I knew where she was. But she wanted time alone. If I find her and go to her she will probably just be angry.”

“Or maybe she would be glad that you are with her. She may not think she wants you there but I would imagine if today is that day, she needs everyone who loves her to remind her that she isn’t alone.”

Joe walked out while Barry dialed Cisco.

“Hey man you need to get over here.”

“I will but first tell me where Kara is. She has her suit on so the GPS should be…”

“She is here dude. She walked in carrying a mini freezer with five gallons of ice-cream on top and went straight to her private room about thirty minutes ago. No one can get her out. Alex tried then she sent Caitlin. Caitlin even used her mean voice to try to get her to open up. Nothing happening.”

“I’m on my way.”

Ninety seconds later Barry appeared in front of the door to Kara’s private room where Alex and Cait sat on the floor, backs to the wall, looking drained.

“She won’t come out. We are just going to have to wait her out. She will be better in the morning. This happens every year.” Alex whispered.

“So today is the day Krypton was destroyed?” he asked. Both women nodded their heads.

“I should have just told you Barry but I thought she may not want you to see her like this. I didn’t expect… Iris called and then Cisco said you two were all over the place and… I’m sorry.” Caitlin told him. “I tried ordering her out like Alex told me to do but it didn’t work. I think I made the room too secure.”

“Its fine Caitlin. Why don’t you two go home. I will stay with her tonight.”

“She is just going to want to be alone.” Alex told him.

“On the day my mother was murdered, I always anted to be alone too. Joe would usually sit with me in my room and tell me we could be alone next to each other. She might think she wants to be alone but she doesn’t.”

“I’ll wait in the control room.”” Cait told him and stood up. Alex followed and said the same. Barry pulled his mask on and began vibrating. Soon he was walking through the wall. Once he was safely inside he saw a sight that made his heart shatter. Kara was sitting on the floor back to the wall, mask off and crying silently with her head resting on her knees. A half eaten carton of ice cream was sitting next to her with a spoon still stuck inside it.

Kara knew he was there, no one else could get in. It was too late to regain any dignity from her appearance so she sat hiding her face in her knees and tried to stop the tears. Barry sat down next to her.

“I’m sorry.” Kara mumbled. “I had no right to react like that. Its not my place to decide who your friends are. I was just… I just…”

“Today was the day right?”

Kara nodded her head. “Did Alex tell you?”

“No. Joe was concerned about you and when I told him a little about what was going on and how you acted on the phone and later, he reminded me that I have bad days, one in particular the same time every year.”

“I’m sorry.” Kara told him again.

“I am too.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who acted like a jealous idiot.”

“Yeah, but I probably shouldn’t have called you an immature girl. I guess I didn’t handle the situation in the best way. I wasn’t trying to make you jealous. I love you but I won’t abandon friends who are like family.”

“I know and I shouldn’t have asked you too. I guess I’m just scared. For the first time in my life I am feeling like I belong. I have great friends, a great job, I don’t feel like I am being forced on Alex or ruining her life. I’m just waiting for it all to drop. I guess things are going to well. Alex wants me to say goodbye to everyone from my old Earth but what if something happens and I get stuck there? What if I can’t get back? What if Cisco tries to reopen a breach and he has an aneurism?” What if you can’t get to me and you skip to some other world where people want to kill you? I’m scared Barry. Why am I always so scared?”

“You are the bravest person I know. I mean that too. As much as the fight with Savage took out of you, you would be back in his face in a second if he was here. Life has knocked you down a lot and you still smile. Its going to be okay. You won’t lose me if I have anything to say about it. You can fly to the Rockies and I will still be there. Just promise me one thing. The next time you are scared and want to be alone, be alone with me.”

Kara raised her head with teary eyes and smiled at him. He pulled her closer and kissed her on her forehead.

“Now what do you say we leave the room, take this ice cream, give a carton to Cisco, Cait and Alex to share and we eat the rest?”

“Okay.” Kara stood up with Barry and kissed him gently.

“And don’t worry about being stuck on another Earth without us. We have talked about it and all of us are going with you and Alex. Cisco, Catilin and me. We all go together. If something happens you know we are smart enough to figure a way back.”

“You mean it? Aren’t you scared of something happening? What about Joe and…”

“And I will follow you anywhere. You ready to wipe those tears away and wipe out some ice cream?”

“I love you.” Kara whispered bringing him into a hug.

He kissed the top of the her head. “I love you Kara. I love you.”