Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Call Me Kara

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 56:

“So Kara is going to Themyscira?” Felicity asked her former boyfriend and current ex. They were in Barry and Kara’s living room where Oliver had been staying the past two days.

“Just for the day. She is leaving this morning and should be back by tomorrow. If not, I guess we go looking for her.” Oliver admitted, not liking the idea of her going to an unknown area filled with super Amazons with a companion who he trusted but recognized if it came down to fighting by Kara’s side or her Amazon sisters, Donna would not choose Kara.

“We go looking for her? How exactly are we supposed to find an uncharted island hidden for centuries by magic?”

“Cisco is tracking her path so we have the general area. Barry thinks even with magic, by feeling the vibrations of the Earth, they must change near the island. Zatanna will cast some sort of locator spell. They are confident we can get to her.”

“I hope so. I think she will be fine. There is no reason to think she won’t but…” Felicity left off the last part. Anything could happen in their lives. They, the entire Justice League had learned to never taken anything for granted. “We need to talk.” she finished, taking a deep breath.

Oliver was not surprised. This was the third time they had split this year. He had been at Barry and Kara’s for two days now, but planned to move out tomorrow. He hadn’t told anyone but Sara, being one of the few who were still speaking to him after what he referred to as the Ray incident, found him a small apartment in her building. Oliver had done quite well for himself, selling Kara’s art since Lexie was three months old, but the idea of living in a lavish apartment did not appeal to him. He had determined he would no longer live with Felicity if or when she started speaking to him. The Arrow was tired of being forced out every time the women in his life became angry. The trappings of wealth held little appeal. Oliver would never admit it to himself but if he could bring that downed plane from the island he lived in for years to Central City he would be happy.

“So talk.”

“You could have killed him.”

“He could have defended himself better.”

“He was naked!”

“He shouldn’t have been on top of my sister!”

“She isn’t a child!”

“I thought you wanted to talk, not yell!”

“I… do. Sorry. We talked about this when Kara became pregnant. We stayed, got the League ready to fight and protect her, then leave, walk away from this forever.”

“I know.”

“Then why haven’t we left? We never discussed it.”

“You never brought it up.” he reminded her.

“Because I knew. It was stay and have you or leave and lose you. You can’t live without the fight can you? It doesn’t matter that you involve yourself in fights with metas that other metas are more equipped to handle. How many more scars do you need?”

“We were free. You were the one who brought us back. You were the one who was helping the team and lying to me about it and you are the one who left me because I lied, even though I was in an impossible situation. You get some thrill out of leaving me when it suits you, knowing I’ll come running back when you are ready.”

Felicity took a deep breath and turned her back to him, collecting her thoughts. Oliver said nothing that wasn’t true.

“This isn’t about Ray, is it?” he guessed.

“No it isn’t. Not completely. Ray just showed me… what happened… Oliver, I’m… I’ve changed, I guess. What I want isn’t what I used to want. We both said when Kara had the baby, we were out. I still want… there is more to life than this. I pulled you back and you can’t leave, can you? That’s on me.”

“But these different things you want now, the more to this life, doesn’t include me, does it?” Oliver asked, looking at the ceiling, a resigned smile on his face. He had suspected this was coming, before the Ray incident. The fights that they had this year, leading to brief separations had been signs of more than just the topic of the argument.

“Oliver, I’m… moving. I want to see what the world… I’m tired and I wish you were but you aren’t. You are going to keep pushing till you die.”

“Yeah, I am.” Oliver admitted. He had lived his life since the Gambit went down fighting, fighting enemies, fighting friends, fighting to survive but always, always fighting. It had become his natural state. “So you are going to Star City?”

“No. Thea hasn’t said anything, she is pretty upset with you right now, but even before this, Kendra, she knows a guy in New York, running for an Alderman’s spot. He needs a campaign manager and Thea has connections with people. She wants to help, try and find a career outside of this life.”

“She is leaving the League? Over…”

“No, not over what happened. She has been thinking about this for months. Ray isn’t going, his whole business is basically based in Central City now. The Star City office still handles the software, gaming, phones and laptops but his passion is here. He loves being in the League. Thea… she understands what you don’t seem to get Oliver. This League doesn’t… Kara, Barry, Donna, Firestorm, even Ray and his suit can handle these battles. What good can people like Thea, or Sara, or you do? In a battle against super humans, what chance do you have?”

“What chance? What is the other option, Felicity? Run? Go back to the suburbs that bored you so much? Yeah, I can’t fight the people that Kara and Barry are capable of, but I can watch their backs. Nyssa, Sara, Alex, we make a difference, whether you think so or not. Maybe we lose but at least we go out fighting.”

“And if something happened to Kara this weekend? What would you do on an island of super powered women? Women who can probably fly like Donna and lift planes?”

“Send as many arrows as I can into them to get Kara out. Maybe I die trying but that is…”

“What you do.” Felicity finished. “I want to have what Barry and Kara have one day, minus the super powers and fighting metas on a weekly basis. I know this isn’t fair to you, but I think… that maybe we should… I always thought it was meant to be but…”

“It isn’t.” Oliver admitted. It hurt to admit, but at least he was losing a woman to another life instead of death. “So I guess this is it. You are leaving…”

“Tomorrow. I… I’m going to work from New York. Thea and I are going to live together while we get set up but… she will probably call you when we get there. She will get over it. She never holds anything against you for long.”

“Yeah… I guess. For what it matters, I think you are right. You do deserve more out of this life. Both of you do.”

“So do you, Oliver.”

“I have what I want. Have a safe trip. Text me, let me know you made it.”

Felicity took off her glasses and wiped her eyes. “The funny thing is, this time I know you aren’t going to follow me, make sure I’m safe, watch me cross the street. Its kind of scary, but a good scary and a bad scary. Please consider leaving this Oliver, not for me but for yourself. All fights have to end but they don’t have to end in death.”

“I don’t plan on dying, Felicity. Be careful and tell Thea to call me when she… when she feels like it.”

Felicity nodded her head and rushed out of Barry’s living room. Once the door closed, Oliver walked to the window and watched her leave, for what he felt like was probably the last time. Barry walked in, Lexie in his arms.

“Hey man, everything okay?”

“Kara didn’t tell you?” Oliver asked with a grin, figuring she had been listening.

“Nah, she, went for a quick flyover of Keystone. Figured you and Felicity would want to have some privacy so me and the Princess played in the backyard. I heard her drive off and thought I would check on you. She still mad about the Ray thing?”

“Felicity and Thea are moving to New York.” Oliver told him calmly, shocking the Flash who kept the surprise inside.

“But… I know Ray is mad but that is kind of extreme. Thea will get over it. She hasn’t exactly been a poster child for keeping her temper in check in the past. Is Ray moving?”

“Nope. Just Felicity and Thea. Kendra got Thea an in on some campaign in New York and Felicity is moving there for a fresh start.”

“Oh.” Barry was surprised at the calm facade Oliver was showing. He knew things had been rough for a while but was still surprised. Oliver had always been fanatical about Felicity. Or at least he had been. Looking back on the past year, even though Barry and Kara had their hands full he supposed he did notice they were not as intense as before.

“So you want to go to New York then?”

“Nope.”

“No?”

“No. Barry if there was a meta right now, causing havoc in the city, would you or Kara tell me to stay back because it wasn’t safe for me to fight?”

“Of course not.” Barry told him immediately, wondering where that came from. “I always want you by my side in a fight.”

“And that is why I am exactly where I need to be. She needs more Barry. She needs more than a guy who runs head first into danger without regard. I can’t be my best if I am holding on too tight and she can’t live and plan a future with a guy who is reckless with his life. I told her and told her before we were together, I begged her to not get emotionally attached to me. I did every thing I could to not feel that way about her but I couldn’t stay away. I thought she was my answer, my ticket out. Some sort of happy ending for me. But I don’t want an out, Barry. Hundreds. I’ve killed hundreds of people, mostly people this world wouldn’t miss but I am no saint and have never tried to pretend to be. I’ve taken out more people than Deadshot ever dreamed of when he was alive. I’m agressive, short tempered and I can be controlling.”

“You are also one of the most loyal and loving people I have ever known.” Barry reminded his friend.

“Yeah, I am. When I give my loyalty to someone it is till death. And I can love Barry. Despite everything, every feeling I have ever had that I’m not human, I can and do love. I love Thea, Felicity, Diggle, those who I fight beside and I love those who deserve to have happiness that doesn’t involve constant war like Thea, Diggle and Felicity. Thats why I have to let her go. I have to let them both go.”

Barry took in the man, hurting for him but glad to see rather than depression, an odd acceptance on his face, even a slight smile.

“I suppose I should go talk to Ray. Is he at S.T.A.R?”

“Yeah, you might want to call and ask to see him first. The guy probably doesn’t need any surprises.” Barry suggested. Before Oliver could pull out his phone, Lexie reached for him.

“Ollie! Hold now!”

Oliver smirked at the little girl with the wavy blond hair, but like always, reached out for her. She wrapped him in a hug, rubbing her cheek against his stubble and giggling. The Green Arrow actually smiled a real smile, feeling sad but also a relief. He would never have the life he dreamt of but it was a pipe dream anyway. He had what he needed. He had a reason to keep fighting, to keep surviving and that was all Oliver Queen ever needed.

The next morning, while Oliver packed up, prepared to move to his new apartment and then have a conversation with Ray Palmer, Kara prepared for her journey to Themyscira where she would hopefully get answers from the Amazons or at least be able to contact Diana and figure out why the vibrations of that universe had changed. Vibrations were like maps. Without the new vibrations, Cisco could not pin down a specific Earth. She had hoped J’onn would reach out but wondered if he would or could. None of those options made her happy and if going to Themyscira for a day was what she had to risk, she would do so. Despite leaving Lexie, she was a bit excited about the trip. She had heard a lot of stories about the island’s natural beauty and amazing architecture from Donna and wanted to see the homeland she had grown up on. Donna was practically giddy, feeling like she was bringing a friend over for a sleepover for the first time in her life, which technically she was.

Kara had packed nothing, taking only her suit, so the flight wouldn’t be hampered. Now she knelt, mask in her boot and said her good byes, even if it was for a day. Kara took nothing for granted anymore.

“I want you to know how much I love you. I wish I could take you but I can’t. I need you safe at home. Do you understand?”

Hearing no reply, only an accusing look directed towards her, she tried again.

“You know I always want you with me, but where I am going there isn’t even FaceTime I suspect. It is just for one night. We have been apart longer than that. Yeah we always see each other but I doubt there is reception on a magical island. You have a job to do here. Protect Lexie like you always do. Don’t be afraid to stand up on those hind legs and fight if you have to. You are very brave and strong. Mommy loves you.”

Kara picked up Charlie and hugged him, the dog licking her cheek constantly as always. She then walked into Lexie’s room where Barry and her daughter were having a dress up session. Barry had a feather boa around his neck and Lexie was wearing a plastic crown. Her communication had grown much better but the terrible twos had set as well, leaving Kara very worried. While Lexie was a happy child, always full of energy, she still had small incidents, not only with super powers like periodic bursts of speed or X ray vision setting in, leading her to walk into walls often, but also incidents with potty training. Lexie was not a fan, despite being smart enough and seeming ready. She did like her pull ups opposed to diapers but did not like the toilet at all, only grudgingly using it. She also had tantrums over little things like most two year olds and she had Kara’s temper without the restraint her mother had developed. Kara knew when she had been mad, and still was, she could feel her eyes glowing, the world literally becoming red and had to hold that back. Lexie didn’t have that restraint and Kara worried about the heat vision coming back. There had been no instances since she was three months old but she had that power and it never left either of the parent’s minds. Without Kara to use her freeze breath today, they had stocked up on fire extinguishers so Barry wouldn’t have to use a vortex in the house.

“Hey precious, come talk to Mommy.” she told her daughter who moved unsteadily towards her, not rushing thankfully.

“Play?”

“I have to go on a short trip.” Kara explained.

“No! Play!” Lexie insisted, not liking where this was going.

“I can’t right now. Daddy is going to play with you today. Daddy and Charlie. You can sleep with Daddy tonight. Donna and I have something we need to do today. I have somewhere I have to go.”

“You fly?” the little girl asked, recognizing when Mommy was in the suit, she was going high.

“Yeah, I’m going to fly really fast and be back as fast as I can.”

“I wanna fly.”

“No, you can’t come with me. I’m going to be flying too fast.” Kara had levitated a short distance off the ground in the backyard with Lexie in her arms a few times and the little girl never got tired of it.

“I wanna fly! I wanna fly!”

“No, not today.” the mother told her daughter patiently but firmly. It was important at this age to be gentle so her personality could emerge on its own but also be firm, letting her know that adults were in charge. Eliza said so, therefore it was true in Kara’s mind.

Lexie predictably pulled out her final weapon, the one that usually brought Mama in her control, showing who was in charge and why Mama wasn’t allowed to leave.

She cried.

Kara’s heart broke and her thoughts immediately went to the past, as they always did when Lexie cried. Kara remembered crying on the runway, knowing she would never see her mother again.

“Hey, don’t do that. I will be back in the morning and we can go to the Gallery, just the three of us and you can paint.”

“Paint?” Lexie sniffled, her attention caught by this turn of events.

“Yes, on canvas, not on walls, okay?” Kara hoped, remembering the strange mural of slapped on hand prints Lexie had left on the walls last time the mother took her eyes off her daughter for a second. Kara was annoyed. She should be here, playing in the back yard with her daughter and dog, making sure Oliver was doing okay, trying to see if she could smooth things over between Ray and him, saying goodbye to Felicity and Thea, having Caitlin and Cisco and whoever else wandered over to eat. Kara could not however get rid of the feeling that something was very wrong on her old Earth. Cisco was right, Earths, Universes did not just change vibrations for no reason. The vibrations were why Earths were separated and could not see each other, despite sharing space and time together. Donna volunteered to go through the portal and quickly ascertain Diana’s whereabouts. Kara had to have answers but couldn’t risk being stuck on another Earth, away from her daughter. Emergency or not, her first priority would always be Lexie and she wouldn’t risk Donna. She could only hope Donna’s mother had answers or had been contacted by Diana. “I love you so much, baby. I will be back before you wake up in the morning.”

The blonde hero kissed her daughter and husband goodbye and took off as quickly as possible before she would be unable to.

Once in the sky she followed Donna patiently, flying slower than she was capable of so she wouldn’t overshoot the Amazon and be lost. Two hours later Donna told her they were almost there. Kara used her telescopic vision and saw nothing but the Mediterranean Sea. Donna picked up speed and Kara flew beside her easily. A field of bright colors surrounded them, causing Donna to smile. The feeling was strange to Kara, not a fan of magic and feeling lighter than ever, almost as if the wind around them had stopped and the sun stopped warming though it still shined. Then the wind returned, the air currents, the warmth of the sun and she saw it, gasping. A huge island, covered in trees was before her. Peeking out the tops of the trees, she saw great stone buildings rising over the landscape, columns that reminded her of the Greek Pantheon and ancient temples, the palaces of Rome, which she had seen in history books. This was no book though, this was real and Kara knew she could spend months here with her family, painting the beauty before her if men were allowed.

“This is amazing.” the blonde whispered. Donna of course heard her.

“It’s paradise.” she agreed. “Not everyone can fly, only those who have gone through the trials but all my sisters are strong, as strong as I am anyway. No one here seems to be in Diana’s league but she was given life by my mother and Zeus and is very old. If you see any men on the island be wary. They are gods, and gods after thousands of years get bored, have a strange sense of humor. They mean no harm for the most part, but I will stay by your side. Don’t go wondering off without me. They can’t touch the ground but can levitate over it slightly to appear as if they are standing.”

“Not a problem. I have no plans to leave your side.”

Kara neared what must have been the largest palace on the Island and saw a waiting party in front of it. Donna landed first, Kara right behind. At least twenty women, ten on each side and all wearing armor, resembling Diana’s in a way but not as colorful, instead shining metal and no gauntlets or lassoes, stood, spears in hand, swords on their hips.

As soon as Donna touched down, all took one knee but there eyes never left Kara. They looked at her with curiosity, not fear or wariness. Kara pulled her mask from her face and bent down, securing it inside her boot.

“Rise sisters. Meet Kara, defender of the world of men and the most powerful woman in the Universe.” Donna told the soldiers, because that is what they were. Though none resembled the others, they all looked fierce, the spark in their eyes letting Kara know they weren’t intimidated by Wonder Girl’s boast. Donna had told them all that Kara had fought Princess Diana and survived, even landing several strikes on the Amazon from another planet that all had strived to be after meeting her for the first time. A tall blonde woman, appearing to be in her early thirties walked out of the palace, between the tall granite columns. She wore a long white robe, gauntlets similar to Diana’s but very different from the bracelets Donna wore. Kara wondered if her gauntlets could turn into concussion bombs as well. She also had a golden girdle wrapped around her waist, the symbol of her power and royalty.

“Hello daughter. I have missed you.” the Queen told her, rushing to her and hugging the child. Donna returned the hug and it warmed Superwoman, seeing the obvious deep love between mother and daughter, reminding her once again that her daughter was half a world away.

The hug broken, the blonde woman walked towards the Kryptonian. She reached out and offered her hand. Kara did the same but to her surprise the queen grabbed her forearm, she doing the same.

“Kara Zor El, last daughter of Krypton, former resident of another Universe, defender of the world of men and mother to the woman who will defend this world from all harm. I welcome you. I am Queen Hippolyta. Welcome to Themyscira.”

“It’s an honor… Queen… your highness… am I supposed to bow?” Kara whispered the end to Donna who giggled. Apparently Donna turned back into a girl while at home.

“No, you are a guest.” she told her friend.

“I suppose your daughter is a bit too young to take the flight. I look forward to meeting her in the future. I understand from Donna that she needs quite a bit of attention. Her powers are already manifesting at such a young age. If you left her to visit us, I assume you have a urgent reason. Shall we go to my sitting room and discuss whatever it is? Your chambers for the night are being prepared. I do hope you have time to feast with us?”

“Of course your highness.”

“You are not an Amazon nor my subject. Please call me Hippolyta, or Lyta as my daughter used to introduce me when she was a child. Queen Lyta she would say. Why don’t you take Kara to change, Donna? Her chambers are next to yours. I have a few issues to resolve and we can dine together. That way I can give my full attention to Kara.”

“Yes Mom. Its good to be home. Come on Kara!” Donna grabbed Kara’s hand and practically pulled her inside, the two moving very fast, while Kara struggled to take in the beauty of the palace, the art on the walls, the statues, the marble sculptures. Yes, she would definitely be bringing her daughter here in the future. She could feel the magic of this land and for once magic didn’t set her on edge. Amazons strolled the halls, many taking her in quickly with smiles then moving on, not staring or making her feel awkward.

Donna pulled Kara into a large, lavish room, nearly the size of her house, paintings of battles fought on the walls, a high poster bed and a balcony. Walking out, Kara could see the entire half of the island she had entered on. The waterfalls, the small mountains, the green forest and the small villages between the trees in the open spaces. Fields were being tended, metal was being shaped, an arena housed two women sparring with swords while at least a hundred looked on and cheered.

“I can’t believe you left this place for Central City.” Kara told her friend.

“It wasn’t easy but we all have to venture out and learn about the world. Themyscira will always be here. My mother and sisters will always be here but we are at peace. The gods are our friends for the most part. Ares here is not as bad as the Ares Diana had to kill. We have defeated the Shades, the undead, the Titans, though we lost many sisters in that battle. It was before I was born and the last great war this Island and the Amazons have seen and fought in. Your clothes are on the bed.”

“My clothes? What is wrong with what I have on?”

“Do you eat dinner in your suit, Kara? Dress. I will be right back.”

Donna returned minutes later to find a confused Kara, dressed in a similar manner as the princess, short, white toga, a cloth belt around her waist and leather sandles.

“Where is the rest of this outfit?” the blonde asked. “And yours for that matter?”

“Sorry. I should have warned you. Dress is a bit more casual here.”

“Your mother wore a long dress. Could I have a long dress?”

“She is a queen.” Donna answered as if that explained everything. “When she isn’t holding court, she is pretty laid back too. She has armor similar to Diana’s. If you prefer armor I can…”

“No!” Superwoman told her immediately. The armor covered even less apparently. She tried to pull down the toga but was unsuccessful. The breeze on her bare legs was disconcerting. She usually only showed this much leg in private with Barry or the few times they traveled to the beach. Though she wore a bikini then, this was the first time she had been invited to dinner dressed like this and hoped the table had a cloth she could move her legs under.

“Relax, you have great legs. Most of the women here will appreciate them.” Donna told her, enjoying her embarrassment.

I will get you back for this, somehow.” Kara told her teammate. She followed Donna out through the halls of the palace leaving though a back entrance of some sort. “Where are we going?”

“I thought I would show you the island. Would you like to fly?”

“With this on?” Rao no!”

“So what? You wore a skirt on your old Earth, right?”

“Yes, with stuff under it. Like underwear, spandex shorts and leggings. Not the thong I wore up here. I expected to stay in my suit.”

“You wore a thong?”

“I always do! I am not having a panty line in those tight pants. I wish I hadn’t worried about it. Now I wish I had worn a swimsuit at least. So where are we going? How big is this island?”

“Pretty big. There are four separate villages. We have had the same currency for thousands of years. Everyone has a job for the most part, farming, blacksmithing, shop keepers, armorers, dress makers, those who sell books and write the poems we all enjoy, entertainers including athletes who regularly fight at the Coliseum, and all of us of course are soldiers but we only come together when the island is threatened. Our war tactics have been instilled in us for centuries. The leaders, the Captains are known, and my mother is the leader of all the forces.”

“What is your job?”

“I’m a Princess of course.” Donna replied. “It isn’t easy. I have to… do things. Mostly learn to fight and be an ambassador for peace in mother’s steed when there are minor arguments between villages of sisters. There is no crime here, only the occasional assault and sword fight. No point I suppose. Like I said, its paradise.”

“And like I suspected, you are spoiled. We recognize our own.” Kara admitted.

The two zipped around the island on foot, Kara feeling slightly better that most of the women wore armor like the guards at the palace or togas like she had on. She was interested in one large building, a simple one story construction that she could hear splashing from the inside and running water.

“What is that building?” Kara asked, using her X ray vision.

“Oh you don’t want… don’t look!”

But it was too late.

“What the hell?” Kara slapped her hands over her eyes.

“Yeah, thats the bath house. I told you not to look.”

“You take baths naked… together… in a giant pool?!”

“We don’t exactly have running warm water. That is built around a hot spring. It’s not always used by everyone, pools, small lakes on the island are often used. We have tubs in the palace and almost everyone has a waste area in their dwellings. I’m not sure where the waste goes and I really don’t want to know.”

After a brief tour that thankfully hadn’t left Kara traumatized anymore than necessary, the two returned at sunset, moving straight to the dining area. Kara expected a large table full of Amazon warriors with the Queen at the head of the table. Instead a small circular table was present, with only the Queen sitting in front of a plate of succulent beef.

“I hope you don’t mind, but this is where I prefer to dine with my daughter. Occasionally I have dinner with my guard but I treasure my time with my Princess, especially since she has ventured for a time away. The palace seems cold without her.”

“Of course not your… Lyta.” The woman was also dressed like her daughter and Kara, putting the Kryptonian at ease. Taking her cue from mother and daughter, Kara began to eat, fresh vegetables and the amazing grilled beef.

“I didn’t see any cows on the island.” Kara commented, amazed at the taste.

“Thats because we don’t have any.” The Queen responded. Kara looked at Donna who told her she didn’t want to know and enjoy the meat.

“Donna stop picking on her. Its deer. We have to control our animal population carefully but at times our hunters venture into the world of men to procure live animals to raise and eventually harvest. So I will admit, I hadn’t expected to see you for a few years, at least until your daughter had grown a bit. Donna has told me you are reluctant to leave her side for good reason. So I am guessing this isn’t a social visit. I am also guessing it has something to do with the closure of Princess Diana’s portal?”

Kara began to feel very worried. “The portal… I was actually hoping to use it to see what had happened. We have had trouble opening our own portal to Princess Diana’s universe.”

“I suspected. The portal was opened by Castalia, a fountain goddess. She was able to open a portal where ever Diana wished to go, a fountain at a special mountain . She owed Diana a great favor. Ares, in his aggression against the Amazons there, attempted to enslave the Muses and take over their scared home, Mount Parnassus. Castalia nearly failed in her attempt to protect the fountain of the Muses. Diana single handedly fought the god of war and won, forcing him to retreat. She later killed him, beheaded him in a great battle on Olympus. Castalia in her gratitude, offered the power of the fountain to Diana. She never collected on the offer until she met you. She requested the fountain be a portal to another world, a world she had visited before and wished to do so again. Castalia opened this portal in the fountain for Diana’s use. The fountain opened up into the fountain in our great hall. Unfortunately in this world, Castalia was killed by Hades during the War of Shades. The Muses survived but only Castalia had the capability to open a portal here.”

“So how do you know Diana’s portal closed?”

“Our fountain developed a beautiful rainbow of colors, weaving through the running waters once her portal was opened. The colors are now gone.”

“So the goddess closed the portal and we don’t know why.” Kara surmised.

“No, a goddess debt is forever. The only way the portal would be closed if Diana asked her to do so. I know how fond she was of both of you and your daughter. If she asked for the portal to be closed I fear it is because something terrible has happened, a great war or a coming war, that she does not want you involved in. She has made sure that you cannot travel to her.”

“That makes no sense. If there is some great war, then she should want us there.” Superwoman pointed out, her heart beating fast, a thousand thoughts running through her mind.

“Diana told me your sister and your League most likely suspected her of trying to garner your allegiance should she need you in war. That was a false belief. You fascinated her and she genuinely enjoyed spending time with you. She talked of how close the two of you became on her trips. She adores your daughter and loves spending time with Donna. She wanted to make you better for your own protection, not hers. Diana does not need allies to fight a war. If she closed the portal, it is because she fears the both of you could die and does not want you becoming involved. Her fear must be justified. Once she has taken care of the threat she will return.”

“And if she is defeated?”

“Her exploits have our own gods and goddesses impressed. I doubt she will lose. She has strong allies, the might of the Amazon nation should she call on them and is the greatest warrior in her universe. She will not lose. Relax and let her take care of this problem. You will see her again.”

“And if I don’t?”

“The gods and goddesses who reside on and in Mount Olympus are strong but none can change the will of the Fates. We all have a fate, threads interwoven with the people in our lives. The path may change but the destination is the same. Except you, Kara. You are a wild card, your husband made sure of that. You both have the habit of changing fate. When you entered this universe the Fates of one collided with other Fates. The force of nature, Donna has called the Speed Force, allows your husband to change timelines and therefore reality. I am not certain there is a plan for you. Your path is your own and the Fates never reveal their knowledge especially their lack of knowledge. Like the great stories, life wouldn’t be exciting if we knew the ending. Enjoy this time, know you are always welcome and you shall always have allies here should you need them.”

Kara took a deep breath, not liking what she had heard. What could be so bad that Diana would not want her there?

“You and your daughter have an ally as well, Lyta. Should you ever need us, myself and my League will be here to aid you.”

“Thank you, Kara. Diana will be okay. If your kin is half as strong in heart and power as you are, he will be okay. Raise your daughter and fight, protect, be a symbol of the best of humanity and who knows? Perhaps the world of men may try to emulate you one day. We can only hope.”

Dinner finished, the two heroines returned to their chambers, neither sleeping well. Donna gave up and flew over her homeland, lost in thought while Kara slept restlessly, not near her husband and child, her dreams troubled, thoughts of devastation, fears her old friends and only blood relative may be dead, the Earth she once told Alex could burn for all she cared, could actually be burned, devastated by war or worse, natural disasters even powerful heroes like Diana would be unable to stop, natural forces Barry wouldn’t be able to undo. She woke to the sun shining through the open aired walkway that led out to the patio. There were no windows here and Kara wondered if the temperature ever changed. There was no humidity, no bugs that she had seen, only a slight breeze, the temperature perfect at night and comfortably warm during the day. She had much to learn about this land, obviously infused with light magic but now was not the time. Now was the time to return to her family. She had not gotten much information and what she had worried her but one thing was obvious. She could do nothing about it. Kara had to trust her friends would be okay.

After Kara had left the day before, a bit of excitement had hit the outside of Central City. Barry had been trying to enjoy time with Lexie, doing anything to take her mind off Kara not being home.

“Mama?”

“Mama will be back tomorrow.”

“Mama?”

“She isn’t here right now. We can play…”

“Mama! Mama! Mama now!”

“Don’t be like that Lexie. Everything will be okay. We can get along without Mama for a day, right?”

“No, not right.”

“Is there anything I can do to take your mind off this?” Barry asked her and himself. Two year olds had separation anxiety often, leading Barry to leave the station multiple times a day to calm his daughter, usually covered in washable paint, at the gallery. He loved the time with her and loved being wanted but times like this the anxiety came back to bite him.

Lexie took her Daddy in, knowing instinctively she had him on the ropes. She wanted Mommy but more Daddy would be good.

“More Dada!”

“What? Oh… yeah, thats a great idea.” Barry immediately began moving, making a speed mirage circling the girl who giggled seeing multiple Daddies and clapped her hands. Barry stopped long enough to tickle her from behind then continued to move, a squealing and happy Lexie still clapping.

“You want apple sauce?” he asked, his voice vibrating.

“Mama.” Lexie’s vibrating voice responded. Barry stopped moving immediately, caught by a voice he had never heard before and prepared to catch her before she ran into a wall. His phone buzzed, the League tone, so he snapped his com in.

“What’s up?”

“We got a problem. Eiling’s crew is camped outside of the city.” Alex told him.

“Camped out? Why would he be camped out? Doesn’t he usually stay in hotels?”

“Not this time. He is planning something. I’m sending you GPS now. Nyssa and I are on one side, Sara and Oliver on the other. We have shots on him and his men. Ray is shrunk and inside one of the tents. You want Firestorm?”

“No! Keep Jax and Martin away. At least a safe distance. Where is Cisco?”

“I’m on my way to the site, Barry. I am definitely getting a motorcycle.”

“Zatanna?”

“Prepared to drop him into hell if need be. Say the word. I am invisible right now and about to walk right up behind the bastard.”

“Stay back. I can handle this. How many soldiers?”

“Ten.” Oliver answered.

“Hold positions while I wait get a hold of Eliza. I need a baby sitter.”

“Joe and Henry should be pulling up.” Winn told the Flash, keeping an eye on multiple screens at S.T.A.R. next to Caitlin who worried, knowing Eiling wouldn’t come to Superhero Central without a plan.

On cue, Henry and Joe walked in.

“Get moving but be careful.” Joe told him.

“Uh… I need Eliza. Lexie is in a mood.”

“Grandpas!” Lexie yelled, running towards them. Henry picked her up and hugged her.

“I think we got this Barry.” he told his son.

“You got this?”

“I’ve handled babies before, Barry. We both have.” Joe reminded him.

“The bracelet stays on.” he told them both in no uncertain terms. Both agreed, irritated but going along. Neither had a chance to babysit yet, due to Kara’s overprotective nature, not only of Lexie but for everyone else. If not for her Kryptonian genes everyone who knew her thought she would have grey hair by now.

Barry zipped out and back in, the bracelet on Lexie’s little wrist. The girl frowned.

“Bad bracet.” she told her father.

“I know but I need you to wear it for now. I’m leaving for a bit but I will be back as soon as I can.”

“You gonna get Mama?”

“No, but I can bring Aunt Alex and Nyssa back with me. Cisco and Caitlin too I bet.”

“Disco?”

“Yeah, Disco.”

“Okay.” Barry took off before she changed her mind, entering the field seconds later, stopping near Cisco who had parked on the dirt road near the location.

“We’ve talked about this. You ready?” he asked his best friend.

“Definitely ready. This has been long overdue.”

“Nyssa, your call. Can the soldiers be taken out without a shot being fired by them?”

“Yes. Ray, stay hidden. You are the element of surprise. Zatanna please ensure the men are not able to run. We need them in the campsite.”

Zatanna let out a breath and erected a cone of power, invisible to the men, allowing those in but no one out.

“On your mark, Nyssa.” Barry told her, lightning flashing in his eyes.

Eiling watched his team set up the base of operations. He had given up on Grodd. He felt a giant ape had only so many places to hide but he was wrong. He turned his attention back to Central City. Remembering S.T.A.R. labs and the inhabitants, he had casually watched who came and went using spies. Barry and Kara Allen were regular visitors, not unusual since her parents worked there. Of course why had Barry Allen been given ownership of the lab, able to sell it to Ray Palmer. Putting the connection of the Flash to the lab and the late Harrison Wells, who was somehow alive once again and Barry Allen’s beautiful wife, he had seen enough to know who they really were. He also knew they and a daughter. That gave him leverage. Allen was fast but he had his weaknesses. Eliling had fought him off before while tracking Ronnie Raymond, nearly defeated him and had better toys this time. He called his men around him, to give instructions for traps, should the Flash or his wife discover his presence before he was ready.

He barely had time to think of his first instructions when silenced gun shots and arrows reigned down on the men. He was quickly surrounded by the bodies of ten of his men on the ground. Looking at them, all had darts or arrows in them, but all were breathing. He scanned the trees but saw no one. Reaching for his hand gun, he instead grabbed his ears as a painful cry assaulted him, dropping him to his knees. He never felt the gun being taken from its holster. When he opened his eyes, he first looked at his hands, bloody from his ears bleeding. Sara had unleashed a severe sound wave on him. His head was ringing and he felt dizzy. Eiling had not expected the entire League to meet him before he could set up. This was the reason he wanted to stay outside of city limits. Once the ringing stopped and his vision cleared, he saw the Flash in front of him.

“Something I can help you with General?”

“Have quite the army now, don’t you Flash?”

“We call ourselves a League but whatever makes you happy. Why are you here?”

“You know why I am here, Barry Allen.”

Barry was not surprised he knew his identity. Considering his history with S.T.A.R., Plastique, Thawne and Grodd, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to figure it out. Eiling was a lot of things but dumb wasn’t one of them, even if he was here.

“I’m I supposed to be surprised that you know my identity? I’m not. It doesn’t matter because you don’t matter. Weren’t you dishonorably discharged? Who are these men? Your entourage?”

Eiling, still on his knees, grabbed an electric dart, a scrambler he thought would stop the Flash. Before he could raise his hand, it was gone, in Barry Allen’s hand being examined. Barry took the dart and smiled at Eiling then stuck it in his own arm. Eiling watched the man’s body turn to a blur and the dart disintegrate. The blurring stopped and he saw Barry Allen, mask off, smiling.

“Cute toy. Honestly you couldn’t take Thawne, you couldn’t take Grodd and you really thought you could take me? Let alone my wife and League? How desperate are you? I am guessing whoever is pulling your strings demanded results or you were gone, right?”

Eiling despite the trap he was in, just now began to feel fear.

“Planck time. Any idea what that is? Its the smallest measurable amount of time. Anythinq quicker doesn’t exist. It was what the time of the Big Bang was theoretically made of, the smallest amount of time, the spark, the spark before the spark. You can’t teleport faster than a Planck constant. That is how fast you have to be to beat me. Even that is iffy. Want to see something neat?” Barry asked. He stood Eiling up and began vibrating his arm, reaching into his chest. Eiling stood still watching the blurry arm reaching into his body like he wasn’t there.

“All it would take is for me to change even one atom of my molecular structure and my hand turns into a buzz saw, I can reach through you or cut you in half. Pretty neat trick huh? Some things have changed around here since the last time we met. Now what do you want? No games.”

Eiling paled, his body freezing, shivering and his stomach nauseus. He had expected to see the same foolish speedster he encountered last time. This time he saw something else, he saw a man, hardened and dangerous, very, very dangerous. He had underestimated his speed. He had underestimated everything.

“I… I’l leave. I’ll never come near here again.”

“I asked what you wanted? Does my friend need to ask you?”

Eiling looked to his side, seeing the Green Arrow emerge silently from the forest surrounding the campsite. A woman in black, wearing Superwoman’s symbol and a helmet, two guns in both hands, walked out, a black clad woman next to her, holding a sword at her side. Her face was uncovered and despite her beauty and smile he saw a coldness there. Behind the Arrow a black clad young lady, his sources had identified as Sara Lance, back from the dead and apparently taking up her sister’s mantle, walked out with a staff in her hands and a deadly sadistic grin on her face.

“I… I wanted to talk about… a partnership.”

“That’s why you were hiding in the woods? Fine, I guess we do this the hard way. Zatanna?”

A brunette in a miniskirt walked from behind Allen, Cisco Ramon by her side, wearing a long coat and some sort of visor on his head. Zatanna lifted her hands, already glowing.

“Dnib mih ot a ekats.” she whispered. Eiling saw the light engulf him and he felt tied to a stake that emerged from the ground.

“What is this?” he asked.

“I’m going to gather some wood.” the Flash told him. Eiling looked down and saw several pieces of kindling, covering him to his waist.

“See, Zatanna is a witch and she owes payback to a bunch of pricks like you for her sisters a couple hundred years ago. Hey Jax? You want to light the fire?”

Firestorm landed in front of the General.

“So you are Eiling.” Jax pointed to his head. “Dr. Stein says hi. I would suggest you answer the man’s question before I feel like starting a fire.”

“I was supposed to contact you! Study you, take you down and offer you a deal! Your League works for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and we train your daughter.”

Barry’s blood boiled but he remained calm. One of the soldiers began to stir and Sara kicked him in the jaw, knocking him back out.

“Why would I agree to this?”

“Because you would have the might of the US military after you, declaring you security threats, hunting you… just because A.R.G.U.S. and Lyla Diggle is scared of you doesn’t mean they are.”

“It means she is smarter than they are. The world doesn’t trust governments. They trust us. Let me guess, not only can you not take me, you can’t take my wife. You haven’t figured out a weakness she has. A little hint, she doesn’t have one. Not even a nuclear bomb could kill her. She could withstand the blast or simply outrun it. We would then destroy every military base and government office in America and abroad and do so within about twenty minutes. I know someone is listening in that com. I hope they are smart enough to believe this.”

Barry pulled the com out of Eiling’s ear and handed it to the Arrow. He would give it to Winn to find information along with Eiling’s phone. They had to determine if this was a sanctioned plan or a black ops off the books, Amanda Waller style.

“Do you believe what I just said Eiling?”

“Yes.” he answered immediately, more afraid now than when Grodd had first gotten a hold of him. “Please don’t burn me. Don’t kill me.”

“I’m not.” Barry told him. In less than a second, Eiling was free, the wood gone. Allen moved faster than the General ever dreamed possible. His wife did not have a weakness anyone one had discovered, which was why they hoped to threaten their daughter to ensure her cooperation, taking orders instead of protecting her daughter for life.

“I’m going to give you and your men what you wanted Eiling. I’m going to get you to Grodd. Of course you won’t have any weapons, but I doubt they would help you anyway. Good luck. Cisco?”

Vibe raised his metal covered hand. A vibrational blast was emitted and a portal opened to Earth 2, the experimental Gorilla sanctuary where Grodd resided, away from human contact. Barry doubted the men would survive but that really wasn’t his problem. Before Eiling’s eyes he saw a blur, his men being tossed into the portal. Barry Allen grabbed him last.

“Say hi to Grodd for me. I hope when you find him it is worth it. Of course he will probably find you first.”

Eiling felt the strange sensation of the energy field then it was gone. He felt the ground underneath him, glanced from his knees to see his men slowly waking, some grabbing at the arrows in their shoulders. Then he took in the trees above. He was no longer in the forest around Central City. This was a jungle.

Standing up, he took in his surroundings, not happy to see neither him or any of his men were armed.

“Sir? Where are we?” his sergeant asked.

“I… I don’t know.” the General admitted. Then the sound of footsteps, heavy footsteps running towards them, the trees shaking around him.

“Your… your orders?”

“Run.”

Back on Earth 1, while the Justice League dealt with a thorn in the sides of metas everywhere, Joe and Henry sat on the floor of the living room, playing with Lexie, both making funny faces while Lexie giggled approvingly.

“You want some apple sauce?” Joe asked.

“Has she already eaten?”

Joe looked at Henry and rolled his eyes. “She is Barry and Kara’s daughter. You think it matters if she has already ate?”

“Good point. I’ll get it.” Henry walked to the kitchen while Lexie appealed to one of her grandfathers.

“Bracet off. Bracet bad. No fun.”

“I know its not fun but you aren’t old enough to do some stuff without Mommy and Daddy around.”

“Mama, Dada, I want Mama and Dada.”

“They aren’t here. What about Charlie? Charlie, here boy! Come play with Lexie. See? Charlie is here.”

“Mama sing.”

“You want me to sing?”

“No, Mama sing. Dada sing, Charlie doesn’t sing, he woofs. Mama…” Lexie whined, starting to cry. Joe freaked and rushed into the kitchen wondering what the hell was taking Henry so long to get apple sauce. Neither saw Lexie frown at her arm and vibrate, the bracelet cracking.

“Yay!” the little girl told Charlie who looked at the bracelet, looked at Lexie and ran from the room. Moving at super speed with his mother was cool, moving at super speed with Lexie was nightmare inducing.

Joe found the apple sauce in the fridge while Henry had been searching the cabinets for some reason. Barry or Kara made the sauce themselves along with all the other baby food Lexie consumed.

“Thanks, but shouldn’t you be watching the princess?”

“The princess wants Mommy and Daddy again and isn’t happy. Not even Charlie can… we need the damn apple sauce!”

“Calm down.” Henry told him, walking back into the living room and feeling very uncalm at what he saw. The toys were there, the furniture, the TV, everything as they had left it. The only difference was the bracelet cracked on the floor and Lexie was not there.

“Oh crap.” Joe muttered. “The door is closed, there are no holes in the wall so she has to be here somewhere.” he prayed.

“Hiding? Lexie! Lexie where are you? We can’t find you!” Henry tried. “We should call Eliza.”

“No! If we call Eliza Barry and Kara will never leave her alone with either of us again.”

“You know Barry won’t take long. We have to find her. Can you put that bracelet back together?”

“Do I look like Harrison Wells?” Joe asked.

“Call him!”

“I can’t! You know he will tell Eliza. She is going to tell Kara who will tell Barry… look we just have to find her. Check her bedroom. I’ll check the kids bedroom. Maybe she is looking for Mommy and Daddy there.”

Both men moved until they heard a giggle from above. The two grandfathers looked up to the high vaulted ceiling and saw their smiling granddaughter.

“You gotta be kidding me. Why? Why does this happen to us?” Henry asked, God or Joe, he wasn’t sure at the moment.

“Fly!” Fly like Mama!” she told the men happily.

“Hey sweety, do you think you could come down? Come to Grandpa? Either of us. We can even call your other grandpa. You can have all three grandpas here. We just need to leave Grandma out of this, okay?”

“Fly to Mama!” Lexie shouted, smiling now that she had figured out a way. Now she just had to figure out how to move and how to get out. If she could find Charlie he could fly with her too. Charlie, having seen everything from the hall currently resided under Barry and Kara’s bed.

Lexie blew, her breath coming out rather strongly and she decided that she liked it, oblivious to the shudder that went through the men below. Her breath while not freezing was cold. It also blew her back, giving her some movement in the air even if it was backwards. Lexie stopped blowing and tried crawling through the air, not having much luck. The feeling of floating was enough.

“Call Queen! He has one of those line things he can bring her down.” Joe suggested.

“You want him to shoot her with an arrow?!”

“No! Just one of those things he uses to swing and pull… yeah I guess that would be a bad idea. What about Alex?”

“You know she is with Barry. You really want her hanging this over your head? Didn’t you put a Tony the Tiger stuffed animal on her desk last week?”

“Good point. You think we can call… hey! Lexie, sweetie don’t go that way. Please come down! We won’t ever get to watch you again if you don’t come down and we can’t keep this to ourselves!”

Lexie giggled and moved her arms like a bird, making a bit of headway. Her and Mommy watched birds all the time and painted them. She slowly drifted towards the hall.

“Move the recliner to the doorway into the hall and catch her when she floats there.” Henry suggested.

“She will hit the wall. The doorway is like five feet lower than the ceilings. Whose idea was it to buy a house with vaulted ceilings? Sweetie, come down, please? Don’t you want to play dress up?”

“I want to fly! You want to fly? I get you?”

“Uh… yeah! Yeah come down and get me.” Henry offered. Lexie nodded her head and tried, using her arms and legs like a swimmer reaching out for Joe who almost had her, she grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up, him pulling her down. Lexie didn’t want to come down. She pulled up quickly and hopped back into the air, bumping her head on the ceiling.

“Ow.” the toddler said, then laughed. “Come fly!” she offered, thinking Joe and Henry must be able to fly like she could. It wasn’t hard for Mommy. Maybe they needed blue dress up clothes. Lexie started swimming to Mommy’s room, hoping her blue outfit was there, not remembering Mommy had it on when she left. “I get clothes so you can fly. Cape! Need cape.”

“No! No cape. Just float down to Grandpa before your Daddy sees you and we are all in trouble. We don’t want a timeout do we?”

“Timeout? No timeouts up here.” Lexie reasoned and stopped moving, floating near the ceiling with her arms crossed.

“We have to get her down. Barry has a ladder in the garage right? What if her power goes away? What if she drops? This is bad Joe. We need to call Jeremiah.”

“What is he going to do? You know I’m her favorite. If I can’t get her down, who can?”

“I guess… wait, you think you are her favorite?”

“Probably not. We are all equal. I’m just the coolest one. I catch bad guys like Mommy and Daddy.”

“Whatever. I’m the favorite. I let her play with my stethoscope and listen to heart beats.”

“Something tells me she can hear heartbeats now, just like Kara! Look, Barry can be home any second. Maybe we should just watch her, be ready to catch her and when he gets home, he can get her down.”

“No! If she drops and we catch her she could break something or worse! Seriously who thought tall ceilings were a good idea!” Henry complained once again.

“They look nice and open the space up. Would you concentrate?”

“I’m calling Eliza. She can talk her down. Everyone does what she says. Kara, Barry, Jeremiah, Nyssa. Eliza says to do something people do it. Hell, even Queen shaved once for her.”

Henry took his phone and hit the dial button on Eliza’s number, while Joe stood underneath a smiling and waving Lexie, still stuck on the ceiling.

“What’s happened?” the woman asked immediately, forgoing greetings.

“What gave you the idea anything happened?” Henry asked, trying to laugh and failing.

“Alex texted me and said you and Joe were watching Lexie while they took care of a problem. What has happened?”

“She is stuck on the ceiling. We don’t have a ladder high enough or a chair that will let us reach her. She seems to be having fun, we almost talked her down but now she won’t come down. Do you think you could use that voice you use and get her down?”

“Open the door.”

“You are in front of the house?”

“Open the door!” Henry unlocked the door before Eliza had a chance to use her key. She marched inside.

“You were outside?” Joe asked.

“Of course. I came over as soon as I heard you two were in charge of my granddaughter.”

“Hey, we were doing fine!” Joe told her offended. Eliza looked up at the ceiling and Joe looked at the floor.

“Right up until she somehow broke her bracelet and decided she wanted to hang out at the top of the ceiling.” he admitted.

“I got this.” Eliza walked under Lexie.

“Grandma! Grandma fun!”

“Yes I am Lexie. Come down now, your Daddy will be home soon. We need to brush your hair. You want Daddy to see pretty hair, right?”

“Come fly with me!”

“Yeah, thats what she keeps asking us. I thought you had this.” Joe commented, earning a sharp glare from Eliza.

“She is Kara’s daughter. I know what to do.” Eliza marched to the kitchen quickly and returned, chocolate pecan pie in hand. Lexie immediately sniffed and her eyes locked onto the treat, her and her Mommy’s favorite.

“If you want some pie you have to come down, baby girl. Want to eat some pie or should I save it for Mommy?”

“No! Mommy eat it all.”

“Thats right, so you better hurry. You can have a small piece if you come down now or else I’m saving it all for Mommy.”

“She can eat pie?” Henry asked

“I mush it up and grind the pecans to nearly dust. She loves the chocolate filling. I started making it sugar free in case she got into it. It always worked when I wanted Kara to come inside when she was a kid.”

Like magic, Lexie began swimming through the air again, this time heading down towards her favorite treat. As soon as she was in Eliza’s reach, the woman handed the pie to Joe and grabbed her granddaughter, snapping a back up bracelet she kept on her wrist.

“No bracet! Pie!”

“Lexie, do you want a time out?”

“No.” the girl admitted quietly.

“We keep the bracelet, not bracet but bracelet, on until we get to your room. Then I will take it off and you can eat the piece of pie I promised.”

“I love you, Grandma.”

“I love you too precious girl. Lets go to your room and eat then we can play. I’ll brush your hair okay?”

“Yes!” By grandpas.” she told them, blowing kisses.

“Bring me the pie, a big fork, a small fork and a plate.” she ordered then marched off with her darling in her arms.

Joe took a look at Henry, both letting out breaths.

“I guess we handled that okay, huh?” Joe asked.

“Yep. We really took charge.”

“What happened?” Barry asked, zipping in, then taking in the broken bracelet on the floor. “Please till me she is not in the sky somewhere! Eliza’s car is here. What happened?!”

“Nothing… I mean it wasn’t our fault. We don’t know how… she got out of the bracelet…” Henry tried.

“How did she get out of the bracelet and you don’t know how? Weren’t you two watching her?”

“Yeah but she wanted apple sauce and Joe couldn’t find it…”

“You couldn’t find it. I found it. You left her alone.”

“Thats not how I remember it.” Henry countered, honestly not sure who couldn’t find it at this point. “Everything okay with the situation you had to handle?”

“Yeah, he won’t be a problem anymore.” Barry told them, reaching down and looking at the bracelet.

“Oliver… didn’t kill him, did he? Or Alex, or Nyssa, or Sara…”

“I killed him Joe!” Barry told him irritated. Joe was shocked as was Henry. Barry took a deep breath. “I didn’t kill him. He might die but thats his problem. I just gave him what he wanted. Stop thinking that my friends are all killers. It is getting old, especially when you throw Oliver under the bus immediately. You’ve killed people and so have I. Stop being judgmental.” Barry told him then took a moment to calm himself.

“You are right Barry. I’m sorry.”

“No I am Joe. I shouldn’t snap at you.” Barry looked at the bracelet closely. “She phased through the bracelet. You can tell by the friction marks inside of it. The way it is cracked is the same as when I cracked out of a BOOT once. Great. The bracelet stops her Kryptonian powers but she still has her speedster powers and can’t control either.”

Barry rubbed his head, and walked into his daughter’s bedroom. As worried as he was, it warmed his heart to see her sitting, leaned between Eliza’s legs on the floor chocolate smeared around her face while her grandmother brushed her hair.

“Everything okay?” Eliza asked her son in law.

“I got rid of Eiling.” he told her. “He won’t be a problem anymore. He is probably running from giant telepathic gorillas on Earth 2 as we speak.”

“Good. I suppose you and Kara are going to have to meet with the President, come to an understanding?”

“You have no idea. It won’t be a problem. Is she okay?”

“Dada!” Lexie shouted, noticing her father in the room. “Pie! Want some?”

“Yeah, I think I will. Then me and Grandma are going to camp out in your room tonight? Want to camp out? We can get the big blow out mattresses?”

Lexie nodded her head. “Those are bouncy. I flew. I can’t wait to tell Mama!” Lexie gave Barry a chocolate covered kiss on his cheek then sat back between Eliza’s legs. She looked at her son in law with glimmering eyes.

“It’s going to be okay, Barry. I swear it will be okay.”

“I know. Let me get those mattresses. I’m guessing since you are letting her have so much its sugar free?”

“Yep. I didn’t want either of us up all night. Lexie you want to use the potty before bed?”

Lexie’s shoulders and head dropped. “No.” but the little girl began walking towards the bathroom, Grandma behind her.

“Her brace…”

“She doesn’t need it. Its going to be okay Barry. Don’t lose faith. If you do Kara does and that can’t happen to either of you for her sake. She is discovering things and she has a little more to discover than the average two year old. She isn’t throwing things through walls, or frying Charlie with her eyes. She is having fun. We just have to guide her in fun, the same way we have been.”

“But can she understand…”

“She will. Relax and lets get ready to camp under the red night light. I’ll be right back.”

Barry sat on the floor, trying to come to grips with what happened with Eiling and Lexie.

“Just calm down. Just calm down. It will be okay. Right Mom?” he asked, looking up. “Right. God I wish Kara was here.”

The next morning Barry’s wish came true. The blue clad super heroine landed in her backyard, having left Donna behind with her blessing and flown halfway across the world faster than she ever had before. Caitlin and Winn had slept at S.T.A.R. and as soon as Kara’s com was back up, Caitlin was talking to her, noting that her best friend was flying at Mach 6, a speed she had never reached before without Barry sharing speed. Kara assured Caitlin that she was fine and didn’t slow down until she reached her daughter and husband. Walking in the back, she was surprised to see Jeremiah in the kitchen drinking coffee.

“I just finished brewing a fresh pot. Want me to fix you a cup?”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks.” Jeremiah kissed Kara on the cheek and quickly poured a cup, handing it to her.

“I was worried about you, like always. Good trip?”

“The place was amazing… not that I am complaining but you are here early for a Sunday morning. Is everything… okay?”

“Lexie learned to fly last night. Barry had to handle something and Joe and Henry watched her. She phased out of her bracelet and floated to the ceiling. She had fun. Eliza got her down and her and Barry are camped out in her room having a sleep over. Joe and Henry are crashed out on the recliner and couch.”

“Oh no…” Kara whispered, feeling horrible. While she had been touring Themyscira her daughter had been… could have…

“Where was Barry? You said he was taking care of something?”

“Yeah Eiling came to town. The League took out his men and Barry and Cisco tossed him to Earth 2.”

“Why do these things happen when I’m gone?”

“You could look at it as bad things, or you could look on the bright side.” Jeremiah told her. “Eiling won’t be a problem anymore and technically no one killed him. We know Lexie can fly and she can phase through her bracelet and she did both in the safety of the house with her grandfathers here who had enough sense to call Eliza. All in all I would say things turned out pretty well.”

“I’m never going to leave her again. Ever.”

“You might have to let Eliza and I camp out one more night with Lexie in her room. You and Barry have an errand to run after she goes to sleep tonight.”

“An errand?”

“Yeah,” a barely awake Barry told his wife, walking into the kitchen. “I think its long past due that the two of us have a conversation with the President of the United States tonight. Its time to end these games.”