Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Survivors

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 41: Fallout

Central City- Jitters

Barry Allen sat in the same booth he always sat with Iris after the two met up after class. Normally the man was excited, happy, brimming with news of some new scientific discovery that Iris had no hope or interest in understanding. Today the girl was having trouble gauging her best friend’s mood. She had thought he would be excited, beyond excited. Since Christmas though, Barry Allen had lost some of his light. Iris knew he had been crazy over a girl he met in National City and she knew he had stopped talking about her all the time. He even seemed pained the few times she brought this Kara girl up, so she stopped. Whoever this girl was, she was the first girl Barry had ever shown true excitement over. He had girlfriends in the past but when he came back from National City not even Joe’s disapproving lecture could wipe the smile off his face. Her Dad finally gave it up, seeing there was no bringing him out of his good mood and back down to Earth with a lecture. Learning he had spent the weekend with a nice girl instead of chasing werewolves cooled her father’s irritation as well.

Now it had happened. Less than 24 hours ago, on the West Coast, what Barry had talked about forever, what he swore was true, had been proven. The impossible happened. Joe West could not tell Barry he was crazy or chasing dreams any longer.

But instead of excitement, he seemed a bit shocked then somber.

“Barry, would you snap out of it? This is amazing! Look at her! Everything you have ever said about how the impossible could be out there, all the stories…”

“If she was a yellow ball of lightning, that would help.” he muttered. “But this isn’t going to prove my Dad’s innocence.”

Barry Allen saw the picture on the news, the one being plastered all over TV screens around the world. It was a face he spent one glorious weekend with and he had memorized. No pair of glasses would change that.

So much made sense now.

“Maybe she knows a ball of lightning?” Iris suggested, hoping to get some excitement out of him.

“She would have told me if she had. Thats what Dante meant.” he mumbled to himself.

“What?”

“Nothing. Talking to myself. She uh… I doubt a girl who can do that, who saved all those people, knows about lightning storms that can kill people in their homes with a knife.”

Barry thought back to the weekend, where he first met her, her friends, the special forces team, everyone being protective over her even though she didn’t seem to need it.

She hadn’t been surprised about the girl who was saved from the werewolf. He bet she was the one who saved the girl. He also suspected she was the girl from Gotham City. Dante had told him that he was right, that there were things in the world that could not be explained. He also told him if he knew of something that could help he would let him know.

Meaning none of them, Kara included, knew anything that could help him. She would have told him.

So much became clear when he saw the footage for the first time. Barry knew, but watched it three more times, making himself acknowledge it. Her eyes, the small scar inside her left eyebrow, her build, her hair. He never could understand the contradictions in her. The scholarly girl who was an MMA fighter with a core made of steel and loved motorcycles. The anxiety issues… she knew this was coming. She had a suit made. Barry had wondered what had happened, what could make her go away for a year. He was afraid she may have attempted suicide or had a nervous breakdown or something. Instead she was preparing.

Kara Danvers, the living embodiment of the impossible, had been preparing to make herself known in public and did not want anyone in her life who could be in guys hanging around, former Seals, her parents… how much of what she told him was true? She had been adopted. He didn’t think she had actually lied to him about anything. She just hadn’t voluntarily given out information. There was no reason she should. She barely knew him.

“Yeah I get that, but the fact that someone like her exists, anything could exist, Barry. Dad can’t tell you that you are wrong now. I wish I knew who she was.”

“I doubt she wants to be known if she didn’t stick around to sign autographs.” Barry pointed out.

He saw her face like the rest of the world and the general public may have thought they were looking at a stoic young woman. He saw the edge of anxiety she exhibited the one time they began talking about her parents deaths.

“Probably not, but she could make a fortune. A friend of mine on Facebook said Cat Grant is sending people all over NCU trying to find a name. She said the rumor is a pretty big reward, like pay for college and grad school reward, is going to the one who can identify her first and provide proof, name, address, all that stuff. I bet there are kids racing each other to name her. What about you? You had your weekend romance in National City. You didn’t happen to see a pretty flying blonde? You could say goodbye to the student loans, Barry.”

“I’ve never seen anyone who looks like her in my life. I would remember.” he lied.

Iris nudged Barry’s elbow.

“You okay?”

The man nodded. “Yeah, I should probably get to the library before it closes. Talk to you at home.”

“Oh look! They are zooming in on another shot of her.” Iris told him. News stations had been digitally examining every pixel of video looking for any clue.

“How many more ways can they look at her?” he asked, irritated and wanting to be alone somewhere near a television.

“Yeah, but they picked up something new. It looks like she is wearing a gold chain under her suit. The cape covers most if it up but you can kind of see the chain peaking out one of her shoulder straps… think it might be a halo? Maybe she is an angel.” Iris suggested.

Barry looked closely and did see it. It was only a bit of chain showing but he knew it for what it was. For the first time that day he smiled.

“No, not a halo. A girl who took off as fast as she did and caused a sonic boom, I would bet this Supergirl loves speed. My money is on a lightning bolt. See you later.”

Metropolis- Luthor Corp

Lex Luthor and Mercy Graves sat in his office and watched the news along with the rest of the world. Lex was extremely impressed. He knew she was strong and fast but this took it to a new level.

“We didn’t know she could fly.” Mercy commented. “Who knows what else she can do? It is too dangerous to manipulate her Lex. Especially if the Government has already gotten their hooks in.”

“They don’t, Mercy. Do you think if the DEO controlled her they would ever let the perfect alien weapon off its leash to save a plane and a few thousand people? Would they let her dress in such an attention grabbing manner? They aren’t controlling her but they want to. Nothing has changed.”

“I disagree. Everything has changed. Everyone knows her now. She can’t hide.”

Lex scoffed.

“You have not spent much time around her. Lena wouldn’t even recognize her like that. If she had she would have called me by now. Kara Danvers slouches, she wears her hair in a tight bun or pony tail, she squints constantly behind those glasses. She blends into the background. If anyone would recognize her it would be Lena.”

“You don’t know that Lena hasn’t. Are you sure the DEO has not gotten to her?”

“I would hope her security team is more prepared than you were.” he pointed out, raising his bandaged hand. “Lena said Kara told her she wouldn’t be going to school this semester and hadn’t heard from her since.”

“No one has until now. We know nothing of where she went after Christmas. She disappeared for three weeks off the grid right after you were attacked by the DEO and then appears in National City saving a plane? Where is she now? This is not right Lex. We are missing something. Perhaps we should step back and observe, see how things play out.”

“And allow the Government to get her more into bed with them? I have to move soon. I can handle this. Next week I am going to National City to visit her. Please try to hire competent men so I am not assassinated by the DEO before I enter her apartment building. Remember, my father is not as fond of you as I am. If I die, you are unemployed.”

“I know my job. The DEO will not surprise me again.” she told him sharply, her pride still wounded.

“Then we should have no problem. The DEO may have forced her hand as they are forcing mine. I cannot learn anything until I determine how under their thrall she is. For now, increase Lena’s security detail, unnoticed by her. Double it. I will take as many chances as I have to with our lives and gladly end my father’s but we take no chances with hers.”

“Yet you encourage her to befriend Kara Danvers.”

“Kara cares for my sister. She is not the danger, the DEO is.”

National City

Alex and Kara finished off another pint of Ben and Jerry’s, Alex eating half of one and Kara going through the other half and the previous 2 pints.

“I can’t believe you. You always eat all the brownie chunks! You can’t leave a few for me? Its like you perform surgery. Somehow you eat all the brownie chunks from top to bottom while leaving the ice cream behind.”

“I learned my surgical skills from my nerd sister who made me dissect frogs constantly.” Kara told her.

“Okay, my turn for the movie. I’m thinking…”

“Don’t do it.”

“Yeah…”

“Alex…”

“Aliens!”

“No! I hate that movie. All of them! Those things are disgusting. That drool and the small head in the mouth with the little mouth and face suckers and the goo dripping… no, gross. Pick something else or I’m not heating up a pizza. You can wait thirty minutes for it in the oven.”

“Okay… don’t want to watch anymore news coverage? See if they have come closer to finding out the identity of Supergirl?”

“No, I can hear if they have.” Kara told her.

“You are listening over the whole city?!”

“No, every TV in this building is set to the news. Even ESPN is saying something about getting the 747 out of the stadium. Apparently the owner of the team is willing to pay me a million dollars if I will pose for a photograph with it, then take it to the airport.”

Alex was about to laugh until there was a knock on the door. Kara checked it quickly.

“Wow. Mom and Dad are usually talking when they are on their way up to see us.” Kara commented. “They were quiet this time. Must be serious.”

“What do they usually talk about?”

“The plan of course. One of them is usually going to try and covertly check me for dry blood under my nails, and Dad is going to engage us in conversation about some minor thing while Mom goes to the restroom. On the way there while Dad keeps my attention diverted away from the bathroom, she checks my sheets for blood, our laundry to make sure we are doing it, under our beds to see if we have been dusting or if cobwebs are present and if our toothbrushes have been rinsed thoroughly because you have always had a problem with that. It congeals at the base.”

“Does not!”

“Does so. Then once she is happy with her quick inspection, keeping in mind she never actually uses the restroom, she comes out and will ask us about school or art or research while Dad says he wants a drink but is actually checking our fridge to make sure we are eating vegetables and fruit and then checking our cabinets pretending to look for a glass and making sure the canned vegetables are actually being eaten. He also checks the date on the milk because he knows I won’t get sick and you never bother to look so we could potentially drink bad milk on the few occasions we want cookies instead of ice cream. Oh and they both check in as many spots as they can manage to see if I have any alcohol hidden.”

“Alcohol?”

“Yeah, they figured since I found it once I can find it again. Mom is worried I will take something and overdose and they won’t know how to treat me.”

“Really? They do this every time?”

“It varies. I’m beginning to understand now why they never would have stayed in Midvale. They have a serious case of empty nest syndrome and we even left a bird in the nest. Clark is probably going to have to share a dorm room with them both.”

Another knock on the door.

“I suppose we should let them in?” Alex guessed.

“Before they kick the door in.” Kara agreed, moving across the loft and opening the door. Both Eliza and Jeremiah were glad to see Kara looked quite relaxed.

“Hello Sweetie, how are you today?” Eliza asked, kissing her on the cheek.

“Better. Alex is trying to get me to watch Aliens with her.”

“Alex! You know that movie scares, Kara!” the mother scolded, while Kara stuck her tongue out at her very annoyed sister.

“Stop babying her. She doesn’t get to pick every movie. I can only watch tragic love stories so many times before I am ready to direct and star in a horror movie as the villain.”

“So we, everyone at the DEO, have been watching the news all morning.” Eliza started, “and we think we should all talk about what is next.”

“You sure you don’t need to go to the bathroom first?” Kara asked.

“Yeah Dad, you want me to get you a drink or would you prefer to get it yourself so you can check the expiration date on the milk?” Alex added.

Both parents looked at each other and shook their heads.

“Why don’t we talk first? Then we will conduct our inspections since we can’t do them secretly apparently. I guess since our attempts at doing it discreetly were unsuccessful we can spend more time on them.” Jeremiah told the girls.

“I can fly to the South Pole by myself in two hours or less. You really think if I wanted to hide alcohol I would put it somewhere you could find?” Kara asked, slightly amused.

“I think no toothbrush in the world could get the smell of that stuff off your breath.” Eliza reminded her. “But no, we are not looking for alcohol. I know you would not do that to us… again. Right Kara?”

“Yes Ma’am.” she quickly agreed, looking down. “So… what is next?”

“Press.” Jeremiah told her. “They haven’t had a manhunt this big since Bin Laden. They aren’t going to give up trying to find out who you are. The hair and glasses, I know you are good at blending in the background Kara, but we have to do something to get them off of you.”

“So what is she supposed to do? Sign Kara Danvers autographs?” Alex asked. “Speaking of, I suppose Clark…”

“Is safely back at school still under the name Clark Kent. Even if you two are discovered, the only Danvers that can be electronically traced are you and Kara, as requested.” Eliza assured her. “That being said, of course you can’t give autographs. But you can make it clear to some of the media that it is important your identity remain secret. Give them an interview alone, answer a few questions like we talked about.”

Alex wasn’t sure about this plan. “Talk to what reporters?”

“J’onn said Lois Lane has been sent by the Daily Planet.”

“Lane? That bastard’s daughter? I’ve been talking myself out of killing him based on his friendship with Henshaw for years.” Kara told them then realized what she said and stopped speaking immediately. Both parents did their best to hold comment.

“J’onn said Lois and her father are adversarial. Their relationship is not good. Defending you in print would be perfect. She would defend you just to spite him.”

“Okay. So one Newspaper. Doesn’t seem that bad.” Alex agreed.

“We think two. At least two outlets. The Daily Planet is big and so is Cat Grant. We think if you talk to her and Lois Lane at the same time, maybe get them on the same page, then we can kind of control what information is out there and focus more on what you are doing and not who you are.” Eliza reasoned.

“Uh huh. And what information should she tell them? Should she tell them she is indestructible and can blow up tanks with a look or lift an aircraft carrier out of the water?” Alex asked. “What about other aliens? Do we let them know about that? How is that going to effect the world view? The idea was for the public to see her doing what she does and base opinions off of that. Not give out free information unless it is needed that could cause a world wide panic.”

“Right. We have given it some thought. We think the best…” Jeremiah started before Kara raised her hand to stop him.

“Just ask J’onn and whoever else, if they would like to come over or we can go there and talk about what he thinks we should say.” she suggested. Both parents looked at each other, realizing they had been caught.

“Kara, we don’t want you to think he is manipulating you. We went to him when we found out Cat Grant was offering rewards because I don’t want you hunted by citizens and…”

“Mom, its okay. I knew this was coming and planned to talk to him about it anyway. The press are going to have questions and I am going to have to give some answers. He has probably thought about this and we are all on the same team. Ask him over.”

Both parents looked at her, seeming to expect more.

“What?”

“We were just waiting for the part where you threaten him. That usually comes at the end.” Jeremiah reminded her. Kara shook her head.

“Like you said, we are with them or not. I said we were, so we are. We are going to have enough enemies soon. We have to be on the same page. You want me to call him, so he knows he isn’t walking into a trap?”

“No, he would probably be more concerned if he heard you ask him nicely. I’ll handle it.” Eliza offered, now very worried about Kara’s state of mind. She had never agreed to listen to… it didn’t matter. They were all in uncharted territory. Perhaps Kara was finally figuring out that she couldn’t do this on her own.

An hour later a cautious Hank Henshaw entered Kara’s apartment, let in by Jeremiah. He took a seat in the love seat across from the family on the couch.

“So, Jeremiah and Eliza said you might have some questions about what I think you should tell the media? I would rather hear your ideas Kara. If there are any major problems…”

“J’onn, can just tell me what you want me to say?” Kara asked.

J’onn looked around the apartment, looked at Alex, her parents and then back at Kara.

“Thats it? You will say what I want you to say?” he asked suspiciously.

“Yeah.”

“Oh… I uh… really? I wasn’t really prepared for this.”

“Then why the hell did you come over?” Alex asked.

J’onn looked over at her. “I figured I would listen to what you two wanted to do, find out if any of it is catastrophic to national security or what we want known in regards to the escapees and then Kara and I would argue until we came to some sort of tenuous agreement or she strangled me.”

“Not in the mood to argue J’onn. I’ll admit the reality of dealing with the press was something I never gave much thought to. One of my goals is to help people. Our shared goal is to take down our enemies before they take us down. I don’t want one goal screwing up the other. I want this done as soon as possible. Things are about to heat up. You know it, I know it, the Rozz prisoners know it. Plus I don’t want the entire alien population of the world who are living in hiding to be put at risk. There are a lot of them out there who just want to be left alone. I know the feeling.”

J’onn tried not to smile. It wasn’t hard. He was in too much of a state of disbelief over Kara not prepared to go to verbal war with him. She seemed calm, maybe a bit anxious but he guessed she was feeling a lot of anxiety and fright right now and hiding it. She needed direction and was finally willing to take it from anyone, not just Alex and her parents.

“Okay, so Cat Grant and General Lane’s kid?”

“Yep.” she agreed.

“I would suggest you tell them you are an alien. They will want to know if more are on Earth. I would lie, tell them you are not sure. You have never met one.”

“Okay. If they attack me in public I can have plausible deniability. Got it. What about my powers? What should I tell them?”

The man thought of this for a bit. He had thought of it quite a bit but hadn’t come to a decision. He figured Kara would do what she wanted anyway so didn’t worry about it. After so many years dealing with Kara, it was the least stress inducing tactic.

“If you are attacked in public, and it is likely, people are going to eventually see your heat vision. They will also see your freeze breath at some point. There is no point in hiding it. The only skills I would not let on is your X ray vision and very heightened senses.”

“You don’t think the military will start hunting her if they see her heat vision?” Eliza asked. “If they do she will have to defeat them. Then she just started a war with the US Government and we have to move to Russia. Its cold in Russia, J’onn. We will if we have to but I’m just saying, its really cold.”

“But the military wouldn’t screw with her anymore.” Jeremiah mumbled. “If they decide to make an issue of it, let it be known to the President that she has had offers from foreign powers who are interested in granting her citizenship. So what if it isn’t true? It will remind the US that they don’t control her and it would be best not to try. She would always have other options.”

“I will tell the President tomorrow that we sent out a message to you. He knows about Kryptonians. He knows about Kryptonian senses, he knows everything. If we tell him you are not part of that crew, that you are willing to give us intel and help in the fight he will keep the military off of us. Honestly, as much as Lane is going to hate this, the President is going to love it. Its an election year and he is very behind in the polls. Supporting a blonde superhero wearing the colors of the flag can’t hurt.”

“I don’t want to help him. Its the first election I can vote in and I am not voting for him.” Kara told the Martian. “If he expects an endorsement he can send the military after me. I’ve already got my Marsdin tee shirt and a sticker for the bike.”

“It would probably be best for you not to conduct many interviews and definitely stay out of political discussions.” J’onn suggested, now imagining Kara Danvers in a political advertisement for Olivia Marsdin. “Nothing can split a populace as quickly as political stances.”

“Okay, so we can set this up for tonight. Honestly, I screwed up. I hadn’t planned to stand there and let my face be recorded in detail. I… froze.” Kara admitted.

“It’s okay, honey. You did a great thing, saving all those people.” Eliza assured her.

“Thanks Mom. J’onn, I am working with you here. We are going to be a team, I will let you see my Fortress, we aren’t going to have any… okay, not many, secrets from each other. So I need something from you.”

J’onn noted that Kara was looking him in the eyes now and seemed more determined.

“If it is in my power and it will assist the mission…”

“Cut the disclaimers J’onn. In my time at the Fortress with Clark I did a lot of research while he slept. It turns out that there were mentions of Mars in the Kyrptonian databanks. The planet was called something else by us of course and it had been thousands of years ago when we visited but Krypton did have knowledge of Martians. I am not saying you lied to us. I never asked and you were never obligated to tell us. But I know you can do more than just read minds and shape shift, right?”

J’onn looked at the other three in the rooms and felt he was under the spotlight quickly. He also wondered if Kara had been saving the threats for now.

“I have never done anything to your family’s minds, Kara.”

“I know.” she agreed, surprising him again. “I researched all the signs, thought of instances where my family exhibited any symptoms and could find none. J’onn this is important. Can you plant false memories and erase other memories?”

“You can what?” Alex asked, very alert as were her parents.

“It is not something I like to do, but yes, I have that ability. I haven’t used it since I influenced some of the Joint Chiefs to promote me to Admiral so I could have access to more of the world.”

“Okay, then I need you to do it again. Like I said, I didn’t plan on standing there like a statue to be gawked at. It happened though. Kelex has been listening to everything Luthor has said in the past 24 hours. He is planning to come to National City next week, attempt to manipulate me.”

“And your mother and I have said multiple times you do not need to play games with him.” her adopted father reminded her.

“And I agree.” Kara told them, full of surprises today. “I thought I did, I thought I could handle it but it is going to be too much. Lex doesn’t think Lena knows. Lena has sent me five texts this morning asking me to call her. I haven’t. She knows. Lex, Mercy Graves and Lena are the only ones who have seen me enough to know I am the girl on TV. J’onn, I don’t need more enemies to deal with. Lena will eventually tell Lex. I need you to wipe their minds, all three of them, of any knowledge of me. Make them forget they ever met me or Alex. Kelex is wiping any electronic information they may have of me, even my number from Lena’s phone. I need you to make it so they think they have never met me.”

No one said a word, for a few minutes, J’onn closing his eyes, deep in thought and the rest trying to digest what Kara wanted.

“Kara, I can’t guarantee that nothing will ever come back. Bits and pieces…”

“If you can’t I understand. I can kill Lex Luthor and Mercy Graves. Lena will blame it on someone else. I’ll make sure of…”

“No! Stop talking about killing people, Kara!” Alex shouted. “As much as I would like to, we just can’t kill Lex Luthor because he is an ass. Believe me I wish we could. You are better than that, better than him.”

“This is war, Alex. Better doesn’t matter. I have to do what needs to be done.”

“If any of us become like him or Lane then we have lost this war already, Kara.” Eliza told her. “We will win, but we will do this right. You aren’t a killer. You have to kill in battle, that is understandable. But we won’t be planning anyone’s murder, even him. Understand?”

Kara said nothing.

“Kara! Do you understand me? I won’t let you become this.”

The blonde nodded her head, a bit ashamed. She didn’t want to kill humans but he was a danger to her family. She couldn’t play games with him. What lengths would he go to control her?

“I’ll do it.” J’on agreed, if nothing else to get the conversation away from planning murders. “I can handle Lena after I leave. I will fly directly to Metropolis afterward and sea with Lex and his bodyguard. They will forget any contact they have ever had with the Danvers family, I promise.” the Martian told her. “There is one other person who will recognize your…”

“Stay away from Barry Allen.” Kara told him quickly. “He would never reveal me. He just wouldn’t.”

‘He has been looking for proof of the impossible.” Alex reminded her.

“Nobody touches Barry. If he was going to say anything he would have already. He wouldn’t. Stay away from him, J’onn.”

“You have my word, and you know I have never broken my word to you, Kara.”

Kara nodded her head. “I know J’onn. It is why I am trusting you now. We win or lose together. No turning back.”

“I never wanted this for you.” he told her quietly. “But I will not leave you alone with this. I will let you know when it is done. Good luck with the Press. I understand Cat Grant is quite the handful.”

Later that evening as Cat Grant sat at her desk, having a drink after yelling at her entire senior staff for not having found any leads, her phone buzzed. The caller ID showed an unknown number, strange since her service was secure and only known to people who would never give her number out. She thought of ignoring it, her mood was too foul to talk. The only consolation she had is no other outlet had any information. Small comfort though. Deciding she needed someone new to yell at, Cat did answer the phone.

“What is it?” she answered authoritatively.

“Its the girl you are looking for. I want to meet.” a distorted voice answered. It was obvious some modulator was being used.

“Of course you are. How much would you like to be paid for this meet? Turn that toy off. I won’t tell you what my favorite scary movie is.”

Cat heard a sigh on the other end of the phone and surprisingly the voice did seem that of a young girl.

“Fine, happy? I don’t like horror movies, I wouldn’t ask you what your favorite was. You can put that in the article if you wish.”

Cat was surprised by that response. What sort of prank was this?

“If you are her, come to my building. Stand in front of me and levitate. I need proof before I meet a random caller.”

“I won’t meet you in your building and be swarmed by your army. I will meet you, alone. As far as proof, I am calling you on your very private cell phone, am I not?”

“Parlor trick. Try again.”

“I don’t have to. Either you will meet me or you won’t. I understand if you are scared. I have others who will jump at the chance and take risk to meet me. I don’t want money, I just want to talk. Yes or no. If its no I have other calls to make.”

Cat said nothing for a moment, debating this in her head. If she brought someone and this really was her on some off chance then she would see anyone she brought from the night sky. If this was her and Cat missed the chance…

“Time’s up.”

“No wait! Where?”

“There is an abandoned warehouse by the wharf district. Its on the corner of Benson and Seagull. Be there at 11:00 tonight.”

Cat laughed. “You really expect me to meet you alone in an abandoned warehouse at night? I am neither Woodrow or Bernstein and without your little voice thingy you do not sound like Deepthroat.”

“Then I guess unlike Woodrow and Bernstein you won’t be winning a Pulitzer. Be there or not, alone. By the way, I saw you for a split second as I was saving your building and your life. Those were nice shoes you were wearing. Miu Miu, correct? I used to watch a lot of Housewives of Beverly Hills. See you tonight.”

The call ended, leaving Cat Grant speechless for once. The girl noticed her shoes? Of course, it shouldn’t be a surprise that a girl who could fly would have a photographic memory after a split second look. A girl like her, anything could be possible. Including the chance that she was walking into an ambush by a super powered teenager who did not want rewards offered for her identity.

It didn’t matter. Real or not, trap or not, Cat Grant was not going to miss this opportunity.

Near the NCU campus, Lois Lane was beginning to get very frustrated. No one would talk around campus to the Daily Planet. Cat Grant’s reward offer had these kids throwing names of every blonde they knew towards the Catco website and refused to give any interviews on possible information to other outlets for fear of losing out on a small fortune in their young minds.

“This is it, James. The only place where anything unusual has occurred since class started at NCU. The so called werewolf serial killer. The last victim reported being held here then rescued by some unknown force but heard a female’s voice behind her. The serial killer has not struck since then.”

James agreed it was strange but seemed to be grasping. The girl who reported the incident had been traumatized obviously. What she reported to the police could have been a delusion caused by the stress of her situation or a way to deal with what she had been through. Most likely the girl had escaped on her own and blocked most of the experience out. Of course the video of the incident had been mysteriously erased.

“Yeah, this is it. A parking garage. Thats gonna help a lot, Lois.”

Lois looked at her photographer, annoyed. “We trace her movements. She was walking by here. Where was she coming from? Where was she going? How did she know? Its the only lead we have.”

“She was coming from campus. We already suspected she is a college student, Lois. Maybe we should go back to campus, try and find anyone who…”

“You Lois Lane?”

The two turned around and saw a kid, maybe 20 years old, obviously a college student. Lois, for a moment, hoped that someone legit had sought them out and not Cat Grant.

“Yeah, I’m Lane. Who are you?”

The kid handed an envelope to the woman.

“Some girl paid me $100 bucks to wait for you here. Said you would show up and be looking at the first floor of a parking garage, standing around like an idiot, waiting for an answer to magically show up. She said to give you this.”

James took the envelope quickly.

“Who gave you this?” Lois asked, pulse beginning to quicken.

“Didn’t get a good look at her. She was wearing shades and a ball cap. She had short dark hair and said she would be watching and know if I took off with the money. She was kind of small but scary so there it is. I’m out of here.”

The kid began walking off, Lois considering following him until James placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You need to read this.”

Lois Lane,

I heard you were smart. I guessed if you were smart enough to trace me to this location you deserved to meet me face to face. Be at the Warehouse on the corner of Benson and Seagull at 11:00 PM tonight. Come alone. You get one chance at this.

Her

“So we aren’t going, right? This could be any crazy person.” James told her, knowing better. He wasn’t disappointed.

“There is no way in I am not going to be there. She said alone. If I show up with a photographer, she will scram. I can’t spook her off James. You are going to have to stay back.”

“No, Lois. This girl flew and carried a 747 like it weighed nothing. There is no way in hell you are going alone.”

“I’ll keep a gun in my purse.” Lois told him, shrugging it off in her excitement.

“Lois… no. We go together or I am following you.”

Lois looked at the tall, muscular man and saw an alpha male. The last thing that she needed screwing this up.

“Fine, get a long range camera, find somewhere across the street and do not be seen. If you can get a shot of her exiting the street or flying out, take it. Under no circumstances are you to enter that warehouse or I will shoot you myself, understand?”

“Yeah, got it.”

At 11 that night, a car pulled up and parked in front of the large, dark warehouse and Cat Grant stepped confidently out, her heels clicking across the pavement as she made her way to the warehouse. Inside she saw a girl, but definitely not the one who she expected.

“Who are you?” the woman asked.

Lois for her part was shocked, thinking James had disobeyed her order and entered in spite of her. To see Cat Grant there, left her a bit shaken and unsure.

“Lois Lane, Daily Planet. I am meeting an anonymous source here so if you could… leave?”

Grant instantly tensed and wished she had brought something to throw at the brat. The Daily Planet? What game was the girl playing?

“I am sure you know who I am and you know I don’t back down for Perry White’s new toy. Run back to Metropolis and pick up his laundry or whatever other duties you perform for him. I have a meeting here and was told to come alone.”

“So was I. Guess she wants to talk to both of us.” Lane told her, standing her ground. Yes, Cat Grant had not been White’s favorite reporter. The tension between the two was legendary, even more so after Cat left and started a media empire that gave her far more power than an editor of a newspaper. She owned television channels, newspapers, a global magazine. Cat Grant had fought her way to the top, leaving Perry White behind. If she wasn’t a competitor Lane would have admired the woman. But Lois did work for the Daily Planet, the most read newspaper in the world in print and on the net. She would not back down.

“You were both invited by me. I am assuming you can get along for the next half hour or so?” a new voice said, a young voice Cat had heard on the phone. Taking the blonde in, it was obvious she was as young as she sounded and looked in the photos. Instead of her attention grabbing outfit she wore a pair of faded jeans and a pink hooded sweatshirt, the hood up over her hair. Her face was partly hidden in the darkness and under the hood. What struck both women was her size. She was small, 5’8 and thin, perhaps 120 lbs after eating a large meal. Though she did not appear large on TV, the idea of this girl lifting a 747 or even a large barbell over her head was boggling.

“So it’s you.” Cat said, taking the lead and determined to guide this interview and beat Lane to the press. She could be live on television around the world in minutes. Lane had to wait until the paper was issued the next morning or her story was edited by the control freak White and placed on the net. “Or is it? How do I know you are who you say you are?”

Kara took the two women in, feeling a bit of humor despite her nerves. They were obviously not happy the other was here and they were also not fond of each other. She doubted Cat had ever heard of Lois Lane.

Kara let her eyes glow in the darkness and rose twenty feet into the air. She unleashed her heat vision at the floor between the two women, causing both to jump back.

“Good enough?” the blonde asked.

“I’m convinced.” Lane agreed quickly.

Kara landed back on the ground softly.

“You said we would be alone.” Grant reminded her.

“No, I said for you to come alone. I never said we would be alone. I would expect a woman like you to understand technicalities. But perhaps only you will get an interview, Miss Grant. Miss Lane has broken the rules.”

“I don’t know…”

“Lois?” the voice of James Olsen, stopping her denial. Both women turned and saw James Olsen behind them with his hands in the air. Behind him was a strange sight, neither women expected. A young woman with a gun, it almost appeared to be some sci fi gun from a movie was standing behind him, with the aforementioned weapon pointed at the back of his head. She wore a dark copper body suit, and even a face mask. Her neck was covered in some sort of flexible silver armor that covered her shoulders as well. The long gloves she wore seemed to be made of the same metal or material. It was impossible to tell without close examination and neither woman seemed inclined to ask for an inspection at the moment.

“ He is a photographer?” Kara asked her sister in Kryptonese.

“ Yes. He had a fancy new camera, very long range scope I would guess, across the street. I watched him set up. Lane is hot.”

“ You aren’t going to throw her up against a wall like Agent Chase, are you?”

“ Do you think she would be into it?”

“I’m sorry, could the two of you speak English so the rest of us can keep up? Have your sidekick send the Daily Planet children away and lets get to business. I have news to tell the world. Since you agreed to meet me you want your story told and know I am the woman to tell it. If you are worried about the East Coast, don’t. I influence media around the world. Your story will be told.”

“Screw you lady. Look he would have just followed me anyway. I didn’t want him here and I told him to stay outside. He wouldn’t listen but if you send me away his death is going to be on your hands because I will murder him. Your sidekick won’t have to kill him.”

“ He would have came along anyway whether she wanted him to or not. This feels like Deja Vu.” Kara pointed out to her big sister.

“ Shut it. We should have brought more backup. Grant may be up to the same. I’m going to take a stroll. Want me to take the kids outside?”

“ No, leave them. How does the suit feel?”

“ I like it. I can’t believe this armor is flexible. Its incredible. I need some practice fighting in it. This face plate is weird. I wonder how you could stand wearing glasses now.”

“ You get used to it quickly. It won’t impede your lateral vision and will protect your forehead and the sides and back of your skull…”

“I hate to agree, with Grant but English would be nice. What language are you two speaking again?” Lane asked.

“Sorry, we were discussion your fates. I am not her sidekick either. Don’t say it again or else.” Alex told her. Lois turned to look at the short haired brunette.

“Or else what?”

“Uh…” Alex looked towards her younger sister who shrugged her shoulders. It was a valid question. “Or… I will knock you both out and carry you outside.” she decided on.

“Lois, maybe just don’t call her a sidekick anymore.” James suggested.

“Enough! What is your name?” Grant asked Kara.

“According to you I am Supergirl. You have been offering rewards for my identity. I have no doubt the Daily Planet and other news networks are far behind in that plan. It needs to stop. If I don’t already, I will have enemies. If my identity is known it puts my family at risk.”

“Why don’t you wear a mask like you side… friend? Your face is well known.” Grant pointed out.

“And yet no one could identify me. If you stop the manhunts I will give you both my story, stay in touch. If I ever talk to the media, it will be to the two of you. No photos, and no more searching for information I am not willing to be released.”

“That isn’t the way the press works, Supergirl.” Cat told her. “The subjects of stories don’t control the content.”

“Maybe, but if you want anything, its the way this is going to work. If you don’t like it, leave now.”

When neither women moved, Kara began.

“I arrived on Earth when I was 13 years old. I was born on a planet called Krypton. The planet exploded, everyone died except me. My parents sent me here in a ship so I could live.”

“You’re an alien?” Lane asked, surprised.

“And you catch on quick. Was it the part about being born on another planet that clued you in?” Alex asked her.

“Yes. I am an alien.”

“Are there others here like you?” Cat asked.

“I have never seen any other aliens.” Kara lied.

“Did you come alone?” the older woman continued.

“Yes.”

“What other powers do you have? How much weight can you lift? How fast and far can you fly? What were those beams that came out of your eyes? Can you do anything else?”

“Which would you like me to answer first?” Kara asked Cat.

“All of them, if you please.”

“I want to know where you have been since you landed here. Why now? Why that plane? Why haven’t you been helping people since you arrived?” Lane added.

“I was taken care of by humans. They asked that I get a drivers license before I flew anywhere and I agreed.”

“Lane if you are going to stay then stand there, be quiet and listen. Maybe you might learn something. Anything is possible. What 13 year old alien refugee is going to dress in a costume and start catching planes as soon as she steps out of her space ship? You cannot be this stupid.”

Kara decided the only way to do this was to lay everything out.

“Look I can fly. How fast? Pretty fast. I have never been clocked on radar. How strong am I? I have no idea. I haven’t found anything I couldn’t lift yet. The heat vision I have can range in temperature. I can heat up a frozen pizza in seconds or melt a car in seconds. I can also use my breath to freeze the moisture in the air. It is strong enough to freeze any object and blow a person back. Thats it. Thats all I got.”

“I see. Did you have these gifts on your home planet?” Cat asked, her mind racing. The Government would be terrified of this child.

“Yes.” Kara lied.

“So you consider yourself to have mastered these gifts?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think the public will fear you?” Cat asked, wondering how naive the girl was.

“I know they will. I can only be judged by my deeds. I won’t apologize for what I am or who I am. If the public cries out that they do not want my help, I will fade back into obscurity. I only want to help.”

“Why?” Lane jumped in. “Why would you care about helping humans? You can do anything, be rich, famous, why bother saving people? That plane was not the first time you have done it, is it?”

“No, I have saved people before. I have also failed to save people before. I do my best to make sure that never happens again.”

Alex internally groaned. Once again, Kara was thinking of the ones she didn’t save, the woman and child in that car.

Cat caught the sadness in the girl’s voice. This was no naive child. She was realistic and… more. There was a grey cloud about her. A deep depression under her voice.

“Your family, your people, your world. You were thirteen. How have you dealt with that? Off the record, right Lane?”

“Huh? Oh yeah.”

“Not very well. I don’t want to see it happen again.”

“I see. Back to the record. You were the girl firemen talk about in Gotham. The one who saved many in the Children’s Hospital?”

Lois and James looked at each other, neither having suspected that. Cat Grant definitely knew her stuff.

“Yes, that was me.” Kara admitted after seeing Alex in the back, nod her head.

“What is with the S on that outfit you had on?” Lois asked.

“Its not an S. On my world it was a symbol. It meant hope. It was adopted by my family as our coat of arms.”

Cat took her in, mind racing on what she could do with this girl. Yes, she would be feared by many but she could also be more. More than even this kid herself realized. Her story, heartbreaking, tragic but despite this, saving people, hiding behind urban legends, saving children, not out for glory. She could be what this cynical world needed.

Or the thing to tear it apart.

“Who is your friend with the ray gun?” the woman finally asked.

“No one who is ever to be written about. She stays out of this. She watches my back. She protects me while I will try and protect the world. If there is any information on her in any print then neither of you will ever hear from me again. Anderson Cooper will become my new best friend.”

Cat smiled, liking the moxie on the kid. She may have seemed small and young but there was a heart of steel in her. She was not meek.

“And the Government? What if they ask you to become involved in military action on behalf of the US?” the woman continued.

“I will not become involved with military or political disputes. I am not a weapon of any Government.”

“Who do you support in the upcoming election then?”

“Marsdin all the way.” she spit out before she could think. Cat smiled, knowing how to catch her now. Spring questions she isn’t expecting and she talks.

Alex shook her head in the back. Kara lifted her hands in apology. “She surprised me!”

“ And you wanted to play head games with Luthor and Cat Grant is able to take you down with random questions? Count to at least five before answering.”

“ You want to try this? You always wanted to be my agent. How about a press agent?”

Seriously, what language is that?” Lois asked again.

Cat rolled her eyes. “Its the language of her home world. I suppose your friend, or sister perhaps? Is she an alien as well?”

“No and that is the last question you ask about her or this is over.”

Kara was beginning to think it should be over regardless. She had given out all the information she wanted known and While Lois was obviously new, Cat Grant was an interviewing super villian. It was easy to see how she got to where she was in the world.

Then her ears perked up. She had heard the sound before but cleared it out. Hearing a motorcycle was not unusual, even one with a large engine. But now the motorcycle was heading directly toward the warehouse at a high rate of speed. She looked through the wall and saw trouble. A very large man on a very large bike was not stopping, heading straight for them. The door to the warehouse crashed open and the bike stopped. A man of some sort, most likely an alien, definitely an alien, stepped off. He was large, easily over seven feet tall and weighed over 300 lbs at least.

“Take them out the back, now!”

Alex didn’t wait, grabbing Olsen and pushing him towards the door, Lane and Grant following. The girl kept her gun on the monster that was now stepping off a very big Hog while backing up to make sure the press was gone.

Kara took in the creature, muscular and quite frightening and tried to determine what species this was. She had never seen one like him. While he appeared humanoid, the sheer unbelievable size of his muscles and height, along with the grey skin and red eyes topped by long black hair gave her a clue he wasn’t human. He was wearing black pants and heavy black boots but no shirt, leaving her to wonder how many people he had scared the hell out of on the way over.

“Something I can help you with?” she asked, tense and ready for a fight. Her nerves were gone, the discomfort she felt when talking to the reporters disappeared. She had an enemy to fight, a big one and Kara knew what she had to do. It was simple. Destroy him.

“I have tracked bounties across the galaxy but never had as easy a time finding a target as you, kid. A few drones in the city listening for Kryptonese to be spoken and I had you. Glad you still use your language.”

“You’re a bounty hunter? After me?” the blonde asked.

“Names Lobo. I hail from Czarnia.”

“I was told as a girl the Czarnians were all dead. Killed by a scourge of robotic insects set loose…”

“Yeah I know. Who do you think made the robots? I got bored having the planet to myself and came out looking for adventure. A lot of off world criminals like to hide out on Earth. Its a good place to make a living.”

“And you have a bounty on me?” Kara asked.

“Yep. Got hired last night after your little plane stunt. Your Aunt and Uncle want you brought to them. I’m not allowed to kill you. Contract says so, but I can hurt you. That gives me a lot of leeway. So why don’t we make this nice and easy? No need for you to get hurt.”

Kara shook her head. “Are you stupid? I don’t give a damn how big you are, you really think you can beat a Kryptonian on Earth?”

“Not normally. But since you have been nice enough to hang out in an enclosed dark environment at night, I figured I may as well shed a little light on your life.”

The bounty hunter reached behind his back and grabbed a sphere tossing it into the air. It hit the ground and red rays lit up the warehouse. Kara felt the loss of power instantly.

“Feeling a bit more like the daughter of a Judge and scientist now, huh? Don’t make this harder. I don’t like to hurt women and kids but a contract is a contract.”

“I’m just as dangerous without my powers.” the blonde told him. “I’ll see my aunt and uncle soon but it will be on my terms. Leave now and live. Stay and I will kill you. This is your only warning. I am trying to be a better person and stop killing but I am not great at controlling my temper in a fight.”

Lobo laughed, liking the guts on this girl. “Fine, we do this the hard way.”

He walked over to his bike and pulled out a coiled chain, with a blade on the end. Taking the blade off, he replaced it with a small metal bat. The bounty hunter quickly tossed the chain towards her, planning to hit her mid section and knock the air out of her, most likely shattering a few ribs that could heal later.

Before the metal end could make contact, a blast of energy struck it, sending the chain flying back at him. Another blast of energy struck the glowing red ball on the ground, and just like that, the red light was gone.

Lobo reached behind him and grabbed another red solar grenade off his belt. He tossed it in the air and it was destroyed before it had a chance to hit the ground. Alex stepped next to Kara with her blaster in hand.

“I can do this all day big boy. Kara, you feeling strong?”

“I feel pretty good right now.” the blonde admitted. “I gave you a chance. Your death is not on me.”

The girl attacked, ramming into his gut, faster than he could see and sending him through the hole he had made entering. Lobo sat up on the street and felt twin beams of incredibly hot energy hit his chest. Knowing the source was Kara he tried to find her until one eye was struck by a beam from the blaster the masked girl was carrying.

Kara grabbed his neck and tossed him back into the warehouse. This time the man saw her coming, flying low towards him and struck, catching her in the jaw. Though he felt as if he hit an immovable object like a mountain and was certain some knuckles broke, the strike did send her to the high ceiling.

Instead of falling, Kara sayer glued to the ceiling, looking down. He winked with his one good eye and she saw the other heal, as well as the burn marks on his chest.

“I’m betting I can heal as fast as you can. Tell your human I can do this all day too.”

Another bolt hit his ear this time, slapping his head to the side. Lobo was definitely hurt by this shot. Whatever weapon the kid had, she was very good and it was very strong, tearing through the tissues of his ear canal. Turning in the direction of the gun toting human to take her out, he should have been watching Kara at the top of the ceiling. She was not dazed by his punch and with a scream shot straight down onto him. The bounty hunter hit the ground face first and then was turned over. He never saw the fist come down over and over again, just a pink blur and a screaming blonde straddling him. He felt his nose shatter, felt his skull crack and then his cheek bones.

For the first time in a very long time, Lobo wondered if he could heal faster than he was injured. Kara kept swinging, the creatures forehead beginning to cave in. Finally she unleashed her heat vision at full strength into his head. Alex moved towards the exit, due to the intense heat.

Lobo saw nothing but felt everything. He had always assumed he was immortal, impossible to kill. He had never imagined a scenario where his head would be burnt to nothing. His smith was gone, the beams going directly into his eyes. He heard the girl screaming but it wasn’t in pain but anger. Eventually the pain gave way to darkness and he was no more.

Kara finally let up on the heat vision, seeing his head was gone and she was just breaking concrete now. If the bounty hunter could still heal himself, she would have a lot of respect for him.

Instead what remained of his body, lay there in a headless, beaten and charred heap.

“So that happened.” Alex said to herself. “Bet you are glad I had your back tonight, huh?”

The blonde nodded her head. “Yeah, thanks. You saved me. I can’t believe Jack mae a big deal out of the red sun room and this guy carries grenades of it. You like the suit?”

“You and Kleenex did good. I kind of wanted black thought.”

“Black is good for night but what about during the day? The dark copper will help you blend into urban settings and the desert during the day and still be dark enough to cover you at night. The metal is non reflective and can dim with the light. It will work. That gun is awesome. Great shooting.”

“Of course. How is the jaw? He knocked hte hell out of you.”

“It stunned me but nothing broke. He was strong but slow. He healed fast. I had to take out his brain. We didn’t exactly have cuffs that would hold him.”

“I know. I would have killed him if you hadn’t. So we are going to totally jack his bike for parts, right?”

“Big time. He tried to kidnap and hurt me, probably kill you, his bike is ours.”

So I guess you just officially wiped out the Czarnians. Astra and Non won’t walk into a trap but they will send others after you. But… look what I found on his bike.”

Alex offered a cell phone to her sister.

“Want to bet his employers number is on there?” she asked her little sister.

Cat Grant, Lois Lane and James Olsen ran back in, having seen most everything from the safety of the parking lot behind a car. None knew what to say at first, taking in the young girl, straddling a huge body with blood on her face and in her hair, sweatshirt nearly burned off from the heat, her blue top underneath and the corpse’s head completely gone and cauterized at the neck.

Kara looked at the three.

“So that wasn’t part of the interview. If we can keep this to ourselves I would appreciate it.”

Cat Grant shook her head.

“This is exactly the kind of thing the public can’t see. You look like a crazed serial killing cheerleader in one of those high school slasher movies. We are definitely going to work on your PR and how you fight in public. Beheadings, burning bodies, screaming while beating a monster to death, these are unacceptable. Children are going to have nightmares if they see this on television. I have a trademark on Supergirl, not Psycho Girl. We have a lot of work to do.” the older woman chided. It was obvious this kid was going to need a lot of help, help she would give. Reporting on the symbol of hope for the world would be much more inspiring than reporting on the scary blonde flying menace who gave children nightmares.

“You said something about never seeing any other aliens?” Lane reminded her. “I am afraid I am going to need a little more info.”

Kara looked at Alex, hoping maybe she would shoot the three of them and Eliza would not blame her. Alex saw Kara needed help and stepped in.

“You want more info? Fine. She has a cat. It tears up our couch. She also eats all the brownie chunks out of ice cream before she passes the carton over. She puts plates in the sink without washing off ketchup first and it hardens. Its a pain in the ass to wash after that. What else do you want to know?”

Kara shook her head, now engrossed with the phone in her hand.

“Questions can wait. We will meet again tomorrow. I have a call to make now. Its a family matter.”

Metropolis Luthor Residence

“Mercy! Get in here now!”

Mercy Graves moved quickly into Lex’s home office.

“Yes Mr. Luthor?”

“There is a problem, a big problem. I just got off the phone with Lena. I asked her if she had spoken to Kara and she asked Kara who? They got to her somehow. We have to get to National City, tonight. Call the airport and have my jet… did you call me Mr. Luthor?”

Lex turned and saw his long time assistant and bodyguard’s eyes glow red. She reached out and touched his head.

J’onn left the man lying on the floor. He would wake up in the morning and like his sister and bodyguard, have no memory of ever meeting Kara or Alex Danvers.