Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Call Me Kara

By BetterInTexas

Outtake 02:

A/N Okay this is going to cover the birth of little Ray. The next few one shots will cover missing scenes from the story but I wanted to get this one out. Hope everybody had a happy New Year, and thanks to those of you following me on Survivors. If you aren’t I hope you will give it a shot.

Refugees and Newborns

Latvia

The large contingent of Russian troops, armored personnel transports and tanks were rolling towards the small Latvian city just west of the Russian border. Russia had decided that Latvia would be the next Baltic State to fall into annexation with the motherland, regardless of how the citizens of that country felt.

It was the intention of the Russian government to strike fast, to take control of the main population centers before a mass exodus could begin. Unfortunately for them, spies for multiple intelligence agencies had leaked the information, starting a panic, refugees who refused to become part of Russia, packing only as much as they could carry and beginning the long trek to wherever they could find.

Despite Russian threats that the land and its people belonged to the country, the United Nations sent a peace keeping force to assist the refugees. The Secretary General of the United Nations understood that a peace keeping force would not be strong enough to protect the citizens should the Russians react in an aggressive manner. Thus he made a call, not to the US or UK, but the only non governmental agency that could possibly hope to keep the peace and hold the Russian Military at bay until more forces could arrive.

As it was, the Russian military had one more bridge to cross. Once the border town across the river had been taken, the United Nations force would see it was surrounded by all sides and quickly leave, allowing Russia to take care of its own.

The problem was waiting on the other side bridge, a massive concrete structure spanning a hundred and fourteen yards. On the other side of the great river the bridge crossed were the group known as the Justice League.

General Kirill Zhukov, 1st Army commander of the Russian military had been notified of this problem and arrived at the border in a helicopter. Across the way, a woman in black, carrying a sword, floated in the air. He recognized her as the immodest harlot the Americans had dubbed Wonder Girl. Next to her was the armored man called the Atom, the two winged individuals dubbed Hawk Man and Hawk Woman on either side of them. Higher in the air above was the man of fire, called Firestorm by the Capitalist media. On the ground, stood the murderer Americans lauded as a hero, the Green Arrow, along with a shorter man with long black hair in a black overcoat and a beautiful brunette woman garbed in a long black dress. The General’s biggest concern was the slender man in red, next to the Green Arrow, the famous Flash. One of two individuals every intelligence agency in the world were convinced had no weakness and could not be stopped. His beautiful blonde lover was nowhere to be seen but the General had no doubt she was near. He knew between the two of them they could destroy the division he had brought and invade Moscow if they so wished.

“Sir, the woman in the dress, she is the sorceress. The one who turned the drone…”

“Into a dead pig, I watched the News feeds Corporal. They have no business here.”

“Do you think she is near?”

The General was not happy with the tone his aide was using. Instead of concern or wariness he heard what sounded suspiciously like admiration and excitement.

“I suppose you are talking about this so called Superwoman?”

“Yes… the men… were wondering… she would… some, not I, but some… were thinking she might be available for photos or autographs… and that would be completely inappropriate. I will end such talk in the ranks immediately.”

The General shook his head. He had a job to do and his army was more concerned about meeting a blond in blue tights than completing the historic mission they were given an opportunity to be a part in. Waving off his guards, he made the long walk himself. Oliver Queen and Barry Allen, the Green Arrow and Flash, walked slowly towards him until the three met in the center of the bridge.

“ What is the meaning of this?” the General asked in Russian, irritating an already grumpy Flash.

“ We have been asked by the Secretary General of the United Nations to assist with peace keeping efforts in regards to refugees fleeing the unprovoked invasion by your country into this one.” the Arrow told him.

“ So the American Government is actively attempting to stop the annexation of Russian territory?”

“ We are not the American Government. We are here at the request of the United Nations as ambassadors, to ensure no refugees are injured, killed or kept against their will while the Nations of the world discuss this situation. We are not political, General. We are just here to protect the citizens of Latvia who wish to leave.”

“ They are Russian citizens now, and have no right to leave without proper authorization until the Government can be returned to its rightful state. You will stand down and leave this land. This is none of your concern.”

Queen stepped closer to the General, and looked down on the smaller man.

“ Until you take the capital, this is a free nation. We are going nowhere until those who wish to flee your army have done so. My friends have enough fire power to take apart your army in minutes, my friend in red can be in your President’s residence in seconds. He can also dismantle your nation’s land based nuclear weapons and I am sure you are wondering where his wife is. Lets just say she is keeping an eye on your Navy, in case you get any ideas. Have you ever seen a submerged submarine lifted into the air? She can park one in the streets of Moscow anytime she wants. While this is going on, while the might of Russia is being torn apart by a few, I am going to gut you, right here on this bridge with the world watching. Now you have a choice. Start an international incident and a war you cannot win while dying on this hunk of concrete, holding your own intestines or stay your army. Either way the UN relief workers and peace keepers will do their job, then we will leave and allow the rest of the world to judge your country’s actions.”

Zhukov paled, able to see the eyes behind the mask and under the hood. The man was as cold as many claimed and his rumored time spent in Russia was no rumor based on how well he spoke the language. Taking a deep breath, he broke eye contact and looked around. He had no doubt that the contingent of attack helicopters on their way would be taken apart by the flying so called heroes. The feint hum by the Arrow’s side and the sparks caught his attention and he saw The Flash vibrating inhumanly. It was rumored he could slice through ten inch thick steel with his hand and reach into human bodies without breaking skin.

The man nodded slightly towards the Arrow and turned, walking back towards his army where he was met by his aide.

“Your orders sir?”

“Stand down. Call off the areal support immediately. Inform Moscow that they will have to negotiate with the UN for access to the country. My recommendation is the refugees be allowed to leave.”

“Sir, the men were wondering if Wonder Girl or the Sorceress, perhaps the woman with wings would be available for photographs?”

Zhukov’s glare told the corporal the answer and he hastily removed himself.

On the other side of the bridge, the Justice League who were present held firm.

“So what did you say to him?” Barry asked his friend.

“I asked him to please stand down while the UN works this out with his Government. He was agreeable.”

“Because it seemed like you were threatening him.”

“Nope, just a pleasant conversation. Nothing to worry about. Is Kara on the com?”

“Yeah, off and on. She said Dad told her she had at least ten more hours. How long do you think it will take the refugees to get out?”

“Weeks. You should go. We can handle this. They will think you are around and he won’t make a move, not with us here and the world watching. Russia knows they have no right to this action and if this was a larger state it would be cause for war. Now we are stuck in the middle. Every time something like this happens the UN is going to reach out to us now. I told you this was a bad idea.”

Barry shrugged. It was true, the League stayed out of political matters but Kara had thought this cause worthy from a humanitarian perspective and put it to a vote. The League almost unanimously agreed, with the exception of one vote, the one man who spoke Russian. Being the team player he was, Oliver agreed of course to come. Nyssa had volunteered since she also spoke the language fluidly but Alex would not leave Kara and the woman had no desire to leave Kara or Lexie behind with so many of the League out.

Plus Kara told Oliver he had to help and began harping on the children and puppies that could be injured in an evacuation. Had it been a Government agency none would have agreed. When Kara brought up puppies and children, the League gave in. It was easier than fighting and they all knew she would win in the end regardless.

“So what are we supposed to do? Just camp out here for weeks?”

“I don’t know Barry. You are the leader, you tell me. I only take over if World War Three starts, remember? You get us into these messes and I get us out when hell breaks loose.” Oliver told him grumpily.

Barry knew the real cause of his irritation. Like Barry he wanted to be with Kara and did not like leaving Lexie not having the entire League surrounding her within minutes. Despite not having any problems, they were all overly paranoid about anyone A.R.G.U.S. or otherwise having a chance to get near the girl. “If you want to go back, Zatanna can send you back. I know you want to lock S.T.A.R. down but I am pretty sure between Sara, Alex and Nyssa, she is safe. I can be back in a minute or less as long as I don’t get lost.”

“Nope. I am good right here. I will be there when she is closer to delivery. We all will be. Zatanna can cast an illusion of us she thinks, but I am hoping in the next few hours, the UN can manage to get a coalition of Serbian and Polish troops here to take over. They aren’t sure where Kara is, so that is also keeping them at bay.”

“Can I blow up some tanks? Because it is too cold just to stand here looking cool.” Vibe complained.

“Sure Cisco. Start a nuclear war.” Barry told him, shaking his head.

“So no blowing up tanks then. I guess I will go back to looking cool.” Cisco mumbled, returning to his place beside Zatanna.

While the Justice League held the border of Latvia from Russian invasion, the remaining members and support staff held vigil at S.T.A.R. labs, monitoring the situation from a TV in front of Kara’s delivery bed and listening to the CNN reporter who was live on the scene.

“While no one has been allowed to talk to the Justice League and the Russian 1st Army Commander is unavailable for comment, this is no doubt a very tension filled situation. Russia’s invasion force moved early this morning, sending citizens of Latvia into a panic. Th United Nations has stepped in to limit the amount of injuries and death to the citizens but it appeared they would not be in time, until the Justice League arrived at the main crossing point into the country, at which the bulk of Russia’s military would have to enter. I am here on the Russian border and have been allowed to interview some soldiers but no officers will speak on the record.”

The scene cut to a group of Russian soldiers, grim faced, in fatigues, standing with rifles. The reporter approached one who could speak broken English.

“Can you tell us what is happening right now? Have you received any orders or been told to prepare for conflict with the Justice League?” the newswoman asked, shoving the microphone in the young soldier’s face.

“We have been told, stand down… have you seen the Superwoman?”

“No… no, I have not seen Superwoman.”

“You think she is near? We are all looking up but do not see her.”

“Is there some particular reason the Russian military is specifically looking for Superwoman?”

“She is… babe. We hope she will land here. I have phone… my younger brothers be so jealous if I get picture with her.”

The newswoman pulled back the microphone and walked away, shaking her head. Before she could get far another soldier tapped her on the shoulder and asked if she would contact Wonder Girl and see if she was available for photos.

“At this time, it appears the soldiers of the Russian Army are more interested in meeting the female members of the Justice League than the actual invasion. They do bring up a very interesting question and one that I am sure Russian military leaders are concerned about. Where is Superwoman? Is she above waiting to strike if the Russian military attacks? The Green Arrow had a tense discussion with the First Commander of the Army on the bridge but no one on either side has said what the topic of discussion was. We will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses throughout the day.”

“I bet Oliver threatened to gut him.” Kara told the group surrounding her. At the moment only Alex, Caitlin and Eliza were with her. “I should have told them to stay out of it. I didn’t know I would go into labor five minutes after Barry went to Russia.”

“Helping thousands of refugees is important and it was the right call, Kara.” Eliza assured her.

“Hey, Harry and I are going to Big Belly Burger. Anybody want anything?” Sara asked, walking in. “The cops outside are bound to be getting hungry and the guy’s stomach’s are rumbling. Nyssa is getting one and Lexie is getting three.”

“Yeah, I want the chicken strip basket with curly fries and…”

“Alex? Could you please place your order outside? I am so hungry and being forced to live on ice chips. Mom, could you get Charlie? I want Charlie.”

“Yes dear.” Eliza walked out with Alex and placed her own order, leaving Caitlin and Kara alone.

“Not hungry?” she asked.

“If you can’t eat, I won’t eat.” Caitlin responded.

“Stomach flu still bothering you, huh?” Kara guessed. Caitlin shrugged her shoulders but the blonde knew her best friend. Something was up.

“Hey, its just us. What’s going on?”

Cait grinned. “I didn’t want to say anything until after you delivered. We haven’t told anyone but I want you to be the first. I figured I would give you a couple days to enjoy the moment with your baby boy. But since you insist, I didn’t have a stomach flu. I was late and took a test last night.”

“Are you serious? You are pregnant?!”

“Shhh. Don’t tell anyone yet.”

“This is awesome. I am so doing your gyno exam. You have any idea of the payback you have coming your way?”

“Seriously? I tell you I am pregnant and you are excited about payback? And you aren’t a doctor. You can’t even say vagina without blushing. You are not examining me.”

“Technically you aren’t a gynecologist but it never stopped you. Fine. I just… wow. This is so great! I figured you guys would wait a little longer.”

“Yeah we did too. I guess we are following in your footsteps. Did you ever consider naming your kids Happy Accident 1 and 2?”

“Shut up and hug me. I’m too big to lean forward.”

The two hugged, Caitlin even shedding a few tears. “I’m kind of scared.”

“Yeah, I bet. Now you know how I felt. But it is amazing. Not the delivery part. That part is hell, feeling like your whole body is being split open. It was worse than almost being beaten to death by Darkseid. I am not looking forward to it again but its worth it in the end. You guys are already married so you are in better shape than Barry and I were in. So how far along are you?”

“I’m not sure yet. Judging by my last period I would say 6 or 7 weeks? I’m going to let Henry take a look next week after he is over his first grandson excitement. Did you know he already bought the boy a baseball glove?”

“Why would my kid need a glove… oh right, blending in.”

“Are you going to let Lexie play soccer?”

Kara closed her eyes. “I don’t know. She wants to but you know how competitive she can get. She swears she can blend in so I guess so, but if she is going to be running slow and not competing as hard as she can, I wonder why she wants to do it in the first place. I know she wants friends but she has friends from preschool.”

“And they are all playing soccer. You can’t separate her Kara. You hated that when you were growing up.”

“I know. Doesn’t really matter, does it? You know she gets what she wants. I just hope… for the best I suppose. Its all I really can do. She has gotten so strong though, I’m worried if another kid runs into her he or she will break a bone. Then Lexie will feel horrible. Plus there are going to be so many people watching, if she moves too fast for a second, everyone is going to notice. She still accidentally blurs at home. I’m surprised my hair hasn’t turned grey.”

“She is a perfect child. She is very polite and listens which is more than you can say for most five year olds. Her heat vision is making progress right?”

“Yeah, Nyssa is working on it with her now. Or trying to. Nyssa thinks the key to her lack of focus at times is meditation. Lexie isn’t big on meditating.” Kara admitted.

“She isn’t called Impulse for nothing. That little one is a lot like Barry and I imagine you when the two of you first started out. Running in recklessly, feeling invincible and not having any idea about strategy. She has a lot of good mentors besides just the two of you. No one will be more prepared for being a superhero than her.”

“Yeah, I guess so. She is going to have a difficult time adjusting to these new kids. Your child and Ray, she won’t be the only young Justice League royalty any longer. I hope she likes her brother. She hasn’t been exactly excited.”

“She feels threatened and you can’t fly with her all the time. She will get over it. In a couple months you will be flight ready again and she will have your undivided attention in the air.”

“Speaking of, you are going to let your child fly with me, right?”

“What would be the point of having a best friend who is a superhero, if your kid can’t fly with her? Of course.”

“Yes! This is going to be so awesome. Ray and Caitlin Jr can play together.”

“Yeah… I just have to… this is going to be huge. Winn is so excited but I am afraid this is going to bring up memories of his father and you know how he gets when he thinks about him.”

“He will be fine.” Kara promised. “I’ll make sure of it. You both will be. The two of you are as far different from your parents than anyone I have ever known. Like everything else you do, you are going to be amazing at this Cait.”

Kara’s encouragement stopped when she felt a contraction and gritted her teeth. The last two times she had moaned, Lexie had literally flown into the room with an exasperated Nyssa chasing after her. Now she maintained her silence, Caitlin keep track of the seconds as they ticked.

Despite her silence, Lexie did hear her mother’s sharp intake of breath. She had been listening to Aunt Caitlin talking about having a kid and Aunt Alex ordering food, Sara asking the cops outside if they wanted anything, wondering why Aunt Caitlin thinks she should be called happy accident, basically anything to keep her attention.

“Alexandra, are you meditating?”

“Of course, Aunt Nyssa.” Lexie fibbed, opening one eye to see her aunt looking sharply at her.

“Your eyes may be closed but I can tell your little eyeballs are moving. You are supposed to be keeping sounds out, not taking everything in. Clear your mind, not fill it with everything around you. Your mother is fine. She went through this with you and will have no problems delivering this child.”

“I know. It’s just meditating is… boring. Like really, really boring. How do you do this? Don’t you get bored? Aunt Alex told me she doesn’t do it. She thinks it is boring too.”

“Your Aunt Alex does meditate, every morning whether she knows it or not. We all have different techniques. I prefer to sit in silence and let myself go, feel the universe around me. While I am doing this, your Aunt Alex takes her guns apart every morning. She inspects her arrow heads, she tests her blades and sharpens them until she is satisfied. While she may not realize this, she is meditating. She is letting herself go and focusing on one thing, but doing it out of instinct, not conscious thought. Your mother once told me at times when she is stressed or confused she flies higher than the air traffic and closes her eyes, soaring over the Earth with no direction, just feeling at peace. Your father likes to go to uninhabited areas and run for miles, eyes closed, feeling the Earth around him, becoming one with the surrounding air. He does not think, he just runs, no true destination in mind, only enjoying the feeling. Oliver shoots arrow after arrow into a target but not to get better. He knows he can hit the target whenever he wishes. He does it because it calms are all forms of meditation but it all comes down to the same thing, losing yourself while also being in control and acting without thought.”

“If they get to do that, how come I have to sit with you?”

“Because I cannot run at inhuman speeds or fly and do not feel like dodging errant shots from a bow. You have a long way to go with your archery skills, Lexie. For now I need you to slow down your mind, let yourself go and once we have reached that state, then can you be relaxed enough to control the temperature of your heat vision.”

“How can I relax when this brother is hurting Mommy?”

“Try.”

“I did.”

“Try harder.”

“But if meditation is about being calm and relaxed how can I make myself do it? Seems like that would be defeating the purpose.”

Nyssa took in her young charge, trying to be patient. Perhaps explaining mediation to a five year old is not the best plan.

“Fine, we can work on it in a less stressful time but eventually you will have to learn to calm your mind. When you are in a fight, you must remain calm. When you are in school and some ridiculous child calls you a name or tries to bully you, it is important that you can find your center, breathe and do not react. Meditation will allow you to find your center even when the world around you is falling apart.”

“You said if a boy picks on me to tell you and you will find out who his parents are and deal with it.”

“And I meant it but until you can tell me, you must learn to remain calm.”

“I’m hearing calm a lot.”

“And you will keep hearing it. Would you like to try your heat vision? Do you feel like you can truly control it today?”

“Yes!”

“Fine, you know what to do.” Nyssa told her, motioning towards the cake on the counter where the arrows rested. Lexie took the small treat and placed it on the floor between herself and her aunt. A small candle was in the middle. All she had to do was light the candle and the cake was hers. If she used too much power though the cake would explode, covering her and Nyssa in icing and the bread part would be toast. It had happened before… three times so far and Nyssa mentally prepared herself to be covered in warm cake icing once again.

Lexie started well, only a bit of heat, tiny beams shooting forth from her glowing eyes, focusing on the candle wick. Nyssa smiled, watching the candle light up.

Until the breach alert sounded, Lexie’s heat vision powering up quickly and flared, the icing melting immediately and flying high from the force while the cake below dried to a crisp. Nyssa wiped the wipe gooey substance from her eyes and glared at a sheepish Lexie who was licking the frosting from her lips.

“Oops. Breach alert. We should probably check it out. Meet you there!”

Before Nyssa could forbid her from moving, Lexie was gone, leaving the former assassin cursing to herself and running, grabbing a bow and quiver on her way out. She had no doubt the breachers in the pipeline were Kal El and J’onn but she would never assume and of course Impulse would not wait for her to find out.

In the pipeline, the Martian Manhunter and Superman stepped out of the breach. Before they had walked a few feet, Superman was attacked by a white blur in a red mask and cape, who wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

“Kal! Yes! We can go flying as soon as I know Mommy is okay. I just lit a candle with my heat vision, but then I blew up the cake, but the frosting is soooo good. Want a bite? Its all over the walls in the training room. Hi J’onn!” Lexie finished, jumping from Kal’s arms to J’onn’s.

“Hello Lexie.” the Martian greeted her.

“Is Diana here? I’ve been getting really good with a sword, except I accidentally sliced one of the tires of our car and Mommy told me I couldn’t play with it for a while. She said I could cut myself and I wasn’t supposed to play with it unless she or Donna was there. Then I got grounded. I mean I couldn’t fly with Donna in the backyard or nothing. It was an accident, it’s not like I hurt Charlie or anything. I didn’t know it was really that sharp but it cut right through the metal part of the wheel too. Then I tried to use my heat vision to fix it before Mommy caught me… I mean until she noticed it because I didn’t want her to worry, but Dad stopped me. Something about the fuel tank blowing up. I had it under control but whatever. I’m not allowed to use heat vision on cars now. The list of things I am not allowed to do is getting pretty long.”

Superman shook his head, wondering how Kara didn’t have grey hair. “Diana will be here later, I promise. How have you been little cousin?” Kal asked.

“Not good. This brother thing has been messing with my me time since this whole mess started and now he is hurting Mommy. She keeps grunting and saying Kryptonian words I haven’t been taught yet and cannot repeat even though I don’t know what they mean.”

“Why don’t you show us too Mommy and then we can work on that heat vision?”

“She has worked on the vision enough. There are only so many things she is allowed to blow up in one day Kal El.” Nyssa greeted him after catching up with Lexie. Kal took her in, never having seen her in such a state. She only wore a red sports bra and running sweat pants and appeared to have icing stuck in her hair and on her face. She also had a bow in hand and quiver on her back, of course. The two heroes had never seen her so… casual.

“Lexie, what have I told you and told you about breach alarms?”

“To check them out and let you know if there is a problem?” Lexie tried, only to be met by Nyssa’s stare. “To stay back and do not come into the pipeline until I am told it is okay. Also that I will never be told it is okay because either the breachers will be brought to the top or they will be dealt with and thrown back into the breach. I asked Mommy what dealt with meant and she said you would arrest them and push them back in the hole.”

“Yes… arrest them. That is exactly what dealing with someone means. Gentleman, it is nice to see you. I am glad Cisco’s message reached you. You know the way.” Nyssa plucked Lexie out of the air and began walking with the girl back to the top while J’onn and Kal grinned, shaking their heads. S.T.A.R. labs should have its own reality show.

Upstairs Kal and J’onn greeted a smiling Kara who looked very uncomfortable holding Charlie who still licked too much. Unlike the last pregnancy Kal had been able to visit Kara every two weeks sometimes with Lois or Cat and watched his cousin grow with fascination. Kara was less fascinated. After hugs and promising Cat and Lois would arrive in the morning, the two men walked out to meet with Jeremiah, Joe and Henry and catch up on this international incident Kara quietly mentioned she may have started.

Eliza and Alex walked back in to find Kara and Caitlin reading on their phones.

“Checking to see what the news stations are saying about Latvia?” Alex guessed. Kara looked up, looking a bit guilty.

“Oh, hi people that left me hungry to go eat burgers and chicken strips. No, Cait and I are reading a fanfiction story.”

“A fanfiction… what show? Wait, you read? When this development happen?” Alex asked, very surprised.

“I am very well read, I will have you know. But these aren’t based on shows, they are based on us. Since we can’t exactly complain because of our secret identities, people can write what they want and there are over a thousand stories. Some of them are pretty good.”

“A thousand stories about you and Barry? You are real, why would anyone write stories about you two?” Eliza asked, fascinated at this turn of events.

“People write stories about bands and actors all the time, it’s not just movies and shows. Besides these aren’t just about Barry and me. We are in the majority of them but there are other pairings.”

“Pairings? Like… people… together?” Valkyrie asked, not liking where this was going.

“What are you talking about?” Nyssa asked walking in, tired of chasing a hyper Lexie who was now running on the speed track.

“Fanfiction pairings. I was about to explain to Alex how they work. There are all kinds of pairings. I’m reading one about me and Barry but there are others… there is even slash.”

Alex was lost. “What the hell is slash? Like horror?”

“No, gay pairings.”

“Oh.” Alex perked up. “Like Nyssa and I?”

Kara shook her head. “Nyssa isn’t in a whole lot of them because she refuses to allow Iris to give her a name in the press. She has been given a few names in the stories, I like Snake Eyes best, but no, because she sticks to the shadows she isn’t well known.”

“And that is the way I prefer it. I do not want stories written about me.”

“Yeah, but you are in a lot of them Alex. Some have you with the Sorceress…” Caitlin started.

“Who the hell is the Sorceress… oh, Zatanna?”

“She can’t use her real name and she won’t let Iris or Cisco release a name in public. At least she isn’t called the Pig Lady anymore.” Kara reasoned.

“So there are stories about Alex and Zatanna? Who writes these stories, where can I find these people?”

“You can’t, Nyssa. Besides there are also stories about Sara and Alex, Ray and Alex, Sara and Oliver, Ray and Zatanna, Oliver and Alex…”

“That is a travesty and worthy of death! I will be damned if Oliver Queen touches her even in fiction and anyone that says different will be… dealt with.”

“Yeah but the biggest pairing Alex has…”

“Please don’t Caitlin Snow.” Kara begged.

“… is with Kara.”

“Oh, that is disturbing.” Eliza mumbled.

“That is not surprising.” Nyssa disagreed.

“Well they do have the same symbol on their chest. Alex doesn’t have the lightning bolt but, hey they aren’t the biggest pairing as far as slash goes. You should see all the stories that pair up Oliver and Barry.” Caitlin told the group.

“Now that I would love to read. If for nothing else to print it out and plaster Oliver’s apartment walls with the pages.” Nyssa admitted.

“What is slash? What about Daddy and Uncle Ollie?” Impulse asked, walking in quickly.

“Nothing!” all the women shouted at once.

“I thought you were on the speed track, Lexie?” Nyssa asked, beginning to see how much trouble having a child with superhearing would be in the future.

“I was. I got bored running in circles. Uncle Ollie says I can’t hit the big steel bar unless he is there and you said you don’t feel like dodging arrows. Kal and J’onn are watching the news and I am bored.”

“Sara brought you food.” Alex reminded her.

“Yeah, I ate it. Took me a whole ten seconds. I was really hungry and they were really good. So what is slash?”

“Its what you do when you aren’t careful with that sword Diana gave you that you are not allowed to play with unless you have a lot of supervision and you still do anyway.” Alex reminded her.

“Oh, yeah. That makes sense. So how much longer till the brother comes out and Mommy can fly again?”

“Sweetie, Mommy won’t be able to fly as soon as she has the baby. It will take her time to recover and she has to feed the baby. We are working on a plan to ease her back into it.” Eliza explained.

“How long?”

“Only a few months.” Kara assured her.

“A few months?!” Lexie walked out of the room quickly, huffing loudly. The blonde closed her eyes and laid her head back.

“She is so used to being the center of attention… I’ve tried talking to her but nothing gets…”

Kara’s troubles were stopped when another contraction hit her. Caitlin timed it as always and moved to inform Henry.

“Would you guys mind if I had some alone time? Just a bit? I need to… think.”

“I’ll talk to her Kara. She is going to be okay.” Alex promised.

Kara doubted it. “How do you tell a little girl that she is your whole world and then explain that someone else is going to be your whole world too? Because Barry and I have been trying to figure it out for months.”

The room cleared, Alex already on the search for her niece. Her niece was outside though, wanting to see what the weather was like and trying to get over her hurt feelings. She figured once the baby was born, her and Mommy could fly again. In the air, Mommy was all hers, just like Daddy was all hers when they ran. Nobody could keep up with them and she loved that. As much as she loved all her extended family, her time alone with Mommy and Daddy was her favorite and now they would never be alone again. This baby would always be there with them.

“Hey angel. I figured you would be inside with your Mommy.” Quentin Lance greeted her. He had been standing outside the lab, coordinating the officers patrolling and standing guard around S.T.A.R. Despite Oliver’s annoyance, the Chief, Joe and Quentin agreed that with Kara vulnerable and the worst kept secret in the world that S.T.A.R labs was the headquarters of the Justice League there was never enough security in a situation like this. Especially with today’s events. If A.R.G.U.S or the CIA or some foreign power wanted to make a move on Lexie, now would be the time, considering the whole world saw the Justice League in Russia right now, at least most of them. The standing order of the day was if anyone not known approached S.T.A.R. they were to be turned away and if they refused they were to be apprehended, no matter the agency, because Quentin knew if any fed tried to pull a badge, Sara, Nyssa and Alex would not hesitate to kill them once inside.

“Hi Captain Quentin. Mommy is busy with the brother.”

“You know, I’m not actually a Captain.”

“Uncle Ollie says you will always be a Captain to him so that is good enough for me. Why don’t you come inside? Sara is inside.”

“Because me and my officers are keeping watch out here and making sure nobody bothers your Mommy. You must be pretty excited huh? Getting a new brother?”

Lexie snorted. “I wish Mommy had never stubbed her toe.”

“Uh… okay. So you aren’t excited about having a brother?” he asked, taking a knee in front of the tiny girl in her white outfit and red cape.

“No.” she admitted. “I like it the way it was.”

Quentin nodded his head in understanding. He had seen this before.

“Can I tell you a story about Sara and my other daughter Laurel?”

“The Black Canary? I love hearing stories about the Black Canary. She sounds a lot like Sara. I heard she could fight just like Sara and Aunt Alex. Aunt Nyssa said she trained her.”

“Yeah, I guess Aunt Nyssa did train her. When I was growing up I was an only child like you. My parents loved me a lot. But I always wanted a brother or sister.”

“Why?”

“Because it was more fun to play with someone else I thought. I had friends but I wanted someone in my house, someone that I could look after and protect. I wanted someone to teach all the things I had learned. But I never got that. When Laurel was three, Sara was born. She wasn’t crazy about having a sister either.”

“She wasn’t? But they were both the Black Canary. Didn’t they get along?”

“Yeah eventually. But it wasn’t right away. Laurel was scared that we wouldn’t love her as much. It wasn’t true but she didn’t understand how big a heart could be.”

“How big a heart could be?”

“Yep. See people like us, we got big hearts. There is room for a lot of love. It doesn’t seem possible but you can love two or more people with everything you have. A parent’s heart doesn’t split up between two kids, it just grows bigger. I love… loved, I still do love Laurel with everything in my heart. I also love Sara with everything in my heart. But you know who else loved them both with their whole hearts?”

“Their Mommy?”

“Yeah, her. But they loved each other more than anything. Sara and Laurel didn’t always get along on everything but no matter what, they loved each other. They meant the world to each other and when Laurel went to Heaven, it hurt me and Sara very badly. But that is the way it is supposed to feel when you love someone that much. Despite everything they had gone through with each other, disagreements and other stuff, they loved each other because they were sisters. Nothing can ever break that bond. Just like nothing can ever take away your parents love, nothing can ever take away the love you have for a sibling. Its one of the greatest loves a person can have. You see how Uncle Oliver and Thea are around each other?”

“Yeah, they fight sometimes but they always end up laughing. They always hug when they say goodbye.”

“They have had some bad things happen in their lives. But one thing that has always stayed strong, no matter what, is how much they love each other because they are brother and sister. You are going to have that. When you get this little guy he is going to be as much yours as your Mommy and Daddy. He is going to look up to you.”

“Look up to me?”

“Yeah, kind of like your Mommy, no matter how powerful she is, looks up to your Aunt Alex. Everybody can see it. Your Aunt Alex takes care of her, always worries about her, because no matter how strong your mother is, Aunt Alex is her big sister. She will always be her big sister and that makes her just as important as your Grandparents to Aunt Alex. What you have coming is a gift. This brother of yours, Ray, he is going to need a lot of help. Your Mommy and Daddy can’t do it alone. They are going to need you. You aren’t being replaced honey. Your Mommy and Daddy love you with everything they have and they got a lot. Its just their hearts are going to grow larger, just like yours is. You are going to love Ray as much as you love them and you are going to be the one who they count on to help guide him. You may fight sometimes and argue but you are always going to be his hero. Thats a big responsibility to live up to.”

“I guess so. But Mommy and Daddy are going to spend a lot of time having to take care of him. What about me?”

“You want to help people one day, right? Maybe this is a good way to learn how. You help them take care of him. If your Momma needs help you are going to have to be the one to give it to her. Same with your Daddy. You have to be a big girl. You are one of the sweetest kids I have ever known. But now your life is changing. Thats not a bad thing, it’s a good thing. Its part of growing up and being a hero. Now you get a chance to be a hero to your Mom and Dad and a little brother. Thats a big deal. You have someone to take care of. I think you can handle it. I know you can. I am betting out of all the superheroes in the world, you are going to be the greatest one day and that is saying something, considering who your parents are. Now you have a chance to really begin learning how. You are going to be his hero. Are you up for it?”

“I think so.” Lexie guessed. “I’ll try.”

“Thats all anyone can ask for because when you try something, you always succeed. Now I bet your Mom is scared right now but she won’t admit it. Having a child hurts, that is part of life. She went through it with you and it doesn’t get any easier. She is scared you are going to feel hurt and she never wants that. She is scared because believe it or not, raising special children who are going to be heroes one day, isn’t easy. She has to worry about your brother having accidents like you used to have. Your mother has the weight of a lot of worlds on her shoulders but she needs you to help her. Her being able to fly with you really isn’t that important, is it? Isn’t it more important that she knows you are there for her and love her as much as she loves you?”

“Yeah. You think she is upset? I don’t want to make her upset. I love her. She is my best friend.”

“Then go tell her that. Tell her you are going to help her and its going to be okay, because right now she is a little scared. Now I’m going to use your shoulders to help myself up because my knees aren’t that great anymore. Then I am going to keep the outside of this place safe and you are going to help her, right?”

“Yeah, thanks for keeping us safe. I’m sorry about your knees. Uncle Ollie said you messed them up because you spent so much time trying to catch him but you couldn’t because he was too smart.” Lexie threw her arms around Quentin’s neck and the man squeezed her as hard as he could.

“You’re a good girl Lexie. The Black Canary would have loved you. Now get before Aunt Alex calls out a search party. For the record, I did catch your Uncle Ollie a couple times. He just got lucky.”

Lexie broke her hug and ran, a white blur with a bit of sparks trailing her. Quentin shook his head. “I will never get used to that.”

Lexie moved inside the medical wing as it was now dubbed and saw her mother alone, leaned back, eyes closed. She looked sad.

“Are you okay? Are you hurting?” she asked her mother.

“Hey angel. Yeah I am a little uncomfortable, but I will be okay.”

“Why do you look sad? I thought you were happy?”

“I am, but…” Kara finished, not knowing what else to say. She had truly thought Lexie would come around but that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Can I get in bed with you?”

“You never have to ask that. I always have room for you. Charlie got bored and abandoned me.”

Lexie levitated and slowly laid down next to her mother.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Kara looked at her sad eyes. “Sweetie you didn’t hurt me. Why would you think that? I am fine. I’m having what are called contractions and they are uncomfortable but that is not your fault.”

“I hurt your feelings. I’m gonna help you. I know you are worried but I can help. I promise.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Its okay if you can’t fly for a while. I’ll be with you, just like always. I don’t even have to go to school if you want me to help at the Gallery. I can watch him and make sure he doesn’t light anything on fire.”

Kara laughed a bit. “You don’t have to miss school. I know you would miss all those friends you have. I don’t want you to be upset about this. You are always going to be my everything. You have no idea what a miracle you are.”

“A miracle?”

“Yeah, when I was growing up, you know because I am from a different planet, I didn’t think me and Daddy could ever have children. We were very surprised when we found out about you. Your Daddy was a lot calmer than I was. I was freaking out.”

“Because of me?”

“Not because of you so much. I just never expected it. I never had any brothers or sisters until I met your Aunt Alex. I miss my childhood but I also wish I could have spent my early years with her. But I always wanted a big family, children of my own. I never told anybody because I didn’t think I could have one. But then I found out about you and suddenly my whole life changed. I was so excited but didn’t know anything about being a Mommy. I just knew I wanted you happy, I wanted you to have a better childhood than I did. My whole life changed because everything I thought was important before, it didn’t matter. You were all that mattered. Now the two of you are going to be all that matters. I will never love you any less, Lexie. It just couldn’t happen. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.”

“The greatest? You have done some pretty cool stuff.”

“And none of it compares to the day you were born. You should have seen your Daddy. He was so nervous, he almost backed the car out of the garage while the door was down. Uncle Ollie had to drive us here. Today is going to be the same. Its better though because I have you with me. I just don’t know how to make you understand that you are still going to be my whole world but so is your brother. I always wanted children and would have given up every power I had, just to have a big family of my own. Now it is happening and I want everybody happy, especially you.”

“I know. I will be. I’m going to help you look after him. I will make sure he doesn’t get in much trouble or play with my sword. Did you know Diana calls her sword God Killer? Doesn’t that sound cool? How many Gods do you think she has killed? Jax said there is only one God so I guess there aren’t anymore if Diana used her sword. That wouldn’t be good. I didn’t tell Jax cause he might have gotten upset.”

“I really need to have a long talk with Diana.” Kara grumbled. “So, you aren’t upset?”

“No, I just want you happy. You make me happy and I will help you, I promise. Are you scared?”

“Yeah, a little bit. But if he is anything like you and I bet he is, then little Ray is going to be amazing. He is going to have you to look up to.”

“I’m going to make him call me Impulse.”

“No, you aren’t.” Kara told her, leaving no room for discussion.

“How long were you and Daddy married before you got pregnant with me?”

Kara opened her mouth, closed it again, and thought hard about this question.

“Lexie, you know how we don’t lie to each other, ever?”

“Yeah…”

“I’m not going to answer that question. Any other question you have I will answer but not that one. Maybe someday, but not now okay? Because if you really want me to answer I am going to have to break my promise to never lie to you.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. Can I ask another question?”

“As long as it doesn’t involve how long your father and I were married before we found out about you. What is it?”

“I was reading one of Grandma’s books about biology and some of your books about being pregnant to see if I could cure you. It seemed pretty simple. I think I have it down, like the general idea but what I don’t understand is I know how the sperm fertilizes the egg but don’t know how it gets to the egg in the first place? I’m not really sure what sperm is and I asked my teacher…”

“Okay! Okay, lets slow down. I will answer that question much, much later. In ten or so years I promise, but you do not want to know, you do not need to know and you definitely do not need to ask your teacher. You aren’t supposed to be reading books about advanced subjects so you can blend in. Remember?”

“Is that why she looked funny? Cuz I wasn’t supposed to know?”

“That is exactly why…”

“There are my two favorite girls.” Barry greeted them, still decked out in his Flash suit.

“Oh, I am so glad to see you. How did it go in Europe? Everybody okay? No wars broke out?”

“The UN sent in more peace keeping forces so we decided our job was done. I was about to leave anyway. Everybody else is back. Dad said three to six hours?”

“Yeah but the contractions are becoming more consistent. It may not be that long.” she told him, kissing her after Lexie had her hug. “If you want, the two of you can go run on the speed track.”

“No, I am staying with you, Mommy. I’m going to help her out Daddy.”

Barry let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear that Lexie. Mommy and I were worried and we couldn’t do it without you.”

“You won’t. I will keep him out of trouble. I blew up another cake today and got frosting all over Nyssa! She has this funny look every time it happens. One time she told me she couldn’t believe her life had come to this. I guess she enjoys it if she thinks she is lucky, right?”

“You bet she does. Uncle Ollie is going to go grab some food for everybody. You sure you don’t want to ride with him?” Barry asked.

“Nope, I am staying right here with Mommy. She said Ray would have to call me Impulse.”

“I did not, Alexandra. Do not fib to your father.”

“Sorry. So what are we going to do while we are waiting for him to come out? Can we read that slash stuff you and Aunt Caitlin were talking about earlier?”

“No! Definitely not. It isn’t very interesting.” Kara told her.

“But I want to read the stories about Uncle Ollie and Daddy.”

“What stories?” Barry asked, not sure what the hell they were talking about.

“Nothing you need…” Kara was saved when another contraction hit, this one longer and more painful. “Get your Dad and Caitlin please.””

Lexie and Barry stayed by her side, the rest coming and going so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. After four hours, Alex walked out and then back in with Sara while Henry snapped on a pair of gloves.

“Sara is going to take you outside for a bit and when you come back you can meet your little brother, Lexie.” Alex told her.

“I want to stay here.”

“Trust me, you really don’t.” Sara told her. “Come on Impulse, we can wait for a bit. Mommy is going to be fine.”

Sara picked her up and she reluctantly left her mother’s side. Her Daddy looked really nervous, and Grandma wasn’t looking much better.

Inside, the med bay, Kara got herself in the proper position, while Henry took his.

“Something about Allen men. The only males to ever see me with my pants off.” Kara tried to joke until another contraction seized her.

“Alex, Caitlin, come here and hold my hands. Mom, make sure Barry doesn’t drop him.” she ordered. Alex took one hand while Caitlin took the other. Barry did his best to wipe the sweat off his brow.

“You got this Kara. You have done this before.” Alex encouraged her.

“My body doesn’t know that apparently! This hurts worse than last time.”

“Kara, start pushing.” Henry told her. The blonde did her best, however this birth was much harder than Lexie’s.

“How many more? Can’t you just knock me out and do a C section? What is he doing in there? Holding not to my kidney or something? Tell him to let go.”

“You almost have this…”

“Shut up Barry! No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that, even if this is so your fault. Can you see his head?”

“No… yes! He is there, wow, he has my hair, that is so cool…”

“Barry! Focus!” his wife ordered.

“Push hard, Kara, this is it. Eliza get ready with suction.” Dr. Allen ordered.

Another push and a cry was heard in the room.

Eliza sucked the mucus out of the child’s nose and Barry, with a shaking hand, cut the cord. His father placed his newborn son in his arms.

“Is he okay?”

“He is perfect, Kara.” Barry whispered, walking to the head of the bed, where Kara laid eyes on the child she had carried for nine months.

“Hi there.” the mother greeted Raymond Jeremiah Allen. “I’ve been waiting to see you. I’m your Mommy. You are the second miracle I have had in my life. He looks like you, smaller with more wrinkles but he looks like you, Barry.”

“Yeah, but I think he has your eyes.”

Kara reluctantly handed her son to Caitlin who began examining him, cleaning and taking care of all that needed to be one while Kara finished the delivery.

“Get Lexie, Barry. Bring Lexie. She needs to meet her brother.” The mother told him. Caitlin placed the baby boy back in Kara’s arms.

Before Barry could move towards the door, it burst open and a white streak came inside, Sara running behind her.

“I’m sorry, I told her not to look but I think she saw through me and hasn’t spoken since.” the Canary explained.

Lexie hopped into her Daddy’s arms and took in the baby in her mother’s arms. “Are you okay? What was that? That is what birth is? I never want to have that. It looked… oh no, not cool. Are you okay!? Are you going to be able to walk ever again?!”

“Don’t worry about it kid. Something tells me you are going to adopt one day.” Alex told her with a wink, remembering her encounter with future Lexie. “Me too hopefully.” she finished quietly to herself, remembering the rest of Lexie’s information.

“Come meet little Ray.” Kara asked her.

Barry bent down over the bed and sat her on the edge. Taking him in, Lexie admitted that despite looking weird and wrinkly and squinty eyed he was kind of cute.

“I guess he can’t talk yet?”

“No, not yet baby.” Barry answered.

“Hi Ray. I’m your sister. You can call me Impulse. You have to do whatever I say.”

Barry laughed. “Good luck with that sweetie. Let him get a bit of rest and until you can get used to your strength better, maybe we can use the bracelet and let you hold him. Would you like that?”

“Yeah, I would. He is cute. Charlie is freaking out. Can I bring him in?”

“Of course.” Kara answered and continued to stare at her newborn as soon as Lexie left.

“So we did it.” Barry whispered, touching the dark hair on his head. “Now we have two superheroes to raise.”

“Yeah, but we can do it. Right?”

“Me and you? I think we have proven there isn’t anything we can’t do. You ready for all the eager people to come see the newest hero?”

“Not yet. When Lexie is back… for now… he is a miracle. He is so perfect. Just like she is.”