Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Survivors

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 10: School shopping and arm wrestling and a message from beyond

Kara woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. The girl was a bit disoriented at first, not understanding why there was daylight in the room. She had never slept an entire night without waking since arriving on this planet but appeared to have done so this night.

Standing and stretching her arms over her head, she let out a yawn and felt as if she could go back to bed if not for the rumbling in her stomach. Kara noted that Alex had already awoken and heard Kal being fed breakfast downstairs. He was still accustomed to eating out of her hand she supposed, because his eating habits were worse here than on Krypton and he tended to make a mess. She moved quietly to the bathroom, brushing her teeth with the delicious flavored gel that Alex insisted she could not swallow. While everything on Earth seemed more… manual, the scents and tastes were exquisite. The water here was clean and not made in labs, the air, while horrid around cities, smelt fresher in some ways out on her own, especially when she had been in the wooded and mountainous areas. She also enjoyed what Alex called the sea breeze. While the ocean tasted horrible, she did enjoy the feeling of floating and the scent of salt on the water. The food opened her eyes to so many possibilities. On Krypton there were of course different flavors but all were based around the same element, making the tastes all similar in a way. Eating food here was unexpected. The taste of a tomato was so different from the taste of a cucumber or an apple. It was apparent that this food was not grown in labs, but in the soil where she had her first encounter with an onion and raw potatoes.

Kara did feel a bit horrified when she learned what eggs were but Eliza assured her no baby chickens were killed. Alex told her she did not want to know where the bacon came from so she did not ask. Her question about steak was given the same reply. Kara knew that the meat were from living creatures, and had learned from television and books that humans used what they referred to as animals in general, for food, clothing, seat covers, jackets and numerous other purposes. It seemed cruel to her but she admitted the food was delicious. Animals were also used to make food for other animals, making the girl wonder if those animals knew that they were eating their own. Wildlife predators like the bear but even more impressive the lions and crocodiles fascinated her. Apparently animals here weren’t sentient but they did have personalities and familial bonds which Kara associated with sentient beings.

Earth was strange in that way. She admitted to herself that it was a fascinating place. It hurt to think about Krypton but constantly comparing the Earth to her planet would not do her any good.

Taking the hair brush, she manually began the taming of her wild blonde hair. Without a Kelex, she had to do her own hair, but found she didn’t mind. Her hairstyle had always been chosen for her. Here she could do as she pleased apparently, but Kara liked her hair. It was the one feature of her father they shared and she felt this was a bond between them. Everyone else claimed she was identical to her mother in every other feature. Looking at the small elastic string on the counter, she pulled her hair back and repeated the process she had seen Alex do on occasion, making a ponytail on her own. This was acceptable in public as well as in private here. She supposed she would have to learn to braid her own hair as well.

Making her way downstairs and into the kitchen, she was greeted by three smiling faces and one covered in applesauce.

Alex was trying to decide what was different about Kara. Then she realized what it was. “Look who decided to get out of bed with a smile on her face!”

“Did you sleep well, dear?” Eliza asked, kissing the top of her head.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Good.” Jeremiah told her. “I am moving your bed from that window and lining it up next to Alex’s. You can sleep on your side from now on and not be distracted by the stars.”

“You cannot.” she objected.

“Yes, I can.”

“No, you cannot.”

“Yes, I can.” the father told her again.

“But…”

“I can’t believe this. I have to argue with two teen girls now. You slept better that way. It will…”

“I could burn Alex!”

“No, you won’t.”

“Yes I…”

“No… really… so this is what having two teen daughters is like. Kara honey, I trust you, Alex trusts you. It won’t happen. If I thought it could, I would tell you. You will sleep better.”

“But…”

“Kara, you will sleep better.”

“I will move it back.”

“I will ground you.”

“I do not even know what that means.”

“That is going to be a problem.” he admitted. “We are going to have to get you some hobbies you love so I can ground you from them when you get in trouble. I’ll give it some thought. But you won’t move it. You are going to relax and trust me, right? You trust me? All of us?”

“Yes.”

“Then leave the bed where I put it. Sleep on your side. Face away from her if it makes you more comfortable.”

“What if I burn holes through the wall of the house?”

“Alex has a fire extinguisher under her bed and I can put wood over the holes in the morning. Then poof, no more holes. Now would you please, sit down, have breakfast and relax?”

Eliza watched the exchange, winking at Alex as the newest stubborn member of the family lost a battle of wills with Jeremiah and sat down at the table. At least the blonde was still smiling. Kara did not do that near enough, something Eliza desperately wanted to change. While the girl was still asleep it was agreed by all not to bring up the issues of the past night unless she wanted to talk about it.

Today would be a busy day. Jeremiah had taken off to help set up Kal… Clark’s room, they apparently had an alien hunting or rescuing Navy Seal team who worked for a Martian and were dedicated to keeping their family safe, coming to visit in an hour and after that school shopping, something Jeremiah strangely enjoyed doing with the two females. Eliza suspected it was so he could monitor what outfits Alex would be wearing and how much money a pair of jeans cost this year. The mother couldn’t wait to show him the new food budget she had worked out. Jeremiah’s sail boat purchase would wait a couple years now, or perhaps permanently once the college funds were taken into consideration.

Watching him tease Clark with a spoon full of apple sauce, Eliza had a feeling he wouldn’t mind. Eliza was a scientist, having a difficult time taking things on faith her entire life. She was not a religious person nor was she an atheist. She just kept an open mind and believed that anything was possible until it had been proven otherwise. After she had found that she was no longer able to have children once Alex was born, her and Jeremiah had dealt with it. Both were only children and both wanted a large family but Alex more than made up for it, being such a joy, so much like her father in spirit. Now though it seemed they were being blessed with a large family all because Alex decided to be curious and follow a girl and a baby into a dark cave.

Eliza sat a large plate in front of Kara, who did her best to eat slowly. She finally looked up at Eliza shyly.

“Eliza, I could not help but notice the lunar cycle two nights ago. If my calculations are correct, there is something I need to speak to you about soon, privately.”

“Okay… is everything… are you feeling alright?”

“I may not be tomorrow or the next day. My calculations could be off, I have not been able to fully concentrate on them recently, but I feel…”

“She is PMSing. That would explain the light show last night. God knows I wish I could do that sometimes.”

“Alex!”

“What Mom? It’s okay to say it. Tell her its that time of month, Kara.”

“Really?” Jeremiah complained, “She said privately. Privately is at the breakfast table, Alex?”

“You are a scientist who has spent years living with two women. How can this bother you?”

“If I am understanding this conversation correctly can someone please place an end to it?” Kara begged, her cheeks nearly on fire.

“No worries. Eat up and we can go upstairs. I have you covered. You need to get dressed before our new Special Ops bodyguard team arrives anyway.”

After Kara did her best to casually down three more plates while everyone casually did not notice to make her feel awkward, Eliza took Clark, happy to see Kara did not even glance at her for doing so, to prepare him for the day. Alex grabbed her new little sister and dragged her upstairs.

“Okay just wear these shorts and that blue tee. You can use one of my sports bras today and we can pick you up some decent underwear. Not that either of us need large bras. Lets keep it that way. You are not allowed to get bigger than me, chest wise anyway. Keep this with you.”

Alex tossed her a hand bag which Kara tried to adjust around her neck like a backpack, failing to do so.

“No, it hangs from your shoulder, see? Now keep a couple of these in it, just in case you need them.”

Alex put two tampons in the bag. Kara pulled one out and looked at it closely.

“Is this some sort of candy? Or a small pillow that inflates?”

“No… great, do I even want to know what you used on Krypton? Probably some laser tampon or something. Look, I am not going to demonstrate this one. I will tell you how it is done and then… you can figure it out.”

Alex explained the process to Kara. Kara dropped the bag and walked out.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“Back to my cave! That is… no. There has to be another… no. Not happening. See you in a few days. I will figure something out.”

“Kara, get back here!” Alex yelled, running after her. They both stopped downstairs at the knock on the door, Kara immediately looking through it and relaxed seeing Connolly there. She assumed the other four men were his friends.

“Kara, Alex is everything okay?” Eliza asked, hearing Kara from the stairs. Kara took the tampon from Alex’s hand.

“This is… I have accepted toilet paper, but I need a lab. I can do better than this. I can replicate a padded… nothing this invasive!”

“Sweetie, that is great if you want to make a better tampon. But for right now, lets put it away unless you need it immediately and greet our guests. Go ahead dear, let them in.”

Jeremiah was staring at this two girls, arguing over a tampon, in disbelief. The idea of building a better tampon had never been suggested in his house and he momentarily forgot about the soldiers outside.

“Clark, little buddy, we are going to have to stick together for the next few years.” he whispered to the boy shakily following the man’s every step.

He opened the door to a smiling Jason Connolly and four men, or three men and a giant, who he did not know.

“Morning. We have the papers.”

Jeremiah shook his head, trying to regain his bearings.

“Of course, please come in. Welcome.”

“Thanks. Glad to see you ladies. Thanks for not pointing a hundred year old rifle at me this morning, Eliza.”

“Morning isn’t over. Come in Gentleman. I’ll bring some chairs from the kitchen.”

The crew sat in a semicircle of chairs in front on the coffee table while the five Danvers sat closely together on the couch. For a moment, the Danvers and Seals stared at each other, none knowing exactly what to say.

“So you are Kara?” Ty asked, breaking the ice.

“Yes.”

“And that means Alex, Eliza and of course Jeremiah. The little tater tot here is Clark.”

“Kal El… yes, Clark.” Kara finished in a whisper.

“My name is Ty Gavin.” the tall bald black man greeted her. “I know you met my sidekick Connolly last night. It would have been okay to shoot him. It happens to him all the time. This long haired Indian fuc… fun guy is Dante. He is good for tracking and talkin to spirits and such.”

“For the only black guy on the team why are you the one who is always stereotyping us?” Dante asked.

“I’m not stereotyping, just telling it the way it is. I’m the smooth, incredibly handsome and charismatic black man. Jack is the Yankee white boy from Boston without the accent they all seem to get thankfully, Connolly is a redneck country boy and Hawk is an idiot who is as stupid as they come. How is saying it like it is, stereotyping? You don’t want to be stereotyped stop trying to freak me out with all those tribal ghost stories you spout off about when we are drinkin. Anyway, we are the guys who gonna make everything okay. Jack, stop staring at the little alien girl. You are making her self conscious.”

Webb let out a deep breath. “I was not staring at the alien girl. I was trying to go to my happy place where your mouth doesn’t exist. Now can you guys shut up, so we can give these people important information?”

“I didn’t say a word.”

“You just did Hawk.”

“My bad, Jack. Gavin, I’m kicking your ass later for calling me an idiot in front of the alien girl.”

“Your muscles won’t let your leg come up that high. Stand there and look intimidating or some…”

“Guys!” Connolly shouted and wished he hadn’t when he saw Kara flinch. “Enough. Save it for later. The Danvers need to trust us, see that we are a professional team of… professionals. I am sorry, we really do know what we are doing. We just don’t usually deal with… families. We used to spend our time going in and kill… arresting terrorist types and rescuing hostages. Plus we usually have Ty in a snipers perch somewhere so we can turn the volume down on our coms, but we forget he tends not to shut up around civilized people. Jack?”

Webb laid the thick packet in his hands on the coffee table.

“We have birth certificates, we just made up a birthday for Clark. Connolly said on the way back from the lab that you thought he was around a year old? We just made him fourteen months. Kara has the same birthday as Alex, something that happens occasionally so it shouldn’t raise any red flags. We have Kara’s records from her last school through the seventh grade. We weren’t sure if you wanted to enroll her in seventh or eight grade. If it’s the seventh grade just take out the seventh grade records that are already there. I would recommend using the optional records indicating she skipped ahead one grade and put her in the same classes as Alex. I’m sure if you tell the school that due to her unfortunate circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of her parents in a house fire she will need to be with Alex as much as possible, they will put them in the same classes.”

“But she will be with children a year older, have a difficult time making friends…” Eliza objected.

“She is already going to have a difficult time ma’am.” Connolly argued. “No offense, but she is a stranger to this planet. Alex, from what I understand, is the only girl she socializes with and it will remain that way at school because no matter how much she may want friends it is hard to make friends when you are hiding who you are from them. Alex is the only one who knows and who she trusts. In a matter of months, at least in her frame of time, she has gone from one civilization to a completely different planet, had to live on her own, hide, and fight to find food and keep her cousin alive. Since she has met Alex and then the two of you, she has learned English well enough to read advanced books in two weeks. She is absorbing information and processing it very quickly but now in two weeks she is going to be thrown into a building with hundreds of other kids, kids who would possibly ostracize her because she is the new kid in town, regardless of where she is from. She will be surrounded for most of the day by more people than she has spoken to in her life here, bombarded with noises, smells, fighting to keep control of herself and trying to appear normal. She may suffer anxiety attacks just from the new surroundings. J’onn said it is probable. Putting her on her own would, in my opinion, not be a good idea. Alex may be the only defense she has against… the world. Physically she can’t be harmed. Mentally and emotionally, you know that other children can destroy a kid, especially an orphan. You are going to have to trust me on that.”

Eliza and Jeremiah looked at each other, neither having given much thought to this. Everything had happened so fast.

“She is very smart in mathematics. But she is not at an eighth grade level as far as history, Government, English.” the mother argued.

“Is she at a seventh grade level?” Webb countered.

“No. I suppose she isn’t.”

“Which is another reason why it would be good to be with Alex. If she is asked something she should know but doesn’t, Alex can very quietly whisper the answer, without looking at her and Kara would hear. I realize it isn’t ideal for her social development but I would suggest looking at this long term. She is going to need all the help she can get to become acclimatized to Earth. Having someone with her to help is going to be big. I doubt Alex would mind. I understand you are the one who did what we could not and found her?”

Alex nodded. “I’ll keep her close to me. It is better, Mom. She shouldn’t be on her own and if she would be in seventh grade we would be on opposite sides of the campus at times. Besides she can read a couple books about history and government in a couple hours and remember everything. She has a photographic memory.” the girl told the men proudly.

“No, she doesn’t.” Jack corrected her. “A photographic memory is the ability to recall something you have seen for only a few moments in great detail. For instance she could look at a history book and recall the words and page numbers by memory but it doesn’t mean she understands. J’onn believes that she is actually assimilating the knowledge. Her brain learns the same way ours does, just quicker. This is why she has such a good grasp of English after a few weeks. Her brain works faster than ours. You and her may work on the same problem, come up with the same solution using the same thought processes. The difference is her mind is working at a different rate, just like her body operates at a faster rate when she is running. Were she on Krypton…”

“On Krypton they taught their children differently.” Jeremiah told him. “There is no way a thirteen year old should have had the grasp of physics and astronomy that she does. They start educating their young early.”

“I was given predisposition for law and science during conception. My mind swayed towards Law as I grew…” Kara stopped talking when everyone, even the tall black man who talked with the very loud voice was staring at her.

“Kara honey, what do you mean you were… predisposed?” Jeremiah asked.

Kara shrugged her shoulders. “On Krypton, the children, all children were given certain traits during conception and incubation that would serve the house. My DNA strands were provided by my parents of course. I was then, like all other children of our planet, programmed towards the specially of our house. We were all scientists or enforcers of the law. Order and discovery were highly regarded traits on Krypton. This combination is why my House was one of the ruling factions and sat on the High Council.”

“So your DNA was designed in the womb?” Eliza asked.

“No. On our… we were grown in laboratory settings. Only one child was born naturally from a womb that I know of and not had his DNA manipulated in any manner. Kal El. Jor El was given approval because of his standing and justified it as a study of what traits a child would take for his own, in response to only the nurturing he was surrounded by. This would determine if Krypton was harming or bettering itself by the current method of population control.”

“I see. Kara, I am guessing all of Krypton spoke one language, had one government?” Connolly asked.

“Of course. I am very surprised by the multiple governments on this Earth and languages. I never imagined a world at war with itself. Krypton fought many wars but alway against other planets who wished to harm us.”

“Shit.” Connolly whispered. “Kara, I hate to bring this up, but last night you said your aunt was a general. So was she designed to be… a soldier?”

“Yes, she was predisposed. It was why she was selected to mate with Non. His was a house of soldiers but did not have the proud history in battle that Aunt Astra’s house did. Non’s house did not sit on the High Council and she elevated their rank. My mother mated into the House of El because of their need for a judge. She and Astra were identical but their genetics were programmed differently. Because she was a warrior she was mated to Non’s House to better that branch of our military. My mother came to the House of El because Jor El’s wife was a scientist like him and my father was as well. A female suited to the law was needed in a House as high as ours. She was so good she became the Chief judge of our planet. This is why so many in Rozz hated my House and my mother.”

“Great. So the Aunt and Uncle we are probably going to fight one day are genetically engineered soldiers.” Hawk mumbled.

Connolly shook his head. “So are we. Doesn’t matter. Dispositions don’t matter. We are what we make ourselves. What do you want to be when you are an adult, Kara?”

Kara gave it some thought. On Krypton her answer would have been automatic. She would be a judge like her mother. Now though, there were no judges in that sense. No High Councils.

“I don’t know.” the girl admitted.

“Good answer. Keep it that way until you figure out everything this world has to offer you. Okay, so eighth grade?”

Both the Danvers nodded, relieving both Kara and Alex. Kara did not want to face school alone and Alex did not want her to face school alone. Kara was very smart, pretty and easy to get along with. These were traits that made other girls jealous. Kara also sounded like someone speaking English as a second language, unable to use contractions at times and shocked by things like tampons. These were traits that made her susceptible to bullies. Left on her own, the school may be burnt to the ground if the blonde had an anxiety attack or became angry. Alex knew there were times she wanted to level the whole place. Kara just had the ability to do that without the control to stop it right now.

“Excellent. I have four cell phones, one for each of you. Hit 1 and an alert goes to all of us. We will try to get in contact with you on the way. We can track the location where the call came from so do not worry about talking to us if you can’t. We will use these phones to contact you. Do not use these phones for any other reason. They won’t work anyway. Always have them on you.”

“So we use them if you think we might be attacked?” Eliza asked.

“No, you use them if you see someone strange lurking around your house. If there is someone new in town, hanging out asking questions or even just lurking, not having a purpose. Call us if anyone has more than a passing interest in Kara and little Clark here. If you see any vehicles you do not recognize pass your house more than once in the same day or consecutive days. Let us know. If we are in the field, our tech Vivian will answer. She has control or can get into just about every spy satellite orbiting the globe, even other nations. She will have you on screen immediately. This isn’t like accidentally calling 911. Call us if you suspect the slightest thing. It will most likely be nothing, but it will take us five minutes to be sure. If we have to come down and take a look personally we will. Plans have been made that if your family is in danger or somehow Kara is discovered, we will move you all. If we tell you we have to go, that means we have to go, so anything you can’t live without prepare now. If it can fit into a small bag, do it now. We can always come back for the rest. One of us will always stay back when the rest of us are on missions. J’onn takes this personally and the two children’s safety, your whole family’s safety personally, Only the five of us and J’onn know about these two. No one else, not the military, not anyone knows. This is a lot. You are sure, right?” he asked the parents.

“Yes.” Jeremiah answered immediately. “If you tell us to move we are gone. If we have to start over somewhere then we will.”

“I knew you were going to say that.” Connolly admitted. “I just had to ask. There are their social security cards, medical records, shot records… I would recommend having Clark immunized as a normal human child since he isn’t showing powers but if you aren’t sure you can ask J’onn. He can find out for sure but promised he would never study them. You are both more qualified to determine his care than J’onn is anyway, so we leave it to you. No one is more suited to taking care of him or her for that matter. If Kara needs any shot records that aren’t available or needs them later let us know and we take care of it. Finally the address of the safe house we will be operating out of. Forty four minute drive from here. J’onn will be there Sunday to talk with Kara and if she is up to it they can go to a nearby hangar we have rented and work on trying to fly. If you have time Saturday morning, Dante would like to take her to this cave and begin working on her heat vision. What do you think Kara?”

“I do not… I don’t… yes, I don’t want to. But I will if J’onn thinks it will help.”

“It will. I suspect it is like a muscle. Once you learn how to use it, the control will be second nature. You won’t immediately lash out with it when in danger because your body and mind will learn to control it, not your fear. We can do this. Just trust me, okay?” Dante asked. Kara smiled at him.

“I have had to trust a lot and have not regretted it yet. If Jeremiah and Eliza trust you and think this is necessary I will do it.”

“Then Saturday morning it is. I will have a fire suit, a prototype not on the market even for military, that will keep me cool in very extreme temperatures. We will be safe. No one will see us and no one will be hurt, I promise.”

“Thank you.”

“Okay, I guess we are done and you guys have a busy day so…”

“I’m not done.” Hawk told them.

“Connolly said no.” Jack reminded him.

“Fine, then I win. You owe me fifty, Gavin.”

“You win what?” Alex asked.

Ty shook his head and answered. “Hawk asked how strong Kara could really be, not being very big. He doesn’t think she is that strong and could beat him arm wrestling. I told him he was an idiot….”

“I want in on that.” Alex told them immediately.

Jeremiah opened his mouth but Eliza beat him to it. “She will not. She will feel horrible if she hurts him.”

“Yeah right.” Hawk laughed. “Look, she will be safe. I promise I will put her hand down gently on the table. Please? I understand if you are nervous for her though.”

“Fifty says she puts your arm through a table. I have some money saved up.” Alex countered. “What about it Kara? Feel like showing this guy who the boss is?”

“Am I the boss?” the blonde asked, not sure what was going on or what arm wrestling was.

“You are today. I will show you what to do. You do it, and you get fifty bucks from him.”

“No.” Connolly told Hawk, who was already excited.

“I can do it. Show me how?”

“Alex… Kara…” Jeremiah chided then stopped, seeing the smirk on the big man’s face. “You have a table? I don’t want her to slam you through ours.”

“I happened to bring a fold out with me. Meet me on the porch and I will set it up.”

Kara walked outside with everyone else, a disapproving Eliza holding Kal.

“If you hurt her I will shoot you in the head. I don’t think you have body armor there, correct?” she whispered when the large man set up the table.

“I promise I won’t hurt her. Just having a little fun.”

“And testing her strength.” Eliza mumbled. Hawk stopped what he was doing and looked down on the woman,

“Dr, Danvers, her aunt and uncle flew through two fully loaded trucks on the move and slammed them off the road. We know how strong Kryptonians can be. I am just curious for myself. If you don’t want me to play with her I won’t. I like kids. I would never hurt one and I will die before anyone touched her, the little guy in your arms or your other daughter, and I don’t die easy.”

Eliza looked up at the man, ignoring his serious and slightly intimidating face, instead focusing on his eyes. He seemed genuine.

“Fine.”

Kara sat across from the man and placed her elbow on the table as Alex instructed. Hawk’s hand engulfed hers.

“Hold on.” Connolly ordered. “Vivian, is the area clear, including the water?”

“No boats, no heat signatures other than a man cutting his grass a block away in the fenced in back yard and a Doe about one hundred and ten yards away foraging behind some trees. All satellites on the house are blacked out. Hawk is an idiot. I got two hundred on the blonde.”

“On three,” Connolly told them, “and Kara try not to rip his arm totally off if possible. I still need him on missions. But if it happens, remember its not your fault. He asked for it.”

Alex counted down and at three Hawk began pushing against the girl gently. After a few seconds he pushed more, putting more into it, until he was straining.

“When is it my turn to try and push his hand down?” the girl asked Alex.

The brunette smirked. “Any time you want to put him out of his misery, little vein in his forehead looks like it is about to pop.”

Kara began pressing down, the large man’s hand moving slowly towards the table.

“This does not hurt you, right? If I am using too much strength or going to fast let me know. I do not want to injure you.”

“Give it all you got kid.” Hawk grunted. Kara looked at Alex who nodded and then slammed the man’s hand through the table, sending him sprawling to the ground with it.

“Are you okay?” she asked, worried. The girl hadn’t thought he would give that easily, being so large.

“No, but it was worth it. That was awesome.” he told her from the ground, then began laughing.

“Get up and clean up your table. You owe her fifty bucks, big guy. Make him pay up, Dad.” Alex ordered then pulled Kara inside while the rest of the team outside laughed at their fallen comrade.

“Why was he laughing when he lost? I think I hurt him.”

“Because he is what is known as a crazy person. He isn’t right in the mind. Probably too much testosterone but he seems okay. Don’t worry about him. We have a delivery coming soon and then school shopping.”

An hour later Jeremiah opened the door for the furniture delivery van and two men brought a dresser, baby bed and changing table, moving them upstairs into the now empty bedroom, set the boxes on the floor and left.

“I really thought they would put the baby bed together.” Jeremiah mentioned, worrying a bit.

“Dad you have a PhD. Are you worried you can’t put a baby bed together?” Alex asked, enjoying the worried look on her father’s face.

“Of course not. It will just take… time. I got this. I need to move this dresser against the wall. Eliza could you try and help me move it? Its solid oak and…”

Jeremiah stopped talking when Kara spread her arms wide and lifted the dresser off the ground, walked to the wall and deposited it gently on the wood floor.

“Is this okay?”

Jeremiah looked at Eliza, figuring it was her turn to take one.

“Yes dear, that is perfect but it does bring up something I need to talk with you about. When you are in public… around other people who aren’t us, remember that you are not supposed to be so strong. It may be a good idea to start practicing now at home. If there are heavy things to lift, let him worry about it. If it looks heavy, don’t even try. We don’t want anyone to see how strong you are, right?”

“Yes, I understand. It would not help me blend in.”

“Great. Lets go shopping and we can put the furniture together when we get back. The changing table should be easy enough, I hope.”

“I will get Kal… Clark’s supplies ready.” Kara offered.

“I already have his bag ready, dear.”

Kara stopped, looking at her adopted Mom. “You have packed three diapers, two bottles and the pears he is scheduled to eat today?”

“Yes.”

“And his wipes?”

“Yes.”

“A change of clothes…”

“Teen Mom! Cut it out. Mom has this. Lets go have fun and spend Daddy’s money.” Alex ordered, ending the discussion.

“I apologize. I have been taking care of him for so long it is… difficult to…”

“I know and I am not saying you can’t but you don’t have to do it alone anymore. Besides I will be watching him during the day so I have to practice, right?”

Kara dropped her head. “Yes. I will take this bag and this tam…”

“Okay, enough of that conversation.” Jeremiah cut in. “Lets move.”

Ten minutes in, Kara decided that cars were not enjoyable. She concentrated on the scent of air freshener but could not keep the mixture of gasoline and oil from overwhelming her. These tires were not as smooth as she hoped hitting every bump in the road, not at all like the quiet hovercraft of her old home. The sounds were unpleasant, the combustible engine sounding on the verge of exploding at any moment and the tires scraping over the pavement. Instead she focused on the radio and asked for the tree shaped air scent hanging from the rear view mirror. Eliza handed it to her and by placing it against her nose, the blonde was better able to focus on the artificial pine scent rather than the oil and gas.

After what seemed like days but was only thirty minutes, the car pulled to a stop, in the parking lot of the Mall. Kara had seen many malls on television but never experienced one. Exiting the car, the girl was assaulted by the sounds and smells of the city. Kara gritted her teeth and took it as best she could. Alex noticed, staying close to her.

Eliza noticed as well. “Kara, are you doing okay?”

“No, but I will be. I just need to acclimate…”

“You need to get used to it. Nobody really says acclimate.” Alex corrected. “You will be fine. Hang on to my hand and don’t crush it.”

Kara did as instructed and once inside, the sounds and smells of the city faded but the voices of humans was stronger here. She heard Eliza and Jeremiah talking but their voice was lost in a throng of everyone else in the giant mall. It was nowhere near full but being inside the echoes off the tall ceilings made everything worse.

“Listen to me.” Alex whispered in her ear. “Just focus on me. It’s going to be like this and worse at school but you can do this. Focus on me, on my heart and my breathing. As long as you do that, it will be okay.”

Kara nodded and did as she was told, closing her eyes and listening to the heart beat nearest hers. She focused on the steady rhythm and the continuous air going in and out of Alex’s lungs and tried to match her own breathing with her sister’s. After a minute or so Kara opened her eyes and the sounds were now a dull noise in the background. She could hear Alex’s heartbeat and heard Kal’s heartbeat fluttering quickly as it always did. She could make out Jeremiah talking to her and felt Eliza’s hand rubbing her back.

“This is a bad idea. Lets go to some smaller shoppes. This is too much at once.” the mother suggested.

“No. I am… I mean I’m fine. I’m good. I can handle it. I have to get accustomed, no, I have to get used to it. Yes, I have to get used to it. I am fine now. It smells better in this building than outside.”

Alex snorted. “So much for the air quality reports on the city. Kara’s nose has them beat. Just never go to Metropolis. You wouldn’t last thirty seconds breathing that smog in and stay the heck away from Gotham City. Hey we can hit the food court first. Maybe that will help take your mind off everything else. The smell of lots of different foods never bother you.”

“Thats a good idea.” Jeremiah agreed. “It is lunch time and I bet my little buddy could probably use a snack.”

The family sat in the food court which would be filled with people on the weekends but was thankfully quieter than normal on a Wednesday. The blonde immediately spotted where the smell of pizza was coming from and pointed.

“Please?”

“Nope. We had pizza the other night. Time for something new.” Alex told her.

“But…”

“Nope. Let’s go. Time to experience one of our family favorites, Chinese food.”

Kara followed Alex who had taken money from Jeremiah in the direction of the Chinese take out counter, staring at the pizza place sadly as she moved further away.

“We are probably going to take home fried chicken tonight so Mom and Dad can spend more time on Clarkster’s bedroom. You can down a whole chicken then. Yes iI know t’s a bird but not a pretty one so you should be good. Take a look at this buffet behind the glass and point out what you want and the guy behind the counter will put it on a plate for you.”

“Do they have Chinese Pizza?”

“No, but you can pretend thats what it is, if you want to. I’m having Orange Chicken and fried rice. You may like the lo mien noodles.”

Kara decided that pizza was not in her immediate future, since Alex had the money, so made the best of it. The blonde was amazed at all the selections. Not sure of what the items were called, she simply pointed.

“Fried rice, General Tsao Chicken, Lo mein noodles. Will there be anything else for your friend?”

“She is my sister and yeah, give us four pot stickers. Kara, you want a Coke?”

“Yes please.”

“Two Cokes.”

Purchases and trays in hand, they headed back to the table, where Jeremiah and Eliza were watching Clark play with his food in a portable high chair. Kara had no idea where they had gotten it from, but supposed this establishment had some on hand. Watching Kal spit half his food out while laughing warmed her heart and she was thankful that he would soon forget the days after they had landed when they were both hungry, when Kara had snapped the spoon they had brought and had to feed him by hand. The days where nothing had gone to waste. The food that she had nearly been caught stealing was plentiful now. Everything was different.

His name was different. For the first time, Kara realized that her only real, breathing link to Krypton would never remember the planet. He wouldn’t even remember his real name until Kara told him one day. He would grow up human. The baby would most likely gain powers as he grew, hopefully slower than Kara had gained them. She would have to explain why. How could she explain it? When? Would he be angry at her for lying to him until he was old enough to understand? Would he care? Would he want to forget about these powers as she did or would he want to embrace them?

Kal El would never be the Head of the House of El and sit on the High Council. He would never determine their planet’s fate, go on diplomatic trips to other planets, see the wonders of the universe.

“Hey! Snap out of emo mode. Try the food.” Alex ordered.

Kara did try, enjoying the very different flavors, once again, amazed at the different textures and tastes of Earth food. Then she tried the last food item.

“Rao!” the girl mumbled through a full mouth when the flavor hit her. Chewing quickly, she saw four faces staring at her. “What is this?!”

“Uh… pot stickers?” Alex answered. “By the moan and look on your face I guess you like them? Want another one?”

Kara quickly nodded her head, forgetting to slow her motions for a moment. Soon all four of the Chinese dumplings were gone.

“Uh… you want more?” her sister asked, a bit concerned, hoping no one noticed Kara going through those four in seconds.

“Yes! How many more are there?”

Alex laughed at the look of pure desire on Kara’s face. She had only seen it twice, when Kara discovered chocolate and pizza. “You ate them all.”

“No, I mean at the counter. How many does the man have?”

Jeremiah shook his head and laughed. “I need to get us some food. I will bring back some more for you Kara.”

After another twenty minutes, while Jeremiah and Eliza ate and all hoped no one would notice Kara’s moaning as she downed four more pot stickers the shopping was in full swing. Alex had a very clear idea of what she wanted and Jeremiah had a very clear idea on what he wanted her in. Eliza once again negotiated a middle ground for the two and her shopping went quickly.

Kara was a different story.

“Kara, come out of the dressing room honey.I need to see if the jeans fit you well.” Eliza told her through the door.

“I cannot. They are too small.”

“Okay, come out and let me see and we…”

“I cannot. I want pants the same size as the shorts of Alex’s I borrowed.”

“Those were too baggy. Get out here now.” the big sister ordered. Kara barely opened the door and peaked around. It wasn’t worse than the bathing suit by any means but she would be wearing these surrounded by people all day.

“They fit you great, whats the problem?”

“I may as well wear a bathing suit! They are tight. You can see the shape of my lower body.”

“They aren’t that tight! That is how jeans are supposed to fit.” Alex countered.

“I want bigger. Looser. The swim suit was bad enough but we were mostly alone. I cannot let others see my… my…”

“I love shopping with her.” Jeremiah admitted, earning a nasty look from Alex.

“Sweetie, I realize on Krypton clothes were most likely less constrictive…”

Alex snorted. “The clothes she arrived in looked like they belonged on a Kung Fu monk. The shirt nearly went to her knees.”

“but here, this is normal, even conservative. I promise they are not tight.” Eliza finished.

Kara dropped her head and looked in the mirror then turned around, looking over her shoulder.

“Can I have a long shirt to go over my waist?”

“Absolutely.” Jeremiah agreed.

“No you can’t. Let Mom and me pick out your outfits. Trust me, some of the clothes you are going to see on girls will probably blow your mind. Wait until you discover mini skirts.”

“Like on TV? They exist in actual life? Your pants aren’t tight, why do mine have to be?”

“They are,” Alex argued…”I just haven’t completely filled out yet. I’m naturally very slim. Give me a couple years and… look, they look great on you. Don’t pay attention to Dad, just listen to me and Mom. We will get you set up and this will feel normal in no time. You got used to swimsuits, right?”

“No, I really have not. I feel naked. That is why I stay in the water so much, even if I do swallow much of it.”

“I definitely love shopping with her. Kara do you know what a bikini is?” the father asked.

“Rao yes, I have seen them on TV and I will never wear one, ever. Never, ever.”

“Yep.” he agreed, looking at Alex. “She definitely has better fashion sense than you do darling daughter. You can learn a thing or two.”

Alex gave her best sarcastic smile. “I plan to teach her a thing or two. Don’t get your hopes up Daddy. She is going to be an American teen in no time. Lets go Kara. The jeans look great but you need more. You also need underwear. Hey Dad, should we take her to VIctoria’s…”

“Do not go there, Alex.” he warned.

The rest of the day followed suit, Kara blushing but going along with Eliza’s conservative suggestions that were scandalous in the young girl’s mind and Jeremiah happily paying for the conservative clothes. No trips to Victoria’s Secret took place.

As the day wore on, Kara realized that she had been unconsciously drowning out extra sounds and the noise and smells did not bother her as much. This was a relief but she still worried about school.

That night, while Jeremiah tried to put screw 6 into slot A with a tiny wrench, Kara sat on the floor of Clark’s bedroom reading the directions.

“Jeremiah, I know I am not supposed to use speed and strength to practice fitting in, but perhaps this once, I can help.”

The man looked at his newest daughter and back at the half assembled… one quarter assembled bed. He really shouldn’t.

“Jeremiah, how are you doing? Will Clark be able to sleep in the bed tonight?” he heard Eliza ask from downstairs.

“It’s going to be our secret right?”

Kara smiled. “I will not tell her you did not put it together, I promise.”

“Go for it.”

In seconds, as if watching a do it yourself video in fast forward, the bed came together then the changing table. Kara finished and looked around.

“I think it is correct. What do you think?”

“That we are going to have a lot of secrets between us. Especially the next time I have to rotate tires. Good job Kara.”

“Jeremiah, you didn’t answer… Oh my. You did this?” Eliza asked, walking into the nursery.

The man looked at Kara who stood with an innocent face.

“Yep. Wasn’t really that hard. I didn’t really even need the directions. Hey Kara, do you want to paint… the symbol of your family that is on your white clothes?”

Kara thought of this. It was traditionally placed over all infant’s beds. Of course it would lead to questions as he grew older, questions he may not be ready to hear the answers to.

“No. It would be better if we did not. I will get him and we can try out his new bed.”

“Excellent.” Eliza agreed happily. “I have his toy chest and mobile. I think he will like the rocket ships and music while he sleeps. I also have a couple night lights and a monitor for our bedroom in case he wakes during the night, though he is such a good sleeper. Come help me bring it up Jeremiah.”

“Thank you Kara.”the man whispered on his way out. Kara walked to Alex’s… and her’s she supposed bedroom. Alex was rolling on the floor with Kal… Clark.

Kara smiled at the two having an obviously good time. “I thought he would like to try out his bed.”

“Dad did it already? I was looking forward to seeing him throw a few wrenches and screws in frustration before me and Mom took over.”

“He is very handy. The structure is secure.”

“Wow, okay. Hey, I was thinking we could put some of those space crystals on his window ledge. I bet the morning light would look cool coming through them.”

Kara shrugged her shoulders and walked to the closet where her stolen backpack still resided, ready for a fast escape if it was deemed necessary. Reaching into the bottom, she pulled one out and looked closely at it.

“No. He will want to know where they came from. I will explain it to him one day but he should not have to worry about this now.”

Before she could put it back, Clark spoke up.

“Pretty!”

Kara smiled and handed the crystal to him. “Want to play? Just look, do not bite.”

The second the crystal touched his hand, it lit up and both girls jumped back. The image of a man in regal robes appeared before them. The hologram of the man looked around and a light illuminated Kara, starting at the floor and running up her body. Once it reached her face, the hologram smiled.

“Hello Kara Zor El. Have you learned the local dialect of the region you were programmed to land or should I speak our native language?”

“Uncle? I can speak English. What is this? Are you alive?” the blonde asked, trembling, while Alex debated calling her parents.

“No, not in the sense you consider alive. I programmed my knowledge and consciousness into this AI. I will be available to assist you in my son’s education. It is important that he grow, knowing the history of our planet, our culture and goals. You are responsible for ensuring that he does so. Kal El is the last hope our people have of continuing.”

“Kal El? Why him and not me?”

“You are the daughter of my brother. You are not the head of the house. Kal El is unburdened by all known dispositions. He will be able to represent all of our peoples culture. Your mother and father were well respected but my son is the chosen one, the one who carries our planet’s future.”

Kara tried not to let his words hurt her. She failed.

“Why was I chosen? Why not his mother?”

“I needed my brother to assist me, building the pod. I needed your mother to look the other way so she would not turn me into the rest of the Council. They only agreed to do so if you were saved. By my calculations I would not have enough time to covertly build a larger vessel. Your mother and father assured me you were up to the task. It was agreed that despite your dispositions towards law and order, you would be his primary caretaker.”

“I was chosen because my mother and father would not help you if I did not live?”

“Yes.”

“That was the only reason? Why was I not told about the plans before hand?”

“You are but a child. You could not be trusted with such a secret. If word had been spread to anyone besides your mother, father and my wife and I, we would have been stopped. Kal El would have never survived.”

“Why can the crystal only give him access to the knowledge?”

“I have coded the crystals to his DNA. When he is older he will be able to use these crystals to assimilate a temple where all of our planet’s knowledge and technology would be at his disposal.”

“And I cannot access them?”

“No. If Kal El dies, our knowledge, everything we stood for dies with him. Your purpose in life is to keep him alive at all costs.”

A tear rolled down Kara’s cheek and her throat burned but she remained standing strong.

“Why did you not send food for me?”

“There was not enough space. He needed food and shelter and the crystals until you could find a safe area for the two of you to reside. Your parents assured me that you were resourceful. Since he is still alive you have proven so. You have honored your house. Continue to do so.”

Kara’s stomach began to roll and her body began to shake, her fists clinched tight. She was torn between depression and anger.

“Did you know that Astra and Non were still alive? That they were here?”

“If they are on Earth, Kal El is in great danger. Astra and Non were sentenced to the Phantom Zone for the murder of two Kryptonian guards. Is Rozz on Earth as well?”

“Yes.”

“Then you must master the gifts the yellow sun has brought you quickly. It is important that he is not found and if he is discovered you must fight them, even if it means your life.”

“Because he has to carry on our family’s legacy, correct?”

“Correct. Kal El should be taught at the age of sixteen months about our…”

“Shut up! His name is Clark now.” Kara yelled, unable to hold it in any longer. This would have been unheard of on Krypton but she had been through to much.

The hologram looked at her with an unreadable expression though it was calm.

“Your duty is…”

“My duty is what I make it. You are dead! You think I am just his bodyguard? You think that is all I am worth?! You planned to send me with no warning, to another planet with no food and no knowledge of what I was getting into. We have lived outside, hungry, thirsty, lost and alone!”

“I do not believe your parents would approve of the behavior you are exhibiting. You are a daughter of the House of El and as such, will follow my instructions.”

“You are a hologram of a dead man. You think I am nothing? You think only he gets to have the knowledge in those crystals?! I am not nothing! I am not a bodyguard and I am not your servant. Not any longer.”

“I know that you are a daughter of my brother and will perform your duty.”

“I won’t. I will protect him because I love him, but he will never know about you. He will never see this hologram. You do not deserve to speak to him!”

“That is not your decision to make. Your destiny is intertwined…”

“My destiny is what I make it. You are a criminal too. You talk about law and order and duty but used my life to make my mother and father assist you in breaking the law. Who do you think you are?!”

“I am the Head of the House, Kara Zor El.”

“There is no house. The planet is dead, you are dead. Clark will be told where he comes from one day but that is it. He is not your great hope to continue on our line. He is a baby! I will protect him because I love him. He will never see this or you. I hate you!”

“You will…”

“Make my own destiny as I have already told you.” Kara finished, grabbing the crystal off the floor. The moment she touched the crystal the hologram disappeared. Kal El looked up at her, wondering where the man made of bright lights had gone.

“Kara.” Alex tried, feeling quite a bit of anger and wishing that Clark’s father was in front of her now. She watched her sister throw the crystal back in the pack and remove the clothes, food and other emergency supplies Alex had packed. She carried the bag out down the stairs and out of the house, moving quickly, too fast for Alex to keep up with. Eliza and Jeremiah ran out, having heard Kara yelling. They thought she may have had an argument with Alex but the bag she was carrying without Clark with her, caused them to suspect otherwise.

The blonde ran towards the beach and looked around, finding three appropriately sized stones of sufficient weight and placed them on top of the crystals. She waded into the dark water until the waves crashed against her belly. Using all her strength she flung the bag into the air and watched as best she could in the darkness where the bag landed and sunk three hundred yards from the shore.

Kara took her time walking back to the house. The three and Clark were waiting for her on the porch, Alex holding a towel.

“I need to shower and want to go to bed. Eliza, would you mind giving Clark his bath tonight?”

‘Of course. You never have to ask me that. Are you okay?”

Kara wiped her eyes.

“No, but I will be. I just need time. I need to lay down.”

“You haven’t ate yet.” Jeremiah reminded her.

“I am not hungry but thank you.”

Kara walked in leaving the three standing there, Clark patting Alex’s cheek to let him down so he could chase Kara. Alex kept him in her arms.

“What happened?” Jeremiah asked his daughter.

“Clark’s Dad is a dick and J’onn needs to come talk to her a lot sooner than Wednesday. I need to go talk to her… somehow.”