Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 27:

The Justice League stood in the open area two hundred yards beyond the lake that the house was built next to. Superman, Hal Jordan and John Stewart had arrived two hours ago, briefed the members on the defeat of the androids heading towards Earth and the subsequent attack and decimation of Apokolips.

The Red Shard soldiers and Alura had also returned from Metropolis. After the briefing, they went back to the house waiting for Kara’s return. Kal El had received word that Alex and her Red Shard comrades had been picked up by the Scout Ship and would be arriving shortly at the lake house.

There was nothing in the sky that could be seen, but the wind picked up slightly, causing Kal El to look to the sky and smile. The Scout Ship had arrived.

Before he could inform the others, the massive ship uncloaked and began silently descending, the landing gear seeming to flow from the ship. Once it touched ground, the platform opened and Kara Zor El, still wearing black armor coated with dried parademon blood, walked out of the ship first.

The members of the Justice League, the original foundation of the superhero collective, began applauding the moment she stepped out. Kara gave a slight smile and joined her cousin who wrapped her in a hug.

“You were amazing up there.” Kal El told her.

“I would probably have drowned in parademon remains if you and the Lanterns hadn’t arrived, so thanks.” she admitted, then added, “It was really no big deal. He got what he wanted anyway.”

Kal El shook his head. “We had no way of stopping that. You saved Earth from a war, sent over a thousand weaponized androids to the Phantom Zone, and then… Kara, you are amazing.”

“Yes, you are,” a new but familiar voice agreed. Bruce Wayne, dressed in a suit, walked up and extended his hand. “Earth is thankful. I am thankful, Kara. I feared it would not work. I’ve learned not to doubt you now. You have saved many lives.”

Kara shook his hand and turned to the ship where Alex, Kell and the members of her Red Shard Unit were exiting. “Kal, I have a lot of work to do. I can’t let what happened to Apokolips happen here and I need everyone’s help. We have to make sure he can’t enter Earth’s orbit through an interdimensional tear.

“First, I need a place to work and some strong people who know how to use tools quickly. We need eight satellites. With Element X, I can make them pick up disturbances in gravitational and magnetic sources and use our own to counteract them… meet one tear with another, negating both.

“I also want to put up a Rao Particle Shield. One that can be activated if anymore Androids or other weapons are launched at the planet..”

Kal raised an eyebrow. “You want to place shields around the cities? Like the one over Argo?”

Kara shook her head. “No, I want to put one up over the whole planet. I think the crystals in the Fortress will give me enough of a boost to cover the globe, but it may not be possible. I will need to run the numbers. If I can activate it there, in the Southern Hemisphere we would have a strong orbital defense. With the satellites countering interdimensional travel and the shield protecting the planet if needed, we could buy time to prepare when he makes his move.”

Kal was surprised at the sheer scale of what she was proposing but knew if anyone could pull it off, it would be his cousin.

“Whatever you need.” he promised her. “Where is Non?”

Kara glanced back at the ship. “Probably talking to Aunt Astra. Where is… Mother?”

Kal motioned slightly towards the house.

Kara followed his eyes and saw her, still decked in Kryptonian armor with tears running down her face. “Mother?”

Alura moved quickly, so fast that she appeared to be a blur to those without enhanced speed, and collided with her daughter, their armor causing a loud clash, her arms tightly around Kara.

“Hey, I’m okay. Relax, alright? Everything is fine, everyone is safe. I found an element I need to protect the planet, I have bodies to autopsy… I’ll let you watch if you want.” Kara assured her mother, holding her tight.

Alura nodded her head and wiped her eyes. “I’m just… you weren’t… I understand.”

“You’re not mad?” Kara asked carefully, not sure what was going on with her mother. Alura’s behavior was not what the younger woman was expecting.

“Of course not…” Alura stopped speaking when Non walked out of the ship.

She watched him make his way to her and Kara, not giving him a chance to avoid her glare.

“Alura, I realize you are probably upset but I had everything…” That was as far as Non got before Alura grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed her knee into his groin. The man doubled over with a sharp gasp of pain, allowing Alura to grab him by the head and toss him, a hundred yards into a tree.

Unfortunately for Non, that was not the end of it. Kara watched her mother in shock, beating her uncle, the force of the blows echoing for miles around, perhaps even into Gotham.

Kell walked up beside Kara and nudged her shoulder. “Should we do something?”

His question snapped Kara out of her shock, and she moved quickly, grabbing her mother by the waist, and pulling her from her uncle.

“Mother, stop!”

“Let me go!” Alura yelled, struggling in Kara’s grip, but no longer throwing punches as she obviously did not want to risk hurting her daughter.

“Not until you calm down.” Kara told her, tightening her grip on her mother’s waist.

Alura finally stopped struggling and Non slowly stood up, bent a bit at the waist, his eyes wide.

“Okay.” Non said, gasping through the pain he was obviously still feeling. “I expected that.”

Kara let her mother go now that she no longer seemed to be actively fighting to get away. She remained prepared to break up a fight as she watched her mother step up to her uncle. Though her uncle had eight inches of height on her, Alura looked much taller at the moment.

“You swore to me that you would protect her! How do you consider taking her to a system where Brainiac possibly is and then landing on a hostile planet like Apokolips protecting her?! Explain that to me, Non, because I can’t see it! She should have been sent back to Argo City several times now due to dangers on this planet, but I have allowed her to stay, because you said you would protect her!”

Non thought of opening his mouth, saying something to reason with her but decided to stay quiet. Astra told him this would be Alura’s reaction and, though he hadn’t expected his most sensitive body parts to be assaulted, the rest of her reaction was no surprise and he planned to hold his tongue until she calmed.

Kara stepped between them, facing her mother, and placing her hands on her shoulders, trying to gently push her back.

“Mother, I asked him to. We were just going to stay cloaked safely so I could observe Brainiac’s ship and weapons. When I realized Brainiac had taken Apokolips, I had to see the surface for myself, to learn what I could and see if I could find anything that would help us. We did. Uncle Non…”

“Let you be attacked by parademons and dreggs!” Alura reminded her heatedly.

“Neither of those species could have hurt us. Apokolips is under a yellow sun. We had the situation under control.” Kara told her quietly, hoping her mother didn’t look too closely at her parademon blood-stained armor.

Alura ignored her and pointed back to Non. “You promised Zor. When he realized what he had to do, you promised him…”

“That I would make sure she lived!” Non shouted back, finally having enough. “That is one conversation I will never forget. He asked me to make sure she kept living and finally, she is! She is living! She is just like her father, a brilliant, recklessly, brave fighter who knew how to live! He taught her how to live, not you!

“What have you done, Alura? You have kept her in a glass cage, shielded her from life, tried to push her into marriage and children since she was 18 just so she would be more docile! You even handpicked her friends and decided what children could have access to her! How can you ever expect her to live if you keep her in a cage!?

“Kara has done wonderfully! In case you haven’t noticed, your daughter is saving lives while you are concerned about putting her back under a glass dome! She was amazing!

“And look at Kal El… he fights powerful warlords like Zod and Darkseid, he flies beside Green Lanterns into battle without hesitation! Kara gives life to Argo City! She sustains our entire race! The children of the House of El are not children! They are heroes and warriors! When will you open your eyes and see that?!”

Non stepped around Kara, brushing her aside and faced Alura, this time seeming taller. “She just took out over a thousand enemies in a manner no one in this Universe has ever done! She broke laws of physics people didn’t even know existed and can step back into Argo City or anywhere in the Universe in a matter of seconds without having to use unstable tech like Rann transporters! She cut down parademons and had the presence of mind to know what she needed from that planet to help this one even in the middle of a battle. She has figured out a way to counter every possible move Brainiac could be considering.

“She is a hero and all you can say is she should be back in Argo City? What the hell is wrong with you!? If you want to hit me to feel better, go ahead, but she is who she is no matter how much you think you can force her to be what you want her to be! What you need her to be.

“Zor would be proud right now, not attacking me or trying to run with her and you know it! He would have been with her and they would be spouting off crazy equations while firing rifles at monsters! You know this!”

Alura was so angry, she was shaking, obviously trying to hold back from punching him again. She finally replied, “Be brave enough to have a child one day Non, and then talk to me about heroes and warriors.”

“I hope I am brave enough to let my child actually live life.” he retorted quietly. “I might even be brave enough to let the child choose his or her own clothes to wear.”

Alura nodded her head and backed up slowly, walking away, tears running down her face.

Kara looked at her uncle, quietly asking if he was okay. The man nodded his head and motioned towards Alura, silently telling Kara to follow her.

Kara helped Alura out of her armor and changed herself. The two stayed in the bedroom, leaned against the headboard, Kara holding her mother until she passed out from exhaustion.

Kara drifted off to sleep eventually, the events of the past twenty-four hours catching up with her. When she opened her eyes again because of a knock on the door, Kara could tell it was dark outside.

She gently extracted herself from her mother and moved towards the door to find Bruce Wayne waiting for her.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Kara.” he said in greeting.

Kara shook her head, trying to shake the cobwebs from her newly awakened mind. “It’s not problem, Bruce. I hadn’t planned on falling asleep.”

Bruce looked past her and saw Alura sleeping and regretted interfering. Non had been locked in his ship all day and had not been seen since the argument.

“I thought you would want to know, the Lanterns have taken the Element X metal you requested to a large warehouse I own outside of Gotham. Victor and I will be leaving soon to join them. He has some experience with Element X and Apokolips tech and will be a huge help. The Lanterns assigned to Earth will be there as well as Diana and Arthur. Wally has a degree in physical engineering so he will be a big help… although he got his powers from an accident involving an advanced engine so you might want to keep an eye on him.”

Kara took that in, glanced back at her mother and nodded. “I need to gather some tools. Give me a couple hours and I will be there. Do you have machines capable of cutting and molding Element X on Earth?”

Bruce nodded. “Victor and the Lanterns are capable of any precise cuts you require. What about circuitry?”

“I’m not going to use traditional circuitry. I’ll handle it when I get my tools. Just give the warehouse coordinates to Kelex. He knows the shape and general construction I need the metal to be in. Start without me and I will finish up and activate them when I return.”

The door closed and Kara turned to see her mother awake.

“Looks like it is time for you to get to work.” Alura said, getting out of bed slowly.

Kara walked over and placed her hands on her mother’s shoulders. “Why don’t you stay in bed? I can ask some of the Red Shard to stay behind and protect…”

Her mother waved off her concern. “I don’t need protection. I’ll be with you. That’s enough.”

Alura hesitated then looked Kara in her eyes. Kara saw her mother’s eyes were still tinged red and her eyelids were puffy. “Kara… am I a bad mother?”

Kara pulled her into a tight hug. “You have been the most loving mother a girl could want. You have always made me feel so loved and confident. You are the best. Please don’t ever doubt that.”

“Am I?” Alura asked, her voice shaking. “Non wasn’t wrong, was he? If your father was here…”

“But he isn’t. You can’t judge yourself by what Father would have done. Uncle Non was… right about some of the things he said but that doesn’t make you a bad mother. You just want what’s best for me. That’s what great mothers do, and you are the greatest. I love you so much.” Kara assured her.

Alura was quiet for a moment her head buried in her daughter’s neck. “But there was truth to what he said, wasn’t there?”

Kara stilled for a moment then nodded her head. “Yeah. There was… but I get it. Father told me in the message he sent… I know why you have been overprotective. It can’t be easy raising a child who people want to kidnap or kill. So, I do get it.

“But I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m not some easy target. I have people who will stand with me, not ask me to stand behind them. I want you standing beside me too, not throwing yourself in front of me. That’s all. Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t have gone to Apokolips in just a scout ship with the four of us. But… we would have handled whatever came. I know that and so do you. Uncle Non never would have taken us on a suicide mission.”

Alura laughed softly. “Then why do you seem to go on suicide missions so often lately?”

Kara stepped back from her but kept her hands on her mother’s arms. “I haven’t. Brainiac is coming and I am scared, especially after seeing what he did to Apokolips. But I won’t back down. I will beat him… we all will. Rao would not have placed us in this situation just to die. What is it people say about me in Argo City? Kara Zor El is Rao’s hand?”

Alura snorted and nodded her head. “From the time we left the Phantom Zone and you began bringing life back to our city.”

“Well, Rao’s hand is about to slap the hell out of Brainiac. Rao would not have sent me here if he did not know I would win. I just need you to believe in me and understand there will be risks. I know what happens if I die. Earth loses, Argo City and the Kryptonian race loses. But the battle has to be fought by all of us. I want you by my side when it is. Okay?”

Alura nodded. “Always, Kara.”

Kara smiled and promptly changed the subject. “By the way, let Aunt Astra know that I am about to open an interdimensional tear into my lab in Argo City. I have to pick up some tools to make these satellites work. Keep my comlink and I will have her call you as soon as I arrive. It should only take a few seconds at most.”

“Oh, okay, be careful… wait, you are doing what?!” Alura’s relief at her daughter’s response was quickly overcome by panic.

Kara raised her hands. “Mother, I got this. I’m going to grab a few tools I desperately need and be right back.”

Kara walked out before her Mother could say anything else and found Kell and Alex in the living room.

“We were just waiting on you.” Kell greeted her with a kiss. “I was wondering if you would like to go on a date tomorrow night. I found this event on the internet called a ‘rodeo’. Alex was just telling me about them. Apparently, it involves humans attempting to ride angry, large animals and usually getting thrown to the ground and stomped on. Interested?”

Kara smiled and stroked his cheek. “After the last couple of days, that sounds wonderful. The two of us definitely need some alone time not involving killing parademons or laying on top of missiles. I need to go to Argo City for a bit, but I need you to go with Kelex and the others to begin bending and cutting the element recovered from Apokolips. Can you do that for me?”

Kell looked at her speechless for a moment then shook his head. “You can open a tear and step right into your lab, can’t you?”

Kara nodded her head. “Yes, but once I activate the satellites, I won’t be able to open any interdimensional doors while I am on this planet. I have to get what I need and what I might need in the future. It won’t take long, okay?”

Kell nodded his head and wrapped his arms around her. “How is your mother?”

“She’ll be okay. How is Uncle Non?”

“No one has spoken to him, but you know your uncle. He’s hurting. Does this usually happen?”

Kara shook her head and sighed. “I’ve never heard him yell like that. I think the stress is getting to everyone. Coluans ruin all the fun. Anyway, I’ll be back in a little while. Alex?”

“Yep?” Alex responded, looking up from her tablet.

“Want to come with me?”

Alex shrugged her shoulders, not having listened to the conversation. “Sure, where are we going?”

“My lab in Argo City. Follow me.” Kara took out her blue universal compass and Alex saw the air shimmer in the room. It was barely noticeable and didn’t make a sound, but the light bent strangely around it, letting Alex know something was there. Her eyes wide in excitement, she jumped up from the couch, moving to Kara’s side.

“Ready?” Kara asked, laughing at her friend’s exuberance.

“Hell yes, I am.” Alex replied, watching Kara walk into the slight disturbance and disappear. Taking a deep breath, she followed the Kryptonian through the breach and become the first human to set foot on Kryptonian soil.

All this while, Non was alone on the bridge of the scout ship, leaned back in his chair and stared out the view port, looking at nothing, lost in thought, doing his best to think of nothing and failing.

He considered Alura his sister as much as he considered Kara his daughter and though he meant what he said to Alura, he was in emotional pain. Pain that he had caused her hurt, pain that he had been so sharp, that the argument was in front of others, pain at being the cause of the tears in her eyes.

The man closed his eyes and leaned his head back rubbing his temples with his fingers, hoping to stave off his first headache since arriving on Earth and assuage the guilt he was feeling.

He heard Kara wake, give directions to Bruce Wayne, heard her speak to her Mother reassuringly and then he sat and did nothing while Kara opened a doorway to Argo City and stepped through with Alex Danvers.

The man normally would have chided Kara for doing something reckless with technology she had just discovered. Slipping through a tear thirty miles away under Wayne Manner was one thing but going to the other side of the Universe was another.

He did nothing. He knew if Kara had any doubt it could be done, she wouldn’t attempt it, or at least she wouldn’t have taken Alex Danvers with her. He had watched Kara perform miracles for years, and while she was still reckless, she knew what was at stake now. She had the same determination in her eyes that she did when she was twelve and had calmed the population of Argo City, told them they would be safe if they trusted her.

She had never let them down.

Non listened carefully, heard what sounded like Lois sitting next to Kell on a couch and a sporting event of some kind, Kal El’s heart beat was to the west of him, the man by himself, no doubt deep in thought over the events that had transpired if he had to guess. He could hear Alura’s breathing, steady but with a bit of a hitch. Then he heard his wife’s voice telling Alura that Kara and Alex had safely made it to Argo City.

He knew he would be next, and she wouldn’t bother to use a comlink. Instead, as he expected, Astra gave herself access from the Nightwing a million or so lightyears away and her life size hologram appeared before him.

“Kara?” he asked, despite having heard.

“I am on my way to her lab now. Every one of her day guards’ beacons went off when she arrived. I told them I was performing a test. If the people find out she is here, they may try to physically restrain her from leaving despite my orders. Regardless of the Lanterns presence, our people grow anxious for her. The citizens have been offering prayer rocks in the temple for her safe and quick return.” Astra said. Pausing, she finally asked, “Are you okay?”

“Of course.” he answered, rubbing his forehead, and opening his eyes with a slight smile. “Just tired from our recent adventures. As you know, keeping up with Kara is not easy to do and Kell does not slow her down at all.”

Seeing she wasn’t buying it he sighed. “Who told you?”

“Kelex sent me a recording. He thought I may need to see what happened.”

“Kelex should mind his own business.” Non grumbled out. “I am beginning to understand Kara’s irritation with him more and more.”

Astra crossed her arms and frowned. “Kelex thought I needed to know of an extremely loud argument between my husband and sister regarding the safety of my niece. He was right. When were you going to tell me?”

Non shrugged his shoulders. “I thought Alura would have. Are you here to chastise me?”

Astra shook her head. “No. Alura attacked you. She lost her temper and caused you to lose yours. Things were said… things my sister, perhaps myself, needed to hear. I cannot chastise you for saying something that was untrue, nor can I chastise you for yelling at her considering she was doing the same and physically attacking you. Besides, what happened has hurt you both deeply. I am sure Kara has been comforting Alura. How are you doing?”

Non gave some thought to this. In the end, all he could do was answer simply and honestly. “I am hurting.”

Astra smiled sadly. “Remember when Kara snuck off the Nightwing bridge when she was six? Kelex had gone down for an upgrade and when he was back moments later and checked her location he told me she was in the engine room. I hadn’t even seen her slip off. She was on the bridge next to me one second and then she was gone. If not for her tracker, I may still be looking for her to this day.”

Non smiled fondly. “Yes, one of the deck monitors mentioned a fluctuation in the power condenser. Kara ran off to the Nightwing’s engine room to find the source of the problem… despite never having been in an engine room. I don’t believe I have ever seen you run that fast. That was the first, but not the last time you beat me in a sprint.”

“I caught her before she stumbled off a support beam and fell into one of the power condensers.” Astra remembered, a bit of shakiness in her voice at the memory. “I was so scared… and I yelled at her. She had never seen me angry before and I know I scared her. I’m not sure if I was even angry, just… so frightened. I made her cry and it hurt. Her tears felt like a blade in my gut.”

“But when you came home that night she rushed to you.” Non remembered. “She jumped into your arms and told you she was so sorry over and over again.”

Astra smiled. “I dreaded coming home that day. I actually considered sleeping in my quarters on the ship. I was so afraid. I was afraid she would hate me, never forgive me, but she did. She did because she loved me. You and Alura love each other Non. The two of you will work through this. Give it time and talk to her. She needs you now and she knows it. You are the only brother she will ever know, and she is the only sister you will ever know. It will be okay.”

“Are you sure?” he asked quietly.

“I listened to your words, Non. Those words are why I am not having Kara restrained by guards right now and restricted to our home.”

Non nodded his head slowly, feeling a little lighter as the tension in his shoulders and head eased slightly.

“I love you, husband.”

Non smiled. “I love you. I really wish you were here.”

Astra raised her hands in apology. “I may be able to do my job and Alura’s, but she can’t do her job and mine. I shudder to think what she would do as head of the Military for even five minutes.

“Husband, I spoke to a Lantern here… have you had a chance to ask the Lanterns about Daxam?”

Non grimaced and sighed. “I know. All dead. The fleet hadn’t recovered from their last invasion attempt. Krypton’s remains entered their atmosphere, spread over their entire planet. The impact blasts scoured the surface. The entire planet had no signs of life. Kara hasn’t asked and I would rather not mention it to her. The thought of those poor slaves, the citizens under the tyranny of the so called royal family, their lives were horrible and then to end that way, it broke my heart. I could imagine what it would do to her and I really don’t want to see her cry right now.”

“A wise decision,” Astra agreed, then added knowingly, “Though, I suspect Kara has always known what had happened, she’s too smart not to have worked it out. Regardless, there is no need to bring this up to her.

“Now, go find Alura and talk to her.”

Astra was gone, leaving Non alone. He gathered his courage and rose only to hear his guards arguing with someone at the front of the ship.

“Let him pass and escort him to me, Ogal.” Non said, knowing his soldier would hear him.

Non sat back down waited. Within a minute, Ogal walked in with the disguised shifter, Director Hank Henshaw of the DEO or, in his true guise, J’onn J’onzz of Mars.

Non waved a hand towards an open chair. “Have a seat, J’onn J’onzz. You can leave us, Ogal. Thank you for escorting him.”

The two were alone, J’onn sat at a comfortable distance, facing Non, just out of the Kryptonian’s reach. Seeing that J’onn seemed content to just glare at him, Non opened the conversation.

“I have asked Agent Danvers to arrange a meeting between the two of us several times at neutral locations and even at your DEO. You have declined my offers. By the look on your face, I assume you are here to start an argument or vent some frustration towards me. If so, I must warn you, I have had a very bad day and am not in the best of moods.

“So, what do you want?”

“I was on my way here to speak to Alex. I called to ask her to meet me in Gotham. She didn’t answer her phone and Alex always answers her phone. She is supposed to be here, but I can’t feel her mind. Do you know why she isn’t picking up my calls?” J’onn’s tone was direct, his obvious anger held in check for the moment.

Non smiled, despite the tiredness he felt. “I seriously doubt she is getting a clear signal. My guess is her service provider doesn’t have cell towers in Argo City.”

J’onn stood up quickly, morphing into his true form. Before he could step towards the General, four Kryptonian soldiers appeared suddenly and had rifles to his head.

“Stand down.” Non told them calmly, never having moved. “He means no harm. He just has a bit of temper like all of us. Besides, the day I can’t defeat a shifter will be the day I stop arguing with Kara when she calls me old. Leave us.”

The soldiers walked out slowly, not happy.

“Perhaps you would like to retake your seat. I have nothing against you, J’onn J’onzz, but those soldiers have killed shifters who have tried to assassinate Kara in the past. Be glad they are so disciplined, or you would be dead, and I do not wish any harm to come to you. You are important to this planet and I am taking it on faith that you have the best of intentions.”

“Why is Alex in Argo… how is Alex in Argo City?” the Martian asked quietly, retaining his form but sitting.

“Kara asked Alex to accompany her to her lab. She needs tools there.

I am aware Alex has been keeping you updated with everything we have learned, and I also know she has told you how Brainiac is entering systems undetected. You should know that we used this very ship to rip an interdimensional tear sending thousands of hostile androids away from Earth.”

J’onn shifted back into the form of Hank Henshaw and nodded his head. “Yes, I am aware of what Kara has learned to do but your ship is here. Alex is not.”

“Kara doesn’t need a ship for interdimensional travel. She made a device that can cut small seams into the space time continuum and slip from one area of the universe into another as easily as walking through curtains.

They will be back soon.”

J’onn’s face showed disbelief. Non raised his hand to ward off his next question. “I don’t know what she made, I don’t know how it works and even if she explained it to us in intimate detail, I doubt we would ever be able to understand.

“My wife has confirmed that Alex and Kara have safely arrived on Argo. So, now that you know she is fine, I assume you will be leaving.”

J’onn leaned back in his chair. “Since I am here, I think it would be a good opportunity to talk. I know what you are doing, and it is going to stop.”

Non chuckled. “What am I doing? Would that be risking my niece’s life to save this planet? Or sending you superpowered, well-disciplined soldiers under the command of your brightest agent, only for you to suggest she leave them in your headquarters? Would it be gathering elements from Apokolips that my niece can use to protect this planet? What exactly would you like me to stop, J’onn?”

J’onn actually smirked, as if he found Non humorous. “I recognize the tactics. Here on Earth we call it recruitment.”

“On Krypton, we called it recruitment. ” the General translated for him.

J’onn wasn’t backing down. “Giving her gear, advanced weaponry, allowing her access to all your inner workings. Giving her command of a group of elite soldiers despite never having worked with them before. You want her for your army.”

“I want her for my people and future planet… and for Kara. Alex Danvers has many skills that could be valuable to the future of Krypton.” Non admitted. “You are right, I am recruiting her. I have been testing her, watching her closely. I have seen how she interacts with Kara, I have watched her fight, watched her handle weapons, and I sent a team under her command because I wanted to know if she was comfortable taking a leadership role, even with a group of soldiers who did not speak her language. She passed ‘with flying colors’ as a human would say. No hesitation, no lack of confidence, no indecision or looking to my commander for affirmation.

“If you know all this, what is the point of this conversation? I was not lying when I said I had been having a bad day and am very tired. I would be glad to meet with you another time about issues that are relevant to the safety of this planet.”

J’onn squeezed the armrests of the seat, holding his temper and trying to find his calm.

“You don’t like dealing with people you cannot read, do you, J’onn?” Non realized.

“I will tell her what you are doing. I am pulling her from this operation. I don’t believe Kara Zor El is in need of a guide on this planet anymore, not that she ever really needed one.” J’onn threatened, using the only leverage he had available to him.

Non shrugged his shoulders. “Tell her. I haven’t hidden anything. I have not approached her yet, but once this Brainiac scuffle is tidied up, I will offer her a chance to be part of something historic. A chance to be part of something most scientists would not say no to. A chance to learn the secrets of the Universe and be a major part in the building of a new planet. The choice is hers. I will not be kidnapping her, taking her against her will… or trying to mentally influence her, not that I have that ability. It would be dishonorable for someone to tamper with the mind of one they claim to care so much about.”

J’onn caught his meaning. “I would never do that to Alex. Going to another planet, not even a planet but a floating city… I swore to her father as he lay dying that I would protect her…”

Non raised his hand. “You swore an oath to a dying man… to protect his daughter and yet you consider placing a gun in her hand, training her to be a soldier and fighting hostile aliens with inferior weapons is protecting her? I thought we were overprotective of Kara but perhaps you could consider becoming a bit more protective.

“If you truly love her, truly respect her, you have to let her make her own decision. What frightens you is that she will wish to come. I suppose you can talk her out of it… after all, you have read her mind for years. I have no doubt you know every insecurity, doubt, every little guilt to play on to make her comply with your wishes. That’s your option. Just remember, if you take the choice away from her, she will never forgive you.”

Non took a deep breath. “It is for that very reason we didn’t order Kara home when we first learned of this Brainiac business. I wanted to, my wife did as well, so Alura sent the decision to the Council so we wouldn’t have to be the ones to order her home… because she would never truly forgive us for doing so.

“Our failure came when we underestimated her, something we should know by now not to do. We never imagined she could sway that many votes. We thought Kara would return, angry at the Council, not at us… but it came down to Alura. Her very overprotective mother had to make the deciding vote, or she risked losing Kara’s trust… because, deep down, Kara would never have forgiven her… and Alura knew this.”

Seeing he had J’onn’s attention, Non bluntly summed up the situation for him. ” Your organization’s purpose is to defend this planet. You can’t. You don’t have the firepower, or the technology and you do not have a twelfth level intellect .”

“I have many more problems to deal with than Earth’s, yet here I am with a girl I consider a daughter in every way, my sister, a man I have looked at as a son and who will soon be my son-in-law, doing what we can to protect this planet. Is there anything else you want to discuss, J’onn J’onzz? I have made nothing but overtures of peace towards you since I have arrived despite the Lanterns and the Justice League not trusting you. I promise you, I will make no more.”

J’onn stood up. “Have Alex call me when she returns. I will give her new orders.”

Non stood as well. “I think that is a wonderful idea. In fact, you do that. She will be coming back from the most beautiful, technologically advanced city in the Universe, probably after a tour of one of our massive battlecruisers and seeing a lab that has technology humans could only describe as magic.

“As soon as she returns, I will let her know that her boss wants her to return to National City because he is afraid she might have independent thought and want to take part in the making of a new planet. If she is anything like Kara, Alex will resign immediately in a manner involving curse words and she will join us.

“My friendliness is at an end, J’onn J’onzz. Alex will remain with us as long as she wishes, and you can get off my ship. Do not return unless you offer friendship and cooperation.”

J’onn didn’t not offer his hand nor would Non have taken it. The Martian left the ship the way he came.

“As humans would say, this day sucks.” Non mumbled and prepared to go speak to his upset sister-in-law.

Clark had listened with amusement to the conversation while he stood in a clearing watching the stars. Astronomy had always been a passion of his from a young age but tonight the night sky just gave him a feeling of peace he needed. Despite everything going on, his thoughts were on Lois.

He felt no surprise when Lois found him. No matter what, she always seemed to know where he was. A part of him wondered if she had a tracker on him like Kara did that only Lois knew about.

She said nothing, stepping beside him and taking his hand.

After a minute of silence, Lois finally spoke. “Tell me what’s on your mind, Clark.”

Clark smiled, gently squeezing her hand. “What isn’t on my mind?”

Lois wrapped her arms around his waist. “Something special is bothering you tonight. And guess what? Kara just disappeared into thin air with Alex arriving instantly in Argo City. At least when Zatanna teleports someone, there is a sparkly light show involved. Your cousin has become a true ninja of the Universe.”

“I heard.” Clark chuckled at her description. He quieted down after a moment, then said, “I have to go to Gotham soon. We need to prepare the satellite shells for when she returns.”

Lois knew something else was bothering him, more than the normal end of the world stuff that was becoming common place. She had known it for days. At first she attributed it to learning about his family, his past and being saddened that he may have missed it. This was different though. She knew him better than he knew himself.

She decided to put on her reporter hat and probe a little for answers. “I’m surprised she didn’t ask you to go with her. I’m sure you would love to see a city of Kryptonians.”

Clark shook his head. “There is no need. She knows I will be there soon enough for much longer than a quick visit.”

Every part of Lois froze. He said it with such certainty it chilled her. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Did they invoke some Kryptonian law trying to force you to live with them? I will be damned if I let that happen.”

Clark shook his head and pulled her closer, kissing her forehead to settle her down. “They would never do something like that… it will be necessary though, for both of us. I need to tell you something and I haven’t quite known how. I only found out recently… actually, Kara had to tell me but once I listened, I heard it.”

Lois raised an eyebrow and moved slightly back in his arms, her eyes meeting his. “Heard what?”

“Two heartbeats in your body. You are pregnant, Lois. Kara didn’t hear the heartbeat the first time she met you, but she heard it the next day. You might be only a month along or maybe she wasn’t listening for it when you first met.”

Lois said nothing, letting go of Clark and turning her back to him, but still leaning against his chest. He kept his arms carefully around her waist.

“Lois?” Clark called, the silence making him incredibly nervous.

Lois stepped away then turned back to him. To his shock, he saw a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. “This should upset me. We have careers, lives here, a home.”

“I know.” Clark admitted. He had these same thoughts.

“Then why am I not upset?” she asked.

Clark’s eyes widened and he felt a weight lift off his chest.

“Are you upset?” she asked.

The man shook his head. “No. I was only worried about your reaction. I’m not upset at all. The idea makes me… happy.”

Lois hugged him tightly. Clark was surprised to say the least by her reaction. She stepped away again and wiped her eyes.

“This is a disaster, you know?” she said with a smile.

He nodded his head carefully.

“We can thank Rao, God, whoever, that your cousin and future cousin-in-law arrived here when they did because I can’t deliver this kid on Earth. We are going to have to live in Argo City. We are going to have to leave our jobs, the farm, the apartment in Metropolis. It’s a disaster. I think we could use a happy disaster, don’t you?” She asked.

“We wouldn’t have to be gone forever.” Clark offered tentatively.

Lois laughed and swatted his chest. “Of course not… but our child would never have a normal life on this planet. Maybe… maybe we have done all we can here. Our lives have been crazy. Winding up on an alien planet and raising a kid… that wouldn’t be the strangest thing I’ve ever imagined us doing. You would have a chance to be with your… no, we would have a chance to be with your family… your people, our kid’s people. He wouldn’t have to miss out on everything you had to miss out on growing up… we could have a life. One where you don’t hear the problems of the world and need to respond to emergencies every five minutes.”

“You are really okay with this?” he asked, slightly awed.

“I love adventure.” she admitted. “What bigger adventure could we take? I’m all in if you are.”

Clark grabbed her, holding her as tight as was humanly comfortable, his eyes watery.

“You are remarkable, Lois Lane,” he whispered happily, barely able to keep from choking up. “Yeah, I am definitely all in. As long as you are there, I’m happy.”

Lois began laughing. “You realize this gives us a strategic advantage, right?”

“What do you mean?” Clark asked.

“We can reschedule the wedding, set a date. Once we set the date, we will know exactly when Brainiac will attack if he is anything like Darkseid.”

Clark began laughing as well, admitting to himself she had a point.

“Smallville?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to let the kid choose its own clothes.”

“Absolutely.” he agreed.

Non had been approaching the house. He heard Clark break the news to Lois and when he heard no screaming he stopped listening, giving them privacy, though he had no doubt the Red Shard unit was still listening in. The benefits and curse of super hearing.

He entered the house to find Kell on the couch, a book resting on his chest and some sporting event on the television, asleep and snoring. He continued into the massive residence and made his way to Alura’s bedroom. He knocked on her door and heard her say to come in.

The man waited at the end of the room, facing his sister-in-law who stood to greet him.

“Don’t apologize.” Alura told him. “You were right on almost everything for once and I did strike you… well, in a place I probably shouldn’t have.”

Non chuckled, heart feeling lighter. “Thank Rao for a yellow sun or I may have been permanently injured.”

The two stood in silence, staring at each other for a moment.

“I love you, Sister.”

“I love you, Brother.”

The two met in the middle of the room hugging each other fiercely. Neither moving nor wanting to.