3rd Person POV
"Willow, open up!" James' voice calls through the apartment door
"Mr Olsen?" Willow asks, opening her door
"James." James corrects
"James." Willow corrects. "What do you want?"
"I got you something." James says. "A gift."
"Why?" Willow asks
"Just because." James says, turning his head slightly. "I don't know, I saw it and I wanted to get it for you."
"That's very sweet." Willow says
"Ta-da!" James exclaims, presenting a skateboard from behind his back
Willow gasps, staring at the board. James hands it to her and she accepts it with wide green eyes. "Oh, my god...thank you so much." She breathes. She looks at James. "How can I repay you?"
"You can take it out for a test ride." James says with a smile
"I will." Willow says. "Soon. Promise."
"You okay?" James asks
"Yeah." Willow says. "It's just...well, I haven't ridden on a board since I lost mine. And in between losing it and right now, I really injured myself when I pretended to die so...even though my back is okay now, I don't know, I guess I'm nervous." She whispers
"Hey, it's okay to be nervous." James tells her. "How about you leave the board inside and we make our way to work?"
"Sounds good." Willow says with a smile
***
"All right, what's next on the docket?" Andrea questions the resporters. "Any celebrity divorces? Disgraced influencers? Show me the clicks."
"I've got this week's medical examiner's report, and I thought we could run a story on recent deaths." A reporter, Franklin, says
"People love to read about death." Andrea says. "It reminds them that they're alive, and it gives them the pleasure of schadenfreude. I like it."
"Twenty-year-old Uber driver, hit by a car." Franklin says, showing a picture
"If the person is boring, then the cause of death is boring." Andrea says to which Nia and Willow share a surprised look. "Wow me. Show me some sparkly death."
"Um Oh! Dr. Niles Jarrod, a health tech billionaire, recently discovered deceased in a night club bathroom." Franklins says
"My God! Dr. Jarrod died?" Kara questions. "I I interviewed him last year–"
"For your piece on the moral implications of gene manipulation." Nia says
"Knowing the dead person does not make their death interesting." Andrea says. "Next."
"Wait, wait." Kara says. "A 33-year-old genius doing significant work in the field of extending life dies young, unexpectedly? It's tragic. And certainly worth a story."
"There's hard news, legitimate feature, or brain candy." William says. "Sentimental tripe you just pitched us is a category of its own... Trash."
"How dare you." Kara says
"William's right." Andrea says. "A dead scientist is not sparkly."
"And there's no substantive story." William says. "So stop wasting our time."
"How do you know there's no substantive story when we haven't even looked into it yet?" Kara questions
"I've looked into it. Thoroughly. Nothing there." William tells her
"Franklin, next corpse, please." Andrea says and Franklin scrolls through more pictures. He describes the next picture. "Perfect." She tells him
***
"So, tell me, how is CatCo?" Lena questions, sitting down with Kara on the couch. "Is everything okay? Is Andrea behaving civilized?"
"Oh, that's not exactly the word I would use to describe her." Kara says. "Her mandate has been making CatCo the most viewed news website in the world using tactics like pop quizzes and clickbait."
"Kara, I'm so sorry to hear that." Lena says
"Yeah, and then she hired this snake named William Dey." Kara says
"Wait, William Dey?" Lena asks. "Really? He's supposed to be a really talented journalist."
"I know, but sadly, talent doesn't always mean integrity." Kara says. "And I have no idea what his MO is, but James is helping me figure it out. Enough about me. How are you?"
"Um, To tell you the truth, I haven't had the easiest time of it since Lex." Lena says. "I've been having nightmares. I try not to sleep."
"Oh, Lena." Kara sighs
"Nights are filled with apocalyptic visions of torture and anguish at the hands of my brother." Lena says
"Kelly is working with PTSD patients at Obsidian North." Kara says. "Maybe she could help you." She suggests
"Thank you." Lena thanks. "But you know how private a person I am."
"Yeah." Kara sighs
"You know, the really frustrating part is I figured out a way to heal myself." Lena says. "I mean, do you remember the journals we found at Stryker's?"
"Of course." Kara says
"Well, reading them is the only thing that calms me." Lena says. "Somehow, hearing Lex's voice takes the mystery away. And the terror. I just know if I could read them all then I would be able to cure myself of the trauma."
"Well, then that's what you have to do." Kara says
"Unfortunately that is not an option." Lena says. "The government has confiscated all of Lex's possessions. His technologies, his weapons, even his childhood journals."
"Well, that's ridiculous." Kara says. "You're the only person that could have an interest in that. Can't you just ask for them back?"
"Believe me, I have tried, but it is all tied up in bureaucracy and red tape." Lena says. "My lawyer said I would never get them out of Fort Summit."
"Well, I could get them for you." Kara says
"Kara, don't be ridiculous." Lena says with a laugh
"The journals will help you heal, and they're only locked up due to a technicality." Kara says. "I could go and get them and no one would ever know."
"No, I couldn't ask you to do that." Lena says
"You're not asking. I'm I'm offering." Kara says and then her phone goes off. "Oh, it's James. He's at the M. E. 's office."
"That's okay, we can talk later." Lena says to which Kara nods in thanks. Kara leaves the office just as Willow is entering
"Greene!" Lena exclaims, hugging Willow
"You know you don't have to hug me everytime you see me, right?" Willow says with a laugh
"I know, I know." Lena says with a smile, pulling away. "I just love having you back."
"Uh, Ms Luthor? Can I ask a question?" Willow asks
"Of course." Lena says, sitting down on the couch and Willow sits down as well
"How am I still working for you and CatCo if you don't own CatCo anymore?" Willow asks
"I fought to keep your original contract." Lena says. "I wasn't about to lose someone as valuable as you."
"So, I still work for you both?" Willow questions
"Yes." Lena says. "But it's nothing you have to worry about. I'm the one that signs your paychecks." She says with a wink
***
"Where are the dumplings?" Alex asks after unpacking the takeout on the counter
"Oh, shoot!" Kara exclaims. "I totally forgot to put the order in. I'm sorry. I just got caught up investigating the weird death of this guy with a tattoo on his heart."
"Oh. Okay. I can see why you forgot the dumplings." Alex says. "All's forgiven."
"Yeah, but there's more. William Dey, he knows something about it, and he actively tried blocking me from getting involved." Kara says
"Well, it sounds like a really good story, right?" Alex asks. "And this guy's always been very competitive with you. Do you think he's trying to just steal the scoop for himself?"
"Maybe. But something just doesn't feel right." Kara says
"As fascinated as I am by a dead guy with a tattooed heart, I am far more interested in hearing about your lunch with Lena." Alex says. "How did it go?"
"Uh... It was great." Kara says
"Uh-oh." Alex says. "Great. Oh, no. What happened?"
"Nothing." Kara says. "I flew to Paris, Milan, Dublin, I got all of her favorite things. It was...Great."
"So why does it look like you ran over a puppy?" Alex asks
"It was nothing. Really. I...I just I kind of spontaneously agreed to do a favor for Lena." Kara says
"Okay. So, what's wrong with that?" Alex asks
"Nothing. It just entails... Breaking into a secure Army facility and stealing Lex Luthor's journals." Kara says
"What?" Alex questions. "Kara, are you out of your mind?"
"I just blurted it out. I wasn't thinking." Kara says. "But, you should have seen how much pain she was in, and she's so traumatized by Lex's death, and the journals are the only way she can find closure."
"No. You're going to call her right now, and you're going to tell her that you made a mistake." Alex says. "You're not doing it."
"No. I can't." Kara says
"No. What you can't do is break the law and steal federal property." Alex says
"Technically, I break the law all the time." Kara says. "I just broke into a supermax prison two months ago."
"Okay. That is totally different." Alex says. "That's to serve justice. Right? Okay. What you're talking about here is crossing that line for a friend."
"How is it different?" Kara asks. "She deserves to heal, and who would it be hurting? You know what? Brainy just illegally hacked into security cameras at a nightclub to help me solve this Dr. Jarrod's murder. I don't see you scolding him." She gestures at her computer to where security footage is playing
"Totally different." Alex says. "But...Yes, Brainy should not be using DEO tech to help you write articles. I will crack down on that."
"Just want to point out. Who do you think we learned all this rule-breaking from?" Kara asks
"That cuts deep." Alex says, sitting down on the couch and watching the footage on the computer as Kara pulls out her phone and dials a number to call. "That better be either Lena or the dumpling place." She tells Kara
"It's neither." Kara says, the call being ignored. "Willow's dodging my calls."
"And why is that?" Alex asks
"I may have...I don't know...scolded her." Kara says
"About?" Alex asks
"She keeps putting her life on the line to protect me." Kara says
"That's her job." Alex says
"No, it isn't." Kara says. "It's what I've been trying to tell her. Base Ops is gone. She doesn't need to protect me anymore."
"Okay, but, Kara, you have to understand that protecting you has been Willow's mission for years." Alex says. "She put so much time and energy and emotion and her body on the line more times than anyone can count. It's not easy for someone just to drop something like that."
"She's going to get herself killed." Kara says. "And if she dies...I don't know how I'll live with myself." She whispers, a tear dripping from her eye
"What is it about this girl?" Alex asks in a cautious whisper. "I've never seen you like this over anyone–"
"That's Dr. Jarrod, with William Dey." Kara realizies, grabbing her laptop
"And what would he be doing there?" Alex asks
"Hang on. Let me zoom in." Kara says. "That's the spider. That's the tattoo on his heart." Alex turns her head. "What do you see? Do you know that woman?"
"No. But I know those tattoos." Alex says
***
"What happened?" Alex asks, running over to Kelly
"Malefic came after her." James simply explains
"My psychic scan shows no serious signs of trauma." J'onn says. "But it would seem the release of Q-waves somehow interacted with Obsidian's tech and forged a link between Kelly's mind and Malefic's. She could see him, even when he shapeshifted."
"Well, if she can see him..." Kara starts
"Then she's a threat to him." James finishes
"I'm afraid it's even worse than that." J'onn says. "My brother now has the Martian power to incept. Make you do the things he wants you to do against your will. He'll come after her again. He'll come after all of you."
"Have you been able to figure out why he's doing this?" Kara asks
"I put him in the Phantom Zone for betraying my people." J'onn says. "I guess he just wants revenge. Look, I'm sorry that your association with me has put you all in danger. Malefic is my responsibility."
"Right now we need to get Kelly to safety." Alex says. "Taking her off the board is gonna be our best bet. That way I can focus all of my attention and our DEO resources on finding him."
"You want me to go away?" Kelly asks
"Yes. But just until we catch him." Alex says
"I think Alex is right." James says. "But don't worry, I will stay with you. Okay?"
"No, you've got decisions to make." Kelly says. "I don't want you missing out."
"But you are my priority." James tells her
"You should leave tonight." Kelly tells him
Willow makes her way over to the group, appearing out of nowhere, and stops right next to Kara. "We need to talk." She tells Kara. "You and me." The two leave the group and go towards the wall
"What's up?" Kara asks
"What's up?" Willow scoffs. "There was a mission and you didn't let me know."
"I tried calling you." Kara says
"No, you didn't." Willow says. "You tried calling me so you could tell me to stop trying to save you once again. I listened to the voicemails."
"Why are you so mad?" Kara asks
"I'm mad because it is my job to protect you." Willow says through her teeth
"Willow Greene, if you say that one more time–" Kara starts
"It's the truth." Willow says, saying each word clearly. "It's the truth." She repeats. She looks over to see James, Kelly, and Alex watching. "Just do not cut me out again. Please." And with that, she leaves
***
"What the hell is this?" Willow asks after exiting the stairwell to the floor where her apartment is to see...something
James looks up from what he's building. "It's a skating ramp." He tells her
"I told you, I haven't skated in a while." Willow says
"You're just out of practice." James tells her
"Is this your way of telling me that I need to stop asking you for rides?" Willow questions with a smile
"Never." James smiles back. "Skateboarding is something that makes you happy. And I don't know what's been going on with you since you got back but I have noticed that things have been pretty tense with you and Kara and...I don't know, I miss seeing your happy smile." He says with a shrug
"Let me go put my stuff down." Willow says. "And get my new board."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope you all enjoyed that chapter!! Remember to vote and comment!! Next chapter up NEXT TUESDAY
-MC