• January 04, 2018 •

Brainiac had woken up before Imra and as he was a humanoid, he had healed much faster. With his abilities of being a twelfth-level intellect and having knowledge about the technologies of the future, he became Tim's prime target to learn about the 31st Century.

So Mon was no longer being plagued by the eighteen year old tech wizard who was currently interrogating Brainiac about what the future technology was like. As expected, he had given Brainiac a nickname as well and kept calling him Brainy though the latter didn't seem to mind it.

But Tim wasn't so satisfied with the results of his thorough investigation. It seemed as if he had set up quite an advanced image of the world of the 31st Century but Brainiac's explanation had not met up with his over-the-top expectations.

"So you guys don't have smartphones anymore, I feel like that's a downgrade," he had frowned in disappointment when Brainiac told him they no longer used phones to communicate.

With Tim occupied, Mon returned to the med bay where Kara was keeping watch over Imra. He knocked yet again to let his presence known and she nodded in affirmation so he stepped in. He stopped beside the bed Imra was lying in and checked the vitals displayed on the screen.

Kara had never before seen him that concerned for anyone and deep down it was a nice feeling to see him care for his partner so much. Back when she had made the decision to let Mon go rather than Zach, she had been worried that he might never be able to move on. But seeing him love and care for another person put her anxious heart to rest as well.

She knew it wasn't her fault that he fell for her and she couldn't return his feelings because her heart had already belonged to Zach. But Mon-El was a nice person and he had improved himself a lot. She wanted him to have the best in life.

And so far, she was relieved to see that Mon had moved on and by the way he was concerned for Imra, it was evident that his feelings for her were genuine.

"Thanks for looking after her," he spoke up, "I'll stay here now."

She could see it was his way of telling her that she could leave if she wanted to.

"It wasn't a problem," she replied, "how are you feeling?"

"Much better. I hope Imra wakes up soon too."

"She will," she reassured him, "I feel like she'll wake up any moment now."

And Kara was right because she had been observing Imra for a long time by then and she knew the woman was no longer in that deep comatose state. The slight movements of her fingers twitching indicated that she was trying to wake up.

Mon had sat down on the chair beside her bed and tentatively took her limp hand in his own. His eyes lifted to meet Kara's, waiting for her to say something.

"So you're part of the Legion now," Kara awkwardly mended the conversation, choosing that topic because she wanted to know what Mon had been through in those years he had been away from them, "and here I thought you didn't want to be a hero."

"I still don't," he admitted honestly, "but I figured out one very important thing. Once you start to save people and help them out, it feels more like a responsibility rather than a choice. I would never choose to be a hero but I feel responsible for it somehow."

She smiled because she knew that feeling very well. It was what Clark had taught them that they were lucky to have abilities an average human did not and it was best if they used their abilities for a greater benefit.

"You remember how you used to say you were trying to come a long way from being a shitty person?" She spoke up and it took him by surprise at first but he chuckled, recalling that he used to say it quite often. "I feel like you've come far enough. You're no longer a shitty person. Not even one percent."

"That's good to know."

He would have said something else but felt Imra's grip on his hand tighten. Immediately focusing his attention on her, he waited for her to stir again, a gleam of hope in his eyes that she was finally waking up. Slowly but not after a long time, Imra's eyes fluttered open, soft hazel looking up in his clear blue.

"Mon..."

"I'm right here," he clasped her hand in his and had left the seat, crouching down on his knees to be close to her.

Imra must not have been expecting to find herself in a surrounding so unfamiliar from the space pod or the Legion's HQ but having Mon beside her was a confirmation in itself that they were safe. If that wasn't the case, Mon would not look so relieved as he did right then.

Her hand had reached out to cup his cheek gently and overcome by the relief of seeing her alive and conscious, he bent down and kissed her. 

"Thank God you woke up," he breathed, all the anxiety that had been building up inside him slowly loosened its hold, "we were all so worried for you."

"We as in...?" At that remark, she had tilted her head to see Kara on the other side of the bed, azure eyes flickering in a silent apology as Kara felt she should give them some privacy and step out.

Imra noticed that the woman she was looking at had blonde hair and azure eyes just like Mon had described Supergirl aka Kara Danvers to her back when she had asked him a lot about his friends and his time on the Earth of the 21st Century. Seeing the S symbol and the red and blue suit was enough to confirm Imra that they had somehow crossed a time portal and landed back in the time from where Mon had come from.

Kara felt a bit nervous about how Imra would react to her presence and she didn't know whether she should introduce herself or wait for Mon to explain the situation to his wife. But the need for that didn't arise as Imra had connected the dots herself, much to Kara's surprise.

"You must be Kara," her voice was still a bit hoarse but free from any judgment as she spoke, "it's so nice... To finally meet you."

***

• January 05, 2018 •

With Zach's option as an athlete closing due to his leg injury, it was quite difficult for him to find another career that could interest him. Seven months had elapsed since that explosion at the MTC and though Zach could walk by himself, without needing crutches or a wheelchair, he had a slight limp that prevented him from taking part in any marathons again.

He had focused all his ambitions on qualifying for the Olympics but couldn't get the opportunity to covet his dreams. Still, he wasn't going to keep mourning over that fact and had decided to move on.

True it was difficult for him to start afresh and look for other opportunities but with the support from his friends and family, he had started to look for a different career.

His first choice was to work at the animal shelter he had visited with Kara but when he approached them, he found out that they were open for volunteer work but did not have any job vacancies. He did apply for volunteer work for a few weeks while he reconsidered his options.

Ava told him he could apply for the firm she was working in but he preferred to stay at an arm's length from Metropolis Trade Center, a reaction not quite unexpected from him. Another option was what Kara had suggested, saying that he was good at photography so he could explore that as a career too.

And though at first Zach had been doubtful about it, Clark told him that there were vacancies in the Daily Planet's photography department and he could apply there.

As a plus point, Kara was also considering to apply in the editorial section back then so Zach decided to give that option a shot.

Therefore, three months back, he had applied as a photographer in the Daily Planet along with Kara who had gotten the job of a news writer and reporter. She preferred the writing part more than reporting but often Zach and Kara would be teamed up to bring out the latest news coverage for the paper.

That career choice was very different and one that Zach might never have considered otherwise but he found himself eventually adjusting to it.

The staff at the Daily Planet was friendly, Clark would pop in every now and then to see if he was doing okay and last but definitely not least, Kara was in the same field of work. All these factors made it easier for him to adjust and accept his new profession.

He was in his cubicle at the photography department, just adding the finishing touches to a shoot of the New Year carnival that they had covered for that week when his phone buzzed. He leaned over to pick up the phone and saw Kara's contact flashing on the screen.

She had not come to work and he didn't know the details except for her saying that it was a YJ mission. So seeing her texting him meant she was either free or she was stuck in another situation.

Are you free this evening? The text read and he thought about whether he had something on his schedule or not.

Yes, I am.

Good. The reply came quite immediately. Can you come to the cafe around 6 then?

Sure.

He knew she was referring to the cafe that was located near his place. They had often gone there to have coffee and it was quite a favorite place for their dates.

How was the mission? He typed out as he was slightly curious to know what had kept her busy for two days.

Well, the mission himself wants to meet you so think of this as a double date. See you at the cafe.

That was quite an out of the blue response but judging by the tone of the words, he felt as if Kara was happy with the way the mission had turned out. It also seemed like she wanted him to meet someone as she had clearly written double date.

A smile played upon his lips as he put the phone back and focused on finishing the edits of the pictures he had clicked at the carnival. The article was almost done by another colleague so he just had to set the photographs in and then the task for the day would be wrapped up.

With the incentive of meeting Kara brightening up his mood, it didn't take him long to get done with his work. Luckily there were no more tasks to handle so when it was off time, Zach packed his stuff, picked up his jacket and slinging the laptop bag over his shoulder, he left the office after bidding farewell to the remaining colleagues.

***