While Alura and M’Gann returned to the D.E.O.; giving Alex the chance to convince the young Martian girl that she was not in any danger, Barry and Kara were still in Smallville on what remains of their honeymoon.  Christmas was in the next week and the Kent farm was still covered in snow.  Despite the few nightmares Kara was still having, she and Barry were enjoying their time together.  They had decorated the farmhouse for the holiday while Jonathan and Martha were in town getting the food for Christmas dinner. 

“You know Barry, I’m really glad we got this time with Uncle Jon and Aunt Martha.”

“I am too.  I won’t say I wasn’t looking forward to Hawaii, but this…this is so much better.”

The couple was relaxing on the couch looking at the lights on the tree when Barry got a crazy idea.  Ever since the night his mother died, he’d been forced to grow up a lot faster than he’d wanted to.  Especially with the added trials of being the Flash, his idea had him just wanting to behave like a kid again.  Kara was stretched out on the couch with her feet dangling over the arm and her head resting in his lap when he suddenly got up and grabbed his coat while heading for the door.

“Barry, what are you doing?”

“Something I haven’t done in a long time.  Come on.”

Kara quickly slipped her hiking boots and her jacket on before following Barry to the front door.  Shelby was sleeping by the fireplace and lazily raised his head up when Kara called his name.  The dog followed her somewhat reluctantly as she stood on the porch and watched as her husband stepped out into the snow.  She was mystified when he extended his arms out to his sides and then he fell backwards. 

“Barry!”

Kara dashed off the porch and into the snow with Shelby by her side.  She couldn’t help but laugh when she saw Barry on his back, kicking his legs and arms out as he made a snow angel. 

“You are such a dork.”

“Maybe…but I’m your dork; forever.”

Kara rolled her eyes as Barry propped himself up on his side.  He was looking up at her with a snarky smile and reached out.  In the next instant he grabbed her right ankle and pulled her down into the snow with him.  Kara landed on her back with an exclamation Barry had never heard from her before.

“Eep!”

For a moment Kara was mortified that Barry had managed to catch her off guard like that until he was doubled over in laughter.  Embarrassment quickly turned to mock anger as she cupped her right hand in the snow.  Barry’s laughter had yet to abate as she propped herself up on her left elbow before speaking.

“I guess you think that was funny, Allen?”

“Actually, I do.  I never expected to hear Supergirl say Eep!”

Barry’s laughter was finally beginning to calm as he had to catch his breath.  He was once again on his back, arms wrapped around his stomach when Kara was ready for her revenge and spoke to get his attention.

“Well I’m glad you think that was funny, Flash.  Let’s see if you think that this is just as funny.”

Barry looked up just as Kara brought her right hand up and smashed a snowball the size of a softball in his face.  Instantly he was sputtering and coughing while his eyes watered from the shock of her actions.  He was dumbfounded as he brushed the snow out of his eyes and nose while Kara was now the one laughing hysterically.  Through his ragged breathing, Barry choked out a few words.

“Oh…so that’s how we’re going to play it?”

Soon enough the couple was back on their feet, chasing and dodging each other while pelting snowballs back and forth.  Shelby barked happily as he played in the snow alongside them.  Exuberant laughter echoed from Barry and Kara as they both fell back into the snow, heavily breathing and their faces flushed red from the cold and laughter.  When their laughter finally died down, Barry propped himself up again on his right elbow as Kara reached out and pulled him closer.  There was a sparkle in her eyes accompanying the smile on her face as she gently pressed her lips to his.  When she broke the kiss, she looked at him with adoration and a slight hint of mischief.

“Thank you for this Barry.”

“For what?”

“Letting me feel like a child again…”

“You’re welcome.”

“…and I’m sorry…”

“For what?”

“For this…”

With one arm wrapped around Barry’s shoulders Kara smashed another snowball into the back of his hair with her right hand, rubbing the snow in for good measure.  They were both laughing again as Shelby lay down in the snow and covered his eyes with his paws.  Barry and Kara were both still sitting in the snow when their euphoria was interrupted by the sound of a truck pulling back into the drive and Jonathan and Martha observing the scene.

“Well…looks like you two had fun while we were in town.  Come on…better get cleaned up before lunch.”

“Sure thing Mr. Kent.”

“Hey Jonathan…”

“Yeah Martha…”

Barry was helping Kara up and dusting the snow off her shoulders when Martha spoke.  He instantly caught a coy smirk and a mischievous gleam in the older woman’s eyes as Jonathan turned around.  His face was met with a massive snowball and laughter erupted again from Barry, Kara and Martha as he set down the bags he was holding to brush the snow from his face with a smirk of his own.

“Very funny, Martha.”

The next week passed quickly and Christmas was just days away.  When Clark hit an impasse in his research on the Worldkillers he and Lois came to Smallville to spend the holiday with family as the weather had cleared enough for a flight in.  They had been unaware that Barry and Kara were still there, but were also happy because they hadn’t yet revealed to anyone that Lois was pregnant and had already chosen who the baby’s Godparents would be.  The reveal came sooner than expected as they were all seated around the dining room table and Martha caught on immediately when she saw the unshakeable smile on Lois’ face.

“So Clark…why did you wait so long to tell us?”

“To tell you what, Mom?  You think Lois and I are hiding something?”

“Really Clark?  You think I wouldn’t notice?  Lois is absolutely glowing, and you’ve got that deer in the headlights look.  Your father and I raised you right and you’re going to be a wonderful father.”

Clark and Lois instantly blushed while Barry and Kara’s mouths dropped open in shock.  This was happy news if not slightly terrifying because a human and Kryptonian hybrid baby was thought to be impossible.  Kara recovered first, reaching over to place a hand on Barry’s jaw and close it.  While she knew that she and Barry weren’t at that point yet, the kids he had told her they had together in the Speed Force gave her hope. 

“Yes Mom, Lois is pregnant.  She’s just a few weeks along so we’re taking this one day at a time.”

“Well, I don’t have any doubts that you two will be wonderful parents.”

“Thanks Mrs. Kent.  You know I was always worried that you weren’t going to like me when I first moved to Smallville when I thought Chloe had died.”

“And the time I caught you and Clark together in the bathroom?  Lois…”

Kara sputtered and spit a bit of her drink out at that revelation.  She already knew that Clark and Lois’ history together goes way back to when he was in high school before she came to Earth, but this news caused her to look over at him in disbelief.

“It was just a misunderstanding, Kara.  Get that look off of your face.”

“And to think you gave me a hard time about Barry being in my apartment within a week of our first meeting; Clark!”

Laughter broke out around the table again between all three couples until Clark remembered what he and Lois had wanted to ask of Barry and Kara.  They had a long discussion about their baby and who they wanted to take care of him or her in the event something happened to them.  With his mother as a Kansas state Senator and his father having to slow down and watch his health after the heart attack, there was only one logical choice.

“Anyway…now that the cat’s out of the bag…Lois and I had a lengthy talk about who would take care of our baby if the worst should happen…”

“You worry too much Clark.  You’re Superman, what could possibly happen?”

“A lot could Kara.  The incident with Cadmus proves it.  Lois and I just want to be prepared and it’s with that in mind that we’ve decided that we want you and Barry to be our baby’s Godparents.”

“Clark…wow…wait…Lois…what about your sister Lucy?”

“We did think of Lucy; Kara.  But this baby is a miracle, and will potentially be born with all the capabilities you and Clark have.  We’ll need someone who can keep up.  With your combined abilities the two of you have the best chance of raising a potentially super-powered child.  Not to mention when you two have kids of your own…”

When Lois paused, Barry spit his drink out and it trailed down his shirt, causing more laughter from the others.  While he does hope for kids with Kara someday, they both know that day is still a long way off.  While he wiped his face, he also squeezed Kara’s hand and she knew how to respond.

“Barry and I would be honored.  We…”

Before Kara could finish the moment was interrupted by her phone ringing.  Alex had promised not to call unless it was a case of an extreme emergency.  She had spent the past week getting to know M’Gann and with the knowledge that she and J’onn were attacked on their way back to the D.E.O. this could be a threat that required all their assets to handle.

“Alex…”

“Kara, I know I told you I wouldn’t interrupt your honeymoon, but we need you back in National City.”

“What’s the problem?”

“J’onn.  He was on his way back to Earth when his ship was attacked.”

“Is he okay?”

“We don’t know.  His ship crashed into the D.E.O. with one passenger, but it wasn’t him.  We don’t know where he is right now, but we could use your help.”

“Barry and I will be there as soon as possible.  Between the three of us and Winn we should be able to find him.”

As Alex hung up the phone after confirming that she was sending a ride, there were expectant faces all around Kara.  Her five companions had heard the worry in her voice and each one of them knew something was wrong.

“Kara…what is it?”

“J’onn has gone missing, Barry.  His ship crashed at the D.E.O. with one passenger but it wasn’t him.  I’m sure there are more details Alex couldn’t give me over the phone.  She’s sending a flight to pick us up.”

“When?”

“This afternoon, Clark.  If J’onn is in serious danger, we need to help him.”

Barry, Clark, Kara and Lois all exchanged worried looks.  Lois didn’t know J’onn but she had heard how he took care of Kara with a watchful eye to protect her from the D.E.O. before he became the Director.  Even Clark felt indebted to him for being there for his cousin in the times that he couldn’t.  The tense silence lasted for a few moments before Barry spoke.

“I’ll go get us packed Kara.”

Barry moved off to their room with Shelby following him.  This left Clark and Kara to theorize on who could have attacked J’onn and for what purpose.  Kara was even more concerned about who had come to Earth in his ship and if this person would be a friend or foe.  They didn’t have much more time to think as an hour later, a helicopter landed on the Kent Farm just as the cousins and Barry finished suiting up.

“Superman, Supergirl, Flash…Agent Danvers sent me to take you back to National City.  She regrets that she couldn’t come personally but as Acting Director she had to remain at the D.E.O. with the person who arrived in Director J’onnz’s ship.”

“Well, we should get going then.”

As Kara and Barry climbed into the helicopter for the flight even though they could have used their powers to get back to National City.  They needed all their energy for what lie ahead, Kara noticed Clark not joining them.

“Kal?”

“You two go on, Kara.  I’ll meet you there.  Someone has to return your rental car.”

As the pilot had started up the engines, he didn’t hear the dialogue between Clark and Kara.  Nor did he hear when Jonathan, Martha and Lois came forward, the former speaking to his son.

“We can take care of the car, Clark.  Go with Kara and Barry.  And we’ll make sure Lois gets back to Metropolis.  Go rescue your friend.”

With whatever had happened to J’onn worrying him, Clark climbed into the helicopter and took a seat next to his cousin and Barry.  He could have flown under his own power as well, but the three heroes needed the time to form a plan of action for the potential threat.  Upon arriving at the D.E.O., Clark flew out of the helicopter followed by Kara carrying Barry to the high rise entrance.  The damage shocked them as they stepped into the building to be met by Alex and Alura.

“Kara, Barry, I’m so sorry that I had to…”

“It’s fine Alex. What do we know?  Have we heard anything about J’onn?”

“Nothing so far, Kara.  But you should meet the Green Martian that was in his ship when it crashed.”

“Martian?  J’onn found another Green Martian?”

“Yes Kara.  Come on.”

Barry and Kara followed Alex towards the medical wing while Clark again stayed behind, standing next to Alura.  It was a reunion for them even though he had been a baby the last time she saw him.

“Kal-El.  Seeing you alive warms my heart.  Your parents, Zor and I always had hoped that you would survive Krypton’s destruction.”

“I did, thanks to the sacrifice the four of you made to save Kara and I.  It’s nice to finally meet you; Aunt Alura.”

“Likewise Kal-El.  Jor and Lara would be proud of the man you’ve become.”

Back in Alex’s lab, M’Gann was waking up from the tests she voluntarily underwent.  As her eyes fluttered open, she reacted with a slight amount of fear to the two unknowns standing next to Alex.

“Dr. Danvers…who are these two?  They’re not going to hurt me, are they?”

Of course not M’Gann.  This is Supergirl and the Flash.  They’re friends of mine and your Uncle.”

M’Gann relaxed a bit as she slightly delved into the newcomer’s minds.  She was always hesitant to telepathically connect without permission but after all she’d been through she couldn’t help it.

“Alex…who is her…”

“Kara, this is M’Gann M’orzz.  J’onn is her Uncle.  And she needs our help to find him.”

“Well, we’ll do everything we can.  J’onn is like family to us as well M’Gann.”

“Thank you Supergirl.”

Before Kara could respond, an agent ran into the facility to alert Alex to a transmission being broadcast to the communications arrays from a signal hacking their systems from outside the Earth’s atmosphere.  Alex immediately followed the agent with Barry, Kara, and M’Gann right behind her.  Clark and Alura were watching as Winn and the others attempted to clear up the feed.

“Who are you?  How did you manage to bypass the D.E.O. security and access our systems?”

“Interesting questions that you should ask of me Agent Danvers.  But the D.E.O.’s systems are far less advanced than my own.  It was child’s play for my twelfth level intelligence to corrupt them so you can hear what I have to say.”

Clark instantly recognized the voice that was speaking to taunt them.  It was just as cold and metallic as the last time they had fought.  If it was possible he’d say that the voice was even more devoid of emotion this time.  As such he spoke before the video feed even cleared.

“What do you want Brainiac?”

“What I have always wanted Kal-El.  The death of all Kryptonian life.  But that is not the reason I have decided to reveal my presence to you.  I have something you may be missing.”

Brainiac moved aside so that all of his audience could see his captive.  He was alone with J’onn still restrained and multiple injuries splayed out over his entire body.  He had sent the Worldkillers out of the chamber as they were not ready to reveal their presence.  Tears started to fill M’Gann’s eyes as she looked at her Uncle.

“Give me back my Uncle!  He’s done nothing to you!  Let him go!”

“Another green Martian.  Interesting.  I had thought J’onn J’onnz was the last of your kind.  No matter…I have already let him go.  I just wanted you to see what I have done to him.  The pod I placed him in should be entering your atmosphere…now.”

Brainiac’s pause coincided with the D.E.O. sensors exploding in a cacophony of noise.  The pod was tracking on a direct descent towards the waterfront outside of Central City.  Alex could see the pod on the view screen as it blazed a trail across the skies.  Barry was the first to react and ran for his home while Kara and M’Gann flew off after him.  As the two women closed the gap on the pod, Kara could see that it had started to burn on reentry.  Worrying for her Uncle, M’Gann picked up speed to try and catch the pod before it hit the water.  Kara picked up the same speed and pushed M’Gann out of the way causing the latter to scream in anger.

“Supergirl!  Let me save him!”

What M’Gann hadn’t noticed because of her fury was that the pod was surrounded by flames.  Had she tried to catch it, she would have been severely burned due to the Martian weakness to fire.  A weakness Kara was all too familiar with as she had saved J’onn once in a similar situation.

“I’ve got this M’Gann!  The flames could kill you!”

Kara shouted back before catching the pod and using her Arctic breath to extinguish the flames.  While she, Barry and M’Gann were seeing to the rescue, Alex, Alura, Clark and Winn were attempting to trace Brainiac’s signal but his technology kept his vessel safely concealed as he cut the feed.  As soon as Kara landed with the pod, she broke the hatch to get to J’onn.  Barry came to a stop beside her before M’Gann landed and pushed them both out of the way.

“Uncle?!  Uncle; wake up!  I can’t lose you!”

M’Gann was desperately trying to get J’onn to wake up but he was unresponsive.  Kara couldn’t hear any breathing coming from him, so she feared the worst until M’Gann spoke, still slightly angry over Kara’s actions and Brainiac torturing him.

“I can sense slight brain activity.  My Uncle is alive, but unconscious.  Supergirl…it was not your place to catch his pod!  He’s my family…you should have…!”

Barry could see the anger in M’Gann’s eyes and stepped in to try and diffuse the situation before it could escalate.

“M’Gann…if you had caught the pod…you would have been killed!  Kara told me…fire is deadly to Martians!”

Looking over at Kara, M’Gann realized Barry is correct.  She knows she’s weak against fire, but Kara didn’t have any signs of injury, only holes burned into her suit and cape.  Kara saved both of their lives by doing what she did.

“I’m sorry Supergirl.  You didn’t deserve my anger.  Thank you for…”

“I told you M’Gann, J’onn is like family to me as well.  I couldn’t let you kill yourself to save him.  He’s always thought he was the last of his kind, just like my cousin Kal did before I arrived on Earth.  And you can call me Kara.”

With J’onn safe, M’Gann carried him while Kara carried the remains of the pod back to the D.E.O., and Barry stopped in at Star Labs to check in with his team and to see how Jesse and Wally were doing with their training.  Unbeknownst to the heroes, Brainiac was still in orbit around the Earth, working on the next phase of his plan with the Worldkillers.

“I hope you know the risk you took with this Brainiac.  If Kal-El and his allies test the Martian’s injuries they will learn that you were not the one who tortured him.”

“I am counting on them to examine his injuries; Reign.  However, by the time they learn the truth, it will already be too late.  They will have fallen at the hands of one of their own.  You will have your war, and your vengeance.”

Reign fell silent as her sisters joined her on the command deck of Brainiac’s ship.  While they were willing to work with him for the time being, their plan to eliminate the Kryptonians was just the first step.  When they were done with them, Brainiac would be their next target.  It was just a matter of time and patience. 

Back at the D.E.O., Alex had gotten J’onn stabilized and began her examination of his injuries.  M’Gann was by his side and wasn’t going to leave until he woke up.  Kara came and checked on them both after talking with her mother, knowing that M’Gann needed friends around her.

“So, M’Gann, how would you feel about staying with us?”

“I’m not leaving my Uncle; Kara.”

“I’m not suggesting that.  You’re family. He’s the Martian Manhunter, so…”

“Then you can call me Miss Martian.”