Stained Glass

Chapter 3: Toxic

"What the hell was that?" Oliver asked out loud, as a flying...someone...saved the plane, eyes wide. "Did people start flying while I was away?"

"Oh good, you saw that too. I was beginning to think there was something in my drink." Tommy said, sounding just as awed. "And...no, that's a new one, but hey, at least your assistant's dads will be okay."

"Kara..." Oliver said, slowly, grasping onto the excuse and grabbing his jacket. "Come on, we should go make sure she's okay."

"Oliver Queen, worrying for someone he barely knows?" Tommy laughed. "Man, what happened to you on that island?"

"A lot." Oliver replied. "Come on." If he was honest, his concern wasn't really for Kara. The idea that someone had strange powers in his town, abilities he couldn't account for; that put him on edge. He had to know what was going on, and Kara, well, if he could make her feel better while doing his job, it was more than he had managed with his family thus far.

Kara knew she should go home and wait. She knew the people were safe. She knew her dads were safe -- at least in her head. Her heart, however, struggled with that. She had come to this planet to try and raise her cousin, but she had arrived late, and for all her powers and the resources of Kord Industries, she had never found him. Aside from one adopted half-brother who was from the future and spent more time bouncing around time than anywhere else, her dads were all she had. If she lost them, well...it's not like she could move in with her brother. Until she touched them, she wouldn't be able to stop worrying.

Super-speed left her hair dry, if dirty, and let her change back. A purposeful fall in the alley covered for that and ruined one of her favorite blouses, but in short minutes, she was in the crowd, pushing the police tape with the other families.

Before long, the passengers were being fished out by boats. Kara was so focused on watching each person, that the hand on her shoulder actually startled her. "Is everyone okay?" Oliver asked, looking down at her.

"I don't know." Kara admitted. "They're not saying anything yet...but it's better than it could have been."She smiled a watery smile at him and Tommy. "You boys didn't have to follow me here."

"Hey, it was nothing." Tommy replied, nodding to her outfit. "Though we should have offered you a ride. Would have, if you hadn't rushed out."

"Tripped in the alley." Kara joked. "Might need a tetanus shot. Don't really know what's wrong with me." She chuckled nervously.

"You were upset." Oliver said with a nod. "I know what this is like. I...wanted to make sure you're okay." He gave her a grin. "And even if I never let a pretty girl run out on me before, I don't know what I'd do in the morning if you didn't bring me those sticky buns."

Kara laughed, but a flash in her peripheral vision had her turning. "Oh, thank Rao." She murmured under her breath, relaxing. Sure enough, Ted Kord and Michael Carter were in one of the boats, apparently with someone on a stretcher. "They're okay." She said louder, feeling like she could breathe again. "I couldn't do that again."

"Do what?" Tommy asked, frowning.

"My dads adopted me...after I was the only one to survive the fire where my family died." Kara choked out. It wasn't the truth, obviously, but it was close. Krypton had burned while she watched, until the shockwave rattled the pod and knocked her into the Phantom Zone.

"I'm sorry for prying." Tommy said, awkwardly.

"It's fine." Kara dismissed, taking a deep breath, realizing that unconsciously she had started leaning against Oliver. "This whole thing's been a bit of a flashback." The adrenaline of the rescue had worn off, and the engine that had flown at her as it disconnected from the plane had resurfaced in her head, the air turbulence and the feeling of the flames against her body. "I'm fine."