SteelCorp

Chapter 5

  It has been 3 months since Thalia arrived in National City. Durring that time she worked several cases as Max Steel and as Agent McGrath. She also ended up working with Lena Luthor on several occasions and developing the beginnings of a friendship.
    Thalia is pacing restlessly in her room after inviting Lena to lunch. She has decided that if they were going to be friends, she was going to tell Lena the truth about Max Steel.
    “Are you sure this is a good idea kid?” Asks Steel as he floats over Thalia’s bed to avoid being run into.
    Nervously Thalia stops pacing momentarily to look at Steel. “I don’t know. I mean it worked out fine when dad told mom. I really do want to be friends with Lena and friendship requires honesty. I don’t want to lie to Lena anymore.”
    “Alright if this is what you really want, I will support you.” Says Steel flashing a smiley face emoji.
    “Thanks Steel.” Sighs Thalia rubbing her temples trying to relieve some of the stress.
    Just then Kori knocks on the door. “Thalia its time to meet Miss. Luthor for lunch. You should get going you don’t want to be late.”
    Stuffing Steel into her messenger bag, Thalia opens the door and heads for the garage. “Thank you for the heads-up Kori.”
    Thalia jumps into her convertible and heads for the café she and Lena had agreed upon earlier that morning. She heaves a sigh of relief when she finds that she has arrived before Lena. She takes a moment to compose herself then heads inside to wait. Lena arrives 5 minutes later and they both place their orders and chat.
  “So how are things going? You sounded a little strange when you called this morning.” States Lena concern lacing her words.
   Thalia sits up a little straighter clearing her throat. “No, yeah everything is fine just a little tired I guess.” 
    “Are you sure? I mean you can tell me anything we are friends, right?” Asks Lena clearly not convinced.
     Taking a deep breath, Thalia answers. “No, we’re not. Well not really anyway…I mean friends are honest with each other and I will be the first to admit that I haven’t been fully honest with you. That is why I asked if you could get lunch with me today.”
Startled Lena asks. “What do you mean? Is that why you sounded odd on the phone and have been acting strange since I got here? If you are uncomfortable being friends with me because I’m a Luthor…”
    “No that’s not it.” Interrupts Thalia sharply but with no trace of anger.
    “Then what is it?” Asks Lena as she calms down a bit.
    Looking around Thalia gets up and urges Lena to follow her. “Its easier if I just show you. But not here, let’s go somewhere where there are fewer prying eyes.”
    Lena promptly follows Thalia to an empty alley behind the café. “What are we doing back here?”
    “Look I really do want to be friends but I know we can’t until I come clean about a few things first. I just hope you don’t end up hating me forever after.” Replies Thalia as she steps away from Lena then turns to face her.
    Frowning Lena answers. “I would like it if we could be friends. But I don’t understand what you are trying to say. Why would I hate you?”
    Thalia’s only reply is taking a deep breath and placing her bag on the ground next to her. Closing her eyes, Thalia straightens up and speaks a single word. “Steel?”
    The little alien promptly flies from the bag and engages with the link on Thalia’s chest. There is a brief flash of blue light and Thalia’s clothes are replaced by her armor.
    When the light fades and Lena finally gets a good look her jaw drops. “What?”
    Dismissing her helmet, Thalia gives a nervous little wave. “Hi.”
    “Wait so you’re telling me that you are really Max Steel? Why?” Asks Lena in complete shock and awe.
    “Because I want to be friends and I don’t want to lie to you anymore.” Answers Thalia confidently.
    Hesitating and taking a step back, Lena replies. “I…I need to go.”
    With that, Lena turns quickly on her heel and all but runs from the alley.
    “Lena wait!” Thalia calls after Lena attempting follow her.
    Steel disengages from the armor. “Let her go kid. She needs some space and time to sort things out.”
    “I know, you're right. She totally hates me now I just know it.” Sighs Thalia reactivating the armor’s camouflage mode and returning to her car.
    Before she realises it, Thalia ends up at Alex's apartment. She is surprised when Maggie Sawer answers her knock.
    “Agent McGrath. What are you doing here?” Says Maggie confused.
    Recovering from her surprise, Thalia replies. “Sorry I need to speak with Agent Danvers about a case. Is she here?”
    “No. She just left saying she needed to speak to you actually.” Answers Maggie.
    Thalia laughs nervously. “Right. I forgot to charge my phone last night so I couldn’t call. Anyway, I’ll head out to meet her now. Sorry for bothering you.”
    “Alright then, bye.” Replies Maggie with a frown as she closes the door.
    “Well that couldn’t have been more awkward.” Says Steel from inside the messenger bag.
     Thalia replies with a scoff. “Heh. You’re telling me.” 
     It’s not long before Thalia manages to catch up with Alex at the bar. When she finally finds her, Thalia slumps into the seat across from Alex with a sigh.
    “Uh oh that’s not a happy sound. Let me guess, Lena totally freaked out?” Says Alex in a light teasing tone.
    “Well I wouldn’t say freaked out. More like shocked and…wait how do you know I was going to tell Lena I’m Max Steel?” Answers Thalia confused.
    Alex responds laughing. “Steel told me. He wanted to know what I thought about it and if I would support you if I was in his place.”
    “Why that little…Steel! Why would you tell her?!” replies Thalia angrily.
    Staying put in the bag Steel says. “No comment.”
    Thalia merely growls then sighs slumping further into the seat. “Ugh.”
    Concerned, Alex leans forward and puts her hand on Thalia’s arm. “It couldn’t have been that bad.”
    Looking up, Thalia mumbles. “She all but ran away Alex. The one person I thought could be my only friend outside of you, Kara, and Maggie. She totally hates me now; I just know it.”
    “Well I can’t say for sure, but she doesn’t hate you. She just needs time to work things out. You know what, I think you could use a drink.” Says Alex trying to comfort Thalia.
    Thalia smirks at Alex. “Can’t get drunk remember? Besides we don’t know what weird alcohol they have here is actually safe for a Tachyan.”
    “Boo!” Retorts Alex downing the last of her drink.
    Laughing Thalia answers. “I can always ask my dad or uncle Berto to find out. Also, Maggie said you were looking for me.”
    “Yay! Yeah you remember those guys that stole the Tachyan armor three months ago?” Says Alex clearly perking up at the mention of her girlfriend.
    Thalia raises a brow in question. “Yeah? What about them?”
    “Well I heard that the owner of Trans Human Industries hired them.” States Alex dropping her voice.
    At that Thalia can’t help but burst out laughing. “Haha! Now I know you're drunk. Why would my grandmother, ex NTek agent, hire a bunch of crooks to rob her own son?”
    “Wait. The owner is your grandma? Why didn’t you tell me?” Asks Alex with a slur.
    Rolling her eyes and helping Alex to her feet Thalia responds. “I did. You’re just drunk. Come on I’m taking you home.”
    Arriving at Alex's apartment, Thalia struggles to hold up Alex and knock on the door.
    “Steel, a little help here.” Grunts Thalia as Alex suddenly shifts her weight.
    Laughing Steel responds. “You're doing fine kid. I’m just along for the ride.”
“Why you annoying little…” Thalia's retort is cut short by Maggie opening the door.
    “What is going on out here?” Says Maggie rubbing sleep from her eyes.
    With a heave and a grunt, Thalia manages to drop Alex into Maggie’s arms. “Here, your girlfriend decided to try and cheer me up with drinks. She clearly forgot that I can’t get drunk.”
    “Wait what about the case she said you two were working on?” Asks Maggie confused.
    Rolling her eyes Thalia explains what happened at the bar.
    “So those guys from three months ago used to work for your grandmother at THI?” Says Maggie even more confused than before.
    “Pretty much. We didn’t get further than that. Of course, I’m going to ask my grandmother about it tomorrow but I think Alex needs to get some sleep. She is going to have one heck of a hangover in the morning.” Answers Thalia motioning at the now sleeping DEO agent.
    Smiling Maggie thanks Thalia for driving Alex home then carries her to bed. As Thalia is leaving the apartment her phone starts ringing. Looking at the caller ID, she is surprised to see Lena’s name flash across the screen.
    “Lena! I didn’t think…” Answers Thalia surprise clear in her voice.
    Before she can finish Lena cuts in. “I’m sorry about running off earlier. It’s just that it was a lot to take in and I needed some time to sort things out on my own.”
    “That’s okay. I understand it was a lot at once. There is no need to apologise.” Responds Thalia, relief flooding through her.
    “Still, I should have said something instead of running off.” Replies Lena, guilt lacing her words.
    Unable to resist a smile, Thalia answers. “No need to feel bad about it. You actually took it a lot better than I expected. Although I would understand if you hate me now for lying to you for so long.”
    “I don’t hate you Thalia. Sure, I was a little upset at first, but I understand why you had to keep it a secret from me. I mean my family doesn’t exactly have the best track record with super heroes or aliens after all.” Replies Lena laughing nervously.
    Surprised Thalia rushes to respond. “That’s not why. I was protecting the people I care about, that includes you. I don’t care that your last name is Luthor, heck I doubt I could care less if it was Smith.”
    “Oh well that makes a lot more sense. Although I would like it if we could be friends. If you still want to that is.” States Lena with a nervous edge.
    Thalia answers with a breathy chuckle. “Of course, I still want to be friends Lena. You are the only person I know that I don’t work with. I could use a real friend right about now.”
    “If it’s friends you need, I can introduce you to Kara Danvers. She is a reporter at Catco. She has been a great friend to me.” Replies Lena clearly relieved.
    “I think I’d like that.” Thalia says with a smile.
   “Well now that we got that settled. I need to get back to work. Talk to you soon?” Says Lena, a happy edge to her voice.
    Smiling Thalia answers. “Yeah we will talk soon.”
    “I told you things would work out in the end kid.” Says Steel happy that things sorted themselves out.
    Still smiling Thalia replies. “Yeah you did. Thank you for your support Steel.”
    “Not like I had much of a choice.” Mumbles the Ultra-link.
    Feeling slightly offended, Thalia retorts. “Why you little snot!”
    Steels only response is his cheeky chuckle.  
    Arriving at the house, Thalia is surprised to see her father’s truck in the driveway. She quickly parks beside it and heads into the house. She finds Max sitting in a chair near the fire place in the library.
    “Hey dad. What’s up?” Thalia asks almost nervously.
    Looking up from his magazine, Max answers. “Not much squirt. I’ve been keeping tabs on your work as Max Steel, and I think you are ready to start learning how to draw Turbo Weapons.”
    “Seriously? I thought grandpa said not to bother because I’m more human than Tachyan and that my Turbo Energy was too unstable.” States Thalia, both confused and excited.
    Scoffing Max replies. “Bah. Who cares what my dad thinks, he believed I would never be able to do it. Besides you are my daughter and we won’t know until we try.”
    “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” shouts Thalia wrapping her dad in a tight hug.
    When she finally lets him go, Max ruffles her hair as he makes his way out of the library. “Alright. You should go and get some sleep; we start training first thing in the morning.”