Chapter Text
“…and now, join us today as we look back at the past three months here in National City.”
“It’s starting!” Jemma calls out.
Their friends, all talking and milling about her and Daisy’s penthouse, gather around the TV.
“As you all know, a lot has happened in our city in the past few months,” the newscaster continues. “We suffered through a second Daxamite invasion, which would’ve ended with the destruction of our city if not for the quick actions of an unnamed but heroic DEO consultant. This person used the Daxamite’s own dimension-hopping technology against them to move the entire city out of harm’s way of their attempted orbital bombardment.”
Everyone cheers. Daisy slides her arm around Jemma’s lower back, smiling at her.
“You’re my favorite unnamed DEO consultant,” Daisy says.
“What a sweet-talker you are,” Jemma says, grinning.
“Unfortunately, though brief as it was, the invasion still devastated the downtown area. Hundreds were injured, and the cost of repairs was astronomical. In addition to the disaster relief funding we received from the government, the city’s own L-Corp donated heavily to the rebuilding process.”
“Yes we did!” Lena says, which elicits more cheers.
“Not only did the company contribute, but its famed CEO, Lena Luthor” – here the news show displays a picture of Lena, looking authoritative in a clean-cut suit and under lighting that accentuates her cheekbones – “dug into her own pockets to continue the flow of money into the city.”
“Great pic, L,” Daisy says.
“Thanks, they took it from my latest CatCo Media photoshoot,” Lena says, throwing a playful glance at Kara.
“However, we haven’t even gotten to the most incredible consequence of the Daxamite invasion,” the newscaster says. “Whatever technology the Daxamites used to travel between universes became overloaded after moving the city, and once we snapped back into place a distinctive beam of light formed.”
A picture of the beam is shown on screen, capturing how surreally bright it is, even during the day. The beam shoots right up into the clouds, its terminating point unseen.
“This beam of light allows us to travel back and forth between our new sister universe, known as Universe Nordica. This is a nearly unfathomable addition to all of our lives.”
The newscaster takes a pause for dramatic effect.
“However, the beam remains closed to the public, and for good reason. Research is still ongoing, and officials want to ensure that travel between universes is completely safe before it’s open to the public. In addition, the governments of both their world and our own want to make sure that travel is regulated in some way. Everyone has the same questions on their minds. Who will be allowed to use the beam? How will universal immigrants be selected and approved? How heavily should the beams be regulated and guarded? How will law enforcement function with the possibility of criminals from another universe? Will businesses be allowed to cross over between worlds?”
“No borders!” Daisy shouts, which gets laughs and cheers across the room.
“These questions and more will be discussed at the upcoming Inter-Universal Peace Talks, which will be held at our very own Convention Center in downtown National City,” the newscaster says. “Though security will be heavy – there are talks that our own three-woman team of Kryptonians will be there – the Talks will be open to the press and to select members of the public, in addition to being simulcast on several channels and streamed online. Though we have a tentative date for this event, public officials from both worlds are still having discussions to even get to the point where they can both agree on what will even be discussed at the Peace Talks.”
The newscaster shuffles some papers around her desk, before clearing her throat and slightly leaning forward.
“And now, if I may, I would just like to say that I hope we can find a solution that safely opens our city up to people of the other universe,” she says. “Though we’ve had some bumps along the way, National City is a place that prides itself on its inclusivity. From our embracement of the LGBTQ community to the integration of aliens into our society, our city should continue to strive to be a shining beacon of these values. I hope that the representatives we send to the peace talks can fight for what we, as a city, believe in. Thank you.”
The broadcast shifts to interviews with witnesses of the Daxamite invasion, first responders, and other people affected by the chaos that’s happened in recent months. The crowd around the TV begins to disperse, as people break off into their own conversations or go hunting for food and drink.
“Quite a thing, isn’t it?” Jemma asks. “It’s been a crazy time here in National City.”
“I know,” Daisy says. “And we’re about to have a month under our belts at L-Corp. I can hardly believe that, too.”
“A stable job where we don’t get shot at,” Jemma says, a playful grin on her face. “Quite the dream.”
“Not only that, but we’re both technically DEO consultants,” Daisy says. “If Alex needs us for a mission, she knows where to find us.”
“You’ve already been complaining about how tired work makes you,” Jemma says. “And you still want to run missions?”
“Hey, don’t tease me,” Daisy says. “I love my job, but all I do is stand around and stare at a screen. I’ve probably overdosed on staring at screens by this point in my life.”
“A real struggle, getting paid to do the thing you love to do already,” Jemma says.
“I think living together has made my humor rub off on you,” Daisy says. “I don’t know if I like it.”
Jemma just laughs.
Outside on the patio, Lena finds Kara leaning against the railing, her blonde hair getting tousled by the wind.
“Girl of steel,” Lena calls out as she walks over to her. “What’s on your mind?”
“Just thinking about my upcoming trip,” Kara says. “It feels like forever since I’ve taken any time off.”
“Well, you’ve had a lot on your plate,” Lena says. “Protecting the city, training Sam, stopping an entire invasion – it’s a lot to carry on your shoulders. You deserve a little time off.”
“I never felt good about leaving the city before,” Kara says. “But now it seems like it’s in capable hands. I think it’s going to be okay.”
“It is going to be okay, Kara,” Lena says, reaching out to grab Kara’s hand. “I hope you enjoy your vacation.”
I will,” Kara says, smiling. “I always love going back to Midvale and seeming my mom. Now don’t get me wrong, I love National City, but there’s nothing quite like that small town vibe.”
“If you say so,” Lena says, grinning playfully at her.
“I’ll miss you when I’m gone,” Kara says.
“I know,” Lena says. “I’ll miss you too. But I’m only a phone call away.”
Back in the kitchen, Sam is slowly grazing through the available snacks while Alex leans against one of the countertops and tries to look disaffected.
“Hey, you want another beer?” Sam asks around a mouthful of hummus and carrots.
“I love you, but your eating habits are so gross,” Alex says, a slight grin on her face. “And yes, I will take a beer.”
“Sure, I’ll get you a bottle of that fancy IPA swill that you like,” Sam says.
She grabs a bottle out of the fridge and casually pops the cap off with her thumb, handing it to Alex with a cheeky grin on her face.
“Showoff,” Alex says, before taking a long swig of the drink. “So, are you excited to take over as the sole super-person in this city?”
“Well, Daisy is still here,” Sam says. “And I can’t even dissolve matter like she can. Is that concerning to anyone else?”
“No, I’m terrified,” Alex says. “But, at the same time, she still can’t fly.”
“A fair point,” Sam says. “I think I’m ready. I’ve been training a lot with Kara, and she’s been telling me everything she knows. I want to show the city that I’m worthy of protecting it. I’m more than what I once was.”
“You are,” Alex says. “Everyone else will see that, too. In time.”
Sam exhales audibly.
“In time,” she says.
Slowly, as the shadows grow long and the sun sinks in the sky, people begin to filter out of the party until only Daisy and Jemma remain. The sun, sunk nearly completely below the horizon, throws a few wayward beams of light into their apartment, suffusing it with a golden glow.
“That was fun,” Daisy says.
“It was,” Jemma says. “I can hardly believe we’re in a place in our lives where we can entertain our friends in our own home.”
“Well, technically, this is still Lena’s property,” Daisy says.
“Indeed, she does have too much money,” Jemma says.
The two of them occupy themselves with leisurely cleaning up the remains of the party.
“I wish our friends from our own universe could come,” Daisy says. “I wish they would just figure out this whole situation.”
“I do too,” Jemma says. “But we’re in a very delicate situation as it stands. And nobody can agree on anything in one world; now, we’re asking people from two to come together and strive for peace.”
“Some days it just seems impossible,” Daisy says. “Especially the only solution I want to see happen is for fully open exchange between both universes, and nobody seems to be fighting for that.”
“People are fighting for that,” Jemma says. “Politicians and corporations aren’t.”
Daisy sighs.
“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” Daisy says. “There’s not much we can do.”
“You can try calling your local representative,” Jemma says, a grin on her face.
“Screw that,” Daisy says. “I know that Lena is involved in all of this. I’m going to get her to push this through.”
“A good plan,” Jemma says. “We all know how famously pliable the ultra-successful Lena Luthor is.”
Finally, feeling satisfied with her progress, Jemma closes her book and switches off the lamp by her side of the bed.
“Finished reading your nerd book?” Daisy asks.
“Shush, you,” Jemma says. “It’s a good read. Honest!”
Daisy laughs before leaning forward to kiss Jemma on the lips.
“Good night, nerd,” Daisy says. “I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll make pancakes.”
Jemma smiles fondly at her.
“Good night, my Daisy,” Jemma says. “And I’m holding you to that.”