Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Alex didn't know where she was - not that she really cared. She focused on the task at hand, trying to block out all other distractions around her. To block out the world. As she poured another drink, it sloshed over the bar. Dammit, she thought despondently, what a waste.
The bar was relatively busy for a weekday. The décor was something left to be desired, but the food was good which resulted in a steady stream of customers through-out the day. It wasn't really to Alex's taste, but she was running out of options and as long as they were serving, she wasn't leaving. Not willingly, anyway.
Realising the bottle was empty, Alex called the woman behind the bar over. 'I wan' t'nother.' she slurred, swinging the bottle round before slamming it back on the bar. Noticing the bartenders look, she added 'Without judgement.'
The woman hesitated a moment longer, trying to judge how much trouble she thought Alex could be. Deciding she couldn't be much of a threat, the woman placed another bottle of whisky on the bar with a muttered 'That's your lot.'
Alex quickly snatched the bottle away as if afraid the woman might change her mind. As she poured another drink, being very careful not to spill any this time, she subconsciously tuned into a news item on the television behind her.
'Thank you, Hugh,' came the news reporters voice. 'Yes, I am downtown in what, to all intents and purposes, could be seen as a disaster movie.' Alex rolled her eyes as she knocked her drink back before immediately pouring another.
'Two aliens attempted to rob National City Bank whilst trying to also cause as much chaos and disruption in the street as possible. Luckily for us, our resident hero was able to swoop in and foil their plans. And here she is now! Supergirl, would you mind if I asked you a few questions?'
Alex's back stiffened upon hearing that name. Her heart rate suddenly picking up.
'Of course, Ben.' came Supergirl's friendly reply.
'Great. Thank you.' stuttered the reporter, flustered over Supergirl knowing his name. Supergirl smiled warmly at him, patiently waiting for his question. 'Right, erm…can you tell me in your own words what happened here?'
Supergirl's face turned serious. 'Well Ben, at approximately 11:30am -'
Alex's hand tightened around her glass. 'Turn it off,' she said quietly.
The woman behind the bar frowned at her. 'Excuse me?'
Suddenly Alex's anger exploded. 'I said turn it off!' She whirled round, hurling her glass at the image of Supergirl on the screen. The screen cracked as the glass shattered, causing several patrons to scream. There was an awkward silence as all eyes turned to Alex. No one dared move. Alex turned her back on them all, returning to her task of drinking herself into oblivion. Realising she now had no glass, Alex leaned over the bar to grab another.
Somewhere behind her a man cleared his throat. 'I guess you don't like her either.'
Alex slowly turned to face the person who had spoken. 'What did you say?'
'Well, you know...that alien bitch lords it over us all, like she's some kind of god, regardless of what we want.'
Alex regarded him coolly. The man stepped back, to the comfort of his group of friends, withering under that gaze. Alex stepped in. 'Go on. Say that one more time.'
The man falters. 'That - that alien whore should just go home or better yet - die.'
Alex smiles at him. 'Thank you.'
The man's confidence lifted 'For what?'
'For giving me an excuse,' she says before the bar erupts into chaos.
Supergirl was backed into a corner, with no hope of escaping any time soon. With a smile plastered to her face, she obligingly posed for selfie after selfie whilst signing random paraphernalia, everything from sandwich packets to skin. After her interviews with NCTV and Catco, she was accosted by fans, and although Supergirl found this side of being a superhero a little uncomfortable, she would never want to disappoint people if she could help it.
James Olsen pulled up on his motorbike. Dressed as his hero alter-ego, Guardian, he turned more than a few heads. 'Hey, Supergirl, you got a minute? I have something that needs your attention.'
Supergirl nodded to Guardian in acknowledgement before turning her attention to those still crowding her. 'Sorry, ladies and gents, but duty calls.' She strolled over to where Guardian was sat astride his bike, aware that people were now taking pictures of both her and Guardian. 'So, what's up?'
'Nothing. I just thought you needed help.'
'I had it under control.' Supergirl responded, with a slight pout.
'Really? Cos' you know, you looked kind of trapped.'
Supergirl glanced around to make sure no-one was too close. 'You know how looks can be deceiving. But thanks. See you back at the DEO?'
Guardian shook his head. 'No. I'm going to patrol for a while. I'll check in later.' With that he gunned his bike and sped off, whilst Supergirl leapt into the air, heading for the DEO.
Winn Schott stared at the screen in front of him with such intensity, his eyes were beginning to hurt. Since working for the Department of Extra-Normal Operations or DEO for short, Winn had gotten used to pulling an all-nighter without a second thought. But in the past few months, he had barely been home, and it was beginning to take its toll. He rubbed his eyes to try and improve his focus and realising it hadn't helped at all, stood up to stretch.
As he did so, Supergirl flew into the main hub of the DEO shapeshifting as she landed, first into his true form J'onn Jonz, the Green Martian, before settling into his human persona of Hank Henshaw, Director of the DEO. Winn was about to approach the Director when an alert went off on his console. He turned his attention to the message.
'Er, sir? We may have a slight problem.'
J'onn diverted towards Winn's station. 'What is it?'
'We've just intercepted a call made to the NCPD about a human bar fight.'
J'onn frowned, 'Well that's the NCPD's territory Winn, what's it got -'
Winn gulped, 'The description of the perp who started it matches Alex.'
'Have NCPD responded yet?'
'Not yet, sir, but it won't be long. Especially if Maggie's on duty.'
'Ok. Call Maggie and get her here. I'll get Alex.' Winn gave him the location before Hank shapeshifted into his Green Martian form, knowing it will be quicker to fly, and headed for the DEO balcony.
J'onn landed in an alley just outside the bar, The Extra Mile and shifted back into his Hank Henshaw form. Guardian followed him into the alley at a run.
'Winn called,' he told J'onn by way of explanation. J'onn nodded before heading into the bar.
Inside was a mess. There was broken furniture, food and glass all over the bar, with several people lying unconscious on the floor, pool tables, bar. A few separate fights were taking place, and in the middle of the bar Alex was holding her own against a male and female team-up. As she pulled her fist back to throw another punch, she was barrelled into from the side by a third person joining the fray. They both went flying into a table before falling to the floor. Alex lay for a moment, winded. Into her view came the face of the woman she'd been fighting. Not allowing her to get another hit in, Alex scissor-kicked the woman in the face, before flipping herself over to straddle the guy who had barrelled into her. She grabbed a bottle from the floor and raised it to hit the guy, but before she could, someone grabbed her arm. Alex stood, spinning round to face her new opponent, only to come face to face with J'onn.
'Alex, stop,' he said sternly.
Alex paused, anger and adrenalin seething through her. 'How dare you,' she said coldly. 'How dare you!' she screamed, punching J'onn in the face with as much force as she could. J'onn barely flinched.
'Did that make you feel better?' he asked.
'No.' Alex pulled back for another hit but found her other arm held back, this time by Guardian.
'You need to calm down.' came the voice behind Guardian's mask.
'Or what?' came Alex's scathing reply.
In response, James twisted Alex's arm behind her back as J'onn did the same and cuffed her. Alex struggled against them both, but she was no match for the Green Martian. It didn't stop her from trying though.
'Let's go, Alex.'