This started as a one-shot, but then I just couldn't stop. It's going to be a fun ride. Let me know what you think! And check out my other Supergirl fics if you're interested.

Kara was supposed to meet Lena for lunch today. They wanted to try this new hibachi grill that just opened up a few blocks from L-Corp.

The excitement the Kryptonian felt was heightened by the conversation they had about it last week. Seeing Lena so carefree had sent Kara's heart spinning, which she rationalized as just being happy to see her friend enjoying a stress free moment.

And Lena's own excitement, though unexpected, was rather endearing too.

"I would kill for authentic Japanese food."

Kara can't help her fit of giggles, "And go to jail? For noodles?"

"I'm sure it'd make a great headline for you."

"Lena. We have, like, seven Japanese restaurants in National City."

"No, we have seven embarrassments to a culture."

Kara burst out laughing. Sometimes Lena could be so playful, like she forgot her last name and all the sadness it brings her. Kara lov- likes this version of the other woman.

"Please say you'll go with me this week? I have Monday around noon free."

Kara would have to be heartless to turn down Lena's hopeful face.

"I'll clear my schedule."

Kara still has an hour until she's supposed to be at L-Corp. For someone who can fly "as fast a bullet" that's a lot of time to kill.

Today won't be all flight though.

For obvious reason, being on the other side of the city isn't really a problem of distance, but after some of her recent not-so-convincing fibs Kara decided to play it safe. During their morning text session she told the CEO to give her 30 minutes because she was going to take the bus over.

The plan will work pretty perfect for once.

She can fly to the DEO, get an update on their target, then actually take the bus to L-Corp instead of appearing at Lena's office door like magic and triggering a "wow traffic must be great today."

She'll meet Lena at the stop near her office and that'll dispel any lurking thoughts of Kara being the Girl of Steel.

While Kara feels guilty lying – fibbing – she's also feeling a little bit smug.

This hidden identity thing isn't so hard after all.

Nailed it!

Flying into the DEO everything feels…. lighter. Shiny and new. Birds are literally singing and the smile on Supergirl's face is unmistakable.

Kara could chalk up her good mood to the weather, but in case you missed it, she really has an issue with lying – especially to herself. If she's to be honest, like kryptonite gun-to-her-head honest – a certain Luthor might be to blame (thank?) for her high spirits as of late.

But she's oblivious to how obvious this change is. Know who's not?

Alex is watching Kara almost float down the stairs. She exchanges a glance with Maggie, who's sporting a very amused, very knowing look.

"I'll have what she's having."

Alex makes a sound of agreement.

"Good mood Supergirl?"

Kara beams at them.

"You know what? Yeah Maggie! I'm in a – a wonderful mood," She's not even being sarcastic. She's happy Kara Danvers today, turned up to level 10. "I'm just so glad it's finally spring. The birds are signing. The sun is shinning…"

"It May… It's been spring for, like, months now."

Alex holds up her hand to Maggie, "Don't bother. We've lost her."

"Har, har, Alex. Can't a girl be in a good mood?"

Maggie raises an eyebrow and whispers under her breath, "There's only one thing that warrants that good of a mood."

Alex shoots her girlfriend a look. "Maggie!"

The detective just motions to Kara with her head, as if she's saying 'Evidence A,' which happens to be Kara giggling with Winn at his station.

And Alex has to admit: her sister is acting a little suspicious… Kara is an unusually peppy person. But this? This is just weird.

The older Danvers lets out a thoughtful "hmmm" before J'onn joins the group.

"Glad you're here Supergirl, but unfortunately we haven't made much progress.'"

Kara has at least enough self-control to shift gears to hero mode.

"Nothing? I thought they left behind some shiny bouncy ball thing."

Winn scoffs.

"Uh, that 'bouncy ball' is a highly intelligent bio-tech weapon capable of… well we don't really know right now, but it's probably super cool and-" he catches J'onn disapproving stare "-and really bad. Really bad. Shame on them…"

"Okay, so this bio-weapon… Do we know what they plan to do with it?" Kara looks to J'onn.

"Unfortunately we aren't any closer to uncovering their motives than we were last week. All we know is they're incredibly dangerous and they're still out there – somewhere."

This definitely dampens Kara's mood. As much she wants to meet Lena for lunch the responsibly of National City's safety is starting to weight down on her.

Alex catches her sister's mood shift.

"I'll take some patrols around the city then. See if I can spot them on the ground," Kara offers.

"I thought you had plans… Isn't that why you're couldn't join Maggie and me for lunch?"

Kara looks away, reflexively going to adjust her glasses before she realizes she isn't wearing them.

"Oh yeah, it's no big deal. Lena and I made plans, but…"

Maggie and Alex exchange a look.

"Hey, little Danvers. How 'bout Alex and I see what we can uncover first."

"Yeah. We don't have anything on these guys. Maggie and I can dig up some info before you spend the whole afternoon flying around in circles."

Kara's perks up at this offer.

"Really? Are you sure? I don't want to –"

"Go. Have fun." Alex gives her a smile before Kara pulls her into a crushing hug.

"Thanks Alex. Let me know if you find anything. Seriously, don't put yourself in danger."

"Yeah, yeah. We'll be fine. Get out of here."

A big smile makes it's way onto the hero's face and, after saying goodbye to Maggie, J'onn and Winn, she rushes out of the DEO.

Once she's gone Maggie gives Alex a look, eliciting a groan from the taller woman.

She reluctantly pulls out a 20 and gives it to Maggie.

"Not a word."

Maggie puts her arms up in joking defense.

"I didn't say anything."

"Uh huh."

J'onn puts his hand up.

"I don't want to know anything about what just transpired."

Maggie walks past, clapping him on the back.

Kara doesn't like sounding snobbish. While she loves her superpowers and feeling like a hero, she's proud to be Kara Danvers, human extraordinaire.

But the bus really sucks.

It smells, strangers are jostling into her and oh my god, is it slow.

When Kara made it to the station there was only standing room. She's tempted to fly out the window.

No Kara. You can do this. You need to give Lena a bit of a show. Arrive on the bus, mention bus-y lingo and bam – no more Luthor hunches.

Her pep talk is interrupted by a scream. Snapping her head up, Kara scans for the voice and finds a woman cowering near a large, hooded figure. He has a gun.

Pulling back the hood, the man transforms from human skin to a dark green completion. He's reaching into his pocket and -

Oh no, evil bouncy ball.

Two more men join him, one of which is human.

The second alien steps forward waving a gun.

"Everyone's gonna remain real calm and quiet. Or you're dead." He says the last part casually, like he's deadpanning a joke.

The first guy just smirks and tosses the circular weapon up and down, catching it.

Guy Three, the human, starts walking through the aisle checking people for any sort of weapon and collecting phones.

He gets to Kara and she hands over her phone. Now isn't the time.

"What do you want? Just let everyone go."

Guy Two glares at her. He walks forward pointing the gun at hear head.

"I'll repeat this one – ONE – more time and then someone gets shot. Keep. You. Damn. Mouths. Closed."

The gun is an inch away from Kara's forehead, an intimidating look on his face.

But Kara isn't scared and this angers him.

Confusion flashes across his face before a cruel grin takes its place. The man moves the gun from her until its leveled with a young boy sitting nearby.

Kara blanches.

Ah, that's the reaction he was looking for.

Her blood is boiling. If she has to reveal her identity right now to save the boy she'd do it in a second. It's not even a question.

The man watches her as he holds the gun on the kid.

She gets ready to throw a punch.

All of a sudden he's laughing and dropping the gun. The child is sobbing.

Turning to the rest of the passengers the man says, "Clear now?"

No one dares to move.

I need to get everyone out of here.

Kara looks around frantically. The space is too confined to fight, not with this many innocent people around.

But then she remembers something. If they're going to the L-Corp bus stop there's a tunnel in just a few blocks. The lighting hasn't been fixed since a recent accident. It'll be dark.

She just needs to be fast. And patient.

She turns subtly to see where the human is.

He's still collecting phones, almost at the back now.

The aliens are whispering up front, examining the bouncy ball weapon thing. It's silver and emitting a slight glow. The first alien checks a watch and says something to the second alien.

Kara channels her super hearing.

"When the bus stops, we'll set it off. Those that survive the poison will be blank slates. We can move from there."

Not good.

The tunnel is less than 20 seconds away.

Kara readies herself.

17… 16… 15…

She keeps an eye on the man with the phones. He should be the easiest. She'll take him out last.

9… 8… 7…

The alien with the weapon - she needs to get to him first. Then it's just a quick movement to incapacitate the other.

6… 5… 4 …

If she's fast enough she can take all three out and get back in place.

No one will know it was her.

3… 2… 1…

She launches forward as the bus dips into blackness.