Disclaimer: I don't own Supergirl or the characters. This is written purely for fun.

A/N: This is a short story (only a few chapters long) set after the end of Season 3. It will be angsty.

Synopsis: As Cadmus returns Lena is forced into making a series of choices. Each could have lasting ramifications on her relationships with Kara, James, Alex and co.

"Something on your mind?" James asked as he moved onto the CatCo balcony where Lena was standing looking out over the city.

"Unfortunately." Lena replied.

"What's wrong?" He asked concerned.

"My mother made contact."

"Your mother? What did she want?" He questioned, moving to her side.

"To meet."

"You need to call the police."

"I can't. She said if I involved the police innocent people would die." Lena explained.

"So what are you going to do?"

"I have no choice. If I don't go innocent people will also die." Lena said.

"Did she give you any indication what she wants?"

"No." Lena said.

"But?" James asked sensing she was hiding something.

"But...someone hacked into L-Corp two weeks ago."

"What did they steal?"

"Research. We are still trying to figure out what."

"Why didn't you say anything?" James asked.

"We get attacks all the time. It was only this morning that my security team figured out how deep the attack went." Lena explained.

"But you think your mother is involved?"

"It seems too big a coincidence if she wasn't."

"Even more reason to get help." James pointed out.

"I can't. My family is responsible for too many deaths as it is. I won't be responsible for more."

"You can't go alone."

"Yes I can."

"I'll go with you, as Guardian. She didn't say you couldn't include me."

"I don't want you involved in that part of my life." Lena said.

"Being in a relationship means being involved in everything." James said.

"It's too risky." Lena said. "I have to do this alone." She added as Eve knocked on the balcony to door.

"Sorry to interrupt, but your ten o'clock is here."

-00-

"Kara can we talk?" James asked as he approached her desk that afternoon.

"Sure."

"Outside?" James asked.

"Um, okay." Kara said following him to his office then out onto the balcony. "What's up?"

"Lena."

"Is she okay?" Kara asked frowning.

"Her mother made contact. She wants to meet." He explained.

"Why? When? Has she told the police?" Kara asked sharing his concern.

"No idea, don't know and no." James said. "Lillian threatened to kill innocent people if she contacted the police, same if she doesn't turn up."

"So she's going alone?"

"Not if we can help it." James said. "I'm going to follow her, I was hoping you'd back me up."

"I'll be by her side." Kara said.

"She may not appreciate that."

"She already dislikes Supergirl." Kara reminded him.

-00-

As Kara sat in her apartment that evening waiting for James to make contact she finally built up the courage to make the call she had been avoiding. Picking up her phone she hit the speed dial and was half relieved when the call went straight to voice mail. Waiting for the beep she considered what she would say before taking a breath and saying.

"Hey Alex, I hope the meeting went well and you get home soon. I don't want you to stress but Lillian is back." As her phone buzzed she guessed James was calling and added. "..oh, I have to go. Call me when you land. Love you." With that she ended the call, changed into Supergirl and flew off to meet James and Lena.

-00-

"What are you doing here?" Lena asked as Supergirl landed next to her.

"I thought you might need back up."

"I don't need your help, we're not-"

"Friends." Supergirl finished for her. "I know, you told me. But that doesn't mean you don't need help."

"Let me guess, James told you." Lena said.

"He's worried about you. So am I."

"If my mother is going to show herself something tells me your presence won't help the situation." Lena pointed out.

"On the contrary it is exactly what I want." Lillian said stepping out of the shadows as Supergirl dropped to her knees, three green darts sticking out of her.

"What are you doing?" Lena asked.

"That is the wrong question." Lillian said as her team snapped Kryptonite cuffs on Supergirl. "The question is, what are we doing?"

-TBC...

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.