Encroachment

Emma stood shifting from foot to foot waiting for her surprise to show up. She was decked out in her Tigers purple and gray jersey with gray shorts and purple socks pulled up to her knees. Her purple cleats had pink streaks on them as they nervously moved back and forth. They were coming, Ava Sharpe and Sara Lance had text her mother not too long ago they would be there shortly and they in fact has friends with them. Emma had kept the secret from even her best friend, this was going to be the best surprise ever.

“I really am not a big fan of kids.” Nora said as Ava parked the van. “I have no idea why I agreed to this,” She mumbled.

“Because you actually do love kids and you try to make everyone think you are some mean person.” Ava said and Kara leaned forward from the third row next to Nora.

“I knew it!” she said laughing and Nora turned and scowled at the younger blonde. “You’re a softy.”

“Where is Lena?” Nora asked with an evil smile and Kara’s eyes went wide and she closed her mouth.

“Where exactly did you meet this kid?” Zari asked from the third row next to Kara.

“At the park the other day. She is Ava’s biggest fan.” Sara said and smirked at Ava who looked at her sideways.

“And here we are, at a kids soccer game.” Nora huffed; Ava turned towards her from the front seat.

“Shut it Dahrk, you know you like kids. Remember that little girl who was wearing your jersey last year. She made you cry.” Ava said.

“Wait… Nora cried?” Kara asked.

“I did not cry the wind blew dirt into my eyes.” Nora replied.

“Yeah okay, keep telling yourself that Nor.” Ava said as she opened the driver's side door she glanced at Sara. “Don’t forget the orange slices.” Sara reached down to her floorboard and grabbed the bag between her feet looking at Ava with a smirk and raised eyebrow. Ava rolled her eyes and jumped out of the van. “Let’s go.”

Ava led the women through the parking lot, Nora and Zari both carrying gym bags filled with USA swag with Sara and Kara walking behind the group. Ava broke into a smile when she saw the small soccer player looking around at the field entrance, her mother close by trying to keep her daughter reigned in. But when she saw Ava, she jumped up and started to run towards her. Ava barely made it low enough by the time Emma got to her and leaped into her arms.

“Your here!” Emma squealed into Ava’s neck.

“I told you we would be.” Ava said as she stood up and adjusted the little girl on her hip, her little cleats hanging down by Ava’s knees.

“Kara Danvers….” Emma said looking over Ava’s shoulder her eyes going wild.

“Hi, you must be Emma?” Kara said stepping forward, Emma looked at Ava in shock.

“She knows my name.” She gasped and Ava laughed.

Ava put the girl down who walked around being introduced to everyone and ended with Sara who squatted next to her with a smile. She reached out and the little girl hugged her tightly.

“Orange Slices as promised.” Sara said and handed the bag to Emma, who grabbed it and ran it to her mother.

“Sara Lance brought us Orange Slices.” Emma squealed handing them to her mother.

“I brought you something else too.” Sara said making her way towards Emma and her mother. Sara pulled a folded jersey and handed it to Emma who unfolded the jersey and noticed all the signatures on it. The number 4 on both sides of the jersey. “The whole team signed it for you.” Emma looked at the jersey in shock and she turned it around and saw her name printed on the back in big letter.

“It has my name on it.” Emma gasped and looked at Sara who smiled. “I know a guy.” She laughed as the young girl wrapped her arms around her hips and hugged her.

“Is Sara trying to date the mom or something?” Nora asked leaning into Zari who elbowed her in the stomach and Ava looked over at Nora with a shocked look on her face. Nora just shrugged and smiled winking at Ava.

“Okay squirt where is this team you want us to meet?” Sara asked not aware of what was going on behind her. Emma released her hold on Sara’s hips and grabbed her hand.

“This way.” Emma said loudly and started to drag Sara with her. The group followed behind Sara and Emma and her mother fell into the group next to Ava and the duo started to talk.

“Seriously did you see Ava’s reaction?” Zari asked leaning into Nora who smiled.

“I am not reading into it too much. They have a complicated relationship.” Nora said.

“Who has a complicated relationship?” Kara asked from behind Nora and Zari.

“Ava and Sara.” Zari replied.

“Alex said they made out once.” Kara said quietly causing both Zari and Nora to stop and twist quickly towards Kara who stopped abruptly.

“What?” They both said in unison.

“Ummm, Alex said it happened when they were teenagers at some party. She said Sara told her one night in a drunken stupor.” Kara said. “I mean you guys are their best friends, so you knew that right?”

“So, these look like the faces of people who knew that information?” Zari asked and leaned towards Kara. “Who else knows about this?”

“I don't know?” Kara said looking over their shoulders as if praying for someone to help her out of the situation.

“And Alex said Sara told her this?” Nora asked.

“Yeah.” Kara replied quietly.

“And why would Sara tell Alex this information?” Zari inquired.

“You know, they were kind of a thing like sort of or something like that back in the day.” Kara said waving her hands in front of her, Nora grabbed her hands and brought them to a stop.

“Don't use your hands to make gestures like that, there are kids here.” Nora said.

“NO… I wasn't….” Kara stopped talking when Zari stepped closer.

“You tell no one this information.” Zari said and Kara just nodded and swallowed.

“Guys!” Ava’s voice rang out and all three women looked up and saw Ava waving towards them with Emma’s mom by her side.

“We will finish this conversation later.” Nora said turning and still with Kara’s hands in her own she dragged the blonde with her towards Ava.

They caught up with Sara and Emma just in time, Emma ran forward and yelled at her team who were all gather around their bench drinking water and stretching out. When the girl's eyes all met Emma’s, she smiled proudly.

“I brought a surprise.” Emma said loudly and stepped to the side to uncover Sara Lance.

“Oh my gosh.” One red headed girl said standing up from the bench.

“That’s…” another little blonde girl said moving to her knees from her seated position.

“Sara Lance.” Her twin sister next to her finished. As she finished her statement Ava walked up next to Sara and tilted her head and more gasps were heard.

“Umphhhh.” a girl choked on her water and pointed at Ava. Another girl hit her on the back, and she cleared her throat. “Ava Sharpe.” She said in awe as Ava smiled. Zari, Nora and Kara all arrived moving to stand next to Ava, and that was the moment all hell broke loose.

“Kara Danvers!” Two girls yelled.

“It’s Supergirl!” Another girl shot to her feet.

“Nora Dahrk!” A girl in all yellow kit said and rushed towards the brunette.

“Zari Tomaz.” Another girl moved towards the brunette who seemed shocked that a girl noticed her.

Before the group knew it, they were surrounded by the entire team, girls talking so quickly Nora couldn't keep the questions straight. Kara was laughing at all the hug requests the girls had. Ava was being asked for pictures with girls and their parents. Sara was laughing as multiple dads came over and tried to hit on her. Zari was heavy into a conversation about ROBLOX with another little girl, and Ava happened to look over at Sara at the same time the little blonde looked over at her. Both held the look for a moment before both were broken by young girls requesting their attention.

Forty-five minutes later the girls had played their first half and were all at the bench with the coach. Down by one goal they listened intently as their coach explained the gameplan. The coach looked over at Nora who smiled, and he walked up to her as the girls watched. "We are having a hard time breaking through their defense, any ideas?"

“You bet your a….” Nora started.

“NORA!” Ava said and covered the brunette's mouth before she could finish her word. “Sorry, she doesn't get out much” Ava said looking at the coach and then back to Nora with a pleading look in her eyes.

“I get out, i just don't spend much time around children.” Nora grunted as Ava let her hand drop from Nora’s mouth.

“Yes, I do have a good idea.” Nora said and walked towards the girls over by the bench. Ava stood and watched as the couch walked behind Nora.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Kara asked walking up behind Ava. “Her, around children?”

“Nora tries to play like she is a badass, but she is a softy just like you said.” Ava turned towards Kara. “Trust me, I’ve known her a long time.”

Ava, Kara, Zari, and Sara watched on as Nora got down on one knee and the girls team circled around her as she spoke. They couldn't hear what she was saying to the girls, but they noticed some were smiling as she spoke. They watched as the young girls got pumped up second by second until Nora stood up and looked down at the circle surrounding her.

“Now, go win the second half.” Nora said loudly and all of the little girls started cheering and high fiving each other as they made their way back onto the field. The coach smiled at Nora as she walked back to her friends.

“What did you say?” Kara asked and Nora smiled and watched the girls on the field.

The second half was a thing of beauty, Emma’s team communicated and called out for the ball more than they had ever done before. At one point Emma had a clear shot but a clear foul in the box led to a penalty kick. The defensive player who had to be a head taller than Emma came crashing into her sending her to the ground and the ball went flying towards the sideline.

“Come on REF!” The coach yelled from the sideline as a whistle blew and the Ref indicated a penalty kick. Sara started laughing quietly causing Ava to look over at her.

“Why are you laughing?” Ava said moving closer to Sara who started to shake her head.

“It reminds me of us.” Sara said with a smirk on her face as Ava’s eyes went wide.

“What?” Ava asked and Sara pointed to the tall girl who was being reprimanded by the referee.

“That tall one there, she looks like you. And Emma is small and mighty like me.” Sara bit her bottom lip.

“You kicked a ball into my stomach our first game against each other.” Ava grunted still looking at Sara.

“You hip checked me as I recall.” Sara said still smiling as if the memory was a happy one.

“A deserved hip check I might add.” Ava said as her eyes came back to Sara who grunted.

“Nobody deserves a hip check.” Sara mumbled and looked back out the game. Emma was lined up over the ball and the referee was talking to the goalkeeper. Emma looked over at the sidelines and her eyes met Ava’s. Sara looked up and saw Ava smiling and with a simple nod to Emma the little girl turned and face the goalie and took a deep breath. “What was that?” Sara asked looking at Ava.

“Nothing.” Ava said quietly.

“I saw the nod it wasn't nothing.” Sara asked.

“Emma told me before the game she gets nervous sometimes and makes mistakes. I told her if at any point she gets nervous to find me in the crowd and I’ll reassure her.” Ava said and glanced over at a speechless Sara. “Sometimes people need to know you are there for them.” She said quietly, her eyes returning to the young girl on the pitch. The referee stood back and motioned towards Emma who nodded her head showing she was ready.

The referee blew the whistle, and it was like time stood still, everything went in slow motion. Sara leaned closer to Ava, and their hands brushed against each other's. Ava felt a million butterflies in her stomach as Emma took her first step towards the ball. Sara slid her hand into Ava’s and squeezed as the taller woman took a deep breath and held it for the young girl as she kicked the ball with her right foot. Ava squeezed Sara’s hand back and could feel Sara leaning into her as they both watched the ball sail through the air and into the back of the net, the goalkeeper going the opposite direction.

“YEAH!” Sara and Ava screamed; Sara jumped up hugging Ava on her side. The taller blonde wrapped her arms around the waist of the smaller one, Sara wrapped her arms around Ava’s neck as they laughed and jumped from happiness for Emma.

“It was a perfect PK.” Ava said as the duo stopped jumping and just stood there. Their arms still wrapped around each other. An overly excited parent behind Sara pushed her closer into Ava’s body and both women gasped when they felt their fronts touch. The noise all around them silenced for now they were caught up in their own world for the moment, Ava and Sara just looked at each other their eyes searching for answers.

“Did you guys see that!” Kara came and wrapped her arms around the duo. “Clinical, that kid is going to be playing in the pro’s someday!” Sara looked over at Kara and dropped her arms from Ava’s neck which prompted Ava to release Sara and back away slightly. “Yes!” Kara said releasing the duo and clapping with the crowd.

Ava backed away slowly and turned into the crowd that had gathered and started to move towards the sideline where Emma was making her way over, as Sara stood rooted in place not sure what had just happened. Sara watched as Ava leaned down and Emma hugged the taller blonde and high fived Kara who had squeezed closer to the little girl. Sara took a deep breath.

“So, do I pretend I didn't see that?” Zari asked and Sara quickly turned to her best friend. “I mean i can pretend i didn't see it. Or, I could say what the hell was that, Sara?” she asked.

“It was just a celebration Z.” Sara replied and moved to turn away, but Zari grabbed her turning her back towards her. “Yeah, okay a celebration.” She said sarcastically.

“Shut it okay.” Sara said and pulled away from Zari and moved through the crowd out of sight.

“So, do we pretend that wasn't something?” Nora asked walking up to Zari who looked over her shoulder at the brunette.

“Do you have a better idea?” Zari asked and Nora smirked.

“I love how everyone keeps asking me that today.” Nora said and put her arm around Zari who looked at her confused. “Of course, I have a plan.”

The Group exited the van after getting back to the hotel from Emma’s game. Ava and Sara were deep in conversation about the last five minutes of the game and Emma’s game winning header. They walked away from the van, Nora took the opportunity to stop Kara from exiting the van and Zari rounded the corner as both stood in front of a nervous Kara.

“So, that was fun.” Kara said smiling nervously wondering if she was about to get beaten up.

“What all do you know about what happened between Ava and Sara when they were teens?” NOra asked and Kara took a deep breath.

“Oh thank god, i really thought you were both about to kick my butt or something.” Kara chuckled nervously and Zari moved closer.

“Do we need too?” Zari asked and Kara stop laughing shaking her head. “What do you know?”

“Nothing, I just know they almost….You know.” Kara said raising her hands but Nora caught them and raised her eyebrows.

“Please no hand gestures.” Nora said. “Now tell us exactly what Alex said.

“She said that Sara found Ava upstairs at a party and they made out, and maybe they ended up topless.” Kara said looking around awkwardly. “I could have done without that bit of information but Alex was drunk and over sharing.”

“So they didnt have sex?” Zari asked and Kara shook her head.

“NO. They were interrupted but someone.” Kara said and Nora tilted her head and bit her lip in thought.

“Oh, my god. I know what party it was.” Nora said and looked at Zari.

“It’s that one at Amaya’s house, I remember Ava coming down and her shirt was all untucked and messed up.” Nora said.

“That was the night Sara went home early, she told me she had to go check on Laurel.” Zari said and laughed. “The night Laurel and Oliver broke up.”

“The first time.” Nora chimed in and they looked at Kara who was just waiting patiently for the duo to let her leave.

“We need your help with something.” Nora said with a smile.

“Why do I feel like this is a royally bad idea already?” Kara mumbled.

“We don't have bad ideas.” Zari said.

“Last year you convinced me to cut my hair because bangs were in.” Kara said putting her hands on her hips. “That was one of worst haircuts I have ever had and it took forever to grow my bangs out.”

“I was trying to get you out of that librarian look you had going on.” Nora said pointing at Kara.

“You also told me Lena Luthor was a rich girl who ate people for lunch and could never be friends with a goody two shoes like me.” Kara said tilting her head.

“Way to prove me wrong.” Nora pointed out and smiled. “Now that we have clarified all of my plans have ended well.”

“How so?” Kara asked throwing her hands in the air.

“You now have a stylist and Lena is your best friend…or your girlfriend?” Nora said raising her eyebrow at Kara who scowled at her. “Whatever you guys are it worked out. So, my plans are not bad. And this one is epic, the ending will be amazing and totally worth it.”

“And what is it exactly you want me to do?” Kara asked looking at Nora and Zari.

“Simple, you know that girl Helen?” Zari asked and Kara nodded. “We need you to tell her that Sara likes her.”

“Why?” Kara asked.

“Because we need to see how Ava responds to it.” Nora asked and Kara shook her head.

“I’m not following?” Kara asked confused.

“If Ava gets jealous of Helen then, its clear that she likes Sara.” Zari said putting her arms over her chest.

“Wait, you think Ava and Sara like each other….Like…Like each other?” Kara asked and started to laugh. “You guys are hilarious. The coach literally put them in the same room so they could learn how to get along. And you both think that they have a thing for each other?” Kara kept laughing until Nora crossed her arms over her chest and Kara let her laughter die out. “Wait, you’re serious?”

“Yes.” Nora replied. “Now will you do it?”

“I guess, but this plan is actually going to fail. Everyone knows Ava and Sara cant stand each other.” Kara said she reached into the van and grabbed her empty gym bag. She shook her head and walked away from Nora and Zari who looked at each other and smiled.

“Okay. Now we call Laurel and get part two of this plan ready.” Zari said.