Lena startles awake as her bedroom door is thrown open, automatically reaching for the gun that resides in her bedside cabinet. There’s a red and blue blur, and the gun is gently tugged from her hand before she can even blink, a sheepish Dallas peering down at her in the semi-darkness. Lena places her hand on her heart as it attempts to beat right out of her chest.

“Sorry,” Dallas winces. Lena groans, allowing her head to flop back down to her pillow as she curses under her breath. “I didn’t mean to scare you,” Dallas murmurs.

“Perhaps leave the door on the hinges next time,” Lena dryly retorts. She sighs, “are you okay?” The question seems to remind Dallas of her anger, her features darkening as she turns away from her mother. Lena frowns, still blinking away sleep as she watches Dallas pace the length of the bedroom.

“I almost got my ass kicked because of Alex’s rookie agent. He charged in on the mad alien scientists without even waiting for backup,” Dallas grumbles. “I guess he wanted to prove himself or something, but all he did was screw everything up. I warned Alex about that guy, but nooo what does a ten year old know?”

“Mad alien scientists?” Lena echoes, interrupting the rant. Her brows furrow, becoming increasingly concerned that the little one may wear a whole in her favorite rug. Dallas continues to rant, her hands firmly planted on her hips and oblivious to the interruption. It’d be almost endearing if it wasn’t three in the morning.

“What exactly were they creating?” Lena asks, leaning up on one elbow as she attempts to shake off the remaining fog of sleep.

“I don’t know!” Dallas throws her hands in the air, finally coming to a stop in front of Lena. “Whatever it was, it stunk . I’m never gonna get the stains out of the uniform Alex let me wear, and I’m pretty sure Brainy is pissed about it, but it’s not like it’s my fault that they threw the gross gunky stuff all over me.”

“Wait,” Lena cuts off the rambling before it can reach full speed again. “Gross gunky stuff?” She sits up, suddenly wide awake. “You maybe should have led with that, darling.” Lena swings her legs off the edge of the bed and moves to stand in front of Dallas, her hands gently capturing her face.

“I’m fine,” Dallas tries to brush her off, but Lena softly hushes her. Dallas sighs, disgruntled, as she impatiently waits for Lena to finish checking her over. The last straw, though, is when her glands are prodded and pressed. “I’m fine,” Dallas grumbles, once again trying to escape Lena’s clutches. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Excuse me?” A dark brow cocks upwards, emerald eyes suddenly unimpressed. “Remember who you’re talking to,” Lena rebukes, gentle but firm. “Gross gunky stuff or not, your attitude is bordering on unacceptable.” She waits, gazing expectantly at Dallas until green eyes flood with regret and strong shoulders slump.

“Sorry, Mama.”

“Better,” Lena nods. “Now, I assume Alex checked you over and confirmed you weren’t affected by the gross gunky stuff ? Your powers are fine? Your reflexes? There’s no change?” Dallas grows ansty beneath the interrogation, but she knows better than to test her mother again this evening —dutifully answering each and every question, before following the gentle order to get into bed.

“I’m fine, you know,” Dallas mumbles, her cheek resting on Lena’s breast. “You don’t have to worry so much.” She yawns loudly, exhaustion settling deep into her bones now that the adrenaline has worn off.

“I’m always going to worry,” Lena sighs, dropping a kiss to Dallas’s crown. “You’re sure that everything is alright? Alex isn’t worried?” As tired as she is, Lena doesn’t think she’s going to get much more sleep tonight, instead content with being a human pillow for her daughter as she watches over her.

“She gave me the all clear. Absolutely nothing to worry about.” Dallas pulls a face in the darkness, knowing her words are an exaggeration at best, but she doesn’t want mama to worry about nothing.