"Kara! I had an amazing night and I would love to tell my sister all about it."
Smirking Alex shifted two boxes of crullers and one of cinnamon rolls to rest against her hip as she knocked her fist against Kara's door.
"I have cinnamon rolls and crullers."
After Maggie left for work, she'd immediately showered then headed towards Kara's apartment eager to share the details of her incredible night. Her heart was still pounding euphorically in her chest and she smiled before looking down, well aware that Kara could hear.
"Come on Kara, I have a tracker in your phone. I know that you're in there."
Radio silence. She'd checked her tracking app twice to ensure she knew Kara's location before heading out. As much as her Kryptonian sister enjoyed sleeping in, the slightest noise could rouse her from sleep.
"Kara?"
Frowning Alex slipped her free hand into her purse reaching for her key to Kara s apartment pausing after the screech of the lock. Something felt wrong.
"I'm going to let myself in."
Immediately after opening the door Alex set the cinnamon buns and doughnuts on the counter. Nervously placing her hand over her firearm she checked Kara's bedroom before glancing into her only bathroom. Taking a calming breath Alex felt a twinge of relief there was no sign of a seeing Kara's wallet and phone on the table Alex reached for her own phone immediately dialing Winn.
"Have you or James heard from Kara since last night?"
"Oh hi Alex. I'm great, thanks for asking."
His sarcasm did nothing to quell the growing worry in Alex's chest. Trembling with frustration Alex's next words were practically snarled.
"Winn this is serious. Kara isn't at her apartment and she left her phone."
She feels petty justification with his startled breath before reality sets back in.
"No, I haven't. She's not at her apartment?" The snark had webbed out of his tone giving way to concern.
He continues before she has the chance to respond. "I've been helping James all night he hasn't seen her either."
Alex pinched the bridge of her nose. Kara was a superhero, she could fly. There was no confirmed danger but that didn't answer why she would leave her phone, wallet, and comm behind. Even as Supergirl, she always made sure to bring her phone and DEO communication device.
Racking her brain she tried to remember the last time that she'd checked in with Kara, it was just after they had taken down Lillian Luthor.
"I haven't heard from her since yesterday. The last thing that she said to me was that she was going to shopping to bake I'm sorry cookies for Lena Luthor after everything that happened last night. I think I need to give her a visit."
Storming L Corp, Alex simply held out her badge brushing past Lena s secretary without even a sideways glance. She marched into Lena's office noting the CEO seated behind her desk eyes still on the document laid out before her.
Alex recognized the power play in the way Lena deliberate delayed acknowledging her entrance, choosing to do so on her own terms.
"Oh hello, you're Kara's sister right? FBI Agent Danvers. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Alex stalked to the center of the room, arms crossed over her chest as she glared. Something between bitter contempt and regret trembled in the way Lena said Kara name sent alarm bells ringing through Alex's head.
"Kara's missing. You are one of the last people that spoke with her."
Alex narrows her eyes doing her best to evaluate Lena's reaction. Without training she might have missed the microsecond in which the CEO's eyes widened before she schooled herself of emotion.
"She came in to ask me questions about my relationship with my mother, she claimed she was working a story. Later that night, my mother was arrested for trying to kill every alien in national city with a targeted virus. My mother didn't mention anything about Kara to me, not that she would."
Kara trust in Lena Luthor rang through Alex's head .
"Did your mother mention anything about seeing or knowing of a reporter that might have knowledge of Cadmus?"
Lena frowned lowering her glasses to focus solely on Alex.
"She was aware of a reporter; however, I can assure you that she had no knowledge that it was Ms. Danvers."
There's was an understood I didn't tell her, wouldn't tell her.
"But you did."
Lena's jaw clenched as her eyes narrowed.
"Kara's interview was targeted and her questions were obvious. She abused our friendship, if it ever existed."
Alex could feel Lena's devastation, the sense of betrayal was palpable in the room. She knew how much Kara enjoyed spending time with Lena. She'd spent hours listening to her rave about the gala, and the fact that there just happened to be pot stickers Kara Danver's favorite food. She'd sat through the swell of pride gushing through Kara as she talked about how Lena tried to stop the men armed with alien tech. Wherever her sister was, Kara couldn't stop the fire that was burning down this bridge so Alex stepped in.
"She was sure that you had nothing to do with Cadmus, as well as the virus. There was an attack at a local bar, seven aliens were killed and one contracted the virus soon after. Kara argued that you didn't know about Cadmus. She agreed to come speak with you and in return we did not send agents to take you in."
This time Lena's face did drop. Cold understanding washed over her, and Alex felt a twinge of guilt.
"Your set her to gain information on me."
Nodding Alex waited for Lena response watching her counterpart's face harden once again.
"A word of advice agent Danvers, Kara is a terrible liar."
Alex snorted shortly shaking her head.
"She refused to listen to me, I was for bringing you down to interrogation. She trusted you, tried to protect you. Now she's missing."
"And you think that I could have possibly had something to do with it."
There was obvious mistrust in Lena's voice and Alex couldn't blame her. She walked to the window and stared out over the city, hoping to see Kara.
"All I know is that my sister is missing and you were one of the last people to see her."
She doesn't look at Lena as she says the words, but she allows a vulnerable moment. If Lena isn't involved, it's likely that she does know someone that would be.
"After last night, I'm not sure how many of her associates will be willing to trust me but I can make a few calls. Whatever I can find, I'll let you know."
Alex's phone vibrated against her leg, hoping for an update she immediately answered.
"Hey Danvers, caught up in a case?"
She wonders how it's possible to feel crushing disappointment and glee at the same time.
"Maggie?"
Cringing at the confusion in her own voice, Alex pauses.
"You stood me up for our lunch date, and you haven't answered any of my calls. I was worried you were freaking out."
"I'm sorry Maggie, I've been working with the DEO. Supergirl is missing."
"Oh."
There was more than disappointment in Maggie's voice but Alex couldn't place it. Annoyance? She rationalize that it would be fair.
"Are you sure that she didn't just, you know. Fly off to the fortress of solitude?"
Maggie sounds bitter and Alex feels worse for missing their lunch date.
"I checked in with Superman and he hasn't heard from her either. He flew out and checked, she wasn't there. We're all out looking for her. It's possible that this is Cadmus retaliation for last night."
"I haven't heard any reports of her showing up last night. It seems like the last place she was seen was at the site that we arrested Lillian Luthor. I can start asking around."
Maggie's response is all business but it reassures Alex that she's not alone in this. She tells herself that she'll admit how greatful she is to have Maggie on her side once she can find a way for it to not sound, overly sentimental.
"Be careful, Cadmus is a powerful organization. If there were any witnesses it's likely they would have already disappeared."
Alex stops before she can begin to speculate out loud how shattered she would be if that happened to Maggie and Kara.
"Same to you, and Alex?"
"Yeah?"
"We, uh, we should talk once we find your girl."
Maggie cuts off the call before she can respond. Sighing Alex glances at her watch, before dialing Winn to check in wishing she had a drink to take the edge off of this train wreck of a day.
"Hey Alex can you come in?"
"Winn, J'onn, did the team find anything in her apartment?"
Alex paces in the meeting room, while J'onn stands as Hank Henshaw with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I might have a theory."
Immediately all eyes are on Winn still sitting at his desk.
"Remember when we told you about Barry Allen, a metahuman from an alternate universe?"
Winn pauses unnecessarily, waiting for two head nods before proceeding.
"Scans show tachyon particles. I think that the portal opened up again. It's possible that she went through it."
His words are rushed and the mention of a hypothetical particle makes Alex want to scream. She knows the limits of her sister's speed, she's tested her on multiple occasions and Kara's never even approached light speed. Still, with the portal that opened, it almost makes sense if she believed in the multiverse.
"You're thinking that she's in another reality?"
Her words are rushed and for the first time she wishes that she'd focused on physics coursework instead of anatomy and physiology.
Winn nods while simply saying,"yes." There's no more explanation on how the portal even opened, or hypotheticals on how to recreate the phenomenon.
"It would explain how she just disappeared." J'onn chimes in but Alex feels like her head is going to pound through her skull.
"No, that doesn't make sense. Why would she go through the portal?"
She remembered Kara's apartment. Nothing had been tossed around, at the very least her super powered sister would have burnt a hole in the wall if she was being abducted.
"I don't know Alex."
Alex began pacing again in front of Winn's desk hands flying through the air as she spoke.
"Why wouldn't she let me know before she left?"
Winn shook his head before looking back at his data answering softly,"I don't know."
That wasn't an answer. Alex ran her hands through her hair unable to process her frustration, the helplessness. What if they kidnapped her with a sedative? What if they threatened her, or Eliza? What if they just asked? She needed answers.
"Why wouldn't she at least leave a note?"
Winn looked up at Alex from his desk torn. He understood the weight on her shoulder,s the nauseating feat the pull of worry against every breath, but her needed to get back to his analysis.
"I don't know!"
Alex closed her eyes and ran her hands through her hair again.
"How can we open up a new portal on our end to bring her home?"
Winn felt something snap. He was tired of people acting like he didn't love Kara too. Like he wasn't putting everything he had into finding out what happened to her. Like he wasn't just as desperate for answers.
"Alex I don't even know that Kara would survive that kind of trip. I don't know what Barry's world is like let alone the speed that she would need to reach to get there. When I know something, I will tell you. I promise. For now, leave me alone and let me at least try to find Kara!"
-
Alex found Maggie at their usual haunt hunched over the bar. The place felt like a ghost town after the attack, only two off worlders were willing to risk reclaiming their home. The emptiness ached, she wondered how Maggie was holding up.
"Maggie, Maggie hey."
Gathering her courage, Alex reached out placing a hand on Maggie's shoulder as she approached. Immediately the officer jumped up, spinning to face her.
"Alex I've been working up the courage to say this. I like you."
Smiling nervously Alex tilted her head.
"I might have made a rational jump to that conclusion after last night."
Maggie smiled briefly before her face dropped.
"I really like you, but, you're in love with someone else."
Alex shook her head confused taking the open seat next to Maggie and leaning into her.
"Maggie, you're the only girl I've ever kissed. You're the first person that I've felt this way about. There's no one else."
Maggie wouldn't meet her eyes. Alex was reminded that they were in a very public place when a shot was placed in front of her. She immediately downed the clear liquid before focusing back on Maggie.
"Danvers I'm a detective. I detect. Every time that Supergirl walks into a room you give her all of your attention. You'll run blindly into danger to protect her. She goes missing, and you go silent on me. Why are you laughing?"
Because for once, there's a problem that she can easily fix. All she needs to do is tell Maggie, but it's Kara's secret. Kara who she has to protect, Kara who she hopes is still alive. Before answering Alex makes eye contact with the bartender and another shot is placed in front of her.
"I've spent almost my entire life protecting my little sister, Maggie. I've fought for her, I've kept her secrets, I've ran into situations where I could have died, for her."
Alex wills Maggie to understand what she's saying.
"What does Supergirl have to do with Kara?"
Alex lifts the cup and chugs the shot before motioning for another. She keeps her eyes on the empty glass as she speaks.
"I, don't even know if she is still alive. I have no idea how to get to her I'm helpless. She's my little sister and I don't know if she's in danger. If she's hurt. If she's alone. She hates to be alone."
She want's to throw Maggie's words about being a detective back in her perfect face. Her brain keeps repeating that it's too soon for her to trust Sawyer with this. She wants to explain everything but it's not her secret to tell, she can't say the words. She can't betray Kara, even for her own happiness. The bartender comes back over, and pours her a double. Before she can even reach for the glass Maggie's hand is on her wrist, warm and steady.
"Okay Alex stop. Have you even eaten today? I've seen how you get when you're on a mission."
She hasn't and whatever the drinks are, they are hitting her hard. There's a slight swirl to the room. Her heart speeds up as she wonders what will happen if Kara needs her help? If Winn calls and says he opened a portal but they need an extraction. Standing abruptly, the room swims and warm arms are around her.
"Danvers you're freezing."
Maggie keeps a steady arm around her, gently guiding her back onto the stool before slipping off her own jacket. The next thing Alex is aware of is the warmth of Maggie's leather jacket, the earthy scent of sandalwood.
"Denvers. Okay, here's what's going to happen. We're going to get you home, you're going to drink water and eat something, We'll continue this conversation later."
The next thing Alex sees is her bed, sunlight blinding her through the window and there's a pounding at her door. Stumbling she manages to throw open her front door.
"Mom?"
Of course, Alex knows that she should have expected her mom to show up at her apartment. She's spent all of her time searching for bites her lip preparing her apology before Eliza has a chance to blame her for Kara's disappearance.
"I'm so sorry. I...she's missing she didn't tell me she was going or I would have stopped her. I would have followed her. I would have never let her go anywhere without me."
Before she can continue, warm arms are around her.
"Oh Alex. It wasn't your fault I know you've done so much to protect your sister. You have to trust that Kara knows what is best for her that she can take care of herself that she will make it home to us."
Hands are running through her hair and she sinks into her mother's arms. It's rare, that she allows someone else to hold her, to offer her strength.
"I hate this. I have an entire army that I can use to help protect her. I can help design armor stop kryptonite bullets. I can build sunlamps to help her heal. I can do so much to protect her but she's gone somewhere that I can't follow."
Alex shudders, and to her horror tears are rolling down her cheeks onto her mother's shoulder.
"I know sweetie. She'll come home, you've believed in her before. We just need to believe in her now. Shh, shhh, Alex."
As soon as Eliza returns to her apartment, Alex spends the day out pounding pavement. She searches for Kara, in vain. At four AM she's exhausted. Barely able to keep her head up she returns home to Kara's apartment instead of her own letting herself in with a key.
As she walks in, a blue portal ripples through the air and she watches Kara run out.
"Alex!"
Kara looks none the worse for the wear. From what Alex can see, Kara's standing on her feet without a bruise on her body. Her younger sister bounds up to her enveloping Alex in a hug that's slightly too tight.
"Kara you're homer you're safe!"
Before Alex can say anything more Kara smiles sheepishly at her.
"I blew out my powers."
Alex jumps forward wrapping her arms around her younger sister again running her hands through Kara's hair as she responds. "You're okay Kara, that's what matters. We'll get you to the DEO to run tests and get you under the sun lamps."
Alex is so relieved that she could cry, her little sister is finally home.
"Can we stay here tonight? I'm super tired. All I want to do is sleep. I can put on Homeland and we can crash on the couch."
Alex clings to Kara. In the back of her head, she knows that she should call her mom or have Kara make the call. She knows that J'onn, Winn, James, and even Lena Luthor should be told that Kara is home alive and well. Not to mention she has no idea what Kara has been through or where she's been.
"Kara I can't sleep until I know that you're going to be okay. We can watch Homeland at the DEO on my tablet."
She tightens her grip as Kara tries to pull away. Kara seems to understand though and immediately stops fighting her embrace and instead tightens her grip on Alex.
"J'onn keeps saying that it's a misappropriation of government resources when I try to watch Netflix on the wifi at the DEO"
Alex smirks into Kara's shoulder, she knows that he doesn't feel that way, it doesn't really matter. Plenty of agents use the wifi to stream videos when they're in the med bay. More than likely he was over reacting to videos of cats sent by the young hero.
"How long have I been gone?"
"Five days Kara. Five days, you just disappeared. No note, no bye Alex. Where were you? Why did you leave like that."
She pulls away to watch Kara's face as she responds.
"My friend Barry asked me to come help him on his earth. There was an alien invasion. He came to get me because, well, I'm a alien."
Alex swears that her heart stops.
"You fought in an alien invasion!"
She watches as Kara nods before making her way over to the Krullers and Doughnuts that are still on her counter.
"Yeah with Barry he's the flash and Heatwave he's, well, he has an interesting history. And there was the Canary, and then Firestorm, and oh yeah Barry's mentor the Green Arrow who is scary."
"One, don't eat those. They've been there for way too long. Two, Kara!"
Before she can delve into a lecture on how dangerous leaving the planet is, Kara cuts her off.
"I'm soo tired Alex. Let's crash now, I'll tell you all about it in the morning."
Alex shakes her head because there's no way that she's going to risk anything regarding Kara's health.
"Come on supergirl were going to the DEO and then you can debrief."
Alex grabs her keys and purse before glaring at Kara until her sister lowers her head in submission. As she walks out of the apartment she calls Eliza.
"Mom? Yeah can you meet me at the DEO? Kara is home. I am bringing her to the DEO to get to checked out."
Kara walks close to her, arm to arm, shoulder to shoulder. They maintained physical contact even after sitting in the car. The second Kara puts her seatbelt on Alex ends the call with her mom before turning to her sister.
"You are going to be so lectured when she gets to the DEO."
She smirks as she notices Kara shrinking into the seat.
Once she gets to the DEO she starts to notify her friends that Kara is home. After J'onn, James, Lena, and Winn there's only one other person that she feels obligated to tell. The only problem is that she's terrified. She hasn't heard back from Maggie since the night she can't remember.
'Hey Maggie she's home safe.'
After a few seconds she sends a second message.
'Thank you for being there for me.'
Placing her phone down she looks back over at Kara, smiling as notices Kara's eyes drooping even under the sun lamps.
"Kara Danvers don't you ever do that again to me. If you're going to another world you need to tell me or your sister first. How hard would it have been for you to leave a note?"
Eliza has both hands on her hips glaring at the young hero still resting.
"In my defense I was on earth."
Kara has a sheepish smile as she drops her head.
"Kara! Alex called me and told me that you were gone in a different reality and there was no way for up to help you if anything happened we had no way of knowing if you were okay. I was so scared"
Something tells Alex this is the first time that her sister has really thought about how they would feel about her disappearing.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you Barry needed me to come help he already had a team assembled. I was worried that if we went to Alex-she would have wanted to come. It was too dangerous. Winn, James, and J'onn too. I can't ask them to risk their lives for another world. Alex has already given up so much for me and I can't put her in a position like that again. I was just trying to protect everyone."
Alex watches her mom, can see her melting at Kara's explanation. Two seconds later her arms are wrapping around Kara who is laying on the table under sun lamps.
"You and Alex are supposed to protect each other. Have faith in your sister and her ability. While you were away Alex, Maggie, Lena, Winn, J'onn, and James were all out looking for you. Even Snapper, your boss that you think hates you, was out looking."
Alex stares at the ground knowing that her mom is crying, it's such a rare occasion.
"Eliza I'm so sorry that I worried you."
Kara's words are heartfelt and she can hear the quiver in Kara's voice that means the hero isn't far from tears herself.
"I'm just glad you're home safe. Now you're going to stay under the sun lamps for at least another six hours."
Even Alex thinks that's overkill.
"Six hours?!"
-
"Dammit Kara."
By the time that the words leave Alex's mouth her mom has long since returned to her hotel room with strict orders that they both rest.
"Wha?"
Kara's drowsy, half asleep but still smiling, fingers tightly laced with Alex who hasn't left her side.
"Don't do that again. There was nothing I could do Kara. Where you went, I couldn't follow. I hate feeling so...so helpless. You're so important to me and there will never be a day that I don't want you in my life."
Alex gently brushes hair out of her sister's forehead.
"It's the way I felt when you were taken by Cadmus I was worried was I had no idea where you were. It's the way the way I felt when you made me promise to live without you. I don't want to have to Kara."
Kara smiles and as her eyes close Alex hears, "I'll do my best to make sure you don't have to Alex. I love you too, soo much."
Notes:
First, I would like to say that I own nothing.
Thank you to everyone that read this fic. I loved watching every episode of the crossover and this has been a headcanon that's been blasting through my mind all week. Please review and let me know what you think!
I'm considering a second chapter, or a second fic that dives into the conversation between Maggie and Alex and gives them a chance to fix well...everything. By considering, I mean that it's in the works because I did promise a shamelessly happy ending.