As Alex sat in the corner of the cell, clasping her ribs in pain she wondered what was taking Hank and Kara so long. She had no idea how long she had been held prisoner as there were no windows in the cell or the interrogation room, but she did know she had been dragged to that room six times already and she wasn't sure how many times she could cope with.
It was then that it dawned on her that it was possible no one was looking for her. If the guy had cleaned up Kara's apartment she wouldn't know there had been a struggle and if Kara was still mad with Alex she wouldn't have called. It wouldn't be until Monday when she didn't turn up for work anyone realised she was gone. Taking a calming breath she tried to remember every moment since her capture and figured she had been there over three days. So even if they hadn't looked straight away, they would be looking now. At least she hoped they were. She then shook her head at her own stupidity, no matter how mad Kara had been she would have tried contacting Alex before Monday, she would know she was missing.
When she heard footsteps approaching the cell and saw the door open she instinctively shrunk back in the corner, hoping they wouldn't see her and leave her alone. What she wasn't expecting was someone else to be thrown into the cell with her, especially when the someone else turned out to be Maxwell Lord.
As Max shook off the effects of being thrown to the ground he looked round and saw Alex.
"Alex? What are you doing here?" He asked approaching her. As he neared and saw how bruised she was he asked. "What have they done to you?"
"They asked questions and didn't like my answers." Alex said.
"Any idea who they are?"
"Up until you were thrown in here I actually thought you may be behind it." Alex said.
"Why?"
"All the questions have been about Supergirl."
"Good to know you have such a high opinion of me." Max said before saying. "Let me look at your injuries."
In too much pain to argue Alex let Max examine her. The second he lifted up her shirt though he asked.
"How long have you been here?"
"No idea, since Friday."
"Four days then." Max said gently pressing on a rib causing Alex to whimper. "You have at least three broken ribs. How many times have you been beaten?"
"Six." Alex said quietly.
"We need to get you out of here. Where the hell is Supergirl?"
"You actually want her help?" Alex asked amused, despite the situation.
"I want to get you out of here." Max said. "If that involves Supergirl I don't care, just as long as we get you to safety."
"That's-" Alex started only to stop and tense when she heard footsteps approaching.
"I'm assuming they are not here for afternoon tea?" Max said trying to inject some humour. In response Alex shook her head and slid further back to the wall.
As the cell door opened two men approached the pair. Max immediately stood in front of Alex but was punched in the gut by one of the men who then grabbed Alex by her arms and dragged her off.
-00-
When Alex next woke she felt warmer than she had in days. She also realised she was leaning against something soft. Opening her eyes she found herself staring onto a chest. Confused she looked up and saw Max.
"I 'm sure you'll spin this into something bad, but I wanted to keep you warm." Max said.
"Thank you." Alex said before noticing Max's face was bruised. "What happened?"
"After they brought you back I was taken. Like with you they didn't appreciate my answers."
"What did they want?" Alex asked.
"To know about Supergirl and my research on her kind."
"What does that mean?" Alex asked. "What research?"
"I have been researching ways to contain the Kryptonians." Max said. "They are apparently excited by my research. Or more accurately they are worried by my research."
"Worried?" Alex asked, finding it hard to remain focused.
"Whoever took us are aliens. Personally I think Kryptonians, but that is just a guess."
"Why would her own people want information about her?" Alex asked confused.
"Well, she is normally on the other side of the battle field from them. Maybe they don't like blondes. And no that is not the reason I don't like Supergirl."
"Doesn't make sense." Alex said as tiredness overtook her. "They're her people."
"They're not human, of that I'm sure. You can't hold aliens to human values and logic." He warned.
"They hit like humans." Alex pointed out.
"They are just hired thugs. There is someone standing in the shadows…he I definitely not human." Max said as footsteps approached the cell.
"Not sure I can take much more." Alex said fearfully.
"You owe Supergirl nothing, you could just tell them what they want." Max pointed out.
"No chance." Alex said.
"In which case you will take whatever you need to in order to survive. That's what we are, survivors." Max said as the cell door opened.
-00-
"Easy." Max said as Alex started to stir. This time Alex found herself sitting up leaning against Max who sat behind her. "Try not to move there is a rib dangerously close to puncturing your lung." He warned.
"Yo…you were…right." Alex gasped, fighting pain.
"As much as it pleases me to hear that try not to talk. Just rest."
"No, important. In case I don't make it."
"We are getting out of here together." Max said.
"Please listen. One of them, someone in the corner, saw him…when I went in, he had Kryptonian symbol. Tell …" Alex faded out as her head lulled forward.
"Alex, Alex, you need to wake up." Max said as he gently tried to bring her round, worried by how quickly she had loss consciousness.
"Max?" She finally slurred, trying to force her eyes open.
"I need you to wake up for me." He said as several shots rang out in the distance.
"What's happening?"
"There is gunfire. This may be a rescue attempt." He said, hoping the mention of rescue would give Alex an adrenaline boost.
"Rescue?" She asked as boots marched towards their cell.
As the cell door opened, rather than being faced with a DEO agent they saw themselves looking at their regular jailer.
"Get up. Both of you." He said.
"She can't. She's barely alive now. She won't survive another session with you."
"We're moving you. Come with me or I'll shoot you here and now." The guard warned.
Deciding there was more chance of escape outside the cell Max carefully got Alex to her feet then took her weight as they stumbled out of the cell.
As they walked down the corridor Max asked. "Where are you taking us?"
"You'll find out soon enough." The man said moments before an explosion rocked the building. Seizing his opportunity Max dropped Alex and lunged at the guard taking him so off guard that he managed to grab his gun and shoot him. Were it not for the smoke flooding the corridor Max may have found the shocked look on the guard's face amusing. As it was though, he finished the guard off before returning to Alex.
"Alex." He called, this time he could only get a distant murmur in response. Knowing she was too weak to make it out unaided he carefully lifted her up and carried her to what he hoped was safety.
-TBC
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