"How much are you going to take?" Kara lay in her hospital bed, head turned to the side to avoid the view in front of her. Alex sat on the edge of the bed with one hand holding onto Kara's upturned wrist and the other holding a green-tipped needle that was positioned to plunge into a vein on the inside of Kara's elbow.
Alex pulled the needle away from Kara's arm. "Enough to run some tests. Now lie still." She placed the needle back on Kara's skin.
Kara turned to take a peek at the needle that was about to be thrust into her arm. "You know, I apparently don't have enough blood as it is. I'm pretty sure that taking more is not going to help."
Alex sighed. "I talked to Dr. Hamilton. She informed me that I could take 20 milliliters worth." She looked at Kara with a mix of frustration and concern. "I told you Kara, we need this so we can make sure that Clark's blood doesn't cause a reaction when we give it to you...a reaction that could kill you. It's important. So, lie still." She put her head back down in concentration and placed the needle once more at Kara's arm.
Kara turned her head away and bit her lip. Alex located the vein and slowly inserted the needle. She watched as the blood ran from the needle through a rubber tube and into a small vial. The vial filled up and she clamped off the small tube in order to put on another. "Just one more." She glanced over to Kara. "You doing okay?" Kara, head still turned, staring at the opposite wall, silently nodded.
The last vial filled up and Alex removed the needle. She pressed a small cotton pad on Kara's arm, took off the band that was applying pressure to Kara's arm and wrapped her elbow with gauze. "See that wasn't too bad." She patted Kara's leg and moved to put the tubes and equipment on the bedside table.
"Says the person who was doing the needle sticking." Kara lifted up her arm to inspect the damage, scrunched up her face and laid her arm back on the bed. "Let's change positions and see how bad it is."
Alex took a seat in the chair next to Kara's bed. "I can't believe that the Girl of Steel, who takes punches from Kryptonians, gets thrown down by aliens and slammed into buildings, would be so wimpy when it comes to a small needle in the arm."
"Hey, I am not a wimp!" Kara protested. "Those things are dangerous. They're small so you don't think they will hurt you but, they're only disguised that way to lure you into a false sense of security before they stab you with their sharp little points." She raised her hand, putting her index finger and thumb together, pushing them forward in a stabbing motion.
Alex lifted her eyebrows and shook her head. "Well, you better overcome your fear of them. After this is all over, we are going to be stockpiling so much of your blood that Dracula will seem like an amateur."
"Oh, great!" Kara rolled her eyes.
Alex smiled. Kara's energy level was still hampered by her injuries and the loss of blood but, the morphine had helped her withstand the pain and she was able to stay awake for periods of time to converse.
"Where's Eliza?" Kara inquired.
"I think she's upstairs picking Barry's brain on the process of isolating antigens in the blood." Alex replied.
"Barry?" Kara was confused. No one had mentioned to her that Barry was at the DEO and she didn't make the connection.
"Oh, that's right, you've been kind of out of it to know that Barry, or as he refers to himself, The Flash, is here." Alex chuckled.
"Barry's here?" Kara excitedly asked.
Alex noticed the elation in her voice and the glint in her eyes at the mention of Barry. She raised her eyebrows and nodded. "Yes, he is. He's been here most of the day." Her curiosity was perked. "So, you met him when Hank and I went to find Cadmus?"
"Yep. He was great, Alex. Livewire had escaped and Sibhoan turned into this mean, creepy looking thing…well, she was mean before that but, now she was just really, really mean and loud. The two of them attacked Ms. Grant. You and Hank were gone and I couldn't figure out how to stop them on my own." She paused to take a breath. "Barry showed up and he helped me."
"Yes, he does appear to be a pretty helpful guy." Alex acknowledged. "So, you seem like you really like him," she probed further.
Kara saw the inquisitive look that Alex threw her. "Yeah, but not in the way you're thinking," she declared. "It was just so nice having someone to talk to who was similar to me and who understood what it's like. I mean…I know J'onn's here and so is Clark but, it's just not the same. Plus, Barry's fun!" She gleefully added.
Alex nodded. "I get it."
"So, can I see him?" Kara asked and reached down to push herself up higher on the bed. A pain, so sudden and sharp that it immediately halted her movement and closed off her breath shot through her chest. She dropped back down on the bed, clutched at her chest with one hand and grabbed the blanket tight with the other.
Alarmed, Alex shot up from the chair. "Kara!"
The color drained from Kara's face and she stared at the opposite wall, trying not to move in fear of increasing the pain. She let out her air and took in a short breath before holding it.
"Your heart?" Alex asked anxiously. Kara closed her eyes and slightly nodded. Alex's own heart jumped into her throat. If the bullet had moved into Kara's heart, she wouldn't have much time.
Alex reached over Kara and frantically pushed the nurses call button that was lying on the bed. She then glanced at the machine monitoring Kara's heart and saw that her rate was spiking. She placed a hand on the bed next to Kara's head and wrapped the other around Kara's forearm that she held next to her chest. "Kara, breathe."
Kara's agonizing face turned toward Alex. Her frightened blue-eyes locked onto Alex's and she took in a few more choppy breaths. After a few more seconds, the pain started to ease and she was able to inhale a little bit deeper.
"Is it better?" Alex asked, her face taut.
Kara chest still rose erratically but, she nodded. "A little," she hoarsely whispered.
The door opened and Dr. Hamilton hurried in. "What's going on?"
Alex turned to the door. "She had a pain in her chest." She stepped back from the bed to let Dr. Hamilton get in to examine Kara.
Dr. Hamilton looked down at Kara, still struggling to get her breath. "Is the pain still there?"
"Some." Kara's voice was quiet, breathless. The episode had left her extremely weak.
Dr. Hamilton took her stethoscope off her shoulders, placed the earpiece in her ears and dropped down to listen to Kara's heart. After a minute, she repositioned it to listen to her lungs. She stood up and looked at Kara. "The bullet has most likely shifted some. Luckily, it doesn't appear to have penetrated your heart." She glanced over to view Kara's vitals going across the machine and over to Alex before coming back to Kara. "Your heart and lungs are working too hard right now, trying to get oxygen into your system. Your body won't be able to last much longer under these conditions. We need to put a tube down your throat, to push higher amounts of oxygen in to help maintain your systems."
Kara's eyes furrowed together and she shook her head. "No, please don't," she pleaded.
Dr. Hamilton looked to Alex for support for what needed to be done. Alex met Dr. Hamilton's gaze but, reluctantly and silently supported her sister by moving her attention back to Kara without saying a word. Dr. Hamilton looked back to Kara and considered her request before letting out a sigh. "Okay, Kara. We will wait on that. But, it is very important that you not exert yourself too much. Is that understood?" Kara nodded her head. Dr. Hamilton reached down and patted Kara on the shoulder, "I'll be back around in a while."
Alex walked back to her chair, looking once more at Kara's vitals before sitting down. Dr. Hamilton's unspoken look to Alex was in reference to the drop in Kara's blood oxygen level, which was now down to 65%. She knew that with each drop in her oxygen level, Kara's organs would become extremely compromised. She watched Kara whose face was expressionless, stare at the ceiling. Neither spoke, each taking in what Dr. Hamilton had just told them.
"Fear." Kara's strained voice finally broke the silence.
"What?" Alex asked, confused by the one word utterance.
"This morning," Kara turned her head toward Alex. "When you said…I pushed everything inside," Kara continued, hear words soft, halted by short intakes of breath. "It's from fear."
Alex shook her head. "No, Kara. Now is not the time."
"Yes, now is the time." She drew in a breath and returned her gaze to the ceiling. "After losing everything…my parents and Krypton, I have always been afraid of losing more." She took a couple of more breaths before continuing. "I lock things in because it's easier for me to take the pain of that than it would be to take the pain of hurting someone that I love and losing them."
Alex scooted up in her chair and put her hand on Kara's. "Kara, you will never lose me…or mom."
Kara turned her head back to Alex. "The things I said to you before, with the red kryptonite; that was from my own fear and guilt, not you. My mother sent me here for a purpose, to help Kal-El and Earth. After getting the security that I had with you, Eliza and Jeremiah, I was scared to step out of it, that I might lose it." She stopped to catch her breath. "I was afraid I was disappointing my mother by not using my powers. I was afraid that if I did use them, I would disappoint Jeremiah…and you." She paused. "My fear kept me in limbo. Then, once I decided to use them, I thought that it would make everything better and it didn't. I was afraid that my life would never feel normal again."
Kara put her hand back to her chest to try to get more air. "I blamed you for controlling my life but, it was my own fear that held me back, not you. I felt guilty because my fears kept you from living your own life. It was my life that had felt worthless and I used you as an excuse for my uncertainty and failures."Kara's breaths now came heavy and quick. The air was hard to find and she knew that her time was running short.
Watching Kara struggle put a lump in Alex's throat and she had to fight hard to keep her emotions in check. She left her spot in the chair to sit alongside Kara on the bed, putting Kara's hand in between both of her own. "Kara, you have never held me back. You gave my life a purpose, direction. Before you came, it was just me and yeah, I got all the attention and I thought it was great. But, it wasn't." Alex broke eye contact and looked off the side. "I was selfish, self-centered and lonely."
She reset her gaze on Kara. "All that changed when you arrived. You taught me how to look outside of myself, to see the good in people and to want to be more than what I was. I didn't know how good having a sister could be until you came to us. In you, I had someone to confide in; to share hopes, fears and dreams with; someone to love unconditionally. And yes, I know I was a little bossy." Kara's eyebrows went up and she nodded her head emphatically. Alex smiled and patted Kara's hand, "but, that's what big sister's are supposed to do."
Alex hesitated and her voice became melancholy. "When they told us dad died, I was so afraid that they would come and take you…that I would lose you, too. I couldn't survive losing you so, I tried to control the situation. I pushed you to not use your powers, to live a normal life and to stay out of situations that might reveal who you were. I didn't want you in the limelight, not because I was jealous but, because I thought it was the only way of protecting you…and me."
Alex watched as Kara's breaths became short and shallow and her eyes begin to droop. She is getting so weak. We're losing her. "Kara, I have never thought of you as a burden and you're definitely not a failure. I am so proud of you. My life and the world have been so much better because of you…okay?" Kara gave a weak nod as her eyes filled with tears. Keeping her left hand wrapped around Kara's, Alex leaned up and kissed Kara's forehead, her own tears sliding down her face. She then dropped her cheek next to Kara's and grabbed her opposite shoulder to give her a modified hug. Kara brought up her free arm and pulled Alex in as tight as she could. They held the hug, neither wanting to let go, trying to somehow hold on to a piece of the other and delay time. Finally, Alex pulled back. She reached over and wiped the tears that had fallen down Kara's face before wiping her own away.
Alex sniffled and lightly patted Kara's thigh. "You need to rest. Save some energy for when we have to poke you with another needle to get Clark's blood into you," she smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Kara gave a feeble smile and as Alex started to slide away, she pulled at Alex's hand, holding her in place. "I love you, Alex. Always know that."
Alex stopped her movement and centered her eyes on Kara's. "I love you, too, Kara. Now rest," she repeated.
Kara watched Alex for as long as she could before slowly closing her eyes.
Alex sat with Kara until her breaths became more even and slow, indicating that she had fallen asleep. She slid off the bed, gathered up the vials of blood and made her way out of the room.
Out in the hallway, Alex found Dr. Hamilton standing next to the nurses' station. "Dr. Hamilton, may I speak with you for a minute?" She asked.
"Of course, Alex." They both walked to a side hallway that was more private.
"Can you give me an estimate on how long Kara has before…?" Alex's asked, her words dropping off.
"Before her system starts shutting down?" Dr. Hamilton finished Alex's question. Alex nodded, not wanting to know but, needing to know how much time Kara had left. "You saw her numbers, Alex. You know how the body works…how Kara's works, better than most. Her oxygen levels are dropping dramatically within a short amount of time, which forces her body, specifically her heart to have to work harder. She needs to be put onto a ventilator. Without it, I would estimate she has a couple of hours before her organs start to shut down or her heart fails."
Dr. Hamilton's words hit Alex in the chest. She dropped her head and absently stared at the floor. Dr. Hamilton was right; she did know what would happen but, her mind wouldn't process it and to hear it vocalized made it real. She lifted her head back at Dr. Hamilton, "Kara doesn't want the ventilator," she replied softly. "As much as I want more time, it's her decision," she added. "I need to run these blood vials upstairs. My mom should be back shortly." She turned to leave, "Thank you Dr. Hamilton."
2600 miles away, senators were convened in the Federal Capitol building for a late night vote on a controversial budget bill. In a process of filibustering to delay the vote, one particular senator had been speaking for over an hour. Everyone was getting tired and tempers were flaring. Up in the galley, many of the spectators had called it a night and left. Among the few that were left watching the display below, were three Kryptonians, waiting to receive a phone call putting them into action.
A few miles away, a group of seven aliens from different planets were scattered along the eastern bank of the lagoon that was situated between the Potomac River and the Pentagon. Normally, most would have stood out because of their physical characteristics and size but, under the cover of darkness, their presence went unnoticed. Each of them held their positions, eagerly anticipating the call that would direct them forward, across the lagoon and into the walls of the five-sided building.
On the top floor of an office building back in National City, a single light was reflected through the window. Sitting at his desk, the green-eyed man glanced at his cell phone. The clock had been pulled up on the screen and he watched as the numbers crept closer to the target time. In just a short time, his plan would be put into motion. While this was just the initial phase, it was important to all of them because it would send a message to those who had abused their power. But, his prime objective for the phase was to divert attention away from the DEO for the second phase.
Eliza was sitting in the chair next to Kara's bed, holding her hand as she slept when Alex got back from giving Barry the vials of Kara's blood. She watched her daughter as she silently made her way to the side of Kara's bed and stood examining the numbers that ran across the vital machine. Eliza had been monitoring them as she sat in her chair so, she understood the disquiet expression on Alex's face when she saw that Kara's levels had continued to decline. It was agonizing seeing both of her daughters suffer in different ways and not have the ability to help either one.
"I was upstairs earlier talking with Barry and it looks like he has made some progress on finding a process that will work with Clark's blood." She spoke, hoping to add something positive for her daughter to focus on.
Alex collapsed into the chair across from her and nodded her head. "He's testing some possibilities now. Hopefully, one of them will work."
"It's nice that he has been able to help out in your lab so you can be here with Kara," Eliza noted.
Alex slowly nodded again, "He's been a great asset during this entire crisis," she acknowledged, too tired and frustrated to add anything more.
Both women sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts and not wanting to discuss the fact that the work that was being done upstairs wouldn't mean a thing if Clark didn't arrive in time to put it into place.
"Look Alex−" Eliza's words were cut off by the alarm going off on Kara's vital monitor.
They both jumped up and Alex spun to face the monitor. "Her heart rate is too high!" She snapped her head to Kara who lay, motionless and unconscious on the bed.
The door flew open. Dr. Hamilton and two nurses that had heard the alarm at their station raced into the room. Dr. Hamilton rushed to Kara and analyzed the numbers on the monitor. "Her heart's gone into tachycardia and her rate is continuing to climb. We have to get it down before she codes." She turned to one of the nurses, "Get me some Adenosine!" She spun back to Alex. "Her blood oxygen level has dropped below what her heart can withstand. We have to put her on a ventilator, or she will go into cardiac arrest."
Alex looked to Eliza, who nodded her head. "Yes, do it!" Alex frantically replied.
Dr. Hamilton had the nurse bring in the ventilator machine and as Alex and Eliza stood and watched, a team of doctors and nurses worked to get Kara stabilized and onto breathing support. Both women fought back tears and held on to the other when the breathing tube was placed down her they finished and Kara's heart rate had dropped, Dr. Hamilton went over to Alex and Eliza standing against the wall.
"She's stabilized now. Her heart rate is still high and most likely will continue to increase. The fact that she is not alert tells me that the blood oxygen levels are too low to keep her in a conscious state." She looked from Eliza to Alex before continuing. "She needs the blood transfusion very soon just to be able to maintain her current levels. We're most likely looking at an hour or so time frame."
Dr. Hamilton and her team picked up their equipment and cleared the room. Alex and Eliza made their way over to Kara's side. Eliza wrapped an arm around Alex and they both stood there silently, watching the machine pumping oxygen into Kara's body. They were still standing that way when Hank walked in the door.
He took in the scene in front of him before addressing the two women when they turned to face him. "Clark's here," he announced.