Here is the next chapter everyone! I hope you enjoy! Thank you all for the continued interest and any feedback. The story will be coming to a close soon, but not quite yet. So, stay tuned for more. Classes have started back up again though, so apologies for any delay in new chapters. Please let me know what you think!
This one felt stronger, Kara noted as she lay there strapped to the kryptonyte enforced table. It hurt a bit as it was trying to push itself into her brain, a dull sort of aching pain. Like the headache she'd get after blowing out her powers. But, it wasn't the sharp sudden pain she would have expected. Rhea had failed. Despite the startling appearance of this new and improved parasite, it was unable to pierce the skin of Supergirl. Perhaps with enough time dedicated to forcing its way in, it would be able to. But, patience didn't seem to be one of its virtues. After a few moments of pressure, the parasite slithered back out of Kara's mouth and onto the floor. Kara was finally able to assess their situation.
Mon-El had attacked the guard that brought the parasite into Kara's cell. The guy was unconscious on the ground. Eliza had forced herself into the room and had injected one of the other guards directly in the eye with her spare needle of paralysis agent, he too was splayed on the ground. There was only one guard left that Mon-El was fighting, but more were sure to be on their way. Eliza realized that Kara was no longer being infected by the parasite and walked over to the door of the cell.
"Mom, no! It's free. It will infect you."
"Don't worry, I have the cure with me. I'll just inject it before it gets to me," Eliza ensured.
Just as Eliza was opening the door, Mon-El successfully knocked out the third and final guard. The parasite quickly crawled out of the cell and Eliza jammed her syringe into it's back as Mon-El rushed in to free Kara from the table. The parasite froze, quickly going limp. But, by the time Kara had reached the door of her cell, it began twitching.
"The cure doesn't work on the hybrid. We have to get out of here!" Eliza exclaimed.
"Both of you, get to the door. I know it can't infect me, I'll keep it busy until you're safe," Kara said, stepping towards the creature.
Mon-El and Eliza both pushed through the doors, shortly followed by Kara who pulled the door shut behind them. The trio ran through the halls, towards the back of the warehouse.
"Maggie, what's your ETA?" Mon-El asked over their communication devices.
"Pulling up now, what's your situation?"
"On our way out, with the cure."
"See you soon."
As they ran through the halls, various guards tried to stop them. But, Mon-El and Kara took care of them. It wasn't long before the three of them were bursting through the back doors of the building. Maggie was waiting in an unmarked DEO transport van, as soon as everyone was inside, she took off.
"I had to tell J'onn about our plan, I didn't want to leave Lena and Alex alone for too long," Maggie said.
"What did he say?" Kara asked.
"He wasn't too happy, but I'm sure he'll get over it when Alex and Lena are safe."
"How are they doing?" Eliza inquired.
"They're both technically stable. But, still unconcious. It's been 22 hours since Alex's parasite gestated...I don't want to find out what happens once it hits 24."
"No, you certainly don't," Eliza murmured.
Mon-El's ear piece crackled to life with Rhea's voice.
"I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. I knew you couldn't possibly have been on my side. You'll be sorry. You and your friends will suffer for this. You see…this was just a test. A test of the parasites to see how well they work. There are thousands ready to be released on the population of National City. Then there will be no stopping them."
"I call bullshit mother, you don't know how these things operate. You had to have Eliza do experiments for you. You wouldn't start an epidemic without fully being able to control the outcome. You're not that willing to relinquish control."
"You think you know me Mon-El? You want to bet on that? You've been away for a long time. Things change."
"Don't listen to her Mon-El," Kara said. "We have to get the cure to Lena and Alex. We can worry about everything else after."
Mon-El nodded, ripping out his earpiece and throwing it on the ground of the van.
"We're pulling in now," Maggie announced.
As soon as the van stopped moving, everyone jumped out and ran through the DEO to the med bay. J'onn was waiting for them, sitting between Alex and Lena.
"Do you have it?" J'onn asked in his deep gravely voice.
"We do, Kara answered as Eliza pulled out the syringes.
"I'm going to do Alex first because she has a bit less time," Eliza explained, moving next to Alex's bed and rolling her onto her side.
She carefully slid the paralytic needle into the thin black line on the back of Alex's neck, injecting it slowly and carefully while monitoring if there was any response on Alex's part. A few moments passed before she injected the cure into the same spot. You could see everyone in the room holding their breath as they waited for Alex to come to. The tension grew the longer there was no change, but then, she began to stir.
"Alex? Al? Hey…" Maggie said softly, squeezing Alex's hand.
Alex opened her eyes, blinking at the harsh light, and looked around the room.
"W...what happened?" Alex asked, her voice hoarse from lack of use.
"You were sick, but you're better now. Alex, I missed you so much," Maggie explained, pulling Alex close.
"What's wrong with Lena? Why...why is she here?"
"She was helping us figure out what was wrong with you. BUt, then she got sick too. It's ok, we're going to take care of her now," Kara answered. "I'm just happy you're ok Alex."
Alex just nodded, nuzzling close into Maggie's chest. Although she didn't fully remember their time apart, she subconsciously missed Maggie's strong arms wrapped around her.
Eliza smiled at her beautiful daughter, so happy that they had saved her. But, she knew her work wasn't over. She moved over to Lena's bed and administered the paralytic agent as well as the cure. Moments passed and Lena too began to stir.
"Kara…" was the first word out of Lena's mouth.
"I'm right here Lena, I'm right here."
"What...what happened? Is Alex alright?"
"Yes, Alex is right here. She's alright. You're both going to be alright. We couldn't have done it without you," Kara said, grasping Lena's hand.
Finally, Alex and Lena were both safe. Everyone went around talking to them a bit, telling them how happy they were that they were alright. J'onn sent Winn to go get some food as no one had really eaten the whole time Lena and Alex were unconscious. Alex scooched forward in bed so that Maggie could sit behind her with Alex leaning against her, taking in her warmth. Every so often Maggie would place soft kisses on the top of her head and Alex would smile, feeling how much she was loved by this amazing woman. Lena didn't let go of Kara's hand for most of the night. She felt like she understood what Kara had meant however many days ago when she asked for Lena to stay at her apartment. Kara's presence brought comfort to her. Without her there, she'd feel lost. And so, she wanted to maintain as much contact as possible.
Long into the night, that's how they all stayed. The rest of the superfriends pulling up chairs all around the beds in the room, chatting about simple things like what movies were coming out and what they should play at the next game night. No one dared to talk about the events of the past few days. For now, they just wanted to enjoy each other's company.
But, their peace couldn't last forever. Tomorrow was a new day and they would all have much more to face.