A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. For everyone I can't message directly I really appreciate all the support. There is plenty more angst to come! Alex I'm still working on several stories, hopefully they'll live up to expectations.
"What did you do to her?" Alex asked as she barged into Lena's office.
"I'm sorry Ms Luthor. I couldn't stop her. Shall I call the police?" A flustered Jess said as she scampered behind Alex.
"Do that, I am sure they would love to hear your excuse." Alex said looking at Lena.
"It's okay Jess, I have this. You can go." Lena said watching Jess go before looking at Alex and saying. "You and Kara seem to be competing on who can stress my assistant out more."
"What did you do to her?" Alex snarled as she approached Lena's desk.
"Who? Kara? Nothing." Lena said before her expression turned serious and she leaned forward asking. "Has something happened?"
"Like you don't know." Alex said throwing the ring on the desk. "Don't play innocent. You were arrogant enough to mark the ring."
"That's the ring I gave Kara." Lena said. "What happened to her?"
"Why did you give it to her? So she could be marked as a project? Singled out for torture?"
"She told me she was going to join an anti-alien cult. I was worried they may have some of my alien detectors and gave Kara the ring to stop them working on her."
"She told you she was joining the anti alien-cult?" Alex asked trying not to sound hurt.
"Yes. What did she tell you?" Lena asked.
"Political rally." Alex said.
"That would explain why you let her go." Lena commented.
"What's your excuse for letting her run off?" Alex asked bitterly.
"I'm your sister's friend not her keeper. She's her own woman. She wanted to go and there was no stopping her. So I did all I could do and gave her this." She said looking at the ring. "In the hope it would stop them figuring out she was an alien. I assume that failed."
"They figured out who she was." Alex said, not wanting Lena to know she wasn't to blame.
"Is she okay?"
"She was tortured for nearly a month, so no, she's not okay." Alex said.
"I'm sorry." Lena said. "Can I see her?"
"No." Alex said without justification. After a moment she mellowed remembering that Kara viewed Lena as a friend and added. "Not yet. You're not allowed in the facility."
"I see." Lena said.
"Why does she always have to put others first?" Alex asked as she paced. "I have to start vetting her email. Two sets of missing people and she has gone missing and lost her powers both times."
"Did she find the girl?" Lena asked hoping Kara would find some solace.
"Yes. But they killed her and blamed Kara." Alex explained.
"Although it won't help Kara you should know the missing girl was an excuse. The real reason she chased the story was she hoped the cults would lead to Cadmus. She wanted to find your father." Lena explained.
"Damn it Kara." Alex muttered. "Why does she keep doing this? Why can't she understand that I am not leaving her? When will she accept I don't want to replace her?" She asked rhetorically.
"Can I say something?" Lena asked.
"What?" Alex asked still not trusting Lena.
"You think Kara is afraid of losing you. She's not. In her mind she has already lost you."
"That's crazy." Alex said before asking. "Did she tell you that?"
"Not exactly. But it is pretty easy to read between the lines. She wears her heart on her sleeve."
"It's because I skipped her birthday isn't it?" Alex asked as guilt washed over her.
"It's not just about the birthday. That was just the proverbial straw. Before she left when was the last time you had a sisters' night or the two of you met for breakfast?" Lena asked.
"We've been busy." Alex said before confessing. "I was busy. I kept brushing her off. I thought she was okay with it."
"She wanted you to be happy. She was afraid that if she told you, you would sabotage your relationship with...Maggie is it?" She paused as Alex nodded before going on. "Before she left she was feeling guilty for wanting you to spend more time with her. She thought it made her a bad person."
"What else did she tell you?" Alex asked.
"I won't betray her confidence any more than I already have." Lena said. "But I will tell you what she needs now more than anything is her sister. Don't yell at her or criticise her. I'd put money on the fact that what she wants more than anything right now is a hug."
-00-
"How is she?" Alex asked when she approached the infirmary and saw J'onn looking in.
"Subdued, but she hasn't tried escaping. She finally confessed to being in pain, which is a start." J'onn said. "Where's Luthor?"
"She wasn't involved." Alex stated.
"You sure?" He asked surprised.
"I'm sure." Alex said.
"What about the ring?"
"It stops the Luthor alien detectors registering that Kara is an alien. She was worried the cult may have some of the detectors so gave Kara the ring."
"She knew Kara was going after the cult?" J'onn asked.
"Kara told her and that the real reason was to find dad." Alex said before asking. "You think she told us everything?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure when your sister last told us the complete story about anything."
"And I let her get away with it." Alex said sadly. "I've really let her down."
"We all have." J'onn said. "But it's not too late to make amends. And I'm sure your mom could use a break. I'll be in the control room if you need anything." He added before he walked off. For a minute Alex stood watching Eliza and Kara before taking a breath and entering the infirmary.
"Mom, can I have a minute alone with Kara?" Alex asked.
"Of course." Eliza said kissing Kara's head before leaving.
When Eliza had left Kara looked up at Alex her eyes full of what Alex would class as fear and guilt. Knowing she couldn't say anything to make Kara feel better she just walked up to her and hugged her.
"I'm sorry." Kara sobbed into Alex's shoulder.
"Kara you have nothing to apologise for. What matters is you are safe and you are going to be okay."
"But your dad-"
"If he is dead I know he would have wanted to sacrifice himself to save you. If he's alive we'll get him back. Together, as a family, because that is what we are." Alex said trying to mask the hitch in her voice as she discussed the possibility of her father being dead.
-00-
"Sorry to interrupt. But I have something I thought you'd like to see." Maggie said entering the infirmary several hours later where Eliza and Alex sat either side of Kara. Seeing a small nod from Alex, Maggie stepped forward and took her phone out. "Alex told me about Jen and this morning I went to go see your boss who gave me the name of her mother. So I went to go and see her. I took this photo this morning." Maggie said handing the phone to Kara who looked at the image confused.
"This morning? No. She's dead." Kara said studying the picture of both Jen and her mother.
"They lied to you Kara. Jen is alive and back home with her mother. Both want to see you when you're up to it."
"Jen's alive?" Kara asked in disbelief.
"Didn't we tell you Cadmus can't be trusted?" Alex asked.
"That means Jeremiah could be alive. I have to go back." Kara said trying to get out of her bed.
"Kara, slow down. Without your powers you are not going anywhere." Alex said.
"I can talk to Jen. She can give me names." Kara said suddenly showing more energy than she had since they had found her. "We can track down the others and find Jeremiah."
"Maggie can talk to Jen." Alex pointed out, wanting to keep Kara safe but the comment only causing Kara to feel replaced. The look of hurt that crossed Kara's face was enough for Alex to realise her mistake. "Kara, Cadmus are out there and they know you don't have your powers and they want to kill you. It isn't safe for you out there."
"They will always be trying to kill me. But right now I can make a difference."
"If you really want to help. Help us figure out who else was in the cult. You saw everyone and you heard things no one else could. Work with Winn to help us track them down." J'onn said.
"They know about your connection to me. You are all in danger too." Kara said.
"We'll be careful." J'onn promised. "No one will leave here by themselves. And Winn can monitor everyone from the control room."
Knowing she wouldn't win the argument but could still win the war Kara reluctantly nodded her agreement.
TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. I am going to be stuck on several planes for the next day or so, so the next chapter may be up a little later than normal.