Just a short chapter to hold you all until I decide what is going to happen next in this story... I think I might re-introduce some scientists from the first chapter, because I'm evil like that and I would like to get to some major angst because... well... I like angst. That's pretty much the sum of it.

Thanks for all the responses and encouragement! You all are truly amazing and an inspiration! Also Question of the Day is staying :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Supergirl or any of its characters or all that

There were so many things that Alex wanted to say as they drove home.

Kara silent in the back and Alex wondered briefly if her presence was the only reason that she had been able to hold herself together thus far.

Hank Henshaw. J'onn J'onzz. Her dad. Kara. Jemm.

Faces swam before her eyes, shifting and combining.

What could she say? How on earth could she comment on what had just happened, take the ideas in and somehow transform them into words? It would be like trying to bottle a tornado.

In the end, it was Kara who broke the silence.

"Are you okay?"

The Kryptonian girl's voice was soft, unsure. She wasn't expecting Alex to offer her a bottled summarization of what had happened, only wanting a glimpse of the winds churning her mind.

"I'm not sure." That felt right, Alex reflected as she spoke the words. "But I will be. How are you doing?"

She glanced back to where Kara was sitting in the back seat, looking so small against the black fabric of the seat.

"I was scared."

"I'm so sorry this happened, Kara." Alex bit her lip. "I'm so sorry I couldn't stop Jemm from attacking you…"
"I was scared…" Kara interrupted her, "because he hurt you."

"Oh." Alex closed her mouth.

"I thought that he would kill you because I wasn't strong enough. I tried but I couldn't stop him."

Alex pulled into the driveway and put the car into park before fully turning to face Kara.

"None of what happened was your fault, Kara. You should have never been in that situation to begin with." Alex's emotions were beginning to catch up with her body and she suddenly felt breathless at the onslaught. "Next I tell you to get out of there, you need to listen to me. You could have easily been killed." She was aware of the sudden force behind her words but could do nothing to stop it, even as she saw Kara's body physically recoil.

"You are displeased." Kara's blue eyes found hers, Kryptonian formality creeping into her words.

"Damn it, Kara, you almost died!" Alex slammed her hand down on the seat of the car, body almost shaking. "He had you in his hands and was choking you… I can't… I couldn't have…" She fought for her composure with little success. "Next time I tell you to go, you go!" She set her jaw.

As her chest heaved with emotions she couldn't untangle and the words stopped falling out of her mouth, she stopped looking at Kara and finally saw her.

The blonde girl was tense, her face blank, hands curled into fists at her side.

"The only role I have played is the one to go, to be sent away, to be the one who survives to face the wreckage alone. I cannot do it again."

"Kara…" Alex's heart plummeted as she replayed her own words in her mind. "Kara, I'm sorry…"

But it was too late; the Kryptonian had already disappeared into the house.

"You okay?"

Winn's kind eyes were concerned as he looked up from the human game he had been teaching her.

"Yes," Kara lied, wrapping her arms around herself. She had left the house as soon as possible, only pausing to curtly let Alex know where she was going.

"That earthquake was crazy, huh?" Winn seemed to sense that she didn't want to talk about what was going on but couldn't quite hold himself back.

"Yes." Kara moved her game disk from one square to another. "It was crazy." Her smile was so fake that even she could feel it.

"Are you sure everything is okay?"

"Yes everything is okay, Winn!" Kara slammed her hand down on the small game table so hard that it cracked in half, pieces flying everywhere.

"I am so sorry!" Kara scrambled around the room, trying to chase the red and black disks that had rolled everywhere.

"Dang…" Winn was just staring at the pieces of the table. "I always knew that table was getting old but I definitely did not expect that to happen."

"I am so so sorry," Kara's face flushed.

"It's okay," Winn waved it off, grabbing the game box and helping her gather the pieces. "My mom has been dying to replace that anyways, now she has a reason."

For a moment they just picked up pieces and splinters of wood.

"So I'm guessing you don't want to talk about it, if the split table is any sign…" Winn glanced over at her.

"Talk about what?" Kara furrowed her brow.

Winn just raised his eyebrows at her.

"It's just…" Kara bit her lip. "Everyone thinks that they know what's best for me, without letting me decide."

"Did you fight with your foster mom?" Winn looked sympathetic.

"Sister," Kara corrected him automatically, playing with the plastic pieces.

"Sorry, sister." Winn glanced at her. "Hey, I get it. My dad always wants me to be someone I'm not. He wants me to be like him, make toys and stuff. But he never asks me what I want to do. I tried to show him something I programmed and he barely looked at it," Winn glanced down at his hands. "I know it isn't the same…"

"No, it's helpful," Kara smiled slightly. "Really. I just… I don't know. I… I've already lost everyone. I don't want to lose Alex too."

"You won't." Winn's response was firm. "And you have me. And Carter too. As friends." He gave her a slightly lopsided smile.
"Thanks Winn." Her smile this time was genuine.

There was a knock at the door and Winn's mom emerged from the study to open it. Kara glanced around the corner to find Alex standing in the doorway. The agent had changed into a plain shirt and jeans, but she looked uncomfortable as she shifted her weight from foot to foot.
"It's Alex. I should go." Kara gave Winn a quick wave before making her way to the door.

"Oh, hey." Alex's brown eyes brightened as she saw her before suddenly dimming and darting away. "Thank you so much for having Kara, Mrs. Schott."

"Anytime. Winn is always talking about her…"

"Mom!" Winn's cheeks were on fire.
"I'm really glad Kara has found such a good friend," Alex smiled. "Well it's late so we'd better head out."

"Thank you!" Kara called before the door shut and it was just her and Alex.

They walked over the their house in silence, Alex holding the door open for her and Kara stepping in without acknowledging her.

She started going up the stairs to her room when Alex stopped her.

"Kara, I'm sorry."

Slowly she turned around.

"I shouldn't have gotten mad." Alex posture was slumped, looking down; the most defeated Kara had seen her. "I wasn't mad at you, I was mad at myself, for failing you, mad at Hank for what he did to my family…" Alex took a deep breath, lifting her gaze. "And I was scared. I wasn't trying to tell you to go away, I was trying to tell you to be safe. Because… because I can't keep you safe, not the way you deserve. You deserve so much more, Kara. You deserve safety and happiness… and I can't give that to you. You could have been killed and I couldn't do anything, but if you hadn't been with me, you would have been safe."

Kara took a step forward, her eyes on the tears that were running down the agent's face, trying to blink back her own. She swallowed hard, finding her words.

"I need you. I need you, Alex. You're my family, you're my sister." Kara shook her head. "I… I'm never going to get a chance to go back. I'm never going to see my mom, my dad, my friends… I'm never going to see them again. They're gone and they are never coming back." Now she was crying. "I can't lose my sister too. I know you want to protect me, but if I had the chance, I would go back and fight for my family. And I will fight for you because I can't lose you, Alex."

She felt Alex's arms wrap around her and she clung tight.

"You will not lose me. No matter what, I will find you. But you're so new to earth, Kara, and you're young. I need you to also trust that I have the skills and training to handle these situations. I need you to trust that I will come back."
"What about today?" Kara looked up at her. "We were all going to die."

"Today was a freak accident with the earthquake. Also now you know that I have J'onn J'onzz also looking out for me. And apparently he's pretty tough."

Kara smiled slightly at that. Green Martians were strong and the thought that Alex had one who was on her side made her feel better.

"Okay." She nodded.

Alex pulled her tighter.

"I love you."
"I love you too."

Not really sure what will happen next so... what do YOU want to see? Inspire me! I can't promise I'll go that route but I'll definitely read it and consider it!

Question of the day: hot drinks or cold drinks?

Extra credit question: what's your favorite drink?