"Go" Kara shouted to citizens beneath her. Gritting her teeth and grunting under the weight of the building; she forced it back up and used her heat vision to repair the frame. Once she was satisfied the building was stable she flew towards a team of fire-fighters who were trying to extinguish a fire on a restaurant. Kara could see they were struggling to get the fire under control as it began to spread to the nearby buildings. She flew faster, arriving as an explosion forced the fire-fighters back. She inhaled a deep breath and quickly put out the fire with her freeze breath. The fire-fighters below began cheering and calling her name. Kara smiled and waved in response.
Suddenly the ground shook and a large crack appeared along the road. Kara watched in horror as two fire-fighters disappeared into the crack. She flew forwards and dived down; catching the men and pulling them back to the surface.
"Gracias Supergirl" The two fire-fighters said.
"Su bienvenida" Kara replied before flying off. She hovered above the city and scanned the ground below. She could see her cousin helping those by the seashore. Homes, buildings, docks and boats had been destroyed by an earthquake triggered tsunami. Superman smiled and nodded as their eyes met. Kara smiled back; she always enjoined teaming up with her cousin. She watched as he tilted his head and turned his attention to his right. Kara followed his gaze and watched as the overpass began to crumple. Without hesitation she and Superman flew towards the overpass.
Kara arrived first and positioned her-self under the overpass. "Hey Cuz" Kara said as Superman arrived seconds later.
"Hey" Superman replied as he helped support the weight of the overpass. "You beat me" He smiled.
Kara smirked "I gave you a head start."
Superman chuckled "Do you have any ideas?" he asked as bits of the overpass fell around them.
Kara's arms buckled slightly as she looked around for anything that might help support the overpass. She could hear the screams of those still trapped in their vehicles above. She shook her head as another crack appeared. "We could knock out the two remaining pillars; each take an end and lower the overpass to the ground."
"Sounds risky" Superman replied.
Kara looked back at the two remaining pillars; the aftershocks had already weakened them. "We can do it." She replied confidently.
Superman nodded "I got this; you knock out the pillars."
Kara nodded before charging towards the pillars and crashing through them. She quickly turned and grabbed the opposite end of the overpass as it fell to the ground. Dust and debris surrounded them as they set the overpass down. Kara felt exhausted and her muscles ached as she flew back towards her cousin.
"You did it" Superman said.
"We did it" Kara panted. She glanced around "Do you think that's it?"
Superman looked around his surroundings "I think so. Although I have promised to repair a fisherman's boat" he chuckled. "Would you like to help?"
"I'd love to." Kara replied before flying towards the docks.
"How's Jeremiah?" Superman asked as he used his heat vision to seal the hole in the boat.
"It's difficult to tell" Kara replied "One day he looks well but other's he looks weak and tired."
"He's been through a lot."
"I know but Alex is convinced Eliza is keeping something from her."
"How is Alex?"
"She's fine" Kara lied as they lifted the fishing boat from the ground and placed it back into the sea. "It floats" she said cheerfully.
"So it does." Superman smiled.
Kara nudged her cousin "You know we make a pretty good team."
"Something tells me our parents would be proud."
Kara nodded in agreement her eyes suddenly opening wide as she remembered the eulogy. "I have to go."
"Why? What is it?" Superman asked.
"I forgot about the eulogy. I promised Alex..."
"Go" Superman interrupted. "I can clean up here."
"Thank you." Kara said before taken off.
00
Alex downed her first drink and ordered a second. The bike ride had provided her with the distraction she needed to help clear her mind.
"Tough day?" The barman asked as he placed her drink down.
"Try a tough year." Alex replied as she took a sip.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Alex shook her head "Just the drink thanks."
"Let me know if you need anything else." The barman replied as he moved to serve another customer.
Alex nodded. She stared at the pen on the counter before picking it up. Without thinking he began scribbling on some napkins.
00
"How could you keep this from us?" Kara asked.
"I did what I thought was best for you and Alex." Jeremiah replied.
"How can you even think this is what's best for us?" Kara paused "Alex is the smartest person I know; a genius and you've kept her in the dark." She turned to face Eliza "We both know she could help you find a cure."
Eliza and Jeremiah exchanged looks. "I didn't want the responsibility to fall on Alex." Jeremiah said.
"Do you know how stupid that sounds?" Kara replied without thinking.
"Kara" Eliza said disapprovingly.
"It's ok Eliza." Jeremiah said as he squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Kara's right; I should have been honest with them."
Kara sighed "Do you know where Alex went?"
"I don't; she took off about an hour ago. I've tried calling but her phones switched off." Eliza replied. "Where are you going?"
"To find Alex who will then help you find a cure for Jeremiah." Kara called as she left the room.
"Why are you smiling?" Eliza asked.
Jeremiah shook his head "I never thought I'd live to see them storm out of a room again."
Eliza chuckled "Trust me; I've seen my fair share."
"It's nice; seeing how much they care about each other."
Eliza smiled "They protect one another; they always have."
00
"I didn't order this." Alex said as the barman placed another drink in front of her.
"I know you didn't but he did." The barman replied as he pointed towards a man at the end of the bar.
"Thanks but I'm good." Alex replied as she pushed the drink back.
The barman shrugged before taken the drink away.
Alex glanced out the window to her left; her eyes falling on the figure standing on the opposite side of the street. "Reynolds" she whispered as she leapt from her stool and rushed outside. She looked up and down the street but there was no sign of him. Had she imagined him standing there? She took one more look before making her way back inside the bar.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." The barman said.
"You could say that." Alex replied as she glanced back towards the window. She tapped her empty glass "Can I get another?"
The barman nodded and poured Alex another drink.
"Was my drink not good enough for you?"
"Excuse me?" Alex said as she turned to face the man whose drink she refused.
"My drink, you sent it back." The man slurred.
"That's enough Paul." The barman warned.
Alex looked between the two men "Don't take it personal; I just prefer to buy my own drinks." She turned away.
"I'm still talking to you." The man spat as he slapped his hand down on Alex's shoulder.
A rush of anger burnt through her as she reached up and grabbed the man's hand. She stood and turned to face him; bending his fingers back. The man dropped to one knee and swung his free hand but Alex deflected it with her helmet.
"Stop it" The barman shouted as he made his way around from the bar.
Alex pushed the man back and he fell to the ground cradling his hand.
"Get out" The barman said as dragged Paul to his feet.
"You're kidding right" Paul replied. "You're chosen the crazy..."
"I won't ask you again." The barman said warningly.
"This place sucks anyway." Paul spat before stomping out of the bar and slamming the door behind him.
"Sorry about that."
"It's ok" Alex replied as she sat back down. She tried wiping the napkins which were now covered with her spilt drink. She frowned as the ink smudged.
"On the house" The barman said as he placed a drink down in front of her.
"Thanks" Alex spent the next ten minutes drawing absentmindedly. She reached for her drink but a hand appeared on the top of the glass and pulled it away. She smiled "How did you find me?" Alex asked without looking up.
"I had a little help" Kara replied as she sat beside her.
"Let me guess; Winn?" Alex replied looking back at her sister.
Kara nodded "He used CCTV footage to track you here. That was some speed you were going." She said disapprovingly.
Alex smiled "You sound like mom."
"That's what she would sound like if she knew you rode a bike." Kara shuffled closer towards Alex. "I know about Jeremiah."
"Then you know I've failed." Alex reached for her drink but Kara moved it further away.
"How have you failed when you haven't even tried?"
"Because no matter how hard I try; something always knocks me back down."
"So what; you're just given up?"
"I'm not given up Kara; I couldn't even if I wanted to."
"Than what is it?"
Alex hesitated before answering. "What if I can't find a cure?"
"You will"
"But what if I can't?"
Kara took hold of Alex's hand and nodded towards the napkins "It looks like you've already started."
Alex shook her head "This is nothing; it's just..." she stared at the smudge marks and the pattern they had made. Unable to put the pieces together she pushed the napkins away in frustration.
"You will figure it out; I know you will."
Alex smiled "You've always had faith in me."
"And I always will." Kara replied
Alex's eyes were filling with tears but she tried to look brave.
"Do you want to talk?" Kara asked.
Alex wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Not here."
Kara nodded "Come on." She stood and waited for Alex to follow her.
00
"What are we doing here?" Alex asked when they landed in a wooded area. "Is this..." She turned and took in her surroundings "Are we in Bon Creek?"
Kara nodded with a smile "We used to come here when ever things got a little too stressful. You used to say..."
"Whatever is said or done in Bon Creek, stays in Bon Creek." Alex interrupted; she smiled at the memory. The last time she and Kara visited the creek was shortly after her father's funeral. They hiked their way to the highest point and screamed at the top of their voices. It was a great stress release for them both.
"I still come here from time to time; to let off a little steam."
"I can see that." Alex replied, nodding towards the broken rocks.
"I thought this would be a good place for us to talk."
"I wish it was that easy."
Alex moved over to an opening in the trees and stared down at the creek. "I forgot how beautiful this place was." She watched as the sun began to set; it wouldn't be long before the creek was plunged into darkness. Just like her life had been plunged into darkness the day she died. Alex tried to push the memories back down but the emotion was so strong it brought tears to her eyes. She leaned against a tree and slide down to the ground.
Kara's heart ached at the sight of her sister; it was clear she was hurting. She quickly moved towards Alex and wrapped her arms around her. "It's going to be ok; you're going to be ok." Kara said.
"I feel so weak." Alex sobbed.
"Allowing yourself to feel whatever you're feeling doesn't make you weak Alex; it's what makes you stronger."
"But I've been fine for months." Alex sat back and wiped away her tears.
"We both know you haven't" Kara sighed. "You've been through a lot and instead of dealing with it; you've buried it so deep it's tearing you apart."
"Kara..."
Kara raised her hand "You've dedicated your life to protecting me and making sure I'm ok."
"You're my sister; it's what we do."
"So let me help you."
Alex looked away and for a moment Kara thought she had pushed too hard.
"I remember how it felt when the bullet hit." Alex spoke but continued to look forward. "I think my body must have gone into shock as I don't recall feeling any pain." She frowned and looked back at Kara "I remember thinking its ok if I die; as long as you and mom were safe." She swallowed "But then I heard you cry out and I knew I had failed to protect you."
Tears began to run down Kara's cheeks. She wanted to reach out and reassure her sister; tell her it wasn't her fault but these were words Alex had heard over and over again. Alex was finally opening up and all she really needed was for someone to listen to her. So that's what Kara did; she sat and listened to her sister.
