The explosion had ripped through the cell block, killing several prisoners; including the Superhuman, Steinberg and Donovan.
J'onn had been thrown back twenty feet by the blast; breaking the tibia and fibula of his left leg and leaving him with a hairline skull fracture but thanks to his enhanced healing abilities none of his injuries were life-threatening.
"How's he doing?" Jeremiah asked as J'onn lay unconscious on the recovery bed; he watched as some of the small cuts on J'onns forehead, cheeks, hands and ears slowly healed.
"He's lucky; had he been any closer..." Hamilton stared down at J'onn, unable to finish her sentence. "I'm keeping him sedated while his wounds heal."
"Do they know what caused the explosion?"
"Winn was able to recover the footage leading up to the explosion; it looks like the superhuman had some sort of built in self destruct." Vasquez replied from his side.
"What about the heart?" Jeremiah asked.
"It was destroyed in the blast" Vasquez replied; swallowing the lump in the back of her throat down. She had worked closely with Alex for almost three years; the thought of losing her colleague, her friend pained her.
"I'm not given up on Alex; there are other treatments we can look into" Hamilton said reassuringly.
"Alex is growing weaker by the minute; her heart doesn't have the strength to pump enough blood around her body" Jeremiah's voice broke and a tear slid down his cheek. "I'm her father; I'm supposed to protect her."
Dr Hamilton perched her-self on the edge of a nearby desk; rubbing her tired eyes before looking back at Jeremiah. "I had planned on speaking to you and Eliza together..."
"What is it?" Jeremiah interrupted.
Hamilton glanced towards Vasquez. "The chances of finding a suitable donor in time are slim to none and without a transplant, Alex won't survive the night." Hamilton paused "I suggest connecting a VAD to her heart; the pump will help support the heart function and blood flow until we can find a suitable donor."
A sinking feeling set in as Jeremiah realised what little time his daughter had left. He knew the VAD surgery would help prolong his daughter's life but it came with its own risks. Then there was the wait for a suitable donor to come along; if one did. It seemed unfair that his daughter suffered when he could save her. His mind was made up; he would be her donor because the thought of his daughter suffering was unbearable. He only hoped that one day, Alex would understand.
"Are you ok?" Hamilton asked her voice full of concern as Jeremiah lowered his head.
Jeremiah tapped the device on his head and lied "My head is throbbing from wearing this device."
"I'll have Dr Simmons check you over" Hamilton replied.
"I'll be fine; I just need somewhere quiet to clear my head" Jeremiah smiled weakly.
Hamilton eyed Jeremiah for a few seconds. "Vasquez would you mind taken Jeremiah back to his room please?"
"Yes ma'am"
"I will contact a heart surgeon and speak to your family" Hamilton smiled.
"Thank you" Jeremiah replied as Vasquez turned and pushed him down the corridor towards his room.
"Can I get you anything?" Vasquez asked as she wheeled Jeremiah into the room.
"Would you mind asking Winn to take another look at this?" Jeremiah handed Vasquez his head device. There was nothing wrong with it; he just needed Vasquez to leave
"Of course" Vasquez turned and left the room.
Jeremiah waited for the door to close before using his good arm to wheel him-self closer to the desk. Panting, he pulled the A4 notepad and pen towards him before retrieving the small photograph of his daughters from his pocket. He ran his hand over the creases; smiling as a teenage Alex stared back up at him. Those big brown eyes were so much like his own and filled him with an overwhelming love. "I swore to protect you both; no matter what the cost." He whispered as he kissed the photograph. There was no turning back; he was ready to give his life for Alex. Leaning to one side; he retrieved the gun he had hidden under his cushion during Donovan's attack and placed it on the desk before picking up the pen. He paused for a few seconds before finally putting pen to paper and writing the most difficult letter of his life.
Dear Alex,
00
"You look tired" Eliza said.
"I'm fine" Kara replied as she tried to hide her yawn behind her hand.
Eliza smiled and gave Kara a knowing look "You should get some rest. I will watch over..."
Kara shook her head "No, I'm not leaving Alex."
"I know but I had to at least try" Eliza replied. "When was the last time you ate something?"
Kara shrugged
"How about I go get us something to eat? Alex is always talking about the canteens cheesesteak sandwiches."
Kara smiled but was unable to control the sob that escaped her as raw emotion came flooding to the surface.
"Oh sweetie" Eliza quickly sat beside her daughter.
Kara rested her head against Eliza's chest as heavy tears rolled down her face "I'm so sorry."
"You have nothing to apologise for Kara"
"None of this would have happened if I hadn't come into your lives; I destroyed your family."
The words stung and brought tears to Eliza's eyes "You are my family."
"I'm a burden."
"Don't talk like that."
"It's the truth. Alex and Jeremiah wouldn't be..."
"Do you honestly believe any of us regret having you in our lives?" Eliza interrupted. "You are my daughter and I love you."
"But I've cost you so much"
"You've cost me nothing." Eliza replied.
"Apart from labour costs" Alex spoke softly; forcing her heavy eyelids open. "Tom got to retire early because of you." She was referring to the local handyman Eliza hired to carry out the many repairs to their home while Kara adjusted to her powers.
"I'm glad you're awake but stop teasing your sister" Eliza said playfully.
"Can I get you anything?" Kara asked as she wiped away her tears. She didn't want Alex to see her looking so weak but it was too late.
Alex's eyes drooped but she forced them back open "You have to stop blaming yourself"
"You were listening" Kara replied.
Alex nodded "This isn't your fault. I'm here because of the decisions I made and I would make them all over again if it meant protecting you" Alex words came slow and left her breathless.
"You always have" Kara replied.
"That's what sisters do" Alex replied.
"Stronger together" Kara added.
"Exactly" Alex smiled.
"Kara" Superman called from the doorway.
"Kal El" Kara replied quickly composing herself as Superman stepped into the room.
"I heard what happened; I'm so sorry I wasn't here" Superman said as he embraced Kara.
"It's ok; you're here now" Kara replied.
"How are you?" Superman asked Alex.
"I've been better" Alex's eyelids were heavy and her body even heavier. "Have you been able to adjust the chamber?"
"Unfortunately not but I have found someone who can help." Superman moved back towards the door and ushered someone in "I'd like you to meet Jefferson Pierce aka black lighting."
"Black lighting" Kara repeated with raised eyebrows.
"Pleasure to meet you Kara; your cousin has told me so much about you" Jefferson said.
Kara shook Jefferson's hand "Kal said you can help."
Jefferson nodded "I was born with the ability to absorb electrical energy which I can use to renew damaged cells."
"How exactly do you do that?" Kara asked.
"By absorbing electrons and using them to stimulate molecules" Eliza answered before Jefferson could reply.
"You must be Dr Danvers" Jefferson replied with a smile. "Clark speaks very highly of you and your family."
Eliza smiled in response.
"So you can save Jeremiah?" Kara asked.
"I can"
"Finally, some good news" Kara said as she looked back towards Alex. She watched Alex's eyelids droop before opening wide as if afraid of missing anything.
"Where is Jeremiah?" Superman asked.
"He went to check on J'onn" Eliza replied. "Come, I will take you to him"
00
"Agent Vasquez" Eliza called causing the agent to stop and turn to face them. "I thought you were with Jeremiah."
"He needed somewhere quiet so I took him back to his room. I'm just on my way there now."
"Is that Jeremiah's head device?" Eliza asked as she, superman and Jefferson followed Vasquez.
Vasquez held up the head device "He thought it may be malfunctioning but Winn can't find any faults with it. If you ask me, Jeremiah just wanted some privacy."
Eliza frowned "Why would he want privacy"
"He's worried about Alex's surgery"
"What surgery?" Eliza asked, stopping in the middle of the corridor.
Vasquez stopped and looked between them "I'm sorry; I assumed Hamilton had told you by now."
"Told me what?" Eliza pushed; she could feel her anxiety building inside her.
Vasquez chewed on her bottom lip; she knew it wasn't her place to tell Eliza but she also knew Eliza wouldn't let it go. "Hamilton suggested performing VAD surgery on Alex; she believes it's the only way to save her."
Eliza stood frozen, lost in her own thoughts.
"Jeremiah found the news upsetting too but I'm sure Hamilton knows what she's doing; she's calling in one of the top heart surgeons..."
"What exactly did Hamilton say to Jeremiah?" Eliza asked.
"Just that Alex would need the surgery as there are no suitable donor's" Vasquez paused as she recalled the conversation. "They were concerned she wouldn't make it through the night."
"Oh no" Eliza said as she rushed down the corridor towards Jeremiah room.
"What is it?" Vasquez called.
"Eliza" Superman said as he hurried beside her.
"I think..." Eliza stopped in her tracks as a gunshot rang out; she felt a whoosh of air as Superman sped past her and disappeared into the room.
"I need some help in here" Superman shouted.
Vasquez and Jefferson hurried past Eliza as she slowly walked towards Jeremiah's room; pausing just outside.
"What's going on?" Hamilton asked as she and several DEO agents came running down the corridor.
"Jeremiah has taken his own life" Eliza said without thinking. She hadn't entered the room or saw her husband but she knew he was gone.
"Why would he do that" Hamilton asked confused.
"To save Alex"
Hamilton's eyes opened wide as she realised what was going on. Without another word, Hamilton rushed into Jeremiah's room.
Eliza slid down the wall as more people rushed past and into the room. She could hear them working on her husband; part of her wanted to help but she knew it would be no use. Jeremiah was gone; he had given his life for his daughters.