A/N - Wow I broke 100 pages on my doc (granted it's double spaced, but who cares!) Thank you for all your continued reading and reviews, it means a lot. With school and homework, I know writing is farther apart than the summer but I'm determined to get this story done (which means I'm not abandoning it!) This is part one of the climax!

Alex ran again.

She knew that the bombs wouldn't hurt her immediately because of Winn's upgraded suit. It was designed to protect blasts like this, even though it would be harder to withstand gunshots.

The bomb was a last resort, something J'onn could sense as soon as the psychic dampeners were turned off. He sensed that Alex wasn't in danger yet, but motioned for Kara to follow him. He heard another explosion that shook the ground.

"Come on, Kara." J'onn was in his martian form now, ready to phase through the walls that would lead him to Alex.

"J'onn, what was that?"

"Alex. She activated bombs in the mainframe. The entire thing's going to blow."

"What about all of the aliens that are locked up?"

"Their cells are made with blast-proof glass and titanium. The system is already running through the one in National City. Everyone knows to evacuate. I'm confident we'll get the two out of here too."

"You guys knew about her plan?"

"I didn't. Apparently Vasquez and a few other agents did. It was a last resort, I'm only sensing it now because the psychic dampeners were turned off when the power went dark. Lena is still with Lillian. If we get them separated we'll get her out of here with us."

"She could be dead before we get everyone out!"

"She won't. She knows better too. Let's go. Alex is this way."

Okay. It's here. Alex was gasping for air as she reached another saferoom. She knew this time the neurotransmitter blockers would be in here. It was the first time she stopped to examine her wounds from the blast, warm liquid covering her left eye. A headlack is nothing. She held a cloth up and wiped her eye, rushing to search for the button. A long string of them on different panels were lit up, much to Alex's confusion. She knew one wrong button would detonate the whole cave, save for any of the aliens in the blast-proof cells, taking her and everyone else with it.

She was mere feet inches from the finish line when her father's voice came back. You can't run away from us forever, Alex. She couldn't tell if Maggie and Jeremiah were close, or if Lillian was messing with her head again. Now was no time for distractions, as she tried to remember everything J'onn had told her previously. It had been three years since she transferred over to the National City headquarters, and never thought she would have to be inside the cave again.

Alex.

Alex looked around in paranoia. There was pain to the voice, who she instantly recognized as Maggie.

Listen to me. I don't know if you can hear me but I do know we don't have much time. You don't even have to believe me, but I know you and you know me. Jeremiah's mind is already compromised, and mine is about to be too. I can hear myself, I know what I'm doing, but I can't control it. I can't fight it, I can't stop Lillian from doing whatever her and her agents are planning. I don't know what will happen within the next few hours but you have to do something now before we all die.

It was all the strength Alex needed to choose a button. She closed her eyes and braced for impact of the bomb, but instead everything went dark.

So maybe I don't die today.

Lena jumped as the lights turned off.

"I thought I told you to be braver than a simple light going off. You know your friends will only stop me for a little before poor Alex ultimately turns on you too."

"Shut up."

"It's true though. She'll crack eventually. Or we'll just force her to join us, dead or alive. I can deal with either one, who really cares? I know how to revive people I've killed. Jeremiah and Maggie? They'd be dead without my neurotransmitters on."

"You're bluffing."

"I'm not. You know I'm not either. I can kill them with the push of a button. I told you all that already and yet this Danvers girl still insists she can save the world."

"I'll kill you before you have the chance to do it."

"No you won't." Lillian let out a laugh.

"J'onn is there any way you can track Alex? I can't hear her heartbeat."

"She's in the mainframe. I can try to phase through."

"I don't know if we'll get there on time. Winn, anything?"

"She shut everything off. Subdermal trackers, neurotransmitters, I can't do anything from here, but from the looks of things Cadmus-brained Maggie and Jeremiah will get there before you guys do." Winn sat back in his chair at the DEO, scared about what would happen to his sisters. James grabbed his shoulder reassuringly, listening to things unfold.

J'onn took Kara by the arms. "This is going to feel weird, but maybe we'll get to her quicker."

Alex checked her supplies. She had to make sure that she was equipped with enough ammo and restraints to subdue Maggie and Jeremiah if it came down to it. She didn't know if Lillian had somehow bypassed the technology, and knew she'd have her dead otherwise. One way or another, this is going to end tonight.

It had been over 24 hours since the DEO went into lockdown in the cave. Now the battle and outcome were in Alex's hands. The nightmares that had tormented Alex wouldn't end, she knew that, but if she died tonight and saved her father and girlfriend she would be in peace. It was something she toyed with while she had the time.

She took out her phone and recorded her message.

"To all of my friends and family. Hi." There was a brokenness and tiredness to Alex's voice. "I just have to get this out before this ends. No matter what this is going to end tonight, and it might involve me dying. I want you to know that and accept it. I already have. I wish these could be longer but I have to fight. I have to be ready to face this."

Alex sighed. "First, mom. Mom, you've taught me to be strong after Dad disappeared, after Kara came along, after everything that had happened. We've had our differences but you've done nothing but support me and shape me to who I've become. I can't thank you enough for that.

Winn, James, Lena, you guys have been nothing but brothers and a sister to me. Sure I've had my doubts when I first met you but all of you have been so good to me, and so good to Kara. I know you'll support her when I'm gone. Please take care of her.

J'onn, thank you for being my second father. You've taught me more than anyone ever could have. I've learned to fight, and now I'm taking that to end this. Thank you.

Kara. I know what you'll be thinking. You've protected me so many times, and now it's time for me to do what I can to protect us from Cadmus. This is my fight. You need to keep fighting, even after I'm gone. You've accepted a fate that never came so many times, so let me do this now. Please."

Tears formed up in Alex's eyes. "Dad. I know there's a lot of unsaid things, but I still love you. And I know there's some things that you've done and I know that other people might not be able to forgive you. But I do. There's still good in you, and I know you'll realize that eventually.

And Maggie. You're the love of my life. There are a lot of firsts we didn't have, but I want you to live a full and happy life. You'll always have a family with us, but I hope you move on too. Find someone who loves you as much as I do, and treat her as well as you did to me. Maybe this wasn't the end we wanted but it's the end I'm choosing for you, Maggie. For my family. I love you all and please live a wonderful and full life. If not for yourselves, do it for me. Please."

She hung up her phone, placing it on the console of the mainframe. Alex was ready now for whatever would be coming her way.

As if on cue, there was a loud banging on the door. Alex readied her gun and knew that it was the final battle.

"Let's end this."