I don't own these characters; DC/the CW does.
3: Bang
Alex expected Kara to show up because they planned to have lunch today since Lena had a meeting she needed to attend. Lena had been very excited about the meeting, as it had to do with her suppressant formula working out and now she wanted to move forward with developing it. So, Lena had a working lunch and Kara was free to be with Alex. Instead, Supergirl was in her lab. She needed to change.
"King Street. Take Nash Avenue down to the chaos. I gotta go," Supergirl said and she was out.
Alex wasted no time using the Hand of the Soldier to get into her Sentinel outfit. She got out of the building without being seen fairly easily and rushed to her motorcycle. It took forever to get to King Street, even though it barely took five minutes considering she rode on the sidewalk to avoid traffic, as well as people rushing in the opposite direction as she got closer to her destination. She could hear sirens wailing and there were helicopters overhead, but law enforcement seemed stuck. She saw the issue with King Street as soon as she hit it.
It was a complete and utter maelstrom. The noise was almost unbearable, just a mangling of different sounds of disorder and destruction. Traffic was in a dead halt. It was impossible to reverse with several cars smashed into each other, others on their sides or completely turned over. People abandoned their vehicles as fires erupted around them and they were panicking as they tried to escape absolute mayhem. Smoke billowed from burning shops and other raging fires blocked out the sun. Shots rained down from a darkened sky, like a punishing storm.
It was hard to see and the smell of just burning filled the air the closer she got to King Street. There were small explosions every few seconds with shrapnel flying all over the place. The sound of broken glass and scrapped metal sheared through the streets. People screamed and coughed as they tried to bulldoze through each other and anything in their way to escape the madness. It was a war zone.
"Who the hell made war on National City soil?" Sentinel wondered out loud as she spotted Supergirl.
Supergirl fixed a car, helping a couple trapped inside, and pointed people in a safe direction. She then used her frost breath to put out a fire and freed more people in a turned over car. An explosion went off and caused a tree to splinter and crash. Supergirl was on it before it fell on anyone. This was a lot happening, but thankfully Supergirl's frost breath did more than put out a fire. It cleared the air somewhat and gave Sentinel a better visual of the source of their woes.
In the air, an alien gang that was very familiar to Sentinel. The goddamn Fallen Angels, an alien gang who were humanoids with giant bird wings coming out of their shoulders that allowed them to fly. What the hell are they doing here? Well, beyond the obvious of raining down fire and brimstone on one of the nicer streets in National City. Who sold these assholes grenades?
Sentinel did not have time for questions, though. One hand on her handlebars and the other using the Hand of the Soldier as a handgun, Sentinel wasted no time opening fire on the swarm of Fallen Angels. There were so many of them, like the entire gang showed up to terrorize King Street.
Sentinel kept moving as she took down Fallen Angels with precision. They had a glaring weakness thanks to their wings. All she had to do was make sure she put a bullet through the wing's humerus or ulna. Injure the wing, they could not fly anymore and they were not as great or graceful on the ground as they were in the air.
She moved through them like the soldier she was trained to be, well, almost. Shots through the wing and then the leg when they landed. They were lucky, as it would have been easier to shoot them in the chest, but Sentinel could not tarnish Supergirl's reputation with her tactics. Then, she got to the source of the congestion and why traffic could not move forward to flee the scene.
Sentinel's heart halted in her chest. It was a flipped black SUV with the windows either down or blown out. The doors were open. An L-Corp SUV. Lena! Lena was on her way to a business meeting. Her car would have come down this way. This had to be planned. Doing something this crazy was out of character for the Fallen Angels. They wanted Lena. Why? The suppressant formula. That could be the only reason. Lena's suppressants main ingredient was the same as their stupid street drug, except synthetic and safer. Lena threatened their income. But, how the hell did they know that?
Sentinel did not think about the how right now. She needed to find Lena. Supergirl probably got her to safety, but it was best to check.
"Supergirl, where's Lena? She might be the target," Sentinel said through her comm.
"Got her out of sight. Her security team is handling the rest. I've got a lot of injured civilians and no way for ambulances to get through because these guys keep blowing stuff up. It's not safe for any emergency personnel," Supergirl replied.
"I'll handle the combatants. You try to clear the way," Sentinel said.
"Got you."
Sentinel wasted no time going back to picking Fallen Angels out of the sky. Something was weird here, though. Instead of trying to flee the scene after being shot down, the Fallen Angels continued to keep up their assault. They kept causing chaos as best they could.
She scanned the sky and saw the problem. Handgun became a rifle with a scope and she put the scope to her eye. One Angel was out of swarm, clear sight to the next streets over and holding a rifle of his own. He put the gun up. This whole thing was a cover.
"Shit! Supergirl, sniper over on Garvey!" Sentinel called and she took off on her bike. She needed to get closer.
Sentinel hit a clear side street as Supergirl shot off. The Fallen Angel took aim and so did Sentinel. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted trouble, a car coming. She could either take the shot or dodge the car. The Fallen Angel fired. Supergirl would get Lena. Maybe the car would hit its brakes in time. She braced for impact and took the shot. Pain ripped through her body.
-8-8-8-8-
Kara had never wanted to scream as badly in her life like she did right now. But, she was in a hospital and she did not want to disturb any of the patients, especially the one a couple of feet away. Alex was in the bed, leg in a cast, which also wrapped around her foot. Her ribs were broken, body bruised, and several cuts on her face. She was asleep and looked so small, so pale. Nothing like the fierce warrior who helped her save hundreds of lives today.
Alex did not look like someone who could carry the world on her shoulders and that was not right. Alex had given her so much relief in taking down those gang members, allowing her to focus on getting people to safety and getting emergency services where they were needed. Now, she was a tiny person, injured, in a hospital bed.
Everything inside of her wanted to punch something, but she could not. She wanted to tear the world in half, but could not. She wanted to scold Alex, but could not. Instead, a storm roared inside of her, threatening to tear her in half before anything else happened. How can I be so mad?!
"Kara, she's fine." Lena came up behind her and wrapped strong, warm arms around her, helping hold her together. Lena had to feel her vibrating with rage because she held Kara even tighter.
"That was so freaking reckless. And for what?" Kara had to grit her teeth to keep from hollering. That was really the thing pissing her off. Alex did not have to do this! Kara had Lena! She had her! Breathe, before you scream your next thought.
Lena rubbed her stomach. "You keep saying that, but she wanted to make sure the sniper was out of commission."
"I could've gotten him. She just had to tell me." Kara had super speed. It was possible for her to both stop the bullet aimed at Lena and then stop the gunman shooting at Lena, which she had planned to do. But, Alex beat her to it, in a very extreme fashion. What the hell was she thinking?!
Lena gave her a squeeze, drawing her out of her head. "She said there wasn't time."
Alex had been in and out of consciousness for the day. Yes, she had explained herself. The sniper targeted Lena. She was not wrong. She knew Supergirl would save Lena when the shot was fired and she wanted to make sure the sniper did not get a second shot. She wanted to make sure the Fallen Angels understood to never take a second shot. It took less time to fire on him, taking him out in a very permanent sense that Kara was not even mad about, than it did to point him out to Supergirl. None of that was wrong, but it meant Sentinel got hit by a car fleeing the area. She was lucky she had not died.
"She could've died," Kara hissed, frowning at the floor so hard she could feel her heat vision flaring up at the back of her eyes. If she was not careful, she would burn a hole through her glasses if she was lucky, the floor if she was not, and the center of the Earth if she released even a fraction of this frustration. "How am I supposed to go on if Alex dies? I've already lost my planet, my culture, and my family. Am I expected to give Alex up, too?" She would burn the world to the ground the day it took Alex from her and not look back when she was done.
"She's fine, baby…" Lena's voice trembled as she squeezed Kara again.
Kara flinched at the sound. Did Lena know what she was thinking? Had she scared Lena? She did not mean to. Or did Lena take it as their relationship being second to her relationship with Alex? That was untrue. No, she's just trying to help you and you're not responding. Just like before.
Kara turned enough to embrace Lena back. She inhaled Lena's soothing scent and it felt like she could breathe again. Just like before. She shuddered against Lena and then realized Lena was sobbing into her chest. Lena's breath hitched. She held on just a little tighter.
"I got you, Lena. I had you," Kara said in her strongest tone because she did. "I've always got you." Which made what Alex did even dumber. Did she really think I would just let someone shoot my bond mate and not do anything about it? Well, she would not have gone to the extreme Alex did, but she would not have let that monster get away with trying to assassinate Lena. You don't think you would have gone to the extreme Alex did? As if you didn't go very close after what that bastard did to Alex.
Lena sniffled. "I know. What I learned today, though, is that Alex has me, too."
Kara blinked and rubbed Lena's back. "Of course Alex has you, too." And that was now the thing they had to deal with. She knew what this was about. Alex took the shot to make sure that damned sniper — found out he was called Dormaius — would never get another chance to hurt Lena. Kara protected Lena from the bullet, but Alex protected her from the gun, from the assassin. Alex protected Lena in the way she would protect Kara, without thought and with extreme prejudice. It was a huge thing to actually see Alex willing to kill for her.
"It's… a lot…" Lena said, pulling away just enough to wipe her face.
"Yeah, I'm very familiar with that, which is why I'm cursing her out when she wakes up."
Lena managed a laugh, but gave Kara a squeeze with one arm. "You know you're not. We can't stress her. She's already going to be out of her mind when she realizes she can't walk." Not on a broken leg and a broken ankle.
Kara sucked her teeth. "Fine. I'll leave J'onn to chew her out. That'll serve her right." It would probably be the worst coming from J'onn. That disappointment was almost tangible. "I can't believe she did this." Well, no. This tracked with Alex's entire personality really.
"No, you can't believe she got hurt," Lena corrected her.
Kara sighed, wanting to drop, but she needed to stay on her feet. "Okay, yeah, that." Because in her head, even though she was the invulnerable one, after going out with Alex all this time, she got it in her head that Alex was as super as she was. When did I start thinking of Alex like that? It used to be that she was very aware that Alex was a squishy human. The squishiest human who needed to be kept safe at all costs. Now, if Alex set out to walk on the sun, Kara would just go with her rather than disprove it could be done.
"We'll get through this together," Lena said.
Alex groaned and her eyes fluttered open. "Am I in that, too?"
They both turned to Alex's bed. "Of course you are, you… you… silly goose!" Kara huffed as they rushed to the bed. In that moment, her anger rushed out of her, as relief and happiness overcame every space in her body.
Alex laughed, but then groaned again. "Oh, that hurts. Silly goose, huh? You know, you can call me a stupid bitch every now and then. I won't get mad." She gave a dopey smile. She was pumped full of pain killers. She would probably tell the doctors to stop the medication the moment she could stay awake for a few minutes.
Kara caressed her healthy cheek. The one without road rash and a bandage covering it. "I would never. You are a lot of things, but those aren't on the list. I just wish you showed yourself more care. What am I supposed to do without you?"
Alex maintained her smile. "What are you supposed to do without Lena?"
"I stopped the bullet, Alex. I will always stop the bullet." Kara held Lena's hand. But, even that was not certain. She had not stopped the figurative bullet for Alex. Her bond mate had been hurt on her watch. She would never forgive herself.
Alex nodded. "I know. I knew you would and that's why I took the shot. Now, that guy won't have a chance to do it a second time. And, I'm sure the rest of his gang will think twice about trying to hurt her."
"And you," Kara said. She might have missed the car, but she would not let anyone try to take revenge on Alex.
"Why me?" Alex asked. No, Alex really needed to get over thinking she did not matter. They would not go through anything like this again.
Kara stepped as close as possible, stared down at Alex with the most serious expression she could muster. She needed Alex to understand the fate of the world was in her hands. The day Alex died, it would be game over. Kara would cease to exist. "Because I can't lose you." That was all Kara needed to say on the matter for now.
Hopefully, Alex would eventually come to understand what that meant. Kara would stop bullets for Lena, but she would destroy worlds for Alex. And, it did not mean she loved one more than the other. For all she knew, she would tear the world asunder for Lena as well, but she could not see Lena putting her in that position. Meanwhile, for Alex, that would be a Tuesday.
Lena nodded. Tears poured from her eyes again. "You have to be more careful." She touched Alex's good leg. "Your life isn't worth less than mine."
Alex blew out a breath. "Trust me, I know. I can't… I can't change who I am. You're both important to me. So, I'm going to fly into outer space." She gave Kara a small smile. "And I'm going to take the shot instead of move out of the way." She gave Lena a smile. "It's just who I am."
Kara sniffled and kissed her cheek. "And we love who you are." That would never not be true. She had to learn to live with this part of Alex in the same way Alex lived with her being Supergirl. It would take some time. But, in that time, she also needed Alex to take better care of herself. We have to talk about this, really talk.
"Can we get you anything?" Lena asked.
"You could not let J'onn come in. That would be most helpful," Alex answered.
"Not a chance. He'll have some choice words for you beyond being a silly goose," Kara said.
Alex groaned and closed her eyes for a long moment. "Don't I know it. Well, at least bring me some ice cream."
"You got it," Lena replied before Kara could.
It was at that moment, J'onn paced by the closed door. They could see him through the window. Kara could hear the heavy fall of his boots. It was like he wanted to stomp through the floor. He was so upset he arrived at the battle too late to help Alex, but he was also angry over Alex putting her life on the line like she just did. A second ticked by and there he went again. Time to let him have the floor.
"When they discharge you, you'll be going home with us. There's no argument. You've got busted ribs, a broken leg, and a broken ankle. You need help," Kara said.
Alex winced. "But, but, but!" She paused as she needed to gather her thoughts. Her eyes scanned nothing, darting back and forth. Her mind probably swam thanks to the pain medication. She closed her eyes and then tried to snap, but her index and middle fingers were in a stint. That did not stop her from talking. "Brainy has the accelerated healing medication. I should be back on my feet in no time."
"He already estimated two weeks. So, you're still going home with us," Kara said and she stroked Alex's cheek once more. There was no room for argument or excuses. She and Lena decided that right after the doctor told them Alex would be all right.
"I still can't believe you brought me to a hospital," Alex grumbled.
Kara rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, our normal doctor was incapacitated at the time. Now, we're going to step out, so J'onn can step in and give you a proper talking to, young lady." Kara wagged her finger. Alex groaned again. "It's your fault. Actions have consequences."
Alex rolled her eyes and so much tension was banished from Kara's body it was ridiculous, but she was still wound so tight. She might need a drink once they got home. We're definitely going to have to talk about this.
-8-8-8-8-
Lena did her best to set up the living room for Alex's extended stay. Books on the coffee table that she might read. Kara had grabbed them from Alex's apartment. Along with her favorite pajamas and Lena made sure to have her favorite food delivered. She should be here any moment, delivered home by Kara, J'onn, and Eliza, who would also stay for a couple of days to make sure Alex was all right.
Lena tried not to think of what Eliza went through when she got the call about Alex. J'onn had handled it and he did not reveal how Eliza reacted, but for a split second, it was probably the worst call of her life. She had already lost her husband twice. She probably worried one day she would get a call that Alex had not made it through some mission or another. This was not fair to her.
And they arrived right on time, so Lena did not have time to think about the accident in that regard. Kara opened the door to the penthouse while J'onn pushed Alex in her wheelchair. Eliza was by her side. Alex looked grumpy, so she was definitely back to normal.
"All of this isn't necessary," Alex said.
Kara scoffed. "You're my bond mate. This is more than necessary. Now, hush up and let us help you."
Lena could only wonder how many times Kara had to say that on the ride home. Eliza and J'onn probably had to back her up. That would explain Alex's expression.
Lena went in for a hug, careful of Alex's cast and ribs. Alex did her best to return the embrace, but she could barely move her arms. While her arms were uninjured, which she was lucky for, she was exhausted and they were told to expect it for a while. J'onn took Alex to the couch and Kara carefully lifted her to the cushions. Alex barely made a noise.
"You good?" Kara asked.
"Very much. Thank you," Alex replied. Wow, she did not fight it or act like she wanted to punch something. This might actually work out fine.
The rest of the day was spent making sure Alex was comfortable. They watched movies she liked, ate the food she wanted to eat, and left her alone when she asked for it. Eventually, she fell asleep on the couch, very early for her. At first, it was hard to believe she was asleep, but Kara confirmed it. Kara carried Alex to bed in the room they prepared for her.
"I think I'm ready to turn in as well," Lena said. She turned to Eliza. "Will you be all right?"
Eliza nodded. "I'm fine. I'll probably go to bed soon as well. Thank you for letting me stay here to make sure she's all right."
Lena shook her head. "You're welcome to stay here anytime, especially when Alex's uninjured."
"Thank you so much." Eliza smiled.
"Goodnight."
Lena was hardly a food away from the sofa before Kara was at her side. They made their way to their bedroom. Lena collapsed onto the bed as soon as Kara closed the door.
"You okay? Need someone to lean on?" Kara asked.
Lena put her hands out. "Yes, please." She sounded and felt so broken.
Kara wasted no time coming to cuddle Lena. Kara carried her onto the bed and laid down with her. They were quiet for a long moment, Kara just wrapped around Lena. They shared a pillow with Kara's breath caressing the top of her ear. Kara put one leg over Lena's thigh. She was so warm and Lena felt engulfed by her presence and by her affection. At some point, Lena had to let out a good cry.
"Feeling better?" Kara asked, hand stroking Lena's bare arm. She was drawing Kryptonian letters on Lena's skin. It was nice, soothing.
"I didn't realize I was so tense," Lena replied. She had managed to keep busy the whole day, running around for Alex or getting Eliza settled in. That was by design to avoid a moment like this, but it was just waiting for her. She felt better, though. The tension finally gone.
"It's okay. I know how you feel. I cried when we wheeled her out of the hospital."
Lena could imagine. "We've got to pull this together. She's going to get annoyed with us if we keep crying."
Kara scoffed. "She'll get annoyed regardless. This is her worst nightmare."
That was very true. "Well, she needs to find out she can depend on us, especially after what she did for me. And, she's your bond mate." Yes, Alex was independent and a badass, but she had to learn how to be in a relationship.
"She'll get there. It took us a while, too. But, she's safe. We can both calm down." Kara kissed her behind her ear.
"Agreed. She's safe. I'm safe. You're safe."
"Are you worried about being safe?"
Lena laughed, just a bit hysterical. "How can I not be safe? I've got both Danvers looking out for me." She had to look after both of them the same as they did for her. It was an overwhelming thought and right now she felt like she was treading water on her way to drowning. They needed her in a different way than she needed them, but she would be there for them to the best of her ability. She never did anything by halves. So, calm down and just do what you do.
"And we've got you looking out for us. And, I'm glad for it. Cat isn't giving me another day off over this."
Lena scoffed. "Let me guess, she said your sister didn't die, so you're fine." While Cat did not seem to know, or even really care about Sentinel, so she could not know Kara's "sister" was also her crime-fighting partner, Cat just had no mercy with Kara since she was certain Kara was Supergirl. Maybe it was this idea that Kara could handle anything because she was Supergirl, which was far from true. Or maybe it was because Cat mentored Kara, she felt like Kara could handle anything because Cat could handle anything, which was also far from true.
"It's like you were in the room." Kara snickered. "I think she's pissed over what happened with Sentinel and Supergirl. You know everything is branding with her and it doesn't look good for Sentinel to kill someone, even if they almost killed you, or for Supergirl to totally lose it on anybody, even if they are bad guys. It's okay, though. Now that Alex is home, I'll make it through work. You'll be okay with her, right?"
"Of course." It was not like Alex required anything too outrageous. It was also amazing that Kara trusted her with Alex's care. She would do it to the best of her ability.
-8-8-8-8-
Lena took two days to set up that she would be working from home for the next month or so. The story was that Alex had been in a motorcycle accident and would be out for a month, which was far from a lie. Everyone seemed shocked that she would be taking care of Alex, even though Alex was practically her sister-in-law as far as they knew. It was insane to her that people still thought there was bad blood between them even now despite the fact that they had been nothing but friendly to each other.
She was busy sending a few emails when Jess alerted her that Vasquez wanted to see her. She immediately let Vasquez in. Vasquez stepped in like the soldier she was and stood at attention in front of Lena's desk. Lena was used to this from Vasquez.
"Good afternoon, what can I help you with?" Lena asked.
Vasquez blew out a breath, like she had not expected to get this far this fast and had to gather herself. "Uh… Danvers. She's staying with you, yes?"
"Uh-huh."
"Is it all right if I… well, if I come by to see her? Not all the time or anything. Just every now and then…" Vasquez glanced away. If she was a little kid, she would have kicked an imaginary rock.
Lena smiled. "You're her friend. Of course you can come over. She'll be as happy to see you there as she was in the hospital." Vasquez had visited every day Alex was in the hospital and the two spoke for hours, comfortably, with Vasquez barely acknowledging that Alex was hurt. Just like Alex wanted. "But, please, don't say anything about my security detail or what happened during the incident." Vasquez had very skillfully avoided that subject in the hospital. "She has to heal, but she keeps trying to work."
Vasquez nodded. "Sounds like Agent Danvers. We used to joke that she was a machine."
"She certainly works like one."
"If it's all right, may I also bring my girlfriend, Lucy? They know each other and like to pretend they're not friends."
"That's fine. Just call ahead, so you'll know if she's awake. She sleeps a lot." The medication Brainy gave Alex to accelerate her healing often put her to sleep. Lena wanted to look at the chemical breakdown of that when she got a chance, even though she trusted both Alex and Brainy who insisted it was safe. It was something Alex started to develop and Brainy finished when he found the files. I need to call Brainy soon as well.
Vasquez nodded. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. Alex needs to see as many friendly faces as possible during this time. Let me give you my address. When you come to the building, you have to let the front desk know you're here for me and we'll let you up."
Vasquez nodded and Lena quickly scribbled the information down for Vasquez. Alex would enjoy seeing Vasquez. When she came by in the hospital, it was clear she was suspicious of why Alex had been out in that melee on King Street, but she had not questioned it. Vasquez said her goodbyes and then left. With that out of the way, Lena got into contact with Brainy.
"Miss Luthor, what can I do for you?" Brainy asked.
"Well, stop being so formal for one," she replied.
Brainy let out a scoff that was probably supposed to be a laugh. "Forgive me. I've been… stressed lately. I was hoping to figure out why the healing medication put Alex to sleep, so I've been studying her notes. I didn't realize that Alex has basically used herself as an experiment for the accelerated healing medication she came up with."
Lena frowned. "What made you just realize it?"
"As I said, I've been going over her notes and the data. Thankfully, we know it works, but we know it works because Alex has been the main one to need it."
Lena sighed. She's the only one who needs it because she's not a super-powered being and she's foregone any sort of armor in her drive to protect and support Kara. These Danvers women were going to put her in an early grave. "Okay, can you forward me all of that information?" She could check the science.
"Of course."
"I have something else I want to ask you."
"Yes?"
"Sentinel needs an improved suit—"
"Yes!" Brainy jumped in before Lena could even finish.
Lena chuckled. "I didn't expect such enthusiasm."
"I'm sure you had the same realization that I had looking at Alex in that hospital bed. She's out there with people with superpowers in something less functional than her tactical gear when she was an agent."
"Exactly!" How did we ever think that was a good idea?!
"She needs an upgrade posthaste."
"Yes."
"We should start immediately as you know she'll want to go out as soon as she gets a clean bill of health," Brainy pointed out.
"Agreed. We can brainstorm today and then reach out tomorrow morning for a check in."
"Excellent."
That was a huge weight off of Lena's chest, not that she thought she would have to fight Brainy on it. She just thought she would have to talk him into it a little more. He disconnected the call and she breathed a sigh of relief. Now, she had to text Kara to let Kara know her bond mate would be better protected next time she went out. She would have to find a better way to tell Alex about it, but Alex would love an upgraded suit as long as it had more offensive capabilities than her old suit, which, to be fair, a studded leather jacket probably had more offense than her current suit.
With that done, she left early. Ordered food, more things that Alex would like. And went to save Alex and Eliza from each other. It was funny to see that even when they both tried to get along, appreciating each other, and happy to have the other, they still managed to annoy each other.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: Lena and Alex talk and it makes Lena emotional, so she has to talk to Kara.