The elevator door opened. Black canary stood there and looked at Dinah "Go to the lab." she said.

Dinah walked to the lab and stood a few meters in front of it. Her heart began to beat faster when she saw in the light of only a small lamp Helena lying in the med-bed; her face was so pale. She saw the Barbara's back, as she squeezed Helena's hand and talked to her in a low voice. Dinah stepped in the middle of the corridor and froze. Carolyn was next to her.

"What happened to her?" Dinah asked in low voice.

"She was talking with you, and a woman asked for your help."

"Yes, I remember that."

"Helena asked you to go with her and you refused. You left your partner."

"What??'" Dinah looked at Carolyn, confused.

The older woman put her hand on Dinah's shoulder and explained. "Helena found an old enemy in the alley that no one expected, the Parasite. If he touches you, he takes your energy, abilities, memories, and if you are a superhero, your powers. His touch will kill. She didn't know that. and he touched her. I was walking near there. I went to Gabby's house to talk with you, and I saw them."

"If you." Tears filled Dinah's eyes.

"If I wasn't there, Helena would be dead now." Carolyn said in a low voice "He had her on the ground, hugging her in a mortal embrace. She was almost dead when I helped her. I needed to keep her awake until Barbara arrived, because she was too weak and if she fell unconscious her heart would stop. Now Barbara is keeping her awake, while her body and organs recover."

"Why would she die if she slept?" Dinah was shocked.

"Her brain is weak too, if she falls asleep, she will forget that she needs breath, and her heart beat will stop. He drained her. Conscious she knows that need to breathe and keep her organs working. Maybe we don't like each other, but we need to help each other through problems. It's our job, and a life is more important than our feelings for that person."

"If I had only gone with her. this wouldn't happened."

"You can't play with being or not being a hero because of your personal problems. It is a big responsibility, and many lives depends on you... even Helena's life."

Dinah didn't know what to do. Carolyn stood in front of her. She remembered the first time that she had faced Helena at the Dark Horse Bar. She remembered it as if it were yesterday..

"What we do is dangerous. I've been out in the field on my own for a very long time and that's the way I like it." Helena said.

"I came here to be like you. I want this more than I've ever wanted anything. I thought if I told you how important this was to me you'd understand." Dinah replied.

"So why can't you just tell me the truth?"

"That is the truth."

"Parents aren't dead, are they?" Helena glared at her putting her hands over the bar.

"It's not that easy. It's complicated." Dinah said.

"You're sixteen. How complicated can it be?"

"Yeah, and when you were sixteen, life was really simple and straightforward."

"Hey, that's totally different and completely besides the point. Trust isn't something that you can't just be given, it has to be earned!"

"Then let me earn it. If you would just give me a chance, I know I could prove it to you."

"When? When we're out in the field and it's full-on kill-or-be-killed combat? I need to be completely sure that someone's got my back. There's only one person I can count on for that."

And later, a few hours later after they caught Slick, Helena had told her:

"I told you trust had to be earned, and I was wrong. Trust is a gift. You were there for me when it mattered, for both of us. And as for the rest of it... it's an act of faith, believing in someone. I believe in you.."

Helena had trust in her, and because of her anger she had failed that trust, Helena was right, she needed someone to watch her back, her life depended on it. And she had failed. Her anger wasn't an excuse to leave her partner alone, exposed to an unexpected death.

"Now choose." Carolyn said "Walk to the elevator and go, don't look back and forget this damn idea to be a hero." Dinah lowered her face "Or stay, learn to forgive and never, never again put the life of anyone at risk because of your mood. Before you make a decision, think carefully. I'm your mother. I love you .I made many mistakes with you and I can't change that. I hurt you. And I feel ashamed of myself." Carolyn hugged her and caressed her hair. "But I couldn't do that more. I just want to say I'm sorry. I hope you will forgive me some day."

Carolyn walked into the lab to join Barbara. Dinah stood up, confused.

Helena and Barbara hadn't noticed that she was there. Helena had her eyes barely open but she moved them to see Carolyn walking into the infirmary. Barbara turned her head and saw her. alone.

"Dinah?". Barbara asked hopefully.

"Later." Carolyn answered touching her shoulder and looking Helena. "How is she doing?"

Barbara sighed sad, it seemed that Carolyn couldn't convince Dinah to come back, but at that moment she couldn't worry about that. Dinah would have to wait, Helena needed all her attention. The girl couldn't avoid reflecting the sadness in her face too.

"Better, I need to check her, stay here." Barbara wheeled to the machine that was monitoring Helena's heart rate and her whole system. Carolyn sat next to the brunette and relieved Barbara. She held her hand, it was warm, that was a good sign.

"Hi Helena" she said looking her "I'm sorry..."

"She left. right?" the brunette asked with weak voice.

"Later we'll talk." Carolyn bit her lip. "This isn't the time. The important thing now is you"

"We lost her."

"I hope not, Helena, she just needs time. I'll try again, I promise you. Don't think about that. Please, focus on yourself"

Dinah felt surprised to see her mother talking in a loving way to Helena. She was still confused, she didn't know what to do. Around her mind rolled many ideas, it was a fight between her pride and her love for her friends.

"She is better. much better... The critical moment has passed.." Barbara smiled, typing some information in the computer. "Her system is working without problems."

"Hear that, Helena?" Carolyn said. "We will have another big fight soon."

"Good." Helena closed her eyes. "Give me time. and I would. kick your ass."

Carolyn gave her a light smile. "I don't think so, but you will try."

".May I sleep now?" Helena mumbled.

"Yes. you are going to be okay." Barbara said, wheeling next to her.

"I'm sorry." Dinah entered the room surprising all them. She walked toward Helena crying. "I'm sorry, Hel" She wrapped her arms around the brunette. Helena was confused and looked at Barbara and Carolyn.

"I failed you. I was your partner and my rage didn't let me see.."

"It's okay, Dinah," Helena said in an almost imperceptible voice. She tried to hug the girl but she still couldn't move. But inside, she felt very happy to see Dinah with them again.

"He almost killed you. I wasn't a good partner I must be there to cover your back."

"This wasn't your fault." Barbara touched the blond's shoulder. Dinah looked at her and leapt into her arms.

"I'm sorry, Barbara. I love you!" the girl said, sobbing. "I failed to you two"

Barbara hugged her tightly. "Calm down Dinah." she said. "You did not fail us."

"Yes, I did!"

"No, no, it was our fault, we disappointed you, your reaction was natural."

Carolyn stood up, she looked at the girl with sadness. She felt that it was really her fault, not Dinah's, like all the events of the last few days.

"No one is perfect, remember that?" Barbara told Dinah smoothing her hair. "We learn something new every day. I learned to not hide anything from you ever again."

"Thanks..." Dinah turned to look at Helena again and sat next to her. "Is she going to be okay?" she asked touching her arm. Helena nodded.

"Yes, in the morning she'll be better." Barbara said. "She is meta, remember that."

"I was a bad partner. I let my anger control me."

"Dinah." Helena whispered "Forget it all. I wasn't. a good partner either, nor a friend."

"Dinah." Barbara touched her shoulder "She just needs rest. In the morning she will be better, and you two can talk" Barbara said looking at Carolyn. "I think that now you need to talk with your mother. alone. Go with her, I will stay here with Helena."

Dinah turned her head to look at Carolyn.

"Ok." she said.

"Hey blondie." Helena whispered to Dinah. ".glad to see you here again."

"Me too."