Sixty-Two Across
Deanlu
Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. I go back to teaching in two weeks. I'm not sure what will happen this year. I can only believe that we will do our best with the pandemic around us. Please leave comments. I could really use them right now. Warning - There is some violence in here.
"Hmmmm, holders of fodder...five letters...SILOS." Kara watched from her desk as Lena and Andrea argued about something. The LCorp CEO had come in about thirty minutes ago. Since then there have been some heated words, but mostly a discussion. Now though, Lena and Andrea were angry. Nia sat nearby worriedly watching as well. The Kryptonian knew her friend wanted to help redeem Andrea. They had talked about it while they had hiked the Pacific trail. Kara had told her to be there for Andrea. Just be a friend. Remind Andrea that Acrata was a protector. A hero to her people. Remind her she was good inside. She had friends who would support and be there for her. Lena had taken it to heart.
'Fourteen across...four letters...Lymph...NODE.' Kara wrote in the word as it reminded her to contact Eliza. She had gone in for testing on her lymph nodes, but never told Alex or her what the outcome of those tests were. She needed to check on it, especially now that Jeremiah was really gone.
'Thirteen across...distributer of the arcade game Dig Dug...five letters...ATARI.' As Kara penned in the word she heard a loud bang resounded in Andrea's office causing Kara and several others to look up. Lena had slammed her hand on Ms. Rojas desk as she let her anger get a hold of her. 'Easy Lena. Anger won't gain you ground in this fight.' She watched as Andrea and Lena both took a step back to calm down. 'Good. You can do this. Just talk.' She looked at her watch, noticing the time.
"Hey, I need to hustle Nia. I have an interview with a source over at the mayor's office and then another after over the Kahloan story. I'll be in late this afternoon. I'll talk with you then." Kara said as she put her black crossword book into the satchel. She locked and shut her computer off. While she did that she grabbed the jump drive she had her information on for the story and slid it into the satchel side pocket. It was a hidden pocket in the satchel. The jump drive was password encrypted and couldn't be opened without it. She made sure her batteries to her mini cassette recorder were ready and slid it into the satchel.
"You sure you want to go alone? You might be in danger." Nia whispered as she watched the argument between the two women in Andrea's office continue to calm down. Kara shook her head no.
"The source is already jittery enough. They've cancelled twice." Kara said squeezing Nia's shoulder and looking toward her boss and girlfriend. "Keep an eye on them for me." Nia laughed and nodded.
"Sure." Kara left moving through the open area and stepped onto the elevator. She read the text from her source.
Unknown: I have the documents and the recordings. You need to meet me at the coffee shop on eighth and Calabasa Street by ten or I'm gone.
Kara: If I am late, leave it with Ornaka behind the counter. Tell her it is for Kara. She will make sure I get it.
Unknown: I'm not sure it is safe.
Kara: I'm on my way now. Trust me it is safe.
Unknown: All right. I'm taking a big risk Ms. Danvers.
Kara: I know. I appreciate it greatly
Kara cleared the message app to make sure no one could check should her phone go missing. She then put her phone into her satchel. She stepped out of the front of CATCO. It was a bright, sunny day. She should be able to get to the coffee shop in time. She moved down the sidewalk avoiding a collision with a young boy who was in a hurry. She passed a couple singing while playing a guitar. She paused to toss a few coins into the case. She never saw the grey panel van slide up next to the walk. She felt hands wrap around her and a needle pierce her neck even as she was pulled into the van. A police officer nearby saw what happened, jumped in his car and chased in pursuit. The high speed chase began to be tracked by television affiliates even as police pulled up to CATCO to question people where Kara Danvers had been abducted.
"If you are just joining us, then you are seeing in the background the Lord industry warehouses surrounded by DEO, FBI, NCPD,and NCPD emergency grews. Earlier today, CATCO reporter Kara Danvers was kidnapped off the street as she walked out of CATCO. Kara Danvers, identified by CCTV, is a seasoned reporter from CATCO Media owned by Andrea Rojas. Nearby, NCPD observed the abduction and pursued the criminals. A high speed chase ensued across National City causing several car accidents on Interstate five and fifteen until the kidnappers arrived in the warehouse district. The chase came to an end about forty minutes ago as the criminals pulled into a LORD industry warehouse. Since, then there had been limited communication between the kidnappers and police. DEO/FBI negotiator Alex Danvers, sister to Kara Danvers, arrived on scene three hours ago." KTNC reporter Beth Robertson reported as Lena Luthor and Andrea Rojas watched from Andrea's CATCO offices. Lena desperately wanted to be on scene with Alex, Lex, and J'onn, but had been told to stay away for now.
"Why would they want to grab Kara? What was she working on that would make her a target?" Lena asked worried about her friend and love. Kara and she had just arrived back from two weeks of hiking and camping a week ago. Kara had been almost unreachable after their arrival back because of a couple of news articles she had been researching and interviewing for the Tribune and CATCO. Kara had reassured Lena that it was only the investigations she was working on that were keeping them apart. Lena understood. As a scientist there were many days worth of lab work and research that caused her to miss the outside world. Andrea looked to the bullpen to find a certain protege of Kara's. She spotted Nia and motioned for her to come to the office.
"My reporters are always reporting on something sensitive as well as the fluff. Kara was researching Lex's latest project. Something called Project Dominator. But she had also been researching something else with Nia." Nia entered and stepped up to Andrea's desk.
"You needed me?" Nia asked as she watched the television monitors. She knew that she should have accompanied Kara. Something hadn't felt right, especially after the dream she had last night.
"Do you know what the other story Kara was working on beside Lex's new project." Everyone in the office was in the know about Kara's alternate identity. Kara had kept Andrea's alternate identity as Acrata quiet. Alex and J'onn knew. Lex did not. At least they hoped he didn't know. They were going to make sure he didn't know.
"There were two more stories besides the Fluff. One, was on the Kahloans and the recent influx of Belamort, a psychotropic drug. The other was a possible embezzlement scheme within the mayor's office. There were links to a possible organized crime syndicate, but it wasn't Intergang or Leviathan." Nia informed them as she looked worriedly toward the monitors. For Kara to be held captive they had to have used kryptonite or the Kryptonians powers were on the fritz. Nia knew the Kryptonian was without powers. She probably hadn't told Lena or Andrea.
"Geeze, doesn't she know how dangerous those stories are to her." Lena groaned in frustration. Lena wanted time with Kara, but between Lex, Supergirl issues, and her story reporting Lena wasn't sure she would get it. One of the three was going to kill the woman she loved. Nia looked at her for a moment. Kara never chose to investigate the small stuff. Somehow she always found major stories. Somehow those stories always held a great deal of danger.
"You and I both know that Kara will do what needs to be done to bring justice. I know you worry about her, but Kara can take care of herself most times." Nia assured even as her watch beeped twice. "I need to go. Brainy says they need me on site." Lena and Andrea both nodded as Nia went to leave. She stopped before opening Ms. Rojas's door and turned back to them. "You should know that Kara is powerless today. They were running tests on a new weapon with her yesterday and things went a little haywire. She was supposed to stay home today. She insisted on coming into work due to a couple of major interviews she had with a few sources. One was supposed to show up around ten this morning. Kara told the source not to show if she was worried about anything. She would get in contact with her later." Andrea looked toward Lena and nodded toward Nia. Lena's fingers pressed into her forehead. Kara brought her so many headaches.
"Thank you Ms. Nal. Be safe." Nia nodded and left. Nia's watch beeped again. Once she was in the elevator she touched her comms.
"Go ahead Mr. Luthor." Dreamer responded as she changed into her Dreamer suit.
"Report to Director Danvers at Lord Industry warehouse. This is high priority. Kara Danvers is being held by the Kahloans. They do not know the identity of Ms. Danvers in relation to law enforcement."
"Acknowledged Mr. Luthor." Dreamer took off when she reached the alley behind LCorp.
"Dammit!" Lena swore as she watched Nia leave the floor. She looked toward Andrea hoping she didn't need to use her friend. A text message came through from Alex.
Alex: We may need your help. We may need Andrea to check on the situation inside the warehouse.
Lena: Okay. I'm heading to LCorp now. Alex, get her out alive. Please.
Alex: We're doing everything we can do.
"I need to head to LCorp and see if there is anything there I can use to help Kara. I think it would be a good idea for you to accompany me so you could change there and use it as home base. Alex needs you to check out what the situation is on the inside of the warehouse. I would assume there are many areas in shadow you could slip in by." Lena was deeply worried. She knew no matter what that Lex was involved in some way.
"Just let me grab my things and put Eric in charge. CATCO needs to bring this to the people until it's resolved." Andrea said as Lena nodded and rushed out to LCorp. Andrea was twenty minutes behind her.
Meanwhile in the Warehouse…
"You idiots! What part of quietly, so no one notices did you not understand?" Dalg, the Kahloan yelled as he looked across the room to where the reporter slumped unconscious, tied up in a chair. "We have every security force on the planet outside. Now we have no choice but to ransom the reporter to save our lives." The other nine Kahloans looked everywhere, but at their leader. As the argument continued Kara feigned unconsciousness. Her neck hurt from where she had been injected with something. It had kept her unconscious for quite a while. She wasn't sure how long she had been out. She listened in on her comms as Alex spoke to her.
"Kar, Come on. Wake up. Please Kar." The reporter closed her eyes for a moment trying to get her mind to clear a little more. She heard the sound of people moving in the background wherever Alex was located. "Kar, please answer."
"I'm here." Kara whispered as Dalg, the Kahloan shouted at his men. The reporter could hear a relieved sigh from her sister. Kara heard J'onn whisper to Alex in the background.
"Kar, How many are present inside the warehouse?" Alex asked as she waited for an answer. Kara looked around seeing the ten Kahloans and three humans who seemed to be helping them.
"Thirteen." Kara whispered softly.
"Are they heavily armed?" Alex asked as the agents listened.
"Yes." Kara whispered softly to her sister as she attempted to not be heard.
"Are they human?" Alex asked as she wrote the information for J'onn and Lex.
"Kahloan and human." Kara whispered again only for the front of her shirt to be grabbed and one of the Kahloans appendages to strike her twice across the face.
"Who are you talking to? Who!" The alien yelled, striking her again. Blood dripped from a cut on her face, nose and mouth. Alex raged quietly over the abuse her sister was suffering. J'onn put a hand on her shoulder. Dreamer arrived as the alien and Kara spoke.
"No one. I'm not talking to anyone." Kara's voice cracked as she stared down the alien. He pulled her harshly forward and wrapped another appendage around her neck. He started to squeeze, cutting off the air very slowly. Kara gasped trying to draw in air.
"Listen to me very closely Danvers. If I had my way you, you would be dead right now for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. But my boss says you have to stay alive for now. So if I were you I would shut up." Hajg, the Kahloan growled as he released her neck, punching her once more. Kara's head swam as the Kahloan walked away. One of the other Kahloan's spoke now.
"The transport ship is coming. Twenty minutes to transport, boss. But we may have another problem. It seems there is a ship in low orbit blocking the transport of anyone off world."
"Tell them to shoot it down if they have to, but to get us out of here." Dalg ordered his officer. The aliens were getting very jittery now. Kara knew they didn't have much time.
"Low orbit ship Alex." Kara rasped out in a soft whisper. Alex sent an alert to the DEO to track and neutralize a low orbit ship.
"Hang in there Kara. We're coming. We just need to make sure how to get you out safely." Alex assured her sister. Kara heard a click on her comms like they were being switched over. A tear ran down the reporters cheek as she listened to the aliens talk across the room. She wasn't so sure she was going to get out of this one alive. A phone rang and was picked up.
"Who am I speaking to?" Came the voice of Director Danvers over the line.
"Dalg, Leader of the Kahloans."
"You have taken a reporter, Kara Danvers, hostage. I need you to surrender your hostage, lay down your weapons, and come out with your hands up." Alex demanded coolly and calm.
"That's not going to happen." Dalg argued back. "All of you are going to withdraw and leave or Ms. Danvers is going to be thrown out the front door dead."
"I'm sorry Dalg, but that's not going to happen either. Seems we are at a stalemate. How can we get this to end peacefully?" Alex asked as she worked on getting them to surrender. Dalg and Alex continued to argue back and forth as someone else spoke into the comms now.
"Ms. Danvers, it's Davies. Hang in there. We are going to get you out. We are almost in position. Lawrence told me to tell you that we will get you out alive." Several more tears ran down Kara's cheeks. They weren't supposed to know she was Supergirl. Why were they reassuring her? "We know how precious you are to your sister. We will get you out."
"Enough!" Dalg yelled even as he hung up on Director Danvers. Hajg stormed back to the reporter.
"Who are you? Why are you so important?" He demanded as shoved her back chair back toward the wall. There was a loud bang as the chair she was in was shoved back toward the wall with all of Hagj alien strength. She hit the wall hard wondering what really happened to her powers from yesterday's exercise.
"I'm just a reporter. No one important." Kara responded even as she tried to protect what she could of her body. Alex shook her head listening to Kara talk about herself. She knew she was trying to get the alien to leave her alone, but it wasn't working. She wasn't supposed to get hurt. She was supposed to be invincible. Lex was working behind the scenes with J'onn to move agents into place, but also to track Maxwell Lord's replacement CEO. Lord Industry CEO, Franz Heinrick, was attempting to flee the country. Lex was on his trail.
"I don't believe you. Why were you researching us?" Hajg interrogated Kara. He slapped the reporter causing her glasses to fall off. When he didn't get a response Hagj demanded again. "Why were you researching us?" He slapped her again.
"Stop. A source told me you were bringing a psychotropic plant into the city. Several aliens had died from that drug." The reporter vaguely explained to Hajg. If she could give him small amounts of vague information she might be able to hang on longer. She couldn't understand why her powers hadn't kicked in yet. Surely her fear was enough adrenaline to kick start them.
"Hajg, find out where her information is located." Dalg, the leader demanded as the rest of the aliens moved toward the double doors in the front. They were setting up their weapons and getting ready for the armed forces that would come through.
"You heard him? Where's the information you have found out?" Hajg demanded as he pulled the reporter forward from the chair. Kara shook her head no. She wasn't giving up the information. She knew if she told them where it was located they would kill her and transport off the planet. She recognized them as the smugglers she had been tracking. An evil smile broke across Hajg's face. "Oh, I had hoped you would refuse. I know how weak earthlings are on this planet." The next fifteen minutes the only sound was Kara's cries and Hajg's fists hitting flesh. He continued to demand the location of the information after each strike. Kara lost consciousness. Hajg moved away to get a bucket of water to wake his victim up. A shadow of mist appeared through the wall as Acrata took form. She knelt next to Kara.
"We're coming Kara." She whispered softly into the reporter's ear. She cut Kara's hands and legs free. "Lena, she's hurt badly. If you all are going to do something you need to move soon. The Kahloans don't look like they are going to wait much longer. I don't think Kara can take much more." Andrea slid back into shadow to disappear in a wisp of smoke when she saw the Kahloan approach. She wished she could take Kara with her, but she was not able to do that. She had never trained with her powers to be able to transport another person. An icy bucket of water hit Kara. Even though she moved some, she didn't move enough to give away her bindings were cut.
"I'm going to enjoy finishing you off Ms. Danvers. You have caused us a great deal of trouble." Hajg informed the reporter walking toward her as he pulled a sickle knife.
"I love you Alex. Tell Lena I love her." Kara whispered as Hajg smiled widely and raised his hand with the knife. Suddenly, all hell broke loose. The doors in front exploded inward as a dark mist appeared before Hajg stabbing him with a long knife. Hajg laughed at Andrea and backhanded her, sending her backwards into the wall. He turned his attention back to the reporter. The sound of DEO and FBI agents pouring inside the warehouse as gunfire and power weapons went off echoed all around.
"Too late Kara Danvers. I am going to make sure to take you with me." He swung sideways just missing Kara as she threw herself off to the side. The side of the warehouse blew out as someone in a Lex suit flew inside. Hajg yanked out the knife Acrata had stabbed him with and went after the reporter. Just as he reached the reporter he was hit by a heavy energy beam. The beam spun him up in the air and caused him to land ten feet away. He looked up to see hell itself in a war suit coming at him. Hajg pulled an energy weapon from the side holster, but never got a chance to fire it. Whoever was in the war suit fired at him one last time, stunning him into unconsciousness. Kara saw Andrea rise.
"Go." Kara warned as Andrea nodded and disappeared in a movement of mist. Kara rolled to her back even as whoever was in the Lex suit came to rest in front of her. The sound of gunfire diminished even as Kara closed her eyes wavering on the edge of consciousness. Soft hands caressed her face as she heard her name called out.
"Kara. Come on. Open your eyes." The sound of Lena's voice caused tears to slide from Kara's eyes. She opened them to see Lena above her. The Lex suit helmet and hand armour retracted enough to allow Lena to be seen and to touch Kara. Anger rushed through Lena as she looked at Kara's badly abused face.
"Thought you were afraid to fly." Kara joked even as a wave of nausea rushed over her. Lena leaned down softly laughing even as tears fell to Kara's face.
"Yeah, well you've gotten me to do a lot of things I'm afraid of since we met." Lena replied sarcastically even as she looked around her making sure they were safe. She saw Alex and J'onn heading her way as Davies and Lawrence cuffed and gave medical attention to the Kahloans. The NCPD and FBI cuffed the three humans and were taking them out. DEO Medical personnel were right behind J'onn and Alex.
"Lena? Feel sick." Kara said rolling to her side and heaving. Everything hurt so much.
"Easy Kara, Alex is almost here." Lena said softly as Alex Danvers arrived dropping to her knees. "Hey, about time you showed up."
"Yeah, well not everyone can fly in on their golden steed." Alex joked as medical staff swarmed Kara. Kara's neck was immobilized with a collar. A backboard was put into place even as an oxygen mask was put around her head. She was lifted onto a stretcher and moved out to the ambulance. "I'll meet you at the DEO." Lena told Kara as she tucked a stray set of hairs behind her ear. Lena waited until they loaded Kara on the stretcher to leave in the Lex suit. They loaded Kara in the ambulance as Alex jumped in next to her.
Hours later…
"Fractured cheekbone, broken nose, three broken ribs, bruised abdomen, mild concussion, and multiple bruises. She is really lucky. There is one concern. Someone among them knew she was Kryptonian." Dr. Hamilton explained as Kara's friends gathered around. Lena and Alex looked at each other.
"What do you mean?" Alex asked as they were given Kara's medical diagnosis.
"The sedative she was given was laced with green liquid Kryptonite. They knew who she was and how to incapacitate her." Dr. Hamilton explained even as Lex stepped forward now.
"She was targeted." Hamilton nodded to Lex. Everyone looked toward Lex. "Will she recover?"
"Yes, but it's going to be two weeks at least. This liquid form of Kryptonite is much more potent. I'm not sure how she is still conscious. I will also tell you this kryptonite is not from Earth. It came from off world. These aliens definitely are targeting Kryptonians." Hamilton explained as Lena and Alex ran their hands over their face. Lex turned toward where Supergirl was laying in recovery. J'onn looked like he was thinking deeply.
"How do you know it's not from here on Earth?" Lena asked as Lex paid attention closely now.
"The components within are not found here on earth. Also, there is a certain amount of ionization that occurs when kryptonite falls through the atmosphere. There is none of that in these samples. Finally, there is a weird radioactivity to this kryptonite that can only be found in space. Dr. Tals double checked it. You know she's from off-world. She said you would have a much better chance of finding this type of kryptonite in the Orion system." Hamilton explained as Alex looked toward J'onn. Something from before this timeline or in this timeline keyed off.
"She's safe here right now. We will sort this out more as we go over the evidence. J'onn, I want you to take Kara's statement tomorrow. Brainy will you work with Dr. Hamilton to see if you can find the origin of the kryptonite. We need to make sure we are not caught off guard by it again." Brainy nodded even as J'onn started to think about when would be the best time to take Supergirl's statement. "There was great teamwork out there today with agencies. You all did an amazing job. Well done." Lex said as he looked once more toward where Kara was recovering and left. They watched as Lex left.
"Can we see her?" Lena asked Dr. Hamilton.
"Yeah, just don't wear her out. She's extremely tired." Dr. Hamilton said as she motioned to the Super. J'onn, Lena, and Alex moved into the medical bay while Brainy and Nia waited in the hallway. Kelly was on her way and would receive an escort to them. Eliza had been notified and J'onn would head out to get her after he assured himself his adoptive daughter was okay. Well as okay as someone who was beaten could be afterwards. They moved into the room quietly.
"Hey." Alex whispered to Kara as Lena joined her. J'onn waited a step behind as Brainy and Nia moved to the bottom of the bed. Kara opened her eyes and smiled. Her face scrunched up in pain quickly after that. It took her a few minutes and her face finally relaxed.
"Hey." Kara responded as she looked at each and every one of them. "Thank you for rescuing me." Lena took her hand and gently ran her thumb over Kara's knuckles. Nia squeezed Kara's toes softly as Brainy nodded. J'onn just smiled at his adoptive daughter, thankful to hear that sweet voice once more.
"We weren't going to leave you there." Alex assured her sister. "But you are down for a while. So you need to rest and get well."
"Hmmm, rest. Sounds okay right now. You couldn't manage some potstickers, do you think?" Alex chuckled softly and bent her head over kissing her sister's forehead. Laughter filled the room much to Kara's relief.
"Yeah, I think that can be managed." Alex whispered, looking her sister in the eyes. The cuts and bruising reflected back to Alex from around her sister's face. "You scared us. You scared me."
"I wasn't trying. I was just kind of walking down the street." Kara spoke softly back as Alex nodded. Alex touched a deep cut that had been butterflied shut by her hair line. "Tell Andrea thank you." Alex and Lena both nodded that they would.
"I know. We will talk more soon." Alex kissed her sister's cheek and hugged her gently. "I'm off to get some food. I'll be back." J'onn moved forward to take Alex's place.
"I'm happy you are alright. We will talk more later. I'm just happy you will be okay." J'onn said, giving his adopted daughter a gentle hug.
"Thank you Space Dad." Kara said as Brainy and Nia moved closer even as Lena never let her hand go. J'onn let her go and headed out of medical. Brainy and Nia gave her hugs and Kara reassured them she would be fine. "Nia, can you find my satchel. I think it got left on scene. I really need it."
"Brainy and I will find it." Nia affirmed as the two left. Kara's eyes now caught Lena's. Lena took a seat next to the bed.
"My knight in golden armour. You and Andrea saved me. Not sure I would have survived much longer." Lena leaned forward gently running her fingers over Kara's cut lip and bruised face. "Thank you." Lena softly kissed Kara and sat back.
"You scared me today. I knew when we started this that the Supergirl part of you would cause me some heart stopping moments. I forgot the Kara Danvers reporter would also cause those parts." Lena declared even as a few tears escaped her eyes. Kara moved onto her side with some discomfort and soft groans as she brought her other hand up to touch Lena's face.
"I'm here. At the end of the day I'm here." Kara said even as exhaustion made her eyes flutter briefly shut. She forced them open once more to see deep concern in Lena's eyes. "We are here at the end of the day. That's all that matters really." Lena smiled softly and she tucked a hair behind Kara's ear.
"You're right. All that matters is that we are here at the end of the day. Together." Lena whispered back knowing Alex would come with food soon. Kelly and Eliza would arrive and interrupt their little bubble of peace. Before that she would say it. "I love you."
"I love you." Kara whispered back as she drifted asleep. Lena leaned her head against the pillow next to Kara's head and rested her own weary body.
"Damn you Lena." Lex said from where he watched through the window in the hall. "I moved time and space to make you a Luthor. Still you gave away your heart to Supergirl. Well damn you both." Lex turned and stormed away as J'onn appeared from down the hall. He moved down to the window for medical glancing inside. He looked to where Lex had stormed away. Then back to the two young lovers holding each other.
"We've got you Lena and Kara. El Mayara! Stronger together." J'onn reassured on the winds of change in the hallway.