"I'm Supergirl." The words echoed in Lena's mind, persistently playing all day long in her head. It had been a week since Kara had revealed her lies, her betrayal. Lena didn't want to feel anymore, constantly numbing her sorrows with alcohol. Kara had broken her trust and in turn broken her heart. She was supposed to be her best, no, only friend in National City, and she went and squandered it over a secret. Lena was furious. All she wanted was for Kara to feel the same pain and anguish that she had brought upon her former best friend. She tipped back her head, downing her glass of scotch and setting it down on the table with a thud.
"I must admit I was surprised to receive your call, Lena."
"Don't rub it in," Lena responded, running a palm over her face and sighing heavily.
"I just want to help you, dear. I'm your mother and I love you, despite what you may assume," Lillian responded, setting down her bag and walking to sit down in front of Lena on the opposite side of her glass desk. "We can bond later, what is it you called me in for?"
"You were right. About the Supers, about Kara."
"Ah, so she finally told you."
"In time, yes. And I hate her, hate her."
"I hate to say I told you so, but I did try to warn you. Now you see I only ever tried to help you."
"I just want her to feel pain, the same way she hurt me."
Lillian pursed her lips in thought, reaching across the table and covering Lena's hand with her own. A small grin graced Lillian's face. "I've been working on a little...project lately. With your brilliant mind and technology I'm sure you could help me complete it and we could use it to exact revenge on the traitorous alien."
"What kind of project?"
"Mind control, specifically for the Supers. A way for us to control them simply using our voices."
Lena looked unconvinced.
"Think about it Lena. All that power at our beck and call, and all we have to do is command her to do our bidding. I just need your help to finish it." Lillian's lips bore a full smile now.
Lena thought for a second, thought about Kara. She thought about all the memories they shared together, all the times Kara had been there for her. But then she remembered all of Kara's lies. The time she 2-faced her as Supergirl when they were dealing with Reign, and how their friendship of 3 years had ultimately been built on lies.
"What do you need me to do?" Lena said, a small grin on her lips as she stared into the eyes of her mother.
-00-
"I messed up, Alex," Kara said, pacing around the sparring room.
"Kara," Alex said, keeping her tone gentle. "Lena just needs time, that's all."
"You didn't see her face. She was so heartbroken. I've never seen her look so hurt before. I did that," Kara's voice began to shake in that last word as she stopped her pacing and took her face in her hands.
Alex strode over to her sister, wrapping her arms around Kara's trembling frame. "Just give her some time to adjust," Alex said softly, rubbing a spread palm up and down Kara's back. Alex felt Kara nod against her shoulder, pulling a small chuckle from the eldest Danvers. "Come on. I think that's enough today. Let me get you home so you can rest." Kara didn't say anything, but just nodded her head against Alex's shoulder again. "Let's go, sleepyhead," Alex said, ruffling Kara's hair and pulling out of the hug, but still keeping one arm around Kara's waist as the sisters walked next to each other.
"Thanks Alex," Kara murmured softly, her head resting on Alex's shoulder as they walked through the parking lot to Alex's car.
"Anytime," Alex responded with a smile. "Now let's go, you can barely stand up."
Once Kara was situated in the passenger's seat Alex pulled out of the parking lot and drove to Kara's apartment. Within minutes Kara was asleep. Alex looked over at Kara when she stopped at a red light, reaching over to rub her shoulder. Alex smiled, focusing back on the road and driving the rest of the way to Kara's apartment.
-00-
"Well Lena" Lillian said smugly. "You finished in 12 hours what I've been trying to complete for weeks."
"Guess I just have a lot driving my work right now," Lena replied.
"We'll have to force it down her throat when she wakes up, but one dosage should be enough to take the Girl of Steel as our own, but of course it's good that we have backups. Just in case."
"Right," Lena said, pulling her watch off her wrist and handing it to Lillian.
"Well what's this for?"
"It's how we get Supergirl here. You'll find that when you open the watch face, you'll see a button in the shape of a very familiar symbol. We just have to make Supergirl think that this is another one of your elaborate plots to kidnap me, she'll come flying to my rescue, and we'll take her."
"I'm impressed with you, Lena. And proud."
Lena smiled. "Don't press it just yet. I want this to be convincing."
Lillian nodded, smiling. "What did you have in mind?"
"A mess, for one. And a hostage situation."
-00-
Kara rolled out of bed and threw on an old college sweatshirt. Looking at the clock she noticed it was 8:37 in the morning. She walked into the kitchen, not expecting to find Alex making breakfast. Alex heard footsteps and turned around to see her sleepy sister.
"Did you stay here all night?" Kara asked, rubbing her eyes with loose fists as she sat down at the kitchen island.
"Sure did," Alex said, switching off the stove and adding a few more pancakes to a plate already towered with at least 10.
"You didn't have to do that," Kara said, feeling guilty as Alex set a plate down in front of her.
"I don't mind." Alex wrapped Kara in a one arm hug, pressing a kiss to her temple. Kara sighed contently into the hug, holding onto Alex for a moment before allowing her to sit down next to her. It took about 45 seconds for Alex to notice Kara just pushing the food around on her plate instead of eating it, staring off into nothing.
"Alright. What's going on?" Alex said, turning to face Kara and guiding the fork out of her hand, taking both of Kara's hands in her own.
"What?" Kara said, snapping back to attention.
"What are you thinking about?" Alex had a feeling she already knew the answer.
Kara sighed, a long sigh. "Just...Lena stuff," Kara said, averting her gaze.
"Kara, I'm sure Lena will come around. It's a lot to find out at once, you know, finding out your best friend is an alien. Not to mention a very popular superhero in National City who may have saved Lena's life once or twice and whose family history is a little tender with her own."
This pulled a small chuckle from Kara. "You know what, you're right. I just have to give her some time to adjust," she says resolutely, looking back up at Alex.
"There you go," Alex says, squeezing Kara's hands softly.
"Thank you."
"You never, ever have to thank me, Kara." Alex glanced up at the clock. "Damn, I have to get to the DEO. You'll be ok here?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm just gonna work on some stuff for Catco."
"Ok. I love you," Alex says on her way out the door.
"Love you," Kara calls back after her, earning one last smile from Alex before she's out of the apartment.
-00-
"What do you think, Lena? It's been 2 hours already, I'd say we have a pretty convincing setup."
Lena took a moment to survey the mess that her and Lillian had made of her office. There was paper all over the floor, the chessboard was destroyed, her desk chair had been tossed on its side, and there was a broken bottle of alcohol on the far side of the room. But the crown jewel was the "blood" running down Lena's forehead. She had taken some of her ruby red nail polish and dripped it down her head, as to make it look like Lillian had hurt her. It was deliciously evil.
"I think we're ready," Lena said, bitterness in her voice. In her hand she held a glass bottle, ready to throw it as Lillian triggered the signal. Lena got down on the floor, lying on her side.
"Ready?" Lillian questioned?
"Ready," Lena responded firmly. Lillian smiled and pressed the button just as Lena threw the glass bottle. It shattered next to her desk, loudly. "Now we wait."
Lillian nodded, stepping back from Lena to make it look as though she was going to pounce.
Back in her apartment, Kara heard the beeping, and the shattering of glass.
"Lena…" She whispered, speeding out of the open window. She flew as fast as she could to L-Corp, using her super hearing to pick up on Lena's heartbeat. Kara crashed through the ceiling of L-Corp, running over to where Lena lay on the floor.
"Lena!" She yelled, "Are you alright? Can you hear me?"
"Kara?" Lena said softly, doing her best to feign unawareness. That was Lillian's cue. She came waltzing out of the shadows, her usual smug grin worn on her face.
"You stay away from her!" Kara yelled, standing protectively over Lena's body.
It almost made Lena feel bad.
Almost.
"Oh Supergirl, you mistake the brains behind this operation."
"What?" Kara said, feeling a sting in the back of her leg. She whirled around to see Lena sitting up, an unforgiving look on her face as she plunged the contents of a syringe with a kryptonite needle into Kara's leg. Kara felt her mind become fuzzy, her eyelids tugging themselves shut.
"Lena?" Kara said in disbelief, her tongue heavy in her mouth as she dropped to her knees. Lena stood up, towering over the vulnerable Super. The last thing Kara sees are Lena's icy green eyes before her fist connects with Kara's face and she's knocked out cold.
Lena looked at the body at her feet, feeling satisfied with herself as she looked up at her mother, whose arms are crossed over her chest. "Now we move to phase 2," Lena said.
"Yes we do, my child," Lillian said, as her Cadmus minions came in and dragged Kara's body out of the room.
-00-
Later that night, Alex knocks on Kara's apartment door. "Kara? I just wanted to come check on you."
No response.
"Kara? I'm gonna let myself in ok?" Alex took out her key and opened the door with as much gentleness as she could muster, being wary of the possibility that Kara was asleep. She looked around the apartment, finally getting to the bedroom and realizing that Kara was nowhere to be found. Looking in Kara's closet she realized that her super suit was missing as well. Alex took a deep breath to steady her emotions. Maybe Kara was at the DEO. Alex wouldn't panic unless it was necessary. She grabbed her keys and made her way for the DEO.
Once she got there she found J'onn, Brainy, and Maggie at the main console.
"J'onn," Alex said, walking toward the rest of the group. "Have you seen Kara? She's not at her apartment and I tried calling her but it keeps going to voicemail."
J'onn hesitated and the rest looked at Alex with sympathy.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"We were going to ask you if you've seen Kara. We haven't seen her all day," J'onn said, clenching his jaw in anger.
"What do you mean you haven't seen her all day? If she's not here and she's not at home then where is she?" Alex asked, the fear evident in her voice.
Maggie walked over to her, putting her hands on Alex's shoulders and looking her in the eyes.
"Her tracker's been disabled," Brainy said, a grave expression on his face.
"So she's not home, she's not here, and we have no idea where to find her?" Alex asked, more fear rising in her voice. But she wouldn't lose it here. Not now.
"It's ok, babe. We'll get her back," Maggie said, her own worry for Kara evident on her face as well.
"Do we even have any idea where to start?" Alex asked, looking at J'onn.
"No," he responded, "But we'll find her. I give you my word."
Alex nodded, a new emotion overcoming her. Anger. She was going to destroy the sons of bitches that took her sister. She took a deep breath to reign in her emotions, reaching her hands around Maggie's forearms and squeezing softly.
Maggie nodded, releasing her grip on Alex and looking back to J'onn.
J'onn nodded, to the 2 women, then looked over and nodded to brainy.
"Let's get to work finding Supergirl."
-00-
Kara slowly came into awareness. Her head was pounding. Blinking a few times to clear her vision, she tried to remember what had happened. Slowly the recent events came back to her, but she thought her mind was playing tricks on her. Lena wouldn't. Her head must still be fuzzy from whatever Lillian injected her with. She tried to move, feeling a heavy weight tugging on her wrists from behind. She was chained to the wall like some sort of animal with only enough slack to stand up. She tried to break free, grunting with the effort when she heard the clack of high heels on the concrete floor.
"I wouldn't bother. You're just going to hurt yourself."
Kara couldn't believe her eyes. Standing in front of her was a very unharmed, angry looking Lena Luthor.
"L-Lena?" Kara choked out, tears forming in her eyes.
"Supergirl," Lena stated plainly, her eyes still glaring daggers at Kara.
"Lena what's going on?"
"I hate you," Lena spat out. "I want you to suffer just as much as you made me suffer."
Kara tried to fight back more tears.
"Lena I-"
But Lena cut her off. "This is all your fault," Lena said, still staring at Kara from a distance. "All this time I thought you were my friend, and you'd been lying to me the entire time."
"Lena, please. You have to understand! I just wanted to-"
"To protect me," Lena cut her off again. "Newsflash, Kara. I'm not some damsel in distress who needs the almighty Girl of Steel's protection. What I needed was your friendship, but you threw that away." Lena made her way for the exit. "I'll be back soon. Don't bother trying to escape."
"No, Lena, wait! Please!" Kara yelled after her, attempting to stand up and follow her only to be pulled back by the chains on the walls. She fell on her back, knocking the air out of herself.
Kara just lay there, sobbing and gasping for air, tears rolling down the sides of cheeks.
-00-
It was 10 minutes before Kara managed to reign in her tears, catching her breath. She grunted softly as she pushed herself up into a sitting position, leaning her back against the heavy concrete column that she was chained to. Taking a deep breath in, she surveyed her surroundings, trying to get a sense of where she was but it was to no avail. All she could make out was that the room was kinda dark, there really wasn't much else about it. The only other prominent feature was the computer console on the other side of the room, which wasn't even switched on at the moment. There was most likely kryptonite somewhere. Kara didn't have her powers, her strength to break free. She was thinking about what to do, when Lena came back, this time accompanied by Lillian who was holding a briefcase. Lena didn't say anything as she switched on the computer, paying no attention to Kara.
"Hello, Ms. Danvers," Lillian said, setting the briefcase down and opening it to reveal 10 bottles all filled with the same greenish liquid. "I always told you that you were never a good enough friend for her. And now look what you've done, broken her trust."
"Lena I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you I swear," Kara pleaded, ignoring Lillian in favor of looking at Lena, who stared plainly back at her.
"Well I guess that doesn't matter anymore, does it? because you did. You broke me."
Kara felt more tears well up in her eyes, hanging her head in defeat.
"And now I'm going to break you."
Kara's head snapped back up to see Lillian walking toward her with one of the bottles, unscrewing the top. "Lena, what's happening? What are you doing?" Kara said, trying to scramble away from Lillian but it was no use. She had nowhere to run.
"I'm manipulating you. The same way you manipulated me."
Just as the words left Lena's mouth, Lillian forced the contents of the bottle down Kara's throat, forcing her to swallow it.
Kara felt pain all over her body, screwing her eyes shut to deal with the bitter taste of whatever that was. It wasn't just kryptonite. There was something else in there too. Her mind felt fuzzy. "What...what did you do to me?" She slurred, looking back up at Lena with glazed eyes, still trying to deal with the fire spreading in her veins. Everything hurt.
Lena just stepped out of Kara's way, Lillian doing the same so they were standing on either side of Kara. Walking over to the computer and switching it on, Lena pulled up a simulation of Kara's brainwaves. Kara didn't know what she was looking at but Lena could see that their serum had worked.
"Supergirl, shoot your laser vision at the wall directly in front of you," Lena commanded.
Kara didn't understand, until she suddenly felt like a hot knife was going through her skull. What was happening to her? She screamed in agony, trying to reach her hands around her head but failing as the chains held her back. She felt her eyes light up with lasers for a second before they went out and the pain mercifully stopped. Kara doubled over on her knees, choking on her breath.
Lena walked over to her, feeling no pity as she forced Kara's chin upwards and looked into her glassy blue eyes. Kara still gasped heavily for air, not even having the strength to move her face out of Lena's grasp.
"Guess we need another dosage," Lillian said from behind, already opening another bottle.
Lena nodded and let go of Kara's chin, causing her head to hang below her shoulders.
"Lena...wait-" Kara said breathlessly, trying to reason with the CEO. But Lena didn't listen. She just watched as Lillian forced the contents of another bottle down Kara's throat. Kara coughed a little bit. It really didn't taste good.
Lena moved back to the computer screen, Lillian following. "Supergirl, shoot your laser vision at the wall directly in front of you."
Kara felt the searing headache again. She felt her eyes light up with energy and before she could fight it she was shooting laser beams at the wall in front of her.
"Stop," Lena said.
The lasers stopped and in turn Kara's pain. She sunk to the floor breathlessly, feeling out of it. She couldn't even make out the conversation between Lillian and Lena as tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Looks it works," Lena said, clearly satisfied with her work.
Kara was barely starting to clear her vision of black spots when Lillian came over and undid the chains on her wrists, exposing raw, red skin underneath.
"Wh-what?" Kara mumbled as she sunk further down onto the floor from the lack of her arms holding her up.
"Supergirl, hover 2 feet in the air."
Kara felt that same splitting headache again, not even registering the fact that she was flying until she was hovering 2 feet in the air. She tried to lower herself back down, causing a great deal of pain in her head, but had no success. But at least she could sort of fight it this time. Maybe whatever Lillian force fed her was starting to wear off.
"Stop."
Kara touched back down on the floor, standing unsteadily and raking her palms across her face, trying to alleviate the pounding in her head.
"Lena...what is this? What are you gonna do to me?" Kara asked in defeat, giving up all hope of getting through to Lena.
"You're mine to control, Kara." That was the first time Lena had used Kara's real name in favor of Supergirl. "And I want you to feel the pain that you've inflicted on me. I want you to suffer."
Kara tried to make one last ditch effort. "Lena I am so, so sorry that I hurt you. But there's got to be a better way I can make it up to you, please." Kara was desperate. Lena's face remained unchanged in its cold demeanor, Lillian's features painted with her usual smugness.
"It shouldn't have to be made up, Supergirl," Lena hissed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I want you to see the looks of pain on your family's faces as you destroy the person who matters most to you, just as you destroyed me."
"What does that mean?"
"Supergirl, fly back to the DEO and kill Alex Danvers."
"Wait! Lena, no! Please!" But before Kara could finish her sentence she was up in the air, flying fast toward the DEO. She tried to resist. Kara would rather resist until she falls in a crater and dies before harming Alex. Kara used all the strength she had, trying to stop her flight. There was a little give, but ultimately Kara lost the battle, keeping a direct course for the DEO.
Meanwhile…
"Anything new on Kara?"
"Not yet, Alex," J'onn answered, rubbing his temple in frustration. "Brainy? Anything?" he called, looking towards Brainy.
Brainy just looked up and gave a shake of his head.
"Hey, don't worry Alex. We'll find her." Maggie massaged the tension out of Alex's shoulders, causing Alex to lean back into the touch for a second before giving Maggie a soft nod and returning to work.
A thud resonated behind them.
Alex whipped her head around to find Kara, swaying where she stood. Alex then realized how pale Kara was, and how much she was shaking. Her face was contorted in a grimace of pain, her movements rigid.
"Kara!" Alex called, beginning to run over to her sister.
"N-no, Alex! Stay...stay back!" Kara choked out.
Alex stopped, looking at her sister with worry and concern in her eyes. Kara's eyes suddenly began to glow and her hands shot up to cover her eyes, but not before a small laser blast escaped and hit Alex in the palm of her hand.
"Ow!" Alex yelled, shaking out her hand. J'onn and Maggie ran over to her. "I'm ok. I'm fine." She looked back over at Kara.
Kara was still holding her hands tightly over her eyes, screaming and crying as the lasers burned her flesh. Alex felt a single tear slip out of her eye and was brought back to reality when she felt her hand being wrapped up by Maggie.
Kara didn't think it would ever end, still burning her hands with her own laser eyes. Mercifully the lasers stopped and Kara dropped her hands from her eyes, panting and crying. Alex was about to run over to her when Kara was suddenly floating in the air.
"No no no no no not again," Kara cried as her eyes lit up again. She put her hands back over them, burning herself more in the process. She spun around in the air, her flight dangerously unstable as she hovered at least 15 feet in the air. Alex just watched in shock, unsure of what to do. The heat vision finally stopped and Alex and Kara both thought it was over. Then she felt a headache like no other, pain splitting through her entire head and body like a hot knife through butter. Kara grabbed both sides of her head, palms pressing against her skull and nails digging into her scalp. She yelled out in agony, "Get out of my head!"
All the while, Lena was monitoring Kara's brain activity, becoming enraged that the drug was beginning to wear off. "Damn it mother! She's resisting and it's wearing off."
"Then we make adjustments, my child."
Lena watched in a red rage as the screen lit up and Kara's brain was completely free of the mind control serum.
Kara suddenly felt the pain decrease, but not stop. She made eye contact with Alex, both sisters having tears in their eyes as Kara heaved in large gasps for air. Alex was shocked by the entire display. Kara's eyes roll back in her head and she plummets to the floor, crashing with a loud thud. Alex didn't process anyone or anything else as she ran over to Kara.
"Kara!" she yelled, dropping to her knees next to the unconscious alien. "Kara? Kara can you hear me?" she says, patting her cheek. The tremble in her voice betrays the mental wall she is using to keep emotions at bay. Alex didn't even realize Maggie had dropped to her knees next to her, placing an oxygen mask over Kara's face. J'onn came around Kara's other side, scooping her up in his strong arms and placing her down gently on a stretcher.
"I want a brain scan done immediately," J'onn said as the medics surrounded the gurney, wheeling Kara away.
Alex and Maggie stood up, Maggie trailing her palm on Alex's back.
"What the hell just happened?" Alex asked, watching Kara get rolled away.
-00-
30 minutes later, Alex and Maggie sat at Kara's bedside, Alex grasping Kara's hand in her own.
Kara wore an oxygen mask over her face. Luckily the burns had healed with the sunlamps but it was clear whatever was done to her had exhausted the rest of body, making it difficult for her to breath on her own. Alex rubbed her thumb back and forth over Kara's knuckles as J'onn came in, arms across his chest.
Alex immediately looked up at him, eyes clearly eager for answers. Maggie looked up too, eyes questioning.
"The results of the brain scan show that there was some sort of mind-altering drug in Kara's brain. From what we can see it was only temporary and there should be no long-term side effects, but she'll probably be in some pain for a while."
"Who would try to mind control Kara?" Alex asked, looking back at her unconscious sister for a second and then back at J'onn.
"And more importantly do you have any idea where to find them?" Maggie said, jaw clenching in anger. Nobody hurt her family and got away with it.
"As of right now, no, we have no idea who's behind this. Maybe when Kara wakes up she'll have some memory of what happened."
Alex nodded and looked back at Kara, hoping she would wake up soon.
J'onn nodded, exiting the room. Just then, a faint, sleepy moan escaped from Kara's lips.
"Kara?" Alex said, noticing the change in Kara's breathing, the fluttering of her eyelids.
"Little Danvers?" Maggie said softly, rubbing her hand up and down Kara's shin.
Kara took in a deep breath and opened her eyes, squinting at the bright light at first but then making out hazy images of Alex and Maggie.
"Alex...Maggie," Kara rasped out, swallowing and wincing at the dryness in her throat.
"Hey," Alex said gently, brushing some hair out of Kara's face.
"Welcome back Little Danvers," Maggie said, flashing a grin Kara's way.
Kara, despite her pain, managed to give Maggie the smallest smile back.
"What happened?" Kara muttered, her word heavy with exhaustion.
"We can talk about it later. Rest," Alex said, stroking Kara's cheek softly. Kara closed her eyes before she heard a familiar voice, shaking her to her core and causing her to snap her eyes back open.
"I just heard! Is Kara ok?" Lena exclaimed, running into the lab. Alex and Maggie looked up at Lena, failing to notice the slight panic that seems to have overtaken Kara.
"Lena? What are you doing here?" Alex asks, watching as Lena approaches Kara's bed. Alex notices how wide Kara's eyes are, but thinks she's maybe just surprised to see Lena after everything that's happened between them. She squeezes Kara's hand reassuringly.
"I heard Kara was hurt and I got here as fast as I could," Lena said, still not taking her eyes off of Kara.
"Right, well why don't we give you some time alone with Kara," Maggie said, guiding Alex out of the room.
Alex was hesitant at first but left willingly, talking to Maggie quietly outside the room.
Lena's worried state quickly disappeared, quickly being replaced by the same coldness from before.
Kara was too tired to fight, to argue. She just looked at Lena with sad eyes.
"I didn't bring more of the drug, if that's what you're wondering," Lena stated flatly, inching closer to Kara's bed. "But let me tell you this," she said, leaning down just inches from Kara's face. "I will be the cause of your suffering. I will watch you crumble and break the same way your lies broke me." Lena began to squeeze the hose that was feeding Kara oxygen. Kara's eyes widened as she gagged, struggling to take air into her lungs. "You'll regret ever meeting me, Zor-El." Lena squeezed harder, enjoying watching the hero struggle.
"I'm gonna go talk to J'onn, look over Kara's scans," Alex said, walking away.
Maggie looked back in the room to check on Kara and Lena but quickly sprinted in there when she saw what Lena was doing. "Get the fuck away from her!" Maggie yelled, pushing Lena away from Kara and pinning her up against the wall. "Did you do this? Did you give her that drug?"
Lena only looked at her with an angry glare. Maggie looked back at Kara who was still not breathing. She connected her fist with Lena's face, knocking her out cold. Maggie ran back over to Kara's bed, preparing to replace the oxygen mask with a non-damaged one as she helped the younger woman sit up. Haggard coughs tore at Kara's frame.
"Ok, ok. You're ok," Maggie said, rubbing Kara's back and placing the new mask over Kara's face. Kara finally got some air in her burning lungs, heaving in a few relieved breaths. Maggie saw the tears trailing down Kara's cheeks and pulled Kara into a hug, bringing a hand up to stroke blonde hair. Kara closed her eyes and pressed herself into Maggie, breaking down into her second big sister's arms.
"It's ok, Kara. I'm here," Maggie said, holding the trembling girl against her body.
"Thank you," Kara managed to say in between cries and gasps for air, only pressing harder into Maggie's body.
"You don't have to thank me, Kara. Ever. Ok?"
Kara nodded, fatigue beginning to take over. She closed her eyes, listening to Maggie's heartbeat under her ear.
Alex came running in, noticing the unconscious Luthor on the floor. "What happened? Is she ok?" Alex asked frantically, running over to where Kara and Maggie were embraced on the side of Kara's bed. Kara nodded sleepily, hair mussing against Maggie's chest.
"She's alright," Maggie said, rubbing her other hand up and down Kara's back. "Lena's behind this, she did this to Kara."
"What?" Alex said in disbelief, then her eyes became full of anger. "J'onn, I need you in Kara's room ASAP."
J'onn came in then. "What is it?" He then saw Lena's body on the floor and took in the entire situation, noticing Kara was clinging to Maggie quite a bit. J'onn may have been a psychic but he didn't need his powers to decipher the situation in front of him. "Lena did this?" he asked.
Alex nodded, eyes still on Kara in Maggie's arms. Maggie hugged Kara tighter, letting her gaze trail off to Lena and then up at J'onn. "She came in here and tried to hurt Kara again," she said, now looking at Alex who had a brief look of shock on her face.
"What do you mean? What did she do?" Alex asked, somehow looking at the young Luthor with even more hatred in her eyes.
"When I looked through the window I noticed she was trying to mess with Kara's oxygen mask," Maggie looked over at the discarded mask on the table. Alex and J'onn hadn't seen that before.
"So I ran in here and pulled her off of Kara," Maggie said, glancing back at Kara who was now sleeping in her embrace. Poor kid. "I don't think it went on for too long before I got in here but she pinched the hose and cut the oxygen flow. So I knocked her out and replaced the mask."
"How could she do this to Kara?" Alex asked, running a hand through her hair as her eyes went back to Kara, who was still being held tightly in Maggie's arms as she slept. Alex looked back at Lena and suddenly started to drag Lena's body out of the room.
"Agent Danvers? What are you going to do?" J'onn called after her.
"Throw her in containment. Just be glad I'm not killing her," Alex grunted out as she handed Lena off to 2 other agents who picked her up and made their way for containment. Alex walked back into the room, watching as the 2 agents took Lena's body away. Maggie gently lowered Kara back down onto the mattress and Alex pulled the blanket back over her shoulders. They made sure Kara was settled before walking out of the room, J'onn following behind them but keeping his distance, almost standing guard at the doorway to Kara's room.
Maggie could sense the tension radiating from Alex as her hands became fists and her jaw clenched shut. "Alex, I know what you're thinking…"
"How could she? All Kara did was try to protect her and this is the thanks she gets?"
"Al, take a second. Take a deep breath."
Alex began to pace back and forth, looking Maggie in the eyes as she did. But Alex listened, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
Alex was about to say something but was interrupted by J'onn.
"I think Kara's waking up."
Alex and Maggie went back to Kara's bed and noticed she had her eyes open.
"Hey, Kara. You feel better?" Alex asked, as she helped Kara sit up. Kara removed her oxygen mask, taking a deep breath all on her own for the first time in a little while.
"Yeah, much better. I think my powers are back," Kara answered, slowly hopping off the bed and testing her weight on her muscles. Alex and Maggie each put an arm around her side, helping steady her a little bit. Then she remembered the events that had transpired recently. Kara's expression grew grim. "Oh Rao. About Lena…"
"I controlled myself and put her in containment for now," Alex said firmly.
"Thank you...for helping me out earlier," Kara said, looking over at Maggie.
"No thanking required," Maggie stated, rubbing her hand up and down Kara's back and giving Kara a small smile. Kara smiled back.
She was about to speak when she was interrupted by lots of yelling and the cocking of guns. In a flash Kara was changed back into her Supergirl suit, leading Alex and Maggie to the source of the commotion.
"J'onn what's going on?" Kara asked.
"Word just came through that Lillian Luthor is on the waterfront," he answered and looked over at Alex. Alex knew what he meant and began to gear up as Maggie cocked her gun.
"I'm coming with you," Kara said.
"No, Kara. You're still recovering," J'onn said, hoping Alex didn't hear this exchange.
"I have my powers back, I'm fine. This started with me and I want to finish it. Besides, if Alex hasn't told me not to go yet then I'm in the clear."
"Alright you can come."
"Thank you," Kara said, going to stand with Alex and Maggie.
-00-
Flashback
"I can't believe she resisted the drug! There must be a mistake with my calculations," Lena spat out, pacing back in forth in a rage.
"Calm yourself, Lena. Did you really think I wouldn't have prepared a plan B?"
"What?"
"You will go to the DEO, feigning worry for the kryptonian, and allow yourself to be captured."
"Where is this going Mother?"
"Patience, child. I'm getting to the good part."
Lena just stared at her mother, giving permission for her to continue.
"I will show up at the waterfront, demanding you be released. I'm sure by now the kryptonian will be recovered or at least awake. I will allow them to take me in, but what they won't see is the explosive device I will have hidden in my coat."
"Mother, what's the point of going to the waterfront?"
"I don't want any human casualties, even if they have sided with the disease." Lillian arched her eyebrow.
Lena thought to herself for a moment. Lillian had a point. "Alright, I'll do it."
"Good. We'll end the kryptonian once and for all." Lillian grinned, an evil, sadistic grin.
Flashback end
-00-
"Let's move out!" J'onn said.
Kara grabbed both Alex and Maggie by the waist. Alex and Maggie both gave her firm nods and she took off, heading for the waterfront. When she landed she placed Alex and Maggie down and both women pointed their guns at Lillian. The first thing that Kara noticed was that Lillian appeared to be alone. Odd.
"Supergirl," Lillian said with a flat tone. "I demand you give me my daughter back at once."
"Not gonna happen, Luthor," Maggie said as both her and Alex took a step closer, guns still trained on Lillian.
"But we'll let you join her in containment," Alex said, approaching Lillian and beginning to cuff her, Maggie watching and making sure there were no tricks.
Kara was confused. This was wrong, all wrong. Lillian never went down without a fight. She was pulled from her thoughts as J'onn and a few more DEO agents showed up for the confrontation.
A light beeping filled her ears.
Where was that coming from?
"Wait!" Kara called, walking up to Lillian. Sure enough, the beeping got louder as she stood next to Lillian.
"Kara what are you doing?" Alex said.
"Maggie, Alex, step back," Kara commanded, still staring at Lillian.
"Kara what's going on?" Maggie said, but she did as she was told, stepping back next to Alex.
"Can we get on with this, Supergirl?" Lillian asked, suppressing a smirk.
Kara tried to use her X-ray vision but found nothing under Lillian's coat. Kara slowly stepped back from Lillian, stepping in between Maggie and Alex.
"Kara?" Alex said, "You're going to let her get away!"
"Oh you people are truly dumber than I thought," Lillian said. She then opened her coat and revealed the bomb strapped to her chest, encased in lead no doubt. There were 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 seconds on the clock but that kind of blast could wipe out the entire city.
Without thinking Kara sped over to Lillian, ripping the bomb off her chest and flying as fast as she could into the air.
6
"Kara!" Alex called as Kara shot up into the air.
5
"Throw the bomb!" J'onn yelled into his comm.
4
"I can't yet! I have to go higher!" Kara called. Alex watched in horror as Kara flew higher into the sky.
3...2...1
"No!" Alex and Maggie yelled in perfect sync as the bomb went off and everyone on the ground ducked to avoid the kickback.
Kara's body plummeted from the sky, hitting the water with a hard slap.
"Kara!" Alex yelled, running right up to the edge of the water. J'onn shot up into the air and within a second he sped down into the water.
Maggie held her breath and Alex felt tears roll down her cheeks as more and more time passed without either J'onn or Kara surfacing.
After what felt like eternity a blur of red and green shot out of the water, carrying in his arms a limp super.
"Kara! Oh no no no," Alex cried, running over to where J'onn was placing Kara's body on the ground. Kara's skin was drained all of its color, her lips blue. Luckily she wasn't injured from the explosion or that would've added to all of this.
"Kara? Hey, Kara can you hear me?" Alex said, her voice shaking as she dropped to her knees next to Kara, Maggie dropping next to her. Alex put 2 fingers up to Kara's neck, her breath catching when she didn't feel a steady thumping.
"She doesn't have a pulse!" Alex cried out panicked. She began CPR but it wasn't doing anything.
"Please don't do this to me, Kara. Not like this," Alex said in between compressions, tears falling onto the already soaked blonde.
Off to the side, Lillian had attempted to escape but had been caught by other agents. No matter. The job was done. The alien was no more.
"Come on, Kara! Come back!" Alex said, her arms shaking with the effort of compressions.
Maggie saw the struggle in Alex's arms, slowly pulling her off of Kara.
"No! I have to save her!" Alex screamed, struggling against Maggie's grasp. J'onn came in and took Alex in his hold.
"Let Maggie help, Alex," J'onn said, holding the crying woman back.
"Come on, Kara. Fight," Maggie said as she began compressions. But it wasn't working.
"Little Danvers, you better wake up right now!" Maggie yelled, her own voice shaking with emotion and her own tears falling. She could hear Alex sobbing in the background, struggling to get out of J'onn's hold and back to her sister.
The compressions weren't working. Kara's skin was still lacking its color and ice cold to the touch, her lips still deep blue.
"Damn it Kara, breathe!" Maggie yelled, almost angrily, bringing a fist over her head and slamming down onto Kara's chest. She sat there staring at the blonde's lifeless body, panting with her efforts, waiting for Kara to breathe. The scene fell silent to Alex's crying as she was now completely held up by the support of J'onn.
Kara's eyes shot open and she coughed up mouthfuls of water.
Maggie's eyes went wide, she was at a loss for words as she helped the blonde onto her side as she choked up more water.
J'onn finally let Alex go and she sprinted back to Kara's side. Alex pulled Kara's body against her own, crying softly into Kara's hair. Maggie sat on her knees beside the sisters, rubbing Kara's back as she tried to catch her breath. Some of the color began to return to Kara's cheeks as J'onn draped a blanket over her.
"Thanks," Kara said quietly, in between big breaths. J'onn nodded, stepping back to let the 3 women have a moment together. Alex hugged Kara tighter, finally composing herself enough to speak.
"I swear, Kara, one of these days I'm going to have a heart attack," Alex said, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips through her tears.
"Ditto," Maggie said, still rubbing Kara's back Kara was shivering, despite the blanket.
"S-Sorry," Kara said, her teeth chattering as she tried to snuggle as much of her body under the blanket as possible, pressing herself into Alex.
"Oh, Kar, you're freezing. C'mon, let's go back to the DEO, get you warm," Alex said, pulling back enough to see Kara's face but still keeping her arms around the trembling alien.
"Can you walk?" Maggie said.
"Y-yeah. I-I c-can w-walk," Kara gritted out, yawning.
"Ok, let's stand up," Alex said, slowly untangling herself from Kara. "Easy," she said softly, putting an arm around Kara's waist. Maggie put her arm around the other side of Kara's waist and the 2 women pulled her up. She swayed where she stood, leaning heavily on Maggie and Alex's support around her waist. The thin blanket over her shoulders wasn't doing much to combat the cold but then she felt something being draped over her shoulders and noticed Maggie suddenly missing one leather jacket.
"Th-thanks," Kara said softly, voice tired and weak.
"Anytime," Maggie said, still supporting the blonde on one side and using her free hand to rub in between Kara's shoulder blades. Alex used her free hand to brush some hair out of Kara's face, cupping her cheek and brushing her thumb on the skin under Kara's eye. Kara leaned into the touch, closing her eyes for a moment and relishing in the warmth in Alex's palm. Alex smiled, taking her hand away from Kara's face as a DEO black suburban was driven up next to them. As they were about to get into the car, another DEO containment unit drove by, housing a very pissed off looking Lillian Luthor in the back. Maggie smiled at Lillian's misery, Alex watching on in anger.
"Go slow," Maggie said as she helped Kara in from her side first, scooting over to the other seat to make room for Alex. Kara came in the middle, sitting between Maggie and Alex. Within a second of sitting in the car, Kara was snuggling against Alex, resting her head on Alex's chest. Alex combed her fingers through Kara's hair and Kara practically purred as she nestled closer. Maggie draped Kara's legs over her own, rubbing her shins softly. Kara was asleep before J'onn even got in the driver's seat, looking back at his precious cargo and smiling. Kara was asleep on top of Alex, her legs stretched out over Maggie's lap, as Maggie rubbed her legs and Alex played with her hair. Both women smiled at the sleeping alien on top of them. J'onn nodded to himself and started the car, driving smooth and steady back to the DEO.
Once back at the DEO, Lillian Luthor was taken into confinement.
J'onn gently carried a sleeping Kara back to the medbay, Alex and Maggie following close behind.
They both sat down at Kara's bedside. Maggie noticed that Alex was bouncing her leg up and down. "Alex? What's up?"
"What?"
"What's going on? You're clearly anxious." Maggie gestured to Alex's leg and Alex consciously stopped bouncing it.
"I am suddenly filled with a new desire to harm both women of the Luthor family," Alex said, looking at Kara and running her fingers through her own short hair.
"Maybe, if you think you can control yourself, you should go talk to both of them."
"You'll stay here with Kara?" Alex stood up, eyes on Kara, who was only sleeping. She's fine.
"Of course, I would never leave her."
"Ok," Alex said, stroking Kara's cheek before leaving the medbay.
J'onn walked past Alex on her way out. "Where's she going?"
"To talk to Lillian and Lena," Maggie said, squeezing Kara's hand.
"Are we sure that's a good idea?" J'onn said, looking at Kara.
"She'll control herself. I know she will."
"Alright, I trust your judgement," J'onn said. "I'm gonna go back to work, just wanted to check on her."
Maggie looked at him, nodding, and then looked back at Kara. "You'll be ok, Little Danvers. Alex and I'll make sure of it," she whispered, squeezing Kara's hand and keeping her gaze locked onto the sleeping form.
-00-
"Agent Danvers! I don't presume you're here to let us out?" Lillian snarked as Alex approached her and Lena's neighboring cells. Alex didn't say anything, just staring at the Luthor women.
"I heard Supergirl had a little bit of a tough time at the swimming pool today, is she alright?" Lena said sarcastically.
"What's with the concern, dear? We'd all be better off if the disease was dead," Lillian responded.
"I suppose you have a point. Aliens are running our planet anyway," Lena said.
That was the last straw.
"How dare you," Alex said angrily, walking closer to the glass that separated her from the Luthors. "That alien you're talking about, that's my sister. She's my family."
"And you," She said, turning to Lena, "How could you do this to her." Alex came face to face with the glass, Lena did the same, not appearing intimidated by the agent. "All Kara ever did was try to be there for you. She only kept her identity a secret to protect you and this is the thanks you give her?"
Alex ran a hand through her hair. "You know, she wanted to tell you."
Lena's icy demeanor faltered for a second.
"She wanted to, so many times, and I told her not to. And do you know why she listened to me? Because she wanted to keep you safe. She knew that associating yourself with Supergirl would put an even bigger target on your back, so she lied to protect you."
Lena seemed at a little bit of a loss for words. Alex turned back to Lillian. "And how could you talk about her that way? All Kara ever does is sacrifice and sacrifice herself over and over again to keep the world safe. I don't care if she's an alien. She will always be my sister. She will always be the best part of my life."
Alex opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. It was a text from Maggie.
Maggie Sawyer: Kara's awake. She's looking for you.
Alex Danvers: On my way up.
Alex took one last angry look at the Luthors before going back upstairs to see Kara.
-00-
"Kara?" Alex said, walking into Kara's room.
"Alex," Kara said, "There you are." Kara smiled to which Alex responded with a smile of her own.
Alex leaned down to hug Kara, holding her close. "Hey Kar," Alex said, smiling as she rubbed Kara's back.
"I'm gonna let you 2 talk," Maggie said. She squeezed Kara's shoulder. "I'm glad you're ok."
Kara nodded at her and Maggie left.
"So...I'm assuming you talked to Lena," Kara said, nervously fiddling with her fingers, avoiding eye contact with Alex.
"Yes, I did," Alex said resolutely. "Look, Kara," Alex said, reaching out to guide Kara's face to look at her. Alex noticed the tears in Kara's eyes. "I didn't yell or scream or kick or punch, I promise ok?" This pulled a small, teary chuckle from Kara. "All I did was tell Lena the truth, put her in her place." Alex thumbed the tears off Kara's cheeks.
"I didn't mean to hurt her, Alex. I didn't," Kara said, her voice breaking and her light cries becoming forceful sobs.
"Oh, I know," Alex said, climbing into bed with Kara and cradling Kara in her arms. "I know you never wanted this to happen," Alex said, holding Kara close to her. Kara sobbed into Alex's chest, bunching her fingers around Alex's shirt. It broke Alex's heart to see her sister so distraught. If she had no self control both Luthor women would be dead by now. All she could do was hold Kara close, whisper soothing words in her ear. It was a few minutes before Kara's sobs subsided, what remained were silent tears and exhaustion. Alex looked down at Kara, brushing some hair out of her face.
"See, there she is," Alex said, smiling and thumbing the tears off Kara's face. Kara didn't say anything but just snuggled closer to Alex.
"Get some more rest, Kara," Alex said softly, rubbing Kara's back.
"Well what about you?" Kara said, sniffling. "When was the last time you slept?"
"Don't worry about me. Sleep," Alex said, stroking Kara's hair and holding Kara tighter.
Kara was about to say something but Rao, was she tired. And she was so safe and warm in Alex's arms. She knew this was a battle she wouldn't win. So she gave in, nodding softly and closing her eyes. "Love you, Alex," Kara breathed out.
"I love you too, so, so much." Alex listened and within a minute Kara's breathing evened out and she was asleep in Alex's arms this time instead of Maggie's. Alex didn't even realize how exhausted she was until Kara brought it up. The events of the past few days had really worn everyone out. Without intending to, Alex drifts off, still holding Kara in her arms.
Maggie comes back to find the sisters snuggled against each other, asleep. A big smile split Maggie's lips at the sight. She grabbed a blanket and draped it over the sisters, placing a light kiss on Alex's forehead. Maggie pulled a chair up to Alex's side of the bed and like the sisters, hadn't realized how exhausted she was. She drifts off in the chair next to Alex, her head resting on Alex's shoulder.
-00-
Kara wakes up against Alex, seeing on the clock that it's 4:12 in the morning. Who had draped a blanket over them? She then looks over and gets her answer, seeing Maggie asleep in the chair next to Alex.
Slowly, Kara untangles herself from Alex, quietly making her way through the empty DEO. She changes into her Supergirl suit and sees the place she wants to go, a sign.
It read CONTAINMENT.
Kara puts on her brave face, knowing what she's about to do is most likely a bad idea. But that won't stop her. She needed some answers and she needed them now.
She takes slow, silent steps into containment, keeping a straight course for the Luthors' cells.
When she arrives, she's greeted by the cold faces of Lillian and Lena Luthor.
For the first time, Kara can truly see the Luthor in Lena.
"Supergirl, how nice of you to join us!"
-00-
I'm so so so so sorry for the cliffhanger but I felt like this story was kind of going in circles and I have some new ideas that I want to start working on. I'm open to the idea of writing a part 2 if people want it, just leave it in a review, but as of right now this is the end of this story.