A/N: Thanks for the comments.
Jennifer Baratta - Thanks!
Guest - Thanks - I'll try to get a new chapter out everyday.
"I'll remind you that you have no right to be here. But seeing you'll probably start a riot if you are not, you are welcome to observe the investigation." Lex said as Alex and J'onn were shown into the briefing room. "But be clear, one little toe out of line and you will be imprisoned for interfering with an investigation." Lex added. When Alex just stared at him he took that as her agreement and went on.
"Then take a seat."
Silently Alex and J'onn sat down and Lex nodded to Brainy who turned on a screen.
"We extracted this footage from the servers." Brainy said. "It is from Thursday evening."
"I know you are going to ignore me anyway, but I think I have a responsibility to suggest you don't watch it." Lex said.
When Alex just stared at the screen Brainy said. "Mr Luthor is correct, you don't want to see this."
"Stop wasting time and show me the footage." Alex snapped.
"With sound?" Brainy asked Lex who solemnly nodded.
As the footage started to roll they saw Supergirl walk through the empty labs until she finally came face to face with Lena.
"What's wrong?" Supergirl asked.
"I'm sorry. I know it isn't why you gave me the watch, but I needed help and you are the only person who could help me." Lena said.
"Of course. What is it?" Kara asked.
"It's Lex." Lena said.
"What has he done?"
"He is trying to take over the whole god damn world. You were right Myriad was a mistake. Lex could have gained control and used it for his own ego. No matter what I do he will try to take over. But if he does that the world will suffer."
"So what can we do?" Supergirl asked.
"I need a display of power. Something that will make even he realise he is not all powerful."
"This sounds dangerous Lena." Supergirl said, her tone cautious.
"It's a calculated risk." Lena said. "But I need your help. Do you trust me?"
"Yes." Supergirl said.
"I probably deserve that trust less than you deserve mine." Lena said after a moment.
"My deception was to keep you safe."
"And mine is to keep the world safe." Lena commented pressing a button which caused some panels in the wall to drop, revealing Kryptonite.
"What are you doing?" Kara asked sagging.
"For this to work, my power has to be absolute. No that's a lie. Lex would never accept I am better than him. So what I have to do is remove his most powerful weapon." Lena said hauling Kara to her feet and leading her to another room, a room Alex recognised as the one that had the remains. "Lex is using you. He is using you to fulfil his plan and you either don't see it or have no choice than to follow. As it stands, through no fault of your own, you pose the biggest risk to humanity. I have to put an end to it. I really am sorry. Anything that is left will be used, just like Cadmus used your blood. I can't let that happen." Lena said depositing Kara in the room and shutting the door. She then went back to the original room and typed at a keyboard. She then shut her eyes and said. "I wish there was another way." She then hit a button and the camera feed in the other room showed a bright flash before taking a few seconds for the auto gain controls to adjust. When they did the footage showed Kara's charred remains.
"It was doctored. Lena may have issues with Kara, but she is not a killer. She would not do that." Alex said not believing what she had seen.
"Your faith in my sister is touching and to be honest, more than a little unexpected." Lex said. "However, no evidence of tampering has been found. You are welcome to analyse it yourself."
"We will." Alex said.
"Unfortunately that is not the only evidence." Brainy said sadly. "As you know we found a burnt body, which appeared to be wearing Supergirl's costume. On testing it was shown, that was indeed Supergirl's costume."
"That doesn't mean she was the one wearing it." Alex said.
"True." Brainy conceded. "So we then looked at the remains. Which were very badly degraded. However, we did eventually find several samples that could be used for DNA comparison."
"And?" Lex prompted.
"And the results are no- have just come in." He said looking at his screen. There was a pause as he read the result before finally saying. "They are a match." Brainy said looking like he had been punched. "Supergirl is gone."
-00-
"Is it true?" Kelly asked bursting into Alex's apartment later that day. "Did Lena really kill Supergirl?"
"Yes." J'onn said as Alex said.
"No."
"Alex, there was DNA evidence." J'onn reminded her from where he sat by Eliza's side. The presence of Eliza confusing Kelly.
"How did you know?" Alex asked Kelly, ignoring J'onn.
"The video just went viral." Kelly said.
"That sick son of a bitch." Alex said pacing round the room. "Why would he leak it?"
"I don't know." J'onn said.
"But it is proof he is up to something." Alex said.
"That doesn't change the fact she's gone." J'onn pointed out.
"No she isn't." Alex responded still pacing.
"Alex, please sit down." Eliza pleaded.
"Now is not the time to sit. We have to find her." Alex said. "Lex has done something and there will be nothing good about it."
"Even if Lex was up to something, Brainy wouldn't lie." J'onn argued.
"She is not dead." Alex stated.
"I know it is hard to accept, but the evidence is overwhelming." J'onn pointed out.
"I would know if she was dead." Alex said, the comment confusing Kelly before the pieces started to fall into place. Alex then looked at Eliza and added. "You would too."
"Alex, I want to believe she is alive as much as you but-" Eliza started.
"No buts. She isn't dead. You may have given up on her, but I am not giving up on her." Alex said storming out.
"I'll go." Kelly said hurrying after her as J'onn sat next to Eliza.
"Is she right?" Eliza asked desperate to cling to some hope.
"I don't see how she can be. The DNA was a match." J'onn said. "And we found no trace of tampering in the video."
-00-
"Alex wait." Kelly said as she left the building and saw Alex storming down the street. Running after her she called once more. This time Alex turned and faced her. Coming to a stop Kelly wrapped her arms around Alex and said. "I'm so sorry."
"For what?" Alex asked pulling away. "She isn't dead."
"Alex-"
"You don't understand." Alex went on looking lost. "I'd know if she were dead."
"I do understand." Kelly said. "I understand that you have watched a video showing your sister's murder."
"How did you-?" Alex asked, wondering how Kelly knew the truth.
"Your mom being here was a give away." Kelly pointed out. "I get why it is so hard to accept her loss. Especially after everything that happened recently but-"
"I still don't need you to psychoanalyse me and tell me I can't let go, or that what I am feeling is guilt." Alex spat out. "I know she isn't dead. She can't be. Please just give me some space." With that she turned and walked away.
-00-
"She needed some space." Kelly said, looking defeated, when she returned to the apartment without Alex. She then looked at Eliza and asked. "How are you doing?"
Before Eliza could answer there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it." J'onn offered opening the door only to greet the new comer with a warning. "You shouldn't be here."
"I am aware if I had arrived twenty minutes earlier that Alex would have directed her considerable rage at me. As a therapist, you may want to help her through her anger management issues." He said to Kelly.
"Out." J'onn said, in no mood to put up with Lex.
"Now now, I come under a flag of friendship. Well it is more an early warning."
"What have you done?" J'onn asked.
"As one of my employees, the President has asked me to make funeral arrangements for Supergirl. Fear not no expense will be spared. It will be a hero's burial. Now I am sure you are going for something rustic for Kara's burial, but if you want any input to the main event I would welcome all suggestions. You can also have early sight of my eulogy."
"Just get out." Eliza said, her voice low and threatening.
"Just remember, my offer is always open." He said walking out of the apartment.
"You okay?" J'onn asked sitting next to Eliza.
"The thought of him having anything to do with her funeral makes my skin crawl."
"Surely you take priority." Kelly said to Eliza. "I mean she was your daughter."
"Not as far as the world knows." J'onn said.
"But it doesn't have to be a secret anymore." Kelly argued.
"Several former prisoners of Fort Rozz targeted Kara because of who her mother was. If Supergirl's identity got out Alex and Eliza would be in danger, even now. The world can never know who Kara really was." J'onn said, pausing before saying. "Letting him run it is no bad thing. It will put distance between Kara and Supergirl."
"The fact that it will keep Alex safe is the only reason I'm going along with it." Eliza said before standing. "It's been a long day, I'm going to go."
"Where are you staying?" Kelly asked.
"I'll get a hotel-"
"She's staying with me." J'onn said firmly. "I'll take you there now."
"I'd prefer it if you found Alex." Eliza said.
"I'll take you to my place so you can get some rest. Then I'll search for Alex." J'onn assured her.
TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.