A/N: Thanks for the comments.
Jennifer Baratta - Thanks! - The next few chapters will be a little rough on anyone with the name Danvers.
"How is she?" J'onn asked as he and Eliza arrived at Alex's apartment on the day of the funeral.
"Not good." Kelly said, looking drained. Lowering her voice she added. "She's pretty drunk." With that she stepped away from the door and let the two in.
"You ready to go?" J'onn asked.
"I'm not going." Alex said pouring herself another drink.
"She was your sister." Eliza said.
"Is my sister." Alex corrected. "She's not dead." Alex said. "So there is no point in going to the funeral."
"Alex-" Eliza tried again.
"Just go."
"Alex, please will you talk to me." Eliza said.
"No. Because all you want to do is to talk about the funeral and moving on. But I don't, because she's not dead." Alex said downing her drink and pouring another one.
"You'd really prefer to sit here getting drunk than go to Kara's funeral?" Eliza asked.
"There it is, that look of disappointment, that you have always delivered so perfectly." Alex went on. "I'll save us all time. You all crack on and I'll spend today contemplating my failures."
"You haven't failed." Eliza said.
"I have tried to hard to be strong, to protect Kara, but I failed." Alex said the anger and frustration obvious.
"No you didn't."
"Then why do you think she is dead?" Alex asked.
"What Lena did is not an indictor of you failing." Eliza said. "You have always been there for everyone. I'm so proud of you."
"Save it." Alex said angrily. "The only thing I ever did was look out for Kara and that ended in disaster."
"Alex, today is about remembering Kara." J'onn reminded her. "Celebrating her life. Not arguing. So please get your coat-"
"I'm not going." Alex said.
"Alex, please." Eliza pleaded.
"No. Kara isn't dead. Even if she was, Lex has her body not us. It's an empty box. Today is pointless. And I am not going."
Sadly Eliza moved to the door with J'onn, before giving one more sad look at Alex and leaving.
"Please don't tell me why I should go." Alex said as Kelly sat next to her.
"I'm not. But if you did change your mind we can still make it."
"I'm fine here."
"Can I ask you something?" Kelly asked.
"Sure."
"Why were you protecting Kara?" Kelly asked.
"Are you trying to make me talk about Kara so that I suddenly feel an urge to go to the funeral?" Alex asked defensively.
"It's just a question. I mean shouldn't it have been the other way round?"
"When she first came to Earth she had lost everyone. She had no idea how to fit in. Mom and dad told me that I was a big sister now and had to look after her. Dad wanted me to protect her. He gave up his life so she would be safe. But I let him down, just like I let Kara down."
"You haven't let anyone down."
"Everyone believes Kara is dead. How is that not letting everyone down?" Alex asked.
"Don't you think that by not going to the funeral you are letting your mom down more?" Kelly asked changing tactics.
"That's just perfect." Alex said. "Now you are trying to guilt me into going."
"Alex, I told you what happened at my dad's funeral. How James didn't turn up. I needed him that day more than ever and he wasn't there. I was so lost and so scared. That's how your mom is feeling now. She needs you. But more importantly, how are you going to feel next week when you realise how much she needed you and you weren't there for her." Kelly went on. "I know you Alex and I know how strong you are and how much you want to help others. And I know if you don't go you are going to regret it. And I am scared what that will do to you."
"I will feel far worse for giving up on Kara." Alex assured Kelly. "Besides J'onn is there for mom."
"That's not the same." Kelly said.
"Kinda is. Anyway Clark will be there as well and the last thing I need to hear right now is how he was her real family."
"I know Kara was your sister. But she was my friend as well. I'm going to the funeral. I hope you'll come with me." Kelly said standing and holding out her hand.
"I can't." Alex said.
-00-
"Barry." J'onn greeted once the funeral was over.
"Hey J'onn. I can't believe she's gone." Barry said hugging him.
"I know." J'onn agreed.
"Has anyone found Lena?"
"Not yet. But we will." J'onn said darkly.
"If you need any help searching for her, just asked." Barry said.
"I'll help as well." Kate said joining them.
"I appreciate that." J'onn nodded as Kate asked.
"Shouldn't Alex be here? Did something happen to her as well?"
"Alex isn't taking it very well." J'onn explained. "She's refusing to accept it."
"But there was the video and DNA evidence." Barry said. "We verified the findings for you."
"I know. But Alex is desperately clinging to the hope that Kara is alive. Just before this happened Alex said some things to Kara which can never be taken back. I think it is the guilt that she is feeling that is stopping her let go."
"Could she be right?" Kate asked. "Could she still be alive?"
"I wish I could say yes." J'onn said. "But I can't"
-00-
"How touching. All of your loved ones and friends turning up and giving you a tearful send off. Well, I guess that is all of your loved ones apart from dear old Alex, who it looks like never cared about you in the first place." Lex smiled as he looked away from the screen, showing silent video footage of the funeral, at Kara who was locked in a cell. "Lena not turning up I understand, after all the whole world thinks she murdered you. That and the fact you betrayed her and she hates you. But Alex, I really thought she'd turn up. But then again maybe it's true what she said and you were never family to her."
"Why are you doing this?" Kara asked from her cell.
"Why not?" Lex grinned. "Besides it has got rid of two problems for me. You and Lena."
"I thought you wanted to work with Lena?"
"I did, I needed her drive and knowledge. Once I got it, well let's just say, I remembered why I didn't like her."
"You won't get away with this?"
"I already have. Everyone believes you are dead. No one will look for you and I can do whatever I want." Lex said walking away before turning back. "Aren't you going to ask?"
"Ask what?" Kara questioned.
"How I did it? Aren't you a little curious about how I convinced everyone you were dead?"
"No." Kara said, assuming the answer would annoy him.
"I'll tell you anyway." Lex said. "Firstly the video, that was the part I was worried about. I was sure Brainy would find some flaws. But he didn't. It was perfect. Now I can successfully fake any video imagine what I can do. But that's tomorrow's excitement. Back to you and my genius plan. How is that the world thinks you are sitting barbecued in a box right now? I used a clone. Well kind of. You see the problem with human clones is they are unstable. But if all you need is a dead body, it is perfect. The damage done by the fire covered up all markers than might indicate a clone. As plans go even you have to admit it was good."
"Where's Lena?" Kara asked.
"Are you asking because you are worried about her or because you aren't sure if she is part of my grand plan?"
"What did you do with her?" Kara asked.
"She's -" Lex started, just as his phone buzzed. Reading the screen he tensed, anger flashing in his eyes before calming himself and smiling. "Looks like I have a job for J'onn and Alex." With that he turned and walked away.
TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.