A/N: Thanks for the comments.
Jennifer Baratta - Thanks!
"I'm back." Lex called as he wheeled a hooded figure into the room adjacent to Kara's cell. "Just so I don't ruin the surprise I've turned off the speaker from your cell so we can't hear you." He said bringing the chair to a stop in front of Kara's cell so that Kara faced the masked figure. "If you're good, I might let you talk later. But first we need to welcome our new guest." He added holding something in front of his prisoner's face until the prisoner's head jolted up right.
"What the hell?" William's voice, muffled by the hood asked.
"Hello William. Do you mind if I call you William? I feel like I know you quite well. After all I have spent a lot of time looking into you. I mean you have never liked me have you? Even when the universe reset you kept your suspicion, despite having no reason. I have wondered about that. Does the Monitor have sense of humour? I mean I doubt it, yet here you are."
"You won't get away with this." William said not following what Lex was saying.
"Away with what? It was you who was trespassing." Lex reminded him. "And kudos for that. How did you find that lab?"
"I'm a reporter. I investigate." William said.
"So luck then." Lex concluded before looking back a Kara who was silently banging on the cell window. "Just so you don't get too optimistic. He didn't actually find this place. He entered one of my other labs. I brought him here so you could see him."
"Who else is here?" William asked struggling against his binds.
"We'll get to that later. Let's get back to how you were trespassing." Lex said. "Fortunately I am a forgiving person. Unfortunately, for you, I need you. You are going to help me."
"Never."
"You don't really have a choice, but I admire your spirit. That of course is a lie, I don't admire anything about you." Lex went on as William tried to free himself. "That will do you no good and it is a little rude when I am trying to hold a conversation with you, to be doing that."
"You've tied me to a chair and you want to discuss manners?"
"No. I want to get on with destroying- never mind, Seeing you are about to do me two huge favours I am going to give you something."
"A confession?" William guessed.
"Nothing so cliched." Lex said. "I'm going to give you a final chance to see someone close to you. Although this isn't about making you feel better. This is about making them feel worse." He said ripping the hood off William's head. After a moment blinking William could see Kara as clearly as she had been seeing him.
"How? Everyone thinks you're dead." William asked.
"Due to planning." Lex said. "I really don't need any more plaudits." He then looked at Kara and said. "So Supergirl any last words for him?"
"Supergirl?" He asked confused.
"Ooops, did I give it away again?" Lex asked smiling. "Don't worry, he won't have time to become fixated on revenge. Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot we can't hear you. Would you like to speak to him?" Lex asked Kara whose hands were pressed up against the glass. Seeing her nod he said. "Oh, okay then." Before pressing a button and nodding at Kara. "You're on."
"I'm sor-" Kara started only to be cut off by the gun shot followed by William slumping lifelessly in the chair.
"Why?" She asked falling to her knees.
"Because I can, because I want to and most importantly because I want to make you suffer. He is only the start. You see, his last act on this planet will be an article revealing your true identity. It will be beautifully penned, I assure you.I always did excel in English. And when it is out what do you think will happen to Eliza and Alex?" He asked before walking away, leaving Kara staring at the dead body.
-00-
"Have you seen Alex?" Kelly asked J'onn.
"Not since last night. Why?"
"She isn't answering her phone. I'm getting worried."
"She could have passed out." J'onn said.
"Maybe." Kelly said not sounding convinced.
Walking over to one of his computers J'onn typed something in before saying. "Her phone is still at her apartment."
"I'm going to head over there. I know you said give her space, but I'm worried."
"I'll come too." J'onn offered.
"Do you think Lex did something." Kelly asked getting into J'onn's car.
"I really think her silence is alcohol induced." J'onn said driving off. "The fact he tried to hire us shows he is up to something. Until he has what he wants he has no reason to hurt Alex."
"What about Lena?"
"The whole world is after her. Why would she risk it?" J'onn asked.
"Why would she kill Kara in the first place. None of this makes sense." Kelly pointed out.
"Why don't you try her again?" J'onn suggested trying to keep Kelly calm.
Nodding Kelly took out her phone and when she went through to voice mail she said. "Alex, it's me again. We are really worried about you. Please call."
As she hung up J'onn pulled into the parking garage and Kelly immediately noticed something wrong.
"Her bike is gone." Kelly said. "She would have been in no condition to ride. What if she's been in an accident?"
"Let's not jump to conclusions." J'onn warned parking the car. "Let's check the apartment first." He said hurrying up the stairs. Kelly lagging a few steps behind. As he reached the door, he didn't wait for Kelly, instead he phased straight through the door and saw the overturned coffee table.
"What happened?" Kelly asked breathlessly as she entered the apartment.
"I don't know." J'onn said as Kelly tried calling Alex again. After a couple of seconds they heard a ring. Following the noise Kelly bent down and picked up the phone.
"Got it." Kelly said entering Alex's pin to get access to the call log.
"She got a call from Midvale a few hours ago." Kelly said scanning the numbers.
"That's not Eliza's number." J'onn said looking at the screen.
"I'll call it." Kelly said.
"I'll see of there are any other clues." J'onn said looking round the apartment as Kelly started to dial.
Seeing no trace of a fight and no notes he returned to Kelly who had just ended the call.
"It was Midvale hospital. Eliza was in an accident."
"Alex must have gone up there." J'onn said before turning and exclaiming. "Damn it Alex."
-00-
"Alex?" Eliza asked opening her eyes.
"Mom? How are you feeling?" Alex asked jumping up, almost losing the blanket that a nurse had given her to keep her warm.
"Sore. Where am I?"
"Hospital. Do you remember what happened?"
"I was driving home from the airport and there was a possum. I swerved to miss it and I guess hit some standing water and skidded into a tree. Was anyone else hurt?"
"No. Just you." Alex said squeezing her good hand.
"You're freezing." Eliza commented.
"I'm fine. I'm just glad you are okay. I was so worried about you." Alex said as the door opened and a doctor walked in.
"Please wait outside." The doctor instructed Alex. "We need to run some tests."
Retreating to the waiting area, a blanket wrapped round her as her still damp clothes clung to her body she collapsed in a chair and waited.
"Alex?" She thought she heard Kelly call. Assuming she was dreaming she kept her eyes shut only to feel someone squeeze her knee. As her eyes shot open she saw Kelly and J'onn in front of her.
"Kelly? J'onn? What are you doing here?"
"Where else would we be?" Kelly asked sitting next to Alex and squeezing her hand. "How's your mom?"
"She woke up a few minutes ago the doctor is running some tests."
"How bad is it?" J'onn asked sitting on Alex's other side.
"Could have been worse. Fractured wrist, which needed surgery, bruised ribs and a possible concussion." Alex listed, her voice almost robotic.
"Why didn't you call us?" Kelly asked.
"I was pretty sure neither of you would want to speak to me." Alex confessed as Kelly pulled Alex in for a hug.
"You're freezing. What happened?" Kelly asked.
"It was a wet ride over here." Alex said.
"I've got spare clothes." Kelly offered. "Why don't you get changed?" She suggested pointing to a bag.
"I'll get you some coffee." J'onn said just as a doctor approached them.
"Miss Danvers?" He asked briefly looking at his notes.
"Yes." Alex said.
"The good news is there are no signs of concussion. I want to keep her for observation, but if she continues to look okay, we'll look at releasing her tomorrow evening or the following morning."
When Alex didn't say anything J'onn replied. "Thank you doctor. Can we see her?"
"As long as she rests."
"Don't worry she will." J'onn nodded as the doctor walked off.
"Alex?" Kelly said concerned by her lack of focus. "Alex?" She repeated squeezing her knee again.
"Kelly?" Alex asked confused.
"You okay?" Kelly asked.
"Fine. Can we go in?"
"Yes." J'onn said. "But your mother needs rest. So do you."
"I'm fine." Alex said standing before walking back to her mother's room, followed closely by Kelly and J'onn who shared concerned looks.
When they entered the room Eliza had already passed out again.
"Why don't I stay here tonight, you go get dried off and get some sleep." J'onn said.
"I'm fine." Alex said.
"No you're not. You're cold, wet and tired." J'onn pointed out. "Your mother needs rest she won't get any if she is worried about you. I promise you I won't leave her side. I'll call you if anything changes." He added as Alex stared numbly at her mother.
"Alex?" Kelly asked after Alex standing silently for several moments. "Come on, let's go."
As they left the hospital Alex looked at Kelly and said.
"I can't go back to the house. There are too many memories of Kara there."
"Okay, we'll get a hotel room tonight." Kelly said. "There's a hotel across the street. Let's go there."
"Okay." Alex said sounding uncertain.
"Your mom is going to be okay." Kelly assured her, but Alex just silently stared into the distance, allowing Kelly to lead her towards the hotel.
-00-
Once they were finally checked in Kelly, growing ever more concerned by Alex's withdrawn behaviour, led her to the room. When they entered and Alex just stood in the room looking lost Kelly said.
"Go have a hot shower, I'm going to get some food in." Sensing the argument. "You have to eat. Your mom doesn't need you collapsing right now."
"Okay." Alex agreed.
"Good. Clean clothes are in the bag when you are ready. I'll see you in a few minutes." Kelly said. When Alex didn't acknowledge her she pulled Alex in for a hug and said. "It's going to be okay. But you have to get warm and dry."
"Okay." Alex said, still sounding numb. But this time she pulled away and walked towards the bathroom.
Not wanting to leave her, but knowing it was important Alex ate Kelly waited until Alex was in the shower before leaving the room, wondering how she was going to help Alex through this.
As quickly as she could she bought food and hurried back to the room. When she stepped inside she found Alex wrapped in a robe, sprawled unconscious on the bed. Putting the bags down Kelly pulled the sheets over Alex before kissing her head.
TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.