A/N: Thanks for the comments
Jennifer Baratta - Soon Alex will not be the only one with head issues.
Guest - Thanks for the idea. However, some health issues means I won't be writing as much.
"Alex!" Elle greeted enthusiastically.
"Hey you." Alex smiled as Adam walked in. "Wow, you look nearly as bad as you did when you had a cold."
"Which is your fault." Adam said.
"How is it my fault?"
"The drums." Adam said.
"I sound proofed the room."
"You tell that to Wil." Adam said as Kara came in looking equally tired.
"I know how you can make it up to mom." Elle chipped in.
"You do?" Adam asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, Alex can take me to the forest and we can go hiking."
"I could do that." Alex said.
"Not so fast." Adam said. "Kara needs sleep, so I and Wil will come with you."
"Then it wouldn't be a girls trip." Elle said.
"Fortunately it doesn't have to be." Adam said. "I'll get Wil ready."
-00-
"Sure you haven't had enough of forests?" Alex asked as she drove. "I'm mean you have only just been on a camping trip."
"Of course not. Besides coming here will give me a chance to practice what dad taught me. Then you can tell me he taught me wrong and I can get better." Elle argued. "Then you can tell dad he was wrong."
"You have thought this through." Alex commented.
"Grandma Cat says you always have to think several moves ahead." Elle said.
"That's disturbing but wise." Alex said.
"I'm not good enough yet."
"What do you mean?"
"Sprout is here. If I thought it through better he wouldn't be." Elle argued. "I mean if mom gets a day off how come I don't?"
"You have just spent a week without him in Midvale." Alex pointed out.
"I thought you were meant to be on my side." Elle countered.
"This isn't about sides." Alex replied.
"Feels like it is." Elle said.
"That is because you are being paranoid. Probably because you spend too much time with Lena." Adam said as Alex pulled off the main highway.
"You know you sound paranoid when you say that." Alex pointed out.
"It's not paranoia if it is true." Adam replied.
"So I'm not paranoid?" Elle asked.
"Good luck explaining this to Kara?" Alex smiled as she drove up a dirt track before pulling over. "Okay there is a trailhead just over there."
"I'll text Kara." Adam said pulling out his phone. "Or not." He added noticing there was no signal.
"Down here can be a dead zone." Alex said checking her phone. "But there is a small peak twenty minutes walk away, we can text from there."
"Okay then, let's do this." Adam said getting out of the car.
-00-
As they hiked Adam started to breathe heavily causing Alex to ask.
"You okay?"
"Fine. Just not done much exercise since the flu. And Wil is starting to weigh a lot."
"Are you sure that's all?" Elle asked. "You kinda sound like Vader."
"How do you even know who Vader is?" Adam questioned as he did so he noticed Alex had tensed. Looking round he couldn't see anything look wrong, but from Alex's stance she clearly could.
"This way." Alex said leading them off the trail.
"What's going on?" Elle asked.
"I don't know?" Alex said stopping and looking back. As she did so she saw six armed men walk up the trail.
"Take the kids. I'll hold them off." Alex said pulling out her gun.
Nodding, Adam grabbed Elle by the hand and started running, hoping Wil wouldn't start screaming.
-00-
"What's happening?" Elle asked when they heard gun fire a couple of minutes later.
"I don't know. But it's not good." Adam said activating his emergency watch. "We have to keep moving." He added as they ran through the trees.
After a few minutes, unable to breathe he came to a stop and looked round.
"Why isn't mom here yet?" Elle asked.
"I don't know." He said aware that they were being followed. Unstrapping Wil, he handed her to Elle and said. "Wait over there in the bushes."
"What about you?"
"I'll be right there." He said. Having watched them go, he picked up a large stick and waited behind a tree. When he finally saw an armed man run through the area carrying some sort of tablet he swung the branch and knocked the man out. Bending down he picked up the tablet and saw a red mark on the map. Realising the red mark was him he removed the watch and threw it away. When the red mark on the screen followed the watch he swore before heading back to Elle and Wil.
"Elle, have you activated your necklace?" Adam asked.
"No."
"Good. Don't." He said taking Wil from Elle. "Let's go."
-00-
After several more minutes of running Adam knew he was reaching his limit. But when he saw a waterfall he suddenly started to figure out a plan.
"This way." He said leading them closer to the water. Seeing a small cave behind the water he carefully took them through, trying and failing to not get them wet. Once they were in the cave he moved to the back corner and told Elle to sit. Once she was down he handed her Wil before removing his bag and digging out a flashlight, which he gave to Elle.
"Elle, I need you to listen to me. I need you to stay here and look after Wil. The water outside should help block his screams. There's food and water in the bag along with milk for Wil."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to try get hold of your mom. So I need your phone and your necklace."
"Okay." She said handing her father the objects.
"Remember what I taught you about staying warm. I'll be back for you." He said hugging her before placing a kiss on her head and a kiss on Wil's head. "I love you." He said before standing and leaving.
Once out of the cave he ran as fast as he could away from the area. When he thought there was enough distance he activated the necklace and looked for any wildlife. Seeing none he decided instead to use the river. Running for another couple of minutes he threw the necklace in the water and hoped it was carried away, before turning and running up to higher ground, hoping the phones would work.
But as he ran he tripped and went over on his ankle. Hearing a crunch as pain radiated up his leg he swore again before trying to focus on his task and forced himself to his feet before limping as fast as he could to higher ground. Once at a peak he looked at the phones and was relieved that one phone seemed to be getting an intermittent signal. Moving round, hoping to get a stronger signal, he found himself nearing the edge of a canyon. As he reached over the ground gave way and he fell.
-00-
"Everything okay?" J'onn asked Kara as everyone filed out of the briefing room. "Kara?"
"Hey. Sorry. Did I miss something?" Kara asked looking up.
"Just the entire briefing apparently. Something wrong?"
"Yes. No. They should have arrived a couple of hours ago, and they promised they'd send me a message. But none of them have."
"They being?"
"Alex, Adam, Elle, Wil. Well obviously Wil wouldn't send me a message but the others would."
"Come on." J'onn said leading Kara to the control room.
"Mr Schott." He said approaching Winn.
"Hey boss."
"I need you to locate Alex."
"You don't think she is really having a day off? You think she is hiding here ready to pounce when we screw up? I'm so with you." Winn said as he typed.
"Mr Schott." J'onn snapped.
"Okay, she is right there." He said as a red dot flashed on the screen.
"Do you know when she got there?" Kara said relieved the dot was in the National Park.
"I can get that. Let me turn on the history." He said as several more dots appeared on the screen leading up to the first dot. "Hmm, that's weird."
"What is?" Kara asked worrying.
"Well the signal is really intermittent, but that kind of makes sense as there won't be much coverage out there. But according to this she has been in the same spot for over twenty minutes."
"So?"
"I mean the exact same spot. It looks like she hasn't moved at all."
"Can you get us visual?" J'onn asked.
"Too many trees."
"I'm going." Kara said flying off, quickly followed by J'onn. As he flew he radioed Winn and said. "Track Adam's and Elle's phones. Let me know where they are."
"On it."
-00-
As Kara landed at the spot Winn at sent her to she saw no sign of anyone. Thinking that Alex may have dropped her phone Kara relaxed slightly until she saw boots. Moving towards them she saw a man lying on the ground with a gun shot wound and very dead.
"Alex?" She called. Getting no reply she moved round the area just as J'onn landed next to her.
"There's a body over there." Kara said pointing.
"And lots of shell casings." J'onn pointed out. "And holes in this tree. This way." He said calculating where the bullets would have come from.
"Alex?" J'onn called when he saw the elder sister lying unmoving on the ground. Rushing to her side he was relieved to find a pulse, but concerned by the amount of blood. "She's alive." J'onn said to Kara. "But she needs help."
"Take her. I'll find the others." Kara said trying and failing to remain calm.
"I've got her. Winn will send you the location of their phones. I'll be back soon." J'onn said scooping Alex up in his arms and flying off.
"Winn?" Kara said over the radio.
"Both phones are together." He said. "And two miles away from your current position and...oh..."
"Oh what?"
"They are at a very different altitude."
"How different?"
"Bottom of canyon different." He said wincing as he spoke.
"Where exactly?" Kara asked.
"Fly north." Winn said. "When you see the canyon drop down and follow it up stream."
"Okay." Kara said following the instructions.
"Okay, you are getting close." Winn said after a couple of minutes.
"I can't see anything." Kara said.
"Twenty feet in front of you." Winn said.
"Wait. I see them. I mean the phones."
"No people?"
"No." Kara said shutting her eyes and using her super hearing. "Wait. I hear a heart beat."
"Just one?" Winn asked.
"Yes." Kara said flying upwards until she saw Adam lying unmoving on a ledge.
"Adam?" She called.
"Kara, what do you see?" Winn asked.
"It's Adam. It looks like he fell. He's unconscious. He has a broken ankle, ribs and wrist." She said said having used her x-ray vision.
"J'onn will be back with you in three minutes." Winn said. "And four teams will be at your position in ten with the latest S&R tech. I'm running an IR scan, but to be honest I don't think I'll see much through the trees."
"Come on Adam." Kara said squeezing his good hand, hoping he would wake.
"Kara." J'onn said as he reached the ledge.
"He's still unconscious." Kara said.
"I'll take him back. Back up will be here soon. We will find the others."
"I'll try to follow his tracks." Kara said as J'onn lifted Adam.
As they flew off Kara flew to the top and looked for Adam's footprints. Having found them she hurried through the forest until she came face to face with two armed men.
"What did you do to them?" She demanded.
"Who?" One of the men said as the other backed away.
"Don't play games." Supergirl said, her eyes glowing.
"Kara. Stop." Her mother said as she landed behind the retreating man, stopping him in his tracks. "You must stay calm."
"How can I stay calm?" Supergirl asked, her eyes still glowing.
"I know it hard. But you need a clear head. J'onn will be here soon and he can read their minds and find out exactly what happened."
"That's illegal." The first man said.
"So is kidnapping and attempted murder." Alura pointed out. "And compared to what I would have done to you, mind reading has few risks, apart from permanent brain damage."
"You're bluffing."
"I never bluff." Alura said as J'onn landed.
"Have they talked?"
"They want their minds read." Alura replied.
"No. You can't do this." The first man said as J'onn gripped his head. After a minute he looked at Kara.
"They are still looking for the kids." J'onn said as they heard helicopters approach.
"They must be so scared." Kara said.
"They are strong like their mother." J'onn pointed out as Winn radioed. "But there are more of these guys out there. They are trying to track them using the emergency beacon. They set up some sort of dampening device preventing the signal leaving the forest, but within the field they can track it. They found Adam's watch so I think Adam figured it out." J'onn said as Winn radioed them.
"Guys. Adam kind of came to. He muttered something about waterfalls before passing out again. Looking at the maps there is one between where you found Alex and where you are now so-" Before he had finished Kara had taken off, quickly followed by her mother as J'onn secured the prisoners.
-00-
"There." Kara said seeing the waterfall. Using her x-ray vision she saw the cave and two small bodies. Flying as fast as she could through the water she skidded on landing before calling. "Elle?"
"Mom?" Elle called from the back.
"Are you okay?" She asked pulling Elle into her arms, trying not to squash Wil, who was being held by Elle.
In response Elle just cried into Kara.
"It's okay. You're safe now." Kara assured her. "But you are freezing." She said pulling back slightly. "Are you hurt?"
When the crying child just shook her head Alura said. "Let me." With that she took Wil from Elle allowing Elle to wrap her arms round her mother.
"It's okay." Kara said looking at her mother who nodded that Wil was okay.
"Dad? Alex?" Elle asked.
"Are okay." Kara said. "Right now I need to know if you are hurt."
"No." Elle said. This time Kara pulled back and scanned Elle for injuries.
Convinced there were no breaks Kara tightly pulled the still crying Elle into her arms and held while looking over her daughter's head to her mother.
"He's okay." Alura said cradling the baby. "But we should get them back."
-00-
"Dad!" Elle called when they entered the room in the DEO where he was lying on a bed.
"Elle, thank god." He said looking relieved.
"You're hurt." Elle said noticing the bandages.
"I'll be okay. What about you? Are you hurt?"
"No." Elle said still clinging to Kara as Alura stood behind them holding Wil.
"But we'll get a doctor to confirm that." Kara said. "But first we need to get you cleaned up."
"We found some clothes that should fit Elle." Vasquez said handing Kara some small DEO standard clothes.
"Why do you have kid size uniforms?" Adam asked.
"Because we have a couple of Mynogians in our ranks." Vasquez explained.
"They're small aliens." Kara clarified.
"Winn said he'll bring in clothes for Wil in the next few minutes. In the mean time there are diapers and blankets in this bag."
"New patients I see." Dr Spruce said entering the room. "Who wants to go first?"
"Not me." Elle added.
"Why don't you check Wil over, while I get Elle cleaned up?" Kara suggested.
-00-
"Are you feeling warmer now?" Kara asked as she dried Elle off following a warm bath.
"I guess." Elle nodded as she lifted her arms so Kara could put the T-shirt on her. "Why did they want to hurt us?"
"I don't know. But we will figure it out." Kara said as Elle pulled on the sweatpants.
"Can I have a hug?" Elle asked causing Kara to pull her into her arms again. "You are safe now." Kara said before lifting Elle up. "Why don't we go see dad?"
As they stepped out of the room Kara saw J'onn waiting and feared the worse.
"Alex?"
"Is okay. She is out of surgery. Eliza is sitting with her."
"When did Eliza get here?"
"I flew her down. I didn't want Alex to be alone."
"Thank you." Kara said.
"Of course." He smiled before looking at Elle. "How are you?"
When Elle just silently shrugged Kara said. "I'm just taking her back to see Adam."
"Let me know if you need anything."
-00-
As Kara carried Elle into Adam's room they heard a familiar voice greet.
"My little angel. How are you?" Cat asked as she moved towards them.
"Grandma Cat." Elle said turning in Kara's arms. Putting Elle down Kara watched as her daughter hugged Cat before moving over to Wil who was asleep in a cot.
"Wil is fine." Cat said.
"And Dad?" Elle asked noticing her father was asleep.
"They are worried about concussion. But they are sure he'll be okay." Cat assured her. "But like you he needs plenty of rest. So why don't I read you a bedtime story?"
-00-
"Elle? Why aren't you sleeping?" Kara asked noticing Elle was still awake and her heart was racing.
"My powers. Can't stop them." Elle sobbed.
"Hey, it's okay." Kara said sweeping Elle up in her arms.
"Everything is so loud." Elle cried.
"Can you stay with Wil and Adam?" Kara asked Cat who was still in the corner of the room.
"Of course." Cat nodded, her face etched with concern.
"Come on. Let's go somewhere your powers won't be a problem." Kara said carrying Elle out of the room before hurrying to a training room. Once there she turned on the red lamps, immediately struggling to hold Elle's weight.
"What happened?" Elle asked, suddenly not bothered by her powers.
"These red lamps mimic the red sun of Krypton." Kara said. "They stop us having powers."
"We should get some for home." Elle said.
"You need the yellow sun to help you grow." Kara said. "But a few minutes in here won't hurt."
"Or longer?" Elle asked.
"After what you went through you need the yellow sun." Kara pointed point out as Elle continued to tightly cling to her. "I am so proud of you." Kara said. "You were so brave out there."
"I didn't feel brave. I was so scared." Elle said still clinging to her mother.
Putting Elle down Kara knelt in front of her and pointed out. "That's what made you really brave." With that she hugged her again. Finally pulling away she went on. "But because you were scared and still are scared, your powers are harder to control."
"Does that mean you don't get scared?" Elle asked.
"No. I was so scared when you were missing." Kara said.
"But your powers didn't go crazy."
"Only because I concentrated, really, really hard. Something you will learn how to do."
"You promise?"
"I promise." Kara said. "Until then I'll help you however I can. Why don't you try that breathing technique I taught you and I'll turn the lamps off?" Kara suggested as she got to her feet. When Elle nodded Kara moved to the switch and deactivated the red lamps. "How's that?" Kara asked looking at her daughter.
"Okay." Elle nodded.
"Good. Then why don't we get you back to bed?"
"Not tired." Elle said, the stubbornness in her voice making Kara realise she wasn't going to win the argument.
"So what do you want to do?"
"I want to see Alex."
"She'll be sleeping." Kara said.
"Can't we just see her? I know you want to as well."
"Okay. But only for a minute." Kara said.
"Will you carry me?"
"Sure." Kara said lifting Elle up.
-00-
"Kara, Elle?" Eliza said standing when she saw the two enter Alex's room.
"Hey. We just wanted to see how Alex was doing." Kara whispered.
"She's sleeping." Eliza said as she hugged the pair.
"No she's not." Elle pointed out.
"Snitch." Alex said groggily.
"Hey." Kara smiled at her sister as she walked to her bedside. When Elle started wriggling in her arms she put her on the chair by the side of the bed. Seeing Elle immediately reach for Alex Kara warned.
"Careful." The warning make Elle freeze.
"Hey." Alex said taking Elle's hand. "You okay?"
In response Elle nodded as the door opened again.
"Isn't everyone in this room meant to be asleep?" J'onn said walking in.
"Not tired." Elle said.
"Why don't we get you something to eat?" Eliza suggested knowing Kara and Alex needed to talk.
"Not hungry." Elle said.
"So you are sick?" J'onn asked.
"No."
"You are if you aren't hungry. So which is it hungry or sick?" J'onn pressed.
"Hungry." Elle picked.
"Then let's get you food." J'onn said lifting Elle up.
"I'll follow." Kara said kissing Elle's head and watching as J'onn, Elle and Eliza left.
"I'm so sorry." Alex said once the door was shut.
"For what?" Kara asked confused.
"What happened to Elle and Wil."
"Alex, that is not your fault. You nearly died trying to save them. I can't thank you enough." Kara said squeezing Alex's hand.
-00-
"So what do you want to eat?" J'onn said as he carried Elle through the halls. As he did so Jenkins and Baxter stepped out in front of them causing Elle to flinch and tighten her grip on J'onn. "It's okay." He assured her quietly before saying louder. "These are Agents Jenkins and Baxter. And if anything happens to you Agent Danvers will hold them personally accountable."
As he spoke the two agents looked on confused before paling at the threat.
"Jenkins, Baxter, this is Elle."
"Yes Sir." They responded.
"You are to ensure she has everything she needs. Right now she is hungry. We'll be in briefing room in thirty. Make sure there is food she'll like."
"Yes Sir." They said sounding anything but sure.
"Off you go." He said as they stood looking dumbfounded.
"Yes Sir." They said scampering off.
"In the mean time." J'onn said looking to Elle. "I think it is time to raid my goto snack. But you can not tell your mother where I keep them."
-00-
"Mom?" Adam asked confused when he opened his eyes and saw his mother nursing Wil.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Sore. Where's Kara and Elle?"
"Elle's powers started acting up so Kara took her somewhere. Considering everything she has been through she's doing remarkably well." Cat said before warning. "But it will take awhile to get back to her old self."
"I screwed up." Adam said. "I let my guard down and they nearly paid the price."
"You can't keep them locked inside forever." Cat pointed out. "The important thing is they are okay."
-00-
"What's going on?" Kara asked when she entered the briefing room and saw the mounds of food on the table.
"Mom." Elle said jumping up into her arms.
"Hey." Kara said hugging her tightly. "What have you been up to?"
"My Agents got me pizza and ice cream."
"Your Agents?" Kara asked confused.
"Jenkins and Baxter." Elle explained pointing to the two in question.
"The Director put us in charge of her safety and happiness." Jenkins explained.
"Thank you David." Kara smiled before looking at Elle. "It is way past your bedtime."
"Can't I stay up for longer?"
"Not if you want to see Alex tomorrow."
"Okay." Elle said reluctantly.
"Good girl. Now say good night and thank you."
"Night." Elle waved to the two Agents. Thank you for the food." She then turned in Kara's arms and looked at Eliza. "Night."
"Goodnight Sweetheart." Eliza said walking to the pair and hugging them.
Smiling her thanks at the room's occupants Kara left with Elle. As they walked down the corridor Elle asked.
"Can I sleep with you tonight."
"I'm not letting you sleep anywhere else." Kara said squeezing her tighter.
-TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.