Kara woke to Alex climbing over her, reaching for the small trashcan, and spilling the contents of her almost empty stomach into it. Kara quickly changed positions, holding Alex up while keeping Alex's hair out of her face.
"You're okay, let it out." Kara said wincing as Alex gagged again. Kara hadn't seen Alex this sick in a while and it hurt to watch. Alex groaned as she spit in the trashcan then put it back on the nightstand.
"Feeling better?" Kara asked.
Alex shrugged, "I need to brush my teeth again." Kara stood up, then pick Alex up bridal style, one arm on her back and one under her knees. This caught Alex completely off guard, her mind still a bit fuzzy.
"What are you doing Kara?"
"I'm carrying you to the bathroom, you're not walking especially after what happened last time." Alex sighed in defeat as they made their way to the bathroom. As Alex brushed her teeth, Kara rubbed circles up and down Alex back. Alex gurgled her mouth wash, spit it out, then said, "I never felt this bad last time."
"A lot of circumstances are different this time, like the amount of stress and things you've had to deal with Alex. You pushed yourself a bit too far and this is your body's way of telling you to slow down." Kara put Alex back down on the bed and spooned her from behind rubbing Alex's bump.
"Hey Kara, can you do me a favor?"
"Anything?"
"Can you see Gertude is downstairs and if she is can you bring her up here?"
Kara closed her eyes and focused on her super hearing, "she's downstairs, I'll be right back." Kara zoomed downstairs and was back in seconds with a very confused puppy. Until she saw Alex, then Gertrude's tail started wagging. Alex smiled as the puppy jumped down from Kara's hands and ran up to her. Kara sat on the edge of the bed but Alex looked at her with sad eyes, "could you go back to where you were before? It was really comfortable." Kara smiled and made her way around the bed getting back into position. Alex relaxed pressing her back into Kara's stomach.
"It takes pressure off my back."
"I'm here for whatever you need Alex."
"Thanks sis." Alex said petting Gertrude's.
"She's such a cutie." Kara said smiling at the dog.
"Yeah she is."
Kara looked at her watch and frowned, "Alex you know you need to eat something, it's almost lunch time."
"I know but every time I think of eating I feel like I'm gonna be sick again." Alex said with exhaustion laced in her voice. "Nap first then food?"
"Okay."
Lena was pushing Zack on the swing while Eliza, Stacy, and Maggie sat on the park bench. Erin was walking around talking to Jessica over the phone. Maggie sat there watching Zack wishing that Alex could be there with them. She took out her phone and check for any notifications for the fourth time in five minutes.
"They're fine Maggie." Stacy said.
Maggie hung her head, "I know I'm just worried, Alex hasn't been this sick before and I can't help thinking it's mostly my fault."
"Maggie it's not your fault. There are several factors that influenced her sickness and most of them are out of everyone's control. However, I do think that it was about time that Alex started slowing down." Eliza critiqued.
"I guess but we all know Alex."
"No but still she has the baby to think about and it was selfish of her to keep working so much."
Maggie was getting annoyed with Eliza, she was going back to her old ways, "did you stop working while you were pregnant with Alex?"
Eliza thought for a minute, "well no but-."
"Alex already stepped down from being a field agent, and then took leave from training the rookie agents. She only works in the lab and I trust my wife to do what she thinks is safe. She has a really comfortable cot in her office where she takes at least one nap a day and constantly checks in with J'onn and Dr. Hamilton."
"I'm sorry Maggie I didn't mean to strike a nerve with you."
"Alex has given up a lot for Zack and I, and I'm beyond grateful for it but she still needs to feel like she is doing some good and her work in the lab does that. You can understand that can't you Eliza."
"Yes."
"If you're so worried about her then stay and help her in the lab."
"I would but I have my own research to focus on too."
It was Stacy's turn to intervene, "you can't continue you're work from here?"
"No because it's at a research lab inside a university."
"Do you have vacation days you can take?" Stacy said trying to better understand the woman's job.
"It doesn't work like that. I get paid by the school whose been given a grant for the research."
"So then do you have a set schedule?" Maggie asked.
"No but my lab partners and I have an understanding of when to work."
"If you have lab partners then maybe they could work on the research themselves for a few months. You could fly there for a few days here and there but keep the majority of your time here. If there's any advice I can give you is that the time you spend with family is precious and easily taken for granted. Right now I think your daughter needs you more than your research, but like I said its just advice."
"Eliza, Alex needs you whether you think otherwise or not. We all know how stubborn Alex is so she won't admit it but I know."
Eliza takes out her phone and stares at it, "I think you're right but I don't know if I can get that much time off. I can do my best though." Eliza got off the bench and called her co-workers.
"I'm guessing Alex and her mom haven't had the greatest relationship either."
Maggie laughed, "ha you could say that for sure."
"I hate to ask this but does it involve having supergirl as a sister."
Maggie looks at her mom in awe, "how did you know?"
"A mother knows sweetie. Also, Erin and I had a similar situation with our parents, I was Kara and Erin was Alex. It was one of the reasons while Erin isolated herself so much form the rest of the family."
"I hope that's wasn't my fault."
"No sweetie, Erin taking you in has nothing to do with it, it started long before that. But any who I'm glad that we could get past it. It's been wonderful having her back again."
"How has work been? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages mom." Maggie said leaning into her mom dropping her head onto her mom's shoulder.
Stacy smiled kissing Maggie's forehead and curling her arm around Maggie's shoulders, "it was a little rough in the beginning. I had to study up on some things again but it's been pretty good. I've had a few clients at work and they've all been really nice. The staff fun day Fridays and we all go for a drink after work."
"That's great mom."
"Coming here was the second best decision. I love you Maggie."
"That's too high," Maggie whispered to herself as she watched Zack concerned at how high he was going. Maggie was about to get up when Stacy held her bicep, "honey he is going to be okay. Lena is with him."
"I'm just worried that's all. What happens if he falls."
"Then he gets back up. Look at him, he is happy." Stacy said as Zack laughed smiling from ear-to-ear.
"Yeah you're right." Maggie took out her phone and took a picture of Zack before sending it off to Alex and Kara.
"You're such a great mom Maggie, I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks mom."
"So are you excited to find out the gender of the baby?"
Maggie furrowed her eyebrows, "uumm, I'm not sure if we or not. We haven't exactly had the chance to talk about it."
"Well what would you like?"
"It doesn't really matter really as long as they're healthy but if I had to choose, I would like a little girl. She would be an exact replica of Alex. She'll be so cute and I bet she'll have a full head of hair too. She'll be the smartest most adventurous little girl, which could be a problem when she's a teenager but that's not for a while."
Stacy watched as Maggie lit up when she imagined her future baby girl. Tears sprung in Stacy's eyes and Maggie took notice, immediately concerned.
"Mom is everything alright?"
Stacy wiped a tear away, "yea I'm okay, I love seeing you so happy. It's all I've ever wanted and I hope you get that little girl. And you know, if you get a boy again you can always try for another."
Maggie gulped, "we'll see how this one goes and maybe in a couple years we'll revisit this conversation."
Stacy smiled, "would you ever consider getting pregnant?"
Maggie sat for a minute and thought, "I'm not sure. I'm in awe of Alex these past few months with everything she's given up and then we felt the baby move for the first time and it was amazing."
"I wouldn't say she's given up, more like taking a break from it. After the baby she can always go back to being a field agent or teaching the new agents." Stacy corrected Maggie.
"True and I've always wondered what it would be like but I never thought I'd get the chance." Stacy noticed Maggie's change in mood so she changed the subject.
"It's just a thought, how's Zack felt about being a big brother? I bet he's excited."
Maggie laughed, "yeah he is. He keeps saying he's going to be just like his mom but with a baby brother of course. Not sister just a brother. He keeps asking to help me out or do things for Alex around the house. It's been amazing not having to argue with him over helping out with chores."
Stacy laughed remembering how Maggie was when she was Zack's age. Maggie always wanted to play outside and hated being confined in their house.
"My grandbaby is definitely not taking after his mama on that one."
"Hey!" Maggie nudged her mom in annoyance.
"What Maggie, you know it's true don't deny it." Maggie huffed and dropped her chin, of course she knew but would never admit it.
Back at the Danvers household, Alex woke up to the sound of her stomach grumbling.
"Kara wake up." Alex nudged Kara.
"five more minutes," Kara whined ducking her head further into the pillow.
"Please I'm hungry, the baby needs to eat." Alex pulled the baby card, which Kara seemed to give into every time.
"Fine," Kara rubbed her eyes, sat up, and made her way around to the other side of the bed.
"I'm carrying you downstairs whether you like it or not." Kara crossed her arms and tried to look as serious as possible. It wasn't everyday that Kara had the opportunity to dote on her big sister and she was going to take advantage of it.
"Well what are you waiting for." Alex moved to the edge of the bed, maneuvering into position for Kara to pick her up. The movement was not helping her dizziness so she buried her head in Kara's shoulder.
"You okay Alex?"
"Dizzy, I need to drink some fluids. God I wish we had an IV bag here it would be so much easier."
"I could run over to the DEO and get one?" Kara said putting her down on one of the kitchen stools.
"No, most of the medical staff are at a conference for the weekend so it would be a bit difficult to access."
"Alex, I'm sure J'onn wouldn't mind getting it for you."
Alex shook her head, which turned out to be a bad idea. Alex scrunched her face, resting her forehead in her hands, "no M'gann is back from Mars for the next few days so I'd rather not interrupt their time together."
Kara set a pint of water in front of Alex with a bendy straw in it, "drink." Kara then took out their premade lunches, thanks to Erin and Stacy, then put them in the microwave to heat up.
"Do you want to eat in here or the living room."
Alex cocked her eyebrow at Kara, "is that a question, we still need to catch up on homeland. We're like four episodes behind." Kara brought Alex in first then the food and drinks. As they put on the first episode, Kara scarfed down her food while Alex causally pick at hers. Kara frowned but said nothing as Alex was at least drinking her water. The pint glass was now only half full. Alex picked at the chicken and rice until she absolutely couldn't. She put the plate down but Kara insisted, "Alex."
Alex looked at Kara with glassy, pleading eyes, "Kara I can't. I tried but I just can't. It's making me feel worse. Kara can you carry me to the bathroom?"
Right as Alex sat on the toilet, diarrhea ran out of her system. She cursed internally, this was the exact opposite of what she needed right now. Settling back on the couch, she snuggled into Kara and drifted off to sleep. Half way through the second episode, Alex up gagging and Kara immediately reacted zooming into the kitchen and back with a bucket.
Alex once again, emptied her stomach now crying at how sore her throat felt. Kara put down the bucket and engulf Alex into a hug. Alex sobbed as Kara tried to calm her down.
"Alex I think we should call mom and Maggie, it's getting worse."
Kara wiped the sweat off Alex's forehead but frowned at how warm her skin felt. Kara once again ran into the kitchen but for a thermometer. Alex leaned into Kara as it took her temperature.
Kara gasped at how high it was, "Alex it says 103 that's not good."
"I feel worse," Alex whispered as she was running out of energy from lack of food and dehydration. Alex laid down on the couch as Kara grabbed the phone and dialed Eliza's number into it, then puts it on speaker.
"Okay that's it, you are going to the hospital and we are calling the others." Kara said picking up Alex to bring her upstairs to change her clothes.
"I don't want to ruin Zack's day at the park." Alex said as Kara changed her clothes.
"Hi Kara is everything alright?"
"No, Alex is much worse. She hasn't been able to keep any food or liquids down and she has a fever of 103."
"Oh sweetie, does she have any other symptoms?"
"Diarrhea and dizzy," Alex says softly on the brink of sleep.
"Huh, it sounds like a bug but her temperature is a major concern."
"Mom, I'm bringing her to the hospital. Alex said the medical staff at the DEO are all at a conference this weekend."
"I think that's a smart idea Maggie and I will meet you both there. Get there safe, love you both."
Kara hung up, "okay let's go. Fly or car?"
"Fly, it's faster. Stay low." Kara quickly changed and they were out the door.
At the park…
Eliza's phone starts to buzz, "Hi Kara is everything alright?"
Maggie looks to her with concern and shuffles closer.
"Oh sweetie, does she have any other symptoms?"
Maggie's heart was beating out of her chest. She knew they were talking about Alex.
"Huh, it sounds like a bug but her temperature is a major concern."
Maggie began to freak out. She tugged at Eliza's arm, who only put her finger up in response.
"I think that's a smart idea Maggie and I will meet you both there. Get there safe, love you both."
Eliza shut the phone down and turned to Maggie, "Alex managed to get some kind of bug. She has a fever of 103 and can't keep anything down so they are going to the hospital and we're going to meet them there."
"Why not the DEO?"
"Apparently there was some conference this weekend so they are not there."
Maggie rolled here eyes, "of course. I never should have left Alex, damn it."
Maggie looked to Zack who was playing with Erin, Stacy and Lena, "I'm going to tell the others and then we can go."
Maggie got up and speed walked towards them, "Lena, mom and I talk to you guys." Maggie said urgently.
Stacy and Lena looked at each other then walked towards Maggie, who was playing with the straps on her arm sling.
Maggie took a deep breath, "so Alex got worse and has to go to the hospital."
"Okay do you want us to stay with Zack?"
"Would that be okay, we only took one car."
Lena held up her hand, "nonsense, I will call my driver and get a car to pick us up. Being a CEO tends to have some perks." Lena fished the keys out of her pocket, "If you guys need anything at all just call." Lena hugged Maggie, "thanks Lena." Then Lena made her way back to Zack giving the mother and daughter a few moments.
"Do you want me to come with you honey?"
Maggie wiped a tear away, "I would but I'd rather have you here with Zack. I don't think crowding her room is a good idea plus I don't want to scare Zack."
Stacy put her hands on Maggie's shoulders, "Alex will be okay she is a tough woman."
"I know but I'm scared. I shouldn't have left her this morning."
"Alex is in great hands Maggie you've done nothing wrong. Now go see your girl." Stacy gave Maggie hug.