Chapter 5 - A Cure of Sorts

Grant Forest. Beyond the Kingdom of Mars.

Kara rides silently beside the Chancellor waiting for the perfect moment to speak. "What is the Lunar Kingdom like?" Kara asks finally. The Chancellor smiles at her warmly. "We are no longer a monarchy, we are a republic. My title is given to me by my people, and it is to them that I answer. My brother still believes this to be a mistake, but commerce and education have flourished under this system in the short time it has been in place. It is our goal to become the leaders in industry within this realm. The Lunar Republic is a place were wonder is created..." "Why is industry so important to you?" Kara asks. "Those who can build a life can control it!" Kara cringes. "That is blasphemy! Only Rao can control life!" The Chancellor shakes her head sadly. "This is why your kingdom will fall into ruin – the refusal of any artful processing of the environment exposes you to vulnerabilities you can not imagine!" Kara scoffs. "The amount of mining that is done in your 'Republic' is offensive and a blight on the natural beauty of the land!" The Chancellor closes her eyes and swallows her rage.

Letting out an exasperated breath the Chancellor says nothing. Kara, now worried by the Chancellor's sudden silence, says quietly, "Forgive me. Our difference of opinion should not impair our ability to become friends." The Chancellor brings her horse to a stop and Kara does the same. The Chancellor looks Kara in the eye for a long moment.

"We cannot be friends. You do not understand my position nor do you respect it. No friend of mine would call me a blasphemer for using the gifts that the Lady of Virtue has so graciously given me" the Chancellor hissed. Kara looks at her dismayed and tries to back-peddle. "My good Chancellor what I meant to say was - " "Enough. It is quite evident that diplomacy is not your strong suit, so perhaps you will do better on the battle field!"

The Chancellor attempts to steer her horse in the direction of the castle. Kara catches the rains and holds them firmly. "No-one is going to battle because of your wounded vanity! You are not a monarch – is that not what you stated at the beginning of our conversation?" The Chancellor clinches her jaw. "Indeed, and I am no fool either. Find someone else to play your servant!" The Chancellor tugs at the rains only to find they will not budge. Kara's eyes shine playfully, "Then what if I played yours?"

10 years later. CEO's office - L-Corp

Eve Tessmacher scrolls idly through budget reports on a Friday night. She looks at her watch and decides to call it a day. Resting her head in her hands she tries to decide what to feed her children for dinner. "I hear pumpkin stew is an easy nutritious meal..." comes a voice she hasn't heard in 10 years – a voice she has been yearning for. Snapping her head up Eve meets the glowing gold eyes of the love of her life - Cynthia Marlowe. Eve stops breathing.

Present day. Lena Luthor's secret laboratory – National City.

Lena wakes from a dream suddenly. For a moment she isn't sure what country she is in. When she sees Alex sleeping on the couch she remembers that Kara is having seizures. Kara... Lena is glad to find no sign of heart break in her heart regarding her best friend, but a deep worry is still present. Lena sleepwalks over to the sequencer and puts in a fresh batch of samples.

Her hair now falling down her back is longer and blacker than it has ever been. Walking over to her guitar she picks it up and plugs it into her amp. Slipping on her wireless headphones she begins to play Stevie Ray Vaughn's Rude Mood. After the second run through Lena allows herself to let loose. By the fifth run through she has discarded her sweater, and is glistening with sweat as her fingers fly up and down the neck of her guitar. She stops suddenly and races back to the sequencer. Dialing in a new algorithm she presses the recalibration button and waits. Lena is unaware that Alex has been watching her the whole time.

Alex is puzzled by the fluttering in her stomach. She recalls how Lena's hands caress the neck of her guitar, and how her hands then delicately handle the treatment samples. Alex shakes her head and yawns as Lena sits down beside her. "Any luck?" Lena shakes her head bitterly. Alex rests a reassuring hand on her shoulder and squeezes. Lena stares ahead blankly. The buzzer goes off. "Let's see if this batch is any better" Lena says rising from the couch and walking towards the sequencer...

Two days later. The D.E.O

Cat Grant paces anxiously as she waits for Kara to wake up. Alex administered the new treatment two days ago, and Lena left three days ago to tend to an emergency in Berlin. Cat feels alone and wishes she could talk to Cynthia... Kara's seizures have been getting worse. What if they can't stabilize her this time? What if I loose her before we've had a chance to - her thought is cut off by a moan coming from Kara.

"I'm so hungry" comes a raspy voice all of a sudden. Turning quickly Cat finds Kara struggling to sit up. "Sweetheart - no you have to lie still!" Cat rushes over and pushes Kara back into the pillows. Kara winces. "My lady takes such care of me, but would hold me hostage when we are friends?" Kara mumbles and passes out. Her heart monitor goes off and a team of doctors rush in, they push Cat into the hallway. Fighting off a panic attack Cat manages to dial a number she has been dreading. "Meet me at my penthouse - don't keep me waiting!"