Disclaimer: Some dialogue in this chapter is pulled straight from Season 1 Episode 4. All rights belong to the CW. I own nothing.
Kara made a move to leave the room and see what was going on, when Alex stopped her.
"Alex, what are you doing? We need to figure out who's at the door!"
"Kara, Mom just told us to stay in here until she gave us the all clear. We just disobeyed her and look where it got us. I'm your sister and I'll protect you at all costs, even if it means keeping you here against your will."
"But Alex. What if someone saw? Is coming to take me away? I need to know," Kara begged.
"No. Mom and Dad would not allow that. But if you're so worried, maybe you can listen in with your hearing."
Kara nodded. Alex continued," If you hear anything bad, you need to tell me, alright? Whatever the problem is, we can face it together." Kara agreed and with that, she began to listen.
"No, no. You are not taking her," protested Eliza.
"Do respect, Dr. Danvers. You are in no position to negotiate," the man responded forcefully.
"She is not an asset. She is a thirteen year old girl. She needs a family, she needs-"
"To be safe," he interrupted abruptly. "As do those around her. While Superman refuses to work with us, studying Kara would help immensely."
"I'm sorry, but what department do you even work for again?" Jeremiah rudely inquired. "I know you introduced yourself as Hank Henshaw, but that's not nearly enough to just come in here like this. What gives you the right to barge into our home and try to take our daughter?"
"I am the director of the Department of Extranormal Operations, or the DEO. We contain alien threats, or in this case, research them in the event that they become dangerous."
"What if instead of taking her, you take me?" Jeremiah was grasping at straws, desperate to keep Kara here. "I have researched Superman and Kara is my daughter. She's not even a threat. You can have my knowledge and full compliance, if you just leave her alone."
As soon as Jeremiah said that, Kara zoned out and immediately stood up. She would not allow Jeremiah to do this for her. Endanger himself and his family for her. She knew what she had to do.
As she turned towards the door, Alex stopped her. "Kara, what did you hear? Why are you trying to leave even after Mom and I both told you to stay? Is something wrong?"
"Alex, there's a government man down there who studies alien threats and wants to take me away. Jeremiah offered himself instead so I wouldn't have to be taken. I cannot allow this and you know it."
"Kara, you don't have to go. Please, I'm begging you. We can figure this out. Just stay here, it'll be okay," pleaded Alex. "You can't go. You can't leave me alone here. Not after today."
Seeing Alex begging caused Kara to reach into her pocket. She pulled out two identical pictures that they had taken at the beach earlier today with Alex's beat up, old Polaroid.
They were both smiling wide, with their hair in long beautiful pony tails. Their sunglasses atop their heads. "True sisters. Badass, protective, and cute. All at the same time." Jeremiah had said proudly while Eliza took the picture. It was their first picture they'd ever taken as sisters. Such a special moment captured in one photo.
She took one and handed it to Alex.
"It'll be okay, Alex. You have to let me go. We've only been family for one day, but Jeremiah and Eliza are your parents. I know what it feels like to lose parents, and I can't put you through that if there's something I can do to stop it. Take this picture and remember me by it."
As Alex accepted the photo, she resolutely stated,"Kara, I swear on my life. I will come for you. I will find you, okay? Even if it takes months, years, decades. I will find you. I promise you that." And she really meant it.
"Alex, it's too dangerous. I can't ask you to do that."
"I'm your big sister. I would walk through fire to find you, Kara. If you ever lose hope, look at this picture. And remember. That I will come for you. I will always come for you. Promise me that you won't lose hope," Alex demanded. She needed Kara to understand her determination before she left. To understand that she would either find Kara, or die trying.
"I promise, Alex." Kara nodded with vigor and kept going,"I will not lose hope because I know you'll come for me. And if I do, I'll look at the picture. You need to do the same, okay? If you ever lose hope or feel as if you're losing me, look at this photo. It'll save us both."
Alex agreed and they sealed their promise off with a hug. A very tight hug that would have crushed Kara if she wasn't indestructible. She took this opportunity to take in Kara's scent one last time. Feel her arms around her one last time. Look into her soulful blue eyes on last time. And she didn't want to let go.
Eventually, Kara pulled away. "I know this isn't goodbye, Alex. Because you will find me. But I want you to know that I love you. More than I've ever loved anyone before. And I know our journey as sisters only started this morning, but we've come such a long way. No matter what happens, I will always love you with all of my heart. And nothing will ever change that."
Alex's eyes were watery. "Kara, I regret every time I've ever neglected you. I'm so sorry I made you feel unwanted. If I could go back and give us just a little more time, I would. Even if it were just one more day. But I know I cannot. The one thing I can do is tell you to never give up. Okay? I love you. So much. You blessed my life the minute you crashed into it. I just didn't realize it until today. And for that, I'm so sorry."
"Alex, we've been over this already, I don't blame you. Please remember that this isn't your fault. Your run as a big sister has been a good one. And it's not ending anytime soon, okay? I know I can't give up hope, but neither can you."
A single tear rolled down Alex's cheek. And they hugged. For the last time in a long while. Kara silently pulled away, pocketing the picture.
"I love you, Alex. I'll be waiting for you." Having said everything she needed to, she opened the door and headed towards Hank. Towards inevitable misery.
And towards the darkness.