Kara woke up in the DEO infirmary to find Eliza sitting at her bedside. She blinked groggily and tried to sit up.
Eliza hugged her as soon as she was steady. "I'm so glad you're alright, Kara. I was so worried." Kara returned the embrace. "Well, I'm here now, and I'm here to stay."
Eliza and her adoptive daughter stayed in the room for a while talking, until the door burst open and Winn came in. Eliza excused herself and allowed the two some privacy. Winn ran over and engulfed her in a bear hug. "Kara! You came back! I didn't know what was going on because Eliza and I were in the safe room and I heard an explosion and we saw the kryptonite signatures go up and-"
Kara laughed as she gently interrupted. "Winn, breathe buddy. I'm here, there's nothing to worry about any more." He smiled back at her and they talked for a while until Winn remembered something.
"Well, now that Cadmus is gone, I assume you will be taking on your Supergirl duties full time." Kara nodded at him, waiting for him to continue. "In that case... I made you something. I'm going to go get it, I'll be right back."
Kara laughed as he tripped on his way out, running in excitement. He came back not even two minutes later, parcel in hand. He tentatively handed it to Kara, nervous for her reaction. She opened it, carefully pulling out the folded contents inside.
It was a super suit.
It was bright red and blue, with beautiful gold accents, and there was a large S stitched into the chest. On the back was a stunning red cape. She looked up at Winn, tears in her eyes, and gave him a tight hug. "Thank you so much, Winn. I don't even know what to say... It's beautiful."
He smiled back at her, and explained all of its functions and capabilities. Then, he motioned to the package. "Look inside, there's something else."
Kara looked down at the box in surprise, before pulling out another suit. This time, it was different.
It was black, with pants instead of a skirt. There was a deep black cape flowing from the back, and blue and red accents ran down the sides. Striking yellow seams ran down the length of the torso, and a grey S was stitched in the center. Winn smiled as Kara reveled in the creation.
"I made you two. Since you're still with the DEO, I figured you'd need a darker, blacker, and more depressing suit. It's more of a tactical suit for DEO missions and such, while the other one is for your Supergirl freelancing activities."
Kara beamed, staring at her two new possessions. "Winn, I can't even... These are amazing! And this suit may be darker and blacker, but it is the exact opposite of depressing. I love them!" Winn and his friend shared a hug before he pulled away. "I better get back to work. J'onn has me working on a full proof cell to hold Lillian in, and it's a full time job. He might already be mad for me taking this long of a break. I'm glad you like the suits though!"
Kara gave him one last hug. "I love them. Good luck on the cell!"
He gave her an award-winning grin before sauntering out of the room.
-00-
Kara had been given time alone to rest, but eventually Emma walked in to check on her. She immediately burst in, doctor's coat flowing behind her, and she approached Kara. Emma examined every inch of Kara's body for injury, hooked her up to various machines, and checked her vitals.
Kara laughed at her. "Oh, Doctor Rose, I'm fine. I got my powers back, and there's no pain or sign of injury. You can calm down."
Emma stared down at her patient. "I'm sorry. Excuse me for being worried about someone who got exploded on by a kryptonite grenade."
"Emma, I already told you. I'm fine. There's absolutely nothing to worry about." Emma snorted. "Yeah, nothing to worry about except your sanity. Just to be clear, I'm still mad that you were so stupid."
Kara sighed at her worried friend. "I know I scared you, Em. But Cadmus is gone now, and Lillian is in prison. There's nothing else you need to worry about."
"Kara, now that Cadmus is gone, you're going to be going full time Supergirl. That means you'll be endangering your life everyday. The worry isn't gone, it never will be. It's just about to get a whole lot worse."
"But I'll be safe, Emma. You'll be by my side every step of the way. Sure I'm going to be fighting aliens and all, but you'll be watching my back while I do it. And you won't let anything happen to me."
Emma couldn't tear her eyes away from the floor. "How can you be so sure? I wasn't able to keep you safe from Lillian, and you almost died because of me. What would have happened if you had died, and it was my fault?"
Kara lifted Emma's chin so that her sad eyes were forced to meet hers. "Emma, no. You listen to me. What happened was not your fault. I was the one who decided to protect you, it was not your decision. Plus, not only were you able to save me from Lillian, you also saved me from myself. You were the one who taught me that I can't take responsibility for every bad thing that's happened. You stitched me back together... literally. You're the reason I'm here right now, not the reason I almost died."
Emma finally mustered up the strength to look up at Kara's pleading eyes, and pulled Kara in for a fierce hug. "Just promise me you won't do anything like that ever again." Kara shook her head, and answered honestly. "Can't make that promise, I'd do it all again if it meant saving you."
Emma pulled away and searched Kara's sincere and frighteningly earnest eyes. "I know, Kara. And that's what scares me."
Kara pulled her back into their hug and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "We'll be okay, Em. No matter what happens, we'll be okay."
She could feel Emma nod into her shoulder. Then Kara gave a small laugh. "You know, you and Alex are very similar. I think you'd make good friends. Everything you just told me, she's also said to me a million times before. You both are way too protective. Have you gotten to meet her yet? I mean, aside from being in the same transport vehicle?"
Emma looked away. "Yeah, I... She didn't appear to take too kindly to me." When she saw confusion spread across Kara's features, she quickly added. "But it's really no big deal, honestly. It's fine. She's great."
Kara could sense that Emma was telling lies. She just stared at Emma until she cracked. "Okay, fine. She kind of exploded at me in front of the entire DEO about how I was the reason you were taken. But seriously, it's no big deal. You shouldn't have this extra thing to stress over, okay? Alex and I will work it out by ourselves. I can speak for myself, and I'm sure Alex would agree, that the last thing we want is for you is to get caught in the middle."
Kara sighed. "I was planning on talking to her soon, anyways." She looked at Emma's doubtful expression, and comforted her. "Listen, I'm sure Alex was just worried. When she gets overprotective and nervous, she lashes out. Whatever she said to you, I'm sure she didn't mean. Don't take anything she said too personally."
Emma gave a small smile. "Funny... That's exactly what Eliza told me." Kara laughed. "Guess that's what happens when you live with Alex your whole life."
"Just try not to worry about us, Kara. We'll work it out. If not for us, then for you."
Kara pulled her in for one last hug, and then quickly changed the subject. "By the way, when can I get out of here? I'm really craving natural sunlight and pizza."
Emma laughed. "Of course you are. It's always about pizza with you." She looked down at her tablet, and reassessed Kara's condition. "Your powers are back, and you seem energized. Your vitals are stable and your cuts have faded. I don't see any reason why we should keep you here. I'll discharge you as long as you promise me that you'll get rest in your apartment... Which you also need to show me, by the way."
Kara jumped up in excitement and immediately ran for the door. "This is great news! I'm going to go get some pizza. Oh, and you can come to my apartment tonight if you want. I'm throwing a 'hooray we finally beat Cadmus and Lillian' party. Everyone will be there. I'll text you the address." She gave Emma a bright grin. "See you tonight!"
And with that, the Girl of Steel was gone.
Emma stood there, shaking her head and laughing.