Firstly I'm so sorry for the delay in getting the next chapter out. Life got crazy busy and I had to put writing off for a bit. Thank you so much for the reviews! They are a great motivator to keep going!
Chapter 4
Kara walked into Alex's room around 10 am with coffee and a bagel in hand for Maggie where she found Maggie sitting and staring off in deep thought. "Hey Maggie."
Maggie jumped slightly as she had not heard Kara enter the room as she was lost in her own thoughts. "Kara, hey."
Kara offered the coffee and bagel to Maggie. "Thought you could use these."
"Thanks Kara."
"Dry double toasted just how you like it." Kara smiled.
A smile stretched across Maggie's face in appreciation.
"How's she doing?" Kara asked taking a seat next to Maggie.
"Better I think. The staff has been in and out keeping an eye on her vitals. Her fever has come down to 101 but is holding there. Dr. Hamilton said it could take 12 hours for the antibiotics to really start working." Maggie paused to take a bite of her bagel only realizing then just how hungry she actually was. "Oh my God Kara thanks for this." Maggie said mouth full of bagel.
"I figured you would have forgotten to eat, Alex does the same thing." Both women sat in silence while Maggie continued to devour her bagel and chug her coffee.
Kara was the first notice the movement from the bed. "Alex?" Kara sat forward on the chair grabbing Alex's hand. Alex started to move her head side to side and her hand squeezed Kara's.
Maggie also sat forward on the chair putting the remaining bagel and coffee on to the tray beside the bed then placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Babe?"
Alex's eye lids slowly began to flutter open and then snapped shut at the harshness of the light. As she adjusted to the lighting she looked over to her left to see her two favorite women staring at her. "Hey." she murmured under the O2 mask then reached up to pull it to the side so she could speak better. "How are you guys?" Alex asked her voice heavy with tiredness.
"Stop worrying about us Alex, you need to concentrate on yourself." Kara replied squeezing and then kissing the back of her hand.
"Shouldn't you be at Catco?" Alex asked.
"I was but now I'm here. Don't worry about me Al."
"You're my sister I will always worry." Alex squeezed her hand weakly. "And you." She said looking over to Maggie. "You need to get some rest too"
"First you need to keep this on." Maggie placed the O2 mask back in the proper position over her mouth and nose. "And second I did get a nap while you were napping so I'm good." Maggie brushed some hair off Alex's forehead. "But if you can stay for a bit Kara I wouldn't mind running home to grab some clothes and maybe a quick shower."
"Yeah for sure I don't have to be back to Catco for a meeting till 1."
"Great, thanks Kara." Maggie stood up and placed a kiss on Alex's cheek. "You behave while I'm gone." Alex leaned into the kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too." Alex replied.
Maggie turned and gave Kara a hug before she headed out. Kara moved over to take the chair that Maggie had been in so she was closer the head end of the bed. "You guys are so cute together." Kara cooed, a big grin stretching across her face.
"Stop." Alex countered her cheeks flushing pulling the O2 mask to the side again.
"I'm serious Alex, Maggie has brought a part of you out that I have never seen before. It looks good on you." Kara smiled.
"I have never felt love like this before." Alex replied.
"I'm happy for you Alex." Kara smiled.
"Thanks Sis and thank you for being there for her when I was missing." Alex replied her voice soft.
Kara had been wanting to talk to Alex about what had happened with the kidnapping but she just could not find the right time to broach the subject. So given that Alex mentioned it she thought now was as good as anytime to ask. "So about that." Kara stammered a bit. "How are you really doing that whole thing? And please don't tell me you're fine."
Alex turned her gaze to the ceiling knowing that she could not look Kara in the eyes and say she was fine. She could feel the tears starting to pool in them and she let out a slow breath to try and steady her emotions before she responded. She turned back to Kara, "I know I need to work through some stuff, emotions I guess." Alex paused to help maintain her control and then continued. "I'm not ready to go there yet but I know I need to and I know I have people there to support me when I am ready." A tear finally escaped her control and slide down her cheek. Kara reached out the wipe it away. "Did Maggie tell you about the shower incident?"
"Ah no." Kara replied crinkling her nose not really sure what was about to come next.
Alex of course picked up on this "Kara! Not that. Last night before you came over Maggie had suggested that I take a quick shower and then had a full blown panic attack."
"Oh Alex, I'm sorry." Kara's heart ached for her sister knowing herself how much a panic attack affects one. After she had first come live with the Danvers she had experience them quite regularly.
"It's OK Maggie helped me through it. And I'm sure it's not going to be the last but I know you guys will be there for me." Alex squeezed Kara's hand.
There was another question that had been lingering on Kara's mind and that was the comment that Jonn had made about Ashley knowing better than anyone what Alex went through. "Uh speaking of people that are here to support you. Jonn made a comment that Ashley knows what you went through." Kara said hesitantly.
Alex sighed as the memories of that came flooding back to her. "Yeah she does." her voice hitched. "It was our first mission after basic training and it did not end well."
"It's OK Alex you don't have to explain." Kara could tell that those memories weighed heavy on her sister as they came back to her.
"It's not my story to tell but I know that Ashley has been through it and will be there for me too." Alex replied as yet another tear escaped her control but she smiled knowing that she had so many people in her life that would help her to find her normal again.
"Hey why don't you close your eyes and get some rest before Maggie gets back." Kara could tell Alex was fighting to stay wake again.
Alex nodded and ask, "You're going to stay though right?"
"Of course I am." Kara smiled "No place I would rather be. I love you Alex"
"I love you too, Kara." Alex then let her eyelids slowly close and drifted off to sleep.
The rest of the day had brought visits from Jonn, Winn, and James checking in on how Alex was doing. She was able to stay awake for short visits but would drift off sometimes in the middle of a conversation. Maggie had returned before Kara had to leave for her meeting and said she would be back around supper. Maggie had grabbed some case files that she had been working on as well as her laptop. She knew most of Alex's time would be spent asleep so she might as well get some work done and then have more free time once Alex was back home. The medical staff had popped in and out throughout the day checking vitals and replacing IV fluids and antibiotics. Dr. Hamilton had popped in to check on her patient and had noted that while Alex's vitals were better than when she came in they had seemed to plateau. Maggie noted that she did not seem worried but there was a diffident concern in her demeanor. Dr. Hamilton had sent off more blood work and another set of chest x-rays just to be on the safe side.
Kara had returned as promised around supper with food in hand. As she walked into the room she found Maggie reading a case file while Alex was sleeping. "Hey." She whispered.
"Oh hey Kara, that smells fantastic." Maggie replied as she closed up the folder containing her case file and putting it in her shoulder bag next to her chair.
"Hope you don't mind Thai?" Kara replied handing one of the bags to Maggie.
"Not at all." Maggie smiled taking the bag opening it and taking a deep sniff of the aromas inside.
"They make this great broth that Alex likes when she is sick. I checked before I left and they said she was OK to have some broth." Kara placed the second bag down on the tray. "How is she? Dr. Hamilton been by yet?" She questioned as she took a seat next to Maggie.
"She's doing the same." Maggie sighed.
"But?" Kara could tell something was bothering her.
"Dr. Hamilton had stopped by to check on her. While she is not doing any worst she seems to have plateaued. Her temp is still hovering around 101and her O2 stats drop if she is off the mask for too long. They sent her for another set of chest x-rays and they are just going over them now. She should be back soon." Maggie explained.
Kara sensing the tension in Maggie reached over and placed her arm around Maggie pulling her into a side hug. "She's going to get through this."
Alex began to stir and awoke with a coughing fit. "Hey Al, it's OK." Maggie cringed at the congestion in the cough and she didn't need Kara's super hearing to hear the wheezing that accompanied it. Alex fully awakened from the coughing attack was sitting up leaning forward having pulled her O2 mask down and Maggie jumped up to patted her back.
As the coughing started to ease Maggie began to rub comforting circles on Alex's back and Alex tried to regain her breathe. "Babe put this on it will help." Maggie told her pulling the O2 mask back over Alex's nose and mouth. Kara was rubbing Alex's thigh trying to provide her with any comfort she could.
Alex was able to get some relatively deep breaths in once the mask was in place. As the tension in her body began to subside slightly she leaned back into the bed.
"You OK, Babe?" Maggie asked placing a kiss on her forehead.
Alex nodded with a weak smile below the O2 mask.
"You sure Alex?" Kara asked. She could hear the congestion in Alex's chest and the wheezing seemed to more pronounce than earlier in the day.
"Yea, I'm good sis." Alex replied trying to clear throat.
Kara and Maggie both looked at each other concern etched on their faces. "You know what I'm just going to step out for a minute to call Catco and then I will be back." Kara smiled trying to hide her concern. She wanted to go speak with Dr. Hamilton about Alex's condition. She leaned in giving Alex a kiss on the forehead.
Kara exited Alex's room and headed over to medic station where she saw Ashley flipping through a chart. "Hey Ashley, have you seen Dr. Hamilton?"
"Hey Kara, she is actually just on her way down to see Alex."
"Good cause I'm a bit worried. Her breathing seems to be getting worse."
"Actually that is why she is coming down. We got most of Alex's test results back and it seems the antibiotics are not working."
"What does that mean now?" Kara questioned her voice cracking with fear.
"Dr. Hamilton will explain when she gets here but we are going to switch her antibiotics to an even more powerful one. We will just have to keep a close eye on her and stay on top of the symptoms until the new meds kick in." Ashley could tell Kara was having a hard time holding back the tears. Ashley came around the corner and took Kara by the upper arms, "Kara you know as well as anyone how incredibly tough, strong and stubborn your sister is. She is going get through this like she always does."
"You're right." Kara smiled as she pulled Ashley into a hug. Kara did not know Ashley as well as Alex did but Ashley had been lead medic on a number of missions when Supergirl required medical assistance. Kara had always marveled at how Ashley was able to focus on her patient and block everything else out even when bullets flew overhead or explosions happening all around. "Thanks Ashley." Kara smiled as she pulled out of the hug as Dr. Hamilton came around the corner.
"Kara I'm glad you are here, I was just coming to chat with you guys, we have some results from Alex's latest test. "Dr. Hamilton explained as she walked up to the nursing station.
"Alex just woke up coughing and it seems she is breathing worst then she was before." Kara explained.
"Come on lets go discuss this with everyone." Dr. Hamilton said pointing to Alex's room. "Witz, can you the new antibiotics please?"
"Of course." Ashley said grabbing the new IV bag of meds.
The three women walked into the room and found that Maggie had crawled up into the bed and Alex was snuggled into her side. When Maggie saw them come in she gave Alex a soft kiss on the head and whispered, "Doc is here." and then she stood up from the bed. "Hey Doc, who's are girl doing?"
"Well in typical Agent Danvers fashion she has picked up what seems to be a stubborn strain of pneumonia." Dr. Hamilton explained as she moved closer to Alex's bedside and opened up Alex's chart she had been carrying. "Your latest blood work shows that the bacteria levels are increasing again but we have also been able to identify the exact strain which we can now treat with the right antibiotics."
"So that's good?" Maggie questioned trying to take it all in. she just wanted to know Alex was going to be OK.
"We are going to start her on the new meds right now." She indicated to Ashely who was busying hanging the new IV bag and adjusting the flow rate on the machine. "Once these kick in Alex should be on her way. We are going to monitor her vitals every 15 mins for the next few hours till they do kick in."
Ashley noticed the sigh coming from Alex at the every 15 min comment. She leaned over gave Alex a squeeze on the shoulder and said softly, "Don't worry you got me on shift all night, I promise to be gentle." Alex chuckled softly she was grateful to have her Ashley there as they had both seen each other at some of their weakest moments. Both women were not fans of showing weakness around others.
"What about her breathing?" Kara spoke up. "It's quite a bit worse than before."
"Yes her last chest x-ray showed quite a bit of fluid buildup. Along with the antibiotics I have ordered a medication that will help break that up and should assist in clearing up. However in the meantime Alex you are staying on the O2 mask at 15L's so that we can keep up the O2 stats."
"Don't worry Doc it's staying on." Maggie replied giving Alex a look to which Alex gave her a pouty lip. "Yeah don't even." Maggie smirked.
"In the meantime Alex you just rest and get some sleep." Dr. Hamilton gave Maggie a slight head till to the door as she was leaving.
"Hey Babe I'm just going to make a quick call and be right back." Maggie said.
"Kara snuggle time!" Kara said as she quickly jumped into Alex's bed to where Maggie had been when they first came in.
Ashley smiled as she watched the 2 Danvers sisters snuggle into each other. "Alex's just press the call button if you need me."
"Thanks Ash." Alex replied as she closed her eyes and leaned into Kara's shoulder.
Ashley had followed Maggie and Dr. Hamilton out of the room. "Doc?" Maggie questioned concerned as to why the Doc would want to speak to her out of the room.
"I just wanted to give you the heads up that the next few hours maybe tough on Alex while we wait for the meds to kick in." Dr. Hamilton replied.
"Tough?"
"I'm pretty sure that we are going to see her spike another fever and her breathing may get quite a bit worse. We may have to concern putting her on a CPAP for a bit just to get her over the hurdle."
"CPAP?"
"It's just a machine that will create positive pressure to help ensure that she is getting the O2 she needs. Dr. Hamilton explained. "It's not as invasive as intubation and we don't have to sedate her to use it." She could tell Maggie was starting to get very overwhelmed with everything and tried to reassure her. "I have no doubt that Alex will be well on her way to recovery in the few day or so. She is in good hands and we will make sure she gets over this speed bump."
"Thanks Doc."
"You are quite welcome." Dr. Hamilton smiled. "If you need me just let Whitz know and she will page me." With that Dr. Hamilton headed off and Maggie took a big breath and turned back to Alex's room.
"Don't worry Maggie, Alex is going to get through this." Ashley said as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to get her other medication ready and then will be in to grab her vitals."
"Thanks Ashley." Maggie smiled and headed to the door to Alex's room and took one more deep breath to calm her nerves. "OK Maggie be strong for Alex." With that she pushed the door open.
TBC
What do you think,\? I have been tossing an idea around my head, should I devote a chapter to what actually happened on Alex and Ashley's first mission? Would there be interest?
Thanks again!