"Kara?" Eliza questioned when she rushed into the hospital room and saw her foster daughter pace the room.
"Eliza? You're here already?"
"I managed to get an earlier flight. What happened?" Eliza asked feeling weak as she saw Alex lie in the hospital bed with various tubes sticking out of her. What parts of Alex's skin she could see was covered in bruises.
"She saved me from someone with powers like mine." Kara explained avoiding eye contact. "She was really badly hurt. I mean they couldn't even treat her at the DEO. They transferred her here and she was in surgery for so long."
"She's a fighter." Eliza said trying to hug Kara who pulled away as she said sadly.
"She shouldn't have to be."
"Are you hurt?" Eliza asked Kara.
"I'm fine." Kara said before looking at Eliza and saying. "I'm sorry. I have to go."
"Kara?" Eliza called after her, but she had already gone. Confused by Kara's behaviour and shocked at the state of Alex, Eliza sat at her daughter's bedside and prayed she would wake up.
-00-
As Alex cracked her eyes open she saw her mother stare down at her.
"It's okay sweetie, you're safe." Eliza said as she squeezed Alex's good hand. When Alex attempted to speak Eliza said. "Don't talk, you need to rest."
Not feeling calmed Alex kept trying to speak into her oxygen mask growing more and more frustrated when the words came out unintelligible.
"Alex, please calm down." Eliza pleaded. Seeing the determination in Alex's eyes she reluctantly moved the mask.
"Kara?" Alex immediately asked.
"She's fine. She was here earlier and she is absolutely fine." Eliza assured her as she replaced the oxygen mask and squeezed Alex's hand as she watched her daughter fall back to sleep. When Alex was finally still Eliza wondered where Kara was.
-00-
"Miss Kara?" Luzuno questioned as he walked out onto the roof. "That is you isn't it?"
"Professor." Kara greeted.
"What are you doing here? Have you changed your mind about letting me go free?"
"No. Of course not. I just kind of ended up here."
"There is something on your mind then?" He asked he sat down next to her. "You know what the humans say, a problem shared is a problem harmed."
"Halved." Kara corrected.
"Really? Harmed sounds so much better." The Professor commented before waiting for Kara to speak.
"I've screwed up and I don't know how to fix it."
"What have you done? If you don't mind me asking."
Slowly Kara recounted the events of Astra's death and subsequent lies. When she told the professor about finding out of the deception the professor commented.
"From what you said, your sister has always done what she thought was best for you. While her actions may have been unfortunate, her intent was pure."
"I know, I wish I had spoken to you when I found out rather than losing my temper."
"What exactly did you do?"
"Exactly, I'm not so sure. I was so angry I really wasn't thinking, just reacting. I do know I said some really bad things to Alex. Accused her of murder, telling her she wasn't my real family, that I would never forgive her."
"Whatever you said I am sure Alex will forgive you."
"That's what makes it worse. Despite everything I said to her she nearly died trying to save me. She gave everything, literally everything, to save me."
"Why is that bad?"
"Because I don't deserve it. I don't deserve her. I have been so ungrateful."
"I am afraid I am a little lost Miss Kara." The professor confessed.
"The day that Astra died I was under the control of the Black Mercy."
"And you survived?" The professor asked a little surprised.
"Thanks to Alex, she managed to get into my dream and pull me out. Tonight I did the same for Alex."
"So what's the problem?"
"In my dream world none of my Earth friends and family were there. I was back on Krypton, my memories of Earth gone. But Alex, not only was I in her dream world, Astra was as well. Despite everything I said and did, she still wanted me in her life. I feel so bad."
"I imagine that you are feeling the same things, for different reasons, that Alex has been feeling since the unfortunate incident with your aunt. What I don't understand is why you are here and not with her?"
"I'm afraid, what if she can't forgive me?"
"What I do know about you is you are not a coward. You need to see your sister. If she feels like I believe she does, based on what you said, she needs you."
"And if she doesn't?"
"You'll cross that bucket when you come to it."
"Bridge." Kara corrected before weakly smiling at him and saying. "Thank you for listening."
"My pleasure and Miss Kara." He replied pulling something from his pocket. "I know you are busy, but I thought you may like this." He said handing her the leaflet. "I run some public lectures on the stars. You are always welcome to come."
"Thank you."
-00-
"Kara?" Eliza said when she saw her foster daughter re-enter the room. "Where have you been?"
"I just needed to think. Has she woken yet?"
"Yes. Only briefly, she asked about you." The comment causing guilt to wash over Kara's face. "So, do you want to tell me what is going on?"
"How do you mean?"
"You are avoiding being here and you look... anguished."
"I was being a coward and I wasn't sure Alex would want to see me."
"Why not?" Eliza asked confused.
"Because I screwed up."
"Whatever happened I am sure it is not as bad as it seems."
"It's worse." Kara said sitting down.
"What happened?"
"My aunt survived Krypton."
"How?" Eliza asked, stunned by the news, but not entirely sure how this was related to Alex.
"She was in a prison, sentenced there by my mother." Kara explained. "When I first found out I hated her so much because she tried to kill Alex. She hated me too. Blamed me for what my mother did. But, recently, we started to connect. Alex was able to save me from the Black Mercy because Astra told her how."
"Black Mercy?" Eliza questioned, already feeling lost.
"Alien parasite. It traps you in a hallucination of your perfect world and slowly kills you."
"But Astra helped free you?"
"She told Alex how and Alex got me out, nearly dying in the process. In that dream world, my aunt Astra was there, not as my enemy as my family. Maybe it was because of the hallucination or maybe it was wishful thinking, but whatever it was I felt so close to her."
"But?"
"There was a fight and she died. Alex killed her."
"Oh Kara."
"Then she lied."
"Alex?" Eliza guessed trying to keep up.
"The person she saved by killing Astra persuaded her to let him take the blame."
"But you found out the truth?"
"Yes and when I did finally find out I was already feeling messed up. I already felt like my life was spiralling out of control. I found out what Alex did and that she had lied to me and I lost it. Really lost it. I said horrible things to Alex, really really horrible things. Things I can never take back. I know how much it affected her when she killed Dr Morrow, but I was so angry I couldn't think straight and I forgot what a good person Alex is and I made her out to be the bad guy. I was so mean, but despite that, despite how horrible I was to her she almost died trying to save me. If it weren't for her I would be dead. I don't know how to fix this."
"Kara, I can't begin to understand what you have gone through recently. But I do know Alex loves you. She doesn't hate you. When she woke up all she wanted to do was find out of you were okay."
Before either of them could say anything else Kara's phone buzzed. Looking at her phone Kara sighed and said. "I have to go."
-00-
"What have you got?" Supergirl asked striding into the DEO.
"A location for Non."
"Where?"
"Not so fast. Are you really ready for this?" Hank asked.
"I am."
"Kara, Alex nearly died trying to protect you. If I let anything happen to you it will destroy her. So I need to know are you really ready? Willing to follow orders?"
"I will do whatever it takes to stop Non."
"Good." Hank said. "Because I have a plan, but we'll need you."
"You've got it." Kara said.
-00-
"Are you going to be the coward aunt Astra always feared you were or are you going to face me on equal footing?" Supergirl demanded as she stood on the roof of an abandoned factory shouting at the sky. "You may have fooled her at the start, but she saw through you. Do you know what her final words were? That you were her biggest regret and Krypton's biggest failure. She said had it not been for you and your murder of the guard the battle on Krypton could have been won. You were responsible for the death of our planet."
"Enough." Non roared as he landed in front of Supergirl. "You know nothing."
"I know enough to know that you deserved to be in Fort Rozz and if I could send you back I would. I know that you didn't deserve aunt Astra. And I know that you will fail. You will not harm this planet or its people."
"Your naivety is only matched by your stupidity."
"But yet you can't beat me." Kara said. "You are a failure." The last sentence striping Non of the last of his patience and he unleashed a punch at Kara. He put so much power into his punch that when it passed through empty air he lost his balance and fell to the ground moments before several darts entered his neck and he passed out.
"Nice work." Hank said to the holographic projection as he approached Non and cuffed him. "We'll be back soon if you want to talk to him."
"I never want to see him again." Kara said as she turned off the machine and her image disappeared from the roof top.
-00-
"Hey sweetie." Eliza smiled as Alex woke again.
"Mom." Alex said, now free of the mask, looking round the room. Noticing Kara was once again absent her eyes clouded with sorrow and disappointment.
"She was here earlier." Eliza said. "She told me what happened."
"I'm sorry." Alex apologised.
"For what?"
"Letting you down. Hurting Kara."
"You listen to me Alexandra, you have not let anyone down. I admit I did not fully follow or understand what Kara said, but I learned enough to know you have had to make some very hard choices to protect her. You have done things you haven't want to do, but you have always done them for the right reason. No matter what has happened I am proud of you. I love you."
-00-
"Ms Grant?" Kara asked in surprise as she nearly walked straight into her former boss in the hospital hallway.
"Kira." Cat said equally surprised.
"What are you doing here? Is Carter okay?" Kara questioned, wondering what had made her germ phobic boss enter a hospital.
"Carter is fine." Cat said, touched by Kara's concern. "Brian Robinson had a heart attack, whilst at work, in a meeting with me. Seeing some may think I might be partially responsible, I thought it was prudent to visit."
"Wait Brendon Robinson from accounts?" Kara asked eyes wide. "But he is so nice."
"He'll be fine." Cat said. "Back to work in no time. Why are you here?"
"My sister."
"What happened?"
"She was attacked." Kara said.
"I'm sorry. Will she be okay?"
"I hope so." Kara said. With neither one of them knowing what to say Kara added. "I need to go. I've not talked to her since it happened."
"Of course." Cat said watching as Kara walked past her. But with Kara only a few footsteps away she asked. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"About what?" Kara asked confused.
"Your aunt passing."
"You asked for things to be strictly professional." Kara shrugged before she walked on.
-00-
"Kara?" Alex asked slowly opening her eyes.
"You're awake? Did I wake you?"
"No. What are you doing to my arm?" Alex asked as noticed Kara was holding a pen above her broken limb.
"I wanted to leave you a note, but I didn't have any paper."
"So you are using my cast?" Alex asked.
"Kind of"
"So what did you want to say in your note?"
"That I'm sorry."
"For what?" Alex questioned wondering if she was in fact still dreaming.
"What I said to you. I was angry and I felt betrayed. It just feels like everyone lies to me. Astra, my mother, Hank, you. It hurts."
"I never wanted to hurt you." Alex said.
"I know. I also know that you had no choice with Astra, if you thought there was another way you wouldn't have killed her."
"That doesn't make it right." Alex said as a tear round down her cheek.
"It made it necessary." Kara said. "But what hurt was the feeling of betrayal, but when I was in your dream I realised something, I am a hypocrite."
"What are you talking about?" Alex asked confused, assuming the drugs were causing her brain to work slower than normal.
"You told James that you weren't coming back without me, that you would rather die, then you jump into my dream and you don't exist. I can't imagine how that made you feel, but betrayed is probably high up on that list."
"It's okay to want your family." Alex said. "You lost everything, wanting it back is okay."
"Not at the expense of you though." Kara said.
"You don't need to apologise." Alex said. "It was your fantasy." For a moment Kara was silent then she commented.
"Your dream world was kind of different to what I was expecting."
"In what way?"
"I just assumed I wouldn't be there. You would be doing some really cool job, winning a Nobel prize."
"I already have a cool job and why wouldn't you be there?"
"Because of what I said."
"That's dumb." Alex replied, getting weary very quickly.
"I do have a question." Kara said.
"Shoot." Alex said trying to force her eyes to stay open.
"Since when have you wanted a cat?"
"Since forever. I had just persuaded my parents to let me get one, when you turned up and they decided it would be unfair to get one."
"Unfair on me?"
"Or the cat. Hard to tell." Alex said struggling to keep her eyes open.
"I'm sorry you lost your dad again."
"You lost your whole planet again." Alex pointed out. "I'm sorry about Astra." She mumbled before finally dozing off.
Moments later the door opened and Kara turned and saw Hank in the doorway.
"Sorry, I'll come back later." Hank said when he saw Kara was in Alex's room.
"Don't go." Kara said.
"I don't want to intrude." Hank replied.
"You're not. You're family to." Kara said. "Plus you have at least three hours before Eliza comes back so it's safe."
"How is she doing?
"Okay I guess, all things considering. She can stay awake for more then ten minutes now." Kara explained.
"And you?" Hank questioned looking at Kara.
"Getting there." She replied before pausing and then saying. "I need you to promise you won't lie to me again. I know you thought you were doing the right thing and were trying to protect me, but that type of protection isn't what I need."
"I promise you, no matter how bad it is I won't hide things from you anymore." Hank said, not entirely meeting Kara's request.
"Thank you." Kara replied before approaching him. She then surprised him by hugging him as she whispered. "Thank you for looking after Alex."
"Anytime." He said back, awkwardly returning the hug.
-00-
"Ms Grant?" Kara asked confused as she saw her former boss enter Alex's room the following day.
"Kira. How's your sister?" She asked glancing over to the sleeping figure in the bed.
"Getting better, but still in a lot of pain."
"Are we okay talking in here?"
"Yeah, she sleeps through most things at the moment."
"How are you dealing with everything?"
"Me? I'm okay."
"Kira, I don't believe in apologising. But I am willing to concede a few points."
"Okay." Kara said not entirely sure where Cat was going.
"I was afraid of losing Adam all over again. I may have pushed the two of you together as I saw that as a way of keeping him nearby. I am sure you had good reasons for not pursuing a relationship and if I had been the professional I pride myself on being I would not have taken my fear of losing him again out on you. I concede that I may have treated you unfairly as a result." She paused then said. "I will be needing a new assistant and the thought of breaking one in is giving me a migraine already. You may be far from the finished article, but you are at least house trained. If you would like to come back be at the office at eight on Monday."
"What about Siobhan?" Kara asked.
"Who?"
"Assistant number one."
"Oh, brown hair? There is plenty of filing for her to do in the archives." Cat said before turning to the door. Just as she reached it she said. "Oh, Kira, I don't know how you are mixed up with Maxwell Lord, but he is dangerous. Do not fight him alone."
"Yes Ms Grant."
-00-
As Kara entered Alex's room that evening she immediately knew something was wrong. She quickly looked at Alex looking for signs of a relapse, but seeing none she relaxed slightly and asked.
"What's going on?"
"I'm getting released in a couple of days." Alex said.
"That's great." Kara smiled before noticing no one else in the room was smiling. "Isn't it? Why do you both look worried."
"I'm going to live with mom, in Midvale, for a couple of weeks." Alex said.
"You're leaving?" Kara asked, shaken by the news.
"Alex is going to need help and you are going to be busy saving the world." Eliza added.
"But I will be back in two, maybe three weeks." Alex promised.
-TBC
A/N: Thank you nannyalberte for the idea of using Luzuno - hopefully I did not butcher him too much!
Thanks for reading and reviewing. Final chapter up this weekend