"You should be setting a better example for the kids." Eliza said as she joined her eldest in Sam's study later that evening.
"What?" Alex asked looking up.
"They are all sitting looking at their phones stressing about what is going on." Eliza said.
"I thought you banned them from doing that."
"I did. But they follow your example. Especially Alex."
"I can't just switch off. I missed something. Kara saw it was a trap and I didn't. It's my job to see the big picture and protect her, but I missed it. If she hadn't seen it I would have been used as bait to trap her again."
"Actually that may not have been the plan." Lena said joining them. "What if Stagg was behind it not Tycho?"
"Why would Stagg want me?"
"Because he knows Supergirl will protect. Perhaps he wanted to use you as a human shield?"
"We aren't going to figure it out now." Eliza said. "The important thing is you are both safe. But to keep it that way, Kara needs you to look after Alex for her."
"You're right." Alex said. "I'll go talk to her." She then passed her mother her phone. "Let me know if there is any news."
-00-
"Hi Alex." The older Alex said as she limped to the couch where her niece was sitting alone.
"Have you heard from mom?" The teen asked looking over to her.
"Not yet. But I am sure you mom is going to be ok." The older Alex said as she sat on the couch next to her niece. "Where's everyone else?"
"Gone to bed."
"You don't want to sleep?" The adult Alex asked.
"I wasn't expecting to be grabbed. So I don't have my inhibitors. So I can't sleep. If I do I'll make everyone see my nightmares."
"You have done lots of work controlling your power with mom and Lena." Alex reminded her.
"That's when I'm awake not asleep."
"I know, but the key driver isn't sleep. It's fear. Anxiety makes controlling your powers harder."
"How would you know?" The teen asked.
"Because I grew up with your mom randomly blowing holes in the ceiling and the walls. And she nearly took me out a few times. And I learned very quickly to spot the triggers."
"Where you scared of her?"
"Your mom? No."
"Even though she could hurt you accidentally."
"Anyone can hurt anyone." The older Alex said. "What matters is intent. And your mom never wants to hurt anyone and neither do you."
"I guess." The teen said not sounding convinced.
"Something you want to tell me?" Alex asked.
"When I was in the lab and Lobo killed everyone, part of me was glad. Not that they were dead exactly. But glad that because they were dead they couldn't hurt mom."
"Me too." The older Alex assured her.
"Doesn't it make me bad?"
"No."
"But mom-"
"Also felt relieved."
"And probably felt bad about it." The teen said before explaining. "I shared the memory of what happened with her."
"I know. She told me."
"I shared everything, including how I felt. Including the fact I was glad."
"Okay." The older Alex said not sure where the teen was going.
"She hasn't mentioned that part at all. I think she's disappointed in me."
"I promise you she isn't." Her aunt said. "She's worried you may get hurt."
"Then why hasn't she mentioned it?"
"Probably because she doesn't think it is important." The adult Alex said. "When she gets back you can ask her."
"What if she doesn't come back?"
"She's coming back." Her aunt said. "But if you are looking like a zombie when she comes back she is going to freak out. So why don't you sleep here. I'll be right here with you. If you look like you are having a nightmare or if you project anything into my head Ill wake you?" Alex suggested.
-00-
"This is never ending." Supergirl said as she and Barry tried to regroup.
"Supergirl, we have a situation." Vasquez said over the radio.
"What is it?" Supergirl asked holding out the phone so Barry could hear as well.
"The other you has just been taken."
"Is J'onn okay?"
"So far. He did a great job of pretending that Kryptonite effected him, but they'll probably figure it out before long and then come for you."
"Don't worry, I have her back." Barry said.
"I'll hold you to that." Vasquez said. "But I do have good news. Reinforcements are coming. They should be with you in a couple of minutes."
"Reinforcements from where?" Supergirl asked.
"That's a long story. And they aren't without risk." Vasquez said.
"Where's J'onn now?" Supergirl asked.
"In transit. Don't worry we are looking after him. He'll be fine. Worry about your problems." Vasquez said just a Barry and Kara saw several trucks approach. As people started to get out, both Kara and Barry recognised the newcomers.
"Wait I know them." Barry said. "That's Jolt."
"So do I. They were being held by Stagg." Supergirl said.
"They volunteered. They are all former heroes so they do have some field experience. But most have no team working experience and many are just after revenge. But they were kind of insistent." Vasquez said. "They are also Kryptonite free and back to their old powers."
"We've worked with worse." Barry and Kara said in almost unison.
"And it is not like the target of their revenge is here." Kara said.
"We may not be able to rule that out." Vasquez said. "Stagg has disappeared. Right now we are following Lobo's trail of destruction and it seems to be heading for you."
"Great." Supergirl muttered before seeing something in the distance. "This is not good."
"Are they spiders?" Barry asked.
"Yes." Kara confirmed. "Super strong spiders." She added as a huge explosion rocked the city.
"What was that?" Kara asked Vasquez.
"Lobo." Vasquez replied.
"What do you want to do?" Barry said.
"Can you handle the metas, on both sides, which includes the spiders? I'll try to contain Lobo."
"What about Tycho?" Barry asked.
"Right now, we don't have time to worry about that."
-00-
"Help me. You have to protect me." Stagg said as Supergirl landed in front of him.
"Why?"
"That's what you do." He said.
"I protect the innocent." She said.
"No. That's Robocop. You protect everyone." Stagg argued.
"Some people can't be saved." Supergirl said.
"I'm worth saving. I have money."
"You think I care?"
"Think how many hospitals I can build." He said.
"So you can fill them with your experiments?" Supergirl asked.
"Fine. I have intel. You want revenge for what Tycho did right?"
"First things first." Supergirl said noticing Lobo approach. "He wants to kill. So you need to tell me who he is looking for."
"Niles Mills."
"And where is he?" Supergirl asked happy that he had given her the right name.
"I … "
"Lobo has a lot less patience than me." Supergirl said.
"Let me frag him." Lobo said.
"Fine. I'll tell you. But not when he is here. Take me somewhere safe." Stagg said.
"No where is safe from me cheeseball." Lobo said.
"Perhaps you should confess your crimes." Supergirl said. "Do that and I'll protect you." She said causing Lobo to scoff.
"Anything." Stagg said. "But not here."
In response she picked him up and looked at Lobo. "I'll be back soon with answers. Stay here. Actually help sort those spiders."
"Preferred it when she was terrified of me." Lobo muttered as Supergirl and Stagg disappeared.
-00-
"Where are we?" Stagg asked when Supergirl deposited him in a small room.
"Somewhere, where you will be safe. For about twenty minutes. So you start talking. Think very hard. I'll be back in a minute."
"Don't leave me-" He started to shout only for Supergirl to go.
When she returned she was carrying Ruby and Lucy.
"What's going on?" Lucy asked.
"Stagg wants to confess. I was hoping you could make sure that was done without loopholes."
"We need someone with jurisdiction." Lucy said.
"Like who?"
"Can't we do this later?" Stagg asked. "You need to get Lobo off me."
"Not until I know you can't weasel out of prison." Supergirl said.
"You can write your confession while we sort it." Lucy said. Before scribbling a name and location on a bit of paper.
"Who is Saffron Bell?" Supergirl asked reading the name.
"Federal Agent. You can trust her." Lucy said. Nodding Supergirl disappeared.
"Don't leave-" Stagg called fearing Lobo was coming. He then turned to Ruby and said. "What do you want to know?"
"We wait for Bell." Lucy said before Ruby could answer. "But like I said write down what you want to say if you want to speed things up." She then turned to Ruby and asked.
"Where are we?"
"Beats me." Ruby said. "You know as much as I do."
After what felt like an eternity to Stagg Supergirl returned with a woman who looked angry and disoriented, by her expression softened slightly when she saw Lucy.
"Now the Girl Scouts are here can we get on with this?" Stagg asked. "Or are you selling cookies as well?" Seeing the glares he added. "Which I would buy."
"Where is Mills?" Supergirl asked as Lucy got Bell up to speed.
"He was based at a lab built in the basement of the County Hospital."
"The basement of a hospital?" Supergirl asked. "You are unbelievable." With that she turned and left.
-00-
"'Bout time." Lobo grumbled when Supergirl returned.
"I have a location. But you are not to kill anyone. Or cause damage. If you want I can leave you here."
"Let's go." Lobo said.
"Have you got this?" Supergirl said turning to Barry who was trying to remove bits of cobweb from his uniform.
"Sure. Love spiders." He said. "Be careful out there."
"Sure." Supergirl said before looking at Lobo and saying. "Follow me." Then she noticed he was smoking a cigar and plucked the cigar from his mouth. "It's a public building, no smoking."
"Public? Like with people?" He asked as he followed her.
"Who you will not be meeting." Supergirl said, using her powers to ensure they moved through the public areas so fast no one noticed them. Soon they were breaking into the lab.
"Where is Mills?" Supergirl asked causing several scientists to turn and face her. Getting no verbal response she pointed to Lobo and said. "He wants to kill you. I can't stop him. So if you want to live, talk."
"He hasn't been to work today." One man said. "He has a ranch an hour from here. He's probably there."
"Where exactly?" Lobo said stepping towards the man.
"I can show you." The man said nervously.
"I'm waiting." Lobo said.
"Um, here." The man said pulling a map up on his computer.
"Let's go." Supergirl said wanting to get Lobo out of the hospital.
"You've done your job. Our pact is over." He said pulling a grenade from his belt and dropping it.
Knowing she could stop Lobo or save the hospital she ignored Lobo and dived on top of the grenade.