"So no sign of Tycho surviving?" Supergirl asked as the DEO briefing came to an end.
"No. I mean we have his body." Vasquez said as Alex stared at her phone.
"But could his mind be somewhere else?" Kara asked.
"Cyberwalk was connected to you, but the link was cut before it activated." Vasquez said. "But we are still going through everything."
"So he could still be out there?" Kara pressed.
"Maybe. But highly unlikely." Vasquez said.
"What I don't get is how he could have survived even if it worked. I mean you were nearly dead when we found you." Vasquez said.
"He had a cure for the chemical." Kara said.
"And you are only mentioning this now?" Alex asked.
"I've had other things on my mind." Kara said, her tone a little snappy.
"Anything else we should know?" Alex asked.
"Just that time would be better spent looking for answers rather than briefing nothing."
"We are." Alex said before signaling everyone should clear the room.
"You okay?" Alex asked her sister when the others left.
"I'm fine."
"You don't seem it. It this about last night?" Alex asked. "Because she didn't really get engaged." Alex reminded her.
"Some one kinda proposing still warrants telling me." Kara countered.
"Maybe she thought it was a nothing incident. Also from what MJ said it happened right before we arrived and you collapsed, so she had other things on her mind." Alex said glancing at her phone.
"I know, but it just reminds me that anything could have happened to her when Lobo took her."
"Only it didn't." Alex said once again looking at her phone. "Alex is fine." She said looking back at her sister. "Plus Alex is good at taking care of herself."
"She's still a kid."
"I know. Which is why no matter how good at looking after herself she is, we will take care of her." She said looking at her phone again.
"Why are you staring at your phone?" Kara asked
"I'm expecting it to ring."
"Who are you expecting to call?"
"The school."
"Why?"
"Either because MJ has been in a fight or because he has run away."
"Run away?" Kara asked.
"He's feeling guilt, shame and heart break." Alex said. "He was so desperate to make amends Kara said he started mowing the lawn."
"With his ribs?"
"Precisely. Kara stopped him, but what's he going today? And then there's Jess."
"Any news?"
"No. And I'm worried that after what happened he won't trust anyone again."
"Can I borrow MJ for some chores?" Kara asked. "Don't worry nothing that will hurt his ribs."
"Um sure." Alex said.
"Have you seen the video?"
"What video?" Alex asked.
"The one where Lobo took Alex."
"I didn't know there was a video."
"It's all over the internet. You should watch it. MJ made you proud."
00
As Kara waited near the school that afternoon she found herself engulfed in a hug.
"Hi." Kara said, not bothering to hide her surprise.
"Sorry." Steve said when he released her. "I've been worried. Is Alex okay?"
"She's fine."
"What happened?"
"Long story, but she is safe and back."
"That's good. And how are you?"
"Me?"
"Alex was kidnapped, that must have been stressful."
"Yeah, well I'm focusing on the she's safe now part."
"That's probably healthy. Is there anything I can do?"
"No, it's fine now. But I'm sure Alex wants to feel normal again, so if Martin is up for pizza or bowling or-"
"Absolutely, I know he missed her and if you need someone to drive them, let me know when and where. My shift finishes at three this week so anytime after that works."
"Thank you." Kara said.
"Don't mention it." He smiled before asking. "How's MJ? I saw the video he took a real beating trying to protect Alex. I can't believe no one else helped."
"He's okay. Well his physical recovery is okay. But everything else will take time."
"Hi." The teenage Alex said when she saw her mother and Steve.
"Hey. How was school?" Kara asked turning and seeing MJ and Martin stand behind Alex.
"Everyone was treating me like a freak, but MJ had reached hero status." She said, the comment making MJ look awkward. "How come you are here?"
"I'm here for MJ." She explained making her nephew look nervous. "Your mother said I can give you any chores I want as long as they don't make your ribs worse."
"So what do you want me to do?" He asked.
"Come with me." Kara said before looking at her daughter and saying. "I'll see you at home. Alex is waiting for you there."
"Okay." She said.
Having watched the trio of Matin, Steve and Alex leave Kara led her nephew into an alley where she quickly changed into Supergirl before grabbing hold of him and flying off. When they finally landed MJ took a moment to steady himself before noticing they were in the desert.
"You've brought me here to kill me?" He asked.
"No." Kara smiled. "To talk." She added causing MJ to look confused. "Let's go sit down somewhere."
"Why do we need to go to the desert to talk?" MJ asked.
"So we don't get interrupted." Kara said before seeing some good rocks to perch on. "Plus I thought your reputation had probably taken a big enough hit without being seen hanging out with me."
"You probably didn't need to worry about that, my rep is already at rock bottom."
"Been there." Kara smiled sympathetically. "The first time I was exposed to Red-K I did terrible things including breaking your mom's arm. The city understandably turned against me. They were scared of me and I couldn't blame them. Because of what I did J'onn and your mom became fugitives and I went for weeks without seeing them. I had your uncle James and I had Winn, but it wasn't the same. There were somethings I couldn't discuss with them so I tried dealing with them myself and I didn't do a very good job. Anyway a few weeks later Myriad happened and long story short there was an alien prison being used to control all humans. I decided the only way to win was to fly it into space. Only in space there is no oxygen and it was a one way trip. I knew that and didn't even say goodbye to your mom as I knew she'd stop me and I knew I had to do it. Not because it was the only way to stop the what was happening, but because it was the only way to right my wrongs. Only your mom had different ideas and flew my pod into space and saved me."
Kara then paused and looked into the distance before continuing. "I'd convinced myself that what I had done could only be undone through sacrificing myself. In the end it worked out because your mom was too stubborn to let me."
She paused again before looking at her nephew. "Forgiving yourself is hard and it takes a long time and while you aren't forgiving yourself you will have dark thoughts. But give into those and it will end up hurting your mom."
"I said some really bad things to mom and treated her really badly."
"I know." Kara said. "But all your mom wants is things to go back to how they were. But that will only happen if you talk to her and tell her how you are feeling. The good things and the bad things."
"What about Alex?" He asked. "Some of the things I said and did happened before the necklace and I know mom said it was after Jess, but there's no proof she was to blame. What if that was me?"
"If that really was you, would you be sitting here feeling guilty about it?" Kara asked. "We will all take the wrong path at some point, but the right path will still be here, it might just take a little finding."
"I know it sounds stupid and shallow, but I didn't want to hurt her." MJ said.
"I know. Trust me if I thought different, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"How do I fix things?"
"This is one of those cases where actions speak louder than words." Kara said. "But that doesn't mean those actions should hurt you."
00
"If you aren't ready, you can sit on the sidelines and shout encouragement." Alex said seeing her niece's hesitancy round the water.
"I can do it."
"You don't have to rush." Alex said to the teen who slowly entered the pool. "Just stand in the shallow end." She instructed. After a moment she asked. "You okay?"
"I think so."
"Good. In which case you can make sure I stick to the plan." The older Alex said as she started to jog on the underwater treadmill.
"You are doing great." Alex said to her niece.
"I'm just standing in shallow water." The teen pointed out. "What if I can't fix this?"
"Can you swim?"
"Yes."
"So what happened had nothing to do with ability. It was all in your head."
"So how do I get over that?"
"Well, you can sit around talking about your fears, or you can take the plunge. Both have their risks and there is no right or wrong answer." The older Alex said, starting to sound breathless as she kept jogging.
"What did you do?"
"The plunge, after a lot nightmares and a lot of tears."
"Did it stop the nightmares?"
"No. Not completely. Only time does that." Alex said before pain shot through her leg.
"What's wrong?" Her niece asked seeing her pained expression.
"Nothing." Alex said coming to a stop.
"Doesn't look like nothing." The teen said helping her aunt to the side of the pool.
"Just over did it a little. I'll be fine."
"Should I call mom?" The teen asked concerned.
"No, that's the last thing I need." Alex said. "I just need a moment." As the pain passed she looked at her frowning niece and said. "Seriously, I'm fine. Let's worry about you."
"I'm in the water."
"Barely." Her aunt countered. "Does this mean you are going for the talking approach?"
"No."
"Don't blame you." The older Alex said.
"Didn't Kelly make you talk about things? I mean she was a shrunk right? Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
"Firstly it is shrink, not shrunk. Secondly yes she did. Thirdly why shouldn't you have asked?"
"I didn't think you liked talking about her. I mean you never talk about her."
"Did Kara and MJ say that?"
"Yes."
"Well maybe I could talk more." Alex said rubbing her leg. "Sometimes it is easier not to. But that doesn't mean it is the right thing."
"It's not about drowning." The teenager said after a moment. "I mean it is kind of, but it more feeling like I failed."
"Failed with what?"
"Being who I am meant to be."
"Alex, the only person you are meant to be is you. Just because your mother dives in head first doesn't mean you have to."
"I don't want to let mom down, she has enough to worry about."
"You aren't letting your mom down." The older Alex smiled. "All your mom wants is for you to be happy."
"I guess."
"There's no guessing." The older Alex said. "It's a statement of fact." She then moved away from the wall and said. "Want to count laps for me?"
"Sure." The teen said as her aunt started swimming.
As her aunt swam the length of the pool, the teenager took a deep breath and then tried to sit on the bottom of the pool at the shallow end. As water surrounded her she felt her panic rise but knowing she could just stand and break the surface she kept herself submerged until she felt herself calm down. Once she felt she was in control she stood up and her head broke the surface.
"You okay?" Her aunt asked as she gasped for air.
"Yes."
"Good. But next time you are going to do that, how about a little warning?"
"Sorry." The teen said sheepishly.
"You up for some laps?" The older Alex asked. "I'll be right along side you."
00
"Hey!" Kara greeted as her sister entered her apartment. "Where have you been?"
"Water therapy with Alex."
"Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Even managed a few laps."
"Thank you." Kara said.
"Don't thank me yet, she has a bit to go." Alex said. "But she was swimming at the end."
"Where is she now?"
"My place. She said she'd help MJ with his homework, if you are okay with that."
"It's fine."
"So what chores did you give him? Alex said you kind of kidnapped him."
"No chores, we just talked."
"Is he okay?"
"He's struggling to forgive himself." Kara said. "I offered some advice and someone to talk to, but it is a long road back."
"Kara, thank you. I know how hard this must be."
"Alex has been a strong defender of MJ." Kara explained. "Plus he tried really hard to save Alex from Lobo." She said. "But it will take time to trust him again."
"I know." Alex said.
"But that doesn't mean I'm not going to look out for him." Kara said causing her sister to hug her. After a moment Alex asked.
"Do you think I talk about Kel enough?"
"What do you mean?"
"Alex said something earlier about me not talking about her. Do you think I'm hurting the kids by not talking about her?"
"I'm sure the kids would love talking to you about her. But they also don't want to cause you pain. If you aren't ready, you aren't ready."
"I guess. So are you ready to talk?" Alex asked.
"About?" Kara asked confused.
"What happened to you?"
"It was Alex being taken that kept me going." Kara explained. "I was so worried about her all I wanted to do was get out and save her from Lobo. Nothing else mattered. Then when she turned up with Tycho I was so scared. Even after I knew it was J'onn not Alex I couldn't fully accept it, but even when I did what I imagined Lobo was doing to her was so much worse."
"Alex is okay." Her sister reminded her.
"I thought I was going to lose her." Kara said as tear ran down her face.
"Hey, she's okay." Alex said hugging her.
"Lobo could have done anything to her and I didn't even know he had her."
"Well you were a little busy." Alex pointed out.
"I should never be too busy for her." Kara said.
"The important thing is she is okay."
"What happens if Lobo does want to hurt her or worse? How do I stop that?"
"Right now there is a contract that stops that." Alex reminded her. "In the mean time we will figure out how to stop Lobo."
"There is no stopping Lobo."
"There'll be a way to stop Lobo." Alex said. "And we will work on it together."
"Thank you." Kara said leaning against her sister. After a moment she asked. "How are you doing?"
"I just wish I could take MJ's pain away."
"What about your pain?"
"My leg is healing."
"Not the pain I was talking about."
"I'm okay." Alex said.
"You don't sound it." Kara pointed out.
"I'm not upset by what MJ said. I'm upset that he was right."
"What are you talking about?"
"I have neglected him and I do compare him with Kara. And I may have pointed out a few times his grades were not as good as Alex's."
"Okay, but none of that really matters. What matters is you are his mom. And he knows that."
00
"Hey. What have you been up to?" Kara asked when her daughter finally returned to her apartment that evening.
"Helping MJ study and this." The teenage Alex said handing her mother a notebook.
"What's this." Kara said taking it.
"A record of everything that happened on Dakran. The stuff after MJ arrived maybe more accurate as he could add stuff in. Although I think he was getting bored so he summarised everything on the front inside cover." The teen said causing Kara to open the notebook and see the words, in MJ's handwriting.
"She missed you."
"Why have you made this?" Kara asked looking up at her daughter.
"Because you were mad at me for not telling you everything. And I don't want you to be mad at me."
"I'm not mad at you."
"You sounded pretty mad the other night."
"In my defence your cousins told me you had got engaged."
"I hadn't." The teen repeated.
"I know. But the truth is I think I got a little jealous on Dakran."
"Of what?"
"How close you were getting to everyone. You were able to do the whole telepath thing with them and I guess I felt a little left out."
"You told me to spend time with them." The teen said confused.
"Because you need to. But that doesn't mean I didn't feel left out."
"Well if it makes you feel better I would have preferred exploring Dakran with you."
"It does, so much." Kara said hugging her.
When she was finally released the teen said. "I'm going to bed, enjoy reading everything."
"I don't need to read this." Kara said. "Just tell me is there anything I should know?"
"Just that I missed you."
"I missed you too." Kara said.