Seeing her daughter thrash around Kara gently woke her and hugged her tightly until she had calmed down.
When the teen relaxed, Kara started to release her hold only for the teenage Alex to keep clinging to her.
"It's okay." Kara said kissing her head. "You're safe now."
"What if they come after you again?"
"Alex, we are both safe." Kara said, unsure how to ease her daughter's fears. "Why don't we go get some food?"
"Is it safe out there?"
"Only one way to find out." Kara said standing.
"That's not exactly reassuring." The teen pointed out as she carefully watched her mother for signs she wasn't recovered.
"I promise you I am okay. All my powers are working properly." Kara said as she noticed the way her daughter was looking at her. "Let's go." She added as she led her from the room.
As they walked down the corridor Lena, engrossed in a file, nearly walked into them.
"Kara? What are you doing up? How you feeling?" Lena asked when she saw her friend.
"I'm fine." Kara said.
"Good." Lena said. "But you should be in bed."
"I'm fine. We were going to get some food or order some food." She said starting to walk past Lena, only for Lena to try and block her way.
"You should rest." Lena said.
"Is mom sick?" The teenage Alex asked Lena.
"No." Lena said.
"So we can go." Kara said.
"No." Lena said.
"What's going on?" Kara asked, noticing Lena was acting strangely.
"Nothing." Lena said.
"You're hiding something." The teenager said before her mother could. "Is something wrong with mom?"
"No. Nothing like that." Lena assured her.
"Then what is it?" Kara pressed.
"It's Alex." Lena said. "The older one."
"What about her?" Kara asked.
"Her wound has got infected. She is at the DEO receiving treatment."
"She was fine last night." Kara said thinking there was more to the story.
"I know. Everyone missed it."
"How bad is she?"
"Bad." Lena said.
"Where are Kara and MJ?" The older Kara asked.
"At the house."
"Do they know?"
"They know she has an infection." Lena said carefully.
"I need to see her." Kara stated.
"That's not a good idea." Lena said. "You aren't one hundred percent yet."
"I'll be okay." Kara said before looking at her daughter. "I need to see your aunt. But I need to know you are safe. So I need you to wait here or with your cousins."
"You'll come back?" The teen asked.
"Of course." Kara said hugging her before looking at Lena and asking.
"Look after her for me."
"Absolutely. And Kara, your new suit is in the lab. I have made a few improvements." Lena said.
"Thanks." Kara smiled before hugging her daughter once more and leaving.
-00-
"What's going on?" Supergirl said entering Alex's room. Coming to an abrupt stop when she saw how pale her sister was and how many devices she was hooked up to. "How bad is she?"
"Bad." J'onn said. "We think the dagger was coated in poison."
"You think?"
"We are still waiting for the analysis to come back." J'onn said as Supergirl moved to her sister's side where Eliza was gripping her hand.
"You shouldn't be here. You should be resting." Eliza said looking up at her.
"I'm fine. Alex is like this because of me." Supergirl said. "That's why I think there is a cure."
"What?" J'onn asked.
"This has always been about me." Supergirl pointed out. "And Tycho is always several steps ahead of us. He would have known Alex might come so I think he poisoned the blade so he would have a bargaining chip. Which means there is cure waiting somewhere."
"Ignoring the vast number of assumptions. Even if you are right it would be a trap." J'onn said. "And ignoring that part we have no idea where."
"Maybe I do." Supergirl said shutting her eyes trying to recall what she had heard when she was a prisoner.
"Or they are waiting to send you the information." Vasquez said. "Waiting until you are willing to do anything to ensure that it is you and only you who flies into the trap."
"Doesn't matter. If it will save Alex, we have to risk it." Supergirl argued.
"Kara-" Eliza started.
"Alex will be okay." Kara smiled at her before leaving the infirmary.
-00-
"You feeling okay?" Lena asked as she drove the teenage Alex.
"Yeah, but do we have to go home?"
"I guess not. But I thought you'd prefer Kara's and MJ's company to mine."
"I doubt they will want to see me."
"Why?"
"Won't they blame me for what happened? Alex is only sick because she helped mom."
"You aren't responsible for that. And I am sure they don't blame you." Lena said pulling into the driveway. "Let's go into the house. I am sure Chewie wants to see you. And then if Kara and MJ don't want you there, you can come back to my place."
"Okay." The teen said not sounding convinced as she reluctantly got out of the car.
"Hi guys." Lena called ushering the teenage Alex into the house.
"How's mum?" Kara asked as MJ ran down the stairs.
"No change." Lena said. "But your aunt has gone to the DEO to help."
"Is she okay to do that?" MJ asked, causing his cousin to frown.
"She's fine." Lena said. "How are you guys doing?" She asked only to be met by silence. "Your mother is a fighter."
"But she could have been fighting sooner if someone had said something." MJ said storming off upstairs.
"What's going on?" Lena asked looking at the teenage Kara.
"Nothing."
"That didn't sound like nothing." Lena said causing Diz to say.
"He blames Kar for not getting help sooner."
"There was nothing you could have done." Lena said. "We all saw your mother last night and all believed she was just tired. I'll talk to MJ, can you get Alex some food?"
"Um, sure." Kara said leading her cousin to the kitchen as Lena walked upstairs.
-00-
"MJ, I am coming in." Lena said after knocking.
"I don't want to talk." MJ said from his bed.
"Good because this isn't going to be a conversation. I'll speak you listen." Lena said. "What happened isn't your sister's fault. What would your mom say if she found out you were fighting?" Lena asked.
"She'd blame Kara." MJ pointed out. "I mean she always blames Kara."
"True, but she'd be disappointed in both of you." Lena replied. "I mean it, Kara isn't to blame."
"I know." MJ said.
"Then what's going on?" Lena pressed.
"I'm scared. I don't want to lose her."
"I know." Lena said hugging him. "But Kara feels the same. You need each other. Having family to support you is special. Don't risk it because you are scared."
-00-
As Eliza sat by her daughter's side J'onn entered the room and asked.
"How is she?"
"Getting worse. Have you heard anything from Kara?"
"No. Nothing." J'onn said moving to Eliza's side. "Has she woken at all?"
"She comes and goes." Eliza said as the door opened again and the DEO doctor entered.
"Have you found a cure?" Eliza asked.
"No. None of the antibiotics have worked. The infection isn't slowing down. Unless there is a miracle I don't think the director will survive the next few hours. I think it is time to say your goodbyes." The doctor said to Eliza causing J'onn to grip her shoulder.
For a moment Eliza said nothing as she tried to compose herself. She then turned to J'onn and asked.
"Can you get the children?"
"Are you sure?"
"They've already lost one parent without being able to say goodbye. If they have to lose their other parent they should at least get that chance."
"I'll be right back." J'onn said.
-00-
"Like a moth to a flame. So predictable." A voice said from a screen.
"Where's the cure?" Supergirl demanded.
"I think you should be a little more polite. Especially as it is I who holds all the cards."
"Not all. You don't have me." Supergirl said.
"Yet. In a minute you will be begging to be mine."
"Only if you have something to bargain with." Supergirl countered.
"There is a cure. But soon you won't have time to administer it. By my calculations your sister will be dead in two hours. And that last hour will not be pleasant."
"Where is it?"
"Right here." He said. "Behind that wall is a room that contains it. It is attached to a drone. As soon as the door opens it will fly straight to the DEO." He said immediately causing Kara to try punching the wall. However, whatever the wall was made of nearly made her hand break.
"I'm not stupid." He said. "You won't get into that room by brute force. Not in the time you have anyway. But there is a switch to open it. But it is surrounded by molten Kryptonite." He said as the top slid off a huge metal table. As soon as it had Kara saw the boiling green liquid, the fumes of which made her feel ill despite her suit.
"At the bottom is a lever, pull it and the door will open. But you can't do that while there is Kryptonite in there. You see your suit will offer you some protection from Kryptonite. But if your suit touches that it will melt faster than your skin. Go ahead and try." He said causing Kara to dip her hand in. Her unexposed fingers immediately burning, before the part of her suit that covered her hand melted. Pulling away due to the pain she looked back at the screen as the Kryptonite fumes continued to make her feel sick and dizzy."
"I assume you still want the antidote so I will allow a trade." He said as another top slid off a smaller table revelling a syringe.
"I have finally perfected this version of Kryptonite. Once you have taken it your memories will be permanently wiped and you will be mine. Take it and I will drain the Kryptonite allowing you to pull the lever and send the cure to your sister. If you don't she will die."
"I've had enough of your games and your choices. So I am going to do what I should have done from the start and make my own choice." Supergirl said walking to the screen.
"Inspirational and empty." The digital figure said.
"I'm done letting you win." She said poking the image's head on the screen with her good hand.
She then walked back to the vat of molten Kryptonite. Sticking her hand in the molten Kryptonite she saw the arm of her uniform start to burn and despite her powers she felt pain spread through the hand and up her arm. But still she kept going, as the Kryptonite ate away at her hand and arm like acid. Finally feeling something that could be a lever she screamed in pain as she tried to grip it and pull. All the while the fumes and pain caused her to loose focus. But knowing all she had to do was free the drone she pushed herself harder sweat running down her face until finally the lever turned and the hidden door opened. Pulling her burned hand from the vat she waited for the drone to fly off. Only nothing emerged from the room.
Barely able to concentrate she was vaguely aware of Tycho laughing in the background. Stumbling to the room, every step causing pain to rush through body, she saw a small vial, but no drone. No idea if it was a trick or not she grabbed the vial with her good hand, drew what strength she had left and flew to the DEO.
-00-
Stepping into the room where two of her grandchildren were waiting Eliza immediately pulled them in for a hug and said.
"Your mother will keep fighting." Eliza said.
"But you had us come down here because you don't think she'll make it." The teenage Kara said.
"Yes." Eliza agreed hugging them tighter. "The doctor said it is time we said goodbye."
"Can she hear us?" The teenage Kara asked.
"I don't know, she is in and out of consciousness. But it can't hurt to talk to her." Eliza said pulling back. "You can go in when you are ready."
Seeing her brother stand frozen and scared. Kara took his hand and said. "Let's do this together."
"I can't." He said.
"Yes you can." His sister said trying to sound strong.
"Okay." He nodded before the pair entered Alex's room.
"How are you doing?" J'onn asked Eliza once the door had shut behind the teens.
"The children need me to be strong, so that's what I will be." Eliza said as J'onn hugged her.
"You don't have to be strong alone." J'onn reminded her.
"Have you heard from Kara?" Eliza asked pulling away.
"No." J'onn said shaking his head as an alarm sounded from Alex's room.
Rushing in they saw the medical team swarming round Alex as the two teens stood scared to one side.
Moving over to them Eliza pulled them in for another hug. Just then Supergirl flew into the infirmary, her arm charred and uniform still smouldering she held out her good arm, which trembled with effort and opened her hand revealing the vial. As soon as the doctor took it she collapsed.