"Hey, I thought were staying with Steve?" Alex greeted when Martin entered the apartment.
"I was, but your mom was sleeping in there, I don't want to disturb her. So I thought I'd check on you."
"I'm fine."
"You look like crap." Martin shrugged as he sat next to Alex. "Where is Matt?"
"Shower."
"You guys eaten?"
"No, but MJ has ordered pizza. We were going to head over there in a few minutes." The comment earning a bark from Chewie.
"I think Chewie has picked up your mom's eating habits." Martin commented as he petted the dog.
"Martin, I'm really sorry." Alex said.
"For what?" Martin asked confused as he looked up from Chewie.
"What happened to Steve, if mom and I weren't in your life-"
"Alex, if you weren't in my life I wouldn't have survived high school." Martin reminded her. "What happened was bad, but we are all getting through it because we have each other." He added just as Matt emerged.
"Hi, how's Steve?" Matt greeted walking towards the couch.
"He gets out tomorrow." Martin said.
"That's great." Matt smiled as Chewie barked again before running to the door.
"You really have turned into mom." Alex said to Chewie as she stood.
00
Noticing MJ wasn't eating his pizza his sister asked.
"You okay?"
"I guess. It just feels wrong to have a big get together after everything that happened."
"Everyone is okay." Kara said.
"I know, but it is the first time I've really had to think about everything that happened. I mean after mom was in hospital, we were focused on that and grandma. Then aunt Kara went missing and-"
"Mom was missing?" Alex asked confused.
"Yes, partly due to the drug."
"So drugged and missing?" Alex questioned getting angry.
"You didn't know?" The younger Kara asked her cousin.
"No. No one told me."
"You were in Midvale." MJ reminded her.
"But Lena came to test me. Did she know?"
"I don't know. Maybe." MJ said.
"We don't know when Lena found out she was missing." Kara jumped in, seeing how angry her cousin was looking.
"But she could have done?"
"Or she may not have done." MJ countered, also wanting to defuse the anger.
"The important thing is, everyone is okay." The younger Kara said.
00
"You sure you want me staying here?" Steve asked as Kara helped him sit on the bed in her apartment the next day.
"Of course. Oh does this bring up too many bad memories?" Kara asked.
"No, I'm fine here." Steve said. "I just don't want to impose. Especially as you need to spend time with Alex."
"You aren't imposing. Besides it is my fault you were stabbed." Kara said putting some more pillows behind him.
"It wasn't your fault." Steve said before realising how quiet the apartment was and asking. "Where's Alex and Martin?"
"Alex said she wanted to talk to Lena. Matt went with her." Kara said. "And Martin was going back to your place to get you some more things. He should be back soon, and don't worry Diz went with him." She said before glancing at the clock.
"Somewhere to be?" Steve asked.
"I need to go back to the DEO. I promised Lucy I would get some more tests done."
"I thought you were clear of the Kryptonite or chemical or whatever it was." Steve said.
"I am. But I want to make sure I don't pose a risk to anyone." Kara said. "I won't be long, but I can wait until Martin gets back or-."
"Go. I'll be fine and take your time." Steve said. "Besides I am sure Eliza will want to spend time with you."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine." He repeated. "Martin can look after me."
"Okay." Kara said. "And Agents Levin and Fallen are right outside if you need anything."
"Pretty sure they aren't my servants. But thank you." Steve smiled.
00
"Hello Alex. Everything okay?" Lena asked as the younger Alex entered her office.
"You knew." Alex stated.
"Knew what?" Lena asked lost.
"That mom was missing and had been exposed to some weird kryptonite and you didn't tell me." Alex said as Matt rushed into the office.
"Yes." Lena confirmed.
"You lied to me." Alex said.
"Misled maybe. But I did it to protect you."
"I don't need protection." Alex said. "And mom needed me. I could have helped. I thought I could trust you." She said storming off.
"Alex wait." Matt said still out of breath. He then looked at Lena and said. "She doesn't mean it, she's tired. I'll talk to her." With that he rushed after Alex who was waiting by the elevator, angrily pressing the button.
"Don't you think that was a bit harsh?" Matt asked as he reached her.
"No."
"I think the word you are looking for is yes." Matt argued as they got into the elevator.
"She lied to me."
"To protect you."
"I don't need protecting." Alex said angrily. "Mom needed me and I couldn't help her because everyone lied."
"No one knew where your mom was. So what could you have done?" Matt asked.
"Found her."
"And been exposed too?" Matt asked.
"No helped her." Alex said as the doors pinged open. "I need some air. I'll see you later." She added walking off quickly.
00
"Hi Sweetie." Eliza smiled when Kara entered her room.
"Hi." Kara replied moving to her side.
"Have you managed any sleep?" Eliza asked.
"A little, but you shouldn't be worrying about me."
"I am pretty sure I should." Eliza said.
"You've been stabbed. You need to worry about yourself."
"I have plenty of people worrying about me." Eliza said. "Plus I am doing what I am told." She paused and asked. "Who is looking after you?"
"Alex and Kara and Steve."
"Make sure you let them. How is Steve? Your sister said he was released?"
"He's back at the apartment."
"Shouldn't you be with him?" Eliza asked.
"I wanted to check on you."
"I appreciate that, but make sure you look after yourself."
"I will." Kara smiled weakly, but her eyes swirled with guilt.
"Listen to me Kara, whoever was behind this wanted to break you. But you are stronger than that, so don't let them win."
00
As Alex entered the apartment still trying to cool off she noticed Chewie was no where to be seen. She then heard a noise coming from her mother's bedroom.
"Mom? You here?" She called.
"It's just me." She heard Steve call back.
"Sorry, I didn't wake you did I?" Alex asked walking towards the bedroom.
"No, I've done enough sleeping over the last few days." He said.
"How are you feeling?"
"Bored." Steve said.
"Where's Martin?"
"Gone to get some food. And your mom is at the DEO getting some tests done. But they should both be back soon."
"In the mean time can I get you anything?" Alex offered.
"No, I'm fine." Steve smiled before asking. "How is your mom doing?"
"Feeling guilty." Alex said.
"I'd noticed, anything I can do?"
"Don't give up on her."
"I won't." Steve said pausing before asking. "How are you doing?"
"Me? I'm fine."
"Alex, I see the effect it has on relatives everyday. Being in that waiting room is hard." Steve pointed out.
"Well, I've had practice." She shrugged. "And I wasn't alone."
"No you weren't. Where is Matt?"
"Across the road, I guess."
"Why aren't you there?"
"I'm just checking up on you."
"You don't need to, I'm not your aunt. I will follow medical advice." He pointed out.
"Aren't you bored?"
"Out of my mind." He confessed.
"Want to watch a movie?" Alex asked.
"Pretty sure you have better things to do." Steve said. "And I am pretty sure you'd prefer Matt's company."
"No sure he'd prefer mine."
"You have a fight?"
"Not exactly."
"That's not a no." Steve pointed out.
"It's nothing."
"Your frown suggests otherwise."
"I got angry earlier." Alex said.
"With Matt?"
"With Lena, and then Matt kinda stood up for Lena and I may have bit his head off."
"Why are you angry with Lena?" Steve asked.
"She knew mom was missing and didn't tell me."
"She was probably trying to protect you."
"I didn't need protecting." Alex snapped before apologising.
"Pretty sure your mom would disagree on that point."
"Maybe." Alex agreed. "Sorry for snapping."
"You have every right to be snappy. What happened was really bad."
"I know, but it made me really angry and I'm not a good person to be around when I am angry."
"You seem okay to me." Steve countered.