Chapter Text
A Tactful Omission of the Facts
Chapter 6
Alex slowly peeled her eyes open to the sight of utter chaos. Dozens of people, most in dark tactical gear, some dressed in surgical scrubs and lab coats gradually came into focus. She could see their movements, arms gesticulating wildly, footfalls rapid as people passed from one edge of her vision to the other, mouths wide with frantic instructions. The figures moved in an up-down direction causing Alex to draw the conclusion that she was lying down. Sounds were muted, as though she was deep under water or behind thick glass. Her attention fell on three medical personal, huddled closely around a bed three bays to her left. When the woman, whom Alex recognised as Dr. Lowe, shifted stance and walked around her patient, Alex finally had an unobstructed view of Hank lying motionless on the gurney. It was instinctual. Alex sat up and was already moving towards her boss before the pain from her crushed hand as well as numerous other aches along her torso and face betrayed her determined pace with an audible grunt of pain, drawing the attention of her fellow agents. Dr. Lowe was the first to react, steading Alex’s approach by catching her elbow and supporting Alex’s unsteady frame. “Not so fast Danvers! You need to rest!”
“I’ve rested enough,” Alex’s voice was dry and thick, someone handed her a bottle of water from which she gratefully drew a long sip, nodding a silent thank you in return. “How is he?”
“Unclear. I haven’t been able to make much sense out of the Director’s condition. He was found above ground shortly after the attack, so far we haven’t detected any injuries but he won’t respond to any external stimuli.” Dr. Lowe adjusted the IV attached to Hank’s hand then added, “It’s like he’s in a coma, but I have no idea what caused it, or whether I can or should bring him out of it…” Alex slowly made her way to stand by Hank’s head and placed her uninjured hand tenderly on his forehead. He felt cold, inhumanly so, but Alex had no idea if that was a good or a bad thing for a Martian. “I was just about to set up an EEG in the hope that it will give me a better idea of how to proceed.” Dr. Lowe turned to one of the nurses and added, “Amelia, I want a full blood work up started on the Director”-
“Shouldn’t we wait for the results of the scan first?” Alex interjected. She was treading into dangerous territory, but Hank had never been more vulnerable to the rest of the DEO finding out his true identity. Alex had to stall them as much as possible, preferably without arousing too much suspicion.
“I could hold of, for now, if that’s what you would prefer Acting Director?”, the doctor questioned. Of course, Hank’s line of succession remained unaltered and with him out of commission, it fell to her to call the shots.
“Yes, I would. I want updates every half hour on his condition”. There was no hesitation in her voice, Alex was all business now.
“If you’re insisting on returning to duty, and by the look on your face I know that’s not even a question,” Dr. Lowe countered Alex’s half formed response smoothly, “Then take two of these every four hours and keep that arm of yours in a strapped up and secure”, a bottle of pills was handed over and her arm efficiently bandaged before she took her leave of the medical bay.
If Alex thought the medical bay was fraught with chaos, the sight of the command centre caused her to draw a sharp breath, instantly reminding her of her bruised ribs. The monitors, the few which remained un-shattered, flickered with static. Tendrils of exposed wiring littered the bullpen as groups of engineers scrambled to make sense of the devastation. Emergency torches were aimed strategically at generator boxes, skilled hands working to revive the stilled heart of the DEO. Amongst the hive of activity, Vasquez spotted her approach and moved to intercept. “Director Danvers, Ma’am, it’s good to see you awake”.
“Thanks Vasquez. You gonna tell me how bad it is?” A part of her didn’t really want to know the answer. An agonized look crossed Vasquez’s face before the professional in her attempted to rein in her feelings.
“Twelve dead. One inmate unaccounted for. Director Henshaw incapacitated. We’ve been trying to restore communications for the last hour or so, we have no satellite feed and no internet. Livewire really did a number on the mainframe.” Alex let her eyes drop to the floor as she took it all in. It was her fault that Livewire had gotten out, but she had felt there was no other option when that creature had threatened to kill everyone on the base. Twelve dead. On their own turf no less. Alex blinked tears away before they had a chance to pool and determined that the best way to honour her fallen comrades was to take care of those that were left, then make those responsible pay dearly.
“Has my sister been informed about what’s happened?”. Vasquez’s lips pursed in anger for a moment as she considered her next words.
“No Director. Our communications are still down, all except for the emergency link to the pentagon.” Vasquez quickly glanced around and continued at a lower volume. “General Lane, in your absence, ordered us to keep what’s happened here under wraps. He specifically mentioned that your sister was to remain unaware due to ‘security concerns’ given her recent behaviour”. Vasquez practically spat the last words out.
Alex realised that there was more than one threat the DEO was facing today. “Vasquez, I don’t care how you do it, in fact, I should specifically not know, but you get Supergirl here right away. And while you’re at it, we could probably use Winn’s expertise to re-establish our satellite uplink. Give him temporary DEO agent status, on my authority”.
Vasquez shot her an admiring smile before she gave the good soldier standard response of, “Yes Director”.
A thought suddenly occurred to Alex and she quickly motioned Vasquez back, “Where’s Barry?”
“Ah.”, Vasquez made it clear by her tone that she did not approve, “General Lane ordered that he be secured in Cell 19 until his exact involvement in the ‘hostile incursion’ could be established.”
“I see,” Alex clenched her good hand into a fist and set off purposefully towards the main detention block.
***
It happened only rarely, but Kara knew she had just emerged from a particularly deep sleep when her super senses didn’t immediately attune to the sounds of the city all around her. Rather, Kara had awoken to the warm caress of the mid-morning sun. She had decided to allow it to be her natural alarm clock this morning given she was not due to go into work today. After successfully avoiding the attention of National City’s population despite the glowing moonlight, she had covertly slipped into her apartment a little after 4 a.m. A quick glance at the bedside alarm clock revealed it was a little after nine, but despite her marathon exertions to the Fortress and back she felt well rested and ready to begin the day. She thanked her hyper resilient Kryptonian physiology for the absence of stiff joints and weary muscles, but when her stomach loudly protested at being neglected for much of the previous day, Kara gave a brief laugh at the timely reminder from her body that everyone, even Supergirl, has their limits.
By the time she checked her phone, she was in the process of demolishing her third doughnut whist seated at the breakfast table in her open plan apartment. Unusually for Alex, her sister had not been in touch to keep her apprised of how her research was going with regards to sending Barry safely home. Kara figured she was playing the protective big sister card and had not wished to disturb her deep slumber for another few hours. Just as she placed the device on the table, it started to hum, signally an incoming call from an unknown ID. Kara greeted the caller with a tentative “Hello?”.
“Supergirl!” The female voice sounded crackly and distant. How was she supposed to answer? Cautiously Kara decided on a neutral response.
“Who is this?”
“It’s Vasquez. Signal is terrible ----ccrrrr----at the DE-. -Base was attacked---ssssshhhhrrrrrr. Your sister is okay but Hens- ccccrrrr------ -ultiple casualities. We need you!” The signal cut off prematurely, but the last three words came through as clear as if Vasquez had been in the same room.
Kara hurriedly glanced around her living area in search of her super suit. She remembered leaving her black one folded length-ways on the back of the chair in her bedroom. She reached for it, gathered it to her breast and then went to the pull-out drawer under her bed where she had hidden her blue one. Kara examined both garments laid out on her mattress. She knew she shouldn’t be hesitating like this, that the hero in her should act immediately but she could not help the flutter of her heart when she considered this would be her first public appearance since the city had disowned her. She did not feel worthy of their forgiveness, Cat and she had barely conceived the notion of accounting for her irrational behaviour with the not yet published article and it felt too soon, too presumptuous, to believe they would tolerate her presence once again, regardless of whatever threat had crippled the DEO.
Then she remembered Cat’s words,
“You either take what has dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice belongs only to you.”
Affection for Cat flooded Kara’s thoughts, there was no denying that what she felt for the woman transcended close friendship. She had been a mentor, confidant and most recently her one true champion. Kara suddenly had a foolish thought. She was more afraid to reveal to Cat that she was completely and undeniably in love with her, more afraid of that than of once again becoming Supergirl!
Without any further preamble, she quick changed into her trademark blue fabric, red boots and skirt. She ran her hands through the smooth leather of her cape and quickly moved to discard the black bodysuit which now felt cowardly and unwelcome in her home. The ovular shape of a small object nestled within the layers of dark fabric suddenly reminded her of the precious cargo still concealed within. Kara removed the ring and secured it within her boot pocket along with her phone. She briefly considered how many minutes it would take until someone captured the sight of her fluttering red outline in a camera lens before abandoning all thoughts about self-preservation. People were hurt, she had a job to do and she was going to do it to the best of her ability. Whether National City wanted her help or not.
***
Barry had been pacing the blue-tinted cell ever since he had regained consciousness a little over two hours ago. At least he guessed it had been that long, it was hard to tell with the absence of a clock, or windows. A humourless huff of amusement escaped his chest when he considered this was the second time in less than 24 hours that he had been imprisoned against his will for trying to do the right thing. Rapid footsteps announced the approach of someone and Barry was relieved to see a very much alive if slightly battle-weary Alex Danvers. He stopped pacing and spoke warmly, “I’m glad you’re okay Alex, I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them.”
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for. Thank you for trying. That creature was unlike anything we’ve encountered before. There’s nothing like it on our database”, she offered by way of consolation.
Barry cocked his head to the side and spoke boldly, “Well she’s dead set on taking over the city, but she said she needed the other one’s help to do it”.
“If you and Kara worked together, do you think you can stop them?” Alex let out a slow sigh, “As much as I hate to admit it, me, and the rest of the DEO will be too busy licking our wounds and trying to stop the army from completely taking over to be of much use”.
“A superhero team up? Thought you’d never ask!”
Alex felt a genuine smile on her face, she wasted no more time in deactivating the lock and releasing the door to Barry’s cell. “Is Kara here?”, he asked.
“She’s on her way. In the meantime, we should review whatever surveillance footage survived from the attack to try and figure out a way to fight them”.
“I was able to avoid the ghost creature’s screams by moving between the sound waves as they came towards me, but that other one got the best of me with her lightening.”
“Livewire”, Alex offered. “She has the ability to manipulate electricity, store it and harness it for whatever purpose she wants… Are you fully recovered?”
“Yeah, I heal pretty fast.”
“Lucky for some”, as she glanced down at her arm. “Come on, this way”.
“Should I ask how you managed to clear this with a certain superhero hating General?” Barry quipped.
“Lucky for you, I put in a good word with the new boss”, Barry quirked his eyebrow for her to elaborate. When her only response was a wink, he simply followed after her back to the command centre.
As they rounded the final turn, Barry caught sight of Kara and was unable to prevent the slight falter in his steps as he took in the view. She looked magnificent, every inch the hero that she was in a suit of dark royal blue complimented with a sharp red skirt and boots. And the cape… Barry was staring, but he thought it may have escaped everyone’s notice as the sisters shared an endearing hug in the centre of the room that caused everyone surrounding them to pause in appreciation.
“Kara, I’m fine”, Alex’s voice was muffled due to her head being nestled in the crook of Kara’s neck as she was enveloped in strong arms. Kara, pulled away slightly and held her sister’s shoulders, drinking in the sight of Alex’s bruised cheek, the cut along her hair line hastily stuck together with butterfly stitches and the dark purplish hue of her strapped left hand.
“Liar.” Was the only response Kara could muster, tear glistening in her eyes. “Tell me what happened?”
“We were attacked by some kind of, humanoid phantom, it has the ability to kill just by using its voice.” Alex offered.
“Is it a Fort Rozz escapee?”
“No. At least not one that we have any record of”, Alex couldn’t quite meet Kara’s eyes as she continued, “It got into command, overrode our security and killed twelve of our personnel”.
“On Rao Alex, I’m so sorry!” Kara looked like she was going to offer her sister another hug but Alex sensed the movement and moved out of her sister’s soft grip.
“That’s not all, she threatened to kill even more people. She took me hostage and forced me to unlock one of the cells to free a prisoner”, Alex’s head was dipped towards the floor, she swallowed thickly and swept a bang of hair that had fallen from behind her ear. She finally met her sister’s eyes but found it difficult to continue.
“Alex?” Kara prompted.
“Livewire”, Alex breathed the name out, “She broke out Livewire, and now the two of them are out there somewhere up to who knows what!” She made no attempt to hide the frustration she held for herself with the tone of her words.
Barry saw an expression fall of Kara’s face that he could not read. He hadn’t known her for very long but he could tell her sunny personality and earnestness was all genuine. The look currently on her face told of other, more volatile emotions just bubbling beneath a seemingly mild mannered exterior.
“Kara, we can stop them together. Let me help you”, Barry said.
She looked at him, and to her credit she seemed to be considering his offer. Then she crossed her arms across her chest and raised her chin. “No. Livewire is my problem. We have history…” A sudden thought flashed across her face, “Cat! She’ll go after Cat! I – I wasn’t here for this; she’ll want revenge on me for locking her up in here… And the best way to do that is to go after those that helped put her here!”, Kara was frantic now, her earlier confident poise now lost to worry.
“Kara calm down!” Alex tried to reason, “Livewire’s still recovering from being locked up in here for months, she’ll need to gather her strength first”.
“No Alex, you’re wrong. She’ll head straight for CatCo. She’s probably there right now!”
“Kara it’s Saturday, Ms. Grant won’t be there.” Kara considered her sister’s rationale for a second, her shoulders sagging slightly as if in agreement.
“Maybe you’re right”, the look she sent her sister was unguardedly vulnerable, “I just don’t know what I would do if anything happened to her”.
Alex flashed Kara a no-nonsense big sister stare and said, “After all this is over, you and I are having a serious talk about what exactly is going on between you and your boss”. She glanced quickly at her watch, “But right now, I’ve got to go check on Hank”.
Kara’s face once again filled with anguish, “What do you mean? What’s wrong with Hank?”
***
The trio crowded around Hank’s prone, unmoving form. Alex had quietly asked everyone else with the exception of Barry, Kara and herself to step out for a minute. “The doctor thinks he’s in a coma, but who knows what that means for him and how we are supposed to treat it”.
“How come he’s not reverted into his… Other form?” Kara quietly enquired.
“I’m not sure. We think he was exposed to a massive electrical surge, no prizes for guessing by who”, Alex stroked Hank’s face briefly, “It’s caused his whole body to lock his muscles into a fixed spasm, I think that’s how he’s able to maintain his human form”. Barry was barely keeping up with the current interchange, but he trusted these women to make sound judgements and he felt that trust was returned if they were willing to discuss this obviously very sensitive topic in his presence. “I have to stay here at the DEO to keep this under wraps. I’m no use to you out there with my hand…” Alex drew Kara’s attention, lifting her gaze away from Hank by placing her fingers under her chin. “Let Barry help you. Two Superheroes against two crazed women intent on mass destruction kinda evens the odds don’t you think?”
Kara’s eyes glanced between her two companions. Barry saw that some lingering hesitation still remained and decided it was time to play his trump card. “Kara,” he began, “When we first met I wasn’t exactly sure how or why I came to be here but just a moment ago it all became clear.” He motioned toward her suit, “Then I saw you come in here dressed like this and it suddenly made sense, my vision.” He clarified, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder, “You were the one I saw, complete in your red and blue suit needing my help. And as much as you’d like to disagree”, he quickly continued, cutting of her open mouth to protest at his words, “Everybody needs help now and again, even me. Listen to your sister. We need to do this together”.
Kara nodded slowly, sent a loving look to her sister before turning to Barry, “You’re right. Stronger Together.”
Alex smiled warmly at the pair. “Good, now let’s gather as much info as we can from the attack to get this done! Follow me!”
***
When Cat once again joined the land of the not-unconscious, her head felt worse than the time she had challenged Lois Lane to tequila shots back in their early Daily Planet days of being vaguely sociable with one another. The warmth of the handcuffs securing her wrists to either side of the metal railings which bordered the statue to National City’s Girl of Steel was a prime indication to Cat that she had been passed out for far longer than she would have liked. She briefly wondered if tomorrows press outlets would revel in the images of her prone, exposed, vulnerable form, beneath the defaced effigy. Having a woman whose live hung in the balance trussed up underneath a tasteless slogan about the value of human lives was surely a photo-opportunity in sardonicism too striking to pass up. This was a sight never before which could be attributed to the fire-breathing, baby-eating reputation Cat was more than happy to perpetuate. She briefly ruminated about how CatCo would respond to the belittling and disparaging headlines. That was of course if Cat indeed survived to read or have any input whatsoever in tomorrow’s headlines.
Cat knew of course that her presence under the shadow of the bronze emblazoned crest of the House of El was an impossible to miss challenge to call out Supergirl. The statue was supposed to be a symbol of National City’s gratitude to its resident superhero but after recent events, now served as a sobering example of the anger and distrust the citizens currently felt towards their fallen champion. Cat flexed her fingers to alleviate some of the tension from her wrists which, until a few moments ago, had been supporting her weight in place of her legs. She briefly glanced down at the angry marks the cuffs had made to her skin and wondered if they were as vibrant as the red spray paint that defaced the once striking statue looming above her.
The red pin-point recording light of a video camera became an unlikely focal point for a mildly-concussed Cat and she felt oddly thankful for how it distracted her from the harsh, cloudless heat of the mid-morning sun assaulting her already over-sensitized eyes. She squinted as she followed the shadows on the ground emanating from the camera tripod legs as they blended into the railings she was shackled to. Suddenly, the sun was gone. In its place the familiar but never welcome visage of a woman in her late twenties Cat had once called a friend and beside her stood her ghoulish companion.
Livewire made no effort to hide the smirk on her lips and mirth in her eyes as she admired her handiwork. And if Cat had decided to respond by attempting to stand up a little straighter, to prove to Leslie that she was not going to show her just how terrified she was beneath the defiant stare she levelled back at her captors, the wobble in her left thigh as her feet once again gave out from underneath her put a swift stop to any notions that she was in any position to mount such a defiant challenge.
“Finally” Drawled Leslie. “I thought I was going to have to shock you awake at this rate. What good is killing you in front of your precious alien lover if you’re not awake to watch me do it?” Leslie drew up alongside Cat and gently laced a lock of her loosely curled hair through her fingers as she lent in to whisper in Cat’s ear. “Make no mistake, this will not be quick for you. I’ve spent the last three months illegally detained, sedated in a waking-coma and locked up in a glass coffin all thanks to you and that cheerleader on steroids. We have so much to catch up on”.
Cat drew a steadying breath, her attention suddenly drawn to the ghoulish woman now addressing the camera in what was now evidently a live public announcement.
“Citizens of National City, I address you from the centre of National Park, location of your pitiful homage to the alien hostile and false idol, Supergirl. I am the Silver Banshee.” The speaker’s arms unfolded from her chest and Banshee held them openly towards the camera. “Do not be alarmed by my appearance, for I am of this earth. I am descended from an ancient and powerful clan of mystics with untold power and I reveal myself to you now in this city’s most desperate hour.” Banshee raised a finger to the sky and continued in a booming voice, “I am here to deliver this city back from the brink of self-destruction! For too long, this city’s rich and powerful have dictated to you a simple false truth. That we need aliens with the powers of gods to watch over us and keep as safe! This is a lie!”, she spat, “The only thing they want is to rule this planet for themselves, you are nothing but the play things of super powered beings subject to the whims of their arrogance and self-righteousness as they brazenly force you to revere them for their attempts to lure our trust with supposed great feats of heroism and sacrifice.” Banshee pulled her clenched hand toward her chest in a mockery of empathy for the city’s plight, “This is all a deception! A deception designed to gain your trust and acceptance before their real motives are revealed.” Banshee let her face form a twisted smile at her next words, “Just like what happened when Supergirl turned on this city and finally revealed her desire to take all of its resources and wealth for herself! And what is worse,” Banshee turned her back to the camera briefly to gesture in Cat’s direction, “Is that there are humans out there so besotted with them that they choose to turn against their own kind in an attempt to ride these hero’s capes all the way to the top with them!”
Leslie’s gentle touch transformed into an angry tug as she moved to grip the back of Cat’s scalp and pull her head back to expose the full expanse of her neck. Leslie dragged the index finger of her other hand along the visibly swollen line of Cat’s jugular. Cat became aware that Banshee had stopped speaking to the camera and had turned towards Leslie and herself pointing an accusing finger squarely in her direction.
“Make no mistake National City, Supergirl may be your number one threat, but Cat Grant’s greed for power is just as dangerous!”
Cat turned to speak to Leslie in confidence, “Leslie, listen to me. I know you’re angry with me.” She surprised herself with how steady her voice was holding, “We both know I’m not one to beg, but for the sake of sparing my son from seeing his own mother’s lifeless body on the lunchtime news, why don’t we let your friend here continue this villainous monologue somewhere less exposed to”-
The shock Livewire sent through Cat’s neck cut off her pleas and caused her to involuntarily bit down into her tongue. Cat briefly considered that the sight of a lone trickle of blood as it travelled down her chin and dripped onto the muted blue and grey patterned jacket she wore would have an irreversible impact on her reputation as a metal-encased-in-skin Terminatrix. She was just glad that the electricity coursing through her veins had caused her jaw to lock shut and was now suppressing her screams. She couldn’t be seen bleeding AND screaming on national television.
As her body continued to convulse under Leslie’s merciless ministrations, Cat felt the narrowing of her vision as the pull of once again succumbing to unconsciousness loomed. She fought the black spots, fought the urge to vomit though her stomach was near enough empty having not had the chance to consume breakfast. She even fought the vague scent of burnt flesh as it assaulted her nostrils and refused to dwell as to its source. She was dimly aware of the sparks of light arching between the steel handcuffs and the railings. She didn’t want to contemplate how badly burnt her wrists would be once Leslie decided to stop touching her. If she ever did decide to stop touching her. Cat’s eyelids began to feel heavy…
“Oh, no you don’t Ms. Grant! No more sleeping for you until I say so!” Leslie ceased her electrical caress just in time. Cat slumped forward, muscles entirely spent in their endeavours to co-operate with standing upright. “Before this day is out, the entire world is going to hear you tell them exactly what you did to me. And I’m not just talking about my demotion to traffic chopper.” Leslie took one step back and bellowed “LOOK AT ME!”
Cat whimpered quietly as the aftershocks played out their sickening dance along her weary limbs, but managed to bring her head up slowly to meet Leslie’s murderous glare. Cat decided in that very moment that she was done trying to reason with the criminally insane. She resigned herself to the fact that this could very well be her last day on this earth. But that didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to leave this world without some fairly spectacularly acerbic last words.
“I see your time spent on medicated bed rest has done nothing to improve your sense in fashion…” When in doubt, insult their clothes. Genius Cat. Nailed it.
“Well then maybe I’ll swing by your stylish penthouse apartment and borrow a few of your outfits.” Leslie once again drew up beside Cat and started to pick pretend flecks of dirt from Cat’s sleeves. A wistful smile ghosted her lips as she once again leaned in and whispered in Cat’s ear. “You’re still in Sacred Heights right? Third complex to the right just as you pull past the country club? Tell me, is Carter still obsessed with his computer games?”. Cat could not prevent the involuntarily display of panic that took over her face at the mention of his name. “How do you feel about me making them a bit more realistically… interactive for him? How much more fun would a first person shooter be if the bullets getting fired from the screen were ACTUAL bullets! I bet he”-
If Cat Grant had possessed Supergirl’s heat vision, the look she levelled at Livewire in that moment could have melted glass.
“YOU STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY SON!” The pain in Cat’s voice was as raw as her throat. There was no point in denying her terror now. “Do whatever you must to satisfy your grievances with me, but leave Carter alone.” Cat looked directly into Leslie’s black orbs and croaked “Please, I’m begging you”.
For the briefest of moments, Cat thought she saw hesitation in Leslie’s face as though there was still some vestige of human decency still present in her former protégé. But, alas, she was mistaken.
“That’s what you call begging?” Leslie looked furious. “Trust me Cat” she all but spat her name out as an insult, flicking a lock of Cat’s hair in mock affection, “You haven’t even started to beg for all the things you take for granted whilst everyone else suffers at you and Supergirl’s expense”. Leslie found Banshee’s eyes, waiting for her nod of approval.
This time Leslie laid her right palm squarely on Cat’s chest, her fingers glancing over the undersides of her collarbones. Leslie turned to the camera and proudly proclaimed, “I’m going to show the world that Cat Grant does indeed possess a beating heart… Right before I stop it”.
This time when Livewire radiated the electricity directly through Cat’s chest, the pain is immeasurable. As much as she wanted to, she can’t prevent the scream that pushed out from behind clenched teeth. Just as quickly as the shock was administered, she felt it cease, at exactly the same moment as she ceased being able to feel anything.
Livewire waited precisely twelve seconds before she sent another jolt back through Cat’s chest, efficiently re-starting the delicate organ she had so callously stopped. The human heart, she had learned, was as fragile as the rest of a flesh and blood body. Her experiments with the worthless vagrants in the seedier parts of National City before her imprisonment at the DEO had taught her that this neat little trick as a walking/talking defibrillator would only work two, maybe three times before Cat’s heart gave out for good. Still, the look on Cat’s face of first shock then realization of what had just transpired as she joined the ranks of the recently not-deceased was definitely worth it.
Cat gasped awake and once again felt that every nerve ending in her body was on fire. She was breathing heavily, head fallen forward and once again trying in vain to make her legs co-operate with holding her up. She could not prevent the tears pooling in her eyes as her mind and body tried to comprehend what had just happened.
Banshee spoke over Cat’s gasping breathes, “Cat Grant, defiant to the last. As you can see, we have all the control when it comes to who lives and who dies” She shook her head with a humourless huff of laughter, “National City. Livewire and myself are prepared to rid you of Supergirl and her human sycophant at no personal cost to any of you. But what is perfectly clear to us is that you are all incapable of choosing the right people for the job of ruling this city. Livewire and I will therefore be taking charge of things from here on in. The government, NCPD and everyone else will now answer to us”, Banshee held an unblinking stare directly at the camera, “Supergirl. I demand that you show yourself and answer for your crimes by dying alongside your human pet! Her life as well as your own is already forfeit. You have fifteen minutes. After which, if you don’t show, I will kill ten people for every minute you keep us waiting. Starting with the group of children enjoying a field trip to this park. For their sakes, don’t be late”.
Cat winced as Leslie leaned in and placed a static-laced kiss to her cheek in a belittling attempt to appear caring. “Welcome back darling.” She pinched Cat’s chin between her thumb and index finger, pulling her back to eye level and forcing Cat to once again meet her murderous gaze. “The next time we do that will be just before you see the lifeless corpse of Supergirl lying directly underneath this monstrous tribute to her supposed heroic deeds”. Just as viciously as she had first taken her jaw, Leslie released her grip, allowing Cat to slowly sink into the grip of the handcuffs, what little remaining energy left within her was solely focused on getting her breathing under some semblance of control.
Leslie began to retreat from her shackled prey. As much as her hatred for Cat Grant had been partially sated by killing her for the briefest of moments, she needed to channel all of her rage into the person who had really been the one responsible for her incarceration. Before the deaths of the two women who had shaped her into the creature she was in this moment, she would have Supergirl confess all of her sins before the unrelenting gaze of the world’s media arsenal. Through a CatCo camera lens no less.
Cat knew the relief she felt at being given a reprieve from Leslie’s torturous revenge was only temporary. She refused to dwell on the guilt that she had almost left her son, sons, without a mother. Her actions up to this point had turned an ambitious, talented shock jock into a homicidal, maniacal meta-human. She accepted that her life was now forfeit, but just like any other human facing the certainty of imminent death, she had her regrets.
Thankfully, one of them was not Kara.
Cat had barely begun to process the long-term implications of finally confirming her long held suspicion that her mild-mannered assistant was secretly an all-powerful alien from a long-destroyed alien world. Their conversations the previous night had been amongst the most stimulating and fascinating of her life. She had always felt inexplicably drawn to Kara, fiercely protective of her in ways that were infinitely more complex than could be justified with words such as mentor or maternal. Cat quietly thanked whatever deity had allowed her to salvage her relationship with Kara from the brink of her self-imposed “strictly boss and employee” impasse. She only wished her lingering fear of rejection hadn’t won over last night and prevented her from confessing just exactly how much affection she held for the younger woman.
Cat drew another shaky breath and watched as Leslie and Banshee paced back and forth, just out of earshot. Though she couldn’t hear the words, Cat hoped in vain that the inevitable taunts and insults spewing forth from their mouths to the camera wouldn’t cause Kara to do anything rash, such as rush is and save the day.
Who was she kidding. That’s exactly what the hero in her would do. Now they were both going to die.
Together.
TBC