A/N: Last chapter. It was a pleasure to write for you. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement. I'm looking forward to next time.

At first, Alex thought the nurse was going to take her blood pressure again. But the hand on her arm lacked medical intent as it lingered, squeezed lightly.

Alex opened her eyes, looking up at Maggie who frowned. She was looking Alex over, her eyes arrested for a moment on the bandage on the other arm. She became aware of Alex watching her.

"Danvers, you..."

"Look like shit?" Alex joked.

Maggie shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment. It seemed to Alex like she was fighting emotions which made her own emotions raise their ugly heads.

No more crying, Alex. Not in front of Maggie, come on.

"No, you look... beautiful," Maggie told her. "Hell, Danvers, you almost died. There's nothing more... beautiful than you being alive right now."

Alex felt heat rush her face and she cleared her throat. It hurt only a little now. "Yeah, I'm sure those ugly skin lesions make me really attractive."

"Stop it, okay?" Maggie went back to looking her over, her hand still on her arm, her thumb caressing it lightly. She seemed deep in thought, frowning. She shook her head and looked around herself. She reached for a small stool and pulled it close to sit. "Supergirl said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yeah, I..." Alex took a deep breath and pulled the oxygen mask from her face. "Could you help me with this?" She handed Maggie the mask who hung it on the oxygen tank.

"You okay without it?"

"Yeah, I think the antidote works faster than the doctors thought it would. I feel much better already. All thanks to you."

Maggie blushed and looked at her hands which were now folded in her lap. "I just did what any friend... or cop..." But she shook her head without finishing the sentence. "I'm just glad you're okay, Alex."

"Hey, you getting soft on me, Sawyer?" Alex wasn't accustomed to a flustered Maggie, a Maggie too who seemed thoughtful and very earnest.

She looked up at Alex, her eyes glassy with tears. She tried a smile. "Just a little and only for a moment, okay?"

"Maggie-"

"No, I... I almost lost you, Alex. I can't just... brush that aside and play the tough cop about it. Not with you."

Alex reached out her hand for Maggie to take. She squeezed and Maggie pulled Alex' hand to her chest. She closed her eyes. "All day long, I had this... heavy feeling in my chest. I mean, I saw Supergirl almost... she seemed to collapse with the weight of wanting to rescue you but not being able to. That was... terrifying. It showed me how bad the situation was. But now, the weight is gone, it's gone." Tears fell onto Alex's naked arm as Maggie squeezed her eyes shut.

"Maggie, I-"

"I don't know what's going on with you and Supergirl, maybe I'm too late, but... I thought I should play it cool. You've just come out, you should explore, see who's out there, but... Alex, I like you, I like you a lot." She lifted Alex' hand to her lips and kissed it.

Alex once again felt out of breath. It was a relief to know that the poison had nothing to do with it this time. As Maggie's words replayed in her mind, she blinked confusedly. "Supergirl? What would be going... OH MY GOD, NO! No, no, there's nothing going on between... just no!"

This made Maggie laugh lightly. "Because she's family?"

"Well, I mean... she... somehow, I guess."

"That's what she said, but I wasn't sure what that meant."

"It means that she and I are close but not in a romantic or sexual way." Alex made a face at the mere thought, she couldn't help herself. Talking about her sister in this way was... bizarr.

"Oh, okay. Well, that leaves you and me."

Butterflies were taking over Alex' body and she bit her lip, trying to be cool about it but, as she suspected, failing miserably. "That leaves you and me, liking each other... a lot," she confirmed and her lips broke into a wide smile.

Maggie answered with her own. She leaned forward, her hand touching Alex' hair. "May I kiss you?"

"I'm not sure," Alex said because she'd thought of something. Maggie's face fell. "No, it's just... I don't know if... maybe I'm contagious or something." She pointed at her face.

"You know, I'll take my chances," Maggie said and leaned forward. Her lips were gentle, soft and yet more insistent than Alex would've imagined. Alex' body hummed with pleasure in answer to the loving onslaught.

Epilogue

"Ms. Luthor, Ms. Danvers is here to see you" the secretary informed Lena over the intercom.

Kara had opted to go the traditional, non-stormy or flying way to enter Lena's work space for once. She smiled at the secretary who watched her like a hawk.

"Oh, send her in, send her in," Lena's voice came back.

Kara still didn't move, but waited for the secretary to point to the door and say: "You may go in now."

"Thank you."

Lena was coming toward her as she walked in. She didn't stop until she stood close and she reached for Kara's hand. "Did everything work out?"

Kara found herself smiling. "Yes, Alex and her colleagues are all right."

A laugh bubbled out of Lena and she hugged Kara. And Kara was surprised how good that felt. It was a tight hug, a short hug, and Kara felt a sense of loss when Lena pulled back.

"I'm so glad. I was sitting here wondering and I was so sorry about... not being able to help."

"You tried... we all... tried." Kara felt new tears spring to her eyes. They had rarely dried up since she'd been told that Alex was going to be all right.

"Come, sit down with me for a moment," Lena said, guiding her over to her sitting arrangement. "Can I get you something. Coffee? Tea? A scotch maybe?"

Kara shook her head. She felt stupid for showing vulnerability. She wasn't even sure why she'd come here, she could've just called Lena and given her the good news.

Lena sat down beside her, taking her hands in hers. "Is something wrong, Kara?"

"No, it's... I'm sorry, I'm a little... baffled, I guess. Usually it's Supergirl who saves the day, but... a detective with NCPD found the cure. She's Alex' friend, Maggie Sawyer."

"Well, even Supergirl can't save everybody. It's good to know that we have a capable police force, too, right?"

Kara nodded. "It's not... I mean... I'm not sure what I mean. It's been a long day. I was so worried that..." Again, Kara shook her head, but this time to ward off fresh tears. But she felt defenseless, raw.

"I know what that feels like, worrying about a sibling dying. I mean, even with Lex being who he is... I still worried about him."

For a long moment, Kara just sat, reliving those moments she felt frightened and useless.

"I'm a little surprised you came here," Lena said. "I didn't think I'd hear from you, personally. I half-expected Supergirl to bring me news, good or bad."

Kara looked up. "I wanted... to give Alex a little time with Maggie. They're... close, closer than I thought." She smiled. "Our mom's on her way, too. I just... I needed some air, time to think."

"Wanna share those thoughts?" Lena offered.

"She could've died." It was the one thought that kept running around in her head. Sure, Alex could've died on various occasions these last two years, beginning with the plane crash that had been Supergirl's first rescue. But on those occasions, Kara had never believed that she wouldn't be able to save her. And she had. But this time... she hadn't been able to.

"But she didn't, Kara. Alex is gonna be all right. That's what you said."

Kara nodded. "But what about next time? She's with the... F.B.I. She's basically in constant danger. I don't know what I'd do if..." Another wave of tears flooded her eyes and this time they were accompanied by sobs. Kara felt her insides give in and she leaned forward, letting go of Lena's hands and holding herself around the middle.

"Oh God, Kara." Lena pulled her to her, hugging her shaking body close. "It's gonna be okay."

She said more. She told Kara how capable Alex was, strong, tough. How her training had prepared her. She assured her that Supergirl had Alex' back. In the end, she just held and rocked her, making soothing noises, until Kara's tears dried.

"I'm sorry," Kara whispered, slowly pulling herself out of Lena's arms.

"You have nothing to apologize for, believe me."

Kara tried a smile. "I guess I... just needed to break down for a while."

"I'm glad I could be here for you." Lena pushed a lock of hair out of Kara's face and her hand lingered as she brushed the remnants of tears from her cheeks.

It was such a soft, reassuring touch. Kara would have liked for it to go on longer. She wasn't sure why she'd come here. She could have called Lena to tell her the good news. And she could've gone to James or Mon-El, both were closer friends, but she'd come here.

A Luthor and a Super, as Lena had put it, not just working together, but... being there for each other?

Kara took a deep breath. "Thank you, Lena. I... you're a good friend."

Lena smiled and Kara had to answer it, it was too compelling.

"So are you. I'm glad that Alex is going to be fine."

Kara nodded. She was sure that Alex would be better than fine, after all, she was in love. She wasn't so sure about Supergirl, though. It wasn't easy facing ones limits, but Lena was right, it was good to know there were people who could help, even if Supergirl couldn't.