After getting over their initial shock, Caitlin, Cisco and Harry got Barry situated on the gurney. He was still covered in Kara’s cape as they rushed him to the medical wing. There was only enough room for Caitlin and Harry as they rushed around, getting him connected to verify his vitals. Kara and Cisco waited outside, hoping for some news. He stood watching them as she paced, her nervousness evident. Finally he had to take hold of her shoulders, hoping to calm her down.

“Kara…wearing a hole in the floor isn’t going to help. You’ve got to calm down.”

“How can I be calm? Barry was missing for six months, we all thought he was dead…now he comes back from who knows where and saves my life from Live Wire? Tell me how to be calm with that knowledge, Cisco.”

“Okay…I can’t actually do that. So tell me…who put the Flash lightning bolts on the shoulders of your uniform?”

“My friend Winn…he designed my Supergirl uniform. I had him do this so I could honor Barry. My plan was to protect both his city and mine.”

“Admirable, if I didn’t think you’d be wearing yourself thin.”

“Maybe so…but when Barry proposed I began to think of Central City as much my responsibility as his.”

“I guess I can’t argue with that. So what’s next?”

“Next…I hope Barry wakes up and he’s still my Barry.”

“You don’t have to worry about that Kara. Barry will always be Barry.”

“So you’re saying he’s incapable of change?”

Cisco got flustered as Kara looked over at him. He couldn’t tell if she was joking or not given that she had spent the last six months thinking Barry was dead, but then despite the worry evident on her face, she let a small smile peek through.

“You got me Kara…I have to say you’re taking this really well.”

“Well…”

Before Kara could finish, Caitlin and Harry stepped out of the room. He needed to make a trip back to his Earth for some equipment and left as Caitlin delivered the news.

“How is he Caitlin?”

“Physically he’s in perfect health, Kara. Vitals are strong, no signs of muscle atrophy. He responded well to outside stimuli…”

“Like what?”

“Electrical pulse, just to test his reflexes. Although…”

“Although…?”

“His body seems to be carrying a massive electrical charge and his adrenaline levels are off the charts. I also ran an E.K.G. and his heart is beating faster than it should, but given that the Speed Force in his system burns up his energy faster, his heart would be pumping blood faster. I also have to say he’s showing heavy levels of brain activity.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“Difficult to say…won’t know until he wakes up. I’m more curious about the continuously spiking adrenaline. Is there anything that you can think of that would cause this?”

“Maybe…I was fighting Live Wire and she was just about to electrocute me when a bolt of lightning struck the ground between us. At first I thought I was imagining things, but the energy took human form, and it was Barry.”

“Wait…he had physical mass? You could have touched him?”

“No…his body was still pure energy. Like he actually was the lightning. I can’t explain it, but then he was absorbing and redirecting her attacks. I saw him using his abilities in ways I never thought he could.”

“Okay that partially explains the adrenaline…if he was fighting and using his abilities…”

“He was Caitlin…I didn’t imagine that.”

“I’m not saying you did. What happened after…”

“There was an explosion of blue and yellow lightning, Live Wire was out, her powers seeming to be dormant. Then I found Barry, exactly as he was when I brought him here.”

“Well, we’re going to need to monitor him for a few days, see if there are any changes. I highly doubt that wherever he was, he didn’t come back without some form of trauma. You have any questions?”

“Can I see him?”

“Sure…Harry and I got him somewhat dressed…at least into a pair of Star Labs sweatpants. Your cape is still covering him. You’re welcome to put it back on.”

“I think I’ll leave it for now. Might be good for him to have something familiar to wake up to.”

“Kara…you and he didn’t…”

“Whatever you’re thinking…no. We used it as a blanket for a spur of the moment movie night after I met him at his apartment. He was still in half his uniform and I had just come back from the D.E.O.”

“Okay.”

Caitlin turned away without questioning further and pulled Cisco by the arm so Kara could have some privacy with Barry. Before she sat down at his bedside, she pulled her engagement ring off of the chain she had taken to wearing it on after he disappeared and slipped it back on her left ring finger. In her hurry to get him out of National City Park, she hadn’t thought to see if he was still wearing her Christmas gift to him, but now that things had quieted down, she noticed it was still around his neck. While she hoped that J’onn and Alex were having luck with Cadmus, logically she knew she should be there with them, but her heart demanded she stay with Barry.

“You and Clark are beginning to make a bad habit of this Barry. It seems like every time something bad happens I’m the one who ends up at your bedsides wondering whether or not you can hear what I’m saying.”

Kara was joking, hoping for some sign that Barry could hear her and would wake up. That he would sit up in that bed, hold her, and kiss her like she’d never been kissed before. She knew he wouldn’t but his steady heartbeat reminded her he was alive and she just had to be patient. While she sat there, she continued to speak, telling him all about the last six months and everything he had missed. She found it oddly comforting and found herself taking his right hand in her left, while her right hand went to his beard.

“I don’t know about the beard Barry. It does kind of suit you; I hope I can get used to it.”

For a moment, Kara felt Barry’s hand twitch in hers. She didn’t know if he had heard her, or if he was waking up. But it was just a twitch as his vitals remained the same. She wanted to believe that by being there, he would come around like he did the first time, but then her phone started ringing and as much as she wanted to ignore it, the ringtone was Alex’s.

“Alex…you are never going to believe what happened…”

“It’ll have to wait Kara. We have a problem.”

“Alex… whatever it is…can’t you handle it without Supergirl? Barry came back from…from wherever he went after the battle with Cadmus. I really want to stay with him…be here when he wakes up…”

“Kara…you know I’m happy that your fiancé isn’t dead and came back to you. I really am, especially if it helps you stop shutting everyone out. But I’m sorry…we need Supergirl.”

“Tell me where…I’ll get Star Labs to…”

“Don’t worry about Star Labs. I’m already sending you the location. Get here as fast as you can.”

Alex hung up and sent Kara a text with her coordinates. Max had kept his word and led the D.E.O. to Cadmus, but from the urgency in her sister’s voice, Kara knew this was not only imperative, but Supergirl would be an asset they couldn’t do without. She stepped back into Barry’s room, sitting down beside him once more. She really didn’t want to leave him…but after what Cadmus had done to him…them…she needed to see the end of it.

“Barry…I have to go. I know you’ll understand, somehow you always do. Alex and the D.E.O. need me to help stop Cadmus for good. I promise I’ll be back as soon as possible. Just do me a favor and don’t wake up until I get back. Love you, baby.”

Kara placed a gentle kiss on his lips before grabbing her cape and turning away. She let Caitlin and Cisco know what she knew and they both promised to keep Barry safe. Just after she flew off, Joe and Iris arrived at Star since they had both received a message from Caitlin about Barry. Upon seeing him both knew his presence there was nothing short of a miracle and hoped Kara already knew he was back.

Kara in the meantime was following the directions Alex had sent her. Soon she was flying over the empty land where Barry had first taken her to tell her about his life as the Flash. Judging by her own rate of flight and the wind speed, when she landed in front of Alex and J’onn, she was just thirty miles from that location.

“This is where Cadmus is hiding? They’ve basically been under Flash’s and my nose all this time?”

“I think was would be a more appropriate term here Supergirl. Cadmus was here.”

Max was standing there, surrounded by armed D.E.O. agents and still handcuffed. He knew from the glare that Supergirl hit him with, she was furious. Since he didn’t have any red kryptonite on him, this was pure anger without any outside influence.

“What did you do Max? Call ahead and warn Donovan that we were coming? Was that he cut me out of the systems and removed my access all bull…”

“I assure you Supergirl. I had nothing to do with this location being abandoned. He did disable all my security codes, he put the base on lockdown so no one could get in or out without his override. I…”

“Shut up Max. Supergirl, our friend here may be a lying weasel, but for once he’s telling us the truth. We searched the base. In eight hours we found nothing. Everything has been wiped from systems. This location has to have been abandoned for nearly six months. I’ve called back to the D.E.O. for more agents so we can ascertain where Donovan might have gone with whatever experiments he’s still working on.”

“So we’re spinning our wheels then? We can’t just sit around and wait for a lead to drop into our laps. Who knows what Cadmus could create next, it could be worse than what we already dealt with.”

“Unfortunately Supergirl, we’re at an impasse. I’ve got Agent Schott already working on potential locations for abandoned facilities that would serve Cadmus’ power and space needs. Something will turn up.”

“But how long do we have to wait? We need to get this done quickly. I know some people who might be able to help.”

Alex and J’onn both exchanged worried looks. Kara had left them out of the last fight with Cadmus’ meta-humans. They hadn’t had an issue with her involving Flash, Superman and Wonder Woman, but when they found out Batman and Green Arrow’s teams had been involved, they were instantly leery. Knowing this, Alex pulled Kara aside for a private discussion.

“Kara…if you’re talking about bringing the Batman and Green Arrow in again, we need to be cautious. I know Clark trusts Batman, but J’onn doesn’t.”

“Not many do…and as for Green Arrow…he’s got way too much to deal with in Star City. I’m not planning on telling him, but he has a world class hacker working with him and she could be a great help.”

“And you’re sure you can trust her?”

“Yes…she got Barry and I all the information I passed on to you about Cadmus. We didn’t involve the D.E.O. because I didn’t want to expose what’s done there. Especially since Cadmus could have used it to solidify their war on aliens.”

Alex trusted Kara’s judgement and explained the plan to J’onn. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but let her go ahead with her idea. Kara flew off as the rest of the agents J’onn had called for were arriving. Within ten minutes she was in Star City, landing at Oliver’s headquarters to see Felicity.

“Kara…you have my sympathies about Barry…I know how much you loved him.”

“Thank you Felicity, but it’s how much I love Barry, not loved.”

“Kara…you know you have to…”

“Felicity…I know Oliver told you what happened. I’m okay…really I am. I came here because we need your help.”

“I’ll do whatever I can, but I’ve got to say that you seem awfully chipper for someone who lost her boyfriend six months ago.”

“Oh Rao…I am so sorry. Felicity…I didn’t tell you…Barry proposed to me. I’m going to make sure we set a date as soon as he’s recovered.”

“Wait…what?”

“Long story…but I know that you’re friends with Barry. He didn’t die. Don’t ask me to explain it, because I can’t. I don’t know where Barry was for six months…but he came back.”

“Okay…I’m happy for that so, what can I do for you?”

“Max Lord…”

“That sleaze ball…what did he do now?”

“He showed us where Cadmus was operating out of.”

“Huh…maybe he does have some redeeming qualities after all.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, he used a synthetic red kryptonite to try and get me to kill him. Point is, that in the six months I was…Cadmus relocated. We need to know where.”

“I can help with that…but if they flew the coop in a hurry, it will take time. I’d like to bring Cisco in on this.”

“Of course…speaking of Cisco…”

Kara’s phone started ringing and when she looked down it was Cisco’s number. If he was calling it meant that something had happened with Barry and Caitlin was occupied.

“Cisco…what…, uh-huh…yeah…he what?”

“Kara…speaker phone?”

Kara put Cisco on speaker so Felicity could hear the rest of the conversation. Both women were shocked when they heard the news about Barry.

“I said Barry woke up, you might want to get back here fast…because he’s tearing around Star at super-speed. And that’s not even the half of it…he’s shouting out a lot of broken English about you and…and some other language I can’t make heads or tails of…”

“I’m on my way…Felicity…”

“I’ll get on to the Cadmus problem…don’t worry Kara. We’ll figure this out.”

“Oh hey Felicity…”

“Hi Cisco…we’re going to have to work on that…”

Before Felicity could finish Kara tore out of the Arrow Cave faster than she intended too. In that moment Barry being awake made every other concern she had secondary as she needed to see him. From Cisco’s worried tone of voice she hoped nothing was seriously wrong. When she arrived at Star, she didn’t see anyone which intensified her concerns. Cisco’s voice came over the intercom so she would know where to go.

“Kara…we’re in the Pipeline. Just fair warning…you might…”

Kara was there before Cisco even finished speaking. He was still on the intercom as Caitlin had her eyes locked on Barry behind the door.

“…want to prepare yourself for a shock. Kara, I hope that’s not payback for me breaching myself to the corridor when you first brought Barry back…”

“Why would I do that Cisco? What’s wrong…why did you have to lock Barry in the Pipeline?”

“It was the only way we could keep him from hurting himself. Trust me, we’re not happy about it.”

“Let me see him. Let me talk to him.”

Caitlin and Cisco stepped out of the way so Kara could see Barry. She had hoped to be at Star Labs when he woke up, to be the first person he saw. But what she was seeing from him now was nothing like what she expected. Barry had his left hand pressed up against the glass while his right formed a fist and he was hitting a different spot. His eyes were looking downward and as she stepped closer, she could hear what he was saying.

“Kara…what language is that?”

“He’s speaking my language Cisco, that of my home world.”

“Kryptonese?”

“To the ancients, yes…in my time growing up the language continued to evolve, but had been renamed as Kryptonian. Barry is speaking a much more archaic version. Like he’s crossing between the time of Rao and mine. I…”

“You know what he’s saying though?”

“Most of it…some are names…Alura…, Kara, something about a takeover…”

“I didn’t hear names, though Kara. How do you know?”

“Our language doesn’t work on an alphabet like yours Caitlin. Kryptonian works on a series of symbols. I’m going to have to go in there. I need to make sense of this…”

“Are you sure about that Kara…Barry is…”

“He won’t hurt me Cisco. I know it.”

Begrudgingly, Cisco opened the door to the Pipeline. Barry stepped back, while still looking at his feet. He almost made a mad dash for freedom, but ran into Kara who didn’t even budge. After falling to the ground, he looked up at her, but she sensed he wasn’t really seeing her, it was more like he was looking through her until she spoke in Kryptonian as well.

Cisco and Caitlin could only listen to a conversation they had no hopes of understanding. Kara made every attempt to get Barry’s words to make sense and he slipped in between English and Kryptonian multiple times over. Though her worries began to escalate, she did her best to remain strong, fearing that if her emotions came through they would set Barry off. Eventually she had to stop and left the pipeline with their friends following.

“What was all that Kara? Did you understand any of it?”

“Not much Caitlin…he kept going on about a takeover…danger…he mentioned my mother’s name…I’ve got you Alura…he said…feels like gibberish, but wherever Barry was…it was clearly traumatic.”

“So what now…are you going back to the D.E.O.?”

“I can’t Cisco, not yet. Barry needs me and I won’t leave him until we figure this out.”