Kara almost took Caitlin’s advice and returned to National that day, but every time she went to leave, her heart kept her from going. She wouldn’t admit her real reasons to anyone so she stayed under the pretense of learning all she could from Jay about the Speed Force and the multiverse.

“Look Kara, I know this is all a lot to take in, and I have a feeling I did a better job explaining the Speed Force than I did the Multiverse.”

“No, you did fine Jay. I get that the Speed Force is what gives speedsters their powers. When tapped into you can run faster than the speed of light.”

“Yes.”

“And the Multiverse was created after the Big Bang. Multiple Earths all sharing the same space in the universe but vibrating at different frequencies so they don’t interact.”

“That’s the basics of it. It’s really all I can tell you. I’m a chemist, not a theoretical physicist. So what else would you like to know?”

“Tell me how you met Barry. He told me some about Zoom, but I was wondering if I could hear your part in the story.”

“That is a long tale. May I ask, reporter’s interest?”

“Kind of, but also this Godspeed. He seemed to be faster than Barry. I guess I’m just trying to wrap my head around that since Barry is so much faster than me.”

“He’s faster than me too. Zoom’s sole desire was to be the fastest man alive in every universe. The man was deranged, he went from earth to earth stealing the speed from every speedster. I put up the best fight due to my years of experience, but I still lost. If not for Barry, I would have remained Zoom’s prisoner. He and the rest of Team Flash saved me.”

“He’s a good man.”

Jay could tell what Kara meant in reference to Barry, but decided not to push her to admit anything she wasn’t ready for. The look in her eyes when she said Barry’s name to the veteran speedster said all he needed to know. But they did have a more pressing topic at hand. Finding this new speedster was the only priority.

“As for Godspeed, I can only guess what he did to Barry. I have no idea why he’s so much faster. The only way we’ll get those answers is when Barry wakes up.”

“Yeah, and I don’t know if it’s worried you but it has me that Godspeed hasn’t shown his face since that night.”

“You’re not the only one kid. Trust me, he’ll show his face again. If he really has a vendetta against the Flash, he’s still out there, waiting for his next opportunity to strike.”

“Thanks Jay, you’ve been a great help. While Kara Danvers may be on assignment here in Central, Supergirl has to be seen in National City before my enemies find out I’m not there.”

“You do what you have to, Kara. I’m sure Barry will understand.”

Kara went to see Barry in his room before she left. He was still connected to the machines and although his vitals were strong, he still hadn’t woken up. It’s been three days now since Godspeed attacked and her worry didn’t decrease in any capacity. For a moment she sat down next to him, trying to find the courage to speak.

“I don’t know if you can hear me Barry, but Central City has been in good hands. Jay’s here, and I’ve been helping out. He really respects you as I’m sure you respect him. I know this is a bad time with Godspeed still out there, but I have to go back to National. I won’t be gone long, but I need to check in at the D.E.O. When I saw you were in a fight on the news I reacted impulsively and came to help. I don’t regret it at all because if I hadn’t you might not be here. Anyway, I have to go, I’ll see you soon. Just make sure you wake up when I get back.”

Kara stood up to leave, but leaned down and gently kissed Barry on the forehead. No one else was there to see this action but she felt better having done it. What she didn’t see as she stepped out of the room was a small smile appear on Barry’s face.

“Caitlin…”

“What can I do for you Kara?”

“I’m going back to National now. I won’t be gone long, but there are some things I need to take care of.”

“I made you a promise. I’ll call you if anything happens to Barry.”

Kara was reassured as she flew off for National City and the D.E.O. She knew that she had been neglecting her city somewhat but with J’onn there, the city would be safe for her to take a few days away as Kara Danvers on assignment for Cat Co. But upon arriving she had hope that Winn could find some information on Godspeed.

While she was leaving, her quarry was still back in a place he had made his own safe house on the outskirts of Central City. Practically hiding in plain sight, Godspeed was perfectly concealed as he recovered from his initial attempt to steal the Flash’s speed. Looking in the mirror, he removed his mask. Staring back at him was the scarred face of his true identity, August Heart.

August had been a Detective in the C.S.I. division before Barry was hired on. Initially the two got along and even worked together as partners. Then came the day that the particle accelerator exploded. Heart came in just after Barry was struck by the lightning and did everything he could to save his friend. But the Detective had his own vendetta. His brother had been killed which set him on a quest for justice. He found the group responsible when they stole a van filled with Star Labs medical equipment. Going it alone, August tried to stop them, but soon found himself on the business end of a gun. The bullet was fired, but before it could hit, a bolt of lightning struck him, supercharging his life.

Over the past two years he has watched as the Flash took down criminals, but always failed to stop the group that had murdered his brother. Now that he had the powers to do something, August designed his own uniform and took the moniker Godspeed. From that moment he set out to prove himself better than the Flash, eventually appointing himself judge, jury, and executioner. What he didn’t realize was that his powers came with a price. He found he could siphon speed from other speedsters but not without injuring himself.

This is the main reason why he’s temporarily in hiding as he uses the speed he stole from the Flash to heal. Had the girl not shown up and broken his hand, he would have taken everything Flash had. And he didn’t care about the consequences, just getting faster.

“The Flash better stay out of sight for a while. Next time he won’t be so lucky. Two years I’ve been planning this, two years waiting for him to take the necessary steps to stop the criminals permanently. At every turn he’s failed. Next time he and I fight, he’ll die.”

Unaware of Godspeed’s motivations or location, Kara was in conference with J’onn, Alex and Winn. The discussion was not going like any of them had hoped as the Meta back in Central still came up with no records. Reactron was still nowhere to be found, so they were all caught in a holding pattern.

“So there’s been no word on Reactron, Star Labs isn’t having any better luck than we have on identifying the victim, and the Flash is currently in a coma back in Central City.”

“We’re in a tough spot Supergirl. I know you have a responsibility in your personal life as a Cat Co. reporter, but right now we need you here.”

“And I can’t stay away from Central for too long J’onn. That other speedster I told you about…”

“Godspeed, yes. Agent Schott has run everything you’ve provided on him through all the databanks. Nothing has come back. I’m afraid Central City will just have to handle the situation without you.”

“You don’t get it J’onn, this speedster could have killed the Flash. Right now he’s in a coma and Central is practically unprotected. I…”

“I’m sorry Kara, but I can’t let you go. Right now, finding Reactron and who took him is our only priority.”

“Guess I’ll just go back to my apartment then.”

Kara flew off before J’onn dismissed the meeting. He knew she was angry, and though the situation in Central City did require their attention, he couldn’t afford to have his most powerful asset away for any length of time. He did attempt to follow her, but Alex stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“J’onn, let me. Kara’s not going to listen to you right now. Believe me; she understands why you made this decision, but to her this is more than just a mission. She…”

“What?”

“There aren’t many people she can relate to here. I know because I grew up with her. She has family, but Clark was the only person who could really understand what she was going through until she met the Flash.”

“You’re saying that…”

“I read the article she wrote. Her life and that of the Flash parallel in a lot of ways. And she feels responsible, she was there when he got hurt, but wasn’t fast enough to stop it happening. Trust me, I got this.”

Twenty minutes later Alex was outside Kara’s apartment, knocking on the door. While she wasn’t in the mood for visitors, Kara used her x-ray vision to see her sister standing outside.

“It’s open Alex. Might as well come on in.”

“Haven’t seen you drown your sorrows in a half gallon of ice cream in a while. Want to talk about it?”

“Not really. Was J’onn angry?”

“You know he could never be angry at either of us. He’s just worried. Remember the promise he made to Dad.”

“I know. I just…”

“Kara…go.”

“What?”

“Go back to Central City. It’s not like I can’t call you if we need you. Go help the Flash. It’s clearly where you want to be right now. So go, I’ll cover for you.”

Kara quickly enveloped Alex in a giant hug that caused the latter to tap her on the shoulder. In her excitement, Kara hugged a little too hard and cut off Alex’s air supply. After a quick change to Supergirl, she flew out the window with a huge smile on her face.

“That’s what sisters are for, Kara.”

When she was back at Star Labs, Kara switched into some clothing she had left behind before meeting with Caitlin. Jay was out scouting the city for Godspeed and Caitlin had delivered the news that there had been no change in Barry in the hours Kara had been gone. With nothing else to do, Kara sat down at Barry’s bedside and took his hand. The first movement he made was a small twitch of a finger, barely perceptible. Suddenly his heart rate monitor started beeping wildly, and unlike the times before when Kara felt electricity between them, this time there were actual sparks of lightning coming from Barry’s hand. In the next moment, he sat up, his eyes flying open as a single word escaped his throat.

“Kara!”

Barry felt someone holding his hand, and pulled it back immediately. He was still disoriented from his battle with the other speedster, and unsure of just what had been done to him. But his primary concern had been Kara. She had flown in to help and he was terrified that this new villain had done something to hurt her. As the memories came flooding back he had to rub his hands over his eyes as he processed that he was in the med lab of Star. After a few moments he realized he wasn’t alone when she spoke.

“Barry…you nearly scared the life out of me back there. I thought I was going to lose you.”

A slow turn of his head allowed for Barry to see Kara still sitting next to him. He could see the worried look in her blue eyes and the tense, tight smile on her face. But with her presence, the fever dreams were already fading. It wasn’t until that moment he realized just how much of a calming effect she had on him. Realizing she cared so much already after just a week of knowing each other both comforted and mystified him because he knew that he was developing feelings for her.

“Kara…is it really…are you really…?”

“Where else would I be? Who else could I be? Give me your hand; Barry.”

She slowly reaches out, taking his hand and places it on her cheek. In that tactile contact, he can feel how tense she is, and brushes his thumb under her eye as he sees a tear. Trying to ease her mind he asks a question.

“How long was I out?”

“Four days, don’t ever do that to me again.”

Kara pulled him into a hug so she could hide the rest of her fears and worry for him. In that moment, what had been a spark turned into a full blown lightning storm. Both were on the precipice of something more than friendship though they weren’t ready to admit it out loud yet.