Homecoming (Complete)

Chapter Thirty-One

"Have you seen Alex?" Bruce burst into the apartment when Babs opened the door.

"Hi Bruce. We're fine. Thanks for asking," Dinah said sarcastically.

"Have you seen Alex?" Bruce asked intently through gritted teeth.

"Whoa. Serious much? What's going on?" Babs asked. "We haven't seen Alex since last night. She hopped a train for home after dinner."

"Damn," Bruce growled, whirling for the door.

"Wait!" Dinah stood up from the couch. "You can't come in here all mysterious and angsty and just leave. Especially when you drop my best friend's name without explanation. What's going on?"

"Fear toxin," Bruce said impatiently, turning back to face them. "Some idiot stumbled across one of Scarecrow's old stashes, didn't know what it was, and dropped a full canister in one of the train stations last night. I think we've tracked down everyone that was exposed and given them the antidote but I saw Alex on the CCTV feed. I don't know for sure if she was infected but I can't find her."

"Shit," Babs said.

"Yes," Bruce nodded grimly. "She's already having issues," he grimaced. "If she's been hit with fear toxin.... Her specific skillset could be a big problem."

"Damn," Dinah said. "She hasn't had an episode for the past few weeks. Not since she and Diana...," Dinah faded out, not sure if she should be talking about Alex and Diana's relationship to Bruce.

"Started sleeping together?" Bruce made a face. "I'm not stupid, Dinah."

"And you're exceedingly nosey," Babs inserted. "Never any secrets around you, hey Bruce?" Bruce glared at her.

"If you must know, Diana told me," Bruce sniped. "She didn't want to talk in circles trying to watch what she was saying. Alex told her to be up front—she was worried that her... What are we calling them now? Episodes?" His voice was dripping with sarcasm, "would cause problems for Diana with me."

"Sorry, Bruce," Babs said quietly.

"It's fine," he sighed. "You're right. I'm 'nosey' and would have figured it out eventually anyway. Alex doesn't think I trust her, and she didn't want a secret involving her to reflect badly on Diana." He grimaced. "But we have a bigger problem right now than who's sleeping with who. If Alex has been infected with fear toxin there's no telling what could happen. She hasn't been violent during any of her episodes so far, but if the fear toxin triggers her past, and she suddenly thinks she's found whoever it is she's been chasing since she got back..."

"Then someone could end up seriously hurt," Dinah looked at Babs, worry in her eyes.

"Quite likely dead," Bruce said quietly. "The rage Alex has been exhibiting..."

"Alex doesn't kill!" Dinah snapped, cutting him off.

"No," Bruce said calmly. "But Alexis does. If the fear toxin has pushed her back into her deepest fears, Alex could be gone. Alexis will kill—to protect herself, to succeed in her mission, to end her fear and pain." He put a hand gently on Dinah's arm and his face softened. "You're right. Alex doesn't kill. All we can hope for is that if the fear toxin has her, Alex can maintain enough control to keep from seriously hurting someone. I wouldn't be worried if it wasn't for the fact that she's only recently shown signs of regaining control of herself."

"Have you contacted Diana?" Babs asked. "Maybe Alex is simply with her," she said hopefully. "They spend every free moment together these days. They're nearly inseparable."

"I did. She's the first person I called when I couldn't find Alex at home or any of her usual haunts," Bruce answered. "Diana's dealing with a hostage situation right now but will be on her way here as soon as she's done."