Chapter Text
Kara, Alice, and Luther stepped outside into the snow covered world that was Canada. They could hardly believe what had just happened. The man at the checkpoint knew they were androids but instead of reporting them he let them go.
Kara only seemed to just now be realising this as she looked around. It was finally all over. No more Todd. No more soldiers. No more Cyberlife. They were free. Finally after facing so many difficult challenges her new family was safe. Kara looked down at Alice and smiled. The little girl had unshed tears in her eyes as she to began to realise that all their ordeals were over. Kara knelt down to Alice's height and gently took hold of her hands.
"It's over Alice." She whispered as tears began to fall from her own eyes. "We're free."
Alice remained still for a moment as she let Kara's worlds sunk in. After a second of letting herself process those two small words, a smile quickly spread across her face. The same kind of smile she'd had when she rode the carousel back at pirates cove. The little girl suddenly threw herself forwards, dropping to her knees and hugging Kara tightly.
Kara smiled and hugged her back, gently swaying her from side to side as tears of joy fell out of her eyes.
"I love you Kara." Alice whispered into her caretaker's coat.
Kara released a small happy sob, leaning down to kiss the top of her new daughter's head. "I love you too Alice."
(A few hours later)
"Well, here we are." Rose announced as she stepped out of her car. "Home sweet home."
Alice pressed her face and hands against the car window before opening the door and quickly jumping out. "Wow. It's so pretty." She said in awe as she looked around the snow covered landscape.
The farm had a small cottage sitting at the top of the drive, a red barnhouse on the left connecting to a large pen filled with animals, and a wonderful view overlooking the town below.
"It's so... peaceful." Alice turned around, smiling at Kara and Luther. "I love it."
Kara smiled and pulled Alice into a hug. "I do too. Maybe after we settle down somewhere around here me, you, and Luther can get our own home just like this."
"About that." Said Rose. "Me and my brother have been talking and we would like you three to stay with us until we can find a place to get you settled."
Luther looked at the human woman in pure shock. "You want us to stay with you?"
"Of course we do." Said Adam.
"But you've already risked so much for us." Kara exclaimed.
Rose smiled softly. "That's what you do for family Kara. And you three are part of ours now."
Alice grinned and ran forwards, tackling Rose in a hug. "Thank you." She said, looking up at Rose with doe like eyes. "Thank you so much."
Rose chuckled and hugged Alice back.
Kara was at a lose for words as she hugged her new friend. "Rose I... I don't know what to say. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now why don't we head inside? I'm freezing out here."
"Same." Adam said as he began to walk towards the small building. That was until he felt a pair of tiny small arms wrap around his waist and prevent him from moving.
Adam looked down and was surprised to find Alice hugging him. But after a second he smiled and hugged the little android back. After Alice released him Rose led them towards the cottage and rang the doorbell. Alice flinched. The doorbell sounded exactly the same as the one at Zlatko's mansion. She quickly grabbed Kara's hand and shuffled closer to her.
Kara didn't hesitate to wrap her arm around Alice's shoulders and pull her into a sideways hug. She too recognised the doorbell but she knew there was no danger. This was a relative of Rose's after all.
After a minute or two the door opened revealing a man with short dark hair and blue eyes.
"Rose! Adam!" He pulled the two Chapmans into a hug. "It's so good to see you!"
"Hey Uncle Henry." Adam said as he and his mother were released. "How are you?"
"I've been getting by my boy." Henry told him before spotting Kara, Alice, and Luther. He offered the small family a warm smile before approaching them and introducing himself. "So you three are the ones who will be staying with us for a while. It's very nice to meet you all."
Henry held his hand out, offering Kara a hand shake which she gratefully accepted. "It's nice to meet you too." She said. "Thank you so much for agreeing to help us."
"Don't mention it. Any friend of my sister's is a friend of mine. Now why don't you all come inside and I'll show to your room. Your kid looks tired."
Kara looked down at Alice and realised he was right. The poor girl looked exhausted. "She's been through a lot these past few days."
"From what I heard you all have." Henry had a concerned and sympathetic look in his eyes which made Kara's heart melt. "But don't worry. You three are safe here. And you can stay with us for as long as you want."
Alice stepped forward and shuffled her feet nervously. "Thank you." She said quietly, flashing Henry a small smile.
"You're welcome little lady. Come on. I'll show you to your room."
(Later that Night)
Their room was so much bigger then Kara had expected. It had a king size bed, a dresser, a small TV, a large bookshelf and a window. Kara was touched by all the books that were stacked neatly on the shelf. Apparently Henry had bought them all for Alice when he found out Rose was bringing a little girl to his home.
Kara still couldn't believe how far Rose and her brother had gone to make sure that she and her family were comfortable in their temporary home. Kara was also grateful that Alice finally had the chance to sleep in a nice warm bed again. The young girl hadn't slept in one since the night they'd spent inside that motel so seeing her little girl's face light up at the sight of the large bed just made Kara's heart melt.
After Alice changed into her pyjamas, Luther picked her up and gently placed on top of the bed while Kara tucked her in.
"Kara? Luther?" Alice asked, looking at her two guardians with tired droopy eyes.
"Yes Alice?" Asked Luther.
"I love you." She confessed as she wiggled underneath the warm blanket. "Both of you."
Kara smiled. "We love you two Alice." She said as she leaned down and kissed Alice's forehead.
Luther did the same, gently brushing away some hair that was near the child's eyes. "Sleep tight little one." He whispered softly.
Alice smiled at them one last time before closing her eyes, finally managing to fall into a deep sleep for the first time in days.
Kara and Luther watched her for a moment with smiles on their faces before settling down beside her, closing their eyes and slowly drifting off into a peaceful slumber.
Chapter Text
(Alice's POV)
"Kara?" Alice called for the hundredth time. "Kara where are you?"
She had no idea where she was or why she was here. Everywhere she looked all she saw was darkness.
"Kara?" Alice called out again, tears filling her eyes. "Kara, where are you? I'm scared."
The small child listened out for a response, biting her lip hard as waited for Kara to come find her. But when she still didn't hear anything after a few more seconds she began to panic. Something was wrong. Kara wouldn't ignore her like this.
Suddenly a light switched on behind Alice.
"Did you think you could hide?" A low and angry voice called out from the shadows.
Alice froze. No. It couldn't be.
She spun around and gasped when she saw a frighteningly familiar-looking figure step out into the light. "Did you think I wouldn't find you?"
"To...Todd?" Alice whispered, her voice filled with fear. "What are you doing here?"
"Why do you think I'm here?" Todd growled as he took a threatening step forwards. "I'm here for you. It's time to go home Alice."
Alice's eyes grew wide with fear. "N-No." She shook her head and quickly stepped back. "No, no no you can't! I don't want to go back with you! You said you'd let me go!"
Alice screamed when Todd suddenly shot his hand forwards and grabbed her firmly by the arm. The large man yanked the scared little girl towards him, growling in her face as he leaned down.
"I lied." He sneered. "You belong to me Alice. And there's nothing Kara can do about it."
Suddenly a small building shot out of the ground behind Todd. Alice gasped in fear when she realised it was her old home.
"It's time to come home Alice." Todd growled harshly as he began to drag Alice towards the house. "And Kara won't be there to protect you this time."
Alice screamed when she saw the door open and tried to break free, kicking, punching, and even biting Todd's hand in a desperate attempt to escape.
"No, I don't want to go back!" Alice screamed as tears fell from her cheeks. " Kara! Kara help me! He's trying to take me!"
"Kara's not coming Alice!" Todd spat as he tugged the girl forwards. "It's just you and me. Forever."
"No!" Alice cried, panicking as she was pulled closer to the house. "Let me go!"
Todd ignored her and continued to drag Alice towards the nightmarish house.
"Kara! Kara please don't let him take me!"
Alice darted her head around rapidly, praying she would spot Kara coming to her rescue. But her guardian was nowhere to be seen. When Todd finally reached his house he dragged Alice up the porch and through the door.
"KARA!" Alice screamed one last time just before the door slammed shut.
(Henry's guest room)
"Alice. Alice wake up sweetie. Wake up."
Kara gently shook Alice's shoulder as the little girl tossed and turned. She was crying in her sleep, screaming Kara's name.
"Kara!" Alice cried. "Kara, don't let him take me!"
"Alice wake up." Kara spoke a little louder. "Come on sweetheart. Wake up."
Alice's eyes suddenly snapped open. She shot up screaming, tears spilling down her face.
Kara gathered the terrified child into her arms and began rocking her from side to side.
"Shh, shh. It's okay. You're okay." Kara cooed, gently stroking the back of Alice's hair as the girl cried into her chest. "I'm here Alice. Just let it out. There you go, that's my girl."
Alice sniffled and looked up, seeming to realise she was no longer trapped in her nightmare.
"Kara." She cried, wrapping her arms around the woman's waist.
She pressed her face into Kara's shirt, her fingers tightening around the soft fabric. Kara kissed the top of Alice's head, feeling her heartbreak more and more as the child's crying continued. Kara held Alice in a tight hug as the girl tried to calm down.
Once her sobs had ceased and turned into small sniffles, Kara ran her thumb over Alice's damp checks.
"Did you have a bad dream again?" She asked, placing her hand on the side of Alice's face.
Alice sucked in a shaky breath and nodded, her face scrunching up as more tears began to fall.
"Oh sweetheart, it's alright." Kara pressed another soft kiss onto Alice's forehead and began to rock her again. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Alice remained quiet for a second before nodding slowly.
"To...Todd came ba...back for me." She explained leaning closer into Kara's chest. "He dragged me back to hi...his house." Alice looked up at Kara, her tiny brown orbs filled with tears. "I called you bu... but you didn't... you didn't..."
"Shh, shh." Kara hushed, knowing anymore would make Alice break down again. She lifted Alice into her lap and held her in a loving embrace. "It's OK Alice. It was only a nightmare. Todd can't hurt you anymore."
Alice sniffed and rubbed her tired eyes.
"Kara what if Todd comes looking for me?" She whispered in fear. "If he finds us he'll take me away from you."
Kara took hold of Alice's hands and rubbed her thumbs over her little girl's tense knuckles. "You know that won't happen. Me and Luther will never let anyone take you from us. Besides I can't see Todd coming all the way to Canada to find you. But if he ever did we would stop him. No one will ever take you from us."
Alice looked down at their intertwined hands, then looked back up. "Promise?"
Kara smiled. "I promise."
Alice smiled, wrapping her arms around Kara's shoulders as tightly as she could. They stayed like that for a while before Kara gently tucked Alice back into bed. She leaned down and kissed the girl's forehead before settling down beside her.
Alice brought one of her hands up and loosely grabbed Kara's shirt. "I love you Kara."
Kara smiled, bringing her arm around Alice's waist and pulling the girl closer.
"I love you too Alice."

verchol on Chapter 1 Sat 11 Dec 2021 03:09PM UTC
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