#brianiac

So flying to the DEO, she set out to find him. When she did, she found standing over someone, saying something about how his was superior then them. Kara wasn’t paying much attention to what he was saying. Her focus was on Querl.

“Brainy?” Kara called, slowly approaching him. Everyone else lay unconscious on the floor around them. Kara’s not sure if she wants to know what happened. But she has a pretty good idea anyways. “Brainy?” Kara called again this time getting his attention.

A sneer appeared on his face when he recognized who she was. She doesn’t like it, it’s not natural. It doesn’t belong. “I know you’re still in there, Brainy. You have to fight it.”

“It is Brainiac now. The Brainy you know died when they rebooted us,” he answered, standing with his hands in a triangle.

“No he’s not. I know it in my heart that he’s still there and I’m not leaving until he’s back.”

She should of seen it coming, really she should of. But she was so focused on getting Querl back that she didn’t see him fly towards her. Not until he had her against the wall by the throat. “If you’re looking for a fight, you’re out of luck.”

“Of course. Because your people don’t believe in fighting to survive,” he said with a glare. “You just stand there and do nothing, even if it costs you your home. Your scared and weak.”

This isn’t him this isn’t him this isn’t him, Kara kept chanting as she looked him in the eye. “I may not know the full story about what happened to Krypton. And there’s nothing I can do to bring it back. But what I can do is fight to give people hope. Fight for the ones I care about and fight for love.”

Brainiac laughed and shook his head, tightening his grip. “Your emotions make you weak.”

“They don’t and I’m going to prove it,” she said with so much conviction that Brainiac almost believed her. “Brai...Querl,” Kara said before Brainiac had the chance to say anything, “I know you’re in there and I know you’re fighting. And I hope to Rao you’re listening, but I believe you can win. You have people here that care about you, will fight for and with you.

“We’ll do everything in our power to get you back. I hope you know this. I also hope you know that your friends love and care about you. Know that I.... I love you.” Not the way she dreamed of professing her love. But she’ll have time to say it later, when Querl comes back.

“We’re stronger together then we are alone. El Mayarah remember?” Kara gave a slight smile as the memory filled her mind. Sure it may be Kryptonian, but Kara couldn’t help but use it. It helped her remember who she was, Kara Zor El from Krypton. She can only hope it’ll help Querl remember who he is.

“As if a Kryptonian saying would do anyth....” Brainiac trailed off. Kara could only watch as the fight continued inside Querl.

“Kara?” Querl eventually asked in a daze. Realizing that he had Kara by the throat, he quickly let go and backed away.

“Querl!” she shouted in relief as she ran to give him a hug. “You’re back!”

“No Kara please,” Querl said trying to wiggle out of her hug. She wasn’t going to let go, she finally has Querl back.

“No, I’m not letting go. You need a hug.” I need a hug. She didn’t voice it, she was going to put his needs over hers. She always will.

Querl stopped struggling and hung his head. “But I hurt you. I hurt everyone,” he whispered, afraid of what he did. Afraid of himself.

“No, no that wasn’t you. You were fighting to gain control. You would never hurt a friend unless there was something wrong.”

“But....” Kara pulled away slightly, only to lift up his chin so he could look at her. He still couldn’t meet her gaze.

“Querl look at me, please?” she begged. Querl hesitated for a moment, but did as she asked. She gave him a smile before she continued. “You are the most caring person I know. You fight so hard to be the hero that we know you are that you don’t give yourself credit.”

“But I still turned out to be a Brainiac,” he interrupted.

“It wasn’t your fault for what happened to you. And you couldn’t do anything about it either. From what I’ve heard, you could have died instead of being rebooted,” Kara said, cupping his face with her hands. “And to be honest, I’d much rather have a rebooted Querl Dox then a dead one. Because with a rebooted Querl, it means there’s hope he’ll come back to the person I love.”

Querl searched her eyes to see if she meant it and not saying it to get him back. Finding only the truth, Querl broke down and held her tight. They stood there in the middle of the room, hugging.

“Promise no more boxes?” Kara asked, “you can always talk to me about what’s wrong.”

“Promise.”

They weren’t sure how long they’ve been there, but they didn’t care. What mattered was Querl was back.

“Kara,” Querl mumbled in her hair. Kara hummed I response, “do you really love me?”

“With all my heart.”

Querl pulled slightly to look at her. “I love you too.. and thank you for bringing me back. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t.”

“Don’t worry, I was returning the favour,” Kara teased with a smile. Her smile may have been contagious because Querl felt himself smiling as well.

“I’m going to kiss you now, okay?” Kara nodded eagerly and met him in the middle.