Work Text:
After returning the Myriad to Alex, Lena uses her watch to return to the Fortress. She asks Kelex for any information she could use about the Phantom Zone to be written on a drive she brought with her. She thought about telling it to Alex before, but there is too much hurt in Alex's eyes. Hurt that just as much resides in her own. But as long as she cannot see it, she can use it to her advantage. To bury herself in the data and find a way to get Kara back.
Lena spends three days in her lab, still dressed in the same clothes trying to make a translation algorithm. She's barely able to stand; dark circles under her eyes enhance the trepidation when Alex announces herself. "Hey." Lena whips around, and the motion leaves her dizzy. Alex notices her condition and rushes forward to steady her. "You need to sleep. And eat." she says. "No, I need to finish this algorithm, so I could finally get through the information about the Phantom Zone." Lena argues and turns back to her station.
Alex steps up beside her. "You're no use to Kara if you pass out." That got Lena's attention, but she remains at her place. "Brainy is already working on the algorithm. He said that it will be finished by morning." Alex continues, hoping to get a reaction, and she smiles when Lena sighs, looking at her. "Shouldn't he be repairing himself?" Lena asks. "He said, and I quote, - I need to exercise my higher brain functions, for the repair to be more efficient." Alex says, grinning. "You can start working in the morning, but you need to get home, eat and sleep now, Lena."
Lena's eyes mist over. "Why do you care?" she asks. "You never really liked me, and you always wanted me to stay away from Kara."
Alex shakes her head. "That's not true. At first, yes, but then I saw what Kara had seen in you." she starts. "When you turned against her, I wanted to kill you myself." her tone is the same throughout, like trying to assuage the fears of a trapped wild animal. She watches as Lena smirks, gears turning but remaining stubborn. Alex straightens herself, her voice turning serious. "I know whatever I say won't undo everything. So, I have two reasons for you, chose whichever you like." and Lena watches her with keen eyes. "The logical one says that despite our combined efforts at the DEO and J'onn's contact, you're Kara's best shot to figure out how to reach her. And the emotional one says that Kara would never forgive me if I'd let you work yourself to the ground."
Lena nods. "All right. I'll go in a few minutes."
Alex grabs her arm. "Oh, no. You're leaving now. I'm taking you home." Lena tries to argue, but Alex is having none of it. She drives Lena home, and accompanies Lena up to her loft.
"I'm here; you can go now." Lena tries to dismiss Alex. "No. Sit, eat." Alex orders, and Lena is too tired to argue further and munches her way through the chicken sandwich Alex brought with her. When she is finished, she looks at the older Danvers. "What's next?"
"You go shower. Then retire to sleep. I'm not leaving until I'm sure you'll get your sleep." Alex says firmly. Lena squints at her, waiting for whatever Alex is holding back. "I'm not a child who needs babysitting." Lena says. "You're acting like one." Alex rebukes, but she changes her tone. "I know how stubborn you can be and how you can close yourself off from the world while you're trying to solve a problem. But you're also a businesswoman, so, here the deal." Alex says, looking stern at Lena. "Whatever help you need from us, you have it, but we also have to do our job at the DEO. Brainy or I can help you, you just have to call." she starts, and she stomps down a satisfied smirk when Lena nods at her suggestion. Hook, line and sinker. Lena feels that it is only one side of the equation. "And in turn?"
"You'll eat three times a day," Alex begins, but Lena interjects. "Two."
"Fine. And you'll sleep at least 7 hours a day." and this time, Alex waits for Lena to argue "Four." Alex shakes her head. "Six, final offer." Alex says, and Lena nods. "You're annoying and overbearing. I have no idea why Kara is so attached to you." Lena notes sarcasm painting her tone as she stands to have her shower. "It's called tough love." Alex responds and stops Lena. "Give me your phone."
"Why?"
"So, I can call Sam."
"Why do we need Sam?" Lena asks, not understanding Alex's demand.
"Because your corporation is going to flip on its head and collapse if you stay in your labs a few days longer. And nobody wants that." Alex reasons, but she is already typing on Lena's phone. Lena stills thinking through what she'd just heard. In her blind quest, she forgot about Luthor Corp and had it not been the foundation of her research equipment, she wouldn't care about it. "Thank you." Lena whispers, but Alex just shoos her away.
In 15 minutes, Alex is ready to make her leave, Lena finally succumbed to her fatigue. "I'll take care of her, sis." she whispers as she closes the door.
It takes 3 and a half months to make sense of the Phantom Zone in combination with the transmatter portal. Lena needs an additional two weeks to make it work. While she waits for the final test runs, she ponders about the past months. When Alex is busy, which is most of the time, Nia arrives with her food. She is naïve, but she tries to bring sunshine to her lair of wonders - as Nia calls it - with her bubbly personality. In the peculiar family structure of the "Superfriends" Lena supposes she is the youngest niece. Brainy is definitely the weird uncle or the weird boyfriend of Nia's. His visits push forward Lena's experiments.
Sam crashed back into her life. Without any word, she took over her job, bringing over paperwork whenever it was needed and annoyed the hell out of her like a little sister would. And just as a loving sibling, Sam is always there for her to listen if needed. Lena mostly hears on the news J'onn fly by when Supergirl needs to make an appearance. Once in a week, he accompanies her on the way home when Sam complains about Lena spending more time in the labs than she is supposed to. His presence evokes a gentle, soothing feeling in Lena, his "dad energy" – Nia's words, not hers – shining through, calming her senses. Lena found herself a liking to M'gann. Every month Sam makes her attend a press conference. M'gann poses as Supergirl beside her in support of that Lena's new lead over the corporation is to do good. At least she knows how to pose as Kara, unlike J'onn. Not that she could blame him. She is quiet, and her gaze is reassuring behind Supergirl's mask when Lena's voice waivers during speeches.
And Alex is Alex, the true big sister. Lena disregarded their agreement about her schedule once. The next night Alex trotted in and hauled Lena home by her arm. She posted two armed men outside her front door. Lena thought that they wouldn't hurt her, so as soon as she saw Alex drive away, she tried going back to her lab. The guards actually shot her. She slept 10 hours straight, waking up filled with energy. She wasn't counting for tranquillizers. A week later, Lena asked Alex if they could change up their agreement. She'd work 36 hours, and then sleep 12 with the help of whatever that was in that tranquillizer. Alex almost slapped Lena but settled on flicking her finger at her forehead and gave a lecture about addiction. Then Alex sent Kelly over every day for a week to discuss her mental state. Lena never tried that tactic again. While the test is at 97 %, Lena wonders what her role is in that family, if she is even included in it. But all of them are sitting around her lab, waiting for the first run.
Opening a portal to the Phantom Zone is not something to be trifled with. Unknown enemies could pop out at any moment, and everyone agreed that the portal should be guarded. The ping on Lena's computer has everyone jump.
Lena stands and announces. "The portal is ready. I'll open it and send the probe through."
The group surrounds the portal, ready for anything. At the same time, Lena is seated not far away from them, watching the feed and the probe's incoming data. "We're in. It's the Zone. The data is … I've never seen or thought anything like this." she explains. "I can't see anything around the probe." she tries to alleviate the tension in the group, but they remain vigilant. The battery quickly drains, and Lena has to pull the probe back manually with the attached tether, and she closes the portal. Smile adorn the faces around—finally, a success. The chances to get Kara back are now within a realistic region, still below 15% given the vastness of the Zone, but the number is not starting with zero. And it gives hope to all of them.
Lena spends a week with various combination of the group to make more test flies, gathering information so she could build a suit withstanding the effects of the Phantom Zone. The suit proves to be effective though not to the extent to which Lena hoped. One hour and forty-seven minute is the limit. Afterwards, she has to come back and spend a few hours lying down and even fall to sleep as the Zone drains her energy. Alex allows only one flight per day. And given Lena's argument that she is the only one reasonable to fly it – the one who least matters if they lose, Lena reasoned with herself – allows only a narrow window to search for Kara.
On the 58th day, Lena shouts into the comm. "Pull me back!" and J'onn and Alex scramble to the tether while M'gann is standing guard. At the end of the line, Lena hauls an unconscious Kara in her arms. The surprise of Kara's return stops every motion in the lab. Lena has the wherewithal to close the portal and order the others around. "J'onn bring Kara to the bed, Alex turn on the lamps!"
Alex is checking Kara's vitals by the time Lena could remove the suit with M'gann's help. "She is drained." Alex tells Lena, but before she could continue, Kara awakes. She takes in her surroundings and notices Alex and Lena. Kara smiles and reaches for Alex while gazing into Lena's eyes on the other side of the bed. "Hey." she says groggily, then turns to Alex. "Just turn off the lamps. I need to sleep." she says.
"You can sleep under sunlight." Alex berates, but Kara disagrees with her. "I know myself Alex. This is not a comfy bed, and I need to sleep deeply. I'll bathe in sunlight for a week after that." she says, then pleads. "Please, Alex."
Alex purses her lips, thinking through her options. "She can sleep in my loft." Lena offers. "I can keep an eye on her, and I have a guest room." Alex knows it's the best option, and she is comfortable with leaving Kara in Lena's care. It's just she'd want to be around Kara. Alex nods, and with the help of the Martians, they quickly make way to Lena's. Fortunately, Kara is awake just enough for Alex to put her into loose pajamas by herself before she blacks out on Lena's bed, lying on her stomach.
Alex quietly steps out of the room. "Are you sure?" she asks.
"Yes, the bed is big enough for both of us. I can sit beside Kara and work while monitoring her status." Lena says reassuringly. "If she is not making a burrito out of herself, then I'll open the blinders so she could get some sun."
Alex nods, biting her lips. The events of the past 30 minutes came crashing down on her. She wipes her tears and steps closer to Lena, looking into her eyes. "Thank you. I couldn't have …" Alex falters, and Lena pulls her into a hug, which Alex gladly accepts. The hug resembles too much of Kara, and Lena makes a mental note that Alex is the source of the famous Danvers hug despite the hard exterior. Alex releases her and nods to Lena, making her way to the door with J'onn and M'gann in her wake. "I’ll text you when she awakes.” Lena promises to Alex, noting the longing in the older woman.
Kara sleeps through the day and night, barely stirring. Lena settles herself beside her, only leaving when it is absolutely necessary. She planned to work, but Kara’s presence after so long derails her attempts. Six and a half months she tried everything in her power to get to Kara, and now she is here. It is a lot to process, and Lena spends the day cataloging every detail, no matter how minuscule, just in case she wakes up, and this turns out to be a dream. There is still no sign of Kara’s consciousness in the morning, and Lena leaves the room to the kitchen. At the isle, she has a vantage point in case there is a change. When Kara groans and turns to her back, her arms shielding the incoming sun, she sets out to make breakfast, or rather a brunch as it’s around 10 am.
Kara awakes, sleep still heavy on her mind, slowing down her body and thought process. She looks around to assess her whereabouts. The sleek design of the room reminds her of Lena. She sits up, squinting, trying to take in the details of the room, but it doesn’t seem to be different from her previous hallucinations. Kara wonders how this one will turn out. These are the ones she loathes the most. The possibilities that give her hope and usually taken away at the end in the most gruesome ways. She looks down on herself wearing an MIT tank top – Lena’s – and sleeping shorts – hers. At least she is not naked. Gathering up her strength, she stumbles out of bed, trying to stay as quiet as possible and slowly approaches the open bedroom door. She notices a noise coming from that direction, nothing alarming, just the regular clinking of kitchen wares. There is something in the back of her mind that tingles. The smell. She doesn’t remember that any of her hallucinations included fragrances. The strands of bacon and baked pastries scent beckon her closer to the door. Kara is wary about what she’ll found.
The sight of Lena busy over the stove occurred at least 6 times before. Ten pancakes are stacked upon each other in perfect overlap on the plate beside Lena, and she’d just pulled the bacon off the stove when she notices Kara standing in the bedroom door. Lena turns fully to her, her smile bright. “Good morning, sleepyhead.” greeting her, her tone sweet and caring.
Kara stammers, and she slowly approaches Lena, but she keeps her distance. It’s not the first time she had a dream like this, where Lena greets her with a smile. It varies whether they are still in bed, or Lena is in the kitchen getting ready for work or, like this, making breakfast. Kara takes note of the differences compared to her usual hallucinations. Lena is dressed down to a degree she’d rarely seen, wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt. Her hair is pulled up to a messy bun, and there is no sight of any makeup. Greetings are followed by a hug or a kiss based on her previous experience, but now Lena is standing awkwardly by the kitchen island, one hand leaning on it, the other is fidgeting. This is a new one, Kara summarizes. “Where am I?” she asks timidly, her voice sandy.
Lena takes in a quick breath in fear that Kara might suffer from amnesia, but she stomps it down. Stay strong. “In my loft.” she says. “Yesterday, I pulled you out of the Phantom Zone. Don’t you remember?” Lena explains.
Kara’s breath hitches. Could this be real? Her hands shake as she lifts it to cover her mouth and looks around, still standing in one place. There is a plant withering in the corner, papers strewn across the couch, a small statuette that was on the center shelf of books is missing. All the little things that stand out from the previous visions of perfection. “How long?” Kara manages to ask, barely believing that this time, she really might not be in the Zone, that they managed to free her.
Lena makes a small step forward. “Today is day 173. You’ve slept for 20 hours after you got back.” and her voice breaks a little, tear welling up in her eyes. She watches as realization dawns on Kara, everything sliding in place. Lena reacts quickly as Kara sways a little, her lips trembling and reaching for Lena. There is no hesitation in either of them. Lena moves forward and envelops Kara in a warm hug while the Kryptonian clings to her, hands reaching up to Lena’s shoulders. Kara releases a loud sob and begins to cry, burying her face in the crook of Lena’s neck, and both pull the other as close as possible. It takes a few minutes for Kara to tamper her crying, and she leans back to take a closer look at Lena, but the CEO steps aside, trying to guide Kara to the balcony. She’d already set up everything for Kara’s breakfast.
Kara basks in the sunlight for the minute Lena goes back, and her smile is almost as bright as the sun when Lena arrives with a tray packed with food. Kara digs in quickly, taking two pancakes to her plate and dosing it heavy with syrup. Lena smiles at her fondly then takes out her phone. “I’ll text Alex that you’re awake.” Lena tells Kara, and Kara hums in response. “The question is whether you’d want to meet your sister first and have the entourage arrive a bit later, or have everyone here in one go?” Lena asks.
Kara gulps down her bit of pancake and stack another 2 on her plate. “In one go. Alex will tear my face down. I’ll rather have her do it while the others are listening in. That way, I only get one hell of a scolding.” Kara explains. Then looks up at Lena. “Hopefully?” she adds.
Lena is trying to maintain a straight face as long as possible, while Kara reinforces her puppy stare. “Won’t you mind Alex telling you off first thing in the morning?” Lena asks.
Kara dismisses the notion. “Nay. If she wouldn’t do it, I’d think that she’d been abducted, and a shapeshifter took her place. Now, that would be disconcerting.” Kara says, but she is beginning to be worried that Lena still hasn’t answered her question.
Lena shakes her head. “Having Alex to deal with you will most definitely quench my thirst to berate you for your foolish decision.” Lena says, and this time she adds a smile. Kara bumps her fist in the air. “Yes!”
“So, when are they coming?” Kara asks after a few bites. “When would you like them to arrive?” Lena quickly replies. “Oh. An hour? I’d like to eat the rest without rushing. And have a shower.” Lena nods at her answer, then she waits until Kara’s mouth is stuffed with pancakes to take a picture with her phone.
“Hey! That’s not fair!” Kara whines, but there is no real hurt behind her voice.
“Alex is worried. A picture of you showing that you’re awake, eating well on your own while taking a sunbath will appease her worry.” Lena explains, then puts down her phone on the table and begins to slice up a pear for herself.
Kara glances over between bites to take in Lena sitting across her. When she hugged her, something was amiss, and now she realizes. Lena looks too skinny for her. Kara suspects it’s the past six or so months that had taken a toll on her, but Alex would’ve looked after her, wouldn’t she? “You already had breakfast?” Kara tries to confirm her suspicion.
Lena stammers for a bit and replies courtly. “Yes.”
Kara sits back, her gaze scrutinizing and Lena wonders if Kara is tuned on her heartbeat. Little did she know that Kara doesn’t have her powers back yet with her appetite. “What have you eaten for breakfast?”
Lena closes her eyes. It’s only been what, 5 minutes? “Coffee.”
Kara snaps and slams her hands on the table. She snatches two pancakes and drops them on Lena’s plate. “Lena Kieran Luthor, you will not leave this table until you’ve eaten a hearty breakfast!” Kara exclaims. When Lena doesn’t move, pointing at her with her fork, she adds. “Or I tell my sister.”
Lena rolls her eyes. “Fine.”
They spend the breakfast without a word, just sitting contently in each other presence. As expected, Alex bursts through Lena’s door slams a bag stuffed with Kara’s clothes into Lena’s arms and heads straight for Kara. She hugs her, then grabs her arm and leads Kara to the main bedroom. The Superfriends tail behind Alex, and the kitchen fills with awkward glances as Alex’s voice boom through the closed door.
The group disperses the same way as they arrived, agreeing that Kara needs to rest. Kara is overwhelmed by her return. It felt nice to be around her friends, but her mind is still reeling, not fully accepting that she’s back in her own world. Lena senses her need to be slightly out of everyone’s way and be there simultaneously. Sometimes Kara imagined that they’d be huddled up on a couch watching a movie she’d seen a number of times while listening to Lena’s stories.
As much as Kara is happy about Lena’s presence, there are a lot of feelings to process for her. Kara opts for sleeping in the guest bedroom for the first night. After tossing and turning for a few hours, she quietly slips into the kitchen and glances towards Lena’s room. The door is only slightly ajar, but Kara can hear the rustling of sheets indicating that someone sleeps in there. If she’d have her powers, she’d have stayed in her own bed, focusing on Lena’s heartbeat to calm herself down. But powerless, the only solution she’d come up with is to check on her. To see if it’s really Lena who is sleeping in that room.
Lena gives up on sleeping. Decisively she leaves her bed in search of Kara. She needs to know that Kara is really in her apartment. To her surprise, the Kryptonian is only a few steps away from her bedroom. “Are you okay?” she asks.
“Yeah, I just couldn’t sleep….” Kara looks away sheepishly. “I thought I’d get myself a cup of water. Didn’t want to wake you up.”
Lena smiles. “I wasn’t sleeping either.”
Kara looks at her in the darkness shyly, her cheeks flaming. In the shadow of the night, Lena can only see how the hue of gray tone changes on Kara’s cheek. She holds out her hand for Kara. Slowly clasping their hands together, Kara follows Lena into the bedroom. They settle into the bed on their respective sides, facing each other. “I didn’t want to …” Kara starts, but Lena cuts her off. “I kept thinking yesterday was a dream.” she says, and there is no need for her to elaborate further. They both sink into the mattress knowing that the other is there and are asleep minutes after.
Kara spends her days mostly sleeping, worrying Alex and Lena, but she insists that she’s fine. Lena set up a chaise lounge on the roof, where only she has access, so Kara can take her naps right under the sun. Occasionally Kara eats and calmly suffers through Alex’s prodding every day. On her fifth day, Alex declares that her immune system is fully back, and she is allowed to take a walk outside. Kara perks upon her analysis but doesn’t move from her place on the couch. Alex thought she’d be running up and down to leave the flat, but the news leaves Kara indifferent. Lena and Alex communicate silently with their looks, and Alex heads home. “The weather is still nice.” Lena exclaims. “Would you like to take a stroll in the nearby park?” she tries coaxing Kara out.
Spending time in the greenery lifts Kara’s spirit up more than she’d thought. She is listening to the pitter-patter of the ants crossing a dry patch of soil. Then she turns her focus to the birds and to the whish of the leaves in the afternoon wind. Her hearing is not entirely back, but what she hears is enough to calm her nerves. However, admitting Lena the possibility that she could bring herself to sleep from the other bedroom would mean she’d have to sleep alone, and the thought terrifies her.
Lena offers to drive up to Kara’s apartment on day eight, and Kara is crestfallen. She is not ready to leave her cocoon, but she understands Lena’s need to get her own space back. “I thought you’d like to get your laptop, more clothes, and perhaps your giant mug.” Lena explains hastily as darkness falls on Kara’s eyes, and Kara agrees.
Before Lena opens the door to Kara’s apartment, Kara asks. “How come I still have this?” Lena smiles and steps in. To Kara’s astonishment, the room is not full of dust, but everything looks like she’d never left. “Because I’m kind of a rich person. I also hired a cleaning staff who comes in every week.” she says nonchalantly. Then she stops mid-step smoothing her hand on the surface of the kitchen table, finding a crack suddenly fascinating. “I wanted you to have a home to come back to.”
Kara looks at Lena, stunned, then gathers her wits and whispers. “Thank you.” Lena nods and continues. “I’m not throwing you out, Kara. If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t think I’m ready to let you out of my sight just yet.”
Her cadence twists Kara’s heart, tears swelling in her eyes. She steps up to Lena, and when the other woman looks at her, she envelops Lena in an almost bruising hug – luckily, she is still barely at half strength. Kara burrows herself into Lena’s neck, and Lena whispers encouragingly into her ear. Despite their initial glee on the first day, they haven’t hugged since. They both revel in the feeling of warmth and caring and curse their stupidity for not doing this sooner.
Their idyll is broken by Lena’s phone. “Hi, Alex.” Lena picks it up. She leans back a little from Kara but still leaves a hand on Kara’s elbow while Kara’s arms are around her waist, keeping their connection. “Yeah, she is here; I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Kara, tomorrow I need to do a few tests on you, now that you’re getting better. So, you need to come in.” Alex says her tone doesn’t leave any room for misinterpretation or argument. Kara scoffs. “Fine.” she replies, and Lena watches as the previous spark is blanketed by a grey dull. “I can drive her to the DEO on my way. Sam’s been nagging me about paperwork.” Lena offers. Alex affirms, and the line goes silent. Kara pulls her arms back from Lena and begins to pack some of her items. They are ready to go in a matter of minutes, but Lena cannot shake herself a feeling of dread. Her concern alleviates when Kara asks for a movie night, and they snuggle under Kara’s throw blanket with a bowl of popcorn shared in their lap.
Around lunch, Kara stops Alex before their next test for a break. Alex is confounded, not seeing any fatigue in Kara, but she nods only to watch Kara fly out of the DEO. “We agreed on no flying!” Alex shouts after her.
Sam is equally delighted and surprised to see the familiar blue and red colors land on her balcony and motions for Kara to get inside. Kara grins, producing a large takeout bag with Big Belly Burgers label on it and deposits on the table in front of Sam and Lena, careful of the papers lined up on it. “There is also a salad in it.” Kara says proudly of her order. “Have you eaten a salad as well?” Lena asks giggling. Kara shakes her head. “Nope. I’ve got to go.” Kara grins, and she disappears from the office.
Sam turns to Lena, who is still smiling. “You’re so whipped.” she notes and smirks when Lena’s eyes bulge out to her comment. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Lena says, trying to compose herself by spreading the meal on the table. “Aha.” Sam hums slyly as she reaches for the fries.
In the late afternoon, Lena’s phone rings. As expected, it is Kara. “Hey, have you finished already?” she asks, walking to the balcony door, Sam observing her from the couch. “Yeah, I kind of left.” Kara admits timidly. “Where are you?” worry laces through Lena’s voice. “Back at your loft.” Lena turns around and reaches for her bag to put away some papers and the usb-drives phone still in hand. “What happened?”
“Nothing. I don’t know. I had to get away from everyone.” Kara admits. Lena purses her lips, picks up her bag and waves Sam goodbye. “I’m heading home now. Stay there.” her voice is clipped. Sam folds her hands, creating a heart shape and makes a kissing face to Lena. Lena gives the finger to Sam shaking her head, and closes the door behind her. She changes to a warmer tone. “Order in some pizza for dinner.” The underlying offer to talk or to just be there is unmistakable. “OK, drive safely.” Kara says.
Just as Lena leaves with her car, Alex calls her. ”What did you do?” Lena asks angrily. “Nothing. Kara was…” Alex trails off. “I don’t know. Did something happen yesterday? She was such a grouch, even angry at times, and I have no idea why.” Lena furrows her brows. “She is still a bit off sometimes. But that’s about it.” she pauses. “Are you coming over?” Lena asks. “I’m 30 minutes out.” Alex says, closing her call.
Lena can hear a muffled screaming match behind the door. When she steps in, the sisters freeze mid-shouting. “Go on, don’t mind me.” Lena offers, knowing that whatever caused this must be spoken out loud. She puts down her bag, then walks closer to them, arms folded.
Kara stammers; she lowers her voice but still angry. “This is what I’m talking about.” she waves at Lena. “I asked you for two things. Neither was near in the realm of impossible. And you could only do one. You obviously remained happy with Kelly, ” and she points toward Alex’s engagement ring. “but was it really that difficult to take care of Lena?”
Both Alex and Lena exclaim. “What?” Alex makes a half step toward Kara. “Kara, what are you talking about?” her voice carries nothing but gentleness. “My last messages.” Kara says on the brink of crying. “Oh, Kara.” Alex lets out a breath, her eyes misting up. “I couldn’t … ” she starts “That would’ve meant that my little sister is gone forever.”
Kara flops down on the couch behind her, her energy completely drained. Lena and Alex step closer, standing in front of her. “I think neither of us listened to them.” Lena adds. Kara angrily wipes her tears away. “That explains a lot of things. But still. Alex, you know … ” Kara trails off while looking at Lena. Lena smiles and sits down beside Kara, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling Kara to her. “Alex did take care of me.” Lena emphasizes. “Then how come you’ve lost around 20 pounds? And I’ve never seen you so dressed down, not even during exercise.” Kara asks.
Lena puts an unruly blonde curl behind Kara’s ear. “Because no matter how much she tried to keep me fed and make sure that I leave the lab every day, I might not have eaten or slept as much as she wanted me to.” Lena is stunned at her own words. She realizes how much effort Alex put into keeping her essentially alive. Lena reaches for Alex and pulls her to Kara’s other side, then wipes her own tears. “Looking back, I think Alex had an entire DEO sanctioned Operation Lena Luthor going on.” she says, smiling.
Kara turns to Alex question in her eyes. Alex nods to Lena, mischief glinting in her eyes. “That one is a sneaky bastard.” her words completely oppose the fondness in her voice. “I might have used DEO resources to keep an eye on her, but Operation Horton” she tries to explain, but Lena laughs at the name. Alex raises her hand in defense. “Nia came up with the name, something about elephant communities. Anyway, it was a completely voluntary action of the Superfriends.”
Alex watches as Lena’s lips begin to quiver, and a hand reaches out to her. “Voluntary?” Lena manages to ask. Holding Lena’s hand across Kara’s lap, Alex nods. “Whether or not you’re ready to acknowledge or accept it, Lena, but you’re part of our family.” she says smiling. Lena crumbles, and tears are dripping down on her chin, wiped away by Kara, who is equally touched by Alex’s words. Kara leans to Alex pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’m sorry, Alex.”
Alex releases her hold on Lena and presses a kiss to Kara’s forehead. “No worries.” Alex smiles, her worries washed away. Kara closes her eyes to reign in her feelings and to take in the love that surrounds her. The most important persons of her life are hugging her and are silently crying with her, but sorrow is far from anyone’s mind. Without her sight, she can smell Lena’s expensive sweet perfume, feel Alex’s gentle caress in her hair and Lena’s fingers brushing against her shoulder, soothing her nerves.
For a good ten minutes, the three of them are huddled up on the sofa, not wanting to leave. Alex is the first one to move. She slaps her hand on her thighs before standing up. “I think I run out of my daily dose of sap, gotta go recharge.” Alex turns to Kara pointing a finger at her. “And you, missy, we’re going to have a sister’s night tomorrow. You’re in charge of the ice cream.” she orders, and Kara nods eagerly. “Text me when and where.” Alex says before heading home.
Kara leans back to Lena. “All this got me sooo hungry.” she says. “And who is stopping you?” Lena asks. Kara looks at her and grins. “I’ll be right back.”
Lena has barely the time to lift herself off the couch before Kara appears wearing sweats. “Aren’t you going to change?” Kara asks, looking over her shoulder as she looms over the pizza boxes deciding the best one to start with. Lena shakes her head. “Not all of us has superspeed.”
A few minutes later, Lena returns in her regular home look, and Kara smiles, mouth full of pizza. Lena raises an eyebrow. “And here I thought you’d wait for me.” Kara’s hurt expression makes Lena laughing. In the past months, she’d almost forgot what is it like to laugh. “I’m joking. I know nothing can stand between you and your pizza.” and she takes a seat beside Kara. “You undervalue yourself. I’d totally save you before any pizza.” Kara says smiling, and Lena can only shake her head at Kara antiques.
“So, what did Alex meant by sneaky?” Kara inquires. Lena picks up a slice, “I might have gone against an agreement with your sister a few times.” she offers it as an answer, baiting Kara. Kara grins. “It couldn’t have gone good.” she notes. Lena nods. “Once, I got shot with a tranq gun.” she says making Kara splutter.
Despite the laughter and giggles filled night, their next day starts mellow. Both women are hitting the keyboards of their respective laptops until lunch. Lena, while picking through her salad, watches Kara deep in thought. Kara barely touched her burger and fries. “Is something wrong?” Lena asks, hand reaching to Kara’s over the kitchen island. Kara is startled, but her thumb latches onto Lena’s. “Yes. No. I was just thinking.” Kara springs up from her seat, takes a walk to the balcony then back. Then she makes another turn. Lena walks around the island and leans against it. “Kara?”
“It was way easier talking to the crystal.” Kara breathes out, nervousness radiating from her body. “Would you like me to listen to it?” Lena tries to be helpful, but Kara panics a bit more. “No! No. I …” she stammers. Come on, I’m supposed to be the superhero. Why is it so difficult to tell her? Kara wrings her hands and straightens herself three paces from Lena. Lena watches her, shares an encouraging smile while her pupils contract in fear. This is it. They had good moments in the past few days. Lena thought they’re on the mend, but at most times, Kara pulled herself back. This is where we go on separate ways because I’ve hurt her too much.
Finally, Kara takes in a deep breath to center herself. “I’m terrified that I’ll mess up whatever we managed to salvage from our friendship. But we know how secrets affected us, so I have to tell you something.” Lena prepares herself for the worst, but she won’t back down without a fight, so she also stands straight, arms following the length of her body, her gaze locked on Kara’s. “I’ve fallen in love with you.” Kara blurts out, her arms waving. The confession stuns Lena. Not receiving a response, Kara feels the need to explain herself. “I don’t know when, but I realized it only during our fallout. I could barely breathe knowing that I’ve lost you.” Then Kara breathes deeply again. She steps tentatively toward Lena, her eyes filling up with tears. “Please, say something.”
Anxiety blocking her senses, the only thing Kara can focus on is her own heartbeat. Lena clenches her fists, then gathers her strength to step up to Kara, leaving only half an arm’s space between them. Kara misses how Lena’s heart races or how she flushes up getting closer to her, or the way her eyes are reddening as a precursor for her tears. Lena reaches her arms up, one hand resting on Kara’s left cheek, the other on her right shoulder. Kara leans into Lena’s palm, and she closes her eyes to savor the feeling. “Look at me, please.” Lena whispers.
Kara blinks away her tears, and she focuses on Lena. “I was blinded by my rage, failing to realize that your secrecy hurt me because I too was in love with you.” Lena can see the gears turning in Kara’s head, but before she could form her question, she silences Kara with her index finger. “I am in love with you. When you disappeared …” Lena’s voice breaks as she is fighting not to cry. Kara’s face beams up. Involuntary, she glances down to Lena’s lips, and when her gaze returns to Lena, she can see Lena’s pupils blown out. She takes it as a yes and leans down to finally kiss Lena. Her approach is slow, leaving time for Lena to pull back, but Lena surges upwards to meet her lips.
They both shudder at the contact, smiling into the kiss and deepening it without any hesitancy. Lena winds her arms around Kara’s neck, one hand gliding through golden locks, drawing them as close as possible. Kara’s hands initially find purchase on Lena’s waist, but as their chests come in close contact, nothing seems to be enough, and she slides her hands down to Lena’s behind to pull their lower halves closer. When it is still insufficient, Kara walks them toward the kitchen island to lean them against it. Her leg wedges between Lena’s, and Lena returns the movement with her own. Kara’s push is strong for Lena to elicit a moan in pleasure, and Lena decides to stop their passionate embrace.
When Lena pulls their lips apart, Kara tries to recapture them, but Lena brushes a finger against her mouth and touching their forehead together. Both women breaths heavily in the aftermath of their first kiss, rejoicing in their bliss in a bubble. Lena finds her voice first, her thumb caressing Kara’s lips. “If we don’t stop now, you’ll have to cancel your night with Alex.” she warns. “I don’t intend to be on Alex’s bad side. “Lena says, conviction filling her voice. “But … ” Kara tries to argue, halted by Lena. She shakes her head and leans back a little to gaze into Kara’s sky-blue eyes. “Darling, I’ll be still here tomorrow. You’ve barely spent time with Alex. You both need to reconnect.”
Kara grins and steals a quick kiss from Lena, then steps back with herculean effort. Nodding to herself, she begins to pack, preparing to leave for her apartment. Lena sighs and touches her own bruised lips deep in thought, but Kara is in front of her in a few second. “I’ll be quick. I’ll have to buy snacks and ice cream and clean up a bit. 10 minutes tops.” Kara tries to bargain but is denied again. “You’ll leave in a cab or go by bus. You will do everything as a regular human being, not exercising your powers unnecessary. And tomorrow, ” she steps up to Kara, cups her cheek and places a light kiss on the corner of Kara’s mouth “we’ll have a whole day to ourselves.” she offers huskily with a smile. Kara sighs in defeat. “All right. But I want a proper goodbye kiss.” she says with a pout that Lena cannot resist. Lena escorts Kara to the main door. They take their steps slowly, hand in hand. Surprisingly, Lena pushes Kara against the door to hold up her side of the agreement. The kiss lasts for a minute, then Lena essentially pushes Kara out of her apartment.
In the early evening, Lena lounges on her couch reading a book when her phone pings.
♥ Finally ♥ - A
Am I going to get the Talk? – L
Nah, you already know me well enough 😈 – A
I appreciate it 😉 – L
It’s like keeping up with a mixture of a puppy and a kid on a sugar high – A
You owe me a bottle of whiskey – A
Name it and you have it ^^ – L
I’ll text it tomorrow 😆😁, bye - A
Have a good night! 🎉🍧 – L
Though they haven’t discussed it, Lena expected Kara to announce Alex the newest development in their lives. Alex will tell Kelly, but the news will stop there until they both are ready to share their joy with the others. It is nice to have someone with sensible social rules like Alex in her life. Sam would’ve most likely shared it in a text chain within 5 seconds.
Lena awakes to a whoosh, finding Kara standing beside her bed. “Is everything all right?” she asks groggily. “Yes.” Kara whispers, quickly changing to her night attire and slides into the bed. “Kelly had a bad case during her night shift. Alex rushed to get her.” Lena hums at the explanation. She shifts closer to Kara, who pulls Lena up to her side. “After I got back, everything changed. I couldn’t find myself a foothold.” Kara tells Lena, who is listening intently despite the late hour. Kara’s hand plays with Lena’s dark hair, while the other grasps Lena’s lying on her chest. “I didn’t know where I stood. But you ground me – always had – , and now I feel at peace with myself, more than ever before.” Kara admits. She listens for Lena’s breath hitching, and she wipes away the errant tears on Lena’s face. Lena leans up to Kara to engage in a gentle, sweet kiss, then she lies back to Kara’s shoulder. “You’ve always been the light in my life. The light I could follow in the darkness. Here and now, I’ve never been happier or more content in my life.”