Chapter Text
“Is that Kara?!” Brainy asked surprised, looking out the window of the ship and noticing someone flying towards them.
“Yes!” Both Lena and Kara smiled, eyes watery. They chuckled and shared a brief comforting hug before the whole group to greet her and the man he carried, even if they both passed out as soon as they felt safe in the ship.
“Let’s take them downstairs.” Lena suggested and Brainy and J’onn carried them to the med bay. “Is that- House of El?”
“I think he could be her father, but it would be absolutely crazy.” Alex said while they set up the sun lamps to help them recover.
“We did it.” Lena smiled, her eyes on Kara’s tired face. “She’s safe.”
“She is.” Alex sighed, sitting on the bed next to her. “She’s ice cold.”
“She’ll get better in a few minutes.” Lena reminded her, fiddling with her hands since she felt out of place. “I’ll see if J’onn needs help… call me if she wakes up, yes?”
“Of course.”
After a couple hours of travel, they finally made it back to National City and felt relieved and happy to see that the nightmare of having lost Kara was over. As soon as the ship was back into place Lena headed down to the med bay to check on Kara, who was still out of it.
“Any changes?”
“She’s warmer now and looks less pale. I think she’s just exhausted and needs some time to recover.”
“Nia and Brainy are working with J’onn to prepare a welcome back party.” She smiled. “I’m gonna help-“
“Where am I?” The hoarse voice of the mysterious man next to them interrupted them. “Where’s Kara?” He said and sat up in a hurry, looking around.
“You’re safe. Kara’s safe.” Lena said and looked at Alex.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Zor-El. I am Kara’s father.” He said and looked at them. “She said you were her family.”
“I am Alex, her sister.”
“She told me about you.” He smiled kindly and looked over at Lena. “You are her family.” He said and then jumped startled when a loud noise caught him by surprise.
“Are you okay?”
“I- I can hear everything.” He said and Lena smiled.
“That’s your super hearing.” Lena said kindly. “Let’s go over here where it’s quieter, you’ll get used to that.” She said and Alex smiled, nodding and watching them go to the lab.
After another hour, Alex watched Kara wake up and felt the immense relief of her sister reaching up to hug her after what felt like nightmare. They smiled and cried for a moment, enjoying the comfort of having their sister close once again, safe and sound.
“Everyone’s upstairs.”
“My dad-“
“He’s with Lena.” She smiled, watching some relief washing over Kara’s face. “Wanna change?” she asked her and Kara shook her head.
“I’m dying to give everyone a hug.” She said with a giant goofy smile.
“Of course you are.” She rolled her eyes, smiling and pulling her in for another hug that felt a little too tight with her super strength. “Let’s go before Brainy eats your cake.”
“What?” she chuckled.
“He’s discovered the power of anxiety and stress eating.” Alex joked, guiding her to the elevator. “Nia said he’s tried different coping mechanisms but he always ends up with a bag of chips or a box of donuts in his hand.”
“I have to see that.” She cackled. A moment later she stepped out of the elevator and smiled widely when she saw the people she loved the most standing in front of the door, giant smiles on their faces.
“Welcome home!” J’onn’s voice said and Kara felt warm inside. Safe.
The room was decorated with balloons and Welcome Home signs, there was a giant pile of food and a cake on the table closest to the door, but what really made Kara feel at home was Lena’s relieved smile. She hugged her friends, starting by J’onn, who held her tightly and reminded her of the safety of family.
“I don't know what we'd have done if we hadn't got you back.” He said in her ear, making her hold back the tears. She then hugged Brainy, who seemed a little more emotional than shed expect from the 12 level intellect guy.
“The feelings I had, thinking we might not ever see you again...” he confessed. “I'm glad I don't have to feel that anymore.” He added as he stepped back and let Nia get her turn for a tight hug, relieved to have her mentor and friend back.
And then, the hug she didn’t know she had been waiting for.
Lena approached her with watery eyes and a shy smile, clearly relieved to have her best friend back after long days of wondering how they would bring her home. Kara held her tightly, listening to her heartbeat and feeling her warm body in her arms, a comfort that she had craved while fighting off the phantoms that clouded her senses.
“It’s only because you’re on the team that I’m here.” She said in her ear and Lena’s efforts to contain her tears finally failed.
“Kelly couldn’t be here because of work, but she sends you a tight hug, and promised a movie night.” Alex said, trying her best to hide a knowing smile when she saw Lena stepping back from Kara, knowing that their embrace was very different than the others.
“Oh, I’ll hold her to that.” Kara said, quickly wiping the tears off her eyes.
“There she is.”
“Father!” she smiled and walked to the man she never thought she’d find again.
“My sweet daughter.” He smiled, hugging her tightly.
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not long, just enough to try the perks of the yellow sun with the help of Miss Luthor.” He said and Kara looked over at her with a warm smile.
“Thank you.” She said and Lena nodded.
“He’s a natural for flying.” She joked and Zor-El laughed remembering Lena’s face when he tried to jump off the Tower.
After a long hour of everyone trying to get Kara up to speed with CatCo business, and every other subject she could ask about, they noticed that she still looked tired. J’onn offered Zor-El a room in the Tower to help him get adjusted to the superpowers, given that he was still not very comfortable with his super strength.
“I’ll take Kara home; you go with Kelly.” Lena offered after Alex got a text from her girlfriend.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course! She needs you after a rough first day.”
“Okay… okay, yes, but uhm… do you still have a car?” Alex asked and Lena chuckled.
“I quit Luthor Corp but I still have my trust fund and other investments separate from that, so… I still have a car and a place to live.” She smiled and Alex nodded.
“Oh, good to know. We’ve been meaning to ask you if you needed anything because we didn’t know how Lex would want to punish you… good to know you’re a trust fund baby, though.” She said playfully.
“I have to thank Lillian for that; she always insisted on us keeping our money spread apart just in case.” She said and smiled, shaking her head. “I guess that was the Luthor mentality.”
“I’m ready.” Kara said as she came to them with a smile.
“Lena’s gonna go with you. I have to pick Kelly up from work.” Alex said, knowing that Kara wouldn’t mind spending some time alone with her best friend. “Do you mind?”
“Oh of course not! It’s perfect- I mean, it’s fine.” She said with a smile, blushing a little.
“Okay, let’s get going then. You must be exhausted.” Lena said and Kara stared at her funnily. “What?”
“I can fly us there.”
“No way, no.” Alex intervened. “You’re still recovering.”
“I’m strong enough.”
“I actually agree with Alex. You’re still recovering and need some time to let your body assimilate the energy it got from the sun lamps. It’s better if I drive us there.” She said and Kara pouted, making them laugh.
“I promise I can fly to my loft.”
“Okay, you’re being difficult and I don’t want to deal with the puppy eyes.” Alex said and Kara looked at her with the saddest puppy eyes. “Stop. She’s all yours, you decide.” She said to Lena and walked away.
“I miss flying.” Kara said simply and Lena smiled.
“Okay, but straight to your apartment.” She told her with a slightly disappointed look on her face. “Text me when you get there.”
“Wait, I thought you were coming with me.”
“I was, but if you’re flying there then there’s no point for me to go.” She said with a sad smile.
“Oh… but…” she said looking down. “Maybe you could stay over… just for tonight.” She said with a hopeful look on her face. “If I’m honest… I’m a bit scared of being alone right now.” She confessed, looking straight into Lena’s warm eyes. “I just… the silence is- it reminds me of the Phantom Zone and I don’t think I can-“
“I’ll stay over.” She said softly.
“Thank you.” Kara smiled and followed her to the balcony, trying to control her racing heart when she picked her off the floor and took off flying straight to her loft.
“It feels different flying like this than when someone’s chasing us.” Lena joked, referring to the other times Kara had flown her.
If she was honest, she could’ve told her that they could use her trans matter portal watch to get to Kara’s apartment, but the prospect of being in her arms and flying through the busy city was something she liked. She was sure Kara knew this too, which made the situation interesting for her.
“Here we are. Safe and sound at home.” Kara smiled, gently letting Lena down.
“Why don’t you go get a shower, put on some comfy clothes and I’ll prepare some tea?”
“Sounds perfect.” Kara smiled, taking a second before she finally walked away from Lena. She stripped off her super suit, stepped under the warm water and let her tired body relax for the first time in days.
She felt vulnerable in the quiet and dark apartment, but knowing that Lena was outside made her feel better. She took her time to wash her hair and body, letting the soft lavender of her shampoo and soap cloud her senses and help her relax.
She stepped out and picked a pair of soft sweats, fluffy socks and an oversized sweater, and then she brushed her hair, feeling brand new and safe. She picked a pair of sweats and a sweater for Lena to change into, leaving them on the bed, and then walked to the kitchen to see her best friend barefoot in the kitchen like she always did when they had a movie night, preparing the perfect cup of tea for herself.
“Tea’s ready.” She said with a kind smile, carrying the two mugs to the couch. “Do you want to watch a movie?”
“Yeah, I’d love it.” She said and sat on the couch, accepting the warm cup of tea and taking a slow sip.
“You choose.” Lena smiled, handing her the remote.
“Wizard of Oz, if you don’t mind.” She asked sheepishly. “It’s my favorite movie.”
“A classic.” She smiled kindly and started the movie. They relaxed and enjoyed the movie, with Lena taking quick glances at Kara without her realizing it, and smiling when she saw her yawn. “Should we get you to bed?”
“I think so… I’m sorry.”
“Not a problem… you’re exhausted.” She said softly. “I’m so glad you’re back… I don’t know what I would do without you. All of us.” She corrected herself.
“All I could tell my dad while we were there was that I was sure you guys would find us. I could picture you and Brainy with your calculations, and Alex and J’onn just… being them.” She smiled. “And Nia asleep somewhere, trying to find me in her dreams, looking for clues.”
“We would’ve done anything to get you back.” She said softly. “I even considered going to Lex myself and ask for his help.”
“Wow… that’s- that’s big.” Kara smiled goofily.
“There’s nothing I didn’t consider… I wanted to open a portal there as soon as… as soon as you disappeared.” She said trying to hold back the tears while she remembered the dread she felt when her best friend disappeared before her eyes.
“Thank you, Lena.” She smiled, reaching to wipe her tears. “I’m right here now.” She said and scooted closer to give her a long tight hug, making them both cry for a second.
The next few days were hectic dealing with her return to CatCo, trying to help her father adapt and then watching him leave for Argo City, and dealing with everything that being a superhero entailed. She was exhausted, but seemed to always find a moment in her day to hang out with Lena at the Tower, or even in her apartment for a movie night.
One day, she was sharing a pizza with Lena while watching a random show William recommended, they heard the door. Kara’s face lit up when she saw little Esme and Alex at the door, holding another pizza and an ice cream tub.
“Auntie Kara!”
“Hey kiddo!” she said and leaned down to hug her.
“We brought ice cream!”
“Oh that’s so cool! I want some!” she said and Esme looked back at Alex, almost asking her if she could walk further into the apartment.
“Go wait by the couch.” Alex told her with a smile.
“Auntie Lena!”
“Oh hey, how are you?” Lena asked with a wide smile, helping her onto the couch.
“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t know Lena was here.” Alex said softly, going to the kitchen.
“We were watching a movie.” Kara said with a shy smile, looking over at Lena and Esme.
“You have been hanging out a lot with her lately.” She said softly, trying to hide a smirk.
“No… just the usual.” She frowned confused.
“Uh huh.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“What’s so weird of me hanging out with her? She’s my best friend.”
“No, there’s nothing wrong.” Alex smiled. “It’s just curious that you’ve been hanging out so much, that’s all.”
“Well, she doesn’t have Luthor Corp anymore, and I see her a lot at the Tower, so… and- and William recommended this show for us to watch.”
“Uh huh.” She said again, placing some pizza on a plate and going to join Lena and Esme while Kara stared at them, confused.
A few days later, Kara was sitting near Lena’s lab at the Tower, thinking of ways to approach her after Lillian’s death. She knew their relationship was strained, full of regret and hatred, but she knew that deep down Lena’s good heart loved the mother figure that raised her and protected her, even if not in conventional ways.
She watched her focus on a tablet, eyes watery and her hands shaky, the telltale signs of the effort she was making to not break down and cry. Kara shook her head to clear her thoughts and walked there, slowly as to not startle her, and simply took the tablet from her hands and pulled her in for a hug.
“You are allowed to cry.” She told her and felt Lena nuzzling into her, hiding her face while she sobbed quietly. She held her and rubbed her back soothingly, shaking her head when Alex and Nia appeared in the elevator and tried to approach them to offer their support too. “Do you want me to take you home?” she asked and Lena just nodded, so she held picked her up and flew out of the Tower.
When they reached Lena’s loft she gently laid her down on the couch, wiping off the tears and looking at her puffy eyes. Lena blushed, still uncomfortable showing weakness in front of anyone, even if it was her best friend.
“I’m sorry, Kara. I know you have a lot on your plate at the moment.” She said and roughly wiped her tears with her shirt’s sleeves.
“You will always be a priority, Lena. Today is a rough day.” She said honestly. “I’ll prepare you some tea.” She said quietly, going to the kitchen. She saw Lena walked to her room and came back with a picture in her hand, staring at it longingly.
“I think this was the only time in my life that I felt like she was proud of me.” She said softly, showing her the picture of when she was twelve and won a chess tournament against much older contestants. “She didn’t know they were taking a photograph.” She chuckled, and Kara noticed how Lillian was looking at her with a satisfied smirk and bright eyes, a sight that was usually more relatable to Lex.
“She told you she loved you, even if she wasn’t mom of the year.” Kara said and Lena smiled.
“True. She probably wanted to kill that poor baby truth seeker when she let that slip out.” She joked back. “At least… she went out in peace and we had closure.” She sighed, accepting the tea Kara handed her. “Heat vision?” she smiled knowingly, feeling how her fancy cup was warmer than usual.
“Guilty.” Kara chuckled.
She stayed there the rest of the day, only leaving her side when Andrea showed up to pay her respects and offer her support shortly after the news broke. Kara flew straight to her apartment and was joined by Alex and Eliza shortly after.
“Eliza! Hi, oh how have I missed you!” she said while she gave her a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” The woman responded, gently cupping her face.
“Is Lena here?” Alex asked, walking to the kitchen.
“No, I left her in her apartment with Andrea. Why?”
“Oh nothing, I just thought you’d want to be with her after today.” She said giving Eliza a look.
“Well, I was with her all day until Andrea got there. She was so sad… I know she had issues with Lillian, but she was her mother and Lena loved her.” She sighed and sat down on the couch. “She was so broken… she even looked for one photo of Lillian looking proud of her.”
“Well, at least she said they had a good closure.” Alex said and placed a glass of wine in front of her.
“They did… Lillian confessed she knew about her mom being a witch, and that she purposely pushed Lena to science and rationality.”
“Wait, Lena’s mother is a witch?”
“She was.” Kara nodded. “And Lena’s one too.” She smiled. “And she’s gonna be kicking ass with that soon.” She said almost proudly. “Her scientific knowledge, and her magic abilities- she’s gonna be tough.”
“I wouldn’t want to mess with her.” Alex chuckled, having witnessed Lena’s powers when she saw Lex. “I overheard her talking to Vita… apparently she’s powerful, but she needs to embrace her abilities or something.”
“Really? Wow…”
“I know I work with aliens and we’ve dealt with fifth dimension imps, but the concept of a human having magical abilities is… wild, to me.” Eliza confessed and they all laughed.
“You get used to it.” Alex chuckled. “But uhm… are you going back to Lena’s?” she asked Kara, and got a funny look in return.
“She’s with Andrea.”
“Yes, but… are you not going back?”
“Alex, leave your sister alone.” Eliza chuckled. “But tell me, Kara: how have you been feeling? Are you still having nightmares about the phantoms?”
“I’m doing- I’m doing better. I still get some flashbacks and sometimes the cold will trigger some memories but talking to Kelly and Lena has helped me a lot.” She said honestly. “Kelly thinks I’ve tried to suppress the way I feel so the people around me doesn’t think I’m weak, which is true, I guess… so I’ve been working on opening myself up more and being vulnerable- but it’s hard.” She smiled and Alex squeezed her hand.
“You know we don’t think any less of you if you feel scared.”
“I know, but… I don’t know, she says it’s probably part of my trauma and the PTSD I’ve accumulated and not worked through in the past. She actually recommended me to see a therapist, which is something I don’t think I’ll be doing, but we’ll see.” She smiled. “And with Lena, we’ve been spending time together and that helps take my mind off things. She’s been practicing her magic, and she has some projects she wants to start with as soon as we defeat Lex, so that helps both of us stay focused.”
“She’s a good person.” Eliza said and gave Alex a quick look. “She’s been a very good friend for you, hasn’t she?”
“She’s my best friend.” She nodded. “I feel so… safe when I’m with her. I can be myself, and I don’t have to pretend anymore. I don’t think I ever pretended to be anything other than myself since we met, even if I had to hide my identity from her- and after I told her and everything crazy we’ve been through… I feel like can let my guard down with her, just enjoy myself and not rush or think about anything else.”
“I feel like that with Kelly.” Alex nodded, trying to hide a smirk.
“I just… she’s suffered so much, and I wish I could take that burden away from her. She deserves the world, and to be happy.”
“I feel the same when it comes to Kelly.” Alex said again, making Eliza smile.
“I just want to support her and help her reach her full potential.” She smiled, looking down. “She has so much to give, and she already gives so much to everyone around her; she deserves to feel as loved and supported, you know?”
“Mhmm… I feel that way with Kelly.” Alex said once again and went to the kitchen to get a refill.
“Alex said you two have been spending loads of time together.”
“Oh, yes. Ever since I came back I’ve tried to spend time with everyone- I missed you guys so much.” She said with a goofy smile. “And since she’s at the Tower we can talk and hang out while she works. I actually like it a lot- we can talk about anything and everything, we never get bored.. We never run out of stuff to talk about and I’ve actually learned a lot by watching her work.”
“You never wanted to see me work.” Alex said and her mom gave her a knowing look. “Why is it so interesting with Lena?”
“I don’t know- I guess… I don’t know. It kinda reminds me of when I used to watch my dad in his lab.” She smiled. “I’d be there for hours and hours with him, asking questions and learning about different tools and stuff he’d be doing and- sorry.” She said and grabbed her phone, taking a call. “Hey, Lena- how are you?” she asked and walked to her room.
“She’s too oblivious.” Alex said and Eliza laughed.
“I didn’t believe you at first, but… I have to say, Kara does seem to be into Lena.”
“I told you.” She said with an eye roll. “I don’t know if she doesn’t see it, or if she pretends not to see it- it’s infuriating! And Lena’s just as lost, although I have to say she sometimes gives me the vibe that she’s aware of her feelings but tries not to show them.”
“Why would that be?”
“Maybe she thinks Kara’s not into her? I don’t know.” She shrugged. “But- I mean, mom. Look at her!” she said with a frustrated groan, pointing at Kara while she talked to Lena.
“Kara always seemed to be into boys, so this might be new to her. We talked about it once in passing that it is widely accepted in Krypton, and it is here on Earth too, even if there’s still so much to do regarding being open.” She said with a knowing look.
“Well, my plan for tonight is just to let her know we love her and support her no matter what.” She said loud enough that Kara would hear, even without the super hearing.
After a couple of days, after the hardest battle the Super Friends had to date, Kara flew to Lena’s apartment to see how she was doing since Lex had been sucked into the Phantom Zone. She grabbed the bottle of wine in her hand and took a deep breath, knocking on the penthouse door and listening for any sign of Lena, smiling when she heard her footsteps on the marble floors approaching the door.
“Kara! Hey.” She smiled widely.
“I didn’t come empty handed.” She said and showed her the Big Belly Burger bag and the bottle of wine she brought.
“You’re the best. I’m starving and I haven’t had time to order any groceries yet.” She said with an apologetic smile.
“Well, I’m always well prepared just in case.” Kara chuckled.
They sat down and ate while talking about everything, but dancing around the subject of the battle and everything that happened. Lena seemed eager to avoid the subject to the point Kara desisted from trying to bring the subject up, settling for the fun talk and little gossip about the preparations for Kelly and Alex’s wedding.
“Kara… thank you so much for being here.” Lena said after a long time of them just watching a movie. “Lex was all the family I had left, and… he was my big brother- a psychopath who did horrible things, but still my brother.” She smiled sadly. “I hated him, and I killed him that one time, but he was the one who first welcomed me into the Luthor family- which isn’t a flex, but… yeah.” She said and took a long gulp of her wine.
“You have a big family still, Lena. You have J’onn, and Brainy, there’s Nia and Kelly, and I’ll even offer you my sister as your own.” She said softly, scooting closer to her and giving her a tight hug. “And you still have me.” She whispered and Lena broke down crying, feeling safe enough to do it in her arms.
.....