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Kara landed after fighting various magical creatures in Spain. She was on the roof of her apartment building, the bright National City sunrise greeting her from the East as she sat down in one of her chairs. She liked to watch the sunrise whenever she could, it reminded her of Krypton in a way that did not make her heart ache. After a while she flew down into her apartment wanting to beat the early neighborhood commuters so they didn’t see her. Once inside Kara sped around changing out of her suit, starting her coffee, and grabbing her book to read while her bread toasted. Somehow, she knew this was going to be a good day. Kara tried to use her speed to clean up her dishes and nothing happened. She tried speeding to her bed and she was just walking at a normal pace.
Shit! She must have solar flared taking down the creatures. Her body was like a battery, sometimes it found the bottom of the barrel reserve and the effect would be delayed. She definitely couldn’t fly to Alex’s show in London now. Well, she couldn’t fly herself. Kara couldn’t even remember the last time she had to get on a plane. The day had sadly already gotten away from her. Kara walked to grab her computer, she needed to buy a very expensive last minute plane ticket to London. Solar flaring didn’t happen very often for Kara, so she took her time waking up the next day, dressing, eating, even reading. The first time it happened it had been shocking and scary, but now she knew what she needed to do. Lots of sunlight and just let her body do the work to heal itself. Kara put on her light jacket and locked her apartment up before walking to the park. She’d had a melody stuck in her head for a few weeks, but it came and went with different rhythms and notes and felt like different sections of a song that hadn’t firmed up yet. Kara caught herself humming more and more of the tune as she wandered through the park.
Lena prided herself on being efficient and organized. She had to be running a company. Every part of her life was handled and running smoothly. Well, all but one, and currently she was avoiding doing anything about it. The breakup with Andrea wasn’t very recent, but it was easier to focus on running her mother’s company than dating again. Lena had been hoping to avoid speaking about dating at all, but her best friend, Kelly, was having none of it. “It’s been almost a year Lena,” Kelly said with her mimosa still in hand after taking a generous sip, “It’s time to test the waters again. Your office can’t hug you.”
“Is that what the kids are calling it these days,” Eve said as she cut into her pancakes. Kelly raised an eyebrow at her, “You know what I mean.”
“Yes, we do,” Lena responded, cradling a mug of tea in her hands, “but that doesn’t mean I want to get back out there. I am perfectly fine on my own.”
“Of course, you are,” Kelly replied, eating some fruit from her plate, “but sometimes isolation is used as a coping mechanism and you need to put yourself out there again.” Lena took a sip of her tea, her finger tapping gently against it as she lowered the mug, her eyes met Kelly’s, “Well not all of us are wild flowers, some of us, like the shade of an oak tree.”
“You got me there though one does have to wander in the park to get to that oak tree.” Kelly replied, smiling as she cut into her French toast. “Even I have a tinder,” Eve threw in as she openly checked her phone while sipping her coffee. Lena couldn’t help the slight eyebrow raise in Eve’s direction before she looked back to Kelly.
“I’ll think about it,” she said slowly, Kelly smiled gently at her, “that is all I ask”. The three of them continued eating and chatting, enjoying the nice weather and sunshine. The cadence of the knives and chatter soothed Lena, she hadn’t been out in so long, not just to enjoy a meal at least. Maybe she had been trapped inside work rooms and buildings too much. Her thoughts were interrupted by a squeal from Kelly.
“Local Hero just posted a new preview video?” Kelly was practically jumping in her seat. “Oh, let me see,” Eve said looking up from her plate as Kelly leaned over so they could both look at the screen. Soon the sound of a rock song filled their table area. It was an intense ballad, but the lyrics were really moving. “Lena, you should come to the show, it’s in London and it’s supposedly the best they have ever done.”
“Why would I go to London for that?”
“Adventure, meeting someone new, perhaps.”
“Heck just for the music, why not. This singer has such an amazing voice, so complex and smooth.” Lena just shook her head. Before she knew it they were outside the restaurants saying their goodbyes. Kelly paused near her car when her phone rang, she picked it up and murmured for a moment or two when the conversation ended, she turned toward Lena. “Lena you should consider it, if for nothing else to get out, be away from National City for a bit.” Lena just shook her head again, but she hugged Kelly before she left for a fitting. Kelly had gotten a new outfit for this show, she was that excited. Lena teased Kelly the other day about having a crush on Alex. A feeling of restlessness suddenly overwhelmed Lena and she turned to her assistant, “Eve, I’ve got a few errands before I head back to the office. Can you push my meeting with France to tomorrow or their earliest convenience?” Eve nodded and headed to her car, already buried in her phone.
Lena turned and headed around the corner and down a tree lined street. Kelly’s comment had really hit her. She had been isolating herself, well, isolating herself more than normal. A lot of her work was in labs or board meetings, she wasn’t working with colleagues, as much as she was battling for what she wanted for the future of her company. Maybe it wasn’t time to date yet, but perhaps it was time to remember that enjoying life was okay. Going to a museum or saying yes when friends wanted to get together. A small smile graced Lena’s face as she walked down the street.
“Kara, you’re getting on the plane, right?” Alex’s voice was a bit frantic through the phone. Kara was used to her being this way before a show, even though she was established and had a strong following. “Yes, Alex, I am all packed and will be going to the airport soon.” Kara’s voice was calm and even. Kara had left the park and was wandering aimlessly in her neighborhood, in the way, someone can only do when they have walked the streets for years. “Kara, don’t get distracted and be late,” Alex sighed as the noise of sound checks going off was behind her. Kara stayed quiet, not wanting to set Alex off on a tirade. “I just….” Alex took a breath, “This is a really important show, it feels like a new chapter in my career.”
“I’ll be there Alex,” Kara said firmly as she wandered down a tree lined street filled with town homes and tiny shops. “Thanks, Kara,” Alex said softly.
“Always,” Kara said with a smile, she had come upon a brick alley that was as familiar as her own living room or her favorite rooftop lookout spot. This alley led to a bookshop where she had spent hours reading pages of books and perusing shelves for books. Books were so important to Kara. They had helped her learn English and learn about Earth, her adopted world. But over the years it had morphed into something new, reading inspired her. Reading felt like touching the past, other people, in a way that Kryptonian A.I’s could not quite capture. Kara checked her watch. She had time to pop in. Lena found herself looking into a brick alley. It appeared there were a few shops down the alley, it seems a bit off, but this was an older part of National City. She took a small breath and went down the alley. She ended up in front of a basement bookshop, The Oak Bookshop. It had plenty of light since it was on an inner corner street in the alley. Books were displayed in the windows along with a string of lights. It seemed to go on forever. Lena couldn’t resist walking inside. Kara was unconsciously humming a tune to herself, again, as she ran her fingers over the spins of books on an upper shelf. Kara found so much inspiration in books for lyrics, melodies, and they also made her feel more connected to humanity. She loved just discovering random books, sometimes she liked to think they found her. Lena had entered the shop and immediately felt more relaxed and comfortable than she had in months. The shop was warm. There were a few cozy chairs in the shop and there were books everywhere. It was almost like a scavenger hunt for adults. You could get lost just reading the books’ spins or lifting a book off the top pile to see the next one.
Lena found herself in an aisle, looking up at the top shelf and pulling a tome down. She didn’t even see the woman standing not two feet from her, also looking at a book. Kara moved over to the poetry section and found herself leaning in closer to the shelf as the volumes were so thin it was harder to read the titles. She was reaching for a Joy Harjo volume when she saw someone’s hand reaching up for books on the other side of the aisle from her. She jumped a bit, getting pulled out of her vibing zone, her quiet humming stopped. Kara looked at her watch- shit, her flight! - she really needed to get going. She kept the Harjo volume, but decided to look at the new release section quickly before she had to go. Lena was perusing the baking books. She wasn’t the most deft cook in the world, but she loved to bake. She had forgotten this until stepping into the bookshop. There were so many different volumes to choose from. Lena had been reaching for a book on bread recipes from around the world when she saw a hand reach for something across the shelf from her. She got distracted by a watch and long fingers, she quickly looked down at the book she had just pulled down. Lena flips through the book for a minute or two and tucks it under her arm before heading toward the center of the store. Kara and Lena both moved toward the same table, a chaotic new release table that had everything from medical textbooks to romance. Neither noticed the other and then their hand both went for Lanny. Their fingers brushed and… “Oh, I’m sorry…”
“I’m so sorry….”
“I’ll see if there is another copy,” Kara quickly said as she tried to suppress the awkwardness she felt. On some level she thought she had been alone in the bookshop. Kara heard a slight breath that almost sounded like a giggle. “I think it might be the only copy,” a melodic voice said as Kara was bent over checking the shelving underneath the top of the table. Kara looked up and froze for a moment before standing back up. The woman before her was beautiful. “Here, why don’t you take it,” the woman said, holding the book out to Kara.
“No, we got here at the same time, and I insist that you take it,” Kara said holding her book up, “I found something else. I just always check the new arrivals table when I come here.” “You’re sure?”
“Very, I love this author though I read books he had edited before I….” “Discovered Grief is the Thing with Feathers ?” Lena smiled with excitement flashing across her eyes. “Precisely,” a small, genuine smile crossed Kara’s face. “Have you read Jeanette Winterson?” Lena nodded, cradling the Max Porter book to her chest.
“I loved Oranges are not the Only Fruit, it was so gentle and profound. It hit me long after I had finished it.” Kara grins, “Yes! That’s it! I’ve always found that one hard to describe to others. Thank you,” Kara was unconsciously running her fingers over the books on the table. Some of them had raised wording and she traced the words in her excitement. “I loved Christmas Days as well, have you read that one? It’s a good winter read.” Lena nods, “Yes, it is very cozy and weirdly spooky.” “Right, I love that though, it feels as if the season is given… hmm, ancient life.”
“Yes, that’s why I love Moby Dick, it has this visceral ancient quality, sometimes that is what I want in a novel.”
“That mythological feel,” Kara her hands moving into the air in her excitement. “I love reading. It really helps me find inspiration for my song writing.”
“You’re a musician?” Lena smiled even more. “Yes, I’ve co-written a few songs, but I’m trying to write and compose an entire album,” Kara explained as she looked at the titles on the table. “Well, then I insist you take this copy,” Lena waved the Max Porter book at Kara from across the table. “No, I…”
“I can order another copy, I’m in no rush, and I’m not looking for inspiration in the same way.” Lena was firm, but kind. Kara sighed a bit, but nodded her thanks and took the copy from Lena. “So you agree that reading can provide different forms of inspiration?”
“Well, yes, of course, that is an important aspect of art, you can come back to something again and again and see it in a new way…” Lena trailed off as she looked down at the titles in front of her. “Perceive things in a new light,” Kara whispered as she moved to the table next to Lena. “Do you have any books that you go back to…” Kara asked as they continued to move around the front tables and shelving of the store, it was a dance of minds in a comfortable place. They kept discussing books and art flowing from mythological classics to romance to fantasy novels and then to experimental poetry and books. As Kara purchased her books, she felt the shift in the sun, the time, getting way too close for her flight.
She didn’t want this discussion to end, but if she missed this concert Alex would have found a way to murder her, neigh invincibility or not. “I’m so sorry, I need to catch a plane, but it was lovely talking with you.” Lena tilted her head up, as Kara and she had moved closer to one another and the height difference was noticeable now. “Oh, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, please go,” Lena said, striving to hide how nervous she was. “No, it was not you at all, I should have been more aware of the time passing. It was wonderful speaking with you and maybe we can do it again. Enjoy the books.” Kara finished with a small smile and flourish before she seemed to bolt right out of the store.
The smile did not leave Lena’s face even as the bookshop door closed behind the woman’s rushing form. She roamed the store a bit more and adopted a few more books. She would have to come back; this shop really was lovely. Lena sighed at having not gotten the woman’s number and yet, it had been a well-timed interaction, reinforcing her thinking that maybe it was time to stop isolating herself. When she got outside, she pulled her phone out as she walked back to where her car was parked. “Kelly, I think I do want to go to that concert with you.” All Lena heard on the other end of the phone was Kelly’s cry of joy.
Kara was not used to running through airports, or airports at all, unless she was helping to stop something or save someone. How did people do this all the time?! She made it to the gate with twenty minutes to spare, thank goodness it took a lot for her to get breathless. “Cutting it a bit close aren’t you,” the flight attendant chuckled.
“Yes, I wish I could just fly to London,” Kara said, enjoying her own pun, but knowing it would be lost on anyone who wasn’t Alex or Eliza.
“Don’t we all,” the flight attendant replied before moving on to the next passenger. Kara leaned over and pulled Lanny and a notebook and pencil out of her bag. If she couldn’t fly to London in a minute, she might as well take this time to write some lyrics. The tune she had been humming came back into her head and it gently escaped her lips as she thought about a pair of soulful green eyes.
“Aren’t you lucky that Eve was willing to give up her ticket.” Kelly grinned as they sat in first class.
“No, she’s lucky that the airline let us transfer the ticket so late,” Lena calmly stated.
“Mmm,” Kelly responded as she tucked into her seat for the flight. Lena thought it would be easy to settle into one of her new books, but found herself gazing out the window thinking about a gentle smile and kind blue eyes. Once the plane had reached its crushing altitude Lena grabbed a pen out of her bag and a small pad she kept out of work habits. At first, she just gently tapped the pen as she listened to Kelly chatter on, nodding her head at key moments. Then she found herself uncapping her pen and words started to slowly fall out of her head and through her fingers.
Slivers of light, there when you’re not looking
Take you out of yourself, like the sounds of a gentle brook
Someone walks by steady, calm
You’re not ready, completely disarmed
Lena had no idea where it was coming from, but it kept flowing at least for a while. “Lena!” Kelly's voice finally broke through the daze Lena had found herself in. “Are you hungry, do you want the meal?” Kelly asked the flight attendant right next to her, both looking at her expectantly.
All Lena could do was nod.
“What are you writing there?” the woman next to Kara asked, her voice soft, as if not wanting to interrupt. “It’s a melody, I’ve had part of it rolling around in my head, but something clicked today and I think I found what had been eluding me.” Kara couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “I hope I get to hear it someday,” the woman smiles before going back to her digital crossword puzzle. Kara went back to furiously scribbling the melody down in her notebook.
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The concert went well. It was sold out and Kara was pretty sure folks had been standing outside trying to listen. Now she was helping folks through the signature line for Alex and her band. “It’s you,” Lena’s voice hit Kara like the sweet smell of dandelions, it didn’t feel real. Kara turned and she couldn’t keep the smile off her face, “it is.”
“This is your band?” Lena asked moving closer to the merchandise table that was before where Alex was signing vinyl and CDs. “My sister’s,” Kara pointed at Alex.
“Of course,” Lena tried to hide her blush, “You weren’t on stage most of the time.”
“I was just there to help with set up and take down,” Kara explained, both of them never noticing how another crew member shifted the line around them. “My name’s Kara by the way,” Kara rushed out as she moved around the table to get closer to Lena, “So sorry I didn’t have time to say that. I couldn’t miss my flight.”
“Nice to meet you Kara, I’m Lena,” Lena held out her hand and Kara grinned as she gripped it firmly. “Nice to meet you. So had you been planning on coming to this show?” Kara put her hands in her pockets and rocked on her feet a bit, floating just a bit. Her powers had started to return part way through the show. “My friend, Kelly,” Lena pointed to Kelly who was speaking animatedly with Alex at the signing table. Alex let Kelly take up more of her time than most people, “over there, she wanted me to come, and I had declined, but here I am.”
“What changed your mind?” Kara's eyes are genuinely curious, unaware of her pull on others. “Well, umm, it was…it was, Kelly calling me out for not living, and if I’m honest our conversation in the bookshop spurred me to come with her…” Lena was trying and failing to hide a blush. Kara’s smile was small and sincere, “I’m honored, do you wanna get out of here. I have something I want to play for you. You inspired me.” Lena nodded and they headed out of the music venue.
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There was a fire. A large fire. It was in one of the Luthor Foundation Buildings. Kara was there. She had just been in Canada getting some poutine when she heard Lena’s heartbeat skyrocket. Kara quickly put the fire out working with the fire department, but her own heartbeat was fast. She needed to find Lena. There was chaos everywhere, so Kara flew up over the crowd and focused her hearing. “Call Ian, we need the roster of employees…” Kara heard Lena’s smooth voice and landed behind her before she could think to stop herself.
“You’re alright,” left Kara’s mouth as her hand was slowly rising to touch Lena’s arm.
“What…” Lena turned and saw Supergirl standing right behind her. “Yes, I’m fine, but I’m worried about that wall over there,” Lena pointed to where a wall was crumbling and about to fall from fire damage. Kara swiftly flew over to take care of it more at ease after seeing Lena was unscathed from the fire. Later that day, Lena was snuggled into Kara and Kara never wanted this to end, but she had to tell Lena. She couldn’t keep it from her anymore, it was a form of lying. “Lena, I have something to tell you.” Lena hummed almost seeming not to hear Kara.
Kara made a decision, she wrapped her arms more tightly around Lena and then started to float. The blanket covering them fell to the floor. “Oh, my what, Kara, what is…is...going...“ Lena was looking down at the floor one moment and up at Kara the next. The shock and joy battling on her face. “I had to tell you, I couldn’t hold it in any more,” Kara stated simply, “I want to be honest with you because I never want this to end.”
“You’re her! You’re Supergirl!” Lena’s hand had wrapped around Kara’s cheek. “Yes.” Kara’s eyes were joyful, but still laced with some worry. “Kara,” Lena whispered, her hand stroking up and down Kara’s cheek, “Thank you for telling me.” Kara leaned further into Lena’s touch as they floated. Song lyrics flying through her mind as she kept her eyes locked with Lena’s. “You don’t mind, it doesn’t scare you.”
“Never, you are already wonderful,” Lena grinned, leaning in for a kiss, “though this does explain a few things.”
“Wait, you told Lena?!” Alex said over her bowl of cereal. “Is that wise?”
“Alex I couldn’t keep it from her any more. It would ruin the relationship we are building,” Kara said over her own cereal bowl and massive plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. “You really like her, huh?” Alex looked at Kara in shock, she had always been so circumspect about her love life. Kara looked steadily at Alex, “Yes, I do and I think she likes me too. I want to give us a real chance.”
“I get that,” Alex replied while running a nervous hand through her hair. “Do you remember Kelly?” “Lena’s friend, of course.” Kara was munching on a piece of bacon. “Well, w…” Alex said playing with her cereal spoon. “OH, you like her!” Kara pointed at Alex and then clapped her hands a little. “Shut up,” Alex leaned over trying to slap Kara’s arm, but the Kryptonian easily evaded. They both went back to eating after some playful shoving.
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“I can’t believe that the song I wrote is a hit,” Lena said looking shocked at the billboard article.
“I never doubted it,” Kara said, kissing the side of Lena’s head as they sat on Kara’s couch. They had been dating for a little over a year. There had been double dates with Alex and Kelly, as they had hit it off after that momentous London concert. Over the course of their time together, Lena had shown Kara the lyrics she had written on that fateful plane ride and Kara had asked if she could play it to her melody. Kara had written the song that had formed in her mind the moment she told Lena she was Supergirl. It had led her to completing that album she had been working on. Once Kara started to workshop the album around it quickly turned into bidding wars and having to make important life decisions. She was so thankful for Lena. Alex was also there to offer advice about the industry. Life had a way of being magical, despite the complexities of being a girlfriend, an alien, and a superhero. Eventually what came out of everything was not only Lena’s song being Kara’s first hit, but Kara having a major worldwide tour lined up. While Kara was on the road a lot, it helped that Kara could fly to Lena so easily. Being Kryptonian had some advantages. Life had fallen into a lovely new cadence and Kara couldn’t be more excited about this next stage of the journey.