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It’s been seven months and Lena still feels like giving up.For seven long months she feels like life isn’t worth living anymore and wants to end it just so she can be with the one she loves and misses every day when that one fateful fight took her away. She could just grab the small bottle in her bathroom medicine cabinet, swallow the little white pills and drift off into an eternal slumber. It would be that easy.Everyone she knew in her life had moved on but Lena couldn’t do what they did. It just hurts too much. How could they just carry on like nothing had happened.Kara was the one person in her life apart from Sam of course, that made her feel like a normal human being and safe. She didn’t care that Lena was a Luthor or that the rest of her family was evil. It wasn’t Lena’s fault she was born into the Luthor family when her father decided to cheat on Lillian with her mother.Lena didn’t hold it against her when she found out that Kara had been keeping a secret that she was Supergirl. She was mad at her for a while but soon forgave her when she realised that Kara only did it to keep her safe.Kara loved Lena for the person she was inside not what everyone else thought about her. She was Lena’s person. Someone she could always count on when she needed her. Someone Lena could talk to about anything and everything when she didn’t want to bother Sam with her problems.Now all Lena has is herself. She has her best friend there but it just wasn’t the same. Kara had this connection with her on a deeper level that no one else had and she felt empty inside. A dark void that refused to brighten.
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Lena misses the way Kara’s megawatt smile would brighten up any room she walked into. The kisses Kara gave her when she would tuck herself into her chest at night. The way those strong hands would play her body like a fiddle, knowing where to touch and how to make her scream out her name in ecstasy. The smell of her shampoo that would follow her out of their en suite bathroom when she opened the door and walked out.The first time Kara asked her out on a date, to when she asked Lena to become her girlfriend and then months later moved in with her. The way she got down on one knee on their trip when Kara flew them to Paris and proposed under the Eiffel Tower, gifting her with the most gorgeous diamond ring. It was the happiest moment of Lena’s life and things were going great for months as they both started planning their wedding but that was soon all taken away when Luthor Corp was infiltrated by Lex. Her maniac older brother who hated all aliens big and small.It was the same day Lex had somehow found out that Lena’s fiancée was the caped superhero he loathed so much. He gave Kara a choice as he held a gun to Lena’s head. He had no intention of actually killing his sister but it gave him the leverage he had over Kara, knowing what he knew.What everyone didn’t know was that Lex had found a way to give himself powers that rivalled Kara’s and when Kara went to attack him, thinking she would be able to disarm him before he even got a chance to shoot Lena, she found herself flying backwards, smashing out the large window of Lena’s office and into the building opposite Luthor Corp. Once Kara got over the shock, she heard Lena cry in agony as her brother squeezed her arm hard enough that she was going to be left with a really nasty bruise. If he squeezed any harder, he would have broken it. She flew back and said that she would do what Lex wanted, begging him not to hurt Lena because she couldn’t bear the thought of losing her whole world that was standing right in front of her.There was only one thing that Lex wanted more in the world and that was to see Supergirl dead so he gave Kara the choice of either fighting him to the death in battle and if not, he reveals her secret to the world, putting everyone she loves in danger of being targeted for the rest of their lives just to get to her.Kara chose the former, agreeing to his challenge if it meant that her family and Lena were safe, not even thinking about what it was going to do to Lena and how it was going to badly affect her if she lost. She knew what she had to do and that was not die at the hands of a ball headed lunatic.Lena told her that there was always another way but Kara had made up her mind. As long as Lex had powers, he was a danger to everyone. She was going to do what she always does. Protect and neutralize the threat.The skies above National City crackled with an electric tension as Lex, now possessing unimaginable powers, faced off against Kara. Buildings trembled under the weight of their titanic clash, as the sheer magnitude of their power reverberated through the city.Lex's eyes burned with an eerie glow, as he hovered effortlessly above the ground, his new abilities granting him strength beyond comprehension. A malevolent smile played on his lips as he surveyed the scene, relishing the opportunity to finally confront his formidable enemy.Lena and the whole of National City watched on as her brother and her fiancée fought against each other, Lena praying that Kara came out victorious because she couldn’t lose the love of her life, her protector and best friend.The clash erupted with a thunderous boom, shockwaves radiating outward with each exchange of blows. Lex moved with an otherworldly agility, his movements almost too swift for the human eye to follow. He launched a devastating punch towards Kara, his fist crashing into her side with a force that sent her hurtling through the air, smashing into a skyscraper.Gritting her teeth, Kara recovered quickly, determination fuelling her rage. She soared back into the fight, retaliating with a multitude of strikes, each blow infused with her Kryptonian might but Lex deflected her attacks effortlessly, his newfound powers enabling him to match her blow for blow.Their battle intensified, the very air crackling with energy as they unleashed their respective powers upon one another. Beams of heat vision and blasts of energy clashed in mid-air, creating dazzling explosions that lit up the sky like fireworks. The shockwaves from their clashes shook the ground, causing buildings to crumble and debris to rain down upon the city below, civilians scattering like little ants trying to find cover.Lena had enough of watching everything on her office tv, opting to go out into the city instead much to the worry of Sam who said that maybe it wasn’t a very good idea to be out in the open while a battle was going on. Lena ignored her best friends plea and her arm still ached, thanks to Lex but she put the pain aside and ventured out her front door and into the street.Lena’s voice came out a whisper as her eyes were glued to the sky. “Please baby. You can do it. Please come back to me Kara.” She murmured, hoping Kara would hear her words, giving her the strength to carry on.Kara zigzagged back and forth delivering everything she had to try and beat Lex to a pulp. She was tiring out fast as her body started to feel weak, having almost exerted the last of her strength and energy. Lex was also in the same predicament as Kara, having used nearly all his energy up. In a last attempt to bring Lex down, she mustered all the energy of every single cell in her body and flew towards him, breaking the sound barrier in the process, grasping him around the mid-section to force him to the ground.It worked as both Kara and Lex smashed into the road, bits of concrete, dirt and dust flying up in every direction possible making it hard to see anything. Everyone looked on as they waited anxiously for the dust cloud to settle.Kara stood there, bent over and heaving for breath. From afar, she looked victorious until she turned and stumbled to her knees, clutching her chest. Because she was so caught up in taking Lex down once and for all, in amongst the chaos, she failed to notice the Kryptonite blade he had seemed to create out of thin air until it was too late and had stabbed her straight in the heart, the blade piercing straight through it. She fell onto her back and turned her head as her eyes sought out Lena in the crowd.Their eyes met as Kara gave a weak smile. She had heard her while she was up there fighting with Lex.Lex turned and gave Lena a victorious smile that made her feel sick to her stomach. He bent down and whispered in Kara’s ear that it was over and now that he has won, Lena was going to live a miserable life without her.Lena rushed over and threw herself over Kara as she lay dying in the crater and looked up at her brother, yelling at him to stop and get away from her. He had done enough damage and vowed that one day she was going to find a way to kill him herself.Lex just laughed in her face, challenging her to try as she might, there will be nothing she can do.Lena tried everything she could think of to try and save Kara when Alex and her team got her back to the DEO but it was too late. She felt like a failure. She felt she could have done more as she lay next to Kara, telling her that she would find a way to avenge her death and how much she loves her and that she will cherish all the time they spent together while they shared one last kiss before Kara closed her eyes and took her final breath, wrapped up in Lena’s arms.

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The private Cemetery is where Lena loves to go when she needed time away from all the crazy meetings and hustle and bustle of work during her lunch breaks. It was quiet except for the cicadas making their usual noise in the trees. It’s where Kara’s final resting place is. With a book in her hand and some fresh flowers, she would toss the wilted ones away, replacing them. Some days she would tell Kara about her day or sometimes she would sit silently and read until she was ready to leave.“Hi, my love.” Lena brushed her hands off, spread the blanket out she also brought with her and sat down next to Kara’s grave, leaning her back against the marble that had been warmed up by the afternoon sun.She picked up her book and flipped to the page she finished at the day before. The breeze gently blew around her, the trees swaying side to side. A butterfly landed on the flowers she just put there. It’s pretty blue wings flapped slowly. It’s the only time she felt at peace as she immersed herself in her book and let her mind wander.
“Can I have two sticky buns please.” Kara stood at the counter of Noonan’s, waiting for her breakfast. “Oh and a coffee please.”

“Coming right up, Miss Danvers.”

“Sounds like someone could use the extra sugar today?” Lena asked, having overheard Kara’s order. “Sorry I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” She eyed Kara’s pert little butt in the cute summer dress she had on before she turned around.

“It’s alright and yes I do-” Kara paused mid-sentence as she turned to see who was standing behind her. “Oh golly! You’re-wow-beautiful!” Kara blushed as she fumbled over her words and realised what she just said while staring into amused pretty green eyes.

Lena giggled at Kara’s cute and awestruck expression. “Thank you but it’s actually Lena. You’re Kara Danvers right?” Lena noted just how blue Kara’s eyes were up close.

“I-I-yes!” Kara cleared her throat and calmed her nerves. “I am and you’re Lena Luthor!”

“I am.” Lena giggled again. “So… your order is ready.” She pointed behind Kara.

Kara turned around in a rush, placing her phone down the on counter top in a haste to grab her things. “Oh thank you!” she took the order and went to rush off.

“Kara wait!” Lena called out. “Your phone!” she held the device out in front of her after picking it up off the counter.

“Oh gosh!” Kara let out nervous laughter. “Thank you, Lena.”

“You’re welcome.” Lena handed the device back. “Would you like to sit down?”

Kara suddenly had butterflies in her stomach and didn’t know why or how this woman standing in front of her made her so nervous. “I wouldn’t want to hold you up any longer than I already have, Lena. I’m sure you’re a very busy woman.”

“Nonsense, Kara. I’m my own boss and I don't start work for another hour at least so I have time to kill. Please sit.” Lena gestured to the table. “I promise I’m not as scary as everyone makes me out to be and I don’t bite.” She sat and waited for Kara to sit as well. “Please?”

Kara took a breath. “Ok let me start again. Hi Lena. I’m Kara. It’s nice to meet you.” she reached across the table.

Lena reached over and shook her hand. “Hi Kara. it’s nice to meet you too.”
“You miss her too huh…” Lena looked to her left as a little bird landed on the stone and chirped, pulling her out of her daydream. “Yeah I do too.” She murmured as it flew away into the trees.Lena closed her book, stood and brushed her pants off. “I’m sorry to cut this visit short today but I best be getting back to work. I miss you so much but I’ll come back another day when I have free time.” She whispered through her tears while she ran her fingers over the plaque that had Kara’s name etched into it. “I love you. I won’t ever stop loving you.” she lay her forehead there for a moment, blinking her tears away and turned to go back to her car.
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Feeling exhausted as she dropped down into her chair, Lena pinched the bridge of her nose as she hung her head down and closed her eyes. “I just have to get through this day and then I can go home.” She muttered under her breath.She really just wanted to pack everything up and go home right then to her empty penthouse but she knew she had work that needed to be done if she was to keep Luthor Corp running as it should be after Lillian signed her shares over and Lena paid Lex off, allowing her to fully take over the company and run it the way she wants.
“Lena are you in? I bought you lunch!” Kara called out as she walked into Lena’s office. “Sorry to just barge in but I saw your doors open.”

“It’s fine Kara! I’ll be out in just a moment.” Lena replied from her office bathroom, the door swinging open a minute later.

“I have big belly burger!” Kara held up the greasy paper bags along with that radiant smile, flashing her pearly whites. “I know you don’t take a break and eat something during a long work day.” She put the bags down on the coffee table. “Come sit!” she gave Lena a kiss to her cheek.

“Kara Danvers! My hero!” Lena smiles brightly as she takes a seat on the couch to pull out her fries and burger.

“Lena…” Kara blushes and tucks her chin to her chest. The tips of her ears turning bright red.

Lena smirks while she chews on some fries. “Thank you, Kara. It was very thoughtful of you to think of bringing me lunch and you’re right. I don’t take breaks to eat sometimes.”

“You’re very welcome Lena.”
“Lena… Earth to Lena…” Sam snapped her fingers.“Huh?” Lena blinked and looked up.“Is everything alright? I’ve been standing here calling your name for the last five minutes.”“Yeah…” Lena looked up at her best friend. “What is it Sam?”“I need you to sign this off. It’s the contract you got me to write up yesterday. It’s finished. Just needs your signature.” Sam drops the open folder on her desk.Lena quickly skims over the pages and pulls a pen from the cup on her desk to scribble her life away on the dotted line next to her name. “Is that all?”Sam closes the folder and picks it up. “Um, yeah that’s all I came in here for. Are you sure you’re ok? Would you like me to schedule another appointment with your therap-”“I said I’m fine Sam!” Lena snapped suddenly.“Hey, alright. It was just a suggestion.” Sam clutched the folder to her chest. “I just want to help you, that’s all.”Lena let out a shaky sigh. “I know and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”Sam put the folder back down and moved so she was crouching in front of Lena. “I don’t know the type of pain you are going through right now but I’m here if you need me. All you have to do is let me in.”“Thank you. I know you are just trying to help me. I’m just…” Lena paused for a moment. “I’m just not ready to talk about her to anyone yet.”“Alright I understand. Well I’ll go get this filed away after I get it signed by the other party. Remember just call if you need to.” Sam stood and bent to place a kiss to Lena’s forehead. “Go home. I can handle things here for you.” She picked up the folder and walked towards the door.“I’ll think about it.”Pausing to look back, Lena had swiveled her chair to face the window. “Oh Lena…” Sam whispered to herself before disappearing out of sight.

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As Lena stepped through the door after deciding to go home, leaving Sam in charge of her company, she kicked off her heels and headed straight for the shower.Tossing her bag down on her bed, she slowly unbuttoned her blouse and pulled her pants off her legs, walking into her bathroom in just her underwear. It felt like so much effort just to turn the shower on.Stripping the rest of her clothes off, Lena stepped under the water, sighing in relief as the hot water hit her muscles, relieving the built up tension if just for a moment.“Why did you have to god damn leave me, Kara… I would have found another way if you’d just given me a bit of time. I would have kept us all safe.” Lena muttered as the steam wrapped around her weary body. She felt like she had aged centuries in the past months. “I’d give anything in this world just to see you again.”Getting out an hour later when her hot water ran out and toweling herself off, Lena pulled on a pair of panties and a sleep shirt, venturing out into the kitchen to get her something to eat.“Good evening Ms Luthor.” Hope powered up the second Lena walked in.“Evening Hope.” Lena replied, pulling a ready-made meal from the freezer to defrost it in the microwave.Pulling it free when the microwave beeped, Lena carried it over to the table to eat.“Ms. Luthor, I noticed you removed the reminder about taking your medication. Are you feeling better?”Lena swallowed what was in her mouth. “Yes, Hope. I am feeling better, thank you.” She said but in reality, they just made her feel like a walking zombie and she hated taking them. “You can power down for the night.”“As you wish. Goodnight Ms. Luthor.” Hope blinked on and off until her light dimmed then turned off.Lena finished her meal, tossed her trash in the bin, cleaned up and turned to walk towards her bedroom but stopped and looked at the door leading into one of the guest bedrooms. The only one where she kept the door closed. She knew what was in there but could never bring herself to enter it.Boxes. There were boxes stacked everywhere. All things belonging to Kara that had been packed away because she couldn’t bear to look at them. Seeing something that belonged to the person she still loves with her whole entire being, just made her burst into tears so if they were out of sight, they were out of mind.Sam and Andrea had come over to check on Lena the day after Kara’s passing to find her curled up in a ball on her bed, wrapped in one of Kara’s shirts, crying her eyes out to a point where she would probably start hyperventilating if they didn’t try to calm her down and knew they had to do something because it hurt them to see their best friend in so much pain.They gathered as many boxes as they could and took everything of Kara’s, packing them up neatly and put them in the guest bedroom the furthest away from Lena’s room thinking that maybe one day when she was ready, she would want to eventually go through them.While Sam ran her a bath, Andrea scooped Lena off her bed and sat her on her lap in the bathroom to undress her, Lena having no energy to protest and both women had seen her naked many times anyway then helped her into the tub to clean her up and help to make her feel better. They tried to make her eat but she wasn’t hungry so they let her crawl into bed but promised each other that they would keep an eye on her.With her hand hovering over the door handle, Lena let out a heavy sigh and dropped her arm back to her side, opting to go to bed instead.
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“I’m worried about Lena.” Sam stressed as she sat in the coffee shop with Alex the next morning.“What happened?” Alex asked as she sipped on her coffee. “Is everything ok?”“She just snapped at me is all. I took some files into her office for her to sign. She was probably thinking about Kara when I went in there and I probably shouldn’t have mentioned making her another appointment with her therapist.” Sam twisted her coffee cup around in her hands. “I just want the happy Lena I knew before Kara left us, back.”Alex reached across the table and pried Sam’s hands away from her cup and took them into her own. “Lena is grieving like the rest of us are but more so because Kara was her fiancée. She was the love of her life.  Give her time. I know you want to help but maybe she’s not ready yet to let any of us in.”“I guess we all are grieving in our own way.” Sam squeezed Alex’s hands. “How are you doing with all this? Kara was your sister and the superhero of this city.” she whispered lowly so she wouldn’t be overheard.Alex was on the verge of tears. “It’s so hard without her around anymore, Sam. She was always there when I needed her. It didn’t matter how mean or mad I could get at her; she was always there but god I miss her.”Sam squeezed Alex’s hands a little tighter. “We are going to get through this together. All of us including Lena.”“I know, Sam. Also it's Lena's decision to see her therapist when she is ready.” Alex gave Sam a nod and took her hands back. “I need to get to work but I’ll pay Lena a visit later on today if she’s up for it.”“Sure thing Alex and I should really get to work myself. Lena should be there about now.” Sam stood and made her way to work as well.
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Heading upstairs with a coffee cup in her hand, Sam knocked then pushed Lena’s office door open, expecting to see her already buried in her laptop screen except she was met with an empty desk chair.“Hey Jess has Lena arrived yet?” Sam backtracked back out to see Lena’s receptionist already hard at work.“Oh I thought you already knew?” Jess gave Sam a confused expression with a slight head tilt.“Knew what Jess?” Sam put the coffee cup down on top of her desk and pursed her lips.“My apologies but Ms. Luthor cancelled all her meetings and said that she wasn’t coming into work today. I would have sent you the memo had I known that you didn’t know. I just assumed Ms. Luthor would have told you herself.” Jess gave Sam an apologetic look. “I feel for her you know. Miss Danvers was the light of her life.”Lena had made Jess sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement after she told her who Kara really was when she walked into Lena’s office one day and thought that she was cheating on Kara with Supergirl as they made out on her couch, Lena sitting bridal style in her lap.“No, that’s alright Jess. Don’t apologize.” Sam looked at her own schedule in the calendar on her phone. “Can you postpone my meeting I have this morning until tomorrow. I’m going to check on Lena and probably won’t be back for the day.”“Certainly Miss Arias. Already done.” Jess waved a dismissive hand. “Go. I’ll keep an eye on things here.”“Alright. I’ll text and let you know how Lena is.” Sam said as she rushed off, leaving the cup behind. “Oh you can have the coffee.” She pointed as she waited for the elevator door to open.
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Stopping at Lena’s front door, Sam could already smell the alcohol coming from Lena’s living room as it seeped underneath it before she even walked in.“Jesus Christ, Lena.” Sam went around and picked up the three empty wine bottles that were lying on the coffee table that certainly weren’t there the day before when she was there, throwing them into the trash. There was also a scotch bottle, tipped on its side with half its contents running over the edge of the counter and onto the plush white rug. “How can one woman drink this much booze is beyond me.” She grimaced, standing the bottle back up and screwed the lid back on then went in search of Lena.Walking into her room, Sam could hear Lena throwing up in the bathroom. She had her face in the toilet bowl, her hair acting as a curtain around her head.Sam pinched her nose as alcohol permeated the air. “Damn Lena you look like hell. What happened last night?” She kneeled down and held Lena’s hair out of the way.“Nothing, I’m fine.” Lena said in between hiccupping and spitting the horrible taste from her mouth. “Why are you here anyway. You should be at work.”Sam’s knee bumped Lena’s phone that was on the floor next to the toilet so she put it on the bathroom vanity. “What do you mean why am I here. Jess told me you cancelled everything and that you weren’t coming into work today so I left to come and check on you like a best friend is supposed to is why I am here.”“You didn’t have to come.” Lena lifted her face, her eyes bloodshot and puffy from crying all night. “I just said I’m fine.”“No you’re not fine Lena. This has got to stop. You look like you haven’t slept all night and are clearly exhausted. I can see you’ve also been crying so stop lying and please talk to me.”Lena flushed the toilet, stood and grabbed the sink as her legs nearly gave out beneath her, stumbled back to bed and pulled the covers up and over her head. “Go back to work Sam. I don’t wanna talk to you or anyone.”“Well tough shit because I’m not going anywhere. Jess is handling things at work and Ruby is in school and will be going to a friend’s house for a sleepover after, so there is no need for me to leave. I’m going to stay whether you like it or not and clean up the house that is in a mess while you get some rest. I’ll come back in and check on you in a few hours.” Sam watched the blanket rise and fall with Lena’s breathing.“Fine.” Lena’s muffled reply came from under her blanket.Sam nodded to herself, went around to pick Lena’s clothes up off the floor and sit them on the back of the vanity chair then left to clean the kitchen and living room. She was in the middle of doing the dishes when Andrea walked in and wrapped her up in her arms from behind.Andrea bent to nudge Sam’s hair aside and bury her nose in her neck considering that she was a foot taller with her heels on, placing a gentle kiss there. “How’s she doing?” She moved her face from the warm confines of Sam’s neck and rested her chin on her shoulder.Sam had texted her girlfriend to let her know that she was spending the day with Lena. “She’s not doing too good. She’s been up crying all night and should be resting I hope.” She pulled out the trash bin from under the sink. “And she also drunk all these.”“Fucking hell. It’s a wonder she hasn’t given herself alcohol poisoning yet.” Andrea gawked at all the empties over her shoulder. “I want to do more to help but it’s hard when she won’t let us in.”Sam stopped what she was doing and wiped her hands. “I feel the same way.” She turned in Andrea’s arms, looping her arms around her neck. “But we just need to let her grieve in her own way and give her time. I had a talk to Alex about it earlier.”“That’s good. One day those walls she has up will come crashing down and when they do, she is going to hurt more than ever but we both will be right there so for now, would you like a hand cleaning this place?” Andrea lovingly rubbed her nose against Sam’s to leave a gentle kiss on it.“Don’t you have your own company to run?” Sam arched her eyebrow.“Yes but if you don’t want my help, I’ll gladly leave you to it.” Andrea moved to walk back towards the door with a smirk knowing damn well Sam will just pull her back.“Nooo, wait don’t leave me!” Sam whined with a pout on her face, gripping Andrea’s arm. “I would love your help.”Andrea chuckled. “Good because I wasn’t going to leave even if you told me to.” She gave Sam’s backside a playful smack making her shriek.“Andrea!”“Can both of you keep it down. I can hear you from my bedroom.”Andrea and Sam both froze and watched Lena grab an unopened bottle of wine from the wine rack in the corner.“Nope, that’s not happening again. You need sleep, Lena. Not wine.” Andrea pulled it from her hand, holding it out of reach.Lena instantly scowled. “Give that back and stop treating me like a baby. If I want to drink it, I will. If I want to sleep I will but stop telling me what to do. Both of you!”“No I won’t give this back. Look at yourself Lena.” Andrea passed the bottle to Sam and placed her hands on Lena’s shoulders, breathing a sigh of relief that she didn’t pull away. “You’re worn out and miserable because you haven’t slept and I can only guess you haven’t eaten since last night and the last thing you need to be doing right now is consuming more alcohol. It’s a wonder you didn’t poison yourself with how much you drank last night.”Because of the exhaustion Lena was experiencing and all the wine she drunk accompanied with all the bottled up feelings she’s been holding in for months, her shoulders sagged, her bottom lip quivered and tears started to run down her cheeks again. The invisible walls she put up hadn’t fully crumbled but they were slowly breaking away, little by little.“I’m sorry.” Lena whispered so quietly, Andrea could have missed it had she not been listening properly and stood there with her head down, her shoulders shaking with her sobbing. “I-I was trying to.” She admitted, feeling ashamed. “I just wanted the pain to go away but I couldn’t do it so I threw it all up.”“Oh, hey.” Andrea pulled Lena into her. “I’m not trying to treat you like a baby Lena. That’s not what I am doing here. What I am doing is trying to help you feel better. We all miss Kara too. So much. She was a big part of our lives just as much as she was yours so don’t think for a second that we don’t care because we do and we don't ever want you to feel like your life isn't worth living anymore because we still need you Lena. Just the same way you also need us.” She rubbed her hand soothingly up and down her back. “So please stop crying ok.”“Andrea’s right. All we want to do is look after you. It hurts us to see you so upset. I know you don’t wanna open up to us and that’s ok. We aren’t going to push you to do so.” Sam came up behind her and wrapped herself around Lena’s back, sandwiching her between herself and Andrea. “Also can you stop crying because otherwise you’re gonna make me cry.”Lena let out a few small sniffles into Andrea’s chest. “Ok.”“Alright. How about you take a nice hot shower, freshen up and take a nap for as long as you like. Don’t worry about work. It’s not going to combust without you there.” Sam kissed the top of her head and moved away. “Plus you cancelled everything anyway.”“You two are really great friends.” Lena calmed down and wiped her face.“We know now go.” Andrea gave her one more hug and let her go. “If you need us or anything we are right here.”Lena nodded and headed back to her bedroom. She showered, got dressed in clean clothes and slept the whole day away. When she woke, she managed to get a little bit of dinner into her that Sam cooked then sat up for a while, tucked up on the couch with Sam, Andrea and Alex who had come over to see how she was doing. Looking around her, she was also grateful to have loving, caring and wonderful people in her life.

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The day after Kara died those seven months ago and once Clark knew it was safe to do so and that he was totally alone, he removed her lifeless body from her grave like crypt, sealing it back up like he hadn’t almost pulled the doors completely off, he flew Kara back to the fortress where her resurrection and healing would take place.The Fortress of Solitude stood in somber silence, the frigid walls bearing witness to a scene of profound sorrow. Kara Zor-El-Supergirl-Hero of National City and earth itself, lay motionless on a pristine crystal platform while he prepared the Matrix.Gently, as if handling a fragile relic, he lifted her lifeless body and placed it into the Regeneration Matrix, closing the door, sealing her inside it. A remarkable piece of Kryptonian technology that Clark had secretly built himself with the help of his trusty robot helper Kelex, held the power to revive its occupant if their body was preserved in time. Inside the transparent chamber, Kara's form rested in stasis, suspended in a thick goo like substance. Tubes and wires connected her to the system monitoring her vital signs and ensuring a steady supply of energy for her cells to regenerate.The Regeneration Matrix hummed to life, its pulsating energy coursing through Kara's lifeless form. It was a desperate act bringing her back to life not just for himself but for her earth family and friends especially Lena who was taking her death the hardest but he knew that hope was a fragile thing. He watched, his eyes filled with a mixture of anguish and hope, as the Matrix got to work. He needed her back. If Lena was to come up with a formula to take Lex’s powers from him then Kara would need to be there to help her take her brother down.For hours, Clark stood vigil, his eyes never leaving Kara's inert figure. The Fortress was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the Matrix and the distant echoes of his own heavy heartbeats. As time passed, his hope dwindled, and doubt crept in. Was he too late? Had he lost Kara forever?But just when he thought that all hope was lost and Kara was never coming back, his ears picked up the faint sound of her heart beginning to beat to life putting his worries at ease knowing that this marvellous piece of technology worked.  He had told Kara not long after she had become Supergirl about the Fortress of Solitude and all the secrets and many Kryptonian artifacts it holds and also showed her the matrix, making her promise to forever keep it a secret.
********
As Kelex checked Kara’s vitals, Clark appeared behind him. “Kal-El, Kara Zor-El is taking a long time to heal. It has been months now and her healing rate is only at forty percent.”“That’s to be expected Kelex. Kara was killed by a kryptonite blade so it will take her a little while to heal to full capacity as her body repairs.”“Why can we not tell the others about Kara Zor-El?” Kelex flew around the matrix a few times. “Why do we have to keep her a secret? Especially from Lena Luthor.”“Because Kelex. Like I said when I first brought Kara here. It’s safer for everyone if they don’t know especially Lex Luthor. He cannot know that I have brought Kara back from the dead. It will put everyone in danger and Kara won’t ever forgive me if anything happened to them. That is why I never told anyone about the Regeneration Matrix. Only Kara knew.”“I understand Kal-El.” Kelex started pushing buttons on a control panel in front of him.“Good. I need to get back to Metropolis. I only came to check on Kara’s progress. Keep her safe Kelex. I’ll return again.”“Of course, Kal-El.” Kelex said as Clark left the fortress and flew back home to Metropolis.Kelex had worked tirelessly making sure that the matrix was doing it’s intended job. The inside of it was suffused with a soft, yellow glow as Kara lay still and unconscious within its chamber. The slice where the blade pierced her heart was slowly being knitted back together. Visible bruises and cuts becoming less and less, disappearing beneath the skin of her battered body.  Clark returned a couple of hours later but sensed that something was very wrong. Kelex was frantically pushing at the buttons on the control panel.  “Kelex what is going on?” Clark noticed the matrix blinking in rapid successions and Kara’s body convulsing within it.“It seems we have a severe problem Kal-El.”“Is there anything you can do to fix it?” Clark paced back and forwards. “We have to keep Kara alive. She is not ready to be woken up yet. There’s no way of bringing her back a second time if the matrix fails.”“I’m trying Kal-El but there is a chance that I cannot.” Kelex’s robot arms moving as fast as they could to try rectify the problem.Clark stood next to Kara and placed his hand on the glass. “I’m not losing you again Kara. I’ve come too far for you to leave again.”“Because of the magnitude of Kara Zor-El’s injuries she sustained during her fight with Lex Luthor, repairing extensive damage to her heart with Kryptonite still in her system paired with regenerating her cells is causing the matrix to experience an overload.” Kelex explained.“Find a way to stabilize it!” Clark said as he paced the fortress.“I can try to divert the excess energy away from the core.”“Do it!” Clarks voice boomed around the fortress, his anxiety levels at an all-time high.“Right away Kal-El.” Kelex said as he got to work.With swift precision, he began rerouting the surging energy away from the Matrix's core. He created a series of temporary energy conduits to redirect the excess power into a containment field, preventing it from overwhelming the Matrix's delicate systems.Recognizing that the Matrix's structural integrity was at risk, Kelex deployed energy reinforcement protocols, strengthening the chamber's walls to withstand the strain of the overload. As he worked tirelessly to stabilize the Matrix, the chamber crackled with tension. The once-blinding yellow light dimmed to a manageable intensity, and the deafening roar of energy subsided to a low hum.Superman watched with a mixture of hope and anxiety. The Matrix's fate hung in the balance, and their last chance at regenerating Kara depended on Kelex's expertise and determination.With a final surge of effort, Kelex completed his adjustments. Its energy flow had been redirected, its systems cooled, and its critical functions preserved. Kara stopped convulsing and her body stilled once more.“It is done Kal-El.” Kelex informed. “Although this is only temporary. The matrix is now unstable and remains fragile and will go into another overload. Unless we come up with another way to heal Kara Zor-El fully, she will die again.”“Damn. I hadn’t taken into account the amount of energy it would take to bring my cousin back from death.” Clark ran his fingers through his hair. “We only have one other choice. We must infuse Kara with the eradicator.”Kelex hovered over the matrix. “No Kal-El. We do not know what that will do to Kara Zor-El. There has to be another way.”“We don’t have any other choice Kelex. My father sent the crystal to earth when he sent me as a baby in my ship, for a reason with a message that I kept it safe and locked away because it contains great power and I’m not going to give up on Kara now. We will face whatever consequences may arise. Wait here while I go retrieve it.” Clark instructed as he disappeared.Within the depths of the Fortress Clark stood before the dormant Eradicator as his father had called it. He had sent with it, archive notes on the sort of power the crystal contains. The crystalline artifact, pulsating with untold energy, given its name had the potential to fully heal Kara to one hundred percent and instantly remove all traces of Kryptonite from her system while also enhancing her abilities. Yet, it also carried the weight of uncertainty and risk.Clark's cape rustled softly as he took a deep breath, his gaze locked onto the enigmatic artifact. His eyes, usually filled with unwavering determination, now betrayed a hint of hesitation. He knew that infusing Kara with the Eradicator's power was a monumental decision, one that could alter her life and the course of events to come hence the reason he hadn’t used it first instead of the regeneration matrix.Carefully lifting it from the pedestal on which it sat, he carefully carried it back to Kelex who was still waiting in exactly the same spot.“I have just finished calibrating the matrix in preparation for the infusion.” Kelex said as Clark carried the crystal over to the console. “Are you one hundred percent sure you want to do this?”Clark closed his eyes and began to focus his thoughts on what this power could potentially do to Kara if she struggled to control it within herself. She could end up harming the people around her, leaving chaos and destruction in her wake. On the other hand, it would give her ungodly power making her stronger and faster and practically almost invincible except she still wouldn’t be immune to Kryptonite being her only weakness. Using the eradicator was a last resort but he had no other options to fall back on so he made his decision.“Yes.” Clark handed the crystal over to Kelex. “Begin the infusion process.” He said with unwavering resolve.“As you wish.” Kelex slowly placed the crystal into the console connected to the matrix.As the eradicators power flowed into the matrix, the chambers glow intensified instantly, casting long shadows across the frozen walls of the fortress until they were almost as bright as the sun.Kelex monitored Kara’s vitals as they rose quickly when all of a sudden there was a loud explosion, the glass shattering from the matrix’s door.What happened next, Clark was totally unprepared for when in a split second he found himself flying backwards at a phenomenal speed that was faster than the speed of light, smashing his back into the solid frozen wall with a hand tightly wrapped around his throat.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When Kara's eyes had snapped open, her vision blurred for a moment as her consciousness returned. She felt disoriented, her surroundings unfamiliar. As her senses sharpened, she realized she was inside the Fortress, surrounded by the crystalline walls and the glow of the Kryptonian technology that enveloped her. Blinking to clear her vision, she had attempted to sit up, but a wave of energy surged through her. It was an energy unlike anything she had ever felt before, coursing through her veins and filling her with newfound strength and power. The memories of her fight with Lex and the blade plunging into her heart killing her were suddenly at the forefront of her mind filling her with an unquenchable thirst for revenge. Placing her hands on the glass, caused it to explode, sending shards scattering all around her.Before her stood Clark but having the Eradicator's influence take hold, she didn’t see her cousin but instead saw Lex and Kara's demeanor had shifted in an instant. Her gaze turned cold, and a sinister smile played on her lips.Without hesitation, Kara lunged toward him, her movements swift and in a flash, she had him pinned against a towering ice pillar, her fingers closing around his throat. The ice crackled and groaned, bearing witness to the raw power coursing through her veins.Clark, his eyes wide with shock, gasped for breath, his superhuman strength proving insufficient against Kara's newfound might. Desperation flickered in his gaze as he struggled to comprehend the transformation that had taken place within her. Even her suit had undergone significant changes also emitting a powerful glow so bright that if he weren’t Kryptonian, he surely would have been blinded.“Ready to die, Lex?” Kara sneered in his face. “Because I’m about to do to you what you did to me.”“Kara, it's me… It’s Clark… I’m not Lex!” He managed to choke out, his voice strained and pleading. “You're not yourself right now. Fight it!”Kara's laughter rang out like a haunting melody, the Eradicator's influence echoing in her words. “Fight it? Why would I fight when I've never felt more alive? This is power, more power beyond your wildest dreams.” For a moment, it seemed as though Kara's aggression would prevail, her fingers tightening around Clark's throat.But deep within her, a flicker of humanity remained. Memories that brought her joy appeared. Her sister and Eliza, Andrea and Sam. Kelly, James and the rest of her friends. Ruby was even there flashing through her mind. Her unbreakable bond with Lena and the love between them threatened to pierce the Eradicator's influence.With every ounce of strength, he could muster, Clark whispered… “Remember who you are.” He gasped for air and grabbed her wrist in an attempt to pry her hand free to no avail. “Lena needs you Kara.”Lena. The name of her love resonated within her, triggering an internal battle. Kara's grip faltered, and the ice pillar cracked and crumbled as she released her cousin. She staggered back, the Eradicator's hold weakening, and the light of her true self began to shine through the darkness, one particular memory rising to the surface.
“Kara where are we going?” Lena giggled as Kara grabbed her hand and dragged her through a large field in the outskirts of the city.

“It’s a surprise but I think you’re going to love it.” Kara picked her up. “Wrap your legs around me and hold on!”

“Kara what are you-” Lena quickly wrapped herself around Kara’s body. “Kara!”
“Kara?” Clark watched her drop to her knees and grab her head in both hands, squeezing tightly. “Kara can you hear me?”“ARGHH!” Kara screamed as the Eradicator fought to take over as happy memories pushed through. The images playing through her mind.
Kara laughed as she slowed to a stop and placed Lena on her feet. “I’m sorry but I wanted to get here faster.”

“To an empty field filled with long grass?” Lena scrunched her nose up adorably and peered up at her fiancée.

Kara took Lena’s face into her hands and bent to peck the tip of her nose. “It’s not just an empty field Lena.”

Lena watched as Kara picked up a small twig lying at her feet. “Kara-” she paused when Kara flicked the twig into the grass and a mass of butterflies flew up from the ground.

Kara stood behind Lena and watched her. “Beautiful, aren’t they?” She walked around and held out her hand. “Come with me.”

Lena let Kara pull her into the center gazing up in awe as butterflies flew all around them. Some even landing on the both of them. “This is amazing.” She wrapped her arms around Kara’s waist. “Thank you darling for showing me.”

“You’re welcome, my love.”

“I love you, Kara.” Lena leaned up for a kiss.

Kara bent down and pulled her into a soft yet lingering kiss, pulling away a moment later. “And I love you.”

Lena smiled, leaned up, her warm breath tickling Kara’s ear and whispered… “You need to wake up now.”

“Wake up?... what do you mean-” Kara asked but realized that Lena’s voice sounded… different… like… Clark perhaps?...
“Kara can you hear me?” Clark’s voice felt close to her ear due to her super hearing. “If you can, please wake up.”Kara’s eyes fluttered open, the remnants of her memories still lingering in her mind like a whisper of a long-forgotten melody. But as consciousness fully returned, a throbbing pain seized her temples.She winced and brought her fingers to her forehead, applying pressure, attempting to soothe the ache that pulsed through her head like a relentless drumbeat. It was as if the remnants of the Eradicator's influence were still clawing at the edges of her consciousness.With a slow, cautious movement, Kara sat up. The room's icy, sterile surroundings provided no comfort as she grappled with the lingering aftermath of her battle against the artifact's power.Images from her memories—Lena, butterflies, and the warmth of their love for each other tugged at her heart, reminding her of the light she was fighting to reclaim.But the headache served as a stark reminder that the Eradicator's hold was not easily shaken. It was a constant presence, lurking in the recesses of her mind, demanding her attention and resolve in return for helping her.Kara took a deep breath, the cool, arctic air of the Fortress filling her lungs. She knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainty. The Eradicator's influence was a haunting spectre she couldn't ignore.As the throbbing in her head gradually subsided, Kara steeled herself for what lay ahead. The battle for her identity had only just begun, and the haunting headache was a reminder that the struggle was far from over. She had a lot to learn about this entity flowing inside of her and how to control and maybe connect with it.With unwavering determination, she pushed herself to sit up and took a moment to gather her bearings then got unsteadily to her feet.“Clark?...” Kara wobbled on her feet as Clark grabbed her arm to steady her. “What is happening to me? I’m supposed to be dead… Lex… He… He…” She winced and grabbed her head again. “I need to get to Lena.”“No, you can’t.” Clark helped her walk over to lean against the console. “Not yet. Not like this.”“Why not? I can’t imagine how Lena is feeling without me and I want to see her.”“Because Kara. No one but Kelex and I know you are alive and you have yet to learn how to control the Eradicator. You almost killed me back there.” Clark pointed towards the crumbled pillar. “You could end up hurting Lena or anyone within reach if it comes to the surface again. You and I both know that you wouldn’t forgive yourself if that happened. You’re earths only hope at defeating Lex for good and right now he’s oblivious to your presence.”Kara leaned her palms on the console and hung her head down. She had so many questions she needed to have answered. “Tell me what you did to me!” She growled, turned her head slightly and her eyes burned with intense heat, the Eradicator trying to push through and take over.“I had to bring you back from the dead Kara. Not just for me but for your friends and family. Especially Lena.” Clark watched as Kara’s eyes cooled down at the mention of her name. “I took you from your grave and put you into the matrix where it brought you back to life and where you had stayed for the past seven months while your body regenerated and healed but something went wrong.”“It’s only been seven months?”“Yes.” Clark nodded his head.“It feels like I’ve been gone for centuries.” Kara then thought to how Lena may have coped with her gone. “What went wrong?”“The Matrix was working as it was intended to do but it experienced an overload of power needed to keep you alive while the cells in your body regenerated. Kelex managed to fix it but it became unstable. If it went into another overload you would have died and there would be no bringing you back a second time which is why I had to infuse you with a very powerful Kryptonian artifact.” Clark watched as Kara’s fists curled into tight balls that her knuckles went white. “It helped you heal instantly and enhanced your powers.”“What did you infuse me with?!” Kara gritted her teeth as a sudden sharp pain shot through her heart.“It’s called the Eradicator. It was originally a humanoid created with the noblest of intentions, to safeguard Kryptonian culture and knowledge. But something inside of it changed. Over time…” Clark paused for a moment. “Over time the Eradicator's mission to protect became twisted. It began to view any deviation from Kryptonian tradition as a threat. Its methods grew extreme, and it lost sight of its original purpose.”Kara's eyes widened with realization. “So, it became... evil.”Clark nodded gravely. “Yes, Kara. It became a force of malevolence, eradicating not just threats, but any dissent or innovation. It saw danger everywhere. After it turned on our people, my father and his fellow scientists sought to contain its darkness. They infused its power into a crystal, imprisoning it in the hope of one day finding a way to redeem it.”“How did you end up with it?” Kara slowly began to stand up as the pain in her heart dissipated. “And how come I don’t know of it but you do?”“It was created long before we were born and when it was imprisoned and hidden, father made Zor-El promise to not speak a word of it to anyone in case it ended up in the wrong hands. When he placed me into the pod before our planet exploded, he also hid the crystal in the same blanket I was wrapped in along with his archive notes on what it was and instructions that I lock it away and keep it safe. So, when I got older and created the fortress, I made sure that it was secured in the deepest part of this place where no one would be able to find it. I had no choice, Kara. The Eradicator's power was the only way to save you and now, it's a part of you.”Kara struggled to grasp the implications of her transformation. “What does this mean for me? For Earth?”Clark's expression was grave. “The Eradicator's power is formidable, but it's also corrupting. It will try to control you, to use you as a vessel for its own dark agenda.”Kara clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with determination. “I won't let that happen, Clark. I'll fight it, no matter what it takes.”As Kara confronted the malevolent force within her, a battle of wills began. One that would test her strength, her resolve, and her very identity. The infusion of the Eradicator's power had forever changed her, and the fate of Earth hung in the balance.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The morning sun struggled to penetrate the thick curtains of Lena’s bedroom. The sharp scent of alcohol hung heavily in the air, coming from the soaked scotch stained rug that was still in the living room. Sam had tried her best to clean it but to no avail so had rolled it tight and stood it up against the kitchen counter to be dealt with later.Lena herself lay sprawled in the middle of her very large bed. She was jolted awake by the blaring of her phone's alarm. With a groan, she fumbled for the device and silenced it. Her head pounded in protest, her mouth felt like it was filled with cotton, and her limbs ached with the heaviness of regret as she remembered what she had done the night before when she tried to take her own life by alcohol poisoning before coming to her senses. She hadn't intended to drink so much, maybe just a glass or two to numb the constant ache she was feeling but the pain of Kara's absence had driven her to this desperate act of self-harm.Dragging herself off the bed, Lena stumbled into the bathroom, wincing at her own reflection in the mirror. Dark circles framed her bloodshot eyes, and her usually sharp features were haggard. The person staring back at her looked broken, a far cry from the brilliant and confident CEO the world knew her as.With great effort, Lena managed to clean herself up as best as she could. She threw on a wrinkled blouse and a pair of slacks, barely managing to brush her tangled hair into some semblance of order. She knew she had to go into work despite her body telling her otherwise; the responsibilities of L-Corp couldn't be ignored even in her worse for wear state.As she staggered into her office, she was met with a scene of complete cleanliness. When she had left the day before, her desk was an utter disarray. Papers were scattered, and it was a chaotic mess because she refused anyone who dared try and clean it. It was a reflection of her own inner turmoil. Lena slumped into her chair, wondering how she could continue without Kara, the one person who had always been there for her and just like that was ripped from her life. She sat there for a while nursing her thumping head.Just as she was about to succumb to the darkness that threatened to consume her, a soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up from behind her dark and large rimmed sunglasses, bleary-eyed, to see Sam standing in the doorway, holding a tray with a steaming cup of coffee, scrambled eggs, and toast.“Hey Sam.” Lena rasped, her voice hoarse and her throat feeling like she swallowed sandpaper because she hadn’t had her morning coffee fix to soothe the feeling away.Sam entered the room and set the tray down on her desk. “I thought you might need this.” she said, her voice gentle yet firm. She had always been a rock in Lena's life, a friend who never judged and always supported. “You were already gone by the time Andrea and I got up this morning.” She said as they both had stayed the night just to make sure Lena was going to be ok.Lena blinked, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. “Oh, yeah I needed to get to work. My company isn’t going to run itself and thanks for breakfast.” She pushed her finger under the rim of her glasses to swipe at a tear teetering on the edge of her lower eyelid, ready to fall down her cheek.Sam pulled up a chair and sat down across from Lena, taking in her poorly put together appearance. “You can't keep doing this to yourself, Lena.” she said softly. “Kara wouldn't want to see you like this.”Lena's trembling hands reached for the coffee, the warmth seeping into her cold fingers. She knew that if she continued to keep things bottled up, she was going to eventually drive herself insane and who knows what she might try to do next so she figured that now maybe would be a good time to let some of it go. “I miss her so much.” she admitted, her voice breaking.Sam nodded in understanding. “We all do, Lena. But you don't have to face this alone. We're here for you, and we'll get through it together.” She reached across the desk and took Lena’s free hand into her own.Over breakfast, Lena and Sam talked, sharing memories of Kara and the pain of her absence. Sam's presence was a balm to Lena's wounded soul, a reminder that she was not alone in her grief.As the morning sun continued to rise, casting its healing light into Lena's office, it became clear that with Sam by her side, she had taken the first step toward healing. It was a long road ahead, but it was one she didn't have to walk alone.Jess had popped into the office with a freshly ironed shirt and suit for Lena to change into to help her look and feel more presentable even if she felt like complete and utter shit.Lena’s hangover stayed with her most of the day but she pushed through the insistent but manageable throb in her head with some of the strongest pain relievers she could get her hands on and decided to just focus on the mountain of paperwork she had gotten behind on, leaving Sam to take over her board meetings. Pushing the intercom on her office phone, she called Jess into her office.“Yes, Ms. Luthor?” Jess pushed her door open and walked in.“Jess.” Lena said, her tone steady. “I need you to bring me the monthly budgets for L-Corp. I know I haven’t been myself these past months, but it's time to catch up on our financials.”There was a brief pause before Jess replied. “Are you sure Ms. Luthor?” she eyed the tall pile of papers sitting there on the desk. “I mean you already have so much work to do.” she said as the assistant in her wanted to reach over and take the pile back to her own desk to finish but restrained from doing so, afraid that she’ll get her head chewed off by her boss.“I’m sure Jess. Just please fetch them for me.” Lena said as she carried on with her work. She knew Sam would have already done them but she had to double check for herself that everything was in order.“Of course, Ms. Luthor. I'll gather the reports right away and bring them to your office.” Jess replied with a nod of her head.“Thank you, Jess.” Lena said, her gratitude evident in her voice. She knew that Jess had been working tirelessly to keep things running smoothly in her absence and made a mental note to give the poor woman a generous raise for putting up with her.“Ms. Luthor, here are the monthly budgets for L-Corp.” Jess walked back in a short while later and carefully placed the folders on Lena's desk.Lena nodded in appreciation, her eyes scanning the neatly organized documents. “Thank you, Jess. I appreciate your promptness.”Jess inclined her head slightly. “Is there anything else you need at the moment, Ms. Luthor?”Lena paused for a moment, considering the question. “No, Jess, that will be all for now.”Jess gave a small, understanding smile. “Very well, Ms. Luthor. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out.”As Jess left the room, Lena turned her attention back to the budget reports. Despite the weight of her grief and the challenges she faced, she knew that L-Corp and its employees relied on her leadership. Reviewing the financials was a step toward regaining control over her life and her responsibilities.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Soon lunch time rolled around and as Lena expected Sam to walk in like she usually did, she was caught by surprise when instead her ex-boyfriend appeared at her door.Lena and James had shared a close friendship for a long time, one that naturally evolved into a romantic relationship. Their connection was undeniable, and they genuinely cared for each other. However, despite their best intentions, their romantic journey was destined to hit a roadblock.As they began dating, they cherished the moments they spent together. They went on adventures, shared quiet evenings, and supported each other through the ups and downs of life. But as the days turned into weeks then months then a year, Lena couldn't shake a persistent feeling of something missing.It was during this time that Lena found herself drawn to Kara in ways that she couldn't explain. Her unwavering kindness, and her bright smile had always been a source of comfort for her. But now, those feelings had started to take on a new depth. She knew she was attracted to Kara when they first met at Noonan’s but she never considered that she would fall in love with her best friend.It hit her like a tidal wave, and Lena was torn between her feelings for James and her growing affection for Kara. She grappled with her emotions, unable to come to terms with the complexities of her heart. She knew she had to be honest with herself and with James.One evening, after a particularly challenging day at L-Corp, Lena asked James to meet her at her penthouse. As they sat across from each other, Lena took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. She took a breath and explained that her heart didn’t belong to him anymore and that they weren’t going to work out. She had called him there so she could end their relationship because she knew it was the right thing to do. That she couldn’t be with him and be in love with someone else at the same time.He wasn’t very happy about it. In fact, he was pissed that Lena was dumping him and started yelling at her with the accusation that she had been cheating on him which she hadn’t. Kara was with Alex at her apartment when she heard the fight that was going on. In her haste to get to Lena to make sure she was ok, instead of changing into her suit, Kara took off in her civilian clothes also without her glasses on and flew through the open balcony door, pinning James against the wall in an instant demanding why he raised his voice towards Lena.Lena for her part, was standing there, open mouthed and in complete shock when her brain registered that her best friend and Supergirl are one in the same. Supergirl was Kara and Kara, Supergirl.Once Kara had finished with James and had sent him on his way before he could say or do anything else, she then realised that she had just revealed to Lena who she really was. It wasn’t the way she had planned to tell Lena but hearing her fight with James, she was only worried about Lena's safety and not about the consequences of her own actions. When she tried to explain, Lena told her to leave and it would be months before she would talk to her again after her feelings went from being in love with her to complete hurt, anger and disappointment when she asked Kara if anyone else knew only to hear that she was the only one who didn’t.Once Lena was ready, she sat Kara down and they talked about her secret identity and why she never told her about who she was. Kara explained everything and promised that she wouldn’t ever lie to her again. Lena decided on not telling her about the feelings she still had for her yet as they never went away, tucking them in a little box deep inside herself.Kara said that she’d do anything to regain her trust again so they began working on their friendship. Slowly Kara began to earn Lena’s trust and during that time, she realised that she was in fact in love with Lena.They talked about James and the reason she dumped him in the first place where Lena confessed to Kara about her being the reason because she loves her. It took Kara a little by surprise at first where she ended up confessing the same thing and so their romantic relationship began with Kara asking Lena on a first date.
********
Lena looked up from her paperwork as James stood in front of her desk. “James.”James stood there awkwardly. Even though they have been broken up for years now, their interactions with each other have become strained. He thought that perhaps, with the passage of time and the tragedy of Kara's death, he might have a chance to rekindle his relationship with Lena. He had brought her lunch, not just as a gesture of friendship, but with the faint hope that he could fill the void left by Kara's absence.“Ah, hey Lena. I know I’m probably the last person you want to see but I thought I would bring you some lunch and check-up to see how you are doing.” He rubbed the back of his neck and placed the bags down.“I’m busy as you can see.” Lena gestured to the mountain of work cluttering the surface of her desk. “But I am fine.”“Well, ah… ok that’s… that’s good to know.” James stood there in silence for a moment before speaking again. “I was wondering if you’d possibly like to go to dinner with me?”Lena let out a breath and put her pen down. “James, please don’t. Not here and definitely not now when you know what I am going through.”“It’s just I miss you, Lena. I miss us.”“There is no us James. You know that. I’m not in the mood for whatever it is you want.” Lena rubbed at her temples. “Can we at least try to be friends then?”Lena let out a groan of frustration. “How, James? How can we possibly be friends when you clearly still have feelings for me and haven’t moved on.”“You’re right, I’m sorry.” James hung his head in shame. “I just thought-”“Thought what James? Thought that since Kara’s gone, I would come running back to you? Am I right or am I wrong?”James nodded. “You’re right Lena. I’m sorry.”Lena pinched the bridge of her nose. “James please hear me when I say this but I don’t feel that way about you.” She looked up at him. “Just because Kara isn’t here anymore doesn’t mean that I’m looking at rekindling what we once had. That’s in the past and it is going to stay there.” She dropped her gaze to the bags. “I appreciate you bringing me lunch and checking up on me but right now, I want to be left alone.”“I understand and again I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone.” James said as he turned around and walked towards the door. With a heavy heart and a sense of resignation, he left Lena's office, the door closing behind him. He knew that he had to respect her wishes and give her the space she needed to heal in her own way.Lena leaned back in her chair when Sam walked through the door. “I just saw James leaving.” She sat down in the chair. “I see he brought you food.”“Yeah.” Lena picked up her pen again and got back to work. “Feel free to help yourself. I’m not hungry.”“Thanks.” Sam pulled out a container of Lena’s favourite takeout and popped the lid off. “So, what did he want other than to bring you this?”“He wanted to catch up over dinner and I said no.” Lena closed one folder only to open another. “He still thinks he has a chance now that Kara isn’t here even when I tell him again and again that I’m not interested in him like that anymore.”“Still in love with you huh.” Sam said as she picked up some noodles with her chopsticks. “You know I’ve already done those, right?” she waved her hand in the direction of the reports.“Mmhmm. He also said he wants to be friends but whenever we try, he gets too close and it makes me feel uncomfortable.” Lena said. “Also I know. I’m catching up on work and asked Jess to bring them to me plus it takes my mind off this hangover.”“Fair enough.” Sam finished off her food and placed the empty container down. “I gotta get back to work.” She stood to stretch. “You should eat. It’s really good.”“I’ll try.” Lena gave her a nod and continued with her work.As she sat in her office having decided to eat something, her mind went heavy with concern about the complicated situation involving James feelings towards her. She knew that she needed someone to confide in, someone who could offer her guidance and support, Kelly immediately came to mind.Taking a deep breath, Lena picked up her phone and dialled Kelly's number. After a few rings, Kelly's calm voice answered on the other end.“Hello?”“Kelly, hey it's Lena.” she said, her voice tinged with both hesitation and urgency.“Hey, Lena. What's up?” Kelly asked, her tone kind and attentive.Lena cleared her throat, trying to find the right words. “I was wondering if you're free to meet up. I really need to talk to someone about something important, and I trust your judgment.”There was a brief pause on the line before Kelly replied. “Of course, Lena. I have some time this afternoon. Is everything okay?”Lena sighed, her shoulders sagging with relief at the offer of support. “No, not really. It's about James, and I just... These feelings he still has towards me. I don't know how to handle it. I’m already going through so much and I need your advice.”Kelly's voice was gentle, reassuring and full of understanding. “I'll make some time for you, Lena. Let's meet at that coffee shop you like, say, in an hour?”Lena nodded, even though Kelly couldn't see her. “Thank you, Kelly. I'll be there.”Lena felt a glimmer of hope that talking to Kelly might provide some clarity in the midst of her emotional turmoil. She knew that discussing James's feelings with a trusted friend and therapist was a step toward finding a resolution to the complex situation she was in and how to fix it.An hour later, Lena met Kelly at a cozy corner table in a quiet coffee shop, the faint hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee creating a soothing atmosphere. It was a safe space for Lena to open up about the complexities of her difficult and awkward situation with James.Kelly sipped her tea and offered Lena a warm, encouraging smile. “Lena, take your time. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm here to listen.”Lena took a deep breath, her fingers tightly gripping her coffee cup. “Thank you, Kelly. It's just that... since Kara's death, James has been more persistent in wanting to rekindle our relationship. He seems to believe that now, with Kara gone, we have a chance.”Kelly nodded, her expression empathetic. “That must be challenging for you, especially when your feelings for him changed years ago.”Lena sighed, her gaze distant as she tried to find the right words. “Yes, exactly. I care about James and I don't want to hurt him. But I no longer have romantic feelings for him. How do I make him understand that without causing more pain? Did he ever tell you what exactly happened the night I broke up with him?”Kelly shook her head. “No, he never did. All he said was that you called him over to your apartment and told him that it was over. Nothing more.”Lena's voice wavered as she recounted the events that had unfolded when she and James had broken up. “We had been dating for a while, and everything seemed perfect. But then, I started to realize that my feelings for Kara were evolving into something more. I tried to ignore it, to push it aside, but it became undeniable. I was in love with her.Kelly nodded, her expression attentive. "Feelings can be complicated, Lena. What happened next?"Lena took a deep breath and continued. “I had to be honest with James. I invited him over to my penthouse one evening, and we had a long conversation but I never told him who it was I was in love with just that I was in love with someone else and it was incredibly painful, but I knew I had to be truthful.”Kelly's gaze remained fixed on Lena, her support unwavering. “That must have been a difficult conversation.”Lena nodded, her voice softening with the weight of the memories. “It was. James was hurt, understandably so. He got really mad at me and accused me of cheating which I hadn’t. Kara heard us fighting, flew in my open balcony door and had him pinned up against the wall. That was also the night I found out Kara’s true identity. I never meant to hurt him Kelly, I really didn’t. I just didn’t love him anymore.”Kelly placed a comforting hand on Lena's, a silent gesture of understanding. “Sometimes, our hearts lead us in unexpected directions, Lena. It doesn't mean you intentionally hurt him. That would also explain why Kara said you were in trouble and took off in a rush. She was with Alex and I at the time.”Lena appreciated Kelly's empathy. “Thank you, Kelly. But the pain didn't end there. James and I tried to remain friends after the fight we had when he came to apologize for how he acted, but it was never the same. He still loves me-is in love with me, and it's created this tension between us that I don't know how to resolve because I’m not in the right headspace at the moment.”Kelly leaned in, her expression compassionate. “Lena, it's clear that you've been through a lot, and navigating complex emotions like this is never easy. You're taking the right step by seeking clarity and considering a conversation with James.”Lena sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she felt the weight of her emotions being shared. “I know, you're right, Kelly. I just hope he can find a way to accept it.”Kelly reached out and placed a comforting hand on Lena's. “It won't be easy, Lena, but it's a necessary step for him to find closure and move forward with his life. If you want, I’ll be here to help you every step of the way.”“Thank you, Kelly. I really appreciate it. I also wanted to talk to you about it instead of my usual therapist because James is your brother and you know him better than anyone. I should have come to you sooner about the matter.”“I understand, Lena and you came to me when you were ready.” Kelly gave Lena’s hand a light squeeze.As they continued to talk, Lena found solace in Kelly's guidance and support. She knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Kelly's help, she felt better equipped to navigate the challenging conversation she needed to have with James.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

For weeks Kara tussled back and forth with the Eradicator who fought to try and take over her body. For weeks, she wanted to give up but she couldn’t. She couldn’t let this thing her cousin had planted inside of her win. She had to get back to National City to her family and friends. And Lena. Especially Lena.Lena is Kara’s anchor. Her beacon of strength and hope in her life. Even with the Eradicator’s voice echoing in her mind, the memories of her unwavering support and love, even through the bad times, her touch and smile, the way she sees Kara for who she is inside as more than just a superhero or an alien has kept her grounded.“Get out of my head!” Kara gripped her skull and growled while down the ground, her knees pressing harshly into the ice floor as she crumpled up into a tight ball.

~You know I can’t do that, Kara Zor-El~

Kara’s jaw clenched and her hands trembled. “I said GET OUT!”The Eradicator laughed as he pushed back to break through the surface of her consciousness.

~Soon you won’t be able to resist. You are growing weaker. I can feel it and then I’ll be free to use you as I see fit~

“You have no idea just how strong I am!” Kara fought with all her strength bringing Lena to the forefront of her mind once again. “Lena.” She whispered in her own thoughts as she forced the Eradicator down. “You are the light that guides me every day and night. Even if you can’t hear me right now, your love and our bond is my anchor.”His voice hissed through her mind again, the Eradicators words dripping with distain in another attempt to break her will.
~
Pathetic. All evil needs to be vanquished from this world. You think that weak human being is going to save you from me? She is nothing and will die at my hands when I get the chance. They all will. Every last single earthling and then when they’re all gone, a new world will be born~
Kara’s breath quickened as anger rose within her like a tempest but she refused to give into the satisfaction of allowing the Eradicator to see her falter. She had had enough of constantly playing these back and forth games with him. Her whole body shook with fury and her eyes burned with rage.“I said… GET OUT!” Kara screamed, summoning her inner strength as she lifted her head at the same time as her heat vision burned a path out in front of her, melting a small trench in the ice. If she wasn’t careful, she would end up blowing her powers out. She shut her eyes and drew in a shaky breath. “I’m not going to let you break me. There are good people in this world and I won’t allow you to destroy the place I have called my home.”For a moment, the Fortress seemed to tremble as if acknowledging Kara’s determination. The taunts faded and silence once again overtook her. She knew the battle was far from over but in that moment, she was given a reprieve from the constant voice in her head, got off her knees and stood. She couldn’t take being away from the outside world and the air in the Fortress had grown stale. She wanted Lena. Wanted to hear her voice in her ear and her arms around her body so she was going to take it, no matter what her cousin thought. Not that he would know since he was in Metropolis.Taking flight, she flew out of the entrance and into the night sky. It was late. After two in the morning to be exact. Kara hovered high in the sky just taking in the fresh air before making her way back to the city.Nearing L-Corp, the familiar heartbeat of her love filled her ears. It felt like a lifetime ago since she had heard it. Using her X-ray vision, she saw Lena was alone and slumped over her desk, her head resting on her folded arms with a bottle of sleeping pills sitting next to her, Kara figuring out she must have taken one to help her sleep, like she used to before she died.Touching down, she quietly walked over to the door and pushed it open. She knew that Lena wouldn’t wake, no matter how much noise she made. Scooping her up in her arms, she held her close and breathed in the scent of her and carefully flew her home.Kara put in the code to the balcony door and entered the penthouse, taking Lena straight to bed. Lowering her down gently, did Kara notice how worn out she looked from working herself ragged.She pulled her heels off, then her pants and maneuvered Lena’s arms from her jacket and shirt, draping everything over the back of the vanity chair and got a loose t-shirt from the drawer and pulled it over her head. Lastly covering her up with a blanket.“Hi my love.” Kara whispered, pushing Lena’s hair away from her face. She lay next to her for a moment, just basking in the feel of Lena unknowingly wrapping herself around her in her sleep. She draped her cape over both of them. “I have to go soon.” She placed a tender kiss to her forehead. She hadn’t felt more content than she did in that very moment. She lay there for another ten minutes before she replaced herself with the spare pillow. “When I’m better, I’ll come back for good and when I do, I promise I won’t ever leave you again but for now, please take care of yourself, Lena.” She gave her another kiss and left the room.Before heading back though, she thought, she’d take a look and noticed that there was none of her stuff around. Scanning the house, she saw the mountain of boxes stacked in the spare room. Going through them all, Lena had packed every single item away and it pained her to think that it must have hurt Lena to have her things lying around when she was gone. Closing all the boxes again, she left and went back to the Fortress where Clark was waiting for her.“Where have you been?” Clark stood there with his hands on his hips. He had been checking up on Kara every now and again since the ordeal.“I needed to get out Clark and you know exactly where I’ve been.” Kara walked in and sat down on the floor.“Kara. You know the consequences of the outside world finding out about you.”“Yes, you’ve said it multiple times but what if it was you with this entity inside of you? Have you ever thought about that, hmm?” Kara got up and stood in front of him. “Wouldn’t you want to take the chance to see Lois?” She poked him in the chest, making him stumble back a little.“Kara… I-”“Do you have any idea what I am going through? The internal fight I’ve had to endure every single day because you placed this thing in me?” Kara could feel the Eradicator coming to the surface.
~Stop fighting me, Kara and let me out~
Kara closed her eyes. The pounding in her head was back and so was that wretched voice. “Shut… Up...”Clark watched as Kara’s suit slowly started to change. “Kara don’t let him take over you.”

~Don’t listen to him, Kara. Set me free and I’ll snap his neck in two~

“Will you both SHUT UP! This is your fault Clark! You should have just left me dead!” Kara screamed. “I’m tired of you always telling me what to do!”“I did what I had to do, Kara!” Clark shouted back.Kara clutched her chest, her heart feeling like it was going to split into two. “Right.” She scoffed. “Just like the way you had to abandon and leave me with the Danvers?” she asked. Even years later, it still hurts to think about it.“Kara, I left you with the Danvers because I thought they would take better care of you than I could.” Clark stepped back when Kara looked up and glared at him.“You didn’t even try, Clark. I had to figure everything out on my own. I was a thirteen-year-old girl, on a strange planet and had no one and now, you give me this thing to deal with!”Because Kara refused to give in, the Eradicator decided to exploit a deep-seated source of pain that still resided inside of her. To make her do what he wanted.

~That’s right. Remember what he did. He left you Kara. He abandoned you with strangers while he went to live on with his life. To be a hero. You were alone and vulnerable, and he turned his back on you. I can give you the power to end him. You know I can make you stronger~

Kara clenched her fists as those painful memories resurfaced. His words burrowing deep within her psyche, stroking the embers of resentment she once felt and she punched Clark clean across the Fortress. Clark quickly recovered and flew towards Kara, only to be thrown into the ice leg of the statue of his father, taking a good-sized chunk out of it yet Kara wasn’t done.The cousins clashed against each other in a heated battle. Heat vision rays collided with one another. Their blows shaking the Fortress with its aftershocks as the two Kryptonians fought. Broken bits of ice flew in all directions causing Kelex to go into hiding.Mid battle, a happy memory forced its way into Kara’s mind and showed her the compassion she has for all beings, big and small. All the people who she has saved, showing her that she is good. Not evil like the Eradicator wants her to be. She doesn’t kill just because she was told to do it.No.She doesn’t kill. Period.

~I said kill him, Kara~

Clark saw Kara falter and a flicker of her humanity flash through her eyes so took his chance to throw a single punch to her torso and send her hurtling into the floor.Kara crawled unsteadily to her feet. “No, I will not. I’m not a killer even if they deserve it. I do not kill.” She looked at her cousin standing a few feet away from her. “You should go. Go Clark and don’t come back. You’ve done enough by bringing me back to life. I don’t want to fight you. I can do this on my own without your help.”“Kara-”“No. I said go.” Kara shook her head. “Go back to Metropolis. To Lois. Please just go.”There was nothing more Clark could do for Kara but to accept that she didn’t need help and left.The Eradicator realized that he had clearly underestimated Kara’s strength and willpower when still she refused to do what he wanted so he had to find another way and he knew just how to do it.Her trust.Work with her instead of against her to gain her trust and maybe, just maybe, he would get what he wanted after all.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Kara was exhausted to the point where she just wanted to curl up and rest. Battling with the Eradicator was slowly taking its toll on her and the fight with Clark certainly didn’t help one bit. As she sat down, it took her a moment to realise that all was quiet and calm.The voice in her head had stopped along with the excruciating headache and pain in her chest. It was like he had disappeared allowing Kara to close her eyes, sleep and build up her strength. She should have known it wouldn’t last long. The second she managed to get some sleep, he was back but this time he seemed different, calmer perhaps.Amid the shattered remnants of the battle that just happened, he wasn’t forcing himself to the surface like before but merely just sitting there in her mind. Waiting for permission to speak.“What? No more taunting me with your words?” Kara sat there with her eyes closed still. “No more trying to take over my body and use me to your will?”
~I’m sorry~
“Excuse me? Since when are you sorry? You’ve been trying to break me for weeks now and all of a sudden you apologize?” The entity that had sort to break Kara’s resolve was now extending an olive branch.
~I underestimated your strength and willpower. You are strong, not weak Kara Zor-El and perhaps instead of trying to break you, I should have been trying to understand who you are, and what you value and I see now the compassion you have for all things, both human and alien. That you are good. That the people of earth are good~
Kara’s guard remained high, her scepticism evident. The Eradicators sudden change of heart was as puzzling as it was unsettling. “Why the sudden change? You just tried to manipulate me into killing Clark by exploiting the pain I still had of being abandoned by him. What do you really want?”
~I want to earn your trust. To help you do good in this world. I believe that with our combined power, we can harness it for the greater good of earth. If you would allow me that is, I would like to work with you. If you are willing to give me a second chance~
Kara was hesitant. Torn between the desire to believe everything the Eradicator was telling her and the fear of being manipulated again when her guard was down. She knew that with their combined power, Lex would be no match and that everyone she cares about would be safe from harm.  She was growing tired from the constant battle back and forth and just wanted it to end. Wanted things to go back to the way she was before she died. With a measured tone, Kara replied. “I’ll consider working with you and we can try to find a way forward from all of this on the condition that you make one wrong move and I won’t hesitate to end you for good and I will fight back harder than ever. My trust needs to be earned. Earth is my home and I will not allow you to harm the people in it that I care about and love. If you truly want to help, you must respect the choices I make. Become a guardian of earth. Not a tyrant.”
~I promise-~
“Don’t promise me anything.” Kara cut him off. “Until you can prove to me that what you are saying is true, your promises mean nothing.”
~Very well. That is fair. So where do we start~
“Well we can start by giving you a name. Did you have one on Krypton?” Kara leaned up against an ice pillar.
~No. I was only known there as the Eradicator~
“Well that name isn’t going to work for me so what do you want to be called?”
~What if you picked a name~
“Me? Why? Wouldn’t you like to pick your own name?”
~It’s only fair that you pick one for me. It’s your body I am inhabiting so it is your choice~
Kara stood up and started pacing the fortress. “I think I will call you…” She paused to think. “Silas.”
~Silas. That will be my new name~
“Well then its sorted. You will now be called Silas. Not the Eradicator anymore and in order for me to return to National City to my family and friends, we are going to have to understand each other and build trust between us. When you took over me the first time I woke, I felt the raw energy you have coursing through my veins. Can you teach me how to harness or maybe even combine our powers together?”
~Of course, Kara. I have five types of energy, each with their own different capabilities. I will spend time with each power, training you on how to harness them all but I must warn you that the journey won’t be an easy one~
“I can take it. If Lena hasn’t come up with a way to take her brother down, then we are earths only hope.”
~Let’s start with the basics. First power will be energy projection. Focus my energy down your arms and into your hands. I want you to hit that ice hanging from the roof~
Kara took a deep breath and closed her eyes, visualising the power flowing down her arms until her hands started to tingle and were encased in a bright glow. Slowly she extended her arm up and released a controlled burst of energy that streaked across the Fortress, hitting the crystalline target with precision, shattering it into a million fragments of ice.“Wow. Now that was incredible. I’ve never felt power like that before.” She marvelled at the way her hands kept glowing. “Is that the same power that shattered the glass when I woke?”
~Yes. It’s the same power that was used to break the regeneration matrix’s glass door. Energy projection is a very valuable skill. It can be used for offence to help protect yourself and others but it does have its disadvantages. If you are not careful and overuse it, it can drain all your energy leaving you vulnerable to attacks so use it wisely~
“Ok. Got it. What’s next?”
~Next will be creating an energy shield but that won’t be until you have fully mastered energy projection~
“But I thought I had already?” Kara frowned in confusion. “You saw how I blasted that shard of ice into pieces.”
~Not yet you haven’t. Like I said before while it is useful, it does have its limitations, Kara. Don’t move from your spot and aim for that far shard~
Kara did as she was told but instead, the blast got a bit out of control and rebounded unexpectedly, hitting her with its full power, knocking her flat on her ass.“What the fuck…” Kara wheezed as it felt like the wind got knocked out of her.
~You see, it’s going to take you time to master this power, Kara~
“Yeah, alright.” Kara pulled herself up off the ground and shook herself off. “Let’s try that again.”Silas and Kara trained energy projection every day where Kara had her good days and not so good days where she would over exert herself and drain her energy to where she had to make herself rest and recharge.By the time she had mastered that power, a whole month had passed. Next, she moved onto learning how to create an energy shield. Kara would have Kelex intentionally fire at her to help her learn to keep the barrier up around herself. It worked a few times before it fizzled out, causing her to nearly get burned by Kelex’s heat rays.Energy constructs taught her how to shape it into anything she may need in battle such as a sword.She used energy absorption to absorb a burst of Energy from Kelex and use it to her will.The final lesson was amplification. Kara focused on amplifying her powers. Merging her Kryptonian abilities with Silas’s energy, she temporarily supercharged herself. She could see and hear further than she ever thought possible and she felt so strong.    Soon enough, the time had come to return to National City. She had spent five months in the Fortress and now she just wanted out. She wanted to be free to go back to what she does best. Protect the people of earth and the ones that she loves.There was just one more test for her to overcome before she could leave.
********
Back in National City however, Lena had been working tirelessly day and night for the past months as to why she looked worn out when Kara had taken her home, creating a formula that would hopefully take her brothers powers away, rendering him a normal human being even though she didn’t know how he got them in the first place.Lena was getting better every day but still missed Kara like crazy. She had begun to take better care of herself and lay off the alcohol for a little bit. She even started eating properly again.She was currently finishing up in her lab, deciding to call it a night as she stepped into the elevator to make her way back upstairs to her office. What she wasn’t expecting when she walked out of it was someone waiting there for her.Looking up from her phone, she paused in her steps. “Can I help you?”“Hello Ms. Luthor.”“Who the hell are you and how did you get past my security?” Lena scowled. She didn’t like the look of this guy and he instantly gave her the creeps. She walked around her desk and went to reach for the emergency button concealed under it.“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.”Lena froze, the pad of her finger resting gently against it. “Why shouldn’t I? You still haven’t answered my question. Who are you?”“Pardon my rudeness by just showing up unannounced but my name is Metallo.”It was then Lena noticed the green glow, shining beneath his shirt. “Alright so give me one reason why I shouldn’t push this button.”Metallo stood up and paced back and forth. “Because Ms. Luthor, you push that button and this building goes boom so I suggest you keep those hands where I can see them if you want to live.” He held a remote like device in his hand.“What do you want?” Lena removed her finger and placed her hands atop her desk.“I was sent here by your brother. He wishes to see you.”“So, what? He can’t come here himself, so he sends his minion instead? There is no way I’m going anywhere.”“You’re coming with me whether you want to or not Ms. Luthor.” Metallo makes his way slowly around her desk.“No, I certainly will not!” Lena stood and backed away. “Stay away-don’t you-ow you’re hurting me!” she shrieked when he gripped her upper arm, the same way Lex did. “Don’t touch me! Let me go!” She squirmed, trying to free herself from his grip.“Stop struggling or you are going to hurt your-” Metallo didn’t get to finish his sentence when the glass windows shattered behind Lena’s desk, startling them both.“GET AWAY FROM HER!” Kara who had been listening to Lena’s heart rate on the way from the fortress, start beating erratically from the moment she stepped out of the elevator, hovered in the air with glowing eyes and a face like thunder but it wasn’t just her. She had let Silas join her at the surface.Metallo released Lena and turned around, the shock evident on his face when he registered who it was. “No! You’re supposed to be dead! Lex killed you!”Lena for her part had sunk to the floor and was huddling in the corner. Her heart now feeling like it was going to beat out of her chest. She couldn’t believe who or what she was seeing. She just sat there with wide eyes, frozen in fear. That it couldn’t be Kara, raced through her mind.“I was but now I’m back and I said GET AWAY FROM HER!” Kara and Silas channeled their energy together and blew Metallo right through the wall of the building behind him, destroying multiple desks in the next room in the process. They flew after him, smashing a giant hole in the side of the building before punching him hard enough, it sent him flying away, becoming a small speck in the distance.Because Kara had let Silas join her, she needed to transform back into herself lest she wants to scare Lena more than she already is. “Silas, can you give me some time alone with her please?”
~As you wish, Kara~
They touched down where Kara was back to her normal self again. She slowly made her way over to Lena but stopped part way when she registered just how frightened she was. Sparks jumped from the destroyed equipment, strewn all over the place that had started to smoke. Lights flickered on and off. It looked like a tornado had torn the room to pieces.“No, it can’t be you…” Lena whispered from behind her legs that were tucked up tight to her chest. “This can’t be real.” She squeezed her eyes shut thinking that her mind was just playing tricks on her. That Kara wasn’t really there and was just a hallucination.“Lena…” Kara crouched down and went to reach out to cup her face. “It’s really me.”Lena opened her eyes and flinched away making Kara drop her arm as tears sprung to Lena’s eyes. “No. You died. You’re not here. You’re not real.”Kara’s heart felt like it was breaking apart at the way Lena was looking at her and she didn’t want to push it and cause her to have a mental breakdown. She went to say something but heard her sisters voice along with multiple DEO agents coming. “Lena, I promise you it’s me.” Kara inched a little closer.“Get away from me.” Lena moved further into the corner. “What I saw wasn’t Kara. I don’t know who you are or why you look like her but Kara’s dead.” Tears flowed down her cheeks, fear etched into her face. “Leave, please…” she squeezed her eyes shut again and hoped that it was just a horrible dream.Kara knew Lena reacting this way towards her was a possibility and she didn’t blame her. After all, she did die and Lena has spent the worst part of a year without her in her life. Sighing she knew she needed to give Lena some space. “When you’re ready, go to the place where we shared our first kiss. Call for me and I’ll come.” It wasn’t the way she wanted to reveal herself to Lena but she had no choice. Not when Lena’s life was at risk. What was done was done and there was no changing it.Lena felt a whoosh of air but didn’t dare open her eyes as she screwed them tightly shut until she heard Alex’s voice in her ears. “Alex?” she slowly opened them again to see that the image of Kara was now replaced by her sister.“Lena are you ok? What happened here tonight? The DEO got your alert that L-Corp has been compromised.” Alex then glanced around at the mess of glass and giant hole in the building.“It-it-was-” Lena’s body started to tremble as the fear in her system gradually dissipated. “It couldn’t be her but it looked like her.” Her lungs felt like they were starting to constrict and she couldn’t get enough air into them as she began hyperventilating and pointed to her throat. “I can’t!” she gasped for air.“Lena. I need you to calm down. I know you feel like you can’t right now but take a deep breath in…” Alex inhaled, gesturing Lena to do the same. “And out…” she exhaled. “That’s it. And again…”Lena soon calmed down enough to get a few words out. “I’m ok, Alex.”Alex helped her off the floor and onto her desk chair. “Alright, now can you tell me what the hell happened here tonight? Did you have an alien attack or something?”Lena nodded. “His name was Metallo only he wasn’t the alien. He was human but had a kryptonite heart and he came here to take me to my brother. Also, there may be a bomb in my building.”“Ok so where is he now and why is there a giant hole? Also, you said her. Who is her Lena?” Alex motioned for her team to sweep the entire building for this supposed bomb.“He got blasted that way and the alien that saved me…” Lena shook her head. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”“Lena. You can tell me anything and I will never judge you. Who was she?” Alex lay her hand on Lena’s knee for comfort.Lena blew out a breath as she prepared to tell Alex who she saw. “The alien I saw looked just like Kara.”Alex couldn’t believe what she had just heard with her own ears. All she could do is stare at Lena wide eyed and with her jaw almost touching the floor.

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“Wait, wait, wait.” Alex stood and backed up against the desk. “Are you saying that my sister is alive?”“I don’t know. She looked like Kara and even sounded like Kara but she didn’t look like her at first.” Lena rubbed her hand over her face. She had calmed down considerably now that Alex was there and felt a lot safer. What started out as a normal night just took a strange turn and she didn’t know what to think. She didn’t know if it was all in her head or the love of her life has risen from the dead and saved her.“Meaning what exactly?” Alex brows furrowed as she folded her arms across her chest.“Meaning that before that thing looked like my dead fiancée, everything about her was different. Including her suit.” Lena reached for her laptop and logged into the security footage. “There.” She paused it on Kara hovering a few inches above the floor after shattering the window.Alex stared at the screen. It certainly did look like her sister but then again she could see so much power radiating off of her that she never had when she was alive. “Can you play the rest of the feed.”Both women watched as Kara emitted power from her hands and blew Metallo through the wall but the next time she came back, she was Kara in her normal suit.Lena stopped the footage and closed her laptop down. “So, who do you think that was? Was it really Kara or another alien shapeshifter we don’t know about who took her form and was playing a sick joke, pretending to be her?”Alex had her head in her hands. It had been a long and tiring night and she just wanted to go home. “I really don’t know what to think. Both you, I and all our friends saw my sister die at the hands of your brother. Did she say anything to you?”“Just that she promises it was her.” Lena said but failed to mention that she was told to go to the place where she kissed Kara for the first time. “I just really want to go home.”“Would you like me to drop you off?” Alex offered.“No, I’ll be fine. I need to organise to get my builders in to fix up this mess.” Lena yawned widely.Alex put her finger to her ear, nodded her head a few times then turned to Lena. “Ok, well my team swept the whole entire building and couldn’t find a bomb so I’m pretty sure this Metallo guy was bluffing the whole time. Lex probably put him up to it so you’d go with him not really expecting anyone to come and actually save you.”“Well that’s great to know my building is going to be standing tomorrow.” Lena yawned again. “How did you know I was in trouble? I never pushed the button.”“The guard at the door must have alerted us before he died, Metallo not realising he had pushed it before he killed him. Would you mind if I took that footage back with me to the DEO so I can get a proper look at it?” Alex asked. She really wanted to see if that was really her sister or not.“Knock yourself out.” Lena passed her computer over. She really wanted a drink but promised herself that she wouldn’t until she was back to her normal self again only because she was afraid that if she started drinking again, she’d spiral out of control. Her moods would fluctuate up and down and she was back to taking sleeping pills to help her rest. She was also seeing a therapist two times a week which was helping.Alex pulled out a USB drive and downloaded the data she needed. “Alright, well I guess I best get back to the DEO. Are you sure you’re going to be ok here on your own?”“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Still a little shaken up but I’ll live. Once I sort the repairs, I’ll head home myself.”“Ok but if you need anything, just call and I’ll come over straight away.” Alex reached over for a hug. “Night Lena.”“Night Alex.” Lena sat back down and pulled out her phone to call the builders to come and fix her building up while she takes a few days off to work from home while they are being done then grabbed her stuff, stepped around the mass of glass covering the floor, calling her driver to pick her up as she made her way down to the lobby.Frank dropped her home so she could shower and wind down for the night. She had a lot to think about considering the situation she was put in.She took a long, hot shower, grabbed a quick bite to eat and got into bed. She closed her eyes hoping to get some rest, which in the end turned out to be impossible considering the amount of tossing and turning she was doing.“Fucks sakes.” She huffed to herself and got out of bed to dress in a sweater and some sweatpants. She tossed on some sneakers she uses when she goes out for a jog and got into her car. Pulling up half an hour later to the National City Observatory, she parked up but sat in her car contemplating if this was really a great idea.She could either get out and confront this mystery being or go home and forget it ever happened, Lena ending up choosing the former as she made her way up to the giant telescope.Lena took a breath to ease her nerves and called out. “Kara, if that was really you tonight and if you are listening, I’m here.” She looked up at the starry night sky. She was so caught up in her thoughts, she missed the light thump of boots hitting the concrete.“Lena?” Kara said quietly, trying not to startle her but flinched a little when Lena jumped in fright.Turning around, she was met with the one who chose to save her life. “Kara?” Lena didn’t move from her spot as she squinted in the dim light. Kara went to move closer but Lena held up her hand. “Please don’t come any closer.”Kara did as she was told. She understood it was probably hard for Lena to comprehend how the hell she came back to life. “It’s ok. It’s me. I promise.” She could hear Lena’s heartbeat pick up.“How do I know that? The Kara I knew is dead and didn’t look like that thing I saw tonight and she definitely didn’t have powers that shot out of her hands.” Lena wrapped her arms tightly around herself, feeling herself slightly shiver from the night breeze since she only had a bra on under her top.“I get you must have a lot of things going through your mind right now and if you’ll let me, I can explain everything to you.” Kara stood there in her suit, her cape flapping gently in the breeze.“You’re right, I do have a lot on my mind right now. I was attacked in my building then came face to face with someone I haven’t seen in just over a year because she isn’t supposed to be here, suddenly show back up and save me from whatever fate my brother had for me. I… I just need some time to process everything.”  “I understand. Take all the time you need.” Kara let out a sigh. “Just please give me a chance to explain.”“We’ll see. I think I want to go home now.” Lena made a move for the stairs when Kara suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand making her pause and stare into those vibrant baby blue eyes.“Just please think about it.” Kara let go when she felt Lena pull away.Lena got into her car and made her way back home. Kara decided to follow her from above to make sure that she got home safe then lingered around in the sky until she knew Lena had fallen asleep.She just hoped that Lena felt something when she grabbed her hand and gave her the chance to tell her everything.

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Another few weeks went by and things were somewhat back to normal with L-Corp. The damage was dealt to so Lena could go back into work instead of working from home although she would work herself to the point where she was exhausted every night. Lena would come home and just crash on her bed until the early hours of the morning. Then she’d get up to shower, eat, sleep some more and go to work only this night was different.After a full day at work, she came home and instead of crashing out like she usually does, she plucked up the courage and for the first time in a year, she opened the door to the spare room of Kara’s belongings. Lena didn’t want to admit it but she knew she felt something there when Kara grabbed her hand. She just didn’t want to get her hopes up only to have them crushed or her heart broken again if her beloved fiancée turns out to be some kind of alien shapeshifter.Sipping on her coffee, she placed it aside and opened the very first box that was on the top of the stack. Reaching in, she pulled out one of Kara’s favourite sleep shirts and held it up to her face. Even though it had been stuffed in a box, it still smelt like her after she showered. Digging further, her hand wrapped around Kara’s favourite mug along with other small items.The next lot had clothes and other various knick knacks and before she knew it, Lena had just about gone through the entire lot. She was going through a photo album her, and Kara had put together when Ruby poked her head in the door along with Sam.“Hi aunt Lena.” Ruby gave her a small smile. “Mom and I thought we’d come over and see how you are.”Lena looked at her niece and best friend standing there. “Hey Ruby, hi Sam.”“Is it alright if we come in or do you want to be alone with aunt Kara’s things?” Ruby asked unsure if Lena wanted them there or not.“Sure.” Lena patted the space on the floor next to her. “I could do with some company right now.”Ruby moved to sit, peering over at the album laying across Lena’s crossed legs. “I remember that photo. That was when aunt Kara slapped you in the face with a cream pie on your birthday and it got everywhere.” She giggled at the way Andrea had snapped the shot of Lena with whipped cream all over her face and in her hair.“That was pretty funny.” Lena wrapped her arm around the twelve-year-old. She had tried to make Andrea delete it at first but Kara had protested that it had to go in the album so she gave in.Sam sat on the other side of Lena and glanced around the room. “So, does you being in here have anything to do with what happened a few weeks ago?”“I’ve been asking myself that for the past couple of hours.” Lena passed the album to Ruby and reached into another box.Sam did the same and lifted out a framed butterfly from Kara’s butterfly collection. “I remember when Kara had these hanging on the walls all over the house.” She pulled out a few more that were neatly stacked together. “Along with her paintings.” She gestured to them standing up in the corner. “Alex showed me the footage from that night at L-Corp.”“Do you think that was really her?” Lena traced her finger over the glass of one of the butterflies.Sam sucked on her teeth. “To be honest, I really don’t know. Even Andrea couldn’t tell. She said this could be Lex’s doing just to hurt you all over again or somehow, she’s been resurrected from the dead.”“Where is Andrea anyways? You two are usually connected at the hip.” Lena put the frame down.“She’s busy at work still so I said I’ll be here if she wants to stop by.” Sam leaned over to give Lena a side hug.“Can I stay the night?” Ruby asked, stretching out on the floor. “I brought an overnight bag with me.”“Of course, you can Ruby.” Lena bent to kiss the teen on the forehead.“Well now that that’s settled, I’m guessing you haven’t eaten yet by the sounds of it.” Sam heard Lena’s stomach rumble.“No. I wasn’t hungry when I got home but I am now.” Lena stood and began to pack Kara’s things away except for the oversized sleep shirt of hers.“Great. I’ll order in while Ruby helps you put these away.” Sam disappeared into the living room.She ordered their food and by the time it had arrived, Andrea had finished work and dropped by. They all ate dinner with Lena before Sam and Andrea left, leaving Ruby to get settled in the guest bedroom.Lena tidied up and went to get into bed when she could sense movement from outside. She knew that Ruby was in bed so opened the balcony door and walked out.“I know you’re there.” Lena called out. “I also know you have been watching me for the past two weeks.”Kara floated down from the roof and stopped in front of Lena. “I’m sorry. I just needed to know that you were safe.”Lena let out a weary sigh. “I think it’s time we had a talk. I need to know if it’s really you.” She turned and walked back inside. “I can’t deal with not knowing anymore because it will just drive me crazy.”Kara landed with a soft thump knowing that Ruby was asleep, walked inside herself and sat opposite Lena at the dining table. It was rather awkward with the way Lena was staring at her and also Kara noticed that she had her shirt on. “So where do I start?”“Are you an alien shapeshifter?” Lena wasn’t going to beat around the bush. “Did Lex create you just to hurt me again?”“No, it’s me.”“Then how are you alive and why were you different when you saved me?”Kara let out a heavy sigh. “The day I died and was placed in the crypt that Clark told me about, I didn’t stay in it. Clark took me from there to the fortress and placed my body into a device called the regeneration matrix that he built. It brought me back to life and I had been in that for seven months while I healed from the stab wound to my heart and the kryptonite poisoning. Something happened and the matrix ended up becoming unstable and if it failed, I would have died again before I had a chance to heal fully so in order to save me, he got Kelex to infuse me with a very powerful Kryptonian artifact called the Eradicator which healed me instantly.” Kara took a breath. She had so much to explain but didn’t want to overwhelm Lena.“So that was really you, that night?” Lena felt tears prick the corner of her eyes confusing herself on whether they were happy or sad tears.“Yes. It really was me. Well it was both me and the eradicator. That’s why I looked different and why I have new powers.” Kara looked down at her hands clasped on the table. “It’s so hard to explain. Clark is better at explaining it then I am.”Lena sniffled and tried to keep her tears at bay. She was so sick of always crying but she couldn’t help it when she felt like she had been through hell and back. “How long have you been like that?”“Five months after I woke up.” Kara paused. She hated seeing Lena so upset because she was partly the cause of her sadness.“So, you’ve been healing in the matrix for seven months, been awake for five months and living in the fortress?” Lena sucked in a shaky breath, wiping her face with the palm of her hand.“I have.”“Then why couldn’t you have let me know you were alive the moment you woke? Why wait until now?”“Because until I learnt how to bond with this entity and him to me, I was a danger to everyone. I had to learn how to master his powers and combine them with mine.” Kara got up and boldly moved so that she was sitting next to Lena surprised that she didn’t move away.Lena stared at Kara’s hand on the table, hesitantly reached over and placed her hand on top of it. Something deep inside her heart told her all she needed to know. That she was telling the truth. That it was actually Kara. Her Kara. She could feel it in the way Kara turned her hand up and linked their fingers together, the same way Lena remembers she did all the time. “I don’t want to be hurt again.” She whispered so quietly that only someone with superhearing could hear her. “I need to know you’ll never leave me.”Kara reached up with her other hand and gently cupped Lena’s cheek. “I promise with my whole heart that I will never, ever leave you again.” She pulled on Lena’s hand to get her to move and sit in her lap and just held onto her. “I may never be the same as before I died but I’m still me. I’m still your Kara.”Lena wrapped her arms around Kara and just cried into her neck. “You have no idea how miserable I’ve been. I had thoughts of ending my life and I tried to drink myself to death because it hurt so much to not have you here and I just wanted the pain to go away. I couldn’t focus on running my company, I built a wall and nearly pushed everyone who cares about me in my life away. I felt like a failure because I couldn’t save you and I can’t go through that again. Do you understand. I just can’t Kara.”“Hey shhh. Don’t cry Lena. We are going to figure everything out, alright.” Kara pulled Lena into her. “I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. I should have listened to you when you said there was always another way but I thought I could win against Lex. I was foolish and dumb and it cost me my life and almost yours too.” She floated them to the bedroom and lay down on the bed with Lena still wrapped around her. She pulled her cape around and used it as a blanket for them both.“I’m so mad at you right now.” Lena sniffled but refused to let Kara go, still afraid that if she did, Kara would disappear into thin air.“You have every right to be.” Kara kissed her head.“This doesn’t feel real. I never thought I’d ever see you again.” Lena pulled her face from Kara’s neck to look up at her.“Never underestimate the power of being a Kryptonian.” Kara smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “I'm here now and everything is going to be alright.”“So, this… Eradicator of sorts inside of you…” Lena placed her hand over Kara's heart.“Yes.”“Is he the reason you can change?”“Yes. When I allow him to the surface of my mind, I transform and that is why I looked different the night I saved you from whatever that thing was. It wasn’t the way I wanted you to know I was alive but you were in danger and I wasn’t going to let any harm come to you.” Kara started to relax the longer she held Lena.“His name was Metallo and I think either my mother or brother created him.” Lena lay her head on Kara’s chest and listened to her heart beating calmly in her ear. Soon enough she drifted off to sleep.Kara gave her another kiss to her head. “Sleep well, my love. We can talk more in the morning.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Lena stirred in her sleep, her hand reaching out instinctively for Kara but her touch felt nothing but cold and empty sheets. Her eyes fluttered open and a surge of panic washed over her. She sat up in bed, her heart beating harshly against her rib cage and her breath coming in short and anxious gasps.“Kara?” Lena whispered, the room bathed in the soft glow of the very early morning light except it offered no comfort. Her thoughts raced and her mind replayed memories of loss and heartbreak, and she struggled to fight back the panic. “No, not again. She can’t be gone. Not again.” Her voice trembled.The door creaked open and Lena’s head snapped in that direction, her eyes wide with fear.“Lena are you ok?” Kara asked softly when she appeared in the doorway, concern etched into her features.Lena shook her head and stretched her arms out. “No.”Kara rushed to her side, wrapping her arms around her. “Hey. I’m right here, baby. I’m right here. I’m sorry I left the bed. You were sleeping peacefully and I needed to get out of my suit so I went to get some clothes that were packed away and lost track of time while talking to Silas-sorry the eradicator. His name is Silas.” Kara corrected when Lena gave her an odd look. “And I didn’t want to wake you. I’d never intentionally leave you.”Lena scrambled to sit sideways in Kara’s lap and clung to her superhero, her panic slowly subsiding as her presence washed over her. She buried her face in her shoulder while her breathing gradually returned to normal. “I’m sorry.”“Baby, look at me.” Kara caught her gently by the chin and directed Lena’s eyes to her own. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I made you a promise that I would never leave and I intend to keep it.” She placed their foreheads together. “I’m right here where I always should have been and I’m not going anywhere.”Kara’s words were a calming balm to Lena’s wounded soul that still required a lot of healing and she calmed down then moved to lay back. “Can you take me to the fortress? I would like to see this regeneration matrix that brought you back to life.”“I will but first, you should get some more sleep. It’s early.” Kara climbed back into bed next to her. “You have my favourite shirt on by the way.” She murmured into her hair when Lena tucked her head under her chin.“I know.” Lena snuggled into the warmth of Kara’s arms. “Will you still be here when I wake?”“I won’t go anywhere. I’ll be here.” Kara said as she waited for Lena to fall asleep then let sleep overtake her.When Kara woke a while later, Lena was still wrapped tightly around her. She was still asleep, her face relaxed in slumber and Kara was content to watch her sleep. Just as the morning sun started to filter into the room through a slight part in the curtains, the door swung open and Ruby entered with a steaming hot cup of coffee.“Morning aunt Lena. I thought I’d bring…” The rest of Ruby’s sentence trailed off her lips as her eyes fell upon the person lying beside her aunt. Her voice caught in her throat, and her steps faltered.Kara glanced over her shoulder, trying not to move too much and wake Lena. “Hi Ruby.” She greeted her niece with a warm smile but it was a smile that held a hint of reassurance as she knew that her presence might be startling.“Aunt Kara?” Ruby asked, a little breathlessly. “Is… is that really you?” her eyes widened in surprise.Lena groaned and groggily peeled her eyes open. “Ruby?” She blinked at the look the teen had on her face, followed her gaze and instantly realized the reason for her astonishment.“Aunt Lena... aunt Kara is in your bed…” Ruby nearly forgot she had a full mug of coffee in her hands as the cup tipped slightly, the liquid teetering on the edge of the rim, threatening to spill over and possibly burn her fingers.“Ruby, the mug sweetheart.” Lena dropped her gaze to Ruby’s hands.“Oh crap.” Ruby snapped out of her haze and placed the mug down. “You’re back!” She rushed over to the bed and dove into Kara’s arms, burying her face in her shoulder. “I missed you. I missed you so much!”Kara sat up, returned the hug with tenderness and held Ruby close. “I am back and I’ve missed you too.”“I was hoping that was really you saving aunt Lena!” Ruby let Kara go and climbed up to sit at her feet. “Mom and everyone are going to be really happy to see you.”“And I’m going to be really happy to see everyone too so what do you want for breakfast?” Kara asked, moving to get out of bed.“I’m gonna have some cereal but can I also have your signature waffles? I have really missed those.” Ruby smiled, sliding off the bed. “I’m just going to shower.”“Of course. I guess I should shower and get ready. I’d like to eat something before I get bombarded with everyone.” Kara went to walk off to unpack some of her clothes but stopped when Lena pulled on her arm.“I really would like to kiss you.” Lena wrapped both arms around Kara’s shoulders when she sat down again and faced her.“I would love that.” Kara leaned in and pressed her lips to Lena’s in a soft yet lingering kiss, reluctantly pulling away when she could sense Silas coming to the surface.

~Very touching~

“I’ve missed that.” Lena gave her a smile.Kara pecked her lips again for good measure. “I’ve missed that too.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I best gather me some clothes. I have a lot of unpacking to do today.” She said as she left the room. Once she was in the spare room, she closed the door. “Alright Silas. We need to have a chat.”
~Of course, Kara. What is on your mind~
“I felt you come to the surface when I kissed Lena. I know you are a part of me so I need to understand how that affects you.” Kara dug through a box of clothes for a shirt, some underwear and some pants.

~Kara, I don’t possess emotions or desires like humans do but I understand. When you want time with Lena, I will go and only come back when you allow me too. I have to respect your boundaries~

“Well it’s not just that, Silas. I don’t want the risk of me spontaneously transforming and possibly hurting Lena. You know how important she is to me.”

~I understand your concern regarding that matter and as I said, I will go until you want me back~

“Thank you for understanding, Silas. I will call you back when I need you.” Kara finished gathering what she needed and headed for the shower.Lena had just finished getting ready herself when Kara entered the bathroom and looped her arms around her from behind while they stood in front of the bathroom mirror.“I’ve missed you so much.” Lena leaned back into Kara’s arms.“I’ve missed you too. I see you have been working yourself too much.” Kara looked at the dark circles under Lena’s eyes. “I have to admit, I also noticed when I brought you home from work five months ago and came through the balcony door. You were fast asleep at your desk as you must have taken a sleeping pill.”Lena’s eyebrows raised. “Wait? That’s how I got home?” She asked because when she woke the next day with her clothes draped over the chair and dressed in just a shirt and her underwear, she had no recollection on how they got like that or how she got home when the last thing she remembers was falling asleep at her desk.Kara nodded. “I needed to see you.”Lena spun around in Kara’s arms. “Why didn’t I get a security alert though?” She frowned since she never took the alert off of the balcony door even as Kara is the only one with the code and there is even a security camera above it.“I… Umm… May have gone into your home office, logged into your system and deleted it before leaving. I couldn’t risk anyone finding out about me back then. Especially your brother. I was still learning control. I’m sorry.” Kara tucked her face into Lena’s neck and tried to hide away. “I understand if you’re mad at me.”Lena tugged gently on Kara’s hair to get her to look up. “I’m not mad at you. Maybe a tad disappointed that I didn’t get to see you then but you had a good reason Kara. Lex is dangerous. I’ve been trying to create a serum to take those stupid powers of his away even though I don’t know how he got them then I have no idea how to get close enough to inject it into his body.”“We can get to that when the time comes. Right now, you need to eat and rest.”Lena moved her arms to rest the palms of her hands on Kara’s chest. “For you, I’ll do anything.”Kara took her hands and kissed the knuckles of both of them. It was then she noticed Lena had her engagement ring she had given her, back on her finger. “You put it back on.” She ran her thumb back and forth over it as the diamond sparkled in the bathroom light.Lena blushed. “I shouldn’t have taken it off but every time I looked at it, it was a painful reminder that you weren’t here so I took it off and put it away.”“It’s ok. You were grieving. You did what you had to do and I don’t hold that against you.” Kara held her close and tenderly kissed her forehead. “I’m just going to get ready. Meet you in the kitchen when I’m done. I love you.” Kara brought their lips together in a kiss.“Ok. I love you too.” Lena turned to finish her hair while she watched in the mirror as Kara stripped and entered the shower, closing the door behind her. She still couldn’t believe her luck that she has the love of her life back.Walking into the kitchen, Ruby was already sitting at the counter eating her fruit loop cereal and drinking her orange juice.“I can’t believe aunt Kara is back.” Ruby said with a mouthful, milk dripping down her chin as she swiped her finger to wipe it up.“Me too, Rubes.” Lena got the leftovers from last night out. Ironically, they were all Kara’s favourites and plated it up.“So, when are you going to call everyone to tell them that it is actually aunt Kara?” Ruby pushed her bowl aside then downed her half a glass of juice.“Probably when Kara’s ready.” Lena went about getting some breakfast done. Just as she sat down, Sam walked in the door followed by Alex.“Morning mom.” Ruby greeted her mother with a hug. “Morning aunt Alex.”“Morning baby.” Sam let her daughter go. “Did you sleep well?”“I did.” Ruby hugged Alex then put her dishes in the sink.“Hey Lena. How are you doing?” Alex walked over and sat next to her.Sam went to do the same until she heard banging going on in Lena’s bathroom. “Is there someone else here?”Lena stopped mid sip of her coffee and put the cup down. “Well, yes and I was going to call you a bit later but you beat me to it by turning up.” She got up to disappear into her room, closing the door behind her.Both Sam and Alex gave each other strange looks then looked straight at Ruby.“Ruby, who else is here?” Sam asked with a fold of her arms across her chest. “There was no one besides you and Lena here when I left last night.”Ruby sat there with a neutral expression as to not give anything away lest she ruin the surprise. “You’ll see soon enough.” She gestured towards the closed door that was slowly opening.Lena walked out then paused in the doorway. “Ok, so please don’t freak out when you see who it is.”“Who is it?” Alex asked as Lena moved aside and waited.Kara took a breath and walked out of the bedroom. “It’s me, Alex.”Both women near fell off their seats with audible gasps that resounded around the room.“Oh… my god!” Sam had wide eyes with her mouth hanging open.“Kara?” Alex got off her chair, slowly walked over and placed her hands either side of Kara’s face and looked deep into her blue eyes. “It’s really you.” She pulled her sister into her chest and held onto her. “God I’ve really missed you.”“I’ve missed you too, Alex.” Kara embraced her sister in a tight hug, being careful not to crush her.“You have a lot of explaining to do.” Alex said as she let her go. She did have her doubts that the alien in the footage was really her sister but seeing her standing in front of her brought her a sense of relief and she could finally put those doubts to bed.“I know and I’ll tell you everything. Both of you.” She glanced over at Sam still sitting speechless in her seat. “Hi Sam.”“Mom close your mouth or you’ll catch flies.” Ruby giggled at the way Sam quickly snapped her jaw shut.“Jesus Christ!” Sam shot off her chair and if it weren’t for Kara being a super, she would have knocked her over. “You big fat idiot! Breaking my best friends heart like that. Please don’t ever do that again!” She hugged her as tight as she could.“I’m so sorry for everything.” Kara had tears in her eyes. “How about we sit and talk. There are a lot of questions that need answering.” She waited for Sam to let her go.“There are but first explain how you are even here.” Alex sat down and pulled on Kara to sit next to her while the others took their seats.For the next few hours, Kara told them everything and answered all of their questions. By the time she had finished it was lunch time. Lena ordered in since no one felt like leaving the apartment.“So, does Lex know you’re alive?” Alex asked.“Well if the punch I gave Metallo didn’t kill him then yeah he probably knows I am.” Kara shrugged. “I’m not going to hide from him Alex. This is my city and it’s my job to protect the people in it. Not Lex. He doesn’t deserve to have powers. If he wants another fight then so be it.”Alex took her sisters hands. “Kara, you have to be careful. We all lost you once before and god help us all if we let that happen again. You are not going to do it alone this time, you hear.”“Ok and I’ll be careful.” Kara took her hands back then stood up. “I guess we best call mom and tell her the news.”“No need. I’ll pick her up later and bring her over if you’re up for dinner?” Alex gathered her things. “I got to get to work.”“Alright. Dinner it is.” Kara agreed giving her sister another hug. “See you then and please bring Kelly too.”“Will do. Bye Ruby. Bye Lena.” Alex waved as she left.“Andrea wants me to stop by for lunch so I best get going myself. I’ll see you later Rubes.” Sam ruffled her daughter’s hair. “And I’ll see you two for dinner.” She followed Alex out the door.“Don’t forget to bring your girlfriend.” Lena called after her, getting an ‘alright’ from Sam before she turned the corner.Kara had disappeared to gather some boxes in her arms and start unpacking all her belongings again. Lena followed behind with a few more when Ruby joined in to help her aunts.Lena made space in the closet for Kara’s clothes then helped her hang her framed butterflies and paintings back up on the walls in their designated places again. Seeing their home slowly returning back to the way it used to be, began to mend her broken heart back together. Lena still had a long way to go but this was a start and with Kara’s arms wrapped around her, she felt that hopefully everything is going to be ok.That was until dinner time rolled around with a visit from an uninvited guest.

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The quietude of the evening was abruptly interrupted by an unwelcome knock at Lena’s door.Lena sensing the unexpected disruption since she knows that hers and Kara’s friends need not to knock but just enter, approached cautiously. With a swift motion, she opened the door to reveal Lillian standing in the dim lit corridor. The atmosphere became charged with the weight of unresolved conflicts and buried resentments.It was the first time in two years since the pair had seen each other, Lillian not even bothering to check up on her daughter after Kara died, merely sending her condolences in the form of a card which Lena immediately tossed in the rubbish.Seeing the one person that despises aliens just as much as Lex was not someone Kara or Lena wanted to deal with right now since everyone was due to turn up for dinner at any minute but there stood her mother in a pristine white three-piece suit, four inch heels that made her look even taller than she already is and her handbag slung over her right shoulder.Lena stood there with a glare that would burn a hole straight through anything had she had the ability to shoot laser beams from her eyes. “This isn’t a good time mother.” She snapped as she could feel the tension in the air surround them. “What do you want?”“Is that any way to greet your mother?” Lillian returned the same glare Lena was giving her.“That’s rich coming from you. Not once in two years have you bothered to show your face around me and suddenly here you are, standing at my door. Now I’ll ask again. What do you want?”Lillian peered around Lena. “I heard rumours that Supergirl had risen from the dead and I can definitely see that those rumours are certainly true. How about you invite me in so we can have a little chat hmm.” She eyed Kara who was standing nearby with Ruby.“Who told you that? Metallo?” Lena didn’t move but stood her ground. She knew she had unfinished business with her mother but not right now. Not when she was about to have dinner. “Or your precious son who you admire?”“Who do you think Lena. Of course, it was Metallo. That fool could never keep his mouth shut. If it wasn’t for Kara, Lex’s little minion would have taken you to him. I also know you are working on taking those powers of his away and I want in.”Lena’s jaw tightened. Her mother’s motives for everything were always a labyrinth and she was wary of the maze that lay ahead. “Oh, you want in?” Her brow almost arched higher than her hairline. She didn’t bother asking Lillian how she knew since she seems to know everything Lena does before she even does it. “Why should I trust anything you say? I was the outcast remember. The child who should never have been born into the Luthor family just because father idolised me more than he did Lex.”“Oh, come now, Lena. That isn’t true. Just let me in so we can talk properly.”“Isn’t it? Because as far as I was concerned those were your exact words you told me every day when I was growing up.” Lena bit back then hung her head with a sigh. She knows Lillian knew Lex better than anyone in the entire world but at the same time, she was suspicious of her mother’s sudden appearance. Against her better judgement she moved aside and allowed Lillian in before closing the door behind her. “Fine. You’re only here to talk. Make one wrong move and I’ll have Kara toss you into the sun.”“Duly noted.” Lillian nodded even though she knew Lena wouldn’t have Kara actually go through with it.“Alright, sit.” Lena pointed to the dining table chair. “You have about twenty minutes before our friends turn up for dinner so get out whatever it is you want to say. Why the sudden interest in Kara’s return?”“I propose an alliance.” Lillian folded her hands atop the table.Lena’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and even Kara couldn’t hide her astonishment.“An alliance?” Kara sat down across from Lillian. “Against who? Lex?”“Yes. He’s gone too far, even for my tastes. He’s not using his so-called powers for the greater good like he told me he would but instead is tarnishing the Luthor name and if we allow him to continue he’s going to ruin it for the both of us and you know it.”“Oh, so you know how he got them then.” Lena pursed her lips when it all made sense in her head. “Because you are the one who gave them to him.”“Yes, I did.” Lillian said without an ounce of remorse for what her actions had caused.Lena scoffed. “Why am I not surprised. It was you all along. You were partly responsible for Kara’s death.”Kara knew Lena was getting worked up so rubbed her thigh under the table. “It’s ok. I’m here now.” Her touch calming her down. “So, what did you do to give Lex those powers?”“I altered his genetics using DNA Lex had of superman which gave him powers similar to you and your cousin with the advantage of being immune to green kryptonite.” Lillian quickly explained as her time was almost up. “Look I’ll admit, I made a mistake but it’s one I’m willing to rectify if you’ll give me the chance.”“I have a really hard time trusting anything that comes out of your mouth.” Lena crossed her arms across her chest.“I understand I haven’t been mother of the year to you but unless you want to take Lex down on your own, then you have to trust me Lena.”“I’m with Lena. I don’t trust you either but if we want to stop Lex then we are going to have to work together so what’s your plan, Lillian?” Kara asked calmly, still rubbing Lena’s thigh.Lillian leaned back, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “We play by Lex’s rules but we change the game and Supergirl, you’re going to be the ace up our sleeve.” Lillian stood. “Just trust that I will do right this time, Lena.”  “We’ll see.” Lena huffed and made no effort to move from her seat. “But I promise you that if Kara gets hurt in any way by your hand, I will find my own way to throw both you and Lex into the sun.”“Alright you’ve made yourself quite clear, dear and that is my cue to leave.” Lillian walked to the door. “I’ll be in touch, Kara.” she said as she left, closing the door behind her.“Well that was totally unexpected.” Kara breathed out then remembered they hadn’t set up for dinner, deciding to use her super speed to set the table then disappear as per the instructions of Alex, a second before her sister, Eliza, Kelly who had invited James with the permission of Lena first since it would give them the opportunity to finally have the talk they were supposed to have months ago walked in followed by Sam and Andrea.

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Lena and Ruby moved around the kitchen, the clinking of dishes and the aromatic dance of spices filling the air as they plated up the meals. Unbeknownst to everyone else except Alex and Sam, Kara waited patiently in the bedroom, savouring the anticipation of a surprise reunion.“Something smells really good.” Alex sniffed the air as she made a beeline for the kitchen. “Hey Lena, did I just see Lillian leaving?”“Yes, you did. She came here to propose an alliance with Kara…” She whispered. “In taking down Lex. It’s her fault he has powers because she gave them to him. It’s a long story we can talk about another time. Right now, I just want to get dinner done.” Lena was still in a bit of a foul mood and hoped that dinner would take her mind off that unexpected visit.“Fair enough so, where is that sister of mine?” Alex whispered as she had turned so her back was to everyone.”“In there.” Lena subtly gestured with her eyes in the direction of the bedroom. “So, do you wanna help me with these or are you just going to eat all the strawberries off of the cheesecake?”  “Oh right. Sorry.” Alex stuffed one last strawberry half in her mouth and reached out to pick up a few plates.Kara still hidden, listened to the chatter going on a few feet away from her. Sam and Andrea being all lovey dovey with each other, Kelly and Eliza commenting on the amazing dinner that was prepared for them but were also wondering what the special occasion was all about and then there was James chatting with Ruby. Squinting her eyes, she used her X-ray vision to see the table was just about set and everyone gathering around it, noticing that they all stopped when they saw an extra plate set out next to Lena.Andrea was the first one to pipe up. “Who is that for?”“Well… just one moment.” Lena held her finger in the air. The silence in the room was deafening that you’d be able to hear a pin drop as multiple eyes followed her in complete confusion. “You can come out now.” She held her hand out, allowing Kara to take it.“Hey everyone.” Kara stood next to Lena with a gigantic smile on her face.Mouths dropped open and tears started forming.“Kara! is that really you?” Eliza got up, hurried over and flung her arms around Kara’s shoulders.“Yes mom. It’s really me.” Kara reciprocated the hug.“Surprise!” Alex and Sam said at the same time, both with huge grins on their faces.“Wait? You both knew?!” Andrea squeaked as she sat, looking wide eyed at her girlfriend.“Yes, and sorry I had to keep it a secret from you but Alex and I found out this morning when we popped over for a visit.” Sam kissed Andrea on the cheek. “You have no idea how hard it was to keep it quiet, especially from you.” She chuckled.“You sneak.” Kelly planted a kiss to Alex’s lips. “It all makes sense now with the fancy dinner and all.”“Sorry babe.” Alex kissed Kelly back.James sat there in silence at the fact that now Kara has come back from the dead, Lena is completely off limits. He is also unaware of the talk Lena was about to have with him after dinner.Kelly and Andrea both stood to hug Kara while James remained in his seat with a nod of his head when Kara glanced his way and greeted him. They don’t really get along since he still thinks she stole Lena away from him.They all talked excitedly over dinner where Kara explained for the third time how she came to be alive and about Silas. The room resonated with the sounds of laughter and the clinking of utensils and plates.As the night went on, they all indulged in dessert consisting of cheesecake minus half the strawberries Alex ate, Eliza’s apple pie and ice cream.Once all the dishes were washed and put away and everything else cleaned up, Ruby gave her aunts a hug and left with her mother and Andrea since she had school the next day and both women had an early start leaving Kelly, Alex and James and Eliza behind.While Alex and Kelly kept Kara busy with conversation with Eliza, Lena moved out onto the balcony where James was standing and closed the door behind her.Kara noticed with a frown and went to use her superhearing to eavesdrop on the conversation that was about to start outside until her sister placed her hand on her forearm.“Hey, No superhearing. It’s alright. They’re just having a talk they should have had months ago.” Alex said making Kara turn back around.“Why?” Kara asked.“It’s best if you talk to Lena about it.” Kelly gave her a warm smile.Out on the balcony, Lena swirled her wine in her glass, not knowing where to start. She didn’t know if this conversation would help James understand that she no longer feels the way she used to about him but she had to at least try.“So, thank you for accepting to come to dinner tonight.” Lena started and took a sip.“You’re welcome. Thank you for allowing me to come. So… Kara came back.” James downed a gulp of beer.“She did and I think it’s time you and I had a talk. I could tell dinner was rather awkward for you and it didn’t have to be, James. I know your feelings for me still go beyond friendship but I just want you to understand that I don’t feel that way about you. What we had was great but with Kara…” Lena paused and turned to look at the love of her life talking with her sister.“It’s alright, Lena. I get it.” James placed his beer bottle on the balcony ledge with a sigh.“No, I don’t think you do James. Not yet at least.” Lena downed the rest of her glass.“I do Lena-” James started but Lena cut him off.“Please let me finish. I really need to say this. I should have done this months ago after I talked to your sister.”“Sorry.” James hung his head down. “Kelly mentioned you had a visit with her.”“Yeah so as I was saying, what we had was great but with Kara, she’s my other half. My soulmate. The one I am going to be spending the rest of my life with. I may not have noticed the feelings I had for her at first but they happened and I can’t take them back. I won’t. I know that you think she stole me away from you but she didn’t. It was my choice to leave you and I’m sorry if you feel that way because I see the way you look at her but I can’t just turn off my love for Kara because you’re still in love with me and I need you to accept that you and I aren’t going to be anything more than friends.” Lena let out a sigh. “I’m sorry if what I’m saying hurts because that isn’t what I’m trying to do here but it’s the truth and if you really love me, you’ll let me go.”James let out a breath as Lena’s words slowly sank in. “I understand, Lena and I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. I just thought that since Kara had died and wasn’t around anymore, you’d move on and maybe come back to me but now I can see where your heart truly lies.” He turned to see Kara watching them. “I guess I owe Kara an apology for the way I’ve been acting around her even before she died.”“I think you do and James…” Lena said as James turned on his heel and went to walk away.“Yeah?”“Thanks for listening.”James nodded his head, pulled the door open and went inside to pull Kara aside and apologize.Lena watched quietly from the balcony as Alex and Kelly joined her to give Kara and James some privacy.“I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after that talk with your brother.” Lena let Kelly pull her in for a hug.“You seem much happier.” Alex said noticing the small smile Lena had on her face.“I am. I know I should have had that talk with him ages ago but back then I was a terrible mess. I still am to be honest with you both because I’m afraid something else will happen and Kara will be gone again and I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it a second time around.” Lena sat down on one of the chairs.“Hey.” Kelly took Lena’s hand into her own as she sat next to her. “I’m sure nothing will happen to Kara again.”“You think so?” Lena’s brows creased together.“Lena… It’s very rare that people get a second chance at having their loved one come back from the dead and with new powers I might add.” Kelly said with a reassuring smile.“So back to the mother you haven’t seen in what...” Alex paused to do some calculations in her head. “Two years, just shows up unexpectantly asking to join alliances with Kara?”“Yeah. I don’t trust her one bit and neither does Kara but she knows how Lex works. I have been working on a formula for months to take his powers away although I haven’t come up with a way to get it into him just yet.” Lena watches through the glass door at the exchange of handshakes between James and Kara, signifying that they must have come to a mutual understanding.Kara turns and flashes Lena with a warm smile as James leaves then joins them outside. “He explained everything and apologized so we are good now.”“Alright well I guess we’ll leave you both in peace and get going. Thank you so much for dinner.” Kelly gave Kara a hug. “And welcome back to the land of the living.” She chuckled as she let her go then did the same to Lena.“You’re both welcome and thank you Kelly. It’s good to be back.” Kara pressed a small kiss to Lena’s head then grabbed her sister for a hug.Eliza, who had been doing a small tidy up even though Lena had protested she didn’t have to, joined the others to cup Kara’s face in her hands. “I really can’t believe you’re alive and here standing in front of me. It’s a miracle.” She placed a kiss to her forehead.“I apologize for all the heartache I put you and everyone through.” Kara leaned against the railing.“Don’t apologize, Kara. You were doing what you have always done. Protect. And no one is going to hold that against you.” Eliza took hold of Kara’s hands. “Just please don’t die again.”“I promise to do better this time. Goodnight mom.”“Night, Kara. Night Lena.” Eliza waved as she stepped back inside to gather her handbag and coat that was hanging on the hook by the door.Alex and Kelly said their goodbyes and left to drop Eliza back home.Once alone, Kara wrapped Lena up in her arms and started peppering her neck with wet and hot open mouthed kisses then ran her nose up to her ear. “Take a shower with me.”Lena let out a little whine and tilted her head to the side. “Of course.” She allowed Kara to pick her up and carry her then put her down once they entered the bathroom.Kara undressed first and near tore Lena’s clothes from her body to kiss every bit of exposed skin that became available to her.Lena knew the moment Kara pinned her against the shower wall and kissed the breath from her lungs, she was in for a very long night.

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Lena never thought she would feel this much pleasure shoot through her body for the rest of her life if it weren’t for Kara’s fingers buried deep inside her, her thumb rubbing furiously at her clit that pulled her third orgasm of the night from her while sucking and biting gently at her nipple.Kara had her propped up, against the cold tile with one arm and Lena’s legs wrapped around her waist. “Can you give me one more?” She popped her lips from her nipple and slowed the pace down slightly, allowing Lena to catch her breath.Lena’s whole body felt like it was on fire and her clit was very sensitive to the touch as it throbbed with every pass of Kara’s thumb, yet she didn’t push her away. “Yeah.” She lay her forehead on Kara’s shoulder and whispered breathlessly.“Good girl because now I wanna taste you.” Kara moved, carefully slid her fingers out of her and lifted Lena effortlessly above her head so her pussy was level with her face and her thighs were resting over her shoulders, spread wide open, save for the shower having an open top and high roof, she would have hit her head on it.“Oh god, Kara.” Lena moaned; her voice raspy from overuse. Fingers tightened in Kara’s hair as she held on when pillowy lips wrapped around her clit and sucked. “Yes, right there.”Kara flicked her tongue over and over her sensitive and reddened little pearl as Lena’s legs tried to close around her head, but Kara’s hands wrapped around her thighs and kept them open. She moved her mouth from sucking to lapping up Lena’s juices from between her puffy lips before thrusting her tongue into her pussy and vibrating it, causing Lena to nearly pass out from the amount of pleasure she was receiving.“Kara… baby I’m going to come again.” Lena’s whole body tensed up as her orgasm hit her like a freight train. “Fuck! Kara!” she let go and came with a low moan, clenching around the intruding muscle still buried in her.Kara drank down all the arousal that dribbled from Lena’s sopping entrance before slipping her tongue out and setting her gently on her feet again. “You taste so delicious.” She licked the rest of Lena’s come from her lips and wrapped her arms around her fiancée, supporting all her weight. “I love you so much.” She buried her face in Lena’s neck.Lena felt boneless and well sated after having four orgasms pulled from her as she leaned heavily into Kara, her legs feeling like jelly. “I love you so much too, darling.” Lena managed a few kisses to Kara’s chest. “Carry me to bed? I’m exhausted and my legs don’t want to work but I feel really good.” She smiled lazily up at Kara.Kara kissed her forehead. “Of course, my love.” She switched the shower off and grabbed a fluffy towel to wrap Lena in and carried her to bed and dried her off, using the same one to dry herself and crawled into bed.Lena rolled over and wrapped her body around Kara, planting a kiss to her neck. “Thank you for tonight, baby.”“It was my pleasure, my love. Get some rest and tomorrow, I’ll take you to the fortress.” Kara pulled the sheet up and covered them both then chuckled when Lena gave a grunt of acknowledgement before she too succumbed to sleep.Waking up a few hours later, Kara was back between Lena's legs again pulling yet another orgasm from her but this time, once Lena caught her breath, she reciprocated and gave Kara loads amounts of pleasure, pulling multiple orgasms from her lover until they both crashed out in the very early hours of the morning.
********
Lena pulled her coat tighter around herself once Kara set her down on the icy floor of the fortress the next morning. “I can’t believe you were here the entire time meaning that every day I went to the cemetery, I was visiting an empty crypt when I could have just come to the fortress to see you. I wish your cousin could have at least told me what he was doing.”Kara pulled her into her arms and held Lena tight. “I’m sorry you had to go through that every day.”Lena let out a breath. “Darling, I think you’ve apologized enough, and I forgive you for everything that’s happened ok.” She leaned up and kissed Kara. “Now, can you please show me the regeneration matrix?”Kara nodded and let her go. “Yeah. It’s this way.” She placed her hand on Lena’s lower back and led her to where the matrix still sat.“Greetings Kara Zor-El.” Kelex flew around the corner and hovered in front of them. “Greetings Lena Luthor. What can I do for you today?”“Hello, Kelex.” Lena greeted him. “I’m here to see the regeneration matrix that brought Kara back to life.”“Oh of course. Please follow me.” Kelex turned in the air and flew into a separate part of the fortress.Both women followed him to where Clark had left it but what made Lena stop in her tracks for a moment was the small trench in the floor that Kara had made with her heat vision.“What happened here?” Lena turned to Kara who had seen what she was looking at.“Oh… um that was when Silas and I weren’t getting along before we started to understand each other.” Kara said as she looked down at her boots. “He was trying to get me to surrender to him so he could take over my body and I couldn’t take it anymore and just wanted him to stop. I lost control of my heat vision and that happened.”Lena placed a finger under Kara’s chin and tilted her head up. “It’s ok. You don’t have to be ashamed. Things worked out for the better in the end and you got through it. You came back. A bit different but you are still the same person to me.”Kara went to say something except Kelex called them over. “The matrix.” She gestured with her head in his direction.Lena dropped her arm and walked over to the piece of technology responsible for resurrecting her love. “Wow. This is amazing!” She walked around it in awe then noticed the smashed door. “Did you do this?”“It wasn’t just me. It was one of Silas’s powers called energy projection. The very first power you saw me use on Metallo.” Kara stood back, watching Lena examine every part. She explained what it was made from and how it worked when Lena asked her a question that caught her off guard.“Can you show me?...” Curiosity danced in Lena's eyes as she looked at Kara. “Can you show me what you look like when you change. I know I saw you when you saved me, but I want to see it up close.”Surprised by the request, Kara hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. “You want to see me transform?”“I do. But only if you are comfortable showing me that is.” Lena took Kara’s hands in hers.Kara, touched by Lena’s curiosity thought it was a good idea for her to show Lena so she could get to know her in her other form and not just the one she sees every day. “Alright, I’ll show you but I…” She paused and blew out a breath. “I just don’t want to scare you with the way I’m going to look.”Lena moved close and reached up to cup her cheeks. “You aren’t going to frighten me, darling. I want to see you. Not just this you but the other you, just answer this one question for me?”“What would that be, my love?”“You told me that in order for you to change, you let Silas to the surface with you, so my question is… am I able to talk to him through you?”Kara scrunched her brows. She had no clue if that was even possible, but she didn’t have to think about it any longer when Silas appeared, interrupting her. “I don’t-”
~Yes. It’s possible for me to talk to Lena through you~
“How would Lena know it’s you though? Wouldn’t you just sound like me?” Kara stood there and pondered.
~No, Kara. I wouldn’t. My voice would blend with yours so she would hear both~
“What is he saying?” Lena asked.“He’s saying that, yes he can talk to you.” Kara pecked her forehead. “But I’m going to need you to stand back ok because I’m going to change.”Lena nodded and stepped back to give Kara some space and watched from a safe distance, her eyes wide with wonder and trepidation.Kara took a few deep breaths and as Silas's voice resonated in her mind, she felt a surge of energy building within her. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, Kara's body began to change. A soft, ethereal light enveloped her, shimmering and pulsating with a life of its own. Her muscles became a little more defined and her hair grew longer and turned a vibrant golden as she hovered just above the cold floor.Her suit and boots rippled and transformed into something that seemed to be woven from the shadows. Its fabric a deep midnight blue that seemed to come alive as she moved. The fabric shimmered with an iridescent quality, catching the light in such a way that it changed colour before your eyes. With each step she would take, the colours would dance and shift. Intricate patterns resembling ancient Kryptonian runes ran along its surface. The emblem on her chest was a combination of her family crest, the “S”, a dark cherry red within a shield of the same colour, and a stylised eye over the top representing Silas, surrounded by circuit-like patterns, glowing a vibrant silver.Kara's cape matched the colour of her suit. It is sleek and flowing, cascading behind her as she hovered, adding a sense of drama and elegance to her appearance. The edges of her boots, suit and cape lined with a silver trim. The only thing that didn’t change was her belt around her waist that continued to stay gold.As she closed her eyes, Kara felt Silas’s power flow through her veins and join her own completing the transformation. She kept them closed but floated back to the floor and stood there.Waiting.Just waiting for Lena to run as far away as she could and not look at her the same again but instead of that, Kara felt a warm hand touch her face.“Incredible.” Lena whispered. The soft pad of her thumb stroking Kara’s cheek.Kara’s chest rose and fell as she breathed, and Lena placed her hand over her heart. “You’re not afraid?”Lena felt the muscle ripple under her hand. Strong and powerful. “I could never.” She gazed up in awe at the being standing before her. “Open your eyes and look at me.”Kara turned and shook her head.Lena reached back up and guided Kara’s face back towards her. “Darling. Open your eyes.” She pulled her head down and kissed her forehead. “Please. I want to see all of you.”Kara lifted her head but before she would open her eyes, she concentrated on dimming the glow just a bit. Something Silas had taught her to do. Her eyes then fluttered open, and as she gazed at Lena, a soft glow emanated from them. The gentle radiance illuminated her features, casting a warm light in the dim room. “Are you sure I’m not frightening you?”Lena watched in awe. Despite the fact that Kara’s ocean blue eyes had been replaced by the glow, it was not blinding, and her breath caught in her throat. “No. I love you, Kara. No matter what form you are in. I will never be afraid of what you have become.”
“Lena…” Kara’s voice suddenly took on a new tone as Silas took over.
“Kara?” The duality of Kara’s voice startled her a little bit as she wasn’t expecting it. One was her familiar, warm voice, and the other was deeper. The two voices seemed to overlap and intertwine with each other.
“No.”
“Silas?”
“I am but don’t worry. Kara is still here. I heard you want to talk to me?”
It was a strange and surreal experience, hearing two voices as one, yet somehow distinct. Lena could feel Kara's presence, her warmth and love, contrasting with Silas's cool and calculated tones. “I do. Since you are a part of Kara, it’s only fair that I get to know who you are. Also is this the only way I’ll be able to talk to you?”
“What is it you wish to know?” Silas asked. “And yes. This is the only way for you to communicate with me.”
Lena took a breath. She still found it rather weird that she could talk to him through Kara. “Silas, I need to know... Are your intentions with Kara genuine? Do you truly want to help her?” Her voice was steady but laced with skepticism. After all he did turn into a tyrant on Krypton.
Silas's response was immediate. “Lena, I understand your concern. My intentions are indeed genuine. I seek to help Kara, to guide her on a path that will benefit both her and those she cares about.”
Lena studied Kara's face, searching for any sign of deception. She could feel Kara's presence alongside Silas's. Slowly, she nodded. “Alright, Silas.” she said, her voice soft but firm. “Like Kara, my trust also needs to be earned. But know this, if you betray that trust, there will be consequences. I will find a way to separate you from Kara and will destroy you for good.”
“I understand, Lena and you would have every right to do what you felt was right. I only ask that you give me a chance to prove myself to you both.”   
Lena listened carefully, weighing his words. She could sense the sincerity in his voice, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Silas was an enigma; a being known for turning on the people he was supposed to protect. Lena knew she would have to tread carefully, to trust her instincts while navigating this strange new alliance. “Alright. One chance and one chance only. That’s all I’m allowing.”
“I agree. Thank you, Lena.” Silas’s voice echoed in Kara’s mind while she had taken a backseat to let him speak.
“I’m glad we could agree on something so can I now have Kara back, please?”
“Sure.” Silas swapped with Kara so she could talk to Lena again.
“Hi, baby. It’s me again.” Kara reached out, her voice returning back to normal.Lena wrapped her arms around Kara’s waist, feeling the raw power emanating from her, making her feel comforted and safe as she rubbed her cheek on her chest. “Kara-” She stopped when she felt Kara’s grip tighten around her.Kara’s senses suddenly heightened as she detected the faint but unmistakable presence of kryptonite. Her heart raced as she realized the danger she was in. Even with new powers, she still wasn’t immune to it.With a quick glance, she spotted the source—a glint of green light heading straight for her.Instinct took over. Drawing upon Silas's powers, Kara focused her mind, feeling the energy within her surge. She raised her hands in front of her just as the kryptonite ray neared, a green beam of deathly light.With a burst of concentration, she projected her energy outward, manifesting a shimmering shield of crackling energy. The kryptonite ray struck the shield, its deadly effects nullified as it dispersed harmlessly around her.Kara's eyes widened as Lex entered the fortress, his presence a chilling reminder of past conflicts. Lena stood beside her, a mixture of surprise and concern crossing her face.“Kara Danvers.” Lex sneered, his gaze flicking between Kara and Lena. “I must say, I didn't expect you to return from the dead but when both Metallo and mother told me that you were alive, I had to come see for myself. I stopped by the penthouse, but it was empty. The same with L-Corp but you were nowhere to be found so I figured that you must be here and there you are, looking oddly different, I must add, and I did see the footage.”Lena stepped forward, her posture defensive yet composed. “What do you want, Lex?”Ignoring Lena, Lex focused his attention on Kara. “I'm here for what's rightfully mine.” He declared, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “The power you wield. I don’t know how you got it but I want it and I won’t let you or anyone else stand in my way.” He then turned his gaze towards his sister.Kara's jaw clenched, her resolve firm. She knew the danger Lex posed, especially with Lena by her side. She had to protect her at all costs. “Baby. Go find a place to hide.” She whispered, her voice tinged with urgency. “I’ll handle this.” She glanced at Lena.“No. I’m not leaving.” Lena said as she stood her ground and refused to leave. “Let me try talk to him.”“Alright but stay close to me. I’m not going to let him hurt you.” Kara pulled her close and shielded Lena with her body even though she still had her shield up.“How about we come to a compromise without the fighting.” Lena spoke up, gathering her brothers attention. “I will give you the power you seek under the condition you allow Kara to go back to being Supergirl and her identity remains a secret. You let me study her to find out how she got them. Once I’m done and have acquired what you want, I’ll give them to you.” She kept her heartrate normal as Lex considered her terms. She knew striking a deal with him was risky, but she also knew it was the only way to protect Kara. “You stay out of her way and she stays out of yours.”After what seemed like an eternity, Lex finally spoke. “Very well, Lena. I agree to your terms but I will be keeping a close eye on you. I want that power as soon as you have it. No later.”Relief flooded through Lena as she realized she had succeeded. She had managed to outmanoeuvre Lex and protect Kara at the same time. “Agreed.”Kara, still in defensive mode, stared at Lex. “How were you able to shoot at me with Kryptonite just before?”“Oh that, well mother dearest figured out how to infuse me with kryptonite and instead of shooting heat rays from my eyes like you can, I well… shoot Kryptonite instead. Anyway I have more important things to do. Catch you later sis.” Lex grinned then turned he attention to Kara. “Kryptonian.” He sneered as the grin dropped from his face then left.Lena let out the breath she had been holding. “He really is stupid.”Kara dropped her hands and the shield dissipated. “So you’re not really going to give him anything?”“Kara. Darling. Of course not. You are who you are now for a reason. My brother doesn’t deserve an ounce of anything. It was the only thing I could come up with that would get him to back off.” Lena pulled Kara’s face down and placed their foreheads together. “I will not lose you to death again, Kara.” She said, her voice filled with determination. “You’re always doing everything you can to keep me safe so let me protect you.”Kara's heart swelled with love for Lena. She knew that Lena would always be there for her, no matter what challenges they faced. “Thank you, Lena.” She whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. “I love you.”“And I love you.” Lena replied, the broken pieces of her heart mending back together.With their foreheads still touching, Lena and Kara shared a moment of silent understanding, their bond stronger than ever.Kara transformed back into herself again. She knew that the world would never be safe with Lex in it and she vowed that she would one day bring his world crashing down around his ears but for now, she would make the most of her second chance at life because little did she know, there was going to be a much more bigger challenge lying ahead.