The sound of light thump on her balcony startles Lena away from her late night paperwork, and her heart pounds in her chest, thinking it must be one of her mother's goons come to finish the job. She calms instantly though, when she sees the flash of red and blue.

Supergirl.

It's been a while since she's seen the hero. In fact she hasn't seen her or her alter ego since the night of the missile incident.

She's had this sinking feeling that she'd done something wrong, something to ruin their blossoming friendship; but she can't for the life of her think of what it might be. She'd done what Supergirl had asked, she had been her own hero. She'd saved the day.

As much good as that had done her.

She'd lost her only friend in National City.

But then maybe she hasn't, because Kara is here isn't she? Shoulders slumped as she leans over the balcony and looks out on National City.

Lena kicks off her heels and moves to the balcony door, taking a deep breath and steeling her shoulders before opening it, the cool breeze brushing her skin.

"When Ms. Grant was still in town, I used to go by her office like this. She'd let me sit and think, and then she'd offer some magic words of wisdom that would fix all of my all of my problems - or at least I'd feel better about them."

Lena moves to stand beside her, shoulders brushing as she braces herself on the railing.

"Cat Grant is on sabbatical."

"But you're here."

"And I'm a substitute for her? Advisor to Supergirl?"

"Substitute implies less than, and you're definitely not that. I just . . . needed a friend."

Kara has plenty of friends, so she isn't sure why she isn't with one of them, instead of here, with Lena; but the thought that Supergirl still think of her as a friend warms her heart.

"I know I'm no Cat Grant, but I'm here to listen if you want to talk."

Supergirl is silent for a long moment and Lena is beginning to think that she won't say anything when she finally speaks; her voice soft and fragile.

"My friends. . . they did something really stupid and dangerous and it could have gotten them killed." Kara turns to look at her and she's struck with how blue the other woman's eyes are.

"Kind of like you did with your mother." Kara's voice is resigned and she follows the statement with a sigh before looking out over the city.

Lena mulls over the words for a moment and realization strikes her.

"Is that why you haven't been by lately?"

"You put yourself in danger, Lena! You're a human! You can be killed! So easily! All of you can!"

Kara's fist clench around the railing of the balcony, and Lena is glad that she spent the extra money on the highest grade materials.

"Do you know how much I've lost?" The superhero's voice is cracked with tears and Lena resists the urge to reach out and touch her.

"I lost my whole planet. My family. My friends. And then I get to earth and I've even lost my cousin, because he's all grown up and doesn't need me-"

She shudders a sigh, and Lena doesn't resist this time, instead bringing a hand to Kara's shoulder. The silence of the night swallows them up and Kara's hand reaches up to cover hers.

"I just need you all to be safe. I don't need you to be heroes, I need you to be alive."

She studies Kara's profile, the almost ethereal beauty that's written in her features. She had every intention of staying silent, of just letting her friend vent, but the words come tumbling from her lips unbidden.

"Do you ever think that being around you is what brings out the hero in people? That we look at you and see all of the good in the world? That we can't help but want to be a little better ourselves? You bring out the best in us, Kara."

She doesn't notice the slip at first, but Kara jerks around to look at her, eyes wide.

"I'm not -"

"You flew here, on a bus." Lena reminds her gently, and Kara's smile turns sheepish.

"You're not mad?"

"I'm not. I'm hurt, that I save the world and then you decide not to speak to me for two weeks."

"I'm sorry." She can see the sincerity in those blue eyes, and it doesn't erase away the hurt she's felt, but it helps.

"I don't like seeing my friends put themselves at risk. I don't deal well. Humans are just so . . . fragile."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but we're kind of used to it. We're a lot more in touch with our mortality than you think. An we took care of ourselves long before superheroes. Don't get me wrong! We love having you here, but we can take care of ourselves. It should make you proud, that you inspire us to be so much more."

She watches as Kara's eyes trace her face.

"You were wrong," The superhero says after a moment. "That was definitely Cat Grant level advice."

Lena laughs at that, and even though Kara joins her, Lena can tell her heart isn't in it.

"Is there something else bothering you?"

Kara's shoulders fall, and she turns back out to the city.

"You know Mike?"

"The intern?"

"That's the one. Only now he's a bartender. Or- a superhero in training, I guess."

"A superhero?"

"It's a long story."

"So, Mike?"

She sees Kara take a deep breath and tug on the sleeves of her suit.

"He told me he liked me tonight."

Lena's feels her heart stop. She isn't sure if she's ready to give her crush love advice.

"And?" She prods gently anyway.

"He looked so crushed when I didn't say it back." Lena's heart starts pounding again. "And I just - I finally thought that I had a guy friend who wasn't secretly in love with me. And I'm just so tired. Of feeling like everyone expects me to feel something more. Like what I have to give isn't enough. First Winn and then James, and now Mike."

A ember ignites inside of her, at the thought of them loving Kara and then using it as an excuse to leave her alone like this. She would never pressure Kara to return her feelings.

Unrequited love is her burden to bear, not Kara's; and she would suffer through it for eternity if it meant protecting Kara from the pain that Lena can see written all over her face.

She makes a split second decision, one that she's sure will cause her sleepless nights, but one that she could never regret.

"You know what you need?"

Kara shakes her head forlornly.

"Comfort food. I know a place that serves the best potstickers."

Kara's brow crinkles in confusion.

"I'm pretty sure everywhere is closed this time of night."

"Well, this place is in Hong Kong, but I'm sure getting there won't be a problem." She raises an eyebrow and Kara grins.

"Up, up, and away?"