A/N: My first foray into this OTP. Please do review if you like it. Story will alternate between Kara and Lena's POV
She hovered high over the spires of National City, with her arms limp by her sides, eyes closed and lips slightly parted to taste the clean coolness of air, unpolluted at this altitude by the smoke and dirt of the city beneath her feet.
She cast out her senses, listening to the sounds of the city beneath her…the clink of a wineglass gently held within Alex's lithe fingers, the sound of Lois impatiently pounding away at her laptop, the quiet chirping of an ant building a nest, and then the quick and steady heartbeat of the one woman, whose distance from her, was the reason behind the dreary painful beat of her own heart…Lena Luthor
How had it come to this? How had she let this happen? She, Kara Zor-el, who had always believed in paving her own way...how had she let the distrust of others, dictate her actions to such an extent, that she had willingly lied to the woman, whose hold on heart she was only now beginning to comprehend. She was only now beginning to realize that Lena meant more to her than a friend, or a lonely woman in need of protection against a cruel world that had condemned her to unjut isolation.
Opening her eyes, Kara peered through the mists of wispy clouds, through the walls of high rises, past the balcony, and into the office of Lena Luthor.
She sat there, with her stilettos kicked off, jaw clenched in evident frustration, as she stared down at a contract, furiously striking out words, circling and commenting no doubt at the inadequacy of the person, who had the balls to send her the contract. Kara felt a trickle of amusement seep through her heart, quickening its pace.
Lena leaned back and pulled at the elastic, releasing her hair from its ponytail, and her sable hair tumbled about her shoulders. Kara's heart missed a beat. Her fingers itched to run through those coal black tresses and kiss away the tightness she saw in Lena's mouth. But above all, she wanted those clear green eyes to sparkle at her, supergirl, with happiness and triumph, just as they did whenever they paired together to bring down National city's villains.
How could she have been so blind? Every villain they had taken down, every save, whether it was Sam or Mon-el, was because Lena had contributed something vital to their success, helping not just her but the DEO. She had vindicated herself and proved herself an invaluable ally time and time again. And yet, she, Kara Zor-el refused to trust her, and sent James on a foolhardy mission. James, her supposed friend, who was behind bars, and with Lena.
James, who made her heart hurt like it never did, not even when she saw Mon-el with Imra. And James, who made her feel numb everytime he saw her casually wrap his arm around Lena. Why had she never noticed how much she craved being the person who had the largest claim on Lena's heart? How could she have taken it so for granted? And what must Lena think of her, Kara Danvers? She had pulled away, shutting off every time she had seen James and Lena together. Unable to dredge up the bright smile that came naturally, everytime she saw her friend. Now, when she looked at Lena, all she felt was a dark unending gulf of longing, and desperation at having missed her chance to tell her best friend who she was, and how she truly felt about the woman.
Sighing, she searched once more for the sound of Len a's heartbeat. She inhaled sharply, when green eyes stared back at her.
Kara exhaled slowly. She was too far away for Lena to be able to see her.
She took a deep breath, and searched Lena's gaze, feeling her heart quicken at the innocent openness in those eyes. In that moment, Kara knew that no matter how much it drove a wedge between them, Lena deserved to know the truth about her. She deserved to know that she held the trust of not only Kara Danvers, but Supergirl as well. And it was time for her to fight for Lena, because she would likely go crazy, if she didn't get to see Lena look at her with that adoring sparkle, she got only when she was looking at her Kara Danvers, or that joyous triumphant gaze when she and supergirl kicked some serious ass.
She cast her senses out yet again. The city was quiet today, and it looked like it would stay that way for awhile. It was time to set in motion her plan to find her way back into Lena's heart. Her eyes found Lena one last time. Smiling softly, she turned and flew away.
-xx—xx—xx—xx—xx
Lena watched the blue speck shoot across the sky. Her heart beat out a slow dirge of anger and sorrow. Despite her best efforts, the superhero refused to trust her. All her life she had been working herself to the bone, to earn the validation and affection of those she admired…Lillian, Lex and now supergirl. And all of them had withheld the approbation she so richly deserved.
Looking down glumly, she examined her hands clenched tightly on the railing. Forcing herself to relax, she released her iron grip, and shot the blue speck one last glare. It was time to stop trying so hard. It was time she drew happiness from doing what was right for its own sake, and not because it would draw a smile from the blond angel.
It was also time for Lena to learn to love herself, as it appeared that even James, the latest in her string of dead beat boyfriends, couldn't put their relationship ahead of his own pride. She had time and again offered to find a way to keep him put of jail. But he had preferred jail and his own pride over the chance of staying with Lena, and the chance for them to figure out their relationship together. Sighing, Lena rubbed the aching muscles of her neck.
She supposed that she should feel a little more than the slight twinge of sadness that came with realization that James wasn't as invested as she had hoped he would be. But the truth was Lena hadn't been all that much into their relationship either.
How could she be? When the person whom she wanted the most had gradually started pulling away from her. If Lena were being completely honest, she knew that James was just a poor replacement for the grand canyon sized hole, Kara Danvers had left behind, when she slowly stopped returning Lena's calls, or stopped dropping in for lunch dates, or just well smiling at Lena.
Frowning, Lena took her phone in her hand and unconsciously scrolled through her contact list. Stopping at Kara's name, Lena took a shaky breath. There she was. Sunny smile, kind laughing eyes, and crinkly nose. Stroking her thumb gently down the picture, Lena swallowed her longing for her best friend. No matter how pure and strong Kara was, she was only human. How could she ever forgive Lena for banishing, the love of her life Mon-el? It was selfish of Lena to expect that.
Sighing, Lena put the phone down and walked away. It was just like her to take what was best in her life and taint it. It was time for her to realize that Kara wasn't coming back with her sunny smile, happy eyes and warm hugs. It was time for her to slowly accept and learn to live a life without Kara Danvers in it.
Walking over to her desk, she bent down to retrieve her heels. There would be no more work today. All Lena now wanted was to unwind with a glass of wine and a nice long bath.
"I hope I'm not interrupting, Ms. Luthor?"
Startled, Lena abruptly spun around to the sight of Supergirl majestically descending down on her balcony. Despite herself, the brunette couldn't stop her heart from missing a beat at the sight of the hero's glorious blond mane, her high cheek bones, her intelligent blue eyes or the tautness of muscle rippling through her arms and abs.
Irritated with herself, Lena swallowed past her attraction and said tersely "What do you want Supergirl?"
Satisfied at the twinge of hurt she saw on the angel's face, Lena turned around and sat on her chair. When no reply came, Lena turned to face the hero and raised an eyebrow.
Amused at the way her eyebrow startled the invulnerable hero out of her stupor, Lena watched as Supergirl took one step forward cautiously.
"Ms. Luthor…Lena, I know that you are upset with me, and you're right I should have told you myself about what I asked Guardian to do, and apologized for what I did, and not after I got caught…I am sorry Lena"
Annoyed at the way the low and serious tone of the hero affected her body, Lena said "We've been through this before Supergirl...i don't give a shit anymore"
Standing up to gather her purse, Lena missed the look of hurt that flashed across Supergirl's face.
"Lena, I know I hurt you…And I don't expect you to forgive me…but I do want you to know that I trust you, Lena"
Scoffing, Lena turned around sharply to face the maiden of steel "Trust me! Stop lying to me like everybody else! Of course, you don't trust me…if you had, you wouldn't have accused me of developing tech, which was clearly meant to imprison reign, as tech that was intended to be used against you! You wouldn't have sent Guardian on a mission that was explicitly targeted at me!"
Drawing a breath, she saw the superhero approach her cautiously with both hands held out. Lena raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
Observing her closed off stance, Supergirl glumly stopped and her arms fell loosely to her sides "I am sorry Lena…tell me… how can I make it up to you?"
Lena turned to look at the superhero. Blue eyes filled with sincerity and overwhelming guilt met hers. A wave of heady power passed through Lena. She knew that the superhero was vulnerable, pliable and would cave in to anything she asked
"If you really trust me, then tell me.. who you are…what is your name"
The blond angel looked back at her. Lena saw a moment of hesitation in her eyes, before they were replaced with steely determination. A wave of revulsion passed through her. Why was she being so manipulative? The superhero had done what she most likely would have done had their places been interchanged. No matter how much she had been hurt, the superhero did not deserve to be manipulated. No matter what, Lena could never deny that Supergirl had the city's best interests at heart, and had done more good for its citizens than she would ever be able to in her lifetime
Observing that the superhero was about to speak, Lena held up a hand and said "Stop!..I don't want to know"
Watching the confusion in the superhero's eyes, Lena said "Knowing who you really are would make whatever this is between us, far more personal that I can handle right now, supergirl..i don't want to know…"
Steeling herself against the hurt she saw in the angel's eyes she said softly "Thank you for making the effort to try to mend whatever it is that's between us. But I am tired Supergirl…Of people expecting me to be evil just because of the family I come from. And I am tired of having to prove myself to be trustworthy over and over again, to the world, to superman and to yoU. I have had enough!…from now on if you need my assistance with world ending crises, then I am happy to help…but barring that please do not seek me out again..from now on if I do the right thing, it is because I want to, and not because I seek yours or superman's approval"
She saw the maiden of steel, step forward urgently with mouth open and anguished eyes as Lena put the final nail in their coffin. She held her hand up "I am sorry supergirl..i know this is not what you wanted"
Sparing her one last watery smile, she said softly "Its like you said…from now on…I am going to be my own hero " Lena turned away, hoping that the superhero would take the hint and fly away
"Lena, in my eyes you are already a hero"
Shocked by the quiet statement, Lena turned back and looked at the blond angel
Blue eyes filled with regret, smiled back at her "There aren't many people who stand up to me…those that stand up to me know who I really am without the cape…you are the only one, who despite not knowing who I really am, that stands up to me…and I respect that…I respect you… for that… like a lot!"
Smiling at Lena's obvious confusion, the blond angel took a quiet step and cupped Lena's cheek. Blue eyes filled with longing peered intently into her own "You are a hero Lena Luthor..i don't know if I could've stood up to my mother, had I been in your shoes"
Feeling her heart stutter and race, Lena swallowed and choked out "Why? Why does it matter so much what I think of you? I am just another Luthor"
Running her thumb gently down Lena's cheek, Supergirl leaned down and kissed Lena's forehead. "No you're not. You're Lena, the woman who stood up against her own mother, and the woman who always does what is right without flinching, even if it means she will lose the love and affection of those who mean the most to her"
Backing away, the blond angel looked intently at her… those blue eyes refusing to break contact with Lena's. Entranced by the intensity in them, Lena barely registered the superheroes' words "I know you may not understand right now, but your trust and friendship mean a great deal to me…and I promise you this Lena, I will win both back… and more"
The brunette swallowed at the promise of more she saw in the superheroes eyes. Smirking slightly, Supergirl hovered for a second, before she looked away and sped out in a breathtaking display of power.
That night when she finally succumbed to exhaustion, and closed her eyes, the last thing she heard was that quiet voice sounding in the night, and the quiet promise that had been spoken
"This isn't over…"