So who watched last night's episode?

XXXX

The first day of summer and Kara's thrilled. She sits inside Bess holding Lena's hand as the older girl drives them to their destination. Her driver still won't confess as to where they're going and Kara doesn't bother asking too many questions. Whatever it is, she knows she'll love it because the older girl always arranges the most splendid activities.

And Lena plans to take advantage of Kara's free time to solidify their bond and further her intention to take their relationship to the next level.

She's laid out all her moves and is half certain that Kara reciprocates but she needs to be a hundred percent positive. If she's wrong, she could alienate the blonde and destroy the paradise they've found within one another. If she's right, and she's praying to all the deities listening that she is, then she wants Kara to be able to come to her own realization. Lena would hate to ambush the sweet and innocent bubbly blonde by catching her off guard.

Besides there are still truths to be shared before they can move forward, on both their ends, Lena realizes.

Because Kara has a secret she deems so terrible that fear grips her, prevents her from sharing it with the person she trusts most. The blonde's kept only one secret from Lena, so far as she knows. But she isn't the least bit upset that Kara's keeping something. It'd be hypocritical of her to be.

Lena has her own truth, a detail that she has kept from Kara all these years.

So Lena knows just how dread can bind one to the shadows. She knows this bliss they've found can be shattered, how fast things can deteriorate once this particular Pandora's box is opened. It's funny, she thinks, how she's more afraid of Kara discovering her adoptive family rather than finding out about her romantic inclinations for the blonde.

It isn't that she doesn't trust Kara to handle the truth.

She isn't naïve and knows Kara isn't putting her up on a pedestal so high she's practically up in the sky. She makes mistakes, they both do, but it doesn't change the fact that she's terrified of disappointing Kara because being a Luthor means something beyond being held to a certain standard.

Lionel Luthor paved his wave to riches with the backs of hardworking people and Lex isn't faring better than his father.

The Luthors are known for trampling boundaries to get what they want and Lena will not aspire to be better. She can't afford to try because she knows the world she lives in, the one Kara hasn't glanced, will masticate her bones and defecate her until she's unrecognizable.

Maybe one day, she can be the person Kara deserves. But as Lionel continues to lurk and poke about for her weakness, she can't be the person worthy of Kara.

It's a complicated relationship one Lena knows she'll have to explain it to Kara once she tells her the truth. But as hard and callous as Lionel is, she knows there are merits to his lessons. Because money attracts greed and envy and the only thing that prevents scoundrels from taking advantage is power.

Power guarantees protection.

And if Lionel were to ever discover the importance of one Kara Danvers to his adoptive daughter, well Lena's spent years preparing for his reaction. She's prepared for the war. She's ready to protect Kara because she's too selfish to let Kara go.

Just like she's too selfish to share the blonde on the summer of their reunion. Alex Danvers can attest to this fact.

But honestly a round trip business class ticket, because first class would probably arouse the Danvers suspicion, to a fully sponsored bio-engineer internship at Trinity College isn't a punishment. It's more of a trade, an unknown exchange, but it's still beneficial for all the parties involved. Mrs. Danvers can be proud of her daughter while Alex can advance her mind and Lena can make her advances on Kara.

Ireland isn't a stranger to the Luthor name and neither is it a stranger to her birth family's influence.

Both names are plastered on the halls and walls across the campus. Really all it took was one call to the head of the department of her forefather's alma matter, a check from a shell company containing enough zero's to cover new computers for the science building for Alex's acceptance, and a brand new Mercedez for Dr. Einhardt's discretion on the matter.

Being of legal age means she has unrestricted access to her funds but there's still a chance Lionel can catch wind of what she's doing. She still has to maintain care and caution.

But as Kara sits by her side, gasping onto her hand, Lena's certain she's worth all this effort.

She drives them up what seems to be farmland. They aren't too far away from Midvale, just a town over really, and Kara's practically oozing with curiosity. Lena remains silent as they pull up to a house that's been converted into an office. She releases the blonde's hand as she parks the car before hurrying to open the passenger side door.

A man steps out of the office building with a wide grin as he looks upon Lena, tipping his cowboy hat her way.

"Miss Lena." he greets.

"Mr. Harker." the raven haired gives him a small nod in recognition.

"Good morning." he nods, still grinning wide. Lena knows it's got something to do with the cash she'd given him a few days earlier. "Everything's been arranged to your specifications." he assures. "My daughter Erica will take it from here." a girl about their age steps out from behind him.

"Hi," she greets, eyes glued onto Lena. "I'll show you and your friend to the stables."

"Stables?" Kara repeats.

"Thought we could cross something off our list today." horseback riding has been on Kara's list for about two summers now. She begins to walk toward the girl, Erica. "The horses await us, my good lady." they begin to walk around the building and Kara's quick to catch up beside Lena.

They reach the pen by the stables where two horses are tied to the fences, a black quarter horse and a cremello palomino side by side.

"Meet Shadow and Barbie." Erica introduces and Kara's giddy.

"Hey there girl." Lena walks toward the palomino, drawn by the sandy blonde color of her mane and her blue eyes. She makes certain Barbie knows she's heading straight for her before coming to a stop. She extends her hand, let's her sniff it, before running her hand through the horse's face. "You remind me of someone." she murmurs. "She's beautiful too, just like you." she glances at Kara through her peripherals.

Excitement thrums through Kara's veins, but she knows animals can be skittish so Kara stands in the sidelines. She watches as Lena caresses the horse, loving the way the raven haired woman looks like she's in her element.

"You look like you know your way around horses." Erica notes.

"I've been around a few." Lena started riding lessons since she could walk because Irish nobility belongs on horses, or so she's been told.

"She likes you." Erica's clearly impressed.

"Kara," she hasn't forgotten the reason why she's there. "Make sure she sees you." Lena instructs and the blonde approaches slowly coming straight into Barbie's view. "Put your hand out, let her smell you." Lena continues to guide Kara through the motions. The horse bows her head toward the blonde's hand. She gasps animatedly when she feels the soft coat on the palm of her hand. "There you go." she smiles as Kara continues to bond with the horse.

"You're not from here are you?" Erica asks as she comes near the raven haired girl. "I've seen her at a couple games." the brown haired girl remarks as she gestures her head Kara's way. "I'm a senior at Hillcrest." Midvale High's rival school. "But you," she focuses on Lena. "I know I've never seen you before." Kara's eyes narrow when she smirks Lena's way. "I'd definitely remember a face like yours."

"I'm here for Kara." the genius asserts.

She's not a stranger to being hit on so she knows the girl is trying to gain her attention. She's also observant so she doesn't miss the way Kara's hands falter as her baby blues gaze at them through her peripherals.

"Oh, so you two are together then?" she questions.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't pay to be interrogated." Lena reminds, putting the girl in her place, not bothering to mask the annoyance in her tone. Kara's lips twitch upward as she tries to control her smile. "Or am I wrong?" she's gazing at the newcomer, daring her to ask another question.

"Well, the standard is to let you on Barbie around the pen for a while before setting you off on the path." Erica replies.

"We should probably start then." Lena insists icily.

"Of course." Erica nods her head in agreement because her father will have her head if she disappoints their mysterious client.

Lena she hops over the fence, onto the other side of the pen where the horses are. She extends her hand as the blonde follows her lead. Kara takes her extend limb and Lena doesn't miss the way she intertwines their appendages tightly.

"I can manage without you." Lena dismisses the horse handler as she puts her foot on the wooden rail.

"I don't doubt that but the path is…" she's interrupted.

"Right along the riverbed." Lena remembers from her walkabout with Mr. Harker a few days earlier. "Your father already gave me the tour." Erica looks disappointed that she can't offer up another excuse to stay. "Like I said, we can manage."

"Holler if you need anything." she says dejectedly..

Her eyes are trained on her blonde companion. Kara can't help but fidget, knowing Lena's sent the girl away because she sensed her discomfort, torn between happiness and a tinge of guilt for being glad about that Lena had dismissed the girl.

"You alright there?" they're here to make pleasant memories.

"I'm fine." Kara feels like the thorn prickling her side has been plucked as Erica continues to walk away from Lena. She relaxes and faces the older girl who's grinning with pride as her emerald depths shine with concern. "Really, I'm fine." she assures.

"Now that Erica's gone you mean." Lena comments knowingly.

"Yes." she doesn't bother hiding her distaste. "I don't like the way she was hanging all over you." Kara responds as if it's enough to explain her behavior and luckily for Lena, it is. "But," the blonde shuffles her weight from one foot to another. "I can't same I blame her for wanting your attention." still it doesn't do well to quell the jealousy flowing through her insides.

"It was completely one sided." she needs Kara to know she isn't interest in anyone else.

"I know." Lena's discomfort could clearly be seen and heard. "But I still don't like it." she pouts, not liking that anyone would try to steal the raven haired beauty's attention from her.

"Noted." Kara's reaction only proves that Lena's feelings may not be unrequited.

"You know," the Kryptonian begins. "I'm kind of happy we get to be alone now." she confesses. "I don't mean just with that girl but because Alex is half a world away right now." she can't bring herself to feel even the tiniest amount of guilt because Lena's here holding her hand.

"To be honest," the raven haired girl begins. "I had been worried because you have an active social life now." because Kara has other friends, the Danvers love the blonde, and she's succeeded in finding a life outside of Lena. "I know we talk and text regularly." but spending a few minutes on the phone isn't enough to guarantee her place. "I've been afraid you wouldn't have space for me anymore." she reveals.

"That's something you should never have to worry about." Kara guarantees, voice firm leaving no room for Lena to argue. "I know I'm not exactly a little lost girl anymore, in need of your guidance and things are better with Alex and Eliza." she let's her baby blues shine with the truth she hopes the raven haired girl will absorb. "But nothing compares to being with you, Lena." because an existence without the genius by her side is unimaginable. It's a world Kara will never want to be a part of. "It's selfish and maybe I'm ungrateful." the Danvers' have done so much for her. "But I just want to be with you."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting something for yourself." Lena reassures, voice gentle and full of understanding. "That's how I feel about you."

"Really?"

"It's a completely primitive," Lena grips the blonde's waist and pulls her close. "Utterly selfish desire." she knows but doesn't care. "That makes me irrational and impulsive." Kara's arms loop around her neck. "But it doesn't change the fact that I want you," she presses her lips on the corner of Kara's mouth, letting them linger so the blonde doesn't have to wonder whether or not it's meant to be a friendly gesture. "And only you, Kara." she vows as she pulls back. "Now, we're here to educate you on horseback riding are we not?" Kara nods, cheeks ablaze.

Lena helps Kara on Barbie, her hand remains on the blonde's backside longer than necessary but the Kryptonian doesn't mind.

She allows the bubbly girl to become accustomed to the feel of riding as Lena walks next to Barbie, her hand gripping the lead whilst Kara is holding the reins. They trot along the pen together until she's certain the blonde's gotten a feel of things.

Lena lets the lead go, watching carefully as Kara begins to guide the horse on her own. She heads toward the fence rails, eyes never leaving the blonde.

"Lena I'm doing it!" Kara exclaims as she begins to direct Barbie's lead, marveling when the horse follows. She looks and sees Lena grinning with pride. "Can we go along the trail now?" the raven haired beauty responds by mounting Shadow who she'd been getting acquainted with while Kara had been practicing.

The horses trot side by side, Lena watching Kara bounce with delight as she directs Barbie to follow the path.

She doesn't know how she's gotten so lucky to have the bubbly blonde in her life. Kara, who shines brighter than any star in the known galaxies in all the universes, has become the most important person in her life. She's the one person Lena is certain she'll do everything and anything for.

But Kara's struggling with a secret so grave she fears it'll cause Lena to abandon her and she knows the feeling well.

Perhaps if she reveals her truth it'll be easier for Kara.

They decide to let the horses rest by the riverbed, letting them drink before tying them to the tree and Kara stands by the water, looking over the grass filled horizon, admiring the scenery. There is vibrancy on Earth she never felt on Krypton and she knows it has little to do with the lushness of plant life in her surroundings.

She looks at Lena and isn't surprised that the older girl's admiring the way the sunlight's gracing her delicate features.

The raven haired genius steps closer to her, intertwines their hands. Kara gives the older girl her full attention and gazes upon the pensive look on Lena's face, deciding that her favorite hue of green will always be the emerald of Lena's eyes.

"Remember when you asked me if I'd feel differently about you if you told me that thing I don't know about you yet?" Lena recalls as she bites her lower lip.

"Yes." she wonders where the older girl could be going with this.

"What if I told you something you don't know about me?" Lena offers. "Something that will change the way you feel about me." because she's certain the blonde will never look at her the same once she discovers her surname.

"Lena, nothing you say will ever change the fact that you're my home." she professes. "So what is it that don't I know about you?"

Lena's reply is cut off by the sound of Shadow is whinnying and the pair look over to the tree where the horses are tied. The black quarter horse begins rearing, causing Barbie to jump off to the side. Shadow's agitated and Lena wants to calm her before she hurts herself.

"Stay here." she walks toward Shadow slowly. Lena looks back at Kara who's disobeyed and has taken a step closer toward her. "Kara don't move." she orders and the firmness in her order glues Kara to her spot. "Shadow," Lena calls her attention but the horse seems intent on just freaking out. "Shadow." she tries again, approaching cautiously at the rearing animal. "Look at me." they make eye contact and the raven haired girl instantly places her hands on the Shadow's shoulders, patting her gently. "It's alright girl." she assures. "There's nothing to be spooked about." there's movement in the corner of her vision and she realizes she spoke too soon.

A snake slithers against the blades of grass. Lena begins to take a step back from Shadow because she'd rather the horse get bitten than herself. She doesn't further than a foot away from the black quarter horse before the snake coils back.

It hisses, loud and deafening, before it springs up in the air. Lena stands, eyes wide as she awaits the oncoming assault, making certain to memorize the snakes features in order to determine it's breed for the anti-venom she'll clearly be needing. She can only hope it's one of those slow acting poisons and not the kind that'll render her dead within minutes.

She'd really hate to leave Kara without knowing how the younger girl really feels about her.

The bite doesn't come because the snake is stopped in mid air as Kara catches it in her hand. She grips it by its head and Lena can see its tail slithering about. She looks between Kara, the snake, and the nearly thirty feet away were the blonde has been standing not two seconds ago.

She hadn't seen Kara move and now she's standing in front of Lena, tossing a snake into far the horizon.

Lena watches as the snake gets lost in the skyline before she turns her attention back to Kara who looks like she's torn between concern, because the snake had almost gotten the raven haired genius, and dread, because Lena just saw her use her powers for the first time.

Kara fights the urge to run. Her secret's out and all she can do is stare at the indiscernible look on Lena's usually amicable face.

She waits for what seems like hours.

She waits for Lena to absorb.

She waits for Lena to process.

She waits for Lena to say something.

She waits for Lena to say anything.

But Lena can't stop looking at Kara, Kara who moves faster than a blink of an eye and can effortlessly fling a snake more than a hundred feet up in the air.

"What the hell was that?"

XXXX

Like I said, Kara has friends but they aren't close. They're all just school friends, people she hangs out with from time to time, but there's no real connection that's been made. I want to say it's because she's worried about exposing her secrets. Besides, everyone pretty much knows her story so it's kind of hard to escape the orphan girl who lost her adoptive father story.

The naked thing wasn't planned. It just felt right and I went with it. I'm glad it was well received!

I hope you aren't too disappointed with the reveal of Kara's powers. It's the cliche of Kara saving Lena, I know. I really didn't see Kara getting into a relationship with Lena or attempting to be more physical until she told her about herself. I mean I realize there could have been conflict such as Kara not letting Lena be intimate with her and Lena thinking Kara's not really into her just doesn't want to lose her as a friend type of thing but I guess you'll just have to keep reading to see what happens next!

Thanks for all the love!

What do you think so far?