"I just need to text Jess."

"Sure, how about I wrap up and then we can head out together?"

"Where to?"

"My place…?" Kara paused, unsure. "I'm kinda terrible at making lattes but someone didn't want this fancy top of the line thing with a milk steamer and just gave it to me, utensils and all."

"Well if you provide the machinery I promise I can make a good cup of joe."

"Cool, I mean I've seen you make other great things," Kara waved her hand at the impressive collection of petri dishes, "ha, well I'm going to get this place sorted and grab some stuff from my office but I'll send you the address."

Lena already had the address.

"Wait, you've been to my place okay, I'm… this is a really long goodbye, I'll see you there alright?" Kara muttered about being too accustomed to reclusively living and marched out and towards her office.

"Guess I'll clean up then?" Lena asked the empty room with an amused smirk.

Kara proceeded to reappear and efficiently clean up her work space and Lena's station as well, all the while blushing up a storm.

…...

Lena: I'll be home late.

Jess: Gay stuff happening? :D

Jess: Huh? ;D

Jess: Huuuhhh :D

Jess: I'm just going to keeping emoticon winking at you till I get an answer. ;D

Lena: No, nothing of the sort, just friends sharing a drink.

Jess: Where? :D

Lena: We're going to have lattes.

Jess: Where? ;D

Lena: Jess.

Jess: Yes :D.

Lena: Oh my god.

Jess: Who the hell do you think gave her the coffee machine ;D

…...

Kara had a clunker of a car, taped back up more times than it should have been able to survive. Lena had little trouble keeping up with Kara in her own vehicle.

They were parked outside the apartment complex since Winn had accidentally left with the visitor parking pass still on his dash. Kara accompanied Lena since she didn't want her guest traveling alone. It was a safe area, but it seemed rude.

Kara looped her arm around Lena's and led them towards her place. "Last time we talked we were going on about schooling experiences."

Lena recalled what that conversation had led up to perfectly and tried not to dwell on the memory of Kara's lips against her own.

"My brother kept up with the private instructors while I was sent to boarding school and enrolled in advance placement." Lena was glad her professor was so warm, it was a chilly night but Kara was apparently like the sun in every aspect. "The students there were all trying to live up to expectations."

"What's that like?"

"Pretentious and wealthy kids all trying to one up one another?" Lena laughed. "It was honestly exhausting, I'm not sure I could classify that time as enjoyable but before father passed and my stay at the boarding school had become permanent I always looked forward to joining him at the office and getting to learn his trade."

"You were really close, weren't you?" Kara's tone was so inquisitive yet gentle; Lena found it soothing to talk about memories that once would only hurt to reminisce.

"I adored him as did Lex; I suppose you could say we idolized him as any young child would a parent."

"Why were you the only one sent to boarding school, if you don't mind me asking?"

Lena bit her lip. Once father had died, Lillian hadn't wanted her in sight. "Lillian had a hard time dealing with the death and perhaps she saw too much of my father in me to want me close."

"Lena…"

"It's past now." Lena tried to keep her words light but they were issued as a firm decree.

"I didn't mean to pry."

"Of course not," Lena gave a tight smile, "I don't mind sharing with you."

"If you'll just let me add one more thing."

Lena nodded.

"Your mother shouldn't have sent you away, it was her duty as a parent to care for her children and notice that you were all suffering and would've benefitted with a family support system, you could've healed together."

"She's a hard woman and she has always handled things better alone."

"But Lena," Kara paused their walk and stroked her thumb at the tears that had gather unbeknownst to Lena, "you're not so hardened and is someone that thrives on support, I can see that every time you interact with Jess, you and her are such important aspects in each other's lives."

Lena hadn't realized her reliance on Jess was so obvious. She hoped she wasn't a burden.

"I can see you blame yourself for the distance in your family, but note it's the parent's role to sort through their own issues and not take from their children." Kara searched Lena's eyes and tried to ensure she got her point across. "Lillian has had time to heal and even if it hurts she should've come forward to address these issues with you, she's the one that has to take responsibility."

Lena was speechless. Her family was never one to dwell on emotional upsets. Luthors always pushed for movement like a shark, upwards and onwards. To delve into emotional upheaval was indulgent and childish. They handled that sort of nonsense with a stiff upper lip and carried on. Lena had all the psychological backing to understand how harmful it was to conduct oneself in this manner but it was always different to reflect on one's own life.

Lena closed her eyes to stall any more tears and moments later felt Kara lean down her to lightly press her forehead onto Lena's. "I just want you to know that you are supported."