A/N: This is a lot more angsty than the previous few, but I couldn't think of a way of covering this without angst.
As Adam rolled over he reached for Kara but found only empty bed. Confused he opened his eyes and confirmed that Kara wasn't there. Looking round he eventually saw her silhouette by the window. Getting up he walked over to her, surprised when she did not acknowledge him.
As he reached her he saw that she was holding the pendant of her necklace in one hand whilst starring out of the window. What concerned him though was that under the soft glow of moonlight he could see tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Kara? What's wrong?" He asked as he knelt down in front of her.
"Adam?" She asked surprised, suddenly aware of his presence. Quickly she tried to wipe the tears away but again Adam said.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." She said avoiding eye contact.
"It is four in the morning and you are sitting in the dark, crying." Adam gently pointed out.
"I'm fine." Kara said.
"Have I done something?" Adam asked, assuming he was the cause of her unhappiness.
"No. Of course not." Kara said shaking her head. "Really it's nothing."
"No it isn't." Adam argued. "Has something happened? Is Alex okay?"
"Nothing has happened. I promise." Kara said finally forcing herself to look at Adam.
Seeing the unhappiness in her eyes Adam stood and then took hold of Kara's hands before tugging her to her feet and guiding her to the couch where he sat down next to her and pulled her into his chest.
Eventually Kara softly said. "I'm sorry, it's stupid."
"I'm sure it's not." Adam said.
"I mean it doesn't even make sense to do it in Earth time." Kara went on.
"Do what?"
"Mark it and the passing of time." Kara said as she one again took hold of the pendant round her neck.
"I'm not as clever as Alex." Adam said. "I'm going to need a little help." He went on having no idea what Kara was talking about.
"It's not like it means anything here." Kara went on seemingly oblivious to Adam. "Plus it has been so long. I should be over it. But I still miss them, it still hurts."
As realisation dawned Adam held Kara tighter and said. "Of course it still hurts. They were your parents. You lost everything." For a minute he silently held Kara before asking. "Why didn't you tell me you were so upset?"
"I thought I was being stupid, it was so long ago. Besides you don't like talking about Krypton?"
"What are you talking about?" Adam asked stunned by Kara's statement.
"You never ask me anything about Krypton or my family. I assumed it was because you didn't like to talk about it."
"The only time you have talked about your life on Krypton you cried. I thought you were too upset to talk about it. But that didn't mean I didn't want to know, which is why Alex has been teaching me about your home and parents."
"She has?"
"She has, during our training sessions. I know it would be better to hear it from you, but I didn't want to upset you. So she has taught me some of Krypton's history and the alphabet and I can actually write some words."
"You can?"
"Yeah give me a minute." He said releasing Kara and jumping up grabbing paper and pen. A minute later he returned and proudly handed her a note.
"What do you think you wrote?" Kara asked.
"That you are beautiful and I love you." Adam said, on seeing Kara's sceptical look he asked. "I take it I didn't?"
"Not even close." Kara said.
"What did I say?"
"'Your foot is ugly and you love it'."
"You know I really don't know if Alex was setting me up? I am sure that is what she told me." Adam said.
"Well I appreciate the effort." Kara said as Adam sat down next to her before asking.
"Do you want to talk about your time on Krypton?"
"Sometimes. Sometimes it hurts too much, but sometimes I worry that if I don't talk about it I will forget."
"Then talk to me. You can tell me anything." Adam said kissing the top of her head. When Kara remained silent Adam held her tighter before saying.
"I have an idea. Why don't you draw your home and family?"
"Too dangerous. What if someone saw the drawings?"
"Kara, if someone broke in here they would see your Supergirl costume, I think that will be more of a give away than some pictures. But if you are that worried you could store them at the DEO." He said standing once more and fetching Kara's sketch pad and pencils. Returning he handed over the pad and pencils before sitting behind her.
"Isn't art therapy what they make crazy people do?"
"Yes." Adam agreed. "If it works for them, it'll work for you."
-00-
"Is Kara okay?" Carter asked a couple of days later noticing that she had fallen asleep on the couch.
"She's just tired." Adam replied.
"Really? She has been quiet all afternoon."
"A bit of sleep and she'll be fine. How about we go out and buy some dinner?"
"Will she be okay here by herself?" Carter asked.
"She'll be fine." Adam assured him. "Besides we won't be gone long." He added as he guided Carter out of the room. As he reached the door he said. "Get your jacket, I'm just going to leave a note to say where we are." Seeing Carter nod and leave Adam moved to the coffee table, grabbed a piece of paper and pen and quickly scribbled a note. He then placed it in a prominent position before gently kissing Kara on the forehead and leaving.
Shortly after they left Cat unexpectedly returned home having found out her meeting had been cancelled at the last minute.
Surprised the house was so quiet she guessed that everyone had gone out for the evening. Saddened that despite the cancellation she would still not see her sons she went to the lounge to get a drink. When she walked in though she saw Kara on the couch with a pained and tormented expression as she cried and whimpered in her sleep. Still hearing and seeing no sign of Adam, Cat approached her assistant unsure if she should wake her from her nightmare.
When the whimpering became talking and then screaming though Cat hurriedly tried to wake Kara.
When Kara finally half woke from her nightmare screaming for her mother she sat up, nearly knocking Cat over before wrapping her arms round a surprised Cat and crying on her shoulder. When the surprise had worn off Cat carefully wrapped her arms round her crying assistant and tried to offer the same comfort she did to Carter after his nightmares.
As Kara started to calm she also fully woke up and self-awareness returned. Realising where she was and who she was hugging she immediately stiffened and tried to pull away only to find herself held in place by Cat who continued to soothe her.
When Cat was finally convinced that Kara was recovered enough she released her hold and Kara pulled away mumbling an awkward apology. Suddenly feeling as awkward as Kara was, Cat shifted down the couch before asking, concern radiating from her eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"I guess." Kara said turning to look away from Cat.
Knowing it was lie and wanting to help Cat said. "Tell me about her."
"Who?" Kara asked confused.
"Your mother. From your cries it is obvious you miss her. Whilst I concede I doubt I will ever miss my mother and I know nothing about good mother daughter relationships I have had a lot of experience with loss, and therapy, and talking helps."
-00-
When Carter and Adam returned they were surprised to find Cat home and even more surprised to see Cat and Kara sitting on the couch talking and gorging themselves on M&Ms.
"Mom!" Carter said excitedly, rushing over and hugging her. "What are you doing here?"
"My meeting was cancelled." Cat explained.
"Everything okay?" Adam asked looking at Cat then Kara.
As Kara smiled and nodded Cat assured him. "Everything is fine."
"If you're back, does that mean Kara and Adam won't be staying tonight?" Carter asked, his voice full of disappointment.
"I don't see why." Cat said causing Carter to look at Kara and ask.
"So we can still do astronomy?"
"Sure." Kara smiled.
"Now?" Carter pressed. "It is really clear outside. We can set up the telescope while Adam cooks."
"Leave me to do the hard work then." Adam half-heartedly grumbled.
"It is not like Kara can cook anyway." Carter pointed out.
"I'm not that bad." Kara protested causing both of Cat's sons to say.
"Yes you are."
"So can we?" Carter said tugging on Kara's hand.
"Um, sure." Kara smiled standing, silently nodding a thank you to Cat as she did.
Once Carter and Kara had left the room Adam looked at Cat and asked. "You sure everything is okay?"
"It's not me you should be asking." Cat pointed out.
"She had another nightmare then?" Adam asked as he sat next to Cat.
"She has them often?" Cat asked.
"Not really. But it is the anniversary of Krypton's destruction and she has been having them for a few days. I'm worried about her. I don't know how to help her."
"What does Alex say?" Cat asked.
"Kara has sworn me to secrecy."
"Well I am not bound by such a promise. I will talk to her tomorrow."
"I'm not sure Kara will be happy with that." Adam said.
"In case you hadn't noticed your girlfriend is already not happy. What she needs is support from her family, all her family."
-00-
Alex knew Kara was upset, she always was at this time of year, although she had never admitted it. Every year at this time Kara's nightmares got worse and she became withdrawn. Kara had never talked about it and had always tried to conceal it from Alex. Respecting Kara's desire for privacy Alex never asked, never pressed, just made sure she was around if Kara needed her. However, hearing Cat's concern over Kara Alex decided it was time for a change of tact.
Entering the room with the hologram of Kara's mother Alex saw the hologram was activated, but was just standing silently. Looking round she also Kara sat against the wall silently staring at the hologram as she played with her necklace.
Silently Alex moved over to Kara's side and slid down the wall to sit next to her before wrapping an arm round her.
"You want to talk?"
"No."
"Kara, every year you get withdrawn around now. Every year I have given you space thinking you would be smart enough to come to me if you wanted me. But obviously that is not the case."
"I'm fine."
"Not according to Cat. If she is worried about you, you are clearly not fine."
"I'm just feeling homesick." Kara sighed.
"Why now?" Alex asked. "Has something happened?"
"Tomorrow is the anniversary of Krypton's destruction." Kara explained. "In a reference frame that makes sense on Earth."
"How did you figure that out?" Alex asked.
"Jeremiah." Kara said quietly. "He helped me calculate it."
"You never said." Alex commented.
"We only worked it out just before he died. And the date was only a month after his death. You and Eliza were already so sad."
"Why didn't you mention it subsequently?"
"You were still mourning. Then you and Eliza seemed to move on and I thought if you could I could. Then you were all so kind to me. So accepting, it seemed a little ungrateful to complain about being homesick."
"Missing your home and family is normal. Kara, you lost everything. You don't just get over something like that." Alex said.
"I thought I had, some years I barely mark the day. But this year has been so much worse, much more painful. It's stupid. It was so long ago."
"I don't think grief has a time limit." Alex pointed out. "You should have told me."
"I didn't want to drag you into this. It is my issue not yours."
"That's stupid." Alex said bluntly. "We're sisters we're in this together." She added kissing the top of Kara's head.
"Thank you." Kara said as she rested against Alex.
-00-
"Adam? What are you doing?" Alex asked when she saw Adam climb through the apartment window the following evening.
"Hey Alex." He smiled looking slightly surprised by her presence, before asking. "Um, how are you?"
"Fine. Why are you coming in through the window? How did you even get up there?" She asked knowing full well Kara was inside the apartment.
"Well, you know Kara is always using it so I thought I'd give it go." He said.
"You're hiding something." Alex said.
"Yes, but it is a good thing." Adam replied as Kara emerged from the bedroom.
"Hey, you okay?" He asked walking over to her and hugging her.
"I'm fine. You're cold." She replied.
"Well it's cold out." He said.
"Not that cold." She said touching his face which was also freezing. "Are you ill?"
"I'm fine. I promise." He said.
"Then why is Alex looking at you suspiciously?"
"I have no idea. Perhaps they teach that in jail." He suggested earning a glare from Alex.
"What are you hiding?" Kara asked.
"Nothing bad. But I do have a surprise for you."
"You do? What?"
"I can't tell you just yet. But I promise you'll find out soon."
"Okay." Kara accepted. "Where have you been?"
"I took the early flight-" Adam started, stopping when a fast moving red and blue shape flew through the window.
"Kal-El!" Kara exclaimed as she saw her cousin standing before her, carrying a box.
"Hey, hope you don't mind. Adam said it was okay just coming in." He said handing the box to Adam.
"Of course." Kara said hugging him. "What are you doing here? Why are you carrying a box? Is that food?" She asked sniffing.
"You haven't told her?" Kal-El asked looking at Adam who shook his head.
"I wanted to wait for you."
"Told me what?" She asked confused looking from Adam to Kal-El.
"Adam came to see me and explained what this day marks. I'm sorry. I never even knew the Earth date."
"How could you?" Kara asked before looking at Adam and asking "You told my cousin?"
"You only told me I couldn't tell Alex." Adam pointed out. "And this is a time when you should be round your family."
"I appreciate you coming." Kara said to Kal-El. "But, I'm okay. Well I will be."
"I didn't come to see you." Kal-El said.
"You didn't?"
"No. I've come to take you somewhere. And for once I am not taking no for an answer. Which is why I have food." He said pointing to the box he had given Adam. "Adam suggested bribery would work."
"Where?" Kara asked.
"My Fortress."
-00-
"You went all the way to Metropolis to see Kara's cousin?" Alex asked when she and Adam were alone.
"I did." Adam replied grabbing a couple of beers from the kitchen.
"You could have asked for his number." Alex pointed out taking a bottle off Adam.
"Well, I couldn't ask Kara, you were at work and mom would be way too suspicious about why I wanted to talk to someone from the Daily Planet. Also I'm fairly sure my mom is either a clairvoyant or has bugged the offices so I couldn't ask James. Heading over seemed the best option. Plus I had to meet him sometime."
"How'd that go?"
"A lot less scary than I thought. He said he trusted your judgement and if you allowed me to date Kara I couldn't be that bad."
"A man of fine judgement." Alex said before asking. "So what's at the Fortress?"
"Apparently he has a small shrine type thing set up. He is hoping that it will help Kara grieve. He also said this was something he and Kara had to do alone, but next time you could go."
"To his Fortress? Really?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, he said you had been nagging him about it for years."
"I have not been nagging." Alex said.
"Not how he told it. He also said you give him more grief than Lois Lane."
"He did not say that." Alex said.
"He did." Adam promised as he sipped his beer.
After a moment's silence Alex said. "I hear you have developed a foot fetish."
"I'm fairly sure I wrote what you taught me. Did you set me up?"
"Not deliberately, but there are a couple of symbols I have always got wrong." Alex shrugged.
"And you didn't think about mentioning that before I used my new knowledge."
"I wasn't expecting you to attempt to use Kryptonese yet." Alex said.
"At least I discovered my short comings before I told her cousin he had a big stomach and his suit was too tight."
-00-
"Hey, you're back." Adam smiled when he returned home a couple of days later and saw Alex and Kara cuddling on the couch watching TV.
"Hey." Kara smiled looking over to him.
"Good trip?"
"It was. It helped."
"That's good." Adam said kissing her forehead before sitting opposite the sisters.
"Plus she has promised to tell us next time her homesickness creeps up on her." Alex added.
"Thank you both for being there for me." Kara said gratefully.
"Of course we were there for you, you silly alien." Alex said ruffling Kara's hair. When Kara had shook off Alex's hand and given her a mock glare she looked at Adam and said.
"Thank you for what you did with Kal-El."
"All I did was talk to your cousin." Adam shrugged.
"Who you have been skilfully avoiding for the last few months." Kara said.
"I was, but it turned out he is far less scary than some of your relatives." He said glancing at Alex. "Plus he doesn't have the shady criminal background of some." He added earning a cushion in the face.
"I am so looking forward to tomorrow's training session." Alex commented.
"You know if you turned down the scariness factor you may actually get asked out occasionally?" Kara pointed out to Alex.
"That's more motivation to keep my outward persona the way it is." Alex stated. "And I get enough about this from mom. Don't jump on her bandwagon."
"Fine." Kara conceded before looking at Adam and asked.
"You okay if Alex stays tonight for an all night movie marathon?"
"Of course." Adam said.
"You want to join us?"
"Sure. What are you watching?"
"The Parent Trap, Singin' in the Rain, High Fidelity, Casablanca, Despicable Me." Kara listed before lowering her voice and whispering, "And Frozen."
"Frozen? Again? You only watched last week." Adam said.
"Frozen is a classic." Kara pointed out. "And it makes me feel better. Plus now I have been to Kal-El's Fortress of Solitude it kinda reminds me of that as well."
"Frozen reminds you of everything." Adam said.
"Trust me we have had this conversation." Alex commented.
"Please." Kara asked moving closer to Alex and lifting her legs to make room for Adam.
"Fine. So what are you starting with?" Adam asked as he sat down and let Kara rest her legs on his lap.
"Frozen."
"Of course you are."
-TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. The next one will be more light hearted.