Author's note: I wanted to post this last entry on December 31, 2019, but it wasn't finished even though I spent hours trying to get it out that day. I tried to upload it on January 1, 2020 at Archive of Our Own (A03), but (around 8 PM-something) the site wouldn't let it post on the first page. So I waited until January 2, 2020. I also wanted to end this on an even number chapter because I dislike odd numbers. But at the same time, I didn't want to unnecessarily split this entry, so here we are. At some point, this story will be marked at A03 as having ended on December 31, 2019, to better align with the fact that it took two years (not three) to complete. And what a ride it has been. Certainly didn't think it would take two years. Thank you all for going on the ride with me and sticking with it even when you perhaps disagreed with some of the story decisions. By looking at my "December 21, 2018" and "December 23, 2018" posts on Tumblr (under the name greatshow1), you can see what I originally had planned for the story. And while some readers of fiction complain about angst, or too much angst, or (in the case of this story) felt that they wouldn't have been able to bear seeing Lena with Siobhan for long, a part of me can't help thinking that it would have contributed to a better story (the way I originally had Kara and Lena working their way back to each other). But in that case, I'm not sure that Kara and Lena would have ever left for New York, and I know some of you liked that adventure. Regardless, I find myself wanting to write an alternate version, where my original vision plays out.
If this story were significantly revised (although without altering this version to go along with my original vision), a revision would also see more development of Sam's character, and maybe a few others (including Wrangler). And maybe a little bit more of Kara and Lena's childhood in chapter 1 before skipping to many years later (although pieces of their childhood are supplied throughout the story). I really intended for Alex and Sam to have more interactions, which was evident by the Alex/Sam tag that the story used to have and a bit of text in this and the previous chapter. A flirtation between Alex and Sam was to take place before Alex was clear who she wanted to be with. Or maybe just a friendship between them with Alex harboring conflicting feelings for Sam. But, alas, it didn't play out that way, which some of you may be relieved about. And I did keep in mind that making too many of the female characters gay or bisexual might seem less realistic to some. A revision would also likely see some history details trimmed. I already trimmed a bit in a chapter 2 scene (starting with the "Preparing breakfast" paragraph). I don't think I'd revise or remove the "two-year jump" aspect (and rework things from there), unless maybe if it was to not have Kara at sea for a whole year. And I don't think I'll do an epilogue, but never say never. I'm also considering turning this story into a comic, with the art style being like What Does the Fox Say? or similar to it. But no promises. We'll see.
As for queries about how to show your appreciation for Sheltered Town, kudos and comments obviously work. So does recommending the story. And even if you feel that your comment would be redundant, let me know how you feel. Also, it's never too late to comment. Thank you all.
IIII
"He should have a wound at his hip," Kara said. "Clarence got him good."
"Sure did," Clarence croaked out with a cough.
Ms. Merriam fanned herself as though she was about to pass out. "Jonathan? But the boy's only 34. He would have been about fourteen at the time of the rape."
Alex sat on the couch, propping her arms on her thighs as she held her face in her hands. Kara could see that she was considering everything, and likely wondering how she could have been paired with such a man. Kara wanted to tell her that it wasn't her fault. It was the ridiculous arranged marriage. But Alex no doubt knew this, and mentioning it might make her feel condescended to. Or worse, since she hadn't actually voiced these thoughts yet herself, imply that it was indeed to some degree her fault.
"He was that age," Lena confirmed, going to a water basin to wash her hands. "And Kara's father mentioned how Mr. Ray practically raised him. Also, Jonathan attempted to sexually assault me before, right before my 'syphilis' scare."
"What?!" Kara's eyes went wide, and she stalked to Lena. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Lena dried her hands. "I didn't want you to worry. And I did confide in Ms. Merriam about it."
"Lena, someone attempting to harm you like that is my concern. You should have told me." She looked to Ms. Merriam. "One of you should have."
Ms. Merriam looked uncharacteristically sheepish.
"Ms. Merriam wanted to tell you," Lena said. "She was just doing what was asked of her."
Kara's jaw tightened. "He has to pay."
Lena touched a soothing hand to Kara's cheek. "And he will."
"Well, I can say this..." Ms. Merriam began, sitting down beside Alex, "it is true that Mr. Ray and Jonathan were like two peas in a pod. Didn't think they were still so close, though."
Lena smacked her teeth. "Apparently, they reconnected."
"William," Alex sighed, looking up from her hands. "I remember that he was never quite the same after Kara went missing. He still hasn't been. I chalked it up to him being distraught about the details, like any child would, and Kara being his aunt. But he had these odd nightmares of hands pushing Kara. Not Kara having slipped, but Kara having been pushed. And he was with Jonathan earlier in the day, when she went missin'. And when she..." Alex looked up at Kara. "When you came back, he started acting oddly all over again. Shied away from you and such."
"I noticed that as well," Kara said.
"Where's William now?" Lena asked.
"Why, at my house with Ruby," Ms. Merriam said. "One of the maids yer brother hired is lookin' after them."
Lena turned to Alex. "I know this is difficult, but we're going to need his testimony. And if -"
"- I'm on it," Alex said, rising without another word. She headed out the door with Maggie.
Brian, who'd temporarily left, came back in. "Some locals spotted Mr. Ray down at a food market. Del's gone after Jonathan."
"Kara," Lena said her name with trepidation, as though wanting to protect her from a sensitive subject. Kara didn't like that. "It might get really bad. And I've put you through enough. You don't have to be there for this, too."
Kara frowned. "You haven't put me through anything. And if you think I'm letting you handle this alone, you're mistaken. I'm not a child, Lena."
"I know. I just..."
"Is William's pa in trouble?" Hazel asked, looking up at Kara and Lena.
Kara knelt down beside her. "He is. But it's because he's done some bad things he has to pay for, including tryin' to hurt ya pa."
"Come here, Hazel," Clarence stated. The little girl walked to him, and he gestured for her to sit on his lap.
Lena moved to Anna, grabbing her by the shoulders. "You ready for this?"
"I wasn't for many years," Anna said. "But now? Yes, I think I am."
Alex and Maggie came back in with William, Alex standing behind him with her hands on his shoulders. His eyes immediately went to Kara's, but he didn't appear frightened like times before. Somehow he looked... Was it shame she was seeing?
"What are you all gonna do?" Ms Merriam asked. "To Mr. Ray, I mean."
"Arrest the bastard, for starters." Winn stated. Sam agreed.
"Alex can arrest him. I'll settle for castrating him," Sara stated as if bargaining.
"He certainly deserves more than arrestin,'" James commented.
Siobhan moved beside Lena. "A cell's too good for him."
"Hey," Alex chided, pointing to all of them, "we do this by the book. Don't want him being able to weasel outta this in any way, or for one of you to end up behind a cell instead."
"We have to go now," Brian warned. "Don't think he's yet heard we're all here at Clarence's. But if he does -"
"- He might get suspicious, and flee," Lena supplied.
Sam headed for the door, leading the charge. "Can't have that, now can we?"
"I comin' with ya," Ms. Merriam proclaimed, grabbing a sweater, the pistol she was holding still tight within her grasp.
As everyone but Clarence and Hazel headed out, Kara turned to them. "I managed to fix the lock. It should work like before, or close to as well. So, Hazel, as soon as I close this door, lock it, okay? And don't open it for anyone but us, you hear me?"
"Yes, Kara."
Clarence looked to Anna just as she was exiting. It was obvious that he was searching for something to say. "Give him hell," he settled on.
Anna nodded before heading out in front of Kara.
Kara hurried to board the wagon with everyone else, gripping the reins that pulled Wrangler and Midnight along with the horses that Alex and Brian rode. The shop they were headed to wasn't that far away, just two blocks from Ms. Merriam's and four blocks from the overseer building. But if Mr. Ray decided to flee, they'd be prepared. He couldn't get far on his own feet, but he did often travel with a wagon.
A number of people threw out insults as they passed, some saying they'd voted for Kara and Lena to be banished. But it didn't matter. Kara interlaced her fingers with Lena's. They would finally be bringing Anna's rapist, and Kara's attempted killer, to justice.
Kara saw the shop up ahead. Mr. Ray was talking to a seller and stuffing a bag with bread. Usually around this time of year, a little over mid-November, businesses were had indoors due to the cold weather. But some townspeople, Mr. Ray among them, still enjoyed outside shops. He looked to his right and saw them coming. A sneer spread across his face, but, brazenly, he didn't attempt to run. It was clear he had no idea what was about to hit him.
When their wagon pulled to a stop, Alex hopped off first and shouted his name, Maggie beside her. Kara and Lena walked up behind them as the others kept their distance. Ms. Merriam held William against her with one hand, her other hand still gripping Kara's pistol.
Although the sun was out, it was a gloomy morning. Dark clouds were forming and it looked as though it might rain. Kara was thankful that this at least meant that Mr. Ray couldn't tip his hat to her and say what a lovely day it was. Not unless he also found dreary days lovely.
His gaze suddenly found Anna. Those light brown eyes of his took on an immediate dark expression, and the expression disappeared just as quickly, but Kara had seen it. His gaze then went to Alex, and he pulled his lips into his usual friendly smile, a smile that Kara had once found comforting but now found disturbing. "Mornin,' overseer," he said. "Here for someone?"
From her peripheral vision, Kara could see other townspeople gathering around.
Alex stepped closer to Mr. Ray. They were the same height. Kara studied Mr. Ray's face, trying to picture him harming a woman the way he'd harmed Anna. She hated to admit it, especially considering that she'd witnessed his rage toward Lena with her own eyes, but it was difficult. She'd only caught the tail end of his attack on Lena. It was Lena who'd had to endure his barbs and menacing gaze. Before that incident, Kara had only known the kind and patient Mr. Ray. This contrast in personality, including the version she'd seen of him during the meeting just a day ago, made her question the true nature of almost everyone she'd ever met.
"You," Alex replied. "You're under arrest for the rape of Anna Davies. Further, you're suspected of co-conspiring to murder Kara Danvers and Clarence Davies."
More people, maybe just about the whole town, had gathered around. Kara heard them simultaneously take in a sharp breath. Mon-El, Cora, Jeremiah and Eliza came running to stand with them. They must have gotten word that something peculiar was brewing. Jeremiah and Eliza made their way behind Kara and Lena, briefly touching their shoulders for moral support before embracing as they always did during trying times.
Mr. Ray gawked at Alex and then began to chuckle. "Rape? Ms. Danvers, formerly Williams," he said, emphasizing formerly with disgust, "as the good people of Breighville know, I wouldn't hurt a fly. And yet I'm supposed to have raped a woman? And as for co-conspiring, just who is it I'm supposed to have co-conspired with?"
"With him," Del's voice cut through the air as he worked his way through the crowd with Jonathan in hand. He threw the man at Mr. Ray's feet. Jonathan, his hands cuffed behind his back, grunted and turned to face the people. He ignored Alex's unrelenting glare, but stared at his son, who was still within Ms. Merriam's grasp. Maggie kicked dirt his way.
Lena was suddenly almost knocked over as someone pushed her to the side. It was Rhea. She stomped in front of Mr. Ray. "What is the meaning of this?" It was more a demand than a question.
"The meaning of this," Lena said, "is that your precious Mr. Ray is wanted for some serious crimes. Rape and attempted murder."
"You're wrong!" Rhea charged. "Mr. Ray wouldn't hurt a fly."
"So we've been told, " Sam quipped from the back.
"Why do you care so much about this man anyway, ma?" Mon-El questioned beside Kara.
Rhea didn't answer. She simply took one of Mr. Ray's hands into hers and stared ahead defiantly.
Realization dawned upon Mon-El. "Ma... No."
"You heard your father a week ago. He wants nothing else to do with me." She covered both of Mr. Ray's hands with her own. "I've found myself a good man."
"We don't have time for this," Alex said. "Brian, the handcuffs."
"No!" Rhea yelled, throwing herself against Mr. Ray, hugging him close. He just stood there. Brian and Del pulled her off. "Let me go!" she screamed. "Let me go!"
Mon-El bristled. "Ma!"
"Unhand her!" a voice called out. Everyone turned to see Father Mable entering the fray. He got down off his horse and tried to assist Rhea.
Brian pulled a gun on him. The crowd gasped. "This doesn't concern you, priest." Whatever power Father Mable had seemed to have before was now restrained, as the people barely paid him any mind, so engrossed they were at the details unfolding before them.
"I'll make you pay," Rhea railed. "I'll make you all pay."
"You won't!" Sara challenged, crossing her arms with a smirk on her face. "The brewery no longer has the power it held. After Kara's 'death,' everyone viewed Breighville as a town in mourning and didn't want to make things worse by producing 'alcoholics in mourning.' Remember? They viewed your son, as out of his senses as he was, as such a victim of the brew. You thought that essentially spoon-feeding him more and more alcohol would make him seem fine to everyone, like he could handle it, and that the customers would return. But it didn't, did it? That's the real reason you were so upset with him no longer coming by."
Rhea reluctantly looked to Mon-El, who stared at her with more contempt than Kara had ever seen him display. There was a moisture at his eyes that he was obviously fighting. He turned away from her.
"You have no more goons to do your dirty work," Sara added.
Rhea collapsed to the ground, looking as guilty of bad parenting as any Kara had seen. Brian and Del let her wallow there.
Alex moved behind Mr. Ray as Brian held him at gunpoint. Handcuffs were slipped onto his wrists. The snap of the handcuffs somehow came across as deafening. Kara thought she was alone in that perception, but Lena's hand tightened around hers. And around them, others chimed in.
"They can't just arrest Mr. Ray like that."
"You say he raped Anna, but where's the proof? We all know Luthor did it."
"Why would he want Kara dead?"
Alex didn't waste any more time. "You raped Anna Davies twenty years ago. You'd made various advances toward her before, but she turned ya down every time. There are witnesses regarding the latter; they finally spoke up about seein' ya nosin' around the girl. Tippin' your hat to her and offering her produce when she was low on them. You got too friendly more than once, breaking the no-touching rule. Fed up with her lack of interest in ya, you set out to make her pay, enlisting the boy you practically raised, a boy of just fourteen, in your dastardly plan." Alex's eyes temporarily drifted to Jonathan. He was staring up at them with angry eyes. "You're done fer."
Mr. Ray didn't blink. He stood there silent, like he couldn't be bothered to say anything. Like everyone knew he was good and right and he wouldn't be going to any cell. And then he looked to Anna again. "This is madness," he said. "She ain't even that pretty." His eyes moved to Kara. "Not compared to -"
Lena moved in front of him, slapping him hard across the cheek. "Don't you dare say her name. Don't you even think it." Her gaze moved to Jonathan. "And you..." She punched him in the face, and he fell back groaning. "Two years! I lost two years with Kara because of you. Two damn years! Do you know what it was like, hoping against all hope that she was still alive? That I wasn't being a silly, grieving woman? Of course you don't!" Lena began kicking him. "Of course you don't!"
Kara moved to grab her, pulling her back away from him.
"Thank ya, Kara," he said, spitting blood as he sat up.
Kara spun around toward him, and punched him so hard in the face that he turned sideways. "Don't you thank me! Everything she just did, you deserve it. And you know it. The pain you caused me, my family, and friends... I hope you rot in hell." She raised her hand, threatening to punch him again, but Jeremiah stepped to her, covering her hand with his and lowering it.
"It's over now, Kara. It's over," he said in a soothing voice. Eliza moved to them, helping to calm Kara down. They moved back beside Lena as Anna Davies stepped forward. She stood between Mr. Ray and Jonathan.
"You raped me," she said. It was a simple but powerful statement. And Kara wouldn't be surprised if everyone believed in her words in that moment.
"I didn't... I wouldn't," Mr. Ray yelled, his relaxed composure slipping. "And wasn't it dark outside? And twenty years ago? I don't even look the same I did twenty years ago. Do any of ya? How would you know?" He looked about the crowd. "Good people of Breighville, you know me. You know I wouldn't."
"I saw him with the girl," a voice called out.
"I did, too," another said. "He was smitten with Anna. It was plain as day."
Maggie walked beside Anna. "And when you no longer had Anna to terrorize, you developed an unhealthy infatuation with Kara Danvers. Treatin' her just like you did Anna."
James stepped forward. "But you learned your lesson before. You didn't crowd her."
"Or shower her with gifts," Sam cut in. "You helped her out occasionally."
"But usually only when she was most vulnerable," Winn added, stepping next to James.
Lena broke away from Kara's grip, walking to stand beside Anna. "You did this all in the hopes that Kara would eventually see you as a good man, a dependable man who was heads above Mon-El, request to be let out of her marriage to Mon-El and choose you. Isn't that what you told me?"
"Lies!" Mr. Ray shouted.
Siobhan could be heard chuckling in the background. "Is it also a lie that you were so appalled that Kara had so evidently chosen Lena that you had Jonathan push her off a fuckin' cliff?"
"Too chicken shit to do it yourself, huh?" Sara challenged from her spot on the wagon. She was sitting on the edge of it, swinging her legs back and forth as though enjoying the show. Perhaps she was, Kara thought, and Kara couldn't blame her.
"Is all of this true?" Father Mable asked, his face pale with the shock of the revelations. "Tell me it ain't." He raked a hand through his sandy hair. "Mr. Ray..."
"Tell 'em, Jonathan," Mr. Ray said to the man on the ground still nursing his fresh bruises. "Tell 'em it's all lies, boy."
"They aren't," Alex said, finally intervening after everyone else had their say. "Come here, William."
William rubbed his red nose, looking up to Ms. Merriam before looking back to his mother. Ms. Merriam urged him forward, letting him know everything would be fine. He slowly made his way to Alex, trying but failing not to look at his father. Alex knelt beside him. "Tell everyone here what you told me." When the boy looked too frightened to do so, his eyes tearing up, Alex kissed him on the brow. "It's okay, baby. No one here's gonna hurt you." She adjusted the collar of his coat.
William looked over Alex's shoulder, to his father. "Daddy was holdin' me. I told him not to do it. He said we'd do it together 'cause he was scared. So he... He raised his hand and told me ta place mine on his. And we snuck up on auntie Kara...real quiet-like," William could be heard choking up. "And then he pushed her! Daddy pushed auntie Kara over the edge!" William cried out, looking away. "He pushed, he..." The boy buried his head into Alex's shoulder. "I didn't mean to, mama." He looked over at Kara. "I didn't mean ta, auntie Kara. I.. I..."
Alex hugged him tight. "It's okay. You're okay."
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," he repeated over and over again. "I'm so..." He snuggled back up against Alex.
Kara was fuming. She almost made it back to Jonathan, before Lena stepped in front of her, just like she had in the school a day ago, keeping the blonde from doing anything else that might be used against her, although Kara doubted anyone in town would support any assault report Jonathan tried to use against them.
"You did nothin' wrong," Alex told William, pulling back to stare him in the eyes. "Remember what I told ya before? You didn't push Kara. Your hand was too small. Daddy's hand did all the work." She turned to Jonathan and stood, rubbing William on the head and shoulders for comfort.
Jonathan was staring at the ground, at the space between his legs, with his head hung low, like he knew he couldn't say anything to defend his actions.
"Jonathan Williams, you're a wretched slab of skin," Ms. Merriam said. "I have half a mind to shoot ya myself."
Father Mable shook his head. "What kind of man puts that kind of burden on a child?"
"The kind who wants it to be their little secret," Lena supplied. "Something to make the child feel just as guilty. Jonathan here thought he had the perfect alibi - hunting with his very young son. And when he and Mr. Ray got word of Anna coming to town, they feared that she just might be willing to provide Clarence with details about the rape even if still too scared to talk to others about the incident. So they set out to kill him. Last night, in fact. Isn't that right?" Lena arched an eyebrow.
Del moved to Jonathan, yanking him up and pulling down the side of his pants just enough to expose his left hip to the crowd, which erupted into murmurs. "Clarence stabbed him there, defending himself."
Mr. Ray scoffed. "You may have evidence against that boy, but what evidence do you have against me? None." He said it with conviction, but he was trembling. His shaky demeanor could have been due to the cold weather, but Kara doubted that. "All ya have are some claims of lingering around this wench." He pointed to Anna.
Anna kicked him hard between the legs, and he fell to his knees groaning.
"Timely that you should mention that," Lena said, moving toward him as Brian and Del stood at either side of him and placed hands on his shoulders to keep him in place. "Have any of you ever seen Mr. Ray's forearms?" she addressed the crowd. "Further investigation, confirmation from Anna herself, revealed that the rapist had a butterfly-like birth mark on his forearm."
Anna bent over and pulled up Mr. Ray's right sleeve. Many behind him gasped. There it was. The birth mark just above his cuffed wrists.
Jonathan took off running, but Wrangler raised his front legs and kicked him back, nearly stomping on him as he rolled away. Del marched to him and yanked him up. "Try that again, and you'll wish you hadn't."
Kara didn't know whether or not to believe that Wrangler was that in tune with Lena's feelings or the situation around him, but she'd never been more thankful for taking care of him all these years.
"Good boy," Lena told the animal before turning back to Mr. Ray. "And of course there's the matter of the rare green fertilizer you left at the crime scene. The same fertilizer that Jonathan tracked in the church after lurking behind Kara. He'd lurked before; I saw him the night Kara looked upon her own gravestone. And let's be honest: You're too slow to be stealthy."
The first sounds of thunder started to crackle off in the distance.
"For so long you held power over me," Anna said, gazing down on Mr Ray. Her breath cast a visible cloud over his head with the aid of the chilly atmosphere. "I cowered at night at the thought of you. I faltered in new relationships and wouldn't let myself grow. I couldn't grow. Well, no more. You're done holdin' power over me."
Maggie and Brian took Mr. Ray by the arms, pulling him to his feet as they led him to the wagon. Del started to escort Jonathan to the same wagon, but Alex cut in, grabbing him hard by the wrists. She whispered something into his ear and he appeared to just about have a heart attack, stumbling backward with a terrified look on his face. She pushed him forward again.
"Who says I no longer have power over ya, girl?!" Mr. Ray craned his neck, trying to get a good glimpse of Anna. "If you woulda just accepted me as ya husband, none of this woulda happened. Instead of bein' a proper woman and living by the Lord, you made yourself vulnerable to the temptation of man. You brought it on yourself. And that's gonna haunt you for the rest of yer days, you hear me? For the rest of yer days."
Anna simply crossed her arms, staring at him with what looked liked pity, although how a person could offer their rapist pity was something that escaped Kara. She didn't pity Mr. Ray. She hated him. She supposed Anna did, too, but that their hatred for the man manifested in different ways. Anna's assault was different, the kind of soul-wrenching thing that a person never got over, and Anna had twenty years to reconcile with it. Kara's feelings about the man were still very fresh.
"What were ya even doin' out so late?" Mr. Ray went on.
"I was thanking Mr. Luthor for the abortion he provided me with," Anna replied without missing a beat, although the town released another shuddering gasp. "I made a mistake being fast too soon with a boy. I wasn't ready for a child."
Mr. Ray nearly fell over at the revelation, his eyes bugging out of his head. "You see? She's a right whore. Lord, hear me, strike her down now. Deserved everythang she got."
"Just like you deserve everything you're going to get," Anna challenged.
"And you," Mr. Ray spat. Sara got out of the way as he was practically thrown onto the back of the wagon, grabbing his plump belly in the process. He sat up, still raging. "You, Father Mable. What are you ta do when I'm gone? This town only obeys you because of the new darin' folk I pay to keep out of Breighville with my business deals and such. Keep the ones here in line, ya told me many years ago, did ya not? The ones already raised in this culture will obey. Outsiders are a threat. Who's gonna keep those new folk from infiltrating now?" He laughed. "The occasional passerby, traveler, we could handle. But ya just wait until I'm gone." His bellows rumbled with the thunder as it began to rain, and his mouth gurgled the incoming water. Kara could see that he wanted to tip his hat. It was satisfying that he couldn't. He and Jonathan were pulled away by Brian and Del controlling the horse reins. Rhea could be seen mindlessly following behind.
Kara stared at Father Mable along with the others, who no doubt suddenly felt like the sheep they were. She couldn't bear to look at him anymore. And his apparent remorseful expression didn't help. She couldn't bear to be in this town anymore.
She ran to Midnight, hopping onto him in one swift movement and took off.
"Kara!" Lena yelled. "Kara, wait."
IIII
Lena quickly made her way onto Wrangler and sped after Kara. It was familiar. She had done this before, right after Kara had yelled at her for meddling in her relationship with Mon-El. Kara had headed for their special spot in the woods, more specifically the home Kara had built there. And Lena had followed.
This time, it was pouring rain and Lena struggled to keep her hair out of her face against the cool, breezy wind and water cascading against her skin. This time, Kara wasn't waiting for her when she entered inside the abandoned home, which looked just as abandoned as it did before, except for the table placed near a wall and a large rug in the middle of the floor. It was both fitting and unsettling that they should return here after today's events.
Kara leaned against the table at her right. Her birth father's spectacles rested on them. She was soaked from top to bottom.
"Kara?"
A pained scream released from Kara's throat, and she railed against the wall. "All lies," she yelled, punching the wall repeatedly. "Mr. Ray. Father Mable. This town and its rules. All lies." Her punches picked up speed and impact, and Lena ran to her.
"Kara, stop," Lena said, holding the woman's now partially bloody fist in her grip.
"I hate them all," Kara whispered, staring into her eyes. "I hate..."
Lena hadn't expected Kara's lips to smash into hers. But maybe she should have. They hadn't kissed in two weeks. And they hadn't been sexually intimate in one week. They'd always needed each other's touch, whether holding hands and their chaste morning kisses as children or their more mature touches as adults. And that reality only intensified now.
Lena sighed into the kiss. She knew she'd missed Kara's supple lips, but the softness of them in this moment threatened to make her forget everything and lock the two of them inside, never to leave the house again. She guided Kara to face her fully, cupping the woman's jaw as Kara continued to explore her mouth. She inhaled Kara's outdoorsy scent, which was enhanced by the rain water.
Moaning, Kara lifted her, encouraging her to wrap her legs around a lithe form. Kara lowered her gently onto the rug, then paused to fan her hair across the fluffy softness. Kara's fingers combed through her damp, free strands, knuckles shaking slightly as they brushed her cheeks. The blonde raised ocean eyes to hers, and the love Lena saw there snatched her breath away.
"You aren't a lie," Kara said. Her forefinger guided along Lena's cheekbone, then moved to her mouth. Lena shivered as it swept the fullness of her lower lip. Lena pressed her lips to it, relishing the sound of Kara's quick intake of breath and the blown-out pupils staring back at her. She bit down lightly, grazing her teeth against Kara's index finger, then Kara's thumb. The blonde moaned, and Lena paused to ask a question with her eyes alone.
"Make love to me, Lena," Kara answered with a whisper. She settled back, clearly signaling to Lena to lead if she so desired.
Anticipation — sheer passion for the woman before her — stirred Lena on. She had a desperate need to feel Kara against her again. Kara's eyelashes fluttered, and it created tingles in the pit of Lena's belly. She sat up and began to slip out of her dress and shoes, watching Kara watch her. The simple action felt a thousand times more erotic than it ever did before.
Once bare before the woman, Kara reached over, letting the back of her hand glide against the upper swell of Lena's breasts, arousing every nerve in Lena's body. Reflexively, Lena pressed against it, wanting more. "You're always so soft," Kara said breathlessly. Her hand worked its way over the paler slope of Lena's breasts. Watching it only served to make Lena's breath come faster.
As Kara's hand moved to caress her neck, Lena wanted nothing more than to undress the woman. She undressed Kara slowly, watching with unabashed interest as they shared breathing space and Kara gasped at the way her hands moved over tanned limbs and stripped them of wet clothing. With a fierceness that only Kara managed to bring out of her, she tenderly gripped Kara's neck, briefly letting her fingers play over her childhood necklace that Kara had worn since their sexual encounter outside on their wedding day, and drew the woman to her. Her lips descended upon Kara's with a rawness the other woman welcomed.
Kissing, nibbling, and licking, Lena explored Kara's mouth like she was doing it for the first time. Kara quivered as Lena's eager body moved over her, and Lena thrust between her thighs. Any remaining cold air in the room was chased away by the heat emanating from their bodies.
The wetness against Lena's sex wasn't from the rain, and Lena savored the sensation, briefly closing her eyes as Kara moaned into her ear, whispering about how good it felt. She titled her head back and Kara kissed her. Kara's hands threaded into her hair, the ravenous demands of the blonde's mouth growing stronger as a thick tongue slipped inside, between bruised lips, to wrestle with her own.
Kara's fingers dug into her shoulders, hungry mouth opening wider to better receive her kiss, hungry hands gripping her bottom and pressing her harder down between muscular thighs. Lena ground into the warm slickness as a reward, and their hips begin to work in unison.
Kara's nipples hardened against her breasts, and Kara's hands traced the shape of her, from her hips up to her neck. Lena thought she might come undone right then. She moved to sit atop Kara and stare down upon the face she adored, pushing her long, dark stresses back so as to not obscure her face. She stared, and stared, placing a hand to Kara's chest, and feeling a lively heart stutter within its rib cage. There was nothing more pertinent than bringing this woman to ecstasy.
Lena moved a hand between them, placing an open, upside down palm against Kara's mound and pressing her own vulva against the back of her hand. And, slowly, she began to grind, methodically moving her slender digits between Kara's folds and in out of Kara's sex. She watched as though an enraptured fiend as Kara reached up to grip her arms and moved painstakingly slow with her, gaze locked on to hers.
She used her free hand to cup Kara's cheek, caress collarbones and brawny flesh. Steadily pumping, she leaned low and kissed Kara like she was drifting away and Kara was the anchor she needed to remain in the warm embrace. Their lips met over and over again, her mouth consuming, hands caressing, stroking tousled hair. Kara traced her back, her spine.
Passion swirled between them, their every touch like the lightning that struck along the sky outside, powerfully charged and finding release or equalization with each contact made. The process repeated itself again and again. When Kara traced her sternum, she was tracing Lena's heart. They didn't need flamboyant words of devotion to convey how they felt for each other. Their commitment, their love, came through with every labored breath, every stutter, every moan.
When she felt Kara climax, tightening around her fingers, it didn't take long for her to careen into pure bliss as well, her lips and teeth tenderly nipping just beneath Kara's ear. Kara held her tightly, hugging her close. And, after minutes of lying against the woman's chest, their hands caressing each other, she tried to fight against the sleep that would rob her of time with Kara. She meant to explain that she hadn't gotten any rest the night before, but, knowingly, Kara pressed a finger to her lips.
"Go to sleep," Kara told her. "This time I'll be here long after you awake. Right in your arms."
IIII
Snow fell over the graveyard next to the church as Kara, Lena, Hazel, and Anna stood over Clarence's grave. It'd been close to two months since Mr. Ray and Jonathan had been arrested. Clarence had died a week after the incident. Heart or lung failure, or both, the doctors had stated. Kara hated seeing Lena carry so much guilt about the matter. Lena had been unable to help but feel that she should have tried harder to help Clarence during his illnesses, or maybe that her desire to have a child had caused him to give up, despite his promise not to. And to top it off, they hadn't been able to get him a proper headstone until everyone was certain it wouldn't be vandalized by the few in town still loyal to Mr. Ray and Father Mable.
The town had changed a great deal in such a short amount of time, with so many of the original residents having decided to move either because they feared change or wanted it. There was no longer a rule about touching, or staying out past curfew, or having to marry someone your parents bound you to at birth, or any number of other archaic rules. There was no longer an "overseer" title, but the title of "sheriff" had been implemented. Enough people also felt like they'd been controlled their whole life. New people moved to Breighville, and it was just as Mr. Ray had said — they had no intention of adopting the town's previous ways of life. Father Mable had abandoned the community two weeks after Mr. Ray and Jonathan's arrest.
"It's real nice, Lena," Anna said, nodding toward the headstone.
Lena pulled her coat tighter around herself. "It's the least I could do."
Anna turned to her. "Lena, I know you blame yourself. Kara and I have talked about it."
Lena offered a brief glance Kara's way, and Kara pretended to whistle, but no air was coming out.
Kara called for Hazel to follow her farther down the road to give Lena and Anna a bit of privacy.
Hazel touched Clarence's headstone. "Bye, bye, papa," she said before heading off after Kara.
Lena watched them over her shoulder before turning back to Anna. "Kara has a big mouth sometimes."
"She means well. I can see that you two love each other. And Clarence saw it, too. That's why he wanted Hazel with you."
"But she's your niece," Lena said.
"And still doesn't care for me as much as she cares for you. I've known her for over a month, but I'm still essentially a stranger to her. She really lights up around you." Anna stepped in front of her, placing chilly hands into warm, gloved ones. "And I want you to love her as you would your own child."
"I already do."
"Without any guilt about her being yours," Anna clarified. "There wasn't anything more you could have done for Clarence."
Lena wiped at a tear rolling down her cheek, sniffling as she did. "I'm not so sure about that. I know things about medicine and science. Maybe if it -"
"- But not enough about this particular condition."
"That's what I plan to change," Lena said. "Dropsy, or whatever... Through studies, I intend to make sure no one else's life is unnecessarily lost to it. Your brother was a good man - a great man who deserved to live a long and happy life."
"That's why I'm grateful to you, Lena," Anna revealed. "Not only for helping to bring my attacker to justice, but also for having given my brother a home and a family besides Hazel. I wish I'd known him longer. But without your help, I maybe wouldn't have known him at all." She squeezed Lena's hands in hers. "Truly, thank you."
"And thank you for clearing my father's name."
Kara approached, Hazel beside her, just as she saw the two women hugging. "All sorted now, or do Hazel and I need to round one block and then return?"
Lena playfully hit Kara's shoulder. "Smart mouth."
They walked along a path leading to the railroad station, pulling their respective horses along with them. "The trial will be upon us soon," Anna said. "And Kara, Alex, William and I will have to go farther out for it."
"Yes, but Walter says it won't be for long," Kara assured. "With the evidence against those two and the witnesses, they are finished."
They stopped by a tree.
"Will you be going with us to say goodbye to the others?" Lena asked.
Anna tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. "No... I hate goodbyes. I think I'll leave that to you all. Besides, I think I want to stay with my brother a bit longer." She smiled weakly. "Don't worry, I'll be safe," she said, pointing to the treeline ahead, all of them turning to find Brian and Del stalking them. They chuckled at the sight.
"I think those two are staying for a bit," Lena stated. "Lex's orders."
IIII
"Come on now, everyone," Ms. Merriam urged, "get in close for the photograph."
Kara grinned beside her loved ones and friends who'd worked out their schedules to depart from Breighville today. Maggie and Alex wanted to start fresh, much to the dismay of Jeremiah and Eliza, who said they themselves didn't see a need to move now that the town's social structure had changed. Winn and Siobhan wanted to travel. James was looking to finally start up that business with his laborer friend to better support his family. Mon-El had acquired a cooking job in Virginia, and asked Cora to come with him. She'd agreed, but had been stern in saying she wanted to support herself. And Sara just didn't like staying in one place for too long. Sam, Ruby, and Ms. Merriam, on the other hand? They weren't going anywhere.
Kara observed Ms. Merriam paying the photographer she'd hired. Even Wrangler had been photographed, with one picture being of him beside Lena. "I'm going to cherish these forever," she told everyone. She'd pretty much already said farewell to just about all of them.
"With as long as we've been standin' out here? You better," James teasingly warned.
"Oh, James." She threw her arms around him and said goodbye to his wife and children. "You all be good little ones, ya hear?" The girls promised to be on their best behavior. Ms. Merriam adjusted each of their coats so that they were snug around their ears.
The family made their way to Kara and Lena. "Take care of yourself," Kara said, looking up at James. Sometimes she still marveled at his height. She and Lena embraced him, his wife, and their children. Hazel hugged the girls she'd bonded with a number of times.
"You, too," James finally said. "And, oh..." He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Lena. "In case you're ever interested in working for me sometime."
Lena smiled as she looked at the business paper. "I'll consider it." She hugged James again. "Goodness knows you were the best damn worker I ever had," she added, ignoring the mock objections from her former employees in the background. "The least I could do is return the favor."
James grinned from ear to ear. "You too, Ms. Luthor. But in reverse." He started to back up toward the train, pulling his family along. "Come visit sometime," he said to Kara.
Kara smiled. "Will do."
"And you, Ms. Merriam. I saw that fella eyein' you somethin' fierce. Yeah, you know the one. Take a chance."
"Child, if you don't get on that train and stop embarrassin' an old woman," Ms. Merriam chided with a blush.
James chuckled and did as he was told.
Cora and Mon-El approached next, Mon-El taking off his hat and tugging Kara into a tight embrace. "You know how I felt about ya for so long," he breathed against her shoulder. "But now I have Cora. I have those feelings for Cora. And I just... I feel so conflicted because what happened to ya was the worse thang possible. But if it'd never happened, then Cora wouldn't be here. And I don't know if I should thank ya for bringin' her into my life or kick myself for wanting to thank you."
Kara hoped she was smiling with her eyes as she took Mon-El's hands into hers and patted them. "Be happy, Mon-El."
He nodded before focusing his attention on Lena. The two said each other's names and sort of half-hugged, which was better than Kara expected of them. Mon-El bent down to say his peace to Hazel, who giggled when he tickled her.
Cora pulled Kara forward, encircling her in warmth. "I will never forget you, Kara Danvers. Nor what you did for me."
"I won't forget you either," Kara promised. "Continue assistindo as estrelas. O Big Dipper ony fica cada vez mais incrível a cada observação."
"E você continua sonhando alto," Cora replied.
They watched as the two boarded the train, and then Winn came bouncing in front of them, Siobhan not far behind. "Is it our turn to say goodbye? I hope so. I'm freezing my balls off out here," he whined, pulling his coat tighter around himself.
"Mr. Schott. Do I need to wash your mouth out with soap?" Ms. Merriam warned, looking over the photographs a few feet away.
"No, ma'am," he said, nodding her way.
"Good."
Siobhan, either rubbing her hands to keep warm or in a bout of nervousness, moved to Lena. "I don't know what to say."
Both Lena and Siobhan laughed. "I don't either," Lena admitted. "I think we've said everything that needs to be said between us, for a couple of years now. But I will say this again: I love you."
Siobhan teared up, but chose to wipe at the water building up in Lena's eyes rather than her own. "I love you, too."
"And at least now you'll be traveling the world, like you always wanted."
"Indeed," Siobhan stated.
Kara felt odd having Siobhan address her. After all, they really hadn't talked much since her miraculous return to Breighville. And before that point, the woman had considered her a bitter enemy. So she was relieved when Siobhan kept it simple, saying, "I would say take care of her, but you're already doing that."
"Thanks. I appreciate that," was the only response that came to Kara's mind.
As Siobhan stepped aside, Winn stepped forward, and Kara hugged him. She and Lena joked about him becoming a brilliant painter of houses, so good he was at it. And if not that, he could look forward to a career of inventing and fixing up things. Siobhan and Hazel had a moment. And then, like the others, Winn and Siobhan were off.
Sara didn't linger for long, saying how she wasn't one for goodbyes. "Seems like you and Anna have something in common," Kara told her.
"Oh yeah?" Sara grinned. "You think she'd go for me?"
"If she was into women perhaps," Lena laughed.
"See ya later, Sara," Kara settled on. She figured that would be more to the blonde's liking than a semi-depressing goodbye. It was, and Kara thanked her for all she'd done to bring Kara out of the shell she'd been in.
Kara didn't have to guess who they'd be saying goodbye to last. Her sister had always enjoyed the notion of "last but not least." Alex, Maggie and William came to them, with Jeremiah and Eliza in tow. Jeremiah was saying how he had something in his eyes, and Eliza was full-on weeping. "What am I ta do without both of my girls together?" she opined.
"Ma, it'll be fine," Alex assured. "I told you. Atlanta isn't too far away. And Maggie has family there. It'll be good to see them."
"But what if they aren't as acceptin' of - you know - as we are?" Eliza turned her head into Jeremiah's shoulder, looking at her children with as much love as a mother could.
"They likely won't," Maggie acknowledged. "And that's also likely why we wont tell 'em."
Jeremiah frowned. "But to not be able to be yourselves? To have to walk around on eggshells?"
"Only around them, pa," Alex said. "Maggie and I will be livin' together...alone. And if we don't like it there, we'll move."
"There's quite a long way to go before more parents - more people - are like you, Mr. and Mrs. Danvers," Lena commented.
The two nodded their understanding. "Knowing that doesn't make it any easier," Jeremiah admitted.
"I suppose not," Lena agreed.
As Alex moved to her, Kara stared at her sister. She looked as pretty as she always had. Her hair was now chin-length, quite the bold statement, if a statement at all, when all of the women Kara had seen had hair at least touching their shoulders. She wore makeup, a big red scarf that matched the red stain of her lips, and a dark attire to contrast it all. She looked different, but in a good way.
"I'm so happy for you, Alex," Kara said. "While you'd never admit, I know how much you wanted a life of your own. One that you didn't have to feel obligated to."
"Actually," Alex wrinkled her nose, smiling, "I'm fine admitting that."
They laughed.
"Jonathan and I would have ended up killin' each other anyhow," Alex whispered, mindful of William not far away from them, making snowballs and throwing them at Hazel and Ruby.
"I never did ask... What did you say to him the day of his arrest that had him looking like he wanted to wet his pants?"
Alex snorted. "Just that men in prison aren't very fond of rapists, or men who assisted rapists, and that he better hope to survive there without being sexually assaulted himself."
Kara's eyes crinkled. "You always did have bit of a dark side to you. You know that?"
"Really?" Alex's gaze drifted back to William.
"He seems well-adjusted," Kara observed, following Alex's line of vision.
"He is, but I still worry about the trauma done to his mind. Before we made it to the station, he was a bit down about leaving Alaina. I know they didn't seem like a good fit, but the two did bond."
"He'll be fine, Alex."
There was a long moment of silence between them, and then Alex turned to her, tears falling from her eyes. "I really don't know how to say goodbye to my little sister."
Kara wiped at her own tears, pushing the spectacles back up on her face. "Then how about we do like Sara did, and don't say goodbye. Deal?"
Alex laughed. "Deal." She pulled Kara into a bear hug that rivaled Cora's. "I love you, Kara."
"I love you, too, Alex."
She felt a sense of pride for sister. No longer was Alex putting others first. It was her time now.
"Thank you for helpin' to open my closed-minded eyes," Alex said to Lena. "If you'd never come back to Breighville, Kara wouldn't have been the only one missing out."
"Something tells me you would have figured it out eventually," Lena said. "You and Kara both."
"Kara?" Alex scrunched up her nose. "Nah. She's pretty clueless sometimes."
"I'm standin' right here," Kara reminded them.
As the others conversed, Kara walked to William, again assuring him that he was never at fault and telling him how much she loved him. The boy must have needed to hear that, because he wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her tighter than he ever had. "I love you more, auntie Kara," he said, running back to play with Hazel and Ruby after Hazel had just thrown a snowball his way.
"Mind if I join in on the cry-fest," Sam chimed in. She'd been saying farewells to others on the train.
"Come here, you," Alex said with a grin, pulling Sam toward her. "I regret that our children spent more time together than we did."
"So do I," Sam said.
"Visit sometime?"
"I'll think about it."
The train was ready to pull away by the time everyone had given their well-wishes. Kara watched her sister wave one last time, promising to write, before disappearing within the confines of brass and steel. Ms. Merriam fussed with the photographer behind her while she, Lena, her parents, Hazel, Sam, and Ruby waved as the train departed.
"We don't have to worry about you all leavin' too, do we?" Eliza sniffed, using a handkerchief to wipe at her nose. Jeremiah waited for an answer beside her.
Sam raised her hands as though in surrender. "Hey, not me. I told ya I'm stayin.'"
"Yeah, we're stayin,'" Ruby echoed.
Eliza and Jeremiah looked to Kara and Lena, who offered questioning glances to each other and smiled. "Ask us in five months," Kara stated.
IIII
Lena, dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, sat back on a blanket in a shaded area and stared out at the quarry, admiring its sapphire water. As always, the combination of the azure water and sky, smoky granite cliffs and white sugar sand beach created a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. She smiled as Hazel built sand castles a few feet away, digging into the bright green vegetation and using the grass for her own imagined land. They were in an area closer to the ground, wanting to be cautious because Hazel was with them. Every now and then, the girl appeared to want to branch out toward the water. "Stay close to the rocks," Lena called out.
"Okay, mama," Hazel beamed, using a stick to destroy her latest creation, and moving farther up on the sand to an even safer area before starting anew.
Lena beamed herself. She still wasn't used to being referred to as mama, but it made her heart soar every time she heard it.
"So..." Kara came up beside her, dressed in a similar attire but one that showed off her arms, which Lena couldn't stop looking at. The blonde had been off getting something from a pack. "It's been five months, and we're still here. I think we need to come to a decision soon."
Lena chuckled, bumping her bare feet together. "I'll think about it. But Lex still has to visit."
"Lex?!" Kara screeched. "He'll just complain the whole time and do his best to try to get us to leave."
"Correct. But we haven't ruled out leaving, have we? The research I plan on doing. That's going to need a big city plan. Otherwise, it might feel like I'm floundering at sea."
"Speaking of..." Kara moved to sit beside her, tossing something in her lap.
Lena sat up to see that it was Kara's journal.
She turned to Kara, unsure of if they were at an understanding about the weight of what Kara was allowing.
Kara just smiled, pushing her spectacles back up on her face. "I told you I'd show you when I was ready." Kara shrugged. "I'm ready."
Lena's hands trembled as she focused on the page Kara obviously wanted her to start on.
I saw it in Lena's eyes, the love she had for me. But I squandered it. I waited too long. I'll soon be gone from this world. Oh, why — why didn't I just let her in when I should have?
Lena's heart took on a rapid pace as she turned the page.
I wish I had wings to fly away from here. Others might laugh at them. After all, a human shouldn't have wings. But I know that Lena would love them. She would cherish them, and me. Just like I cherish her.
Lena saw before she felt a tear fall onto the paper. She turned to the next page.
I think about cookin' out here. But we're without the proper utensils. Cookin' for Lena was the best. I want to cook for her again.
Pages flitted between fingers, and Lena's eyes searched each with an eagerness that was spurred on by the entries.
I almost died today. But I can't die. I refuse to. Back home is the most amazing woman waiting for me. I know she is. And I won't perish before seeing her again. I won't perish before seeing Lena. My Lena.
Kara eased the writings out of Lena's hands and put them to the side. "Cora didn't use the journal. I did. I used it until I ran out of paper. And when I ran out, the pages I'd written - all about you in some way or another - were my greatest treasures." Kara cupped Lena's tear-stained cheeks and gently turned her head toward hers. "I'll love you always. I will adore and honor you always. I'll be the best wife and parent I can be. The woman back in Bermuda left me with more money than the average blacksmith. I don't know if I'll always make the right decisions, but -"
"- We already said our vows." Lena grabbed a fistful of Kara's shirt and pulled the woman close to her. Their lips met in a chaste kiss reminiscent of their youth, and then transformed into all of the ways it'd matured in adulthood. Kara moaned deep in her throat. There wasn't a thing that could ever convince her this was wrong. Kara Danvers was her soulmate, the love of her life, and always would be. She'd come back to town for this woman, and she'd found her...along with a future of endless possibilities.