Twenty Three

Lena blinked as the anaesthetic wore off.

She turned her head and found Kara laying next to her.

"K-Kara?" Lena stammered.

Kara's eyes fluttered and she opened them, smiling at Lena.

She looked like she'd just woken up from a deep sleep.

"Lena...how do you feel?"

Lena frowned a little and tears came to her eyes.

"We were horrible people, weren't we?" Lena whispered, her voice trembling with the effort not to cry.

Kara reached out and squeezed Lena's hand.

"It was the red kryptonite...not us."

Lena sniffled.

"But still, the way we acted, the way we spoke to people...I never want to feel like that again."

Kara nodded and squeezed Lena's hand again.

"It won't happen again. We're fine now but I understand how you feel...when I woke up from being under the influence of red kryptonite I felt awful. I remembered everything I'd done and the things I'd said and I couldn't believe that so much darkness was inside of me but it gets better and eventually you're just grateful that you're back to being yourself again."

Lena nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek and with her free hand, she wiped it away.

"I don't think I could have coped if you wasn't with me."

Kara gave her a reassuring smile.

"Course you could but the fact that you're here too...I'll admit it makes things easier."

Lena smiled at Kara and for a long while they just stayed like that, holding hands.

"Kara, there's something I need to-"

"Kara, Lena, how are you both?" Alex asked, stepping into the med bay.

Lena sighed inwardly but smiled at Alex.

"We're fine thank you, Alex, and...I'm sorry for anything that I said to you while under the influence of red kryptonite."

Alex held up a hand and shook her head with a kind smile.

"No need to apologise. Red kryptonite is a nasty thing and you wasn't in control of what you were saying or doing."

Lena smiled at Alex gratefully.

Alex looked at Kara then.

"And you, you've been here before. How do you feel?"

Kara nodded.

"Fine thanks, Alex."

"Good."

Alex paused and looked at the both of them.

"Well the doctor is going to conduct a few more tests and then if they come back clear, you're free to go."

Alex left them then and Kara sat up. Lena did the same.

"Were we really going to do an interview where we admitted we were dating each other without covering up the fact I'm Supergirl, wasn't we?"

Lena nodded.

"You would've completely blown your cover. Kara Danvers wouldn't be able to move in this city anymore."

Kara let out a breath, shaking her head.

"We were so stupid."

Lena nodded in agreement.

"Hey."

Kara looked over when she heard Lena's soft tone.

"That won't happen again. We won't let it."

Kara nodded and took Lena's hand again.

Kara frowned as she remembered that Lena was going to to ask her something earlier before Alex came in.

"You were going to ask me something before...what was it?"

Lena forced a smile.

"It can wait."

Kara smiled and nodded.

Hopefully they would be cleared of all red kryptonite and they could go home.

...

Kara had to go into Catco to finish off some work and Lena went back to L Corp, also to get some things in order.

As she sat there at her desk, Lena had a thought; she phoned Kara and waited for her to pick up.

"Lena, hi."

"I was thinking, we said we'd go out on a date didn't we?"

"We did."

"So how about tonight?" Lena asked.

She could practically hear the joy in Kara's voice and she imagined her smile.

"Tonight? It's Christmas Eve."

"So it's perfect."

"You're right, after everything...it would be a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve."

Lena smiled brightly herself.

"Great. I'll pick you up at 8?"

"Ok cool, see you at 8."

Lena hung up with a satisfied smile on her face.

Walking over to her desk, she picked up the black velvet box that held Kara's promise ring.

Tonight.

She had to do this tonight.

After everything they'd been through, they deserved some happiness.

...

Lena looked at her own ring, wishing she could wear it right now but then Kara being as observant as she was would recognise it and ask about it, then Lena would have to tell her before she could even begin to give Kara her's.

8 o clock came around quicker than Lena thought and she examined herself in the mirror.

It had taken hours, about 5 different types of make up and close to fifty different dresses but finally, she was happy with what she saw when she looked in the mirror.

Lena had opted for tight, black leather trousers, a black mesh-type halter neck top, strappy high heels, light make up and black nail polish. A stylish, black suit jacket with the sleeves rolled up just to her elbows finished off the look.

Her hair was done up in a soft ponytail and her clutch bag was just big enough to hold the two promise rings, her phone and her keys.

Taking a deep breath, Lena smiled at herself in the mirror and then walked out to George who was waiting patiently for her outside her apartment.

He smiled at her as she came towards the car and he opened the door for her.

Lena stopped, turning to look at him.

"George, about yesterday and how I spoke to you-"

He looked up at her and smiled warmly, patting her hand.

"I know it wasn't you, Ms Luthor."

Lena smiled gratefully at him.

"You looked lovely by the way." He said.

"Thank you."

She then climbed into the car and he shut the door after her.

Kara was also getting ready to go and she gave herself one last look in the mirror.

Kara had chosen to wear a simple deep red dress with matching red heels and smokey make up. Her blonde hair was left long and wavy and she smiled a little, pleased with what she saw in her reflection. Slipping on her glasses, she grabbed her matching red clutch purse and headed out the door to wait for Lena.

She didn't have to wait long as Lena's car pulled up only minutes after she stepped outside.

George opened the door and Kara thanked him as she slipped inside.

Lena looked at her in awe.

"Kara, you look..."

Kara also looked pleasantly surprised.

"And you too! You look just...wow!"

Lena chuckled.

"Thank you and that was exactly what I wanted to say about you."

Lena softened as Kara gave her a shy smile.

"You look beautiful."

Kara lent across the seat and took Lena's hand.

"So this is it, our first date."

Lena nodded.

"Are you nervous?"

Kara nodded after a moment's thought.

"A little."

Lena seemed more confident but then whenever Lena was doing something she was certain of, there were no nerves, she was doing it and that was that. Kara admired her for it, for that and so many other things.

"We'll be fine."

"And the press?"

Lena shrugged lightly, a small smile touching her lips.

"They'll get a photo of us and they'll make up their own minds."

Kara bit her bottom lip until Lena squeezed Kara's hand and lent closer.

"Hey, don't worry. This time, it's Lena Luthor and Kara Danvers. They'll know you as they already do, a Catco reporter and a damn good one."

Kara smiled, feeling more relaxed and by the time they'd reached the place Lena had reserved for them, Kara's nerves had all but gone.

Lena stepped out of the car and took Kara's hand, helping her out too.

Lena turned to George.

"Thank you George. I'll call you if we need you."

He nodded with a smile and tipped his hat at them.

"Have a lovely evening, ladies."

Kara smiled at him.

She liked George. He seemed so gentle and Lena was fond of him too.

Lena held out her hand to Kara.

"Are you ready?"

Kara put her hand in Lena's and nodded.

"I really am."

Lena smiled, and hand in hand, they walked into the venue.