When she saw Kara's face fall, she reached out her hand and whispered, "Hey, I mean, I'm so incredibly honored but I don't understand. Why me?"

"Because from the first moment we met I felt connected to you and you are my best friend and I trust you with all my heart", Kara said simply.

"Kara…", Lena stammered and Kara said, taking Lena's hand, "If you don't want to, that's ok. The ritual can be done on way only and you can take time to do it or never do it at all. I… I just want you to know how I feel and all I'm asking is for you to accept my gift.

Yet again, Lena was lost for words.

"You misunderstand, Kara", she said, feeling braver. "I would want nothing more than to do this with you because I care about you so very much and you are my best friend and mean more to me than I could ever say. But…", she trailed off.

"But what?" Kara prompted, giving Lena's hand a squeeze.

"But I am a Luthor", Lena mumbled sadly, "and although I'm related to them by blood, I'm afraid of this darkness that's lived inside me for so long. I'm afraid I will hurt you or your family or anyone else and…"

"Lena, stop", Kara said, lifting the hand grasping the pendant. "I understand but to me and to OUR family you are just Lena. You are good and kind and loving and so many other things. I and everyone in there", Kara motioned at the living room through the window, "loves and trusts you with their lives."

For what felt like the hundredth time this night, Lena was crying again.

"Your heart is beating fast again", Kara observed.

Lena smiled through her tears, "Of course it is, silly – after everything you just told me?"

She was silent for a while and Kara just listened to her heartbeat.

"I trust you with all my heart too, Kara, and if you are sure, I'd be more than honored to be your 'Kamati', Lena finally whispered.

Kara beamed, "You will? I don't want to force you into this. Like I said, it also works one way so…"

"Kara, stop rambling", she smiled. "I am absolutely sure!"

If possible, Kara smiled even brighter than before, "Well, should we start then?"

To be continued…