Lena walked up to the podium, her face a mask of professional stoicism. She hated press conferences. No matter how many she did one, she never got fully used to addressing a crowd of reporters. And she especially hated press conferences after yet another assassination attempt. If she'd been announcing the launch of a new product, maybe then she could stomach it. But this...It was like she was only up here to show the world she hadn't yet bit the dust. She cleared her throat, bringing the crowd to attention.

"Yesterday, the L-Corp jet experienced engine trouble shortly after taking off from National City airport. The engine in question has been examined and been found to have been tampered with. All those on board are safe and L-Corp's entire Board of Directors will be working with the National City authorities in their inquiry into the event."

Lena looked out over the crowd and felt her heart stop. The familiar sight of bright blonde hair and black glasses leapt out at her. Kara. She was here. She was actually here at this press conference. Lena felt like she couldn't breathe. In and out, she coached herself as she locked eyes with the blonde.

"Ms. Luthor," a reporter raised his hand and for a moment, Lena just stood there, frozen. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat.

"Uh, yes," she nodded at him to continue.

"What can you say about Supergirl's involvement in the incident?"

Lena's throat was impossibly dry. Her eyes found Kara's again and she blew out a shaky breath before speaking. "Yesterday, we were very fortunate that Supergirl was there to help us in our hour of need. As usual, I am indebted to our city's hero. I truly don't want to think about what would have happened if she had not been there. National City is lucky to have her back." She looked into Kara's eyes, willing her to believe the earnestness of her words. Kara looked away, her eyes shifting down.

Trying to swallow her disappointment, Lena continued to answer the reporters' questions. After a few minutes, she ended the press conference. She walked off the stage, bypassing her security guards and walking out into the crowd. Up ahead, a blonde head was bobbing in the crowd, moving towards the exit.

"Kara!" Lena yelled, cursing how ridiculous she must look.

Kara turned around, her surprise evident on her face. She stood there, rooted to the spot, as Lena pushed through the crowd. She drew up level to the other woman, faltering slightly. Now that she was here, she didn't know what to say.

"Are you back at CatCo?" It was the first thing Lena could think of. God, say something else, she thought. Tell her you're glad she's back.

Kara adjusted her glasses and looked down at the notebook in her hands. "Um, yes, I started back a week ago."

"A week ago?" Lena said in surprise. "Wow, I didn't realize you'd been back in National City before yesterday."

"Yes...I've been getting settled after moving back." She tugged on her sleeves absentmindedly, finally bringing her gaze up to meet Lena's. "Um, did you need something or…"

"Yes," Lena blurted out, her mind working furiously to come up with some reason she was standing in front of the other woman. "I...was wondering if CatCo wanted an interview. After the plane incident, that is."

Kara looked uneasy. She looked like she wanted to turn Lena down, to get as far away from this conversation as possible. Lena held her breath, hoping to the heavens the other woman would agree.

"Um, sure...yes, that would be good." Kara sounded so stiff, so uncertain. Lena felt her heart clench at the discomfort on Kara's face.

"Great," she said, plastering on a smile. "Would you like to join me in my office then?"

Kara assented and the two women made their way through the lobby of the building. The elevator ride was the most awkward one of Lena's life. Neither woman said anything as they rose up through the floors of L-Corp. By the time they got to Lena's office, Lena felt as if she might burst from the tension.

Somehow, she managed to keep her emotions in check as she led Kara into her office and settled behind her desk.

"Do you want anything to drink or…" She stood up abruptly, moving toward the drink cabinet at the side of the room.

"No," Kara said, adjusting her glasses. "I'm fine. Thank you for offering, though."

"Of course," Lena said, moving back to her desk. All of a sudden, she was overcome with nerves. She shifted papers around the desk, not meeting Kara's gaze. She took a deep breath in to steady herself before looking up. She was met with bright blue eyes filled with concern.

"Are you okay?" Kara asked softly. Lena's heart almost broke at her words. After all this time, after all she'd done, Kara was still concerned about her. She didn't deserve such selfless concern. She didn't deserve this angel sitting in front of her.

"I'm fine." Her voice broke and she coughed to clear her throat. "I'm fine, thanks. Just a little bit nervous, I guess." The admission felt heavy.

"Ah." Kara didn't say anything else for a moment. "How are you doing? After yesterday?"

"I'm okay," Lena said. Then her manners kicked in and she was momentarily horrified that she hadn't said it yet. "Oh my god, thank you, by the way. Thank you for saving me - all of us. I...you were so...and yesterday I wanted to say it, but you were gone before I got the chance to."

"You're welcome," Kara said quietly. "I guess I chose a good time to come back," she chuckled softly.

"You could say that," Lena said, smiling tentatively. She wanted to reach out, to touch Kara's hand where it lay on her lap. She wanted to pull the other woman into a hug, to embrace her, to thank her and apologize and fall apart. But she didn't.

"So, how is L-Corp working with the authorities to investigate the source of the attack?" Kara asked, opening her notebook.

Lena was somewhat surprised at Kara's business-like tone. But this was an interview, after all. That was why she'd invited Kara up to her office. As much as she'd like it to be for a different reason.

The two women talked in this professional capacity for a few minutes, Kara asking for more details on how Lena felt during the attack and asking about Lena's theories on who might be behind it. Lena did her best to focus, to answer the questions rather than blurt out what she wanted to say.

She was just building up her courage to apologize to Kara, to tell her...everything, all about how much she missed her and how she had looked for her, when the interview ended rather abruptly.

"That should cover all of the questions I have," Kara said, standing from her chair. She looked like she wanted to reach out to shake Lena's hand, but she kept both arms planted firmly at her sides. "Thank you for your time, Ms. Luthor."

And, God, that hurt. Lena felt like she'd just been stabbed in the chest. Her heart ached at Kara's distance, at the cold, professional way she was addressing her.

"Kara, I…"

"It was good to see you, Lena," Kara said, softening somewhat. Then she turned and walked to the door.

Lena just stood there, unable to move or speak. What the hell just happened? She'd had the perfect opportunity to finally talk to Kara after two whole years of missing her and she'd let the other woman walk out before she could say anything.

All of a sudden, her legs were moving, almost of their own volition. She ran to the door and out into the hallway.

"Kara, wait!" she yelled as the elevator doors were closing. A hand reached out to stop them as Lena drew level. "I…"

Kara looked at her expectantly. "Yes?"

"I...can you stay for a moment longer? There's something I want to tell you."

Kara looked away. "I'm sorry, Lena. I really should be going."

"Wait, please. I-"

"I have to get back to CatCo for a meeting. Thank you for the interview. It was very kind of you." With that, Kara withdrew her hand from the elevator doors and let them slide shut.

Lena just stood there, feeling like she'd freshly shattered into a million pieces.