All versions of Kara try to find answers as to what happened, and Alex proves that she will always be a protective and caring older sibling, no matter what version of her sister walks into her life.

The future reveals some...interesting developments.

-Year 2020-

Kara Danvers, - from the future-, if technicalities were taken into consideration, was pacing through her old flat. Her sight was focused, her breathing steady, and her mind wasn't racing. She was calm while in the eye of the storm; many years of experience had shaped her up to have a cold head when faced with situations like this.

"Alright, Mxy. I need to know what brought me here," she said after thinking it through, "so you will have to show me."

"What? Whoa, whoa, hey, this is above my pay rate!" He raised his hands up in surrender, "Messing with time is not my expertise."

"Well, you were pretty willing to help me change my past!" She pointed at the screen.

"Yes, past! Something that occurred and we know how it played out, the future is a whole other thing! I can't take a glance there!"

"Hey, as I see it, in this version of the timeline, I haven't let you out the hook yet. If you want the authority's pardon, you still need to help me out."

Mxy was mighty impressed, "I never color you to be someone that knew how to pull the strings."

"Well, I've been around the right crowd." She retorted, her hands on her hips in her usual pose, "Believe it or not, you are part of that history."

"Sha-la-la-la! No, I don't want to hear it! I don't want to know the future! It's too risky to meddle with what hasn't come to happen!" he insisted.

"You won't!" She explained, "Look at it this way, I'm taking a look into my past, into something that already happened to me. I'm not asking you to take me to the scene, I just need to be a spectator. Show me the events before I appeared here, and I'll call it even. You would have righted your wrong." She said, raising her brow, "What do you say?"

"Oh dear," he ran a hand down his head, looking at the steely look the girl was giving him. She was so determined and scarily confident he felt as though she was using her heat vision on him. "Fine! Fine, okay, I'll do it!" he snapped his fingers, changing the channel of the vintage TV, ready to unveil her inquiry when the door swung open and Alex and J'onn walked in laughing among themselves.

The sight of familiar faces managed to soothe Kara. Even if it was not her proper timeline, they were her moral support, her rock.

"I'll admit, I wouldn't mind if your friend tagged along more often!" Alex said, looking up to find both standing there, "And apparently he is still here." She said, then looking back at Kara, noticing the little differences, "Huh, nice suit, sis. Is it part of the whole fixing your friendship with Lena or-?" Alex cut herself short as J'onn laid a hand over her shoulder, looking at Kara with intense attention.

"Who are you?" He asked, his voice low and severe.

"What are you talking about?" Alex turned to him.

Kara just smiled broadly, huffing to herself, "Of course you'd notice my psyche-age." She walked closer, "Read my mind, J'onn."

The Martian didn't need to be told twice. He took his alien form, using his powers with violent apprehension, only to find this version of Kara knew how to share emotions telepathically, opening and closing the doors of her mind's corridor to keep the sensitive information well hidden, avoiding revealing too many details of the future.

"Kara?" He asked aback, his eyes wide in shock.

"Of course, it's Kara, who else did you expect?" Alex demanded, sensing she wasn't in the loop of something far more important.

"I have a lot to explain, don't I Dad?" Kara pursed her lips to one side.

"Dad?" Alex repeated, turning to Kara, finally taking in her face up close. She even looked slightly taller if that was even a possibility, "Kara…what's going on?"

"Short version, I'm from the future." She explained as if though talking about the weather.

Alex's vain popped up in her forehead as she angrily turned to the magical imp, charging against him, "You better fix whatever you did if you don't want to end up in-"

"It wasn't me! I swear!" he jumped in to say, already covering his face.

"It really wasn't." Kara walked up to her sister, stepping between both. Somehow, Alex felt small when faced with the emblem on her suit. Kara's usually fidgeting energy was morphed into this aura of maturity.

"Then what happened?" Alex demanded, her tone cold, her eyes worried.

"That's what we are about to figure out." Kara answered turning to Mxy, "Show us."

"To all of you?" he asked, "That's bending a bit the rules of looking to your past, slash, their future."

"They deserve to know, and I'll need all the help I can get. Besides, not much will be revealed from my location."

Mxy grimaced, "If you say so." He snapped his fingers and the scene unfolded.

There was Kara, arm tugged around Alex as both talked while watching their family wrap up the mission at the warehouse.

"There we are…" Alex mumbled, seeing her older self. Her suit was slightly different, far more advanced armor-wise, "And there's Nia and you, J'onn."

He just nodded in acknowledgment, seeing the image play itself.

"Who are they?" Alex pointed at the two other figures in hero costumes. Little did she know that was her future family, Kelly as Guardian, and their adopted daughter, "That girl looks really young."

Kara offered a tender smile, "You'll meet them soon enough."

"So! Should we go for some dumplings to celebrate?!" Nia exclaimed in the video and Kara had to pull her cape up to cover the image for a moment. Alex didn't know yet that Kelly would take over Jimmy's mantel, so she couldn't see her future self-kissing her, "Sorry, these spoilers you can't see."

"What? Why? Something happens?" Alex's eyes were far too curious, far too invested.

"I don't want to spoil your fun," Kara replied, taking the cape down after making sure she wouldn't overhear Esme calling her aunt, "Okay, this is about the time everything becomes a blur for me," she turned to look closely at the screen. They saw the alien blast his powers and Esme jumping in the middle, then a white flash happened, and the alien disappeared a fraction of a second leaving behind a much younger version of himself in his place followed by a blinding white flash. The next thing Kara sees is Mxyzptlk and her old apartment.

"And that takes me to right about half an hour ago." Kara sighed, "So whatever that alien did is what brought me here. I was hoping it was something else."

"It was," J'onn corrected, "when the girl interfered, the alien's powers backfired. He was also the prey of whatever happened to you." He explained, "He was displaced as well."

"Displaced? What do you mean displaced?" Alex asked.

"This is no time travel. Kara was thrown into this time and space and judging by what we can see of the alien, if he was switched with a younger version, then our Kara was thrown to fill the missing space, too. So there would be at least a version of herself in the time continuum."

"So, you mean to say our Kara is stuck in the future?!" Alex snapped.

"That's a likely conclusion."

"We have to bring her back!" Alex urged, the thought of being unable to protect her baby sister unnerved her beyond compare.

"I'm sure my team will be working on the logistics of that, they have the rough alien on their timeline and probably in their custody. I have no doubt they'll reach this same conclusion and will work a way to get to me." The older version of Supergirl said levelheaded, "What is really concerning right now is that if this is not time travel, that means that I am writing over my already existing past." She explained, "When I jump back, this won't be reset, I'll just appear a week later, or a month later, or however long I stay here. And this version of Kara will do the same, she'll just pop back and have to deal with whatever actions I take on this period. What I'm living right now will stay as part of my history, isn't that right?" she turned to J'onn, who nodded solemnly.

"Luckily for us, since you are the one that created the paradox, it means that whatever our Kara does in your time won't affect you, since it simply hasn't happened. In your time you are just missing, not replaced."

"That's true," she exhaled, relaxing her shoulders a bit, "I know everything that will happen in the next few weeks, so that gives me an advantage. I can play the part, be this time period's Supergirl until I can swap back. Then, all you must do is tell your Kara all the choices I've made. I don't believe this displacement will last very long."

"So, what?" Alex challenged, "All we are going to do is wait around and keep on carrying with our lives as if nothing really happened?"

Kara turned to her, keeping her cool, "That's exactly right. The least changes I make, the better of the timeline will be."

"You can't seriously ask me to do that, Kar." Alex stood in front of her, "Not when it's about you. The younger version of you. My little sister."

"That's why I'm so calm about it. Because no matter in which part of my life she lands, she'll always have you."

Alex's eyes reflected her surprise, especially when she realized how heartedly Kara meant it. Even after so many years, Supergirl, -the youngest Danvers-, still saw Alex as her personal hero. So, the oldest sibling let go of her anger and fear and unclenched her fists, nodding once in understanding. There was no point in arguing against this Kara, she was not her enemy, just a victim of fate. She wasn't at fault for taking her version of Kara away.

"Okay…so what now?" she asked softly.

Kara smiled in gratitude for her acceptance of the plan and turned to Mxy, "You have paid your debt in full, twice in my perspective. Thanks for your help, old friend." She handed him the device that had been left on the couch, luckily for the fifth-dimensional being.

"Friend?" he repeated in equal parts disbelief and illusion, "Well, maybe the future won't be so bad after all."

"I'll see you again," Kara smirked and released him of his duty now that she had everything she needed to guide her back to her time. The magical imp dissipated, taking with him all the things he had created, but a VHS with a piece of tape "The one where Lena….". She couldn't digest the idea of reading it, of having to watch it.

"There's…something I have to do tonight," Kara explained with a deeply pained expression on her face, "I'll be back soon, but you can head home. Originally, we had dinner together, but judging by the time, it's probably best if I go make sure this part of the timeline is untouched."

"Are you going to be okay?" Alex asked when she noticed Kara's sudden shift. How her stoic façade began to crack with emotion.

"Yeah…it's just…not what I thought I would be doing tonight, of all dates." She chuckled dryly to herself, a humorless laugh that left a sour taste on her tongue, "I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Okay…if you need anything, call me." Alex asked and Kara knew right then and there, no matter what, Alex would always be her older sister, regardless of age.

"Thanks, sis." She said genuinely, "I'll see you soon." She changed into her former uniform and flew outside the flat, being faced by the bitter chill. She knew exactly where she should go, but couldn't bring herself to do it. Not like this, "Why today?!" she stopped mid-flight, unable to fight off the tears any longer as they rolled out angrily, pressing warmly over her cold cheeks. She hated it. Hated it. "Of all the times, of all the possibilities, why today?!" she sobbed, trying to catch her breath. She hadn't felt that desperation in a long while, probably right about this same time in her life. But this time around, she couldn't tell anyone about it. Not if it meant risking so much.

She had to face Lena and tell her something raw but necessary in a way. This moment did shift something in the Luthor in the past, so it had to be done.

Kara harshly wiped the tears away and pulled herself together, "I'm sorry." She said to no one, perhaps talking to a memory. She gazed into the penthouse's direction, but before going there, she flew past the barrier of sound just to grab one little thing. A promise. A small gesture that was not going to mean much at all. It really wasn't going to mean anything, not yet, anyway. So Kara hoped it would be a detail innocent enough to be done without upsetting the timeline. And just like that, she flew into the Luthor's balcony, hand on hips, chin up.

Lena turned to her already pouring her tea, she had made it slightly later than the original timeline, but it was still a forgivable sin. What Kara couldn't handle was the way Lena's face morphed from surprise to abhorrence at the sight of her presence. She leaned into the counter wearing her red sweater and tilted he head to a side, "Let me guess?" she started and the words pierced through Kara's brain like kryptonite bullets, "You are here to tell me once again that I should forgive you?" She walked around the kitchen's island, moving through the room with an air of disdain.

Kara had to cut her short, knowing that if she didn't speak up soon, then she wouldn't do it at all, "Not this time," she gazed away, unable to meet her eyes. Each word felt like needles on her tongue. She closed her eyes and recited word by word what she had said before, feeling the irony of saying "the past is the past and I can't change it" as she knew that was yet another lie, she was saying to her face.

And then, came the unforgiving question from Lena's lips "Then why are you here?"

Kara pressed her fists tightly until her knuckles turned white and said what Lena needed to hear to make sure the timeline was preserved, that she would be willing to help her if she decided to forgive her, but also to let her know her choices would bring consequences, "…Like I would any other villain." She swallowed the knot on her throat as she backed away, but found herself unable to fly out the balcony. She couldn't leave it like this, not again. She turned over her shoulder and walked back, leaving a small white flower.

"What's this?" Lena asked, folding her arms defensively, "Is it supposed to sway my decision?"

"No. As I said, it's yours to make," she shook sadly, finally looking at her mesmerizing emeralds, "It's a lily-of-the-valley." She explained with little voice, not missing the way Lena's heartbeat altered at the mention.

"Wh-why would you give me this?" she asked accusingly, looking at her differently from before. Crossed, yes, but also…vulnerable.

"Because tonight I was supposed to," Kara whispered weakly, shaking her head defeated, "you wouldn't understand," she turned around, "not yet, anyway." She mumbled to herself as she soared away, leaving behind a part of her broken heart, just as she had the first time.

-Year 2016-

Alex Danvers, a diligent DEO agent that had seen weird and bizarre in the eye as part of her daily routine, had a hard time coming to terms with what her sister was saying.

"So…you come from the future?" she asked slowly.

"Yeah, about four years from now," she nodded as they strolled through the park, walking among fallen leaves that were being swayed by the wind. "I was in the middle of solving something with this interdimensional being of mischief and magic when I suddenly appeared here." She explained, "My best guess is that he somehow messed this up and got me stranded. I left the controller back at my apartment, so I can't call him to come to get me out of this timeline. And until I'm confident this won't become permanent; I shouldn't change it too much, but I'm sure we'll just jump out of it and leave it untouched." She shrugged her shoulders.

"And why were you messing with the past?" Alex pressed, arching a brow.

Kara shoved her hands inside her light brown coat, looking up at the treetops, letting the air play with her hair, "I was…trying to fix something I broke."

"What? Like did you punch the ground so hard you broke the Earth in two?" Alex questioned, "Or was it the moon?"

Kara chuckled dryly, "No, nothing of the sort it was… regarding someone. A friendship I broke."

Alex whistled, "Must have been one hell of a friendship if you were willing to get a magical do-over."

Kara forced a smile, "Yeah. But I don't think it's going to work in the end," she admitted, "I visited so many alternative scenarios, and no matter what…there were always consequences for my actions. For the things I did, I said and even more so for the ones I didn't…it's just… it feels like I can't win, no matter what I do."

"Well, that's what decisions will always carry with them," Alex said, "responsibility for your own actions." She explained. "There's no way around that, Kar." Alex said, "And for a friendship to break, there has to be two parts of the party. From what you tell me, you've owned up to your end, so maybe stop fighting yourself over your decision and stick to the outcome. I'm sure that if it meant something to the other person, they'll be able to overcome your fallout, otherwise, grow from this experience and keep moving forward."

Kara eyed her with curiosity, "That's…surprisingly good advice."

"Come on, don't act so surprised," Alex chuckled a bit awkwardly, "I give you advise all the time, don't tell me it's the first time you actually think it's useful."

Kara laughed heartedly, "No, I'm sorry, it's just…I was expecting your perspective on this issue to be very different. If you knew who I'm talking about, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be even considering a reconciliation."

"It's not Maxwell, is it?"

Kara burster out laughing, "No, Rao! No!"

"Then, whomever they are, I'm cool with it. If they mean so much to you that you were willing to do this whole time-travel thing, then they must be worth it."

Kara smiled sweetly at her. Truth be told, the Kryptonian had resented Alex a bit in the past for the way she judged Lena so harshly at the beginning, but right now, even if unknowingly, her sister was saying all the things Kara had wished she would from the very start, "Thanks, Alex."

"So? What are you going to do now?"

Kara sighed, "Well, I know for a fact that Mr. Mxyzptlk will make an appearance in a week or so, trying to woo me by endangering a lot of people, because that's the egocentric and self-absorbed kind of person he used to be," she rolled her eyes, "So when he does show up, I'll demand him to get me out of here."

"And…what if it doesn't happen?" Alex asked, "What if he refuses? Or if he doesn't show up?"

Kara stopped dead on her track. She hadn't considered that possibility at all, "I'm…I'm not sure." She admitted.

"Well, we'll cross that bridge when the time comes." Alex said reassuringly, "Together." She added and Kara all but melted into her side.

"Thanks, sis." She closed her eyes, savoring the little moment of normality.

-Year 2028-

Kara Danvers gazed into what the future was like. To think just hours ago she was back at her own time, her own home, her own family… And now, the only truly familiar face was the one of her sister, who looked radically different from how she used to. Alex had always had an edge to her, a boldness and adamant resolve that made it clear she was the one in charge. It was odd but also nice to see the outside finally matching her inner spark.

"So…what you are saying is that this is not an alternate Earth?" Kara asked cautiously, "But my Earth twelve years into the future?"

"Yeah," Alex nodded as the two of them walked into the partially empty Tower, since Nia had gone to report everything to Brainy and Kelly had headed home to make sure Esme was dealing with the news alright, especially since she felt responsible for the whole ordeal, "We were facing an alien, we believe he is responsible for this mess," she waved a hand, "Brainy is currently trying to get some answers out of him. We'll probably have more luck tomorrow when J'onn interrogates him with a bit of mind-reading."

"J'onn is here?" Kara asked with such relief.

"Yes. Well, not right here- here. He offered to look after Esme while we searched for you."

"Esme?" Kara frowned in confusion.

"I've said too much," Alex offered an apologetic smile, "let's just say she's part of the team."

"So, there's no longer a DEO but we still operate with different allies?"

"Allies is…not quite the word," Alex said softly. Family was, but it was far too soon to say that.

"Well, um, where's Winn? And James?" Heck, where was Mon-el?

"Those are complicated questions to answer," Alex deflected.

"Are they-? Did they-?" Kara couldn't dare say it out loud and her eyes showed just how much the idea made her stomach turn in nauseous knots.

"They are fine!" Alex rushed to say, "They are safe and sound, they simply aren't part of our team. Let's say they found their own."

The answer carried enough truth in it to be soothing, and Kara exhaled, clearly letting go of the tension on her shoulders, "Okay." She nodded.

Alex smiled sympathetically, "I think it's been too much for one day." She gently squished her shoulder, unaware that there was still one more person the young Kryptonian would have to face, as the doors swung open and a figure raced in.

"Kara! Thank Rao you are okay!" Lena Luthor rushed to meet her but stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed the way the girl of steel was looking at her. There was confusion, doubt, and even…fear showing.

"Lena?" she eyed her as if trying to make sure the face matched the name. When there was absolutely no doubt about her identity, she turned to her sister, "She-she knows my identity?"

The hurt that flashed through the Luthor's eyes was one that pained Alex to her very core.

"She does, Kar," Alex mumbled before walking to the CEO's side, reaching for her arm to give it a gentle squish.

"She's from the past, Lee." The oldest Danvers explained softly, "By my calculations…she barely met you a few months ago."

By the way Lena recoiled, Alex might as well have punched her in the gut, that would have been far more bearable, "I-I understand," she said through a faint thread of voice.

"I'm sorry," Alex mumbled heartedly, and Kara was able to hear their exchange with her super-hearing. She couldn't understand what was transpiring between them, but she could tell it was really important for her sister to be that tactful and vulnerable, to Lena, of all people. She didn't recall her sister being this sympathetic or even friendly towards the woman. Kara even dared to say Alex mistrusted the youngest Luthor almost as much as she did Lex…so what had changed during those twelve years for them to be so close?

"It's okay, we'll bring her back, right?" Lena offered a watery smile, "It's what we always do."

Alex nodded, smirking sadly at Lena's attempt to put on a brave face for the sake of the mission, "Yes. We'll get her home to- to us," Alex amended, probably realizing Kara could hear them. She cleared her throat and turned around to the young hero, "I think for tonight it's best if we get some sleep."

Kara fidgeted, "Um, where do I live now?" she asked and the question caught both women aback, "Because, I went to my apartment and…it was no longer mine."

"R-right," Alex stumbled through the words, "I-I guess you could come to my house and stay with us-"

"Us?" Kara repeated and Alex winced realizing the slip of tongue, "Are you…are you living with someone?" By the way Alex's heartbeat speeded up and by how she instinctively reached to touch a ring on her left hand, Kara could deduce it was already something far more intimate. Alex was married. "Not the right time for me to meet them?" Kara pursed her lips to one side, knowing that staying with her sister was no longer an option, "Can I go to J'onn's?"

"Kind of…the same problem," Alex said guiltily. She wasn't too sure if this Kara had already met M'gann or even knew who she was, let alone how important she would become to the Martian Manhunter.

"She can come with me," the Luthor spoke up, raising her chin as she often did when trying to overcome her own demons while faced with the ones created by circumstances. If Kara wasn't mistaken, she even saw her chin quiver and her lower lip tremble a bit, "I still live in the same apartment as before, although I'm not sure you've ever been there."

Kara shook her head no, "I-I know your office at L-Corp," she offered, "We had lunch together." She added and seeing Lena smile so fondly at the memory evoked a kind warmth inside her chest.

"Are-are you sure?" Alex turned to Lena, "I can stay in the Tower with Kar tonight."

"You are needed at home," Lena countered with equal softness. The Luthor had seen the distressed state in which Esme had returned to the Tower after Kara's disappearance. The teen had all but broken down in tears, apologizing profusely and begging for forgiveness, as though she had somehow killed Supergirl. Ultimately, she had cried herself to sleep on the couch on Lena's lap as J'onn stood beside her, providing wise words and tender caresses on her hair.

"If you need anything," Alex insisted and Lena nodded, she knew perfectly well Alex would always be there for her, "Kara… is it alright if you do go with Lena tonight?" she asked the alien, "At least...until we can make some arrangments?"

Kara had known Lena for very little, but apparently in the future not only did she know her identity, but her sister also trusted her enough to be willing to consider letting her alone with her. If Alex trusted her so fully, then Kara didn't have anything to fear, "Yes."

The ride to the CEO's apartment was uncannily quiet. Kara would have rather flown through the night sky, but there were some concerns about her safety. So she kept on looking outside the window. To National City. The place, she had self-appointed to protect. The city she prided herself on knowing back and forward was now a knot she couldn't untangle.

"It's all the same but...I can just tell it's no longer there," Kara mumbled when the outside world became too much, "Does that even make sense?" she asked in disbelief, shaking her head, unaware of the way Lena turned to look at her, with such a deep emptiness in her eyes.

"It does," she mumbled back, redirecting her sight to the road, even though the car was driving itself it was far better to keep her gaze elsewhere, "we are about to arrive." She announced instead and Kara peeked a glance to the tall building.

They reached the top floor and Lena did the honors of unlocking the door with her bio-metric reading to then be greeted by a digital voice, "Welcome home. "

"Thanks, Halo" Lena answered the AI, "Please activate all the cloaking devices and jam any signals that are not originated from the Tower."

"Right away."

"Also, do you mind turning off your inquiry systems for the time being, please?"

"As you wish," the light of the house changed slightly.

"What was that?" Kara asked awestruck, "That's way too smart for a house."

"It's a program I developed, she helps me with the security system and it is an incredible assistant." Lena explained, "She's also connected to the web and can access any information available, that's why I had to ask her to turn off that system, so in case you ask something she won't immediately answer, just you in case it's about sensible information on current events."

Kara nodded, "Smart thinking," she admitted, looking around the elegant place, "Your house is really nice,"

"Make yourself at home," Lena offered, unaware of how painful saying that felt.

The Kryptonian walked around the flat, seeing an arrangement of sunflowers by the counter. She was immediately drawn towards them as her smile brightened the place. "I didn't picture you for someone that like these," she mentioned.

Lena smiled softly, "They are not for me," she replied without elaborating further, "Well, you must be ravenous, you can rest after we've fixed that."

Kara smirked bashfully, rubbing her stomach, "Yeah, I think I could eat."

Lena chuckled, "Come on, darling. Let's see what's on the fridge. I highly doubt we can order takeaway at this hour."

Kara giggled and followed her to the kitchen, finding it to be a little bit messy, as many ingredients over the counter. But what really caught her attention was the scent of it, "Something smells phenomenal."Kara commented, perhaps too hungry to mind not being so nosy, but food was unarguably one of her greatest weaknesses.

Lena opened the oven to find a tray of homemade lasagna, "I guess this must be it," she pulled it out, "I'm sorry to say it will take half an hour to cook, though."

"I could use my heat vision," Kara offered innocently enough and a watery chuckle escaped Lena's lips.

"Of course, only you'd think of that," she set it over the bar letting Kara eagerly help prepare the final part of the meal.

The Luthor took the tray to the next room as both found the table to be set with candles and flowers waiting next to a bottle of wine and two glasses. If Kara hadn't been so shocked to see that table arrangement, she would have noticed that Lena was equally surprised by it.

"Oh, I'm...I'm sorry, I didn't know- You were expecting someone?"

"You...could say that..."

"I'm so sorry I'm intruding, you could have told Alex about it! I would have been fine staying at the-the Tower?"

Lena took a deep breath and walked into the scene that seemed frozen in time, "It's okay, Kara. My plans...fall through." She sat on one end of the table, "Please, join me."

Kara awkwardly took a seat on the opposite side, looking rather small. They began eating in silence and while they would exchange sudden glances and polite smiles, both tended to avoid the other's gaze.

After Kara finished her plate, she fumbled with her hands, as if trying to decide carefully what to do next. When Lena caught sight of that, she chuckled and pushed the lasagna closer to her, "Don't be shy, I know fully well how much you can eat, no need for fake modesty."

Kara's face positively brightened at the offer, as she served herself a bigger portion, smiling giddily as she shoved a bite into her mouth. Lena laughed at how much she resembled a hamster and extended her a napkin before she could even ask for one, "Here you go, dear."

"Thanks," she took it to clean herself before genuinely smiling at the older woman. "Thank you, by the way." Kara found herself saying, "You took me in and are being so nice to me when I barely even know you."

"You don't know me yet, but I know you fairly well, Kara Zor-El," Lena said affectionately and the alien felt her heart racing at the mention of her Kryptonian given name.

"You know about that?" She asked, "About the House of El?"

"Yes, you told me all about it," Lena's features softened as she took a trip down memory lane, "About your home planet, about Kal and Krypton..."

Kara smiled cautiously, looking down at her plate. She couldn't quite picture herself telling Lena all of that. She had barely met the CEO and although she had immediately sympathized with her desire to step outside her family's shadow, she hadn't imagined she would become someone that would be through so much of her life. Someone that would still be her friend twelve years later, "Is it alright if I ask...? When did...when did I tell you my secret?"

Lena's face rapidly fell, as she avoided her gaze, "I'm sorry, that subject falls under restricted topics for the time being."

"R-right, yeah, sorry for asking." she shrugged in her seat, feeling somehow guilty of taking away the sparkle of joy that previously had been in Lena's eyes, "Well...whenever it was, I'm...I'm glad I did." Kara said earnestly, "I mean, as confusing and different as things are, it's...it's nice to see familiar faces and...I'm glad yours is one among them. I'm happy you are on our team."

Lena grabbed her glass of wine, raising it up for a toast, "Always," she said heartedly and Kara found herself finally being able to let her guard down.

After dinner was done, Kara insisted on doing the dishes while Lena slipped into her room to find her a change of clothes for the night, so the girl of steel could finally take the boots and cape off and be able to get some much-needed rest.

Lena locked the bedroom door behind her and made her way to the closet, pulling out some comfortable pajamas that would fit Kara. But as she turned to deliver them, she noticed something lying over her pillow. She approached the bed and picked up a single lily-of-the-valley and the handwritten note that was laced to it. Lena opened it, being greeted by the two words she had yearned to hear the most that day, but that now were a hollow and bitter reminder...

"Happy Anniversary:

"To the woman that is both my sun and my moon, for you, I would go to the end of the universe and back, but since I don't want to be apart, I've decided to go pick your favorite flower instead. I love you, my dearest as I always have, as I always will. El Mayarah.

-Kara."

Her teardrops landed on the paper as she hugged that piece of her Kara to her chest. Her wife was missing and the younger version that was left in her place hardly knew who she was. On this, their first wedding anniversary, Lena would sleep alone on an empty, cold bed. And this Kara would rest in the guest's room next door, unaware of just how much she meant to the Luthor.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading, let's see where this story goes as we discover this journey together!