Author's Note: I hope you are ready for this next (long!) chapter and for tomorrow's episode! I'll be out of town, but I'll make sure to look up any important developments as we come near to the end of Supergirl.

Displacing the past means very important events haven't transpired, and many confessions come out to light.

-Year 2028-

The Tower looked far more welcoming in the day of light now that Kara really had the opportunity to see it up close and in all its glory. It had a certain…feel to it that simply drew Kara in. Perhaps it had to do with how much more lively it was now that people filled its empty space as though they were the heart of the building itself.

"Kara!" Alex was the first to notice their arrival as she rushed to provide a much-needed hug, "how are you feeling?"

"Better," Kara offered with a small shrug, shielding under the embrace as she felt all the other inquisitive eyes land on her. There was a man she had never seen with bright green skin standing next to the same woman in a blue suit and domino mask that had found her the prior night. The one with a golden helmet was currently looking at her with softness and care, probably wanting to close in to talk to her, but deciding against it.

Everyone was wearing their masks and uniforms and Kara couldn't help but feel that they were doing it purposely so as to avoid revealing their identities to her, although they knew who she was perfectly well. Is that what Lena had felt? Is that why the mention of her reveal seemed to upset her so much last night? Because Kara knew her but when the Luthor looked at her in full uniform she could only have a glimpse of who she really was?

Kara shook off that idea as she awkwardly stood in front of the team. If she really tried, she could simply use her x-ray vision to see their faces, but she highly doubted any of them would be even remotely familiar. And then, two more figures walked in and the morning took a whole other turn.

"Aunt Kara!" A young teen rushed to her arms hugging her tightly as if the Kryptonian was her lifeline, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, it was all my fault!"

Kara felt her body go stiff as the scene in front of her came to full dimensions, "Aunt?" she repeated, immediately looking for her sister's eyes, which showed just the right amount of shock and terseness to embody the word "Crap!" in them.

The girl let go, jolting back, realizing a moment too late what she had done, "I-I'm- I didn't-" luckily for her J'onn came to her rescue, patting her shoulder reassuringly as he stepped in.

"J'onn!" Kara embraced him with all her might, even putting a bit of super-strength into the hug just for the sake of having him a little closer. His heartbeat was that same stable, calmed, and reassuring rhythm that she could rely on whenever trying to find a bit of temperance for herself.

"It's good to see you," He hugged back, holding her with far more affection than what the Martian usually displayed. Apparently, years had softened his heart, but not his will.

He gazed up, looking at the rest of the team, "Could you all give us a moment, please?" J'onn asked all the people Kara couldn't even name yet.

One by one they left the room, all looking over their shoulders to steal a last glance, especially the girl, who was quietly begging the woman with the golden helmet to be part of whatever conversation that was going to happen next.

When only the three of them were in the room, Kara quickly turned to J'onn.

"Did you have any luck with the alien? Am I getting back to my time?" Kara asked immediately. She hadn't even realized how much desperation was filling her until she heard it in her tone.

J'onn put his hand on her shoulder in hopes of appeasing her, "I've made some progress, but we are not sure how to fix this yet. The alien we have in custody changed places with his future self, much like in your case, he was thrown into a time and place unknown to him. His mind is confused and scared. It's hard to navigate through such scrambled thoughts. It's plain to see this occurrence is abnormal for him as well. He usually swapped places with himself in short ranges, no more than a few minutes at a time. When Esm- when one of ours intervened, something shifted, and this was the outcome."

Kara swallowed hard, "How long…do you think it will be before I can…?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted, looking at her sympathetically. It was strange to see his daughter so vulnerable and broken. The thing he hated the most was not being able to do anything about it. "We won't give up," he assured. Then, his sight turned to Alex, a certain urgency in his eyes, "You've come to my same conclusion?" he asked and the redheaded nodded slowly.

"It means that if the alien swapped places, then our Kara is somewhere else as well."

He nodded gravely, "It's likely she was sent back to 2016. I'll be working with Lena and Brainy to try and triangulate a time window in which she could have landed, based on what we can deduce." He turned to Kara, "That means we'll need to see how much you know."

"An interrogation, of sorts," Kara smirked weakly, "If it gets us anywhere nearer to solving this, then, I'm all in." She gazed down, "But…what if in doing so I find out something I shouldn't about the future?"

"I've given it some thought," J'onn admitted, "I can not erase your memories, but I can block them. Hide them away in your subconscious, so when you go back home, this will feel like no more than fragments of a dream. That way we can discuss more freely this before sending you back to take over your life once we bring our Kara back. And I'm confident my version of the past can fill the gap in your mind with what our Kara has been doing so you feel as though those memories belong to you, even if they feel… foreign."

"Memory supplantation?" Alex frowned, folding her arms over her chest, "That sounds…risky."

"Given the circumstances, it's the best I can think of."

Alex sighed, "Hopefully there won't be far too many memories to change. Our Kara knows the past, and I'm sure she will keep the line running smoothly."

J'onn nodded approvingly, "I'll go meet up with Lena and Brainy, meanwhile the two of you can start figuring out a more precise date for us to work on."

"We'll do, Dad," Alex answered, and Kara snapped her head in her direction, completely struck at how she had called him. Alex, however, chuckled loudly at the expression written on her face, "It was a matter of time before we cave in and called him that." She explained mockingly, "He calls us daughters too, just not when in a mission." Alex said with a genuine smile. Having consolidated their family as to call J'onn by such a title felt right. After all, if he was Esme's grandfather, what was he is not Alex's dad as well?

"But right now…he is in a mission," Kara concluded a bit sadly. She couldn't really give herself the chance to let her guard down. Not when they didn't know still how to fix any of this.

"Right," Alex gazed down, fumbling with the ring on her hand, "Hey, um, how did you pass the night? With- with Lena?"

"It was alright." She nodded, "She was really nice to me, and even let me eat the leftovers of the lasagna for breakfast." Kara smirked giddily and Alex chuckled.

"Well, I'm glad. But I feel like I should ask, though. Do you want me to find you other arrangements?"

Kara shrugged awkwardly, "I…do have the impression I was imposing last night," she admitted shyly, "you should have seen her dining room, she was expecting someone, and I think I ruined her plans." She ducked her chin to her chest.

Alex's mouth opened agape, but words just didn't dare to come out to make any sense, "I'm- no, you didn't, well-" she pressed her lips shut, "Let me double-check with her." She said instead, "But I do think you'll be safer with her."

"Yeah, I saw her security system, it was Krypton's level of advanced," Kara commented.

Alex wanted to refute, she wanted to say she would be safe with Lena, not because of the technology surrounding their home, but because of how much the Luthor loved her.

"Well, if she's okay with hosting, are you alright with being at her apartment?" Alex asked in its place, waiting for an instant before Kara nodded.

"Only if she's truly okay with it," Kara emphasized. Truth being, she didn't want to face more change. Lena's apartment was now one of the few things she was getting used to, with far more ease than she expected, so she couldn't bear to lose that feeling by going anywhere else.

Alex nodded back and a silence settled between them. Now came the next part, having to sort out the atemporal mess they had in their hands.

It was clear to see in Kara's eyes the resistance of what had to come next, so her sister was bound to try to level the ground, "Before I have to sit you down to get as much information out of you as I can… I'm…sure you have some questions of your own you'd like to ask me." She concluded carefully.

"Can I?" Kara traced back, "Is it not too dangerous?"

"Well, you've heard J'onn," she circled around the table, to stand next to her as both leaned into the counter, "he will make it all look like some…wacky dream." Kara huffed at that, "So…I guess if I'm going to have to get some answers out of you, it's…only fair you can make some of your own." She smiled tenderly at her, "I hate keeping things from you, Kar, but if I think the information it's too much, then I won't answer." She added. It was a good clause, one that allowed both a bailing chip.

"Okay," Kara turned, pacing around the room, her cape following all her movements. She really didn't need time to think about what she wanted to know, but she couldn't bring herself to ask it while looking at her, "You are married."

Alex tilted her head to a side, "That's doesn't sound like a question," she gazed down at her hands, "you realized it yesterday, didn't you?"

"Well, your heartbeat hasn't changed much, so it's still a good giveaway," Kara stopped walking, "the ring was more than confirmation enough."

Alex chuckled, looking at that little piece of metal with pure affection, "Yeah, I'm married, Kara."

"So…the girl…" she pointed at the door, "the one that called me aunt, she's…she's…"

"Your niece," Alex finished for her, "Yes, she is my kid."

Kara let out a watery chuckle as pure happiness was met with tears of joy, "That's- that's amazing!" she rushed to hug her, "I'm so incredibly happy for you!"

"Thanks, sis," Alex closed her eyes, leaning into her shoulder. It was good to be able to share some good news with her in the midst of how confusing everything else was.

Kara sniffed, letting go to wipe the tears, "So," she smiled softly, "Do I know my future brother-in-law?"

And that fractured the moment, as Alex's eyes widened in shock.

"Sorry! Is that something you can't tell me?" she backtracked, alarmed to see her sister so…out of sorts.

"Wait, Kara," she held a hand up, processing it, "Are you…asking about my husband?"

Kara fidgeted in her place, tangling her fingers together, "Well…yeah?" she answered slowly, "But, I understand if you can't tell me yet!"

"No, Kar, it's not- it's not that," she grabbed her hands squishing them tightly, looking at her eyes before feeling something twist in her insides, "Gosh, now I have a pretty clear idea from which period you come from," she grunted, hanging her head low.

"Alex…?" Kara's eyes were pleading for an explanation, for anything to make sense.

"Kara, I…need to tell you something," she finally said, "Something about me."

Kara gazed at her with all her attention. It was weird when her older sibling wanted to address something about herself. The things the oldest Danvers usually left unsaid had been the cause of many growing resentments and misunderstandings between the two.

"Okay," the Kryptonian said, following Alex to a room with an empty couch.

"Come on, let's seat for a moment." She invited as she took the far end. When Kara settled next to her, looking like a doe facing the headlights, Alex understood Kara had really no clue at all, "Kara, I…found out something crucial about myself right about twelve years ago," she began slowly, she couldn't even fathom the idea that she had to do this twice, "You know…you know Maggie?"

"Your FBI friend, yeah." She nodded, looking at her exactly as Alex remembered it, but the oldest Danvers didn't want this to be the same as that first time, not when so much growth had already overcome her own fears.

"Well… I really liked her. The thought of her in my life made me see that my feelings were beyond those of friendship. Whenever she crossed my mind, my heart pounded in my chest and the thought of holding her in arms to kiss her was…just so overwhelming." She gazed down, she hadn't thought about Maggie in a long while, and although she had been severely heartbroken, Maggie still was an important piece of her own story, "She helped me realize that part of me," she said completely free of her own judgment, "When I began to admit this to myself so much of my past started to make sense, to be contextualized by what I was now understanding about my own feelings. That I was looking for something else in my life."

Kara blinked several times, her face blank as the words sank deep into her thoughts., "So…so you like…?"

"Women, yes." Alex provided, smiling to herself, "Actually, I love just this one, my wife."

Alex never used that word lightly. Love was one of those precious gems Alex kept close to her chest. She would never throw it into a conversation so casually. So, when she said she was in love with her wife, she really meant it to the full extent of the word.

"Woah," Kara exhaled, drinking in the information, "I-I didn't know, I didn't realize you- " she hunched forward, resting her elbows over her knees, "So, is Maggie…?"

"No." Alex didn't have to guess what the question would be, "She was my first girlfriend, but…we wanted different things."

Maggie Sawyers, Kara couldn't picture it, but hearing her sister made her believe it, every single word of it, "So much has changed. Not even you are the same."

…The comment rubbed the wrong way.

"This was always who I was Kara. Who I am." Alex corrected.

"No, I'm-I'm sorry, I just-" Kara felt the tightness in her chest, "nothing is as I know it to be, and everything keeps changing right in front of my eyes! And-and you and J'onn are the only constant pieces of my life and I'm starting to realize I didn't even know you that well."

"It was never about you not knowing me, it wasn't a deception. I didn't even dare to recognize this about myself for years," Alex refuted, perhaps feeling wounded as the words transpired between them, "And I'm not telling you this twelve years too late, I told you back in 2016, so you are basically still hearing this the same time as the original version."

"But it's not you telling me!" Kara tried to explain, feeling frustration building up inside her chest, "It's future you! It's when everything else has already been said and done! My sister! Younger you haven't told me!" she threw her hands to the air, "I'm literally the last person to know in this twisted timeline because she didn't tell me!" her own words ringed horridly on her ears as she heard herself saying them, "Because… she… she couldn't." Kara suddenly fell silent, "Because of what I am doing right now…" her voice broke as she hid her face in her hands, "because I made this about me, and she could never…you never get a chance to be the center of a conversation since there's always a situation revolving around me." She barely dared to partially uncover her face, "And just to prove it, here I am, swapped in time and feeling wounded that I learned this in your future when what I should be asking is…" she swallowed the knot on her throat, keeping the tears from falling, "Are you happy?"

Alex was rendered speechless. It took her a solid moment of seeing into her sister's eyes to actually string the words together, "Yeah…I'm…my wife and I are…happy. Very much so."

"Then that's all that matters," Kara grabbed her hand holding tightly, "You are the one person in this world that deserves her happiness the most, Alex. You are always the one sacrificing everything for everyone else -for me-, and, if whomever your wife is, can bring you that happiness, then I love her dearly for it."

Alex nodded, giving her one of the softest smiles Kara would ever receive, "Thank you, Kar." She embraced her strongly, cuddling her sister against her chest. Sharing that moment meant far more than Alex could put down in words.

"I'm sorry I took away your Alex's opportunity to tell you this," the oldest Danvers added softly, but Kara shook her head.

"This was your moment to share, and…as long as you have that memory, then that's all I care about."

Alex smiled even if she couldn't see it. They would share another memory like this one, somewhere in Kara's future, a few years into Alex's past, where the tables would be turned, "I love you, sis." Alex held her tighter.

"Love you, too." She inhaled the comfort the hug provided, "Never doubt that." They let go, both ushering the tears aside as a comfortable silence took over. Then, Kara smiled at equal parts timidly and hopeful, "So…do you think you can introduce me properly to my niece?" she asked full of illusion, "I promise not to make any questions." she rushed to say, "But, can we?"

Her older sister smiled warmly at her, "I'd love that."

Alex walked them to another room where everyone was gathered, moving like clockwork through the technologically advanced room. There, the young teen was currently being held under Lena's embrace as the Luthor tried to comfort her. It broke Alex's heart to see her daughter feel so responsible for her Aunt's displacement. Alex guessed it made sense Esme needed to be with Lena right now, the guilt of having pulled them apart was tearing her to pieces.

She approached her, "Hey, kiddo?" she called softly, "Can you come here for a moment? There's someone that would like to meet you for the second first time," she added with a tender smile and Esme had to suck in a breath to keep herself from sobbing.

Kara approached tentatively, as the others tried and failed to discreetly observe the interaction. J'onn eyed them carefully, wondering if that would be such a great idea, but he felt Kelly's hand on his shoulder, as if though she had been the one with the ability to read minds.

"Don't worry about it," she mumbled, "by the time Kara does meet Esme she would practically already be her niece."

J'onn sighed, "I guess you are right. I just don't want to have to hide so much of her current memories, I can't be certain of the effects this might have." He explained.

"I think this will be good for her," Kelly countered softly, "For both of them, actually," she added softly. Esme needed to know her aunt was alright, even if she was from another timeline.

"Hi," Kara waved her hand in a small motion as the teen stepped in front of her, "I'm Kara," she scratched the back of her neck, "I mean, you obviously already know that but, um, I wanted to introduce myself," she explained rather awkwardly, "This is so weird, but...It's really nice to meet you."

Esme couldn't bear it any longer and jumped into her arms again, "I'm glad to see you, too." she held her with a strength that matched Kara's own.

The Super was shortly aback before willing her arms to move around the teen to embrace her back, "Thanks for being part of our family, little one."

-Year 2016-

Living, or rather, re-living, these moments of her life were not exactly as thrilling as Kara had expected. Especially since she had to play along. When the parasite alien showed up she had to be drained of her powers, because that event also became a stepping stone for the creation of two new heroes. That was when Mon-el found his courage to fight for something more important than himself and Guardian made his debut. So she styled her bangs back and stood by the sidelines of her own life, letting the events take their course.

One thing she found to be comforting about the whole situation, was that she was no longer entangled in the conflictive emotions she once felt. She knew perfectly well how things between her and Mon-el would turn out to be. The good and the bad. So she was no longer prey to those emotions and that in itself made it feel better. Less complicated, all things considered.

"So?" Alex approached her as they drank at the bar among their friends, "What's on today's agenda?" she asked with a little mischievous smile. Kara made sure no one else was overhearing them, after all, they had agreed to only share the sensitive information among a few selected ones. Unsurprisingly that meant only J'onn and Alex were on the loop of the whole "time travel" ordeal she had gotten herself into.

"Well," Kara took a sip of her beer, "I have to get kidnapped by Cadmus to go save Mon-el from Lillian Luthor."

Alex choked on her drink, spitting it out while coughing violently as the others turned to look over their shoulders at her. Kara gave her a sympathetic pat on the back as she recovered.

"The hell you are! Absolutely not!" Alex's eyes were positively fuming.

"I can't mess too much with the timeline, remember?" Kara smirked, "Besides, I know how everything plays out, and as you can see, I'm still alive!" she offered a well exaggerated and humorless smile. Truth being, that day was going to be undeniably awful. A lot of things were going to happen and most of them were terrifying, to say the least. She purposely didn't mention Jeremiah, because having to see that hope in Alex's eyes be ripped away was far too painful to digest. And she would have to live through it all over again.

"Don't make me put you under house arrest, Kara Danvers," the DEO agent threatened with a serious hint in what was meant to be a light comment to brighten the mood.

"That's actually happening in Thanksgiving," Kara mumbled to herself thinking back on the release of the virus her father had created.

And then, someone else walked into the scene. A face Kara hadn't seen in a really long while. Alex jolted up from her place as if all her special training and impeccable fighting coordination had never existed. She stumbled against the table, almost knocking down the drinks as she forced her brain to string two words together.

"Ma-Maggie, hi."

"Hey," the FBI agent waved back as Alex hastily introduced her to everyone, and finally her eyes landed on Kara, "Ah, the sister. I've heard so much about you from Alex."

"Oh, I know plenty about you as well," Kara's response was harsher than expected. She cleared her throat, forcing a convincing smile, "It's nice to meet you,"

"Likewise," she answered a bit confused by the cold reception before eyeing Alex as if asking for an explanation, but the oldest Danvers couldn't return her gaze. Kara didn't even have to look closely at her sister to notice how completely awkward she felt. As if uncomfortable on her own skin and wanting to crawl out of it. And that's when realization dawned on her as to why Alex was not her usual self...because she hadn't admitted that part of herself to anyone yet.

"Oh, Alex," she mumbled softly, finally understanding that the day of her arrival was meant to be the day Alex finally talked to her...but she had stolen that away from her. And her sister had willingly stayed in silence, focusing on Kara's problems instead. As she always did.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" Maggie asked and Alex nodded curtly as they walked farther away from the table. Kara, however, could still hear them as Maggie leaned in to mumble, "What happened? I thought you were going to talk to her about you?" she asked softly.

"Something...came up," Alex deflected, "I haven't been able to tell her."

And Kara knew, no matter what the hell that day had planned ahead of her, she couldn't let Alex bottle that up any longer.

Kara balanced the two cups of coffee in one hand as she knocked on her sister's door with the other. Not a moment later, Alex opened up, clearly surprised to see her sister there of all places.

"Kara?" she frowned, checking the time, "Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Snapper will have to handle without me today," she replied, being fully aware that the news of Guardian being allegedly a killer, were going to be on the front page, "Large coffee just the way you like it?" she stretched her cup and Alex eyed it suspiciously.

"Thanks," she grabbed it.

"I was thinking...let's go for a walk, what do you say?"

Alex tilted her head, trying to read through her sister's demeanor, "Just a short one, I have to be at the DEO,"

"Of course!" Kara beamed as her sister closed the door behind her, following the Kryptonian to their usual park. They walked in silence, side by side, while Alex kept on throwing questioning glances that were only answered with polite smiles.

"Okay, Kara, what's going on?" the agent finally asked after they had carried that game for a moment too long, "Is this something that was supposed to happen on the original timeline? Because I'm pretty sure I've never seen you this quiet."

Kara smiled softly, fixing her glasses, "Well...it's not my turn to speak. I'm here to listen to you." she offered and by the way her sister paled, she guessed the subject was also on her mind.

Alex stopped dead on her tracks, pressing the coffee cup a tad too tight as her eyes were fixed on the ground, "You-you know?"

Kara turned to her with an affectionate smile, providing no answer.

"Well of course you do! You are from the future, I would have told you. I did tell you, didn't-didn't I?" the unusual expression of uncertainty replaced Alex's ever-present confidence.

Kara simply took a seat on the bench and waited patiently, giving her all her attention.

"This is ridiculous, Kara, just tell me!"

"Tell you what?" she asked back, innocently.

"That you know the way I feel about...the things I've felt... that I'm, that I am -!" she groaned into her hands, "Just say something so this doesn't have to be so scary!"

"Why would it be?"

"Because I'm terrified!" she snapped, turning her sight to the sky, "Because I've come to realize so much later in my life that all the times I've gotten close to someone I always bail because I couldn't bear it...if...if I admitted to myself that all the things I was feeling were real. That this is who I am, that I...want..." Her voice became faint at the last word, "that I want...more than what I already have with...with..."

"Maggie," Kara offered the last push and Alex finally collapsed on the bench next to her, hiding her face into her palms.

"So you do know,"

"I know now,"

"Don't toy with me," she warned but couldn't deliver her usual stern gaze when she found the soft way Kara was gazing at her, "Why have me say it out loud?"

"Because maybe I already heard it, but you needed to say it," she explained softly, "So, I'm here for you, to listen to whatever you need to tell me." Kara shrugged her shoulders lightly, this was not her place to take over Alex's moment.

Alex wiped unshed tears to a side, "Tell you something like what? How I'm always thinking about her? That...that I think I've developed...feelings...romantical feelings for her? Feelings I never knew could be there because I was always afraid to acknowledge them?" her throat close up as she stood up, facing away, "Damn it, Kara." she sniffed quietly. A moment passed, like a heartbeat and her voice finally broke free, "I'm gay." She hugged herself tightly, "And I'm...so scared to let others know about it, to let them down..."

The Kryptonian stood up, gently laying a hand on her back, "Alex, you are the bravest person I know, and seeing you feel less than perfect was one of the hardest things I've done since arriving here. You deserve to live unapologetically. You are and always will be one of the most amazing people I've met. And I'm from the future, so you have to believe me." she added with a cheeky smile.

Alex chuckled, pushing the tears out of her eyes, barely looking over her shoulder at her, "Does...does it work out? In the future I mean. Do Maggie and I...?"

"That's not something I can tell you," Kara said softly, "That's your journey to discover." Alex knew that was true, even if it was not what she wanted to hear, "What I can promise you, is that I will always be there for you, every step of the way."

Alex huffed, smiling at her, "That sounds about right,"

Kara returned the smirk, before daring to add, "You do know I would never be disappointed in you, right?"

Alex shrugged slightly into herself, "You are Supergirl, it's... kind of hard to be up to that standard."

"You will always be my role model, Alex." Kara said heartedly, "I mean it, there are not enough words to make justice to that statement."

Alex wrapped her arms around her, "Love you, too."

Re-living, or rather, living these moments of her life made everything else worth it, in Kara's perspective. The warm feeling of having talked to her sister comforted her enough to even bear the idea of facing what came next. She was not particularly thrilled to face Lillian Luthor for the supposedly first time. It would actually take a lot of self-control not to fly her into the sun. Truth be told, she had thought about Lillian a few times in the last few weeks. She was the first to tell the Kryptonian that Lena would hate her when she discovered her secret and...painfully so, she had been right. Because Kara had been a coward. She hadn't been protecting Lena by not confessing her secret identity, she had been protecting herself and now...she didn't have her best friend in her life. No emerald eyes gazing at her with adoration as she walked through the office door, no lunch dates to catch up on, or game nights in which they could team up. And no magic do-over could fix that.

And then the idea, innocently enough, sparked in her mind. She was going to miss that day of work anyways...

Kara didn't anticipate how much her stomach would toss and turn at the idea. How her sweaty palm shifted into a fist to finally gather the courage and...knock.

"Come in," a voice answered and the air got stuck inside Kara's chest as she forced herself to take just one more step in...to be face to face with Lena Luthor. And when her emerald eyes landed on her...they didn't look at her with resentment or hurt. They didn't carry hatred or mistrust. They were bright, open, and honest and the prettiest sight Kara had seen in a long while.

"Kara, hi!" Lena stood from her chair, going around her desk, "I told you before, you can always come in, no need to knock."

Kara chuckled breathlessly, seeing her, savoring just how happy the youngest Luthor was of meeting her, "H-hi," she stuttered through the words, lost inside her eyes "no I-, yes! I mean, I know, sorry, just...working through boundaries."

Lena pursed her lips into an adorable smirk, trying to untangle the blonde woman's train of thought, "Well, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, "Need another exclusive for the magazine? A quote for an article?" she asked, going back to her desk, and Kara felt guilty that the CEO would assume so quickly that was the only reason she would visit.

"No, actually I just thought to bring you something to eat,"

Lena stopped abruptly, double-checking the information, "I'm...pretty sure your lunch break is not long enough to afford a 45-minute drive during rush hour from CatCo to L-Corp. And back."

"I took the day off," Kara waved a hand exhaling loudly. Honestly, she needed a break from so much of her life right now.

Lena eyed her curiously, "You...do look a bit tired."

Older was the right word, but luckily enough, only people truly close to her could really tell the difference and at this point of their relationship, Lena wasn't one of them. Not yet, "Yeah, a couple of sleepless nights," Kara fixed her glasses, clearing her throat, "anyways, here you go," she stretched a bag with food, "it's a kale salad,"

"My favorite," Lena said, eyebrows raised showing her surprise.

"I know," Kara said, immediately proceeding to panic, "I mean, I figured it would be something you might like? I-I didn't snoop around or anything! I'm not that kind of reporter," she amended, rather unsuccessfully, quickly adding, "and just because I truly don't think that salad is enough, or even remotely tasty, there are also some doughnuts in there."

And there it was, Lena's laugh filling up the empty space and Kara was convinced that sound itself could calm all the tempest in the world. The Super tried to commit that ring to memory. Even the sound of Lena's heart was a soothing melody; lively but centered. It was unlike the one Kara had been hearing for the last month, an accelerated pulse that ringed with anger and despair, a beat that couldn't find an accord.

"Well, I appreciate the thought," Lena giggled, opening the bag.

Kara nodded, smiling genuinely at her, "I... better leave you to it," she pointed over her shoulder, taking a step back.

"You aren't staying?" Lena asked, surprised. More so, aback by the idea Kara ultimately brought her lunch to leave the next moment, no request followed by the action.

"Sorry, I can't today," today Lena's mother was supposed to kidnap her to take her blood sample, "but...can I come back another day?"

Lena was surprised to hear her ask for permission, with the same hope and expectation of a little kid wanting to meet at the park, "Sure, I'd like that. Next time is my treat." She answered.

Kara grinned, her eyes shining with excitement, "Great!" she walked to the door, freezing at the threshold before turning over her shoulder to look at her, "Hey, Lena?"

"Yeah?"

"If...you don't have any plans for Thanksgiving, would you like to come to dinner at my house?"

Lena's lips parted but no syllables escaped them. She gazed at the reporter like she would a rare flower, "I appreciate the offer, but I wouldn't want to intrude. I'm sure you'll be better of sharing such a date with your family and friends." The CEO couldn't figure the reporter out. A moment ago she had asked for her approval to drop by again and now she was inviting her to a very personal celebration. One Lena had never personally partaken in.

"It won't be with all my friends if you are not there," Kara replied, candidly. She was not just seeing this past Lena, she was seeing all the years of friendship they had shared together and all the moments they didn't, such as that one. She knew perfectly well that Lena would be spending that holiday behind a desk with no one to accompany her but the unfortunate visit of her mother. And even if none of this would actually change her original timeline once Mxy snapped her back into her apartment, Kara needed to at least offer this to Lena. To get the opportunity of having this memory for herself, even if it was post-fabricated.

Lena blinked a couple of times before nodding slowly, "I'd love to," she finally said, regaining her footing, raising her chin, and flashing an endearing smile, "What should I bring?"

Kara wrinkled her nose, "Definitely not kale. But something tells me you know how to pick a fine bottle of wine, Miss Luthor." she answered teasingly, "We'll need something to toast with."

Lena found herself chuckling, "I could easily buy a wine cellar for the occasion."

"I don't doubt it for a second." Kara mocked tilting her head, "I'll text you the details," she smirked.

"Very well, Miss Danvers. I look forward to it." She held that confident smirk on her face, challenging her back, feeling comfortable with this unusual banter.

"Me too," Kara answered as she took in the image for a moment longer before leaving the office. At least this time around, when Lillian cornered her at that cell and asked her who she was to her daughter, she could honestly say, without a fraction of doubt to her name, "a friend."

-Year 2020-

Kara knew how it was all going to play. From the call to the DEO to protect Andrea Rojas, to the very identity of who was threatening the businesswoman. The only thing that changed, however, was the way none of that faze her. Her whole demeanor showed how much she was in control of the situation, the external factors, and her own reactions. So having, the Lex Luthor standing in front of her while explaining the situation with Brainy next to him, didn't even earn a blink out of her. Her eyes were focused straight ahead, seeing right through the ego-maniac sociopath, feeling nothing for him. No hate, no aversion, no emotion at all. She knew exactly how everything would play out, so her thoughts were clear and centered. And that...infuriated the oldest Luthor to an outrageous extent. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something there. He knew, somehow, someway, that Supergirl was one step ahead of him. Which was impossible! He was always on top of the game, he made the rules, he bent them and broke them mercilessly! So how was Kara Danvers, at the brink of losing it all, able to look him right in the eye?

Supergirl didn't look down once. She always ducked her chin to her chest, even in her usual hero pose, because she knew that not even wearing that emblem on her chest she could guarantee the success of her own endeavor. So why did she suddenly keep her chin up, proudly?

It unnerved Lex Luthor to the point he felt rage. Unfiltered, raw, and unpredicted rage that clouded his always pristine clarity.

"You'll be her bodyguard," he spitted the words, treating them as though they were bullets he tried to sink into her skin. But Supergirl simply nodded with such easiness and commendable confidence that it made Lex's own quiver. And then, in complete control of the situation, Kara turned around and flew away to do as he asked. She had complied, so why did Lex feel like he was the one stepping into a trap?

Kara did everything as it would happen the first time around. She even dressed the part, styling her hair with the bangs she wore in that period of her life. Her emotions remained in check, her head in the game, her actions on point. It was not only knowing what would happen next, it was the way she faced all of it. Even others around her could see it. When her image appeared in the media, calling her Supergirl seemed to fall short. If Cat Grant had been around, she herself would change her title to Superwoman. That was far more fitting now. And no one could put their finger on it as to explain, why. Which meant, Lex was no better than a commoner to his own eyes, and that wounded something far more important than his body; his intelligence.

"What the hell does Supergirl know to act oh so mighty!" Lex paced through the room, running a hand down his smooth scalp.

Lena stood in place, watching the news, scrutinizing the image thoroughly, "That's not Kara..." she mumbled to herself.

"What?" Lex turned, exasperated, "What does that suppose to mean?!"

"Nothing, it just...she has been acting...differently,"

Lex focused all his attention on his sister the moment those words weighted in the room, "You said "has been", as in, you've seen her lately" he said in an accusatory tone.

Lena knew this obsessive side of her brother all too well, "Nothing out of the ordinary, she just came to give me an ultimatum," she waved her hand dismissively, "and...a flower." She regretted the moment she added that little detail.

"A flower?" he repeated, "what kind of flower? With which properties?" he insisted.

"It was simply a lily-of-the-valley," she explained, folding her arms.

"What? Why?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted, pressing her opposite arm under her hand, "It was... a flower my mother used to love," her voice almost quivered with emotion, "I've...never told her that."

"She's probably trying to manipulate you with it. Don't let her mess with your head."

"That's rich, coming from you," Lena retorted with a scoff.

"Am I the one that lied to your face through years of fake friendship and half-truths?"

Lena clenched her jaw, her eyes stabbing him before she turned around, "I'll be at the lab."

Lex would have enjoyed the victory, if not for the pressing matter on his hands. If her sister felt something was different with the Kryptonian hero, then something was definitely off. And for the first time, he was chasing her lead.

Kara collapsed on the couch -how she missed this old couch!- and exhaled loudly, throwing her head back. She was finally in her civilian clothes which meant a moment's peace to hang the cape and kick off the boots.

A cold beer was pressed against her cheek as Alex walked around the furniture to seat next to her, "Here, something tells me you might need that."

"Thanks," Kara grabbed it, sending the lid flying off with a flick of her finger.

"I must say," Alex began saying, trying to feel the mood, "Seeing you out there today you were...kind of scary."

Kara huffed, taking a long sip, offering no reply. Her sight however was downcasted for the first time that day.

"Okay, what gives?" Alex asked immediately, kicking her feet up and turning to face her direction.

"What?"

"Come on, I'm your sister, I know perfectly well all your little tics and twitches. You've been bottling up something since the first night you arrived here. So tell me."

"I can't, Alex," she replied softly.

"The future can come and bite me if it wants, but I won't let you keep dealing on your own with whatever emotional mess you have inside."

That was one of the things Kara loved the most about her older, -not so older in her current perspective- sister.

"So, come on," Alex tapped her leg, prompting her to speak, "Get it out of your chest."

Kara sighed, looking around the room, trying to find a way to say it without spoiling the future events, "I...hate that out of all the times I could have been sent back to, this is the one where I landed," she said carefully, "I know it could have been worse, like the Phantom Zone,"

"That's going way back," Alex mumbled and Kara remembered that the second instance hadn't happened yet.

"R-right," she cleared her throat, "But...let's say this one stings on a very personal level."

Alex squirted her eyes, "No, I don't buy it. You are not telling me something,"

Kara sighed, "Alex...if I say anything about the future...you won't be able to tell any of it to my old self. No matter how desperate or hopeless she seems, are you sure you can handle that? Seeing me struggle, having the answer, and having to keep quiet?"

Alex nodded solemnly, willing to carry the whole responsibility, "I'm your older sister, and I-"

"I'm older than you right now,"

"No, you don't get to be the one having to face this on your own. I'm your sibling, you can always come to me and I won't let something as stupid as a perspective of time keep you from reaching out," Alex said adamantly.

If Alex saw how Kara's eyes were about to materialize the tears, she didn't make mention of it. The Super from the future took a deep breath and tried to untangle her own feeling to try and explain herself.

"Okay, it's...it's about Lena."

Alex blinked a few times, "Present Lena or future one?" she traced back carefully.

"Both," Kara admitted, hunching forward, resting over her knees, "She hates me right now, that's hard to bear." She mumbled, "I...miss her." she inhaled sharply, "I want to see her so badly, but I know that if I show up, her eyes will be filled with hurt and hate, and...I can't handle that," she sighed into her hands.

Alex pursed her lips to the side, "I know she was a really close friend, Kar, and I couldn't ask this to my version of you, but...is it worth all this suffering?" she asked softly, "because I haven't seen you in such despair since the first time you arrived to our house having nightmares about Krypton."

Kara grimaced at the reminiscence, "It's a similar pain to the one of losing my home," she confessed softly, "And I know that if it hurts this much is because it's something that is well-rooted into my heart."

Alex didn't expect to hear those words. This older Kara spoke her feelings so unapologetically it was inspiring. She had seen too much and realized there was so little life to live that she couldn't give herself the luxury of telling any more half-truths.

"You...know how this will play out," Alex said carefully, "The culmination of all your pain, of all of this," she gestured around, finally daring to look into her eyes, "Does it work out in the future?"

Kara waited for a beat, her muscles tense and her fists clenched. So rather than explain it, she hooked a finger under her shirt and pulled out a chain that held a Kryptonian piece of jewelry. Alex's eyes widened with shock. Kara had talked about those tokens before, but the oldest Danvers never imagined a time in which her sister would finally forge one of her own.

"You are married," she said breathlessly.

"To Lena."

Alex's bottle hit the ground, spilling over the carpet as she stood uncannily still, looking into her sister's eyes, needing no further confirmation than the genuine spark of happiness in them.

"You married Lena Luthor?!"

Kara found herself laughing loudly at her sister's reaction, breaking the moment of tension, "Please tell me I had a better poker face when you came out to me all those years ago."

Alex didn't even pay attention to the remark, the only thing racing in her head was the notion that Lena -the one currently trying to oppose them- Luthor, was Kara's wife.

"I know it's hard to picture it right now, and I know you currently don't trust her but the two of you are actually really close friends," Kara added, "when you work together on the lab you are basically unstoppable."

Alex didn't care about her future dynamic with the Luthor right now, what her brain was occupied with was the fact that her sister was the one married to her, "Holly shi-" Alex finally processed the whole dimension of the news, and suddenly all the parts started to fall into place, "So, wait-" she gazed at her with urgency and...sympathy, "All this-, what you tried to do with Mxy, that's because..."

Kara shrugged, looking small and uncomfortable, resembling more the version of herself that corresponded to this timeline, "I..didn't admit it to myself yet. It still took me another two years, more or less. And then a couple more before getting married."

Alex smirked teasingly, "For someone with super-speed, you took it really slow, sis,"

Kara chuckled dryly, "We lived together for a long while first." She pointed out in their defense, "And it was...Lena was the one not ready to marry. And I couldn't blame her, her role models were Lillian and Lionel, who would want to replicate that?" she scoffed before looking softly at her sister, "You...actually helped her a lot. You and..." 'Kelly, your wife', she wanted to say. But perhaps that was jumping the gun, that was something Alex wouldn't forget, "I can think of all the times Lena and you talked to hours on end until one night, she finally looked at me and we both knew it was time. We were ready."

Alex felt a warmth in her chest. Truth be told, she couldn't picture herself having a civilized conversation with the youngest Luthor right now, but her sister spoke so affectionately and so grateful about how she would help out Lena that she suddenly felt a soft spot for the brunette. "I'm...sorry you had to land on such a bad point of your shared history with her, sis."

Kara let out a choked watery laugh, "The night I arrived I had to go and make sure to say some...tough things to her, to ensure this timeline. And I couldn't help but give her a flower, even if it will mean nothing to her, I had to." She sniffed.

"Why the flower?" Alex asked soothingly.

Kara wiped the tears away, "It was her mother's favorite, her biological mother, I mean." she inhaled slowly, "Lena uses them to..." cast protection spells. But that was going to be hard to explain, "feel closer to her mom," she said instead, "I promised her I would get her one, no matter what. So I had to deliver." she smiled weakly, "It was our first anniversary after all." Her tone deflated and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Alex's arms found their way around her, hugging her tightly, "I'm sorry, Kar. I'm so- so sorry you missed it," she stroked small circles on her back in a comforting manner.

Kara allowed herself the indulgence of being held by Alex, clenching into her jacket with might as she suppressed the sob that was threatening to take over, "I need to fix this, Alex,"

"You will- we will," she assured tenderly, "We'll get you back to your time, I promise." It was a bittersweet moment to realize that no matter how unwavering her sister fought in battle while wearing the 'S' on her chest, she would still be the same caring and sensible Kara underneath. If Alex had been worried her sister wouldn't need her anymore in the future, here was the answer to that inquiry. Kara would always turn to Alex. And Alex realized that if she wanted to protect her sister and take all her hurt away, she would need...Lena Luthor.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for the amazing comments, follows, and favs! And best of luck tomorrow to all of those in this ship, as the beginning of the end takes over the show. Three more episodes left to go...!

P.S.: I cracked myself up thinking how past and future Kara are painfully aware of how dire the situation is and then there's middle Kara just chilling with Alex, who doesn't know her baby sister is displaced in time, while both wait for Mxy to fix everything, like ?? As if ?