Author Notes: This just happened. After the immensely emotional scenes from the last episode, I couldn't not just let this one go. There is just so much that goes unsaid. And Kara is just so precious. Hope you like it.

Lena had just hung up after letting Nia know that she was leaving for her home for a while. How everything that had unfolded in the mission to rescue Kara from the Phantom Zone had given her a strange sense of strength in her vulnerabilities. However, she knew, she needed to find her roots to move ahead, to make sense of all that she was so that she could be what she deserved. What people she cared for deserved from her. She had learnt that from Kara to be honest. To be the best for the people you treasure most for they are the ones that stay with you, accept you and love you for who you are.

It was no wonder her thoughts kept wandering back to Kara. Even though she was leaving for a while, she could feel an invisible tug towards Kara. Now, more than ever. Kara was back. She was home safe. She was back with her family. Lena had been praying for this every minute of every day that had passed. And when she had called her minutes before, letting her know about her plans, she could hear Kara's heart in the words she never really did say. She knew Kara needed her in some ways right now more than other. But she also knew that she was leaving Kara in good company. She could still hear the almost silent breath that Kara had taken while she had tried to take in the information. Kara had smiled through her words a minute later, and encouraged Lena to pursue what she felt in her heart was important. That was Kara. She always placed you first. Lena had almost decided to go back on her decision, wondering if she should stay a little longer, but then Kara gave her the push she needed and they said their "see you soon" and "take care", even though they both wanted to say something more.

Lena was still lost in those words in her thoughts when her phone rang. It was Kara. Lena frowned with concern, wondering what had happened and she immediately picked up.

"Kara?"

"Lena." The pause Kara took was so heavy, that Lena was immediately reminded of the deeply intense look Kara had given her after their hug the last time.

"Kara, what happened? What is wrong?"

"Lena, I just…", Kara paused, "Have you left already? Where are you?"

"I am on my way to the airport Kara. Are you okay?" Lena's worry grew tenfold not knowing what had happened.

"Yeah. I… I just… Can we meet before you go? Just a few minutes. I can come to you."

"Yes Kara. Of course. Wait, I am close to your place, I will just drive back." Lena immediately asked the driver to turn and drive the other way to Kara's.

Kara didn't disconnect the phone while Lena was on the way. She could hear Lena's heart beat across the line and Kara wanted to hold onto it. Something told Lena, that Kara needed her present, connected in whatever way they could at that time and so she just held her phone close to her ear, waiting.

The moment Lena arrived and got out of the car, she could see Kara standing outside in the soft quiet of the night. She was slightly trembling, fidgeting and fighting an inner turmoil that Lena sensed immediately and rushed over to her in seconds.

"Hey, Kara." She immediately took hold of Kara's hands in her own and tried to look for any sign as to what had the superhero tremble like that.

Kara immediately grasped onto Lena's hold but she managed to hold back everything that was swirling in her mind. It was Lena. She was here.

Please don't leave Lena. I need you with me.

"Lena, I just.. It was… I just wanted to tell you." Kara's eyes were a whirlpool of emotions and Lena could see Kara struggling to form words.

Lena panicked. "Kara, what is it? You can tell me. I am here."

Kara looked up to hold onto the gaze of Lena's orbs. And that is when Lena saw. Kara's eyes, brimming with tears. Her palm immediately rose to hold Kara's cheek and Kara breathed deeply because it became more and more difficult to hold onto the last strands of strength that had always shielded the Girl of Steel.

Please don't leave me alone.

"I don't want to be alone Lena. Please don't go." Kara's voice faltered as her tears broke the barrier.

"Hey, hey, Kara. It's okay. Look am here. You are here." She took her in her embrace for a long hug and started to gently stroke her back. "You are safe Kara. You got back home. You are with me now." Lena hadn't meant to say that but it all just found hold because Kara needed her.

Kara held onto Lena's heartbeat and embraced Lena tighter for how long neither knew. Her muffled sobs were the only sound over the soft nothings Lena kept whispering for Kara. Moments later, Kara drew back a little, still holding onto Lena's hands like they were the only anchor tethering her to the ground.

"I am sorry. I just…" Kara whispered with perhaps the last sob that escaped her throat.

"You don't need to be sorry Kara. I am here, and you are here. We are here and that is all that matters." She gently stroked Kara's hair, her heart still aching watching her Kara in so much pain. Her Kara.

"Let's go upstairs, yes? We can sit and talk. I am here with you as long as you need me to be."

"Promise?" Kara meekly asked.

Lena had never seen Kara so small. Her voice was betraying her way more than her face was. She took hold of Kara in a side embrace as she began walking with her. "Promise."

Kara nodded, holding Lena's hand in her own and let her walk up to her apartment.

Once they were inside and settled on Kara's couch, she gently nudged Kara with a smile. Kara gave back a small smile, her emotions still swirling intensely beneath those blue orbs.

Several moments passed until Kara spoke so quietly that Lena almost thought she was imagining it.

"I lost you. In those nightmares I had in the phantom zone. In more ways than I can imagine." Kara took a deep breath as if she was reliving all those again. As if they weren't dreams but a life she had lived. They were so real. It was so raw. Kara's words were shaking. "And, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't save you. I couldn't be with you. I could feel my chest implode in agony every second I was living it." She held her chest as if by instinct and shrank into the couch.

Lena listened.

"And when you called tonight, saying you were leaving… I..." Kara lifted her face to catch onto Lena's soft gaze again that was now holding her in a strong embrace. "I just got you back. I just couldn't. I couldn't breathe."

Lena scooted up close and just hugged Kara the best she could. "Why didn't you say anything then?"

"I didn't want to hold you back."

Lena gently shook her head. "You wouldn't have held me back Kara. You have been there for me when even I would have left me. I will always be there for you. Today. Tomorrow. Always." I love you.

"I don't want to be alone. I will not survive this." The unusual combination of finality and vulnerability tugged Lena's heart. Her eyes brimmed.

Lena leaned back to look into Kara's eyes, lost and scared with her fears out in the open. She could see the pain and the fear that Kara was fighting every minute passing. "You are not alone Kara. I am with you. You got all of us. You got me. I will not let you go." I am yours.

Kara nodded gently, regarding every word Lena had said and felt a warmth soak her in that moment. "I missed you Lena."

"I missed you too Kara." Lena echoed back. "Beyond words."

"Me too Lena. Stay for a while please?" Kara looked in her eyes gently, longingly. "I just want to be around you. Have you around."

Lena smiled at that and nodded. "As long as you will have me Kara. I am yours." Her smile reached her eyes and Kara smiled at that. The warmth that Kara was basking in was Lena.

"My Lena?" It was more of an understanding that settled than a question.

Lena nodded happily. "Your Lena."

Kara whispered softly as she shuffled closer, and leaned in Lena's embrace. "Your Kara."