Kryptonian Nights 40

Deanlu

Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. I'm being so random with ideas these days I'm not sure what I am writing. LOL! Please send feedback in reviews please. Let me know your still reading and enjoying my work.

Earth Seventy-Eight's Ghosts

"Ugh! Flash was right. I'm still a little drained. At least it dropped me at night." Supergirl said as the portal opened and dropped the Super out in the middle of National City Park. Kara hit the ground hard even as her duffle bag hit the ground next to her. The portal closed leaving the Super flat on her back in the grass staring up at the visible stars through the trees. Night covered the park muffling the sounds of the city around her. Supergirl had been on mission assisting earth seventy-eight with Darkseid. The Flash and Arrow had brought hero's from other dimensions to help. Supergirl had been the deciding factor. All three of her from other worlds. Through their combined efforts and the sacrifice of Supergirl eighty-one Darkseid had been destroyed. But the cost had been greater both physically and emotionally. She had watched Lena Luthor of earth seventy-eight die. She had sacrificed herself at the last moment to save Kara. It had gutted the reporter in so many ways.

"I miss you Lena. I heard what you said. I promise to try." Kara whispered even as she heard the approach of pounding feet and helicopter's whirring. It was either the DEO or another military branch. Kara wanted to move, but she was so tired and despondent from this mission. She really didn't care if they arrested her and threw her into a hole so deep she never came out again. Losing Lena had cracked her heart so deeply. She had been on Earth seventy-eight for five months. They had developed a close friendship which had stepped over the line into a loving relationship. Kara had made sure to share her secret persona with Lena. Supergirl and Lena from Earth seventy-eight had not been friends. They hadn't even met when Kara went to help. She had struck up a friendship with the youngest Luthor on Earth seventy-eight. She was different then her Lena. Earth seventy-eight Lena Luthor was lighter, buoyant, and happy. Lillian and Lex had been a loving family for her. They encouraged her to pursue her interests in quantum mechanics and biomedical research. Lex and Lillian had loved Kara accepting her into the family as she befriended Lena. Then encouraged Kara to open her heart to love fully knowing she was an alien. They had held her at the funeral for Lena and reminded her that they were there for her. She could stay and they would care for her. Kara had wanted too. Not wanting to come back to the Earth where she was hated, where her relationship with Lena was in fragments, where CADMUS hunted her and the Children of Liberty wanted her dead. She had been honest with Lillian and Lex about their counterparts here on her Earth. It had made Lillian only push for her to stay with them more saying, "You are family. You, Kara Zor-El, are an amazing woman. We love you and want you to stay. I'm sorry that we aren't the people you need on your Earth, but it's all the more reason for you to stay with us." For a brief second, she had almost swayed and stayed. Held in the arms of Lex Luthor had made her feel safe. She chuckled inside at that thought. What would Superman have thought about that?

"No, I need to go back. I need to stand up to those who would hurt aliens and humans on my world. I need to fix the issues with the Lena on my world, even if we are never friends again. I just miss her so much Lillian. So very much." Kara had whispered even as Lillian had pulled her in and hugged her tightly.

"I know sweety. We are here if you need us. Come home to us when the burden is too great and you need a break. We are here for you." Lillian had encouraged the Super even as Lex had come to join in the hug.

"We are here for you Kara. Anything you need we will help you with. Just ask." Lex had said as he kissed her head. "Be careful of us on your world. We are smart and always ten steps ahead. Remember, we love you. Come here when you need a rest. Lena would want you to take care of yourself." Kara nodded allowing Lex to squeeze her tightly. Lex handed her a small pouch. "Look in the pouch when you get home. I think it will help once you are back on your earth." They had parted after that. Now as she was surrounded by the DEO, spotlights from the helicopters shining down on her, and agents yelling for her not to move. She just didn't care to move. So she was surprised when she saw who was bent over her.

"Supergirl, are you okay?" Colonel Haley asked her. She was dressed in a tactical outfit, deep concern showed on her face. Kara tried to puzzle this out even as Haley motioned for a stretcher. Kara could walk. She was pretty sure. She just didn't want to at that moment.

"Not really." Kara replied as she was loaded on the stretcher to be flown back to the DEO. Her hands clutched the pouch that Lex had given her. Her duffle bag was loaded on the chopper.

"We've got you. Don't worry. Agent Danvers has been worried." Haley responded as she walked next to the stretcher as they loaded her on the helicopter.

"How long have I been gone?" Kara asked as she squinted up at Haley. Haley grimaced as she looked down at the Super.

"Ten months. We thought you had died or were trapped on earth seventy-eight. Alex wanted to mount a rescue mission. Lena Luthor had started to work on a trans-dimensional portal to try and reach you. But jumping dimensions is harder than we thought." Haley responded as she watched the medic run an IV into the Super with a needle that should not have penetrated Supergirl's skin. "What happened over there?" Haley questioned now more worried than ever at Supergirl's confusion and vulnerability.

"Lena tried to get to me?" Kara questioned as Haley nodded. "Battled Darkseid and his forces. Got my butt kicked multiple times, died twice, came back from the dead, and finally killed the bad guy, but not without major sacrifices. Normal days in the Superhero Universe." Supergirl responded tiredly as she closed her eyes the pain and grief reflecting back toward Haley and the helicopter crew.

"I look forward to reading your report. I'm sorry for your losses." Haley replied as she grabbed Supergirl's hand and squeezed it. A tear slipped down Supergirl's cheek who said nothing. They arrived at the DEO in moments. Alex was at the doors to medical even as the hero was carefully laid onto the medical bed. The sensors came to life reporting some good, but a great deal much more worrisome. Supergirl's energy levels were depleted severely.

"Hey, welcome home Supergirl." Alex whispered as she bent down and looked at her sister from head to toe. We were worried." Alex responded as she noticed the pouch clutched in Kara's hands. She went to remove it only to have Kara hold it tighter.

"No, the pouch stays with me." Kara's panicked features told Alex she wouldn't win this fight. Alex tried to calm her knowing whatever was in the pouch was extremely important.
"Okay, sorry. I'm just worried it will be in the way while we examine you. Can I set it here? It will still be in reach. No one will touch it. I promise." Alex asked even as she worried over her sister. She watched as Supergirl considered her query. Supergirl nodded releasing it into Agent Danver's hands. The young hero watched as Alex placed it on the side table. Once there she sighed and closed her eyes.

"Thank you Alex. Sorry, can't stay awake any longer." Supergirl closed her eyes even as she heard Agent Danver's calling her name as medical equipment began to scream in alarm, Hours later, in fact a day later, Kara can hear people talking, but can't open her eyes. Exhaustion from this mission was really weighing her body down. Why did Darkseid's minions have to be so many and hit so hard?

"You shouldn't be looking at that Lena." Alex says as she approached the CEO. Alex checked the latest readouts on her sister's condition. The door to the med bay is closed. Only Alex and Lena are inside.

"Why? Another secret she can keep on me?" Lena argues angrily. "She just disappeared for almost a year. Then last night shows up being dumped out of a purple portal at the center of the National City Park. No one would tell me anything Alex." Alex's anger bubbles over. She had had it with the Luthor.

"You were the one that cut us off Lena. We kept the doors open even after you cut Kara off. We were your friends. We met you through Kara sure, but discovered an awesome friend. I'm sorry if we didn't tell you she was Supergirl." The last was angrily whispered. "But you made it abundantly clear that you didn't want to talk to her or us. We kept trying, but you just kept slamming the door in our faces. I considered you a sister. Kara was ready to tell you, but terribly afraid you would reject her. She was right." Lena looked away even as she opened what seemed to be a journal from the pouch. There were drawing of her, pictures of them together that she knew never happened, poetry, and letters in her and Kara's writing. On the inside cover were two notes. One from her mother. One from Lex.

Kara,

'

Remember Lena loved you. We love you. When the day gets too heavy and the load to great we are here for you. We know you can do it. Do not give up. Come home when you can't go on. We are waiting.

Love, Lillian

Sis,

My Lee loved you so deeply. She saw in you what I see in you. The heart of a warrior. Family. Do not give up. Your big Brother is here for you. Come see me when it gets too much. You know how.

Love, Lex

P.S. Don't give up. Lena resides in you. She wouldn't want you too.

"What?" Lena whispered shocked even as Alex came up behind her She read the notes on the front of the journal and shook her head. So her sister had gone for it in the other world. She had fallen and loved Lena Luthor. It explained so much about her state of confusion and withdrawn nature from what Alex had seen and heard from Colonel Haley. Lena looked at Supergirl who was now in a DEO sports shorts and no bra. Dr. Hamilton had found a nasty cut down her side that had still been weeping fluid, not blood. It obviously had been treated, but was not healing correctly. Her body was decorated in bruises and healing mottled skin. The fight had to have been long and excruciating for the Super. Lena began reading noticing dates on each piece as she moved through the journal. Alex followed along over her shoulder. An hour passed as both Lena and Alex now knew the full extent of Kara's relationship with earth seventy-eights Lena. Lena grabbed the pouch and reached inside for the other objects. A smaller felt bag was removed. Inside two Kryptonian bracelets and two wedding rings with a note from Lex.

Hey,

I saw you try to throw these away that night you held her broken body. I couldn't let you do that Kara. These are tangible symbols of your love for her. Please don't hate me. I had Methos fish them out of the lake. You are broken, but not destroyed. I know this, for I know the strength with which you loved my sister. You can be whole again. Just think about it. Please.

Love, Lex

'El Mayara'

"Well, that explains a lot. You probably shouldn't have read it, but I'm happy you did. Now I know why she seems so distant and devastated." Alex sighed as she walked around the medical bed and looked her sister over. Even in Supergirl's sleep Alex could tell she was struggling. The shadows of exhaustion had begun to relent some. Twenty-four hours later her solar absorption levels had improved. The infection in her body from the wounds she had received had been reduced, but they had to try some new medication on her sister that hadn't been tested. So the medical crew had watched her close taking readings every hour as she recovered.

"Kara loves me?" Lena said with disbelief and shock. Alex nodded even as she finished taking Kara's pulse herself. She didn't trust the machines all the time. "Why didn't she tell me? This is just one more thing she lied about."

"Enough!" Alex angrily had had enough of this Whoa is me shit! "Kara told you in her every act! She rescued you constantly, brought you lunch when you didn't take care of yourself, brought you into our family, defended you constantly until we all saw what she saw...a beautiful, intelligent woman who was nothing like her family. Why do you think James dated you? Kara had to hit him over the head with a sledgehammer almost, but even the jaded friend of Superman eventually saw what we all saw. Kara, though, knew from the beginning. You could have no better white knight then Kara Zor-El Danvers! Yet, all you see it her lies." Alex rubbed her hands over face and looked at the ceiling. Kara was going to kill her for this next statement, but she didn't care. Her sister deserved something and someone good. She was glad she had found it on earth seventy-eight. She also wished she could have met that Lena who had captured her sister's heart. Alex shook her head. "You need to see a therapist. You need to work on you. My sister fights daily for this planet, it's people, and you. None of which deserve her. None of which deserve her devotion. You want to blame her for every little thing that's gone wrong. Fine. You want to feel hurt and angry she lied to you. Fine." Alex rounded the medical bed causing Lena to stand and backup. "Just know this Lena. You will never have a more staunch defender who loves and cares for you. She would sacrifice everything to know you have this life to live and are happy. Not once since the Kryptonite issue has she asked what other secrets are you keeping. Not once when she saw new weapons you were working on did she question it. She trusted you. Well guess what, life isn't easy. You said you never had friends before. Friendship takes pain, arguments, disagreement. It's how they are built. You say you never had friends before, it's because you were unwilling to feel the pain of disappointment. You ran away when it got tough. So grow up. You need to decide if your friendship with Kara is worth it in the end. If not, then run! I for one am done with how you keep treating her." Alex finished even as she heard the voice of her sister calling low, weak, and cracking as she tried to speak.

"Al...ex. St...op. Le...Lena." Kara reached out her hand toward them. Alex moved right away rounding the bed even as Lena moved closer.

"I'm sorry. I just want good things for you. I want you to be happy." Alex cried as she hugged her sister. She was tired of the Universe throwing its worse at her sister and the young woman suffering for it. It was time Kara Zor-El won for a while. A long while.

"Shhhh, it's...o..kay. Lena…" Kara removed her left hand from around Alex and reached out to her friend. Lena hesitated only a moment and took the hand. She felt Kara firmly grasp her hand as the Super pulled her closer. "Frien...ds. Stop worr...ying." Lena bent down and listened as Kara struggled to stay awake. The two parts of Lena warred in her. The part that was tired of fighting and just wanted to walk away. The other part that was tired of fighting and just wanted things to be right with Kara, Alex, and the others again. Lena finally just gave in and bent down hugging Kara. Kara felt Lena's tears falling on her shoulder. "Shhh, time Lena. Just give it time and talking." Lena nodded still clutching the journal in her hands.

Four months later…

"So how about dinner with me tonight? We could take in the new French restaurant and then a walk by the bay. It's a full moon." Lena suggested as she walked over to Alex. She handed her a whiskey while snuggling next to her. Alex kissed Lena softly pulling her closer. They broke their kiss smiling at each other. Alex turned and took a sip of her drink. She looked out on the balcony.

"That would be lovely. I could use a night off." Alex said as her mind drifted to her sister. Lena agreed laying her head on Alex's shoulder.

"Where do you think she is now?" Lena whispered knowing what Alex was thinking about. Alex wondered too. Two months ago Kara had told Lena she loved her as a friend, but they couldn't be together as more. Not at the moment. Lena had been disappointed to say the least, especially after everything she had learned about Lena seventy-eight's love affair with Kara. Alex had been there for Lena. The pain had been great for the youngest Luthor, but she understood where Kara was coming Kara had told Alex she was going away. No location. No hints. She was just leaving. It hadn't surprised Alex. The ghost of Lena seventy-eight had held her sister tight. Supergirl had done her job well, but their had been less joy. Everyone had noticed the change. Supergirl had become more serious, more down to earth. Colonel Haley had approached Agent Danvers to if there was anything they could do. Agent Danvers had told her no. She had told the Colonel only time would make this right and even then she wasn't sure it would.

"I don't know. I have never seen anything rip her apart this much except for Krypton's destruction and Mon-el's departure.I hope she's okay." Alex said as Lena nodded and hugged her tightly.

At The Moment of Lena Seventy-eights destruction…

"I love you Kara! I will always love you." Lena turned to stand in front of Kara only to be shoved out of the way at the last moment by a streaking black figure. The figure turned and moved Supergirl immediately after getting Lena out of the way. It was only ten seconds, but they were precious seconds that saved Supergirl and Lena Luthor's life. A moment later an explosion went off destroying the mainframe terminal. Items in the room were sucked into the backwash of an antimatter hole including Darkseid. The hole disappeared a second later. Lena rolled over looking toward where Kara Zor-El, the love of her life should be only to be met with an empty space. "No! Noooooo! Kara! Noooooooo!" The agonizing scream echoed even as the hero's poured into the room.

"Le….Leennnaaa!" Kara called from where her broken body had been moved by the black shadow. Lena looked toward the woman of her heart. She rose running toward the hero. Supergirl was severely injured, but she would make it. The flash pulled to a stop beside them.

"Darkseid? The machine?" The Flash asked as a medic now worked on Supergirl while another looked over Lena.

"Gone through a temporal gravity well. I hope it crushes him and spits him out like vomit at the end of the Universe. God, Barry. I almost lost her." Lena said as they loaded Supergirl onto a stretcher to evacuate her. Barry placed his hand on Lena's shoulder pulling her closer as they walked next to the stretcher. Lena caught sight of the black figure that had saved her and Supergirl before it faded out of time and space.

Kara had done what she should have to make things right. Even as she faded from the timeline she knew she had been right.

One month later…

Lena seventy-eight and Kara Zor-El stepped out of the purple portal. They were inside Kara's apartment.

"I know it's not much and I know that here you are not Lena Luthor, but I know we can make it work..." Lena kissed Kara silent. Kara smiled into the kiss. The warmth and joy filling her like an empty challis. It had taken time to recover, but Lee had been there by her side.

"I love you. It will be alright. We will change things for the better. Do you know what you're going to tell them?" Lena asked as Kara heard the approach of a helicopter. The DEO wasn't wasting any time.

"Yeah Lee. I do. I love the haircut. Sure you want to do this, I can still take you back." Kara said as Lee kissed her deeply. Kara ran her hands through Lena's short comb over butch cut. It was gorgeous. Her wedding ring and bracelet sparkled in the sunlight that came through her apartment windows. Lena's ring and bracelet glittered back. It had been a beautiful ceremony with Alex seventy-eight giving her away and Lex seventy-eight giving Lena away.

"I'm looking forward to settling in Midvale. Starting a small science technology company and marrying the local newspaper editor." Lee whispered as she deepened the kiss. Lena and Kara knew what happened now. A letter left by future Kara had told them all. The agony that Lena had felt knowing how her love had suffered through her death had been almost unbearable. She understood why she changed the past. Though, she didn't condone many things could go wrong still. It's why they had delayed their return. So Kara future didn't run into Kara present. Lena also had to bid farewell to her family, though they would be able to communicate with the device that Palmer technologies had given them. Kara had realized to what lengths she would go to save Lena. So there had been long discussions of what was on and off the table in either one saving each other. There was also a plan to go to the Fortress to see if something could be done about the time they had together. But that was for another day. The door burst open as their kiss came to an end. Alex in the lead with her gun raised.

"Hey Alex, I'm home." Kara said as Alex and the other agents lowered their weapons. Lena Luthor came through the door wearing an operation outfit.

"Holy Shit!" Both Lena's said as they came face to face with her doppelgangers.

"Stand down! Alpha Squad return to base." Alex ordered into her comms. "Colonel Haley I'll give you a rundown when I get back." Alex waited till the detail had left. Lena closed the door when she was sure they had all left on the elevator. Lena leaned her head against the door and took a deep breath.

"What did you do Kara?" Lena asked as she turned her head and walked into the room further.

"I saved you on earth seventy-eight. I changed time or future me changed time." Kara stated clearly as she gently pulled her Lena forward. "Lena. Alex. I would like to introduce you to Lee Luthor. My wife." Alex and Lena's mouth dropped open.

"Your wife." Alex said as she looked at Lee. Something inside Alex ached at missing her sister's ceremony. Lena shook her head. She couldn't believe Kara would hurt Alex and Eliza by not inviting them to the wedding.

"No, no. You married me without us present?" Lena argued while Kara nodded. Lee Luthor laughed and shook her head. "You get to explain this to Eliza! I'm not getting in the way of this one." Kara cringed knowing that Eliza would be disappointed.

"She didn't really have much of a choice since Lex said our child couldn't be born out of wedlock." Lee said as Kara nodded.

"I thought your brother was scary Lena. He's got nothing on her Lex!" Kara said as she kissed Lee and rubbed her belly. Alex looked at her sister. She really looked at her. The joy that had been missing had shadows and darkness that had inhabited her features now gone. She was bubbly, though she seemed to have a maturity that Alex hadn't seen before. Lex stepped forward taking her sister by the arm.

"I'm so glad your home. I'm glad you have your Lena. You're going to be a mother! Oh my, I'm going to be an Aunt!" She hugged her sister tightly. Alex looked at Lee. "Welcome to the family Lee. I don't know how Kara got you pregnant, but you both get to explain this to Eliza." Lee laughed and hugged Alex. Kara now looked to Lena. Her best friend.

"You could never think things through. You just crash through the barriers without any thought to who or what you might hurt. I...I…" Lena turned away and sighed as she held her head. Kara would do this because she loved her. She loved Lena seventy-eight. She knew she had messed up with Kara. She wouldn't mess up with Alex. She wouldn't mess up her friendship with Kara. She would figure out how to be friends with her other self. "Damn you Kryptonian! Don't you ever do something this dangerous again. Don't you ever leave without telling us where you are going!" Lena spun on her feet and pulled Kara into a tight hug. "You idiot! We have been worried sick." Lee smiled at her doubles reaction.

"I'm sorry Lena. I couldn't live without her." Kara voice cracked as she apologizing for her future self. Lena nodded as a tear ran down her cheek.

"I'm sorry. Truly am sorry." Kara placed a hand on Lena's cheek.

"I know. You and Alex are going to be happy as me and Lee." Kara said as she stepped back pulling her Lena forward. Kara kiss her Lee. While Alex slid an arm around Lena.

"Nice to meet you cousin. I'm happy we are going to be family." Lee said as she pulled Lena Luthor into a hug. Maybe this would all work out.

Our Family - The people you live for, laugh with and love; those who continually show up, stay up and make up, who make you glad you never gave up.