Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.
Guilt
There was a soft thud as the ship docked at the Tower. They had rescued Kara and returned safely from the Phantom Zone. Everyone was quiet as they did their final checks and Lena's heart was pounding wildly, her hands shaking as she typed various commands into her dashboard. She was just about to finish and was thinking about how to escape without having to face Kara, when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She tensed immediately, smelling Kara's familiar scent and feeling panic rising inside her.
"Lena", Kara said softly and Lena closed her eyes at the sound.
She was not entirely sure why she was so scared. After all, she had played a major part in Kara's rescue and, as Alex had said, she and Kara had forgiven each other already. Still, Lena was terrified that she would see that cold look in her friend's eyes again because it had been her plan that had allowed Lex to banish Kara to the Phantom Zone.
"Lena, please", Kara begged, "look at me."
Feeling the gentle but firm pull of Kara's fingers, Lena finally turned to face her friend. They looked into each other's tear-filled eyes for a long moment.
"Kara", Lena choked, tears starting to fall, "I'm so, so sorry. I … I never dreamed Lex would have a Phantom Zone projector. If … If I had known, I'd … I'd never have left you alone. I'd never have let you face him alone. I'd have stayed with you. I … Kara, please, I swear, I …"
Kara's embrace silenced Lena's pleas.
"Lena", Kara whispered, stroking her friend's back. "I know. Calm down, please. You did nothing wrong, nothing at all. None of this was your fault. It was Lex, and Lex alone. Lena, you're a hero, a good person and my best friend."
Lena held on tightly to Kara, her entire body shaking. She wanted to believe her friend's words but she could not … yet. It was too much and, panic-stricken she pulled away from Kara, raising her hands above her head in an attempt to shield herself from the weight of her emotions. But it didn't work.
"Kara, how … I'm not a hero. I'm not like all of you. Kara, I want to be good but … I'm so scared … that … that I'll fall and I'll hurt all of you again", she sobbed. "And I can't, Kara. I can't lose you again."
Overwhelmed by her emotions, Lena's legs gave way and she sank down onto the floor, hugging her knees and burying her head in her arms. Kara's heart broke.
"Oh, Lena", she breathed, kneeling down and wrapping her arms around her friend, holding her tight.
"Lena", Kara whispered, "you are a hero. Alex told me what you did, what you were willing to do to save me and that it was you who figured out the way to rescue me. Lena, you are both – my savior and my hero."
Kara kissed Lena's temple and felt her friend shiver slightly. She gave Lena a soft squeeze and Lena finally looked up. And suddenly her heart felt lighter when she found herself looking into the loving blue eyes of her best friend once again.
"Kara", Lena croaked, taking her friend's hand. "Thank you. You mean the world to me and so does our friendship".
And Kara, looking back at Lena, saw the same love reflected back at her in her friend's green orbs.
"Me too, Lena, me too", Kara said, smiling tearfully, embracing her best friend.
