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Hope

"Lena!" Andrea said cheerfully, getting up from her desk.

"Hi, Andrea", Lena smiled brightly and they embraced, holding on a bit longer than usual and both letting out a contented sigh.

When they broke apart, Lena held on to her friend's hands and said, "It's so good to have you back."

Andrea smiled, "Thank you for giving me another chance."

"Of course", Lena half snorted, "I of all people would understand how easily the darkness can take over if we find ourselves backed into a corner."

Andrea frowned but nodded.

"So, you have some plates", Lena grinned, holding up a thermos bag.

Andrea raised her eyebrow, "What's that?"

Lena shrugged, "Well, you'll only find out once you get those plates", she teased, shaking the bag slightly and making the contents rustle softly.

"Alright, alright, you got me", Andrea chuckled, holding her hands up in surrender and hurrying to retrieve the requested tableware.

Once she'd set down the plates on the couch table, Lena opened the thermos bag.

"No way", Andrea gasped, eyes wide as she sniffed the aroma.

Lena giggled, "Yes way, go ahead."

Smiling incredulously, Andrea took and opened the paper bag and almost squeaked, "Oh my god! These really are empanadas from my favorite place in Buenos Aires!"

She stared at Lena who smiled back, "I thought you'd like them."

"Lena, that's … wow!" Andrea stammered. "But … but, how did you…?"

Lena raised here eyebrow and sniggered, "Well, I'm lucky to call Supergirl my family."

"And Kara agreed to help you get my favorite food?" Andrea gaped. "After …", she hesitated, "After everything that happened? Everything I did?"

Lena smiled knowingly, "That's the thing about friends, Andrea. They forgive and offer us second chances."

Andrea's eyes filled with tears, "But I … why me? Lena, I'm not part of the super friends. I've done terrible things. I am responsible for William's death. I wanted to kill Supergirl and hurt you more than once. I'm not …"

Lena embraced her friend, silencing the ever more desperate reiteration of her sins. Andrea froze but when Lena just continued to hold her, she finally let go.

"Lena, I'm so sorry", she sobbed, crying hard, her entire body trembling.

"Shhh, I know. You'll be ok", Lena reassured her, stroking her back.

When they broke apart, Andrea wiped her eyes.

"Lena, I don't know what to say. I … Thank you", she whispered.

Lena smiled, "You don't need to say anything, Andrea. Just embrace and enjoy this feeling and know that you can now have friends who are there for you – all of you – if you want that."

"Kara definitely has rubbed off on you", Andrea said appreciatively.

Lena beamed, "Kara is the reason my entire life has changed and I now have a wonderful family."

"And I have never seem you happier", Andrea smiled.

Lena beamed.

"Now", she clapped her hands. "Let's eat before these go stone cold. Kara is too busy to fly to Buenos Aires a second time", she said cheerfully, putting the empanadas on the plates.

Andrea actually laughed out loud, "Yeah, all this crying's made me hungry."

She took a bite and immediately let out a sigh of content, "So good! I've got to thank Kara about a million times for this. And you, of course, for remembering", she mumbled, cheeks bulging slightly.

Lena laughed, "Well, then how about you join us for game night tomorrow?"

Andrea almost choked, "What? Are you sure?"

Lena nodded, "Absolutely! 7 at Kara's place."

When Andrea looked weary, Lena smiled gently, "Trust me. As scary as this feels right now, it'll be worth it. … And I would know."

"Alright then", Andrea exhaled, "You jump, I jump, right?"

Lena nodded, "And this time you'll land safely."