"Alex," Kara said again, her voice a little stronger.
"Right here Kara," Alex said moving over to her side. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel good," Kara answered. She looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. "Where am I?"
Lena choked back a sob. Kara was awake and seemed to be perfectly fine, other than what appeared to be a case of amnesia. She couldn't believe it. She watched Alex help Kara sit up, despite Kara's protests that she didn't need help. After spending the last couple days with Alex, Lena could see how relieved she was.
Tears fell down her face as she desperately tried to wipe them away. Luthor's weren't supposed to cry. Luthor's were supposed to be emotionless. In this moment, Lena didn't care. She could imagine what her mother would say if she saw her.
"Lena," Kara said, watching the brunette slowly fall apart. She opened her arms. "Come here."
Lena fell into Kara's arms, tears falling on her bare shoulder. "You're awake," she cried. "I can't believe it."
Alex stood there, watching the two women. Lena was sobbing uncontrollably in Kara's arms. Kara was rubbing her back, whispering soothing words to the other woman. Alex felt like she was intruding in a private moment. Yet she didn't leave, because a part of her needed to be here, to see Kara with her own eyes.
"Come here Alex," Kara said patting the other side of the bed. Alex crawled in the bed beside Kara, resting her head on Kara's shoulder. She quickly wiped away the few tears she cried. "You never did say where we were."
"What do you remember?" Lena asked. She dreaded the answer. She didn't want to hear that Kara didn't remember coming to her penthouse, that Kara didn't remember choosing her.
Kara frowned. "I was fighting an alien and I got hurt," she started. She turned to look at Alex.
"The alien has been contained," Alex assured her.
"Right… that's good," Kara said. "Anyway, I got hurt and I remember flying to…" She glanced at Lena. "You. Is this your penthouse?"
"It is, my bedroom to be more specific," Lena told her. Kara blushed.
Kara's stomach growled. Alex laughed. "I'm surprised you lasted this long," she teased.
"Don't tease me Alex," Kara pouted. "I've been unconscious for…um how long?"
"Two days," Lena answered, snuggling closer to Kara.
"Two days," Kara repeated in shock. "Oh god. I'm actually starving."
Alex rolled her eyes. "You've gotten more dramatic." Kara opened her mouth to say something but Alex held up her hand. "I'll get you some food. I need to call Mom and let her know you're awake."
"You two seem friendly," Kara noted.
"After you lost consciousness, I called Alex. She wanted to take you to the DEO but I told her no, that you were going to stay here with me. She's been here for the last two days. I guess we've bonded," Lena said with a shrug.
Kara wasn't surprised. Alex always stayed with her when she got hurt. "You know, about me." It wasn't a question.
"I do," Lena confirmed. "You once told me you flew to my office… on a bus. It wasn't hard to figure out the truth from there."
"Are you mad at me?" Kara asked softly.
"No Kara, I could never be mad at you," Lena said honestly. "I understand why you didn't tell me. With Clark and Lex's history it's not surprising. I hope that you will trust me more in the future."
"Of course," Kara exclaimed. "I wanted to tell you so many times before… wait did you say Clark?"
Lena laughed. "Should I call him Superman instead?"
"But… Clark isn't… I mean…" Kara sighed. "You already know."
"Yes, I do," she confirmed. "He visited yesterday." Kara's eyes widened. "He intended on taking you away from me but Alex and I convinced him to let you stay. He even apologized and gave me your cape." She gestured to the cape on the edge of the bed.
"I'm sorry about him," Kara said.
Alex returned with a plate of pizza. "Start with this," Alex said handing Kara the plate. "I have potstickers in the oven. Let me know if I need to order more pizza."
"Thanks Alex," Kara said with a mouthful of pizza. Alex rolled her eyes and left the room.
"I'll be right back Kara," Lena said pulling herself out of Kara's arms. Lena made her way to the kitchen where Alex was staring at the oven. "What's going on with you?"
Alex turned to face her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Alex," Lena began. "Don't try to hide. What's going on?"
Alex sighed. "I wanted to give you two some time alone," Alex told her. "I saw your face when Kara woke up. You didn't believe she would wake. I wanted to give you some privacy."
"She's your sister," Lena pointed out. "If anything, it should have been me backing off to give you two privacy."
Alex dropped the hot pad on the counter. "Can we agree to be there for Kara?"
Lena nodded. "Of course." The oven dinged signaling that the potstickers were done. "Do you want some help?"
"Nah, I got this," Alex said. "Go back to Kara, before she thinks we are trying to kill each other."
Lena went back to her bedroom. When she walked in, she saw Kara's eyes were closed. For a minute Lena thought Kara was unconscious again. Kara's eyes slowly opened as Lena walked into the room. Lena sighed in relief.
"What are you doing?" Lena asked.
"Listening to the sounds of the city," Kara said with a small smile on her face. "It's quiet, peaceful. I can pick out the sounds of specific heartbeats. When I would fly around the city, I would always listen for two heartbeats, Alex's and Cat Grant. Now I seek out yours. It's how I know the people I care about the most are safe." Kara patted the empty space beside her.
Lena immediately crawled onto the bed beside Kara. Lena rested her head on Kara's shoulder. "How are you feeling?" Lena asked concerned.
"I feel great," Kara said. "Hungry but otherwise good."
Alex walked into the room with a plate of potstickers. "Potstickers," Kara exclaimed waving her arms toward Alex in an attempt to grab the plate. In her eagerness for food she almost knocked Lena off the bed. "Sorry Lena."
"I have another set of potstickers in the oven," Alex said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"So, what's the plan now?" Lena asked in an attempt to pull attention away from Kara eating.
"As soon as I find my suit, I can get back to work," Kara said swallowing a mouthful of food.
"No," Alex and Lena shouted.
"Are you crazy?" Alex yelled at her sister just as Lena yelled, "you just woke up after being unconscious for two days."
Kara cringed. "Okay… I'll stay here for another night."
"You should probably call Clark and let him know you're awake," Alex told her. "I'll call Mom." Alex didn't wait for Kara to respond. She grabbed her phone and dialed her mother's number. "No super hearing Kara," she called on her way back to the kitchen.
"Alex?" Eliza asked sleepily. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"
Alex checked the time on the oven. 11pm. Alex winced. "Sorry mom."
"Is everything alright? Is it Kara?" Eliza questioned.
"It's Kara," Alex confirmed. "She's awake."
"Thank God," Eliza sighed in relief. "How is she?"
"She's fine," Alex quickly assured her. "She's Kara. She wanted to go out and protect the city as soon as she ate."
"I hope you told her no," Eliza said firmly.
Alex rolled her eyes. "Of course, I did. She's currently resting and eating."
"With Lena?" Eliza questioned in a not subtle attempt to see if they were still at Lena's penthouse.
"Don't start Mom," Alex warned. "Lena has been great the last couple days."
"What if Lena tries something? You know how Kara is. She…"
"Mom, stop," Alex hissed. "Lena wouldn't do that and Kara… Kara would do anything for her."
"What are you talking about?" Eliza asked confused.
"Kara's in love with her," Alex said, running her hand through her hair. "But Kara's never been in love. She doesn't know what love looks like, or feels like. So, she believes she's being a good friend."
"Are you sure?" Eliza asked, though she was already convinced Alex was right.
"I've watched after Kara since she was twelve. I'm sure," Alex answered confidently.
Eliza sighed. She couldn't argue with that. "She's really okay?"
"She really is," Alex promised.
"Okay," Eliza said. "Can you have her call me in the morning?"
"I will. And mom," Alex said before Eliza could hang up. "Lena stepped down from CEO of L-Corp so she could be there for Kara. Remember that before you judge her based on her name."
There was a pause. "Goodnight Alexandra," Eliza said.
The timer went off just as Alex hung up the phone. Alex grabbed the potstickers and went back to Lena's room. She was surprised to find Lena asleep in Kara's arms. Kara had one arm wrapped around Lena, TV remote in her hand, flipping through channels. In her other hand was a potsticker from the almost empty plate on her lap.
"Are you going to need more?" Alex whispered, so she wouldn't wake Lena. The younger woman probably slept less than she had the last couple days.
"This should be enough," Kara said reaching for the fresh plate. Kara pouted when Alex snagged one of the potstickers. "Unless Lena has some ice cream in there."
Alex laughed. "I'll grab the ice cream. Coke or water?"
"Both," Kara called as Alex left the room.
Alex made one final trip to the kitchen. She grabbed two pints of ice cream, one rocky road and the other chocolate fudge brownie. She also grabbed two spoons, a pitcher of water, two cups and two cans of coke. She loaded everything onto a tray and rushed back to the bedroom, where she found Kara still flipping through channels.
"Pick something Kara," Alex whispered.
Kara settled on the Food Network. She loved to watch about all the different restaurants and the amazing foods they made. If it looked particularly good Kara would fly to the location and test out the restaurant herself. It was how Kara and Alex had found their favorite pizza place in a small town in Arizona and their favorite burger joint in Florida.
Alex handed over the pint of rocky road and a spoon. "My favorite," Kara squealed. Lena shifted beside Kara.
"Don't wake her," Alex said smacking Kara's arm. "She hasn't slept in days."
Kara gently pushed the hair out of Lena's face. "I didn't mean to make her worry. When I came here… I just wanted to see her. I didn't think I would be unconscious for two days."
"Why did you come here?" Alex asked. It had been bugging her ever since Lena had called to say Kara was here.
"I don't know," Kara said honestly. "I wasn't thinking. I wanted to see her. I kind of flew on autopilot. It just happened. I…" Kara paused. "Her heartbeat, I followed her heartbeat."
Alex nodded. Now she was even more sure of what she told her mother. Kara was in love with Lena. Alex needed to figure out if she should tell Kara or let Kara figure it out on her own. She was leaning toward the latter but feared Kara would never figure it out. That, however, was a problem for another night.
"How long before I can leave this bed?" Kara asked.
"Probably tomorrow," Alex replied. "Why?"
"I want to go to Texas," Kara answered, nodding toward the TV. The Danvers sisters were staring at the biggest plate of chili cheese fries that they had ever seen.
Alex laughed. "I'm sure that could be arranged," Alex told her. She did want to try them.
"How did you two end up so close?" I figured you wouldn't like her," Kara said, running her hand through Lena's hair.
"We both care about you Kara," Alex answered. "I can't hate anyone that's willing to do anything to protect you. She even went toe to toe with Clark."
"I still can't believe Kal-El would act like that," Kara said shaking her head. "He should know better than to judge someone based on their name."
"I think he cared more about trying to protect you," Alex told her. "Once he realized staying here was what was best, he backed off."
"Still, when I get ahold of him…" Kara tapped Alex's arm and they switched containers of ice cream.
Alex grabbed her cell phone and sent a quick text to Hank, letting him know Kara was awake and they would talk to him in the morning. Hank replied almost instantly, telling the two to get some rest and he was happy Kara was awake now.
"Sleep Kara," Alex whispered when she saw Kara nodding off. She took the empty pint of ice cream and set it on the tray.
"Stay Alex," Kara muttered sleepily when Alex tried to climb out of the bed.
"Alright," Alex agreed, settling back on the bed.
Within minutes the sisters were fast asleep.
Alex was the first one to wake up the next morning. Lena and Kara were still asleep. Alex carefully detached herself from Kara and made her way to the kitchen. She put on a fresh pot of coffee while she cleaned up the mess from the night before.
"Coffee," Lena sighed happily.
Alex quickly poured her a cup and handed it over. Alex knew she preferred her coffee black. It was how she justified drinking so much coffee. It was 'healthier', Lena's words, without all the sugar and cream.
"How did you manage to pry yourself away from Kara?" Alex asked.
"She rolled over," Lena answered. She sipped her coffee. "Is she always all over the place when she sleeps?"
"Sadly," Alex said shaking her head. "She gave me a black eye one time. She hadn't realized it. She thought I was dating someone and they hit me."
"How did she react when she figured it out?" Lena asked.
Alex took a sip of her own coffee. "She cried," Alex replied.
Lena sat her coffee on the counter. "What are we doing today?"
"I want to test Kara's powers and make sure she's back to full strength," Alex started. "I know she wants to fly to Texas…"
"Why Texas?" Lena interrupted.
"We were watching Food Network last night," Alex explained. "She wants to try the chili cheese fries from a place in Wichita Falls."
Lena laughed. "Why am I not surprised?"
Alex starting pulling out things so she could make breakfast. "French toast okay?"
"Sounds good. I don't know how long it's been since I've had French toast," Lena said. In the last couple months her diet had been whatever Kara brought her. It was mostly donuts and pizza but recently Kara had brought her yogurt and granola and chicken wraps. "Do you want some help?"
"If you want you can make the sausage and bacon," Alex said. "I'll make the eggs and French toast."
Lena grabbed a package of bacon and sausage. "How many packages?"
"Two bacon, one sausage," Alex replied. "She prefers bacon but will eat the sausage if she's still hungry."
Kara woke up to the smell of food. She made her way to the kitchen and found her sister and her… friend laughing and cooking. It was a strange sight.
"Morning Kara," Alex greeted, not looking up from the pan.
"Food," Kara groaned. Her stomach growled at the smell.
Lena laughed. "Always thinking with your stomach." She turned off the stove and moved to hug Kara. "How did you sleep?"
"Good," Kara answered. She grabbed a piece of bacon of the plate.
"Be patient," Alex scolded, swatting at Kara's hand with the spatula.
Kara pouted. "I'm hungry," she said crossing her arms over her chest. "I went two days without food Alex. Two days!"
Lena grabbed four pieces of bacon and handed them to Kara. "Now go sit down and be patient. We are almost done."
"Whipped," Alex muttered under her breath. She turned off her own burner and grabbed the plate of French toast.
Kara waited, as patiently as possible, for Alex and Lena to serve themselves. As soon as they were done Kara started piling food onto her own plate.
"We need to test your powers," Alex said as Kara ate.
"My powers work fine," Kara insisted. She grabbed another piece of bacon. Beams of light flew from her eyes and made the bacon extra crispy.
"Is that safe?" Lena asked, as Kara popped the bacon into her mouth.
"We did some tests. Food cooked with her heat vision is no more dangerous than a microwave," Alex answered with a shrug. "We actually use her heat vision on the turkey at Thanksgiving."
"Eliza didn't like it at first," Kara admitted. "That's why she ran the test. She did say it was effective."
"How do you feel?" Alex asked. "Any bruises or sore muscles?"
Kara lifted her shirt slightly. Lena choked on her eggs. All the bruises had faded away now that Kara had her powers back. "It's a little sore," she said poking at the muscles. Lena stared at the ceiling, silently praying for this to end. "Like we went a couple round in the Kryptonite ring."
"That should be gone by the end of the day," Alex said. "Let me know if it doesn't."
"Yes mom," Kara said grinning.
"You should call Clark," Alex told her. "He will want to know you're okay. I need to call Hank and see what he wants to do."
"I feel fine. I can go back to work now…" Kara's eyes widened in horror and she dropped her fork. "Work! Oh no! Snapper's going to fire me."
"Kara, breathe," Lena instructed, grabbing Kara's hand. "You're not going to be fired."
"Hank covered for you the first day," Alex explained. "He faked getting sick. Snapper thinks you have the flu. You'll be good for today and can go back to work tomorrow."
"Thank Rao," Kara said relieved.
Lena refilled their coffees. "Kara, can I talk to you for a minute? Outside?"
"Sure Lena," Kara replied. She glanced at Alex.
Alex nodded in encouragement. "I need to call Hank," Alex said grabbing her phone.
Kara grabbed the leftover bacon and followed Lena to the balcony. This was the first time either of them had looked at the damage Kara had done the night she came here.
"I'm sorry about your balcony," Kara said wincing at the sight.
Lena carefully maneuvered around the broken glass and sat in one of the lounge chairs. "It's fine," Lena said waving away the apology. "I'll call a contractor on Monday and get it fixed up."
"I'll clean the glass up," Kara offered. Kara's eyes locked on the bandage on Lena's hand. She wasn't sure how she missed it before. With the help of her x-ray vision she saw the cut and the stitches. "Is that what happened to your hand? Was it my fault?"
Lena sat her coffee down so she could take Kara's hand. "This wasn't your fault. It was an accident. I was trying to make screwdrivers and broke the bottle of vodka."
"Does it hurt?" Kara asked concerned. Her fingers lightly traced the outline of the cut.
"Not really," Lena answered. "Alex gave me painkillers and some antibiotics."
"Good," Kara said, nodding in approval. "Why did you bring me out here?"
"I wanted to ask you about some things I learned while you were unconscious," Lena began nervously. She regretted bringing this up but there was nothing she could do about it now.
"You can ask me anything," Kara told her. Kara was nervous too although she didn't know why.
"Your scars," Lena started. Kara's eyes widened. How had she known? Kara looked down and it all made sense. The shorts were short and Kara could see her scars, scars she worked hard to keep hidden from the world. The scars were her biggest regret. "I… I figured out what it was as soon as I saw them. Alex explained some but I wanted to know… do you still have those thoughts?"
Kara shook her head. "No, I haven't had thoughts like that since it happened. Most of the time I forgot I had those scars. You're the first one to see the scars, other than Alex and Eliza."
"Alex mentioned that too," Lena admitted. "How is that possible? I mean, you're so beautiful."
Kara blushed. "Thanks." She shifted in her seat so she could look at Lena. "I never felt comfortable being that close to someone. With my powers and all that. It didn't feel right to put my partner in danger when they don't know it."
"You never trusted anyone enough to tell them?" Lena questioned.
"My friends know," Kara said honestly. "And a few others but the few people I've dated… no I never told them anything."
"Have you ever been in love?" Lena asked.
"I don't know," Kara admitted. "I thought I was but looking back I don't think so. What about you? I know you loved Jack but were you in love with him?"
"No," Lena answered. It was the first time she admitted that to anyone, including herself. "I loved him and if he hadn't chosen work over me, I would probably still be with him. But no, I was never in love with him. He was the first person to look past the Luthor name."
"The Luthor name shouldn't define you," Kara said. "I've never cared about your name. Clark may have but I knew when we met that you were nothing like Lex and your mother."
Lena cupped her face. "Thank you, Kara, for everything."