Author's Note: Trigger warnings for substance use and rehab.

"I can't do this," Lena blurted, shifting anxiously in the back seat of her driver's car.

It wasn't often that she let him drive her around - he was always around just in case, though - but today, she knew she was too nervous to drive herself to the rehab facility, and Kara needed a ride home anyway.

"Lena. Yes, you can. I know you can."

Vigorously, the star shook her head.

"Look, I'll just—"

"Ah-ah. No. You're doing this. I know you want to get better, so please don't back out now."

"I…"

"Come on, Lee. It's gonna be okay. Three months; that's it."

"That's so long. I'm not gonna make it."

"Lena."

"I need my Klonopin," Lena instead, tears of frustration filling her eyes.

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do," the brunette moaned, hanging her head in her hands. "Please, Kara. Just two to get me through the drive. Please."

"No."

"One?"

"No."

That was when Lena started to hyperventilate. This wasn't anything Kara had ever seen before, really - mostly because Lena popped benzos like tic-tacs on the regular to keep herself calm - so it freaked her out to an excessive degree.

"Lena. Lena, breathe, honey. It's okay. It's okay," Kara hushed her, stroking her hair back as the driver pulled them away from the estate.

"No. I can't. I can't. Please. Please, just one. Something. Anything."

"Lena."

"I can't!" the celebrity screamed, slamming her fist on the car door. "Kara, I can't!"

"Listen… Lena. The worst part will be the next twenty-four hours. After that, it's a rough ride, but downhill. I think you know that."

"I can't fucking do this. I'm telling him to turn around. I don't care. I can't. I can't."

With a soft sigh, Kara gently wiped the girl's tears away and kissed her forehead.

"I know this is scary," she told her, "but I also know you can get through this. You're strong. You don't need pills to get through difficult moments. I promise you that, Lena. But I need you to show yourself that you can manage these emotions. And when you get there, after you sober up, they're going to teach you lots of coping skills and give you therapy to help you get through the hard stuff. You don't need pills."

"Yes, I fucking do," Lena howled. "I do, I do, I do."

Looking at her partner sadly, never having seen her falling apart to such a degree, Kara held the girl tightly in her arms and rocked her gently as the car continued on its journey.

"Breathe, honey," she whispered. "Just breathe. Breathe through this. It'll pass."

But Lena was no longer in a place to converse. In fact, she became completely non-verbal, wracked by heavy sobs until they reached the facility. When Kara gently pulled her out of the car, she was still shaking.

"Don't make me go," Lena finally begged. "Take me home. I wanna go home."

Biting her lip, Kara felt a pang of guilt in her stomach. Maybe she was being too hard on Lena. Maybe—

No. This was what she needed. Kara's mother was right. Lena definitely had a problem, and this could really help.

So, Kara simply cupped her lover's face in her hands and looked deeply into her eyes, saying, "You can do this, Lena. And I'll be right here waiting when all this is over."

"I can't do it. I can't be here for three months," the brunette protested.

"Yes, you can."

"But… But I'm going to miss your graduation," Lena said, suddenly sobbing again as this intensely painful realization hit her. "I'm so sorry, Kara. I'm so, so sorry. I am such a shitty person. I can't believe I'm going to miss your graduation. I'm so s—"

"Hush. You're not a shitty person, Lena. You just need help. We can celebrate my graduation when you get back, okay? And you'll be able to send me a card by then."

"Please, don't make me do this."

"I'm not making you do this. But if you want to get better, you have to. You can't do this on your own. You said so yourself."

Finally, Lena gave in an nodded, mumbling, "I know. I'm not strong enough to—"

"Hey. Most people need help kicking addictions. They're no joke. It's not easy to walk away from substances. I know you know that. It doesn't make you weak to need help. The fact that you're willing to get the help you need only speaks to how strong you are."

Before Lena could reply, the manager of the facility greeted them at the steps, where tears were still streaking Lena's cheeks.

"You gotta go," Kara said softly, kissing the girl's cheek. "I love you, Lena. You can do this. I believe in you. 110%."

Without speaking, Lena threw her arms around her partner and clung tightly.

"We'll talk soon," Kara assured her, but knew it would be a while before Lena was allowed to reach out to anyone in her life. When Lena didn't pull away, Kara sighed, "Time to go, honey. It's okay."

"I don't want to," Lena whimpered.

"I know. But this is what you need right now."

With a weak, defeated nod, Lena kissed her partner's lips hard, her face soaked with tears.

Stroking Lena's hair back, Kara said softly, "Ta-ta for now, baby. I'll be right here waiting for you when you get out."

"Promise?"

"Promise. I'm yours always, babe. I'd die for you, remember? You just focus on your recovery. I'm not going anywhere."

Sniffling, Lena hugged her girlfriend one last time, whispered 'goodbye,' and followed the manager into the building as she continued to cry, body still shaking from fear, anxiety, and withdrawals.

After watching her girlfriend enter the building, Kara allowed herself to cry as she got back into the car to head home. The entire drive, she found herself unable to control the tears, despite her best efforts. She was just grateful that she'd been able to stay strong for her partner through the worst of it.

When she walked in the front door to her place, her mother and sister were waiting for her.

"How'd it g—" Alex started, but upon seeing her sister's wet, red eyes, she frowned and opened her arms. "C'mere, dude."

Eliza was frowning too, but it warmed her heart to see her daughters caring for each other that way.

Kara hugged her sister tightly, allowing the tears that had almost stopped to flow freely again as she clung to Alex.

"Thank you," she whimpered. "Thank you for supporting me." Then, after a pause, where she still hadn't let go, she added, "And for supporting Lena."

Eliza put her hand on Kara's back and rubbed in gentle, calming circles as Alex continued to hold her. Eventually, the blonde pulled away.

"I love you guys," Kara whispered. "Thank you."

Her mother and sister both nodded in unison, and Eliza quickly told her, "We've got you, sweetheart. And Lena will be okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure. She might be struggling, but she's a tough cookie. She's got this. And I'm sure you told her that, too."

Kara nodded.

"Good," Eliza told her. "You're a wonderful support for her, you know."

Shrugging, the blonde mumbled, "I guess so."

"No, you are," Alex cut in. "You're, like, the best girlfriend ever. Who else would put up with that shit?"

"Alex," their mother warned. "Not helpful."

"Right, sorry."

Kara sighed and rested her head on Alex's shoulder.

"She's got this," her sister promised. "We all believe in her."

After a while, once Kara was mostly calm, Eliza made the girls hot chocolates, and the three of them sat down on the couch together. In those moments, Kara was more grateful than ever to have her family. Still, the pang in her gut was undeniable, and it was more than just worry for Lena.

She missed her dad.

"You okay?" Alex asked, noticing that her sister was suddenly solemn again, after having calmed down for a short period of time.

Shrugging, Kara looked away.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Eliza asked, stroking her hair back.

"I miss Dad," she confessed with a sniffle.

Their mother nodded and sighed, "Me too, honey. Me too."