The two were closer than ever, and Lena even started to open up to Kara about her struggles and self-harm urges. Of course, these were difficult things for Lena to say, and even likely even more difficult for Kara to hear, but it created an even stronger bond than they'd had before, and that was appreciated by both.

At first, when Lena started attending services at the local community mental health center, she complained. A lot. In fact, she didn't stop complaining for the first four sessions. Frankly, Kara was about ready to tell her to get ahold of herself and make the best of it. Luckily, just before Kara lost her cool entirely with Lena's negative attitude towards mental health services, an equally disturbing and exciting thing happened.

"So, Katie and I had a good session today…" Lena slipped in quietly, as the two sat in silence, zoning out to a movie on low volume that they were hardly paying attention to anyway.

Not quite sure she'd heard the girl correctly, Kara's gaze snapped over to Lena's, and her grip on the celebrity's hand tightened involuntarily as she asked, "Sorry, what did you say?"

"I said, I had a good session with Katie."

Lips parting to speak, no words fell out of Kara's mouth.

"What?" Lena snapped, suddenly defensive in response to Kara's shocked reaction.

"Sorry!" Kara cried, realizing the vibe she was giving off. "Just… surprised. I thought you hated her. And since when do you call her by her name?"

"Since now," the brunette told her matter-of-factly. "Anyway… As I was saying, it was a good session."

"That's… That's really good, hun!" the younger exclaimed, her excitement finally coming through. "What made it so good, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Well… We talked about you."

Staring blankly, Kara responded, "Me? Why?"

"Because you mean the world to me, and there's no one else more important in my life. So we talked about how you've impacted my recovery and my desire to better myself. And how you've set a wonderful example for me."

"Wait, what? An example? What do you mean?"

Obviously, Kara was confused. Truthfully, she had no idea was Lena was even talking about.

"An example of healthy coping skills. I didn't really notice before, but when you're angry, you do something about it. You don't let it fester. You might keep it to yourself rather than share it with others, but you definitely don't bottle completely. For instance, you skateboard. You read. You hang out at the beach. You have things you use to manage your frustrations, other than substances and self-harm. As much as I'd like to steal your skills, what I talked to Katie about was finding some of my own. Things I like to do. Now, I like to skateboard, and that's definitely one for me, too. But I don't really like to read. I like the beach, but only with you, really. So, Katie suggested I spend some time thinking about things that make me happy. Other than you, of course. You always make me happy. But I mean, things I can do for myself, if you're not around. I need to have skills I can lean on to make myself feel better, without using drugs, alcohol, or cutting."

"That makes sense," Kara agreed. "Sounds like a tough journey, considering you don't really do anything for yourself. You're always doing what other people want you to do. Including me."

"What?"

"When I want to go skating, you go. When I want to go to the beach, you go. When your mom wants you to work, you work. I agree with Katie. It's time to start thinking about yourself and what you want."

"Not what I want. What makes me happy," Lena corrected. "I know what I want already."

"What's that?"

"You, stupid. Of course. The only life dream that matters."

Kara shook her head and chuckled, "You're silly. You need dreams other than—"

"Okay, so maybe I want to win an Oscar someday. But that's far out, since I'm making such stupid TV shows."

"They're not stupid! Everyone loves them, Lena."

"But I don't love them."

"I didn't know that," the blonde said sadly, noting how little she seemed to really know about Lena in general. "I feel like I don't even know you at all. I feel like there's so much under the surface that I have no idea about."

Lena nodded slowly and conceded, "There's a lot you don't know. But you know who I am, Kara. And no one else knows that. You might not know all the events that have happened in my life, but you know my heart."

This turned the younger girl's frown into a smile.

"I'm sorry I missed your graduation," Lena suddenly sighed. "I truly am proud of you. I wish I could've shown you that."

"It's okay, Lee. You're telling me now. That's what matters."

Shaking her head, the brunette protested, "No. I wasn't there when it mattered. I wasn't there to share that moment with you. I was wrecking my life instead."

"You didn't wreck your life. You might've been struggling, but you didn't wreck your life."

"I lost you, didn't I?"

"And here I am," Kara said, offering a warm, encouraging smile. "We're okay, Lee. No point worrying about the past. Graduation was stupid anyway. 9,000 million kids walking across a stage. No big deal."

"It was a big deal to me. I'm very proud of you, Kara."

Blushing, the blonde looked down and mumbled, "Thanks, Lena."

"I mean it."

"I'm glad. It means a lot that you're proud of me."

"I always will be, Kara. Always. You're a wonderful young woman, and I am so lucky to have you in my life," Lena told her. "And I don't ever want to lose you again. I'd do anything to keep you."

"You won't lose me, Lena. I'm not going anywhere. We made a commitment to each other."

Lena bit her lip and drew in an exceptionally slow breath as she looked into her partner's soft eyes.

"What?" Kara asked, confused by the girl's expression.

"I've been thinking about that…"

"Thinking about what?"

"Commitment."

Kara swallowed hard. What was that supposed to mean? We're they breaking up? No, that wouldn't make sense. Not after everything Lena had just said. So, what did she mean?

"Did you mean what you said when you told me you'd marry me right then if you could have?"

"Of course," Kara told her without hesitation.

It wasn't even a question. Of course, Kara knew this was impossible. Eloping would probably have ruined Lena's career, and her mother and sister would have killed them both. They were too young, anyway. It wasn't the right time for either of them. Hell, Kara was freshly graduated from high school. There was no way she was ready for marriage.

And yet…

"Then, why don't we?"

"Why don't we what?"

"Why don't we elope?"

Kara's mouth fell open.

"W-We can't… We can't. Our parents would—"

"Our parents don't have to know until it happens."

"Lena, no way. My mom would fucking murder me."

With a sigh of disappointment - and possibly pain - Lena looked down and mumbled, "'Kay."

Seeing the expression of discomfort and sadness on Lena's face, Kara quickly said, "Lena, wait. It's not that I don't want to. We just can't, you know? It's not the right time. I'm hardly even old enough to be able to get married. And you're not much older than me."

"Yeah."

Refusing to look at her partner, Lena stared at the wall to her left.

"Lena."

"What?"

"Lena."

"What?"

"Look at me."

With a huff, Lena turned her head and finally caught Kara's gaze, saying, "What?"

"Where did you just go?"

"Nowhere," Lena lied quickly, crossing her arms.

"Lena. Look at your body language and tone. You're lying to me. Tell me where you just went. It's okay. No judgment. It's just me, hun. Talk to me."

"I…" Lena tried, but started to cry, interrupting her own explanation.

"What is it?"

"I just thought you wanted to marry me, and now I feel stupid for bringing it up when you shut me down so hard."

"Oh, sweetheart," Kara whispered, pulling the girl close and embracing her warmly. "It's not that. I'd give anything to just run away with you and be your wife. I just… We just… can't. It's not in the cards for us yet. But someday, Lena Luthor, I will be your wife, if you continue to want me."

"I'll always want you," the brunette assured her hurriedly. "Always. Are you sure you'll want me too?"

Nodding vigorously, Kara said, "Always."

"So… What were you thinking of for a timeline, then, if not now?"

Shrugging slightly, Kara answered honestly, "I'm not really sure. I just know it's really early and that our parents would be pissed and it would ruin your career and we're just too young to make that kind of commitment."

"But haven't we already made that commitment to each other? Promised not to leave? In sickness and in health?"

Pausing to consider this, the blonde replied, "I guess you're right."

"That's not meant to be pressure. Just making a point," Lena clarified. "But really. How old should we be? How will we know it's the right time?"

"I don't know, hun. I guess we'll just… know."

This answer didn't sit well with Lena at all, but she didn't argue. It was a sensitive subject for both of them, and more importantly, she knew she had to respect Kara's thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the matter. Both their perspectives were important. And at least Kara had reiterated and assured her that she did definitely still want to get married. That made her feel a lot better.

"I love you," Lena said softly, squeezing Kara's hand. "And whenever that day comes, I'll be ready and waiting with bated breath."

Smiling broadly, Kara kissed her lover's cheek and told her, "I love you too. I can't wait either. You're the only one for me, Lena. I know that for sure."

"Good," Lena said firmly, "because I may have burned the receipt so you can't return me."

Laughing at this, Kara hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead, repeating, "Love you."