Here it is folks! Much easier than last week. Thank you as always to my amazing beta.

As always let me know what you think.

Fun fact: Read the start of this one in Brenda Strongs Desperate Housewives opening voice :)

Enjoy!

Lena Luthor has had many trials in her life. At 4, she had watched her mother die and less than six months later her biological father, Lionel came and introduced her to the Luthor family. A family where she was constantly reminded that she was adopted. Always considered an outsider and never to be truly as part. She had a drunk for a father, a narcissist for a mother and then there was Lex, their golden boy.

That Lex was the prodigy and perfect child. She had barely gotten her bearings when she was shipped off to boarding school in Wexford, Ireland at the earliest opportunity. Lena's sure if Lillian didn't have a cruel sense of humour it would have been Timbuktu.

Her trials continued into her teenage years when she was shipped off to another boarding school this time in Dublin. There she was often referred to as Lex Luthor's little sister and constantly being compared to his genius. She tried to out prove herself and she did but it didn't matter she was constantly in his shadow. Never quite enough. Some would say graduating from MIT at the age of 19 was impressive if she had belonged to any other family. Even with her start up with Jack to cure cancer it was never quite enough. Lex was power hungry and would never endorse her work. She did her bit for LuthorCorp working in its R & D department part time while trying to get her and Jack's business off the ground. Lex had called it a bit of fun. But something always gives, when her brother kidnapped her in the Spring of 2015 it all changed. No longer was the youngest Luthor hidden away behind the ravings of her homicidal brother she was free of her family trials.

Ready to start again. Until Kara Danvers walked into her office in October 2016. And Lena realised trying not to fall in love with a babbling blushing reporter would be the biggest trial of her life.

As she stands under the hot spray of the shower she recalls the way Kara had blundered into her life whether she liked it or not. From asking favours, slowly turned into lunches, which turned into late night movies and then game nights. All while Lena had fallen slowly in love with her. Stepping from the shower she thinks back to their time on the new Earth how patient Kara had been, even when Lena didn't deserve it. She hated how Lex had been right about her feelings. How she had loved Kara, how this Earth was everything Lena wanted with little variables of her own that she wanted to add. A dog maybe? Lena queried as she stood drying her hair. She could imagine a yard with Kara running around with a golden retriever and a big bright smile dancing on her lips. She can picture it clearly, her family. Not Lex or Lillian but Alex with a baby on her hip, Ruby and Sam shooting water guns at each other on a summer day with Brainy and Nia. All while J'onn and Eliza grill up barbeque in her yard. All that's missing from the vision is her own child but Lena quickly shakes that thought away. No, Kara doesn't even like her like that. Lena justifies. Kara sees her as a means to an end and that was all. They had used each other willingly, Lena validates.

But it didn't stop the want or desire she felt as she recalled Kara's strong hands around her waist pinning her to the bed only weeks ago. The way soft lips had ghosted over the column of her neck. She shakes the thought away as she dresses. She shouldn't think of Kara like that, not when it was so easy to be rejected. She thinks about all the soft kisses that have passed between them and it makes her stomach flutter at the thought.

Lena Luthor is walking through the hotel lobby when she sees it. The news coverage flashing over the screen and recognises a familiar flash of red and blue. Walking closer to the screen she frowns as an unknown alien punches Kara to the ground. It looks bad, even from Lena's perspective in Metropolis, despite the banner beneath the screen reading. Supergirl Saves the Day. That isn't what it looks like. It looks like Kara is being beaten, badly. The camera zooms in on Supergirl's face and Lena's stomach flips at the sight of Kara dazed and bloody. But there is determination in her blue eyes. Then Kara whips forward, landing punch after punch forcing the alien back. She recognises J'onn flying to the ground, as he and Nia run across streets keeping civilians safe. It looks like the perfect team up until the alien's scratching through Kara's suit, and then there's a boom as Supergirl takes to the sky with the alien. The camera struggles to make them out as they battle so far out of view. Just specks in the sky. Then there's an explosion of light and Lena's fumbling in her purse blindly searching for her phone. Lena collectively gasps with the small crowd in the hotel's lobby watching the scene unfold. J'onn's shooting into the sky after Kara and there are more flashes of heat vision until there's what sounds similarly to a thunder clap. Lena has only known Kara to do that once but then her eyes widen as a small red dot becomes bigger as it plummets to the earth and she inhales sharply. The screen cuts away from what Lena knows is a Kara shaped dent in the Earth.

"Get my jet ready, I need to get back to National City now!" Lena orders into her phone as she strides from the hotel. As she steps from the hotel into the bitter air of the city the sleek back door of the town car is open and waiting.

Lena watches as the City of Metropolis passes her by quickly. Her jaw is clenched as her mind races thinking of calculations and variables as to how quickly she can get back to be there to help Kara. It makes her stomach drop as she realises how many times she's inadvertently saved Kara's life. How by creating a Krypto suit on Earth-38 made Kara invulnerable to Mercy's attacks. But then her mind goes to when Kara wasn't there, when J'onn filled in and made Lena a laughing stock. Had she been? Lena wonders. Was it her initial reactions that had made her over react to it. To all the lies. To all the hurt. But then she begins to wonder what other times Kara has been near death and vanished. How many times had Kara vanished could she have helped? Could she have saved her rather than been comatose as they used unknown methods to get her back.

The city passes by quickly until the car is rolling to a stop near the sidewalk.

"Why are we stopping?" Lena asks, a deep frown cutting across her face. She has to get to Kara. The door opens and Lena jumps away, her hand reaching for her heel.

"Airport, good man."

Lena glares as Jack sits across from her with a grin. "What're you doing?" Lena asks quickly.

"Coming with you to National City. There's no point me buying a ticket when you're on your way there right now," Jack shrugs, settling into the back of the Rolls Royce.

"Fine," Lena bites clenching her jaw staring forward. "And how did you know I was on my way to the airport?" Lena asks.

Jack simply looks at her with a knowing smirk.

"Sam called you," Lena sighs and Jack nods with a grin.

"Now, I hear you went on a jolly off world?"

"Not now, Jack," Lena sighs, pinching her nose. She didn't have the brain capacity to tell Jack all about Argo when her mind could only picture Kara unconscious in rubble.

"We could stop by that takeout place on the way to the airport to grab a spot of dinner before-" Lena's glare silences him before he chuckles. "You know for someone who said to me two weeks ago you hated Kara Danvers, you're in an awful rush to make sure she's ok?" Jack teases.

"She might need my help," Lena justifies, her face carefully neutral.

"Doesn't Supergirl have friends that can help her?" Jack asks. "The government or someone?"

Lena side eyes him praying he'll stop talking. "You know interestingly," Jack continues unconcerned. "A very comprehensive NDA landed on my desk after we talked and I didn't know Supergirl worked with the FBI, did you?"

"I am married to her Jack," Lena mutters, her tone displaying how completely unimpressed she is by him crashing her panic.

"So, you've gone from hating her, to loving her, to being married? Did something happen on this trip of yours?" His eyebrows waggle suggestively and Lena glares.

"As much as I enjoy the emotional rollercoaster that is this conversation, why are you here?" Lena asks.

"Apparently, you may need the emotional support," Jack admits with a shrug.

"I don't need support from someone with the emotional range of a teaspoon," Lena mutters as she goes back to the road outside.

She hears Jack chuckle, "You really have been hanging out with Kara Danvers. Good Harry Potter reference by the way."

"Shut up, Jack," Lena mutters dejectedly.

Winn Schott was not a brave man. And he was completely fine with that. So when he did something brave he liked to pat himself on the back. He recalled for the first time in a long time the number of times he had been brave. He left his secure job at Catco to join an unregistered government facility, he had gone to outer space. He had even helped save the Earth a couple of times too. He knew he could be brave; he just didn't like making a habit of it. He liked to think that this was one of those moments where he was brave as he stared at his phone.

"Five days, Winn!" He winces as a punch that lands on his arm. "You couldn't keep my sisters alive for five days."

Winn watches Alex walk further into the Med bay, Charlie strapped tightly to her chest. She assesses Kara's vitals before turning back and looking between Winn and Brainy who are inspecting their shoes diligently.

"Have you called her?" She asks with narrow eyes. She's met with shaking heads. "You better phone her Winn," Alex directs. "Brainy, tell me about the weapon." She orders as they walk from the med bay. Staring back down at his phone Winn sighs. He was brave and he could do this. The number stares threateningly back at him.

The phone call is met after the third ring.

"Is she alright?"

"So you saw the news, huh?" Winn asks bashfully.

"The whole country saw the news, Winn," It was a snap that Winn was expecting. A softer question comes next, "Is Kara alright?"

"She's stable," Winn says, his voice quiet as he watches members of staff work around Kara. She had just plummeted 50,000 feet. Higher than the cruising altitude of a 747. As well as exhausting her heat vision."

"I'll be back in two hours, don't let her die until I get back."

"Why? What happens when you get back?" Winn squeaks.

"I'm going to kill her myself."

Winn swallows as the call disconnects and he watches as Kara's vitals become more rhythmic than they were a few seconds ago and Winn sighs staring down at his phone. He had always believed in her, even back when he was designing her first suit. Nothing could happen to Kara they had all come too far.

It's like most mornings the way Kara wakes, the warm sunlight glimmering through the large windows. The sound of the city waking fills her ears, and a familiar hum pulls her from it. Sitting up. she looks around, smiling at the sight of the shared bedroom. Slipping from the bed, she follows the noise of the humming. Kara stops at the top of the stairs to find Lena in her sweats and a baggy National City hoodie falling loosely off her shoulders highlighting strong shoulders.

"Good, you're up, do you want coffee?" Lena asks over her shoulder as the smell of pancakes fill her nose. Kara finds herself nodding as she descends the stairs.

"You, ugh, you're up early," Kara states, stopping behind the raven haired woman. Lena chuckles as she adds another scoop of batter to the pan in front of her.

"Kara, it's nearly 10.30, you've been asleep for ages, my love." Lena smiles, turning and Kara's breath leaves her at the sight of warm green eyes staring up at her.

"I think I've been asleep for a long time," Kara mutters to herself. She wants this, she wants Lena and every early morning and late night encounter, and everything in between.

"You need to wake up Kara," Lena's voice whispers from behind and Kara tries to turn but Lena steps close and tucks herself into Kara's arms. "Please wake up for me." The voice calls from above her.

"Lena what're you-" Kara asks.

"Jeju! Jeju, come on," A small voice calls and Kara frowns at the small girl standing on the couch. Hands on small hips.

"Wh- Who?"

"Kara," Lena's voice is soft and filled with concern and she turns back to the CEO who is smiling up at her. A soft hand cups her cheek and Kara can feel herself falling deeper into green eyes. "Kara you have to come back to me, you have to wake up."

Kara Danvers wakes at approximately 2.36am on a Friday morning. Her head hurts like she's been punched in the face by her cousin and she feels dizzy, disoriented.

"Easy there, Supergirl." Kara looks up to see J'onn staring down at her.

"Wh-What happened?" Kara asks as she tries to drown out the ringing in her ears.

"Well other than getting beat up by a Marvanian, you also fell 50,000 feet into concrete," Winn informs her.

"I don't- I can't remember," Kara shakes her head as the ringing gets higher.

"Just relax, Kara. It's all been dealt with," J'onn places a soothing hand on her shoulder as black spots fill her vision. Kara lies back and squeezes her eyes shut, the ringing drowning out any other noise.

It's the sound of firm clicks that rouses Kara to consciousness, the ringing has disappeared to a small ache in her face and as she cracks her eyes open wincing at the brightness of the lights around her. Blinking, she follows the sound of rhythmic clicking and looks out the glass wall of the med bay. Kara squints and can see a handful of agents wandering around looking sheepish and she frowns. Turning the other way, it's still dark outside and she can feel the warmth of the sun lamps. The rhythmic clicking changes and Kara turns at the noise. She squints at the sight of the raven haired CEO as she steps into the med bay.

"L-Lena, what're?" Kara tries to sit up her vision swimming as nausea overcomes her.

"It's alright Kara, everything's fine, just lie back," Lena murmurs, calmly. Kara's skin tingles at the soft contact of Lena's hands on Kara's shoulders. The last thing Kara sees before passing out is worried green eyes.

Kara wakes to a piercing light as she blinks trying to clear her vision. She can only describe the feeling as being hit by a train if she was human. Everything aches. Most notably her head. It hurts to the point where she can't drown out the noise and her vision flickers between x-ray and human as she tries to concentrate. Then a familiar rhythm focuses her and she looks over to see Lena curled in a small chair looking at a tablet. Her glasses are perched on the end of her nose, a small scowl on her face. Kara makes an effort to sit up and groans as she does. It pulls Lena's attention from her work with a small curse.

"Jesus Kara," Lena mutters, helping her sit up.

"Sorry," Kara hisses through clenched teeth as Lena props a pillow behind her back. Kara leans back with a heavy sigh and frowns up at Lena who stands watching her. Her hands fidget and her eyes dart carefully over Kara's bruised form. She looks down at herself to find she's been changed out of her super suit and into a black DEO issue sweat set. "What happened?" Kara asks, surprised by how hoarse her voice sounds.

"Well, you fell after battling an alien criminal," Lena informs her, brows furrowed with worry. The door slides open and Kara watches as Brainy and J'onn walk in.

"J'onn?" Kara finds herself looking at the Martian for answers as to why she felt well… Human.

"Hey, Kara, how are you feeling?" J'onn asks, standing with his fist on his hips.

"Human."

"That's not surprising considering..."

"What do you remember, Kara?" J'onn asks, cutting Brainy off and standing at the foot of the bed.

Kara frowns as patches of information come back to her, "I was, ugh, on 42nd street there was a Marvanian from Fort Rozz and then... I... I flew somewhere," Kara tries, the ringing in her ears coming back. Kara frowns as she tries to remember and she can feel the weight of Lena's hand on her arm. She looks down to find it there, reassuringly and Kara glances up at the raven haired woman finding tired eyes. That despite everything is here with Kara, centring her, helping her

"The weapon the Marvanian used, caused you to sustain irregular internal injuries, attacking you on a cellular level, causing you to fluctuate between having powers and not having powers. We don't quite know what the weapon was, but that coupled with the fall from such a high altitude basically blew most of your powers. You're only ¼ super right now. " J'onn explains.

"My hearing and vision are fine," Kara confirms, as pain radiates from her abdomen when she shifts. Kara winces at the unfamiliar pain and Lena shifts uncomfortably beside her. All three share a look of concern.

"Kara, when you fell, you.. you landed on a steel rod," Lena explains and Kara frowns at the anxiety in her tone.

"It seems the weapon coupled with the fall resulted in you being vulnerable," Brainy adds, pressing his fingers together and Kara gives him a questioning look. He rolls on the balls of his feet rolling his neck before stating, "Because of this vulnerability brought on by the weapon, you were impaled on a steel rod. Luckily it missed all vital organs."

Kara lifts her shirt with a frown finding a large bandage over her abdomen. "B-But...?"

"It seems the weapon has also affected your ability to heal quickly. So it's taking longer than expected" J'onn explains.

"What about the sun lamps?" Kara asks and Lena smiles softly.

"They got you to this point but nothing, it seems your body needs to resettle," Lena explains.

"Did I solar flare?" Kara asks looking around the room and Brainy steps forward.

"We do not believe so, as certain aspects of your powers are there. According to Alex, the last time you solar flared everything was subdued whereas now it's only aspects such as hearing and sight that remain," Brainy explains.

"Oh god, Alex," Kara whispers and J'onn chuckles.

"She was here for a few hours before Sam came to take her home, she's going to come back in once she's had more than two hours sleep," Lena explains and Kara nods shakily.

"Rest, Kara, we'll get to the bottom of this," J'onn instructs before he and Brainy leave the room. Lena fidgets as she sits next to Kara's bed.

"How long was I out?" Kara asks, watching Lena carefully.

"Around 32 hours," Lena explains.

Kara nods as she tries to process what's been going on, "Y-you were in Metropolis and, and oh god, Lex?" Kara asks

Lena smiles tightly and nods, "I got back last night after seeing the news," Lena says her hand still lingering on Kara's arm.

"And Lex, how was it?" Kara asks. A flicker of emotion Kara can't quite read passes over Lena's face before it's replaced with a comforting smile.

"It was fine, we talked and he was... Well, he was Lex about the whole thing," Lena admits with a shrug and Kara nods as the pain begins to creep into her body. She shifts with a wince before Lena turns handing her a small pill and a bottle of water.

"What is this?" Kara asks cautiously.

"Pain meds," Lena states with a smirk. "Codeine and ibuprofen."

"Will they work?" Kara wonders and Lena shrugs.

"We'll find out," Lena says as Kara swallows the pills and gags. She doesn't miss Lena's giggle as she coughs handing her the water.

"Sorry," Kara wheezes out and Lena simply bites her lip trying to hide her laugh.

"It's funny watching you like this, never having to take pills to feel better."

"Yeah," Kara mutters and Lena grins. "I'm sure it's hilarious."

"You should get some rest," Lena says, as she squeezes Kara's arm softly. "Alex'll be here soon, I imagine."

Kara groans as she settles into the pillows.

Lena works, drifting in and out of a restless sleep filled haze. It doesn't take long though when Kara's long since woken that she finds herself thinking as she watches Lena work.

"Hey, Lena?" Kara asks softly, making Lena look up from the tablet with a raised sculpted brow. "What do we do now?"

Lena brow creases before setting the tablet down with a clenched jaw. "What do you mean Kara?"

"Well, we have nowhere to go? Earth-38 doesn't exist, what happens now? What happens with us being married and all?" Kara asks.

Lena regards her for a minute before asking, "It depends I suppose?" Lena sighs as she continues, "We could always get a divorce and make it a mutual separation, there's no reason to make it anything more than that."

Kara's gut twists as she thinks about what Lena is saying, she doesn't want to stay with her, she wants to go their separate ways. "And, ugh, we'd stay friends?" Kara asks hopefully.

"If that's what you want," Lena's lips are drawn into a thin line and her neck twitches in a way Kara knows she's trying to hold back her emotion. "That would be-"

"Oh thank god, you're awake."

They both turn to find Alex walking in, Charlie strapped securely to her chest, and Kara smiles through both the emotional and physical pain.

"I should, um, go, I have meetings at L-Corp," Lena states standing and quickly grabbing her bag.

"No Lena-"

"It's fine, Kara," Lena offers reassuringly over her shoulder as she walks quickly from the room. Kara watches her walk away and sighs before turning to Alex who is glaring at her.

"What did you do?"

"What makes you think I did something?" Kara protests.

"Because Lena looks like she was about to cry as she left here," Alex states, pointing to the door for emphasis.

"She- She," Kara stutters. With a shake of her head and a sigh Kara whispers, "She doesn't want to be with me, Alex."

Alex frowns as she takes in the information, moving to sit in the seat beside her sister that Lena had previously been in.

"Kara, what happened? You guys were getting on fine, good even," Alex asks softly and Kara shrugs as she lies back staring up at the ceiling.

"I just asked her what we were going to do now," Kara explains before she recalls the conversation to Alex. Alex sits for a moment before shaking her head.

"You know, I wish I could take you back to two years ago when you two were this blind to each other," Alex sighs.

"What're you talking about Alex?" Kara sighs, wincing as she shifts to look at her sister.

"You and Lena, she clearly loves you Kara and you're just sitting here wallowing," Alex points out.

"Oh because you didn't wallow over Maggie," Kara scoffs and Alex glares. Kara looks away bashfully until she hears sniffles. Kara turns wide eyed as she watches Alex swipe at her eyes.

"Are you crying?" Kara asks in shock.

"Baby hormones are just terrible!" Alex hiccups.

"Sorry," Kara apologises.

"You two aren't sharing your feelings for each other, Kara. So, of course, she thinks you don't want her and she doesn't want you," Alex sighs. "God you two are so blind."

"Well, I'm sorry if I was busy trying to get us home to try to realise," Kara stresses. She takes a calming breath before she sighs, "What do I do?"

"Talk to Lena," Alex states as if it's obvious.

"She won't talk to me now, Alex, you know what she's like, look what happened with James."

"James, as nice as he is, was an asshole to Lena. You, You used to treat her like she was your sun, before you woke up and stuff," Alex explains. "Do you like her?" Alex asks and Kara stares into brown eyes. "Do you want her to be your friend or your wife Kara? It's a simple question.."

"But it's a life changing decision Alex," Kara states with a sigh.

"I know," Alex concedes sitting back in the chair. "But it's one you need to figure out now you're stuck here," Alex adds with a small smile. "Now how're you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a bus," Kara says with a smirk and Alex cracks a watery smile.

Lena steps out of the elevator at L-Corp wiping her eyes. She thought her intentions had been clear. She thought she and Kara were on the same page. That they understood one another better now. Lena smiles politely at Jess who nods as she steps into her office stopping in her tracks however at the sight of Jack, sitting at her desk, lounging in her chair with his feet propped on the desk. A sight of a figure shifting at the corner makes her frown.

"Sam, what- Why're you here?" Lena asks, dropping her bag to embrace her friend while glaring at Jack who gives a small wave.

"Well, we had a group meeting planned but since your wife decided to get impaled and this one produced a parasite we thought it'd be better to just have a catch up here instead," Jack informs her.

"We're worried about you," Sam says, ignoring the brash way Jack spoke. "No one's seen you since you went to the DEO and I can see now, you haven't changed or even been home," Sam says as her eyes rake over Lena's two day old outfit.

Lena blushes and shakes her head, "I'm fine."

"You're not fine," Sam stresses as Lena sits beside Sam.

"I am, Kara has told me exactly how she feels now," Lena justifies with a shrug.

"Oh so you mean in between Argo, Charlie, going to see Lex, Kara getting injured and being unconscious for two days you two have had a long and meaningful discussion around your feelings towards each other?" Sam asks quickly with pursed lips and Lena instinctively narrows her eyes.

"That was uncalled for," She says without thinking.

"No it's the truth," Sam argues. "It's the truth because I know you haven't talked because you two did this the last time one of you confessed your feelings to the other."

Lena sighs looking away from both of her closest friends, "No ones confessed their love to each other. Kara doesn't even love me so there's no discussion to be had."

"Oh yes, because saving your life multiple times, writing shining articles about how wonderful you are while risking being seen as biased. Or flying you across the city and risking her secret identity isn't love right enough?" Jack asks looking through paperwork on her desk.

"He has a point," Sam points out. Lena sighs heavily leaning back into the sofa exhaustion urging her to close her eyes.

"She asked me what I wanted now our Earth doesn't exist yet," Lena informs them with a sigh.

"You know Kara's communication skills are disastrous right?" Sam states with a soft smile and it makes Lena scoff humorously.

"Well, unless it's a speech of hope," Jack quips.

"Not helpful," Sam snaps as Jack holds his hands up, smirking.

"So, what am I to do?" Lena asks. It's more to herself than Sam or Jack.

"You could just have an adult conversation and talk openly and honestly about how you feel.?" Jack supplies and Lena and Sam stare at him in surprise. "What! I can have depth." Looks away with a slight pout.

"Well, to start, I think you should go home, get showered, or have a bath, sleep," Sam suggests.

"Sam, I have work to do," Lena protests.

"I know," Sam states, standing to pour scotch for both of them. "Which is why I brought Jack here." Sam gestured proudly to Jack who grins.

"Sam-"

"No, No, when I was sick, you looked after me, so now I'm helping you," Sam argues. "Now, go back to your obnoxiously large apartment, to have an obnoxiously long relaxing bath and then get into the big ass bed of yours and sleep," Sam orders.

Lena tries to sleep. She really does, the obnoxiously large bed calls to her. But her mind fills with images of Kara falling through the sky, of her lying unconscious in a pile of rubble, a bloody abdomen visible from the camera on the helicopter and it reminds her that Kara is lying alone in an uncomfortable bed in the DEO. She tosses and turns before she realises she misses the sound and presence of Kara in the apartment. With a huff, she tosses the covers from herself and pads to the spare room. Turning on the light, she looks around seeing little evidence of Kara's presence but finds herself sitting on the edge of the bed with a sigh. Lying on her back she catches the fading familiar scent of Kara's shampoo mixed with Kara's natural smell of fresh summer rain. It relaxes her into a sense of security lulling her to a deep sleep.

Lena wakes the following morning to the sun peaking over the tops of skyscrapers and she sighs, rolling onto her back. Climbing from the bed and making her way downstairs, she's missing the usual sight of Kara humming while brewing coffee and making breakfast. Or standing on the balcony basking in the morning sun. Instead, it's empty, and it reminds Lena of how alone she is. How alone she is going to be once they sort their life out. She can't help the pain that aches through her as she thinks about Kara's words the way she was as casual as talking about their feelings as she was about ordering takeout. Moving out onto the balcony, Lena watches the sun creep higher, thinking bitterly about how she had been so stupid to let her wall down again. Opening her heart up to be vulnerable again.

They were married, why couldn't they have continued down this path of building a life with one another. She looks down at the silver bands as she imagines the wedding that is depicted in various photographs inside. A small part of her wishes she had the memories, they would have been in white, love in their eyes, and she would have cried. She hates to admit it but Lena knows she would have which would have set Kara off. It reminds her of the photographs sitting tauntingly on the bookshelves within the apartment. She pulls the set of rings from her finger and sets them down beside her, she can't face the reality of them. A reality she so desperately wants but can't have. They taunt her, the way the silver glints in the morning sun. Lena realises, with sun warming her cheek, why Kara stands out here for long hours in the morning just thinking. It's calm, even as the city thunders beneath her as it wakes up for a new day. Lena takes a deep breath, drawing herself up and stealing her spine. She can do this, she thinks to herself. She can bury her feelings again like she did before, when they had just been friends, she can do that again she thinks. She was taught to remain impassive and emotionless. To school her features so no one could have power over her. The faint swoosh of the balcony door opening makes her jump and turn. Kara stands, slightly hunched in the doorway. A faint look of worry dancing over her features.

"You're back," Lena states, her own worry lacing into her voice. Kara shrugs as she steps onto the balcony, her hand hovering over the wound on her abdomen.

"Brainy reckoned I should be fully healed by the end of the day providing everything goes ok," Kara explains with a small smile, but there is something about the way Kara looks that had Lena wanting to comfort her.

It creates a painful ache in her chest as she pushes the urge down to hold Kara tight and make her feel better. "That's- That's really good, Kara," Lena whispers instead, offering a reassuring nod and soft half smile. A low ping interrupts the silence and Kara removes her phone with a frown.

"It's um Alex," Kara mutters her lips drawn into a frown. "She's asked if we can come over for lunch?"

Lena nods, checking her watch. 9am, she could at least spend an hour and a half getting ready, she justifies to herself. "I better go get sorted," Lena excuses herself moving through the door.

"Hey Lena," Kara turns, making Lena stop in the doorway. "Thanks for coming to the DEO and making sure I was ok."

Lena can only smile and shrug, "It's what friends do, right?"

She doesn't see Kara's pained crooked smile. And Kara doesn't see her swipe the single tear that rolls down her cheek as she moves to get ready for the day.

The drive to the Danver-Arias house is mostly in silence. Lena can feel Kara's occasional glance as she drives aware of the awkwardness, as they avoid talking, especially about the things they need to. Kara sighs, looking back at the passing cityscape, and it irritates Lena, but then she sighs before the car returns to silence. Thankfully, it isn't long until she pulls to a stop outside Sam and Alex's house.

"Did they say what they wanted?" Lena asks and Kara shakes her head with a pout.

"Let's get this over with," Kara mutters, unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car. Lena follows her into the house and notices how little relaxes Kara is with just entering her sister's house with a light knock on the door.

"Hey! Lunch will be ready in a moment.," Sam greets them from the kitchen.

Alex is lounging on the couch lightly rocking Charlie in the bassinet, Kara hurries over pulled over like a magnet. Her blue eyes smiling, looking over the edge at the small dozing baby.

"She's still tiny," Kara whispers and Alex chuckles in response.

"Humans don't grow that fast, Kar."

"I know, I just thought she'd look slightly less... Breakable," Kara shrugs and an endearing smile slips over Lena's face.

"Where's Ruby?" Lena asks, Sam who smiles and points upwards.

"Before you disappear to deflect any further with my fifteen year old. We need to talk," Sam states pointing to the couch and Lena turns to see Kara stand to her full height with a frown.

"With both of you," Alex adds. Lena and Kara share a look before they're sitting opposite their closest family. Alex sits back as Sam sits forward next to her, sharing a glance, and having a silent conversation. It makes Lena glance over at Kara, who is watching them with narrowed eyes.

"What's going on?" Lena asks directly.

Sam looks back to her and then to Alex before she sighs. She sits straight as if almost bracing herself causing Lena to shift uncomfortably.

"Well," Sam begins with pursed lips. "It's your anniversary," Sam explains and Lena frowns.

"That's not for another day or two," Kara pipes up, sitting forward on her elbows. Lena feels her chest tighten uncomfortably at the tone.

"Exactly," Alex chimes in. "Which is why we have taken it upon ourselves to plan your anniversary for you."

"Who are we?" Lena asks, her brow arched sceptically at the couple before them.

"Us and Jack," Sam explains.

"I can't just leave," Lena states in a harried tone.

"Sure you can," Sam shrugs. "Jess automatically blocks it out every year. She even does Kara's. So there is nothing holding you back."

"Why do we even have to celebrate something that isn't real?" Kara asks more harshly than she intends. Before muttering, "Sorry."

"Because," Sam continues. "Unless you've resolved what is really going on, the world at large still believes that Lena Luthor and Kara Danvers are happily married. In a few days, there will be polls asking people what is the most likely scenario for National City's favourite couple."

"So, you will be spending a week in Ireland, with Jess's help we've made arrangements with Lena's private jet."

"We don't have to agree to this," Lena protests feeling her anxiety rise.

"That's true, but I can always call Brainy over and he can beat you to death with statistics about divorce and friendships."

"You wouldn't dare," Kara breathes looking panicky at her sister after a quick glance at Lena.

"Try me?" Alex challenges with all the ire of a pissed off new mother.

Sam and Lena share a look at the sisters' bickering before Sam states in her best no nonsense mom voice. "Look, you're going, there's really no discussion."

Of we go!

As always let me know your thoughts here or alternatively come shout at me on Tumblr ( blog/helpbutton95). I'm always happy to answer your questions there too :)

Have a good week, and until next time!