Chapter Six: Brave Enough
Lena was up most of the night worrying about Kara. She had suffered a considerable trauma, and Lena was sure the pain from her ankle would pale in comparison to the uneasiness and fear resulting from the attack. Lena tossed and turned, wishing she could hold Kara in her arms. Every part of her wanted to protect Kara, even if she wasn't hers.
Lena arrived at the office later than usual. She spent much of the early morning trying to talk herself out of driving to Kara's house to check on her. She thought it may be off-putting to just show up unannounced but that didn't quiet her ache. Kara consumed every one of her thoughts. The constant yearning pressed down on her like a vice.
When the elevator doors opened, Lena saw her assistant Eve trekking into her office with an enormous arrangement of beautiful lavender roses.
Lena wondered what the occasion was. It wasn't her birthday. She opened the door to her office, and she was dumbfounded. The entire room was showered in arrangements of different colored roses. There had to be thirty arrangements packing her office.
"Good Morning Eve. What is all of this?" Lena asked.
"They've been coming all morning. All from the same florist but in multiple deliveries. Here's the card," Eve said, handing Lena the envelope.
Lena opened the card and searched for the signature. She lit up when she read the message.
No gift could ever convey how truly thankful I am for you and for everything you've done. Just a small token of my thanks. If I could, I would fill your entire world with flowers - Kara
"I don't know who you're dating, but this one's a keeper," Eve said with a playful wink.
"We're not dating, but I wish she was mine."
Lena looked out the window and allowed herself a brief moment of reverie.
"I have never seen a more romantic gesture. If you're not dating her, you need to start."
Eve gave Lena a pat on the shoulder and headed back to her desk outside Lena's office.
Lena looked around at all the gorgeous roses and beamed. She held the card to her heart and smiled. She felt an intense longing to be near Kara. She wished with all her heart she could say thank you with a kiss and a loving embrace.
"A small token?" Lena whispered softly.
Lena moved past the arrangements and found her chair. She picked up the phone and dialed Kara's office number. She knew it by heart.
The phone rang once, and Maggie picked up.
"Good Morning, thank you for calling...," Maggie said before Lena interrupted her.
"Hi Maggie. It's Lena Luthor."
"Oh, hi Ms. Luthor. How are you? I heard about what happened last night. The whole office is buzzing about your amazing feat of heroism."
"I'm no hero, Maggie. Trust me. Is Dr. Danvers in, or is she at home resting her ankle?" Lena asked, hoping for the latter.
"Oh, she's in. We all tried to get her to go home, but she hates cancelling on patients. She came hobbling in this morning and we have been wheeling her around in an office chair ever since."
"How did she get to work today?"
"She took an Uber. Can you believe it? One of us could have picked her up."
I should have gone to her house. Stupid brain, making me doubt myself.
"Is she available?"
"Not right now. She's in with another patient."
"Can you ask her to call me when she has a second? Tell her I have a particularly important tooth-related question."
Maggie chuckled.
"Sure. Okay. No problem. Thank you again, Lena. Dr. Danvers said you were amazing."
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Lena said, humbled by her love for Kara.
Lena ended the call and sat back in her chair. She grabbed the card and read it again.
She ran her fingers over the words.
If I could, I would fill your entire world with flowers.
Lena's chest fluttered wildly.
"Call me Kara. Please. I need to hear your voice."
Kara's patient gathered her belongings and made her way out towards the waiting room.
Nia stared at Kara with tears in her eyes.
"Nia, stop it," Kara said with a smile. "You need to relax. I'm fine."
"Thanks to Lena."
"Yeah. Thanks to Lena," Kara said with dreamy eyes. "I wonder if she got the flowers yet."
"What color roses did you decide on?"
"I couldn't decide, so I got them all."
"Oh. Like a nice mixed arrangement?" Nia asked.
"Nope. I got her an arrangement of every color they could get."
"Wait what?" Nia asked, shocked. "Are you serious? That is either the most romantic thing I've ever heard of or the creepiest. Hopefully, she thinks it's sweet."
Maggie walked down the hall and poked her head into the exam room.
"Your hero called. I think she got your flowers. She said she had a 'particularly important tooth-related question' to ask you," Maggie said with a giggle.
Kara suddenly looked worried.
"Do you think it was too much? The flowers, I mean."
"Nope. I'm sure she thought it was romantic," Nia said.
"It's not supposed to be romantic. It was a thank you for everything she did. She helped when you guys were all sick without hesitation, and then she saved my life. There is no way to repay that."
"Oh, come on," Maggie said with a giggle. "No one spends fifteen-hundred dollars on flowers unless they're in love. You're not fooling anyone."
"I'm just very thankful to her for helping me last night. Come on, you two. That's enough of that."
Kara's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
"I brought your cell with me just in case you want to call her back now," Maggie said with a playful grin.
"I'll call her from my office."
Maggie handed Kara her cell.
"Did you bring her number?" Kara asked.
Maggie handed her a piece of paper and grinned.
"Can one of you please make yourself useful and roll me down the hall? Jesus, this is so degrading," Kara said, shaking her head.
"You get back out front, Mags," Nia said. "I'll roll our boss to her office. Demeaning for who? I have to push you."
Nia rolled Kara back to her office and pushed her against her desk.
"I told you to buy her some flowers. Not an entire flower shop."
"One arrangement didn't seem like enough. I wanted her to have so much more. I would give her the world if I could."
"You're a goner. Come on. What are you waiting for? Call her. I'll give you some privacy, but I expect to hear all the details later."
"Thanks, Nia," Kara said, already hitting the buttons on her cell phone. Nia closed the door behind her.
The phone rang twice. Kara wondered if she would pick up or if her busy work day would consume her attention. When she heard her voice, her heart melted, and she felt her mouth go dry.
"Lena Luthor."
"Hi... Lena. It's Kara", she said, trying to remember how to breathe. "I heard you have a 'particularly important tooth-related question' to ask."
"Nah. You caught me. No teeth, but I did have a floral-related question to ask you. So, I came into the office this morning and found an entire garden's worth of stunning roses. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that... would you?"
"Nope. Must have been some very thankful person who owed you her life."
"You don't owe me anything, Kara, but it was probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever done. I loved the card."
I love you. Snap out of it Kara, You don't love her. It's way too soon. You care about her. You think she is the most beautiful living being on the planet. You love her. Oh God, I'm falling for her so hard and this is so bad.
"There aren't enough roses in the world to show my appreciation. What you did last night was amazing. I owe you so much," Kara said. "Alex is a cop, and she was so impressed. She would have called you too, but she had to head to a conference on the West Side."
"Is that why you had to Uber this morning?"
"How did you know about that?" Kara asked, surprised.
Please offer to give me a ride home. I need to see you. I need to hug you. Kara, stop this. She is a patient, and you need to pull yourself together.
"I was shocked to find out you were working today. I asked Maggie how you got in. I'm glad to see you're not feeling timid around strangers."
"If I'm being honest, it was a little weird trusting a strange guy to take me to work this morning."
"Would you let me give you a ride home? I'm sure other people have offered, but I'd really like to see you. I worried about you last night. I'd like to make sure you get home safely."
YES! How is she so sweet? I want her to take me home and rip my clothes off. Stop it. Oh God. I can't say no to her. I want her to take me home so badly.
"I don't want to inconvenience you."
"I'm a couple blocks away from you and you're on my way home. It's no inconvenience."
"Okay. If you're sure," Kara said sweetly.
I am so glad she can't see my face right now. I know I am blushing. I'm so happy I get to see her. I miss her and it's only been a day. What is wrong with me?
"What time should I pick you up?" Lena asked.
"Six should work. My last patient should be out around five."
"Well then, I'll come a little early just in case. I'll read some Highlights magazines in the waiting room until you're ready," Lena said. "There was an article about wolves I was really interested in reading."
You are so damn cute.
"Thank you, Lena."
"Thank you, Kara. Thank you for filling my world with flowers," Lena said.
Kara beamed. She ended the call and held the phone to her chest. The pain in her ankle was annoying, but she didn't care. She was going to see Lena. Her smile and her perfect green eyes were better than any painkiller.
When Lena walked into the office, the waiting room was empty. She stopped at the medical supply store down the street and picked up a rolling crutch to allow Kara to get around more comfortably. The minute she walked in, Maggie stood and walked over to her.
"Hi Maggie," Lena said with a big smile.
"Hi Lena. What's that?" Maggie asked.
"It's a rolling crutch. It should make it easier for Dr. Danvers to get around."
"You are so thoughtful."
Out of nowhere, Maggie threw her arms around Lena's neck. Lena almost fell over. She smiled, wrapped her arms around Maggie, and gave her a little squeeze.
The door to the exam area opened and Nia escorted the last patient out. Maggie didn't let go. Nia locked the door and turned around. She smiled at Lena.
"Hey Mags. Give the poor woman some breathing room."
Maggie let go and took a step back. Nia walked over to Lena and threw her arms around her and held her tight.
"Thank you SO MUCH, Lena. Thank you so very much," Nia said.
"Really, no thanks are necessary. I'm only glad she's okay."
Maggie moved in and hugged Lena and Nia.
"No one invited me to the group hug", Kara said, standing awkwardly in the doorway with a sweet smile.
Lena looked over at Kara and beamed. Maggie and Nia stepped back and watched Kara and Lena. They only had eyes for each other.
"Hi," Lena said with bright eyes and a little blush on her cheek. "Here, I brought you something, so you don't have to hobble around."
Lena rolled the rolling crutch over to Kara.
"What's this?" Kara asked.
Lena rolled the crutch close to Kara and put her hand out to help her. Lena supported Kara as she moved closer.
Why do I feel so safe in your arms?
"Just rest your knee here on the pad and roll around with your other leg."
Kara rested her knee on the top of the crutch and grabbed the handles. Lena kept a supportive hand on Kara's back.
"Go ahead, take it for a spin," Lena said.
Kara started rolling around the waiting room like a child riding her first bike on Christmas morning. She laughed hysterically as she raced around the waiting room chairs. She was giddy with her newfound freedom.
She rolled back to Lena and beamed.
"This is so amazing! Oh, my God. Thank you!" Kara said. "How did you think of this?" She asked, grabbing Lena's arm.
"I take Krav Maga and I broke my leg last year. These crutches help so much with regaining your mobility."
"Krav Maga? That's hot. No wonder you were able to kick that guy's ass last night," Maggie said.
"That wasn't Krav Maga. That was a bottle of cheap wine and a bottle of not-so-cheap champagne," Lena said with the utmost humility.
"You two can head home. We can lock up," Kara said.
"Nonsense," Nia replied. "You two head home and me and Maggie will lock up. You need to get home and rest that ankle," Nia said, rubbing Kara's back.
"Are you sure?" Kara asked.
"Absolutely," Maggie said.
"Promise me you two will be careful. I know the guy who attacked me is in jail, but you two definitely need to keep an eye out for creeps."
"We will stick together," Nia said with a reassuring smile. "Go. Go home."
"Okay. Thanks, girls. I'll just roll to the back and grab my stuff. I can do that now thanks to you, Lena," Kara said with a big grin.
"I didn't think you could get any more adorable", Lena said immediately regretting her honesty.
Kara blushed hard and smiled. She turned the rolling crutch around and wheeled her way into the back.
Maggie and Nia both grinned and stared at Lena.
"She's not the only one who's adorable," Nia said.
Lena drove down the busy streets of Los Angeles. Music played in the background.
"Brave Enough", by Lindsay Sterling played in the background.
track/7iWbTvN74F4SBaGzaADZDS?si=ClbEGHv-Sqy2ogUdnIwwqA
Lena was feeling a strange mixture of emotions. She was excited and nervous, but she was also scared. She had no idea what Kara was thinking. Kara smiled warmly and stared out at the bright lights of Los Angeles. Her blue eyes sparkled, even in the night's dimness.
You are so beautiful; I can barely breathe Kara. Every word you say matters to me. I wish I knew how you could have such a hold on me so soon. All I know is being near you makes me feel so much happier. I just wish I were brave enough to get closer to you. I don't want to upset you or alienate you.
Kara looked over at Lena and smiled.
"Thank you so much for this. I'm thanking you a lot these days. You really have done too much. There's no way I could thank you enough."
"You filled my entire office with the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen. It was the most magnificent sight."
"Sorry if it was too much. In retrospect, I realized that it may have come across a little crazy."
"It was perfect."
When Lena pulled up to the stoplight at Hollywood and Highland, she looked into Kara's eyes. They both smiled and gazed at each other, hypnotized by their growing feelings for one another. The sound of car horns interrupted their reverie and Lena hit the gas..
I could get lost in your eyes forever. I want to get lost in your eyes forever.
When Lena pulled up in front of Kara's house it was pitch black.
"Wait here and I'll grab the crutch from the back," Lena said with a wink.
She hopped out of the car and grabbed the crutch from the trunk. She moved around to the passenger side of her Range Rover and opened the door. Kara looked down and realized just how high up she was.
"Is there any way you could give me a hand?" Kara asked.
"Of course," Lena said with a smile.
Lena moved forward and put her hands out to Kara. Kara wrapped her arms around Lena's neck, and Lena wrapped her arms around Kara's waist. She let her down gently. They both held on and looked deep into each other's eyes and smiled.
"I feel safer when I'm with you," Kara whispered softly.
"I feel happier when I'm with you," Lena whispered back.
Kara moved a hand to Lena's head and caressed her hair softly.
"Will you come in for a little bit?"
"Absolutely."
"Thank you for helping me get inside. That went much better than this morning. Me hobbling out to the Uber on one leg wasn't pretty," Kara said, shaking her head. "It was so embarrassing."
"I should have come by this morning. I was going to drive by and check on you but I didn't have your number and I didn't want to disturb you," Lena said, helping Kara turn on the lights in the living room.
"You could never disturb me, but you really need to stop doing sweet things for me. I need time to catch up. The flower shop is out of roses."
"The minute you didn't fire me as a client, you did the nicest thing in the world," Lena said with a charming smile. "I think I'm still making up for your kindness."
Kara rolled the crutch over to the couch and took a seat.
"All I want is to lay here and not stand up for a few hours," Kara said with a little shiver.
"Are you cold?" Lena asked.
"Yeah. I think it is just exhaustion, but the house is a little chilly."
Lena looked around and found a throw. She moved the rolling crutch out of the way and motioned for Kara to put her legs up on the couch. She laid the throw over her.
"Here, this should help. Just lay back and relax", Lena said as she pulled the throw over Kara's legs.
Lena looked back and saw Kara had a fireplace and wood.
"Would you like me to start a fire?" Lena asked.
"You know how to start a fire?"
"Sure. I have a fireplace at home."
"I don't want you to have to work. You should relax," Kara said.
"Nonsense. A fire is easy to start. I'm not leaving until I know you are completely comfortable."
"Thank you," Kara said, touched. "How about some music?"
"Sure."
Kara pulled out her phone and connected it to a wireless speaker sitting on the coffee table.
Soft music played.
Lena knelt in front of the fireplace and arranged wood around a chunk of kindling. It amazed Kara to see a beautiful fire blazing in the fireplace within minutes.
"Wow. I'm impressed. What can't you do?" Kara asked.
"I have no rhythm at all, and I'm terrified of spiders," Lena said honestly. "I'm also terrified of large acts of nature. Rainbows scare the shit out of me," Lena said, chuckling a little.
Kara exploded into infectious laughter. Lena had to join in. Even she knew it sounded absurd.
"That is the most adorable thing I have ever heard," Kara said with a huge grin.
"I feel like a dork."
"Oh, come on. It's no worse than what I said the other night about my soft hands and fingers," Kara said blushing once more. "Why do I keep saying that?"
"Can I confess something?" Lena asked.
"Of course, but you have to come over here and sit down. You don't need to sit on the fireplace."
Lena stood and walked over to the couch. She sat at the edge so Kara wouldn't have to move her feet.
"I went to the liquor store the other night to grab you a bottle of wine...you know because you said you were so embarrassed you needed to drink? I guess I felt weird admitting it with everything that happened. I was on my way back to you when I saw everything going down."
Kara smiled warmly.
"You have no reason to be embarrassed at all. It was really sweet, and if you hadn't gone to the liquor store, who knows what would have happened?"
"I'm glad I was there," Lena whispered.
"Me too", Kara replied earnestly.
They looked deep into each other's eyes and grinned.
"You know, a glass of wine would be really nice. Would you like one?" Kara asked.
"Sure", Lena said.
Spending time with Kara washed her over with warmth and contentment.
Kara tried to get up. Lena laid a hand on Kara's leg and motioned for her to stay.
"Please, let me," Lena said.
Lena looked over and realized Kara's shoes were still on. She motioned towards Kara's feet and Kara gave her a thankful nod of recognition. Lena pulled off her shoes and placed them on the floor next to the couch.
"Jesus. Thank you. You unfortunate girl. You've had to touch my feet twice in the last two days."
Lena smiled and stood up from the couch.
"Point me to the wine," Lena said, grinning.
"The kitchen is straight back. There is a cold bottle of Riesling in the refrigerator and the glasses are above the sink."
Lena found the wine and the glasses and returned quickly. She screwed off the cap and poured two glasses. She handed one to Kara and took a seat at the end of the couch. Lena grabbed the throw pillow behind her and placed it on her lap. She took Kara's leg and gently placed it on top of the pillow.
"If you keep it elevated, it will cut down on the pain and the swelling," Lena said.
"I think you missed your calling as a nurse."
"I would be a terrible nurse. I'm only nice to people I care about," Lena said.
"Well, then I feel blessed. You're going to have to stop being so wonderful, otherwise you're going to get more roses."
"I don't have any more room. It's like a rose garden in my office... but it's so beautiful. It really was sweet... too sweet. You really didn't have to", Lena said placing a hand on Kara's."
"I wanted to. You are exceptionally kind", Kara said, caressing Lena's fingertips with her own.
Lena could feel her body quiver. She ached to be closer to Kara, but she felt like she shouldn't push her. Lena looked around at the living room for the first time.
"You have a beautiful home," Lena said.
"Thank you. It's small but I love it".
"It's cozy. I feel most content in a cozy home."
"Exactly! I tell Alex that all the time. Alex is obsessed with me getting a bigger house, but I love this house. It's me."
"It is," Lena said. "It's warm and beautiful."
Shit. Did I just say that? Oh, my God. Why don't I have a filter with her?
Kara shifted a little, and her face dropped slightly.
Damn me and my big mouth. Now she's uncomfortable.
"Are you okay?" Lena asked.
"Yeah. Um... just a little tired."
"I should let you get some rest."
Shit! Shit! Shit! Why am I so stupid? I have no game.
"Oh, please...you don't have to go... I mean unless you want to get home yourself. I'm sure you're tired too."
"Do you have everything you need?" Lena asked thoughtfully.
Kara looked a little disappointed.
"Yeah. I'm comfortable. Thank you."
"I'm ten minutes away if you need anything. Just call me and I'll be here."
"Thank you again, Lena."
I don't want to go. I don't want to leave your side. I wish I could just lay there with you and kiss your neck. I would give my life to kiss you.
"More Than Life", by Whitley played softly in the background.
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"You get some rest okay?"
"I will", Kara said.
Lena walked over to the door and unlocked it. She put her hand on the doorknob and her heart ached with longing.
She turned the knob. Kara sat up a little and called out to Lena.
"Lena. Please don't go," Kara breathed the words.
Lena turned around, confused.
"Are you okay?" Lena asked.
"No. I'm not okay. I adore you. I have adored you since the moment we met. Please don't leave. All I want is for you to stay and be with me," Kara said, pleading.
Lena locked the door and moved quickly to Kara's side. She knelt in front of her on the floor. Kara moved closer and placed both of her hands on Lena's cheeks. She caressed her temples softly and smiled.
"I want this more than anything. I want you more than anything," Kara said, smiling sweetly.
Lena moved forward and pressed her lips to Kara's softly. Kara grabbed Lena's face and pulled her closer. She kissed her back fervently. They grabbed onto each other and held on as their mouths searched for satisfaction in each other.
"I need to be closer to you," Kara said with a little whimper.
Lena stood and Kara sat up. Lena sat on the couch and pulled Kara on top of her so her legs were still outstretched, but they could hold each other close.
Lena pressed her lips to Kara's neck and grinned.
"I have wanted to do this since the day we met," Lena said.
Kara let out a soft moan of pleasure.
"I don't know what you're doing, but please don't stop," Kara whispered softly in Lena's ear.
Lena moved her lips back to Kara's and kissed her long and deep. They grabbed onto each other desperately, aching to be closer. Kara pressed her tongue to Lena's and lapped at it wildly, aching for satisfaction but only finding more longing.
Lena moaned, and Kara pulled back for a moment. She moved a hand to Lena's cheek and smoothed her hair back.
"I wanted this more than anything", Kara said, her voice quaking with passion and desire. "Please don't let go."
"I'm not going anywhere, my beautiful girl," Lena said. "Nothing could drag me away from you. You are all I want, all I need."
"Why can't I get close enough to you?" Kara asked, pulling Lena closer and staring deep into her eyes.
Lena pressed her hand to Kara's chest.
"I'm right here and I'm yours."
Kara and Lena cuddled up in front of the fire for the rest of the night. They kissed each other passionately until their lips were raw and their faces ached from smiling. The fire blazed in the background and there was no house in the whole of Los Angeles that was filled with more love or contentment than Kara's cozy little house on the corner.