Chapter 8 - Heartbreak

At Midvale Park, Lena was standing on the lawn, waiting for Kara to arrive. A lump hadn't left her throat since Lex's visit. She knew what she had to do tonight. She was convinced that it was the right choice. But that didn't make things easier.

Instead of breaking up with Kara in a place they had created wonderful memories together, Lena had decided to give Kara an even more wonderful time tonight. Somehow, she felt like a coward. Because she didn't feel brave enough to be straightforward with Kara and telling her that their relationship was over.

Mainly because she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep the truth away from her. And she was also certain that Kara would put herself in danger to protect her. Which was precisely the thing Lena wanted to avoid the most.

Her plan for tonight was simple, savoring the bit of happiness she had left with Kara, sneaking a letter in her duffel bag that would give her an explanation without revealing what was actually happening, and sneaking out of the house she had lived in for the most incredible vacation she had ever had.

Her plan after tonight was much blurry, but she knew that she had to find a way to outsmart her brother. Which would be an easier thing to do once she would be close to him again.

Lena started nibbling her lips. She ran a hand through her hair, thinking about how much she was going to miss the feel of Kara's hand running into her hair. She swallowed thickly. She folded her arms across her chest, and pressed on her heart, as if that could stop it from shattering in millions pieces.

From a distance, Lena saw Kara walking to her.

Instead of the beaming smile that should have spread on her face, Lena felt a sharp pain it her heart when her brain reminded that it was the last time she had a date with Kara. She blinked, hoping that her tears wouldn't spill out in front of Kara.

Despite her heartache, a small smile made its way on Lena's face at the sight of Kara walking to her.

Kara was dressed with a simple blue top and a pair of white shorts that clutched perfectly to her muscular body. Her hair was loose and flowed in waves. The glasses that suppressed her x-ray vision was put in their place, and Kara slightly fiddled with them as she got closer to her.

Lena smoothed with her fingers the green dress she was wearing, hoping her uneasiness wouldn't be too obvious. She forced her smile to widen and chocked back the tears she would unleash once she would have done what she knew she had to do.

"Hey," Kara smiled, uselessly adjusting her glasses.

Lena felt her chin quiver, thinking about how much she was going to miss that smile that felt as if it was reserved for her.

Kara furrowed her brow, a confused expression making its way on her face. She stepped closer to Lena. "You okay?"

Regaining her composure quickly, Lena smiled. "Yeah." She took both of Kara's hands in hers and caressed the back of them with her thumbs. "I love you, Kara. I hope you know that."

"I know. I love you too." Kara beamed, entwining her fingers with Lena's.

Pushing what would happen after tonight far within her in a tiny box she wanted to forget about, Lena smiled genuinely, ready to focus on what was happening right now.

Their lips joined, and Lena slid one of her hands up to tangle it into Kara's soft blonde lock, wanting to memorize as many things as she could. From Kara's taste, to the feel of her hair in her hand, her breathing mingling with hers, their lips and tongue sliding together.

As often, they kissed until they became too breathless to keep going. They both sighed blissfully and pressed their foreheads together.

Kara's stomach growled, and Lena let out a laugh.

"Sorry," Kara said.

Laughing softly, Lena pulled away and took Kara's hand in hers. "Let's feed you."

"What have you planned?" Kara asked as Lena started leading them away.

"I ordered take-out. And you're getting a lot of potstickers tonight, darling." Lena replied.

"Gosh, I could marry you right now." Kara said in delight. Her eyes widened when she realized what she said and she froze on her spot, making them stop their walk.

Lena felt deep flutters in her chest at these words, mingled with a sharp pain when she realized that no matter how much she wanted it to happen, it could never be.

"I... um... I..." Kara stammered. "I mean, I'm... you're..."

Lena put a hand to Kara's cheek and connected their lips in a way that made Kara's tension relax.

Kara smiled against Lena's lips and rested their foreheads together. She pulled away and beamed at her in a way that said thank you for stopping me from feeling embarrassed.

As she looked into Lena's eyes, Kara felt as if her girlfriend wanted the same thing as hers, although it was definitely too soon to bring up that topic, it made her happier than she had ever been.

Silently, they picked up their walk and went to pick their dinner out.

They went back to the park, and sat down on the lawn at the same place they had made love for the first time.

Lena couldn't stop a smile to take over her face as she watched Kara shoving potstickers into her mouth with enthusiasm. Pretty much anything with Kara could make her smile, and that was the thing Lena was going to miss the most.

Once Kara had eaten her last potsticker, Lena took something out of her purse.

"I have something for you," Lena smiled, handing Kara a black velvet jewelry box.

Kara's eyes widened. "Lena, uh, how, what, I mean... why?"

"I love you, and I wanted to give you something that would remind you that." Lena smiled.

Kara beamed. "Keep smiling at me like this forever. That's the best gift you can give me."

"I really wanted you to have this one." Lena said quietly, feeling tears brim into her eyes, but she choked them back so quickly that even Kara couldn't notice it.

With a beaming smile, Kara looked down at the box and opened it with gentleness, discovering a silver necklace with an emerald stone. Awestruck, she took it out delicately. "Wow," she breathed out. She spun her head to Lena and gazed deeply into her green eyes. "It's the same color that your eyes."

"I know." Lena smiled at the happy expression stuck on Kara's face.

Kara leaned in and pressed her lips to Lena's. "Can you put it on me?"

"Sure." Lena said, taking the necklace from Kara's hand and fastening it around Kara's neck, careful not to caught her hair into it.

Kara looked up at Lena and then down at the necklace. She brushed it with her fingers, and with a smile, she looked up at her girlfriend. "I will never take it off."

Lena beamed through glistening eyes and put her hands on Kara's cheeks to caress them softly. "You are so beautiful, Kara."

Kara slowly put her hands to Lena's wrists and stoked them. "I love you so much." she said before leaning in to connect their lips.

Lena savored every second of that kiss until Kara withdrew from it and pressed their foreheads together.

Kara slightly pulled away to look into Lena's eyes. "I really would like to thank you properly."

Lena let out a chuckle. "I'm all yours, my heart."

Kara leaned in, about to capture Lena's lips with the desire to ravish every inch of her body until she heard something. She pulled away. "Not here. We're in public."

"That didn't seem to bother you the first time." Lena quirked an eyebrow as a laugh escaped her lips.

A slight blush made its way on Kara's face. "We were completely alone that time. I hear people coming towards here." she said, her super-hearing picking up sounds that no human beings could have heard.

"I have no choice but believing in you and your super-hearing." Lena chuckled, getting to her feet and putting an arm out to Kara.

Kara beamed at her girlfriend and took her hand in hers as they leisurely made their way to Lena's place, savoring every second they spent together.

They made love slowly that night. It was as if they both knew that it wouldn't happen again. Lena knew that fact to be true. But Kara had no way of knowing it yet. However, from the way Kara touched her with even more care and gentleness than usual, Lena felt as if Kara already knew what was going to happen after tonight. Lena didn't linger too much on that thought though, and instead chose to focus on the solace she found between Kara's arms. They kissed for the most part of the night as their hands trailed over each other in soft caresses that expressed the incredible deep love they shared.

With Kara's body almost melding with hers, Lena surprised herself for feeling a new hope in her heart. The hope, that one day, sooner or later, they would find their way back to each other. Their bond was too strong to vanish just because they would be apart. Lena was convinced of that fact.

Despite her super-hearing that made her pick up sounds that nobody else could hear, Kara fell fast asleep between Lena's arms.

Lena however, couldn't sleep a wink. She held Kara from behind for the rest of the night. Her arm was tightly wrapped around Kara as she tried not to think of the moment she would have to let go. She already knew she would feel as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She nuzzled Kara's hair, and tangled their hands together until she saw the alarm clock of the room displaying the hour she had feared to see.

4.50

It was time to let go.

Lena swallowed thickly, and took the time to look at Kara for another 10 minutes, wanting to memorize each one of her features. She brushed her fingers on Kara's cheek, trying to capture the feeling of touching Kara under her fingertips.

"I love you so much, Kara." she whispered shakily.

Kara's lips curled in a smile at these words, but Lena could tell from the sound of her breathing that she was still sound asleep.

She leaned in, and started by giving a soft kiss to Kara's shoulder. She trailed kisses over her neck until she reached her cheek and gave the most loving of kisses on it, letting her lips caress the smooth skin underneath them for long seconds.

Careful not to awake Kara, Lena slithered out of the bed. She gave one last lingering look at Kara, and exited the bedroom, feeling her heart shatter and being ripped out of her chest afterwards.

She quickly got dressed without making any noises. She slipped her letter into Kara's duffel bag and grabbed her luggage, leaving the person she loved the most behind her.

That morning, it wasn't the sound of birds chirping outside that awoke Kara at dawn. It was these feelings of coldness and emptiness that overwhelmed her and that she wasn't supposed to feel after a night with Lena.

With her eyes wide open, she sat up and scanned the room. "Lena?" she called although she could easily guess that Lena wasn't even in the house. She couldn't hear her heartbeat, or her breathing. In fact the only thing Kara could hear at that very moment was the sound of her own pounding heartbeat that tightened painfully her chest.

Kara swallowed thickly, and jumped out of the bed, using her super-speed to get dressed. She rushed out of the house, and ran down the street. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on the sounds around her, and figuring out where Lena had gone.

She couldn't hear anything related to Lena. Her heart clenched and tears welled up in her eyes. It couldn't be true. Lena couldn't have left her without saying a word. Kara didn't want to believe in that fact. Yet, she had felt last night that Lena seemed a bit off, and sometimes looked as if she was saying goodbye to her.

Wanting to call Lena, Kara cursed herself when she realized that she had left her phone in her duffel bag that was still peacefully placed on the couch.

Not caring that someone might see her, Kara used her super-speed to get back to the house.

With shaky hands, she took her phone out of her duffel bag. She didn't have any text messages or missed calls. Which made her worry even more.

A lump lunged itself in her throat, which caused breathing to become difficult.

What if something happened to her? What if her crazy family has abducted her? What if she's hurt? Rao, Kara, calm down.

Her brain raced with so many thoughts, and terrifying explanations as to why she had awoken alone this morning, why Lena wasn't there with her, and seemed nowhere to be found.

Kara quickly found Lena in her contact list and called her. She pressed the phone to her ear, although she could have heard everything from across the town.

The ringing wasn't right, Kara could tell it right away, although she didn't want to believe in the reason, until she heard the robotic voice telling her that the number didn't belong to anyone.

Kara's entire body was shaking so much that the phone slipped out of her hand and fell to the floor.

The lump in her throat lunged forward within, no sounds could come out of her, and she wasn't even able to cry. She couldn't even think, and stayed rooted on her spot for she didn't even know how long.

After a while, Kara crouched to pick her phone off of the floor. Her hands were still shaking, and her legs felt weak. Nevertheless, Kara straightened her stance and tried to regain her composure as best as she could.

There must be a good explanation. Kara tried to formulate a coherent thought, even though she had to idea what this good explanation could even be.

Kara focused on calming her breathing. She inhaled and exhaled multiple times like Alex had taught her to do when she first arrived on Earth and was overwhelmed with all the new things that had felt terrifying at first.

She grabbed her duffel bag, and put her phone back in it, her fingers brushed against a surface that made her frown. Something that felt like a paper and that she had no recollection of having put it in there. Kara's frown deepened as she took the paper out.

Delicately, Kara enfolded the paper and discovered that it was letter.

"Lena's handwriting." Kara said out loud, her heart bursting out of her chest as relief washed over her.

Although, she was still very confused, Kara felt a bit better and decided to get out of the house to go back to her place to read the letter. If Lena had left her a letter, that meant that everything would be okay. That's what Kara thought as she made her way out and walked down the street.

On her way home, Kara felt a deep anxiety wash over her out of nowhere, and had to fight against her urge to use her super-speed.

At a normal human pace, Kara finally reached the house. She quickly stepped inside, and made her way upstairs.

When she walked into the bedroom she shared with Alex, Kara felt grateful that her sister wasn't there.

Kara sat down on the bed and enfolded again the paper that hadn't left her hand since she had found it. As if holding it made her feel that Lena was holding her hand and telling that she loved her and that everything was all right.

She took her glasses off and put them on the bedside table.

Feeling shivers run down her spine as her body shook slightly, Kara exhaled and began reading.

My heart,

When you will read this letter, I will already probably be gone. Please don't be mad at me, and don't be mad at yourself either. I know that nothing I could say could make things easier for you. But I wanted you to know that you are not responsible for the decision I've taken recently. I know we had said that we wouldn't let our family history coming between us and tearing us apart. But I realized that it was an idealistic way of thinking. That it would hurt us even more if we kept this going for too long. I could never forgive myself if you and the people you love got hurt because you've made the mistake of being too close to a Luthor. I know you won't believe me, but you deserve better than that, better than me, and better than what I could give you. You deserve to be with someone as amazing as you. Someone who wouldn't put you in danger. No matter how much I wish I could be that person for you, I know that I'm not.

I want you to have the best, Kara. I want you to be happy. I want you to be true to yourself. Don't ever let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. You can be a reporter. You can be a hero, whether you choose to use your powers or not. Don't let anyone make the choice of you using your powers though. Do it if that's what you want. The world might already have a Superman. But the world needs you just as much. So, fly, Supergirl.

Thank you for the amazing weeks you have given me. This time that I've spent with you will always be the happiest of my life. I will cherish the memories of you like the greatest treasure I've ever possessed. Because in all honesty, they are.

Meeting you will always be the best thing that has ever happened to me. Loving you will always the most beautiful feeling I have ever felt, and being loved by you will always be the greatest gift I have ever received.

I will never forget you, Kara Zor-El Danvers. I won't only keep you in my heart, you won't only be a part of my heart, you will always be my heart.

Xoxo.

Your beautiful princess who will always love you no matter what.

Kara didn't realize she was crying until she saw tears fall onto the paper, slightly smearing the ink. She pressed her lips together, and tasted the salt of her tears. Her heart clenched, which provoked the worst ache to her chest.

The door of the bedroom busted open.

"You'll never guess what I found out!" Alex exclaimed, rushing into the room.

Kara didn't even look up. She barely heard her sister speak. She pressed Lena's letter to her heart and more tears spilled out in steady flow.

Alex stepped closer to Kara's bed. "Kara?" She sat down beside her. "What happened?" She put her hand on Kara's shoulder.

Kara stopped sobbing, and looked up at her sister, tearfully. "Lena." She sniffled. "She... she..." bursting into tears again, Kara would have fallen to the floor if Alex hadn't wrapped her in an embrace that was probably the only thing that saved her from shattering in pieces. Her breathing quickened faster than ever, and for the first time in her life Kara was afraid she might pass out.

Alex rubbed slow circles over Kara's back. "Shh, breathe. In and Out."

Kara's breathing calmed down after a couple of minutes, but she was still hiding her face wet from tears into her sister's neck.

"It's gonna be okay, Kara." Alex said, still rubbing slow comforting circles over her sister's back.

"No, it won't." Kara choked on a sob. She pulled away from her sister. "She broke up with me, Alex." she said shakily, still holding Lena's letter.

"In a letter?" Alex pointed at the letter Kara was holding as if it was a lifeline.

Kara nodded, her eyes still full of tears. "She says I deserve better than her."

Alex stayed silent, wondering if that was the right moment to share with her sister the information she learned about Lena. Realizing she should wait, she chose to ask instead, "What else did she say?"

Kara looked down, knowing that she couldn't explain everything without telling Alex that Lena was a Luthor, and that Lena knew that Kara was an alien. And with the weight that was pressing on her heart and made her struggle to breathe, she really didn't have the energy to go into an argument about how reckless she had been. Especially not with her sister.

"Just that. She says she loves me, but I deserve better than her." Kara replied. She took her glasses in her hands, and put them back on her nose. "I can't even reach her through her phone either. I tried to call her earlier, but she has probably changed her number to make sure I won't bother her anymore." She fiddled with her glasses.

"Kara."

New fresh tears made their way into Kara's eyes. "I can't do anything." She sighed.

"Have you tried to talk to her friend?"

Kara shook her head. "She's gone too. She left before Lena did." Tears spilled out from Kara's eyes. "I have no way of figuring out where she is." She wiped her cheeks with her hands and tried to avoid her sister's eyes that were full of concern.

They stayed silent for long minutes.

Kara nibbled her lips and adjusted her glasses every ten second, still doing her best not to meet her sister's eyes.

Alex fidgeted on her spot, not able to keep her mouth shut about what she wanted to say, she broke the silence, "Did you know she was a Luthor?"

Kara tensed up at these words.

"I was so shocked when I found out. I would've never guessed that. She looked so nice and..."

Anger started boiling within Kara at these words. Not being in the mood to hear a speech about how no Luthor can be good, she interrupted her sister, "I already knew."

"What?" Alex spoke, her voice showing her surprise.

Kara looked up at her sister. "I've known from the start. She's the one who told me. She's not like her family." she said, about to break in tears again. "That doesn't matter anymore anyway." She looked down.

Alex's heart ached to see her sister so heartbroken. "I'm so sorry, Kara," was all she could say.

Kara shrugged, tears slipping out her eyes again.

"Come here." Alex said, pulling her sister into a tight embrace.

Kara closed her eyes, and wrapped her arms around Alex, trying to ease her aching heavy heart with the silent support her sister was giving her.

The night had already fallen in Metropolis.

From the balcony of her penthouse, Lena gazed at the view. Despite what it could look like, she wasn't admiring the view she had from up there. She was silently plotting against her brother and was already close to a breakthrough. She forced herself not to think about Kara even though she couldn't always stop her mind from wandering to the one who would always be the most important person in her life. Kara was her heart, her strength. Kara was the one who made her brave enough to do what she was about to do.

Her phone rang in her hand. For one second she thought it was Kara calling her. Then, she remembered that Kara didn't have this number and had no way to contact her. Her heart broke at the thought. She hoped Kara was all right, despite the abrupt ending of their relationship.

Her phone kept ringing, Lena picked it up and heard her best friend's voice asking her if she was okay.

"I'm all right." Lena said in neutral voice.

"Have you heard from Kara?"

Lena swallowed thickly. "We broke up," she announced to her best friend.

"What? But why? You were both so perfect together!"

"We weren't meant to last that's all," Lena could hear the lie through her own voice.

"What did she do?"

"Nothing. I'm the one who broke up."

"Is that because of your family?"

Lena frowned, although Andrea couldn't see her. "What?"

She heard Andrea sigh. "You always think you don't deserve to be loved because you're a Luthor. So I'm assuming it's for this reason that you broke up with her."

"It's not... I told you, we weren't meant to be that's all. I... I have to go."

"Okay. Call me when you'll have some time."

"Alright." Lena said, hanging up.

Lena sighed loudly. She had never felt more alone than at this very moment. Probably because after spending so much time wrapped in Kara's love, being back to a world without Kara made her feel as though there was nothing warm and beautiful around her anymore. She swallowed thickly, and forced herself to focus on her plan to outsmart Lex.

She breathed out, and regained her composure before dialing a number. She called and waited for the other person to pick up, and hoping to move forward with her strategy that had become as clear as the clearest crystal.

Thee years later

At National City, in her loft, Kara was standing in front of her mirror, dressed for the first time with the superhero suit Winn had made for her. Lot of things had happened these last years, and Kara still struggled to find her place in this world. But dressed like this in a world that was aware that she existed, Kara felt that she belonged somewhere. She was finally going to be able to do what she had always wanted. She could use her powers to make a difference in the world, to make it better and protect people. It gave her a sense of freedom that she hadn't felt in years. Since the time she spent with…

"You need a superhero name now." Winn said, taking Kara out of her thoughts. "What about Superwoman?"

Kara smiled, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "I'm Supergirl."

In her penthouse at Metropolis, Lena was sitting on the couch with her work that had been long forgotten that was displayed on the coffee table, and the TV showing off pictures and videos of Supergirl.

Even since Kara had become Supergirl, Lena couldn't stop watching news involving her, even though it always gave her weird complex feelings she struggled with.

Seeing Kara caused an ache to her heart. But it also caused warmth to wash over her. It made her feel closer to Kara. It made her feel that she was home for a moment. She was so proud of Kara, and so happy for her.

In the mess she was still stuck on despite having succeeded in putting her brother in jail, seeing Kara shining and being true to herself was the light that lit up her life.

Lena gazed at the TV screen, pictures and videos of the most important person of life were displayed. A smile took over her face as a resolution made its way in her heart.

Her decision taken, Lena grabbed her phone and started making phone calls, ready to make the world a better place, and ready to change her own life.

And also hoping to come home to Kara.