A/N: Another one. Also, I finally got my hands on some Legion of Superheroes comics! If anyone has any reading suggestions, feel free to privately message me. Enjoy.

7.

Sunshine filters in through the large windows, bringing with it the only light the loft has. Not that Kara sees or cares. She stays hidden under her bed covers, shut away from the outside world and sobbing. Since Querl left hours ago, utterly wounded over their abrupt ending, she had remained beneath her blankets and pillows, trying to forget the pain in his eyes and the sorrow inside her. Sleep would not come to her and neither would reassurance that she could fix this heartache she suffers. She was no genius; she hadn't the answers to the very large and very real problem her relationship with Querl held. She couldn't build a device that froze time around her and gave her endless days with him, only returning to reality when they were ready.

She couldn't leave the 21st Century, and he couldn't stay. And it was all so unfair.

Her pillows had been turned over twice already, both sides damp with her tears. She's clenched her jaw, bit her knuckles, and ground her teeth, all to try to keep herself from wailing and disturbing her neighbors. But after a while, she'd given up and let her emotions take control.

She grips the sheets of her bed, not bothering to wipe her eyes or her running nose as she replays their break-up again and again.

"Kara...please," his voice is thick with emotion and he swallows a lump in his throat. He steps to stand before her, gently cupping her face in his hands. "Don't ask me to leave you."

She wants to sigh and lean into his touch, let him bring her to a floating ecstacy with his kisses and sweet words, forget everything from the past half hour. But she can't. She can't let her heart build up such hope that they can be together, that they'll have a happy ending. Not when his duty is to return to his own time and place, and hers is to remain here. She can't fall for him and then watch him leave her - her heart could not handle it. "I'm not asking you…" she barely whispers. "I -"

He kisses her suddenly, stopping her words and begging her with his lips. He's desperate and rough with it, unwilling to let her go, clinging to her as if she gives him life. His hands move from her face to her hair, grabbing a fistful before running down her back to her hips, pulling her close.

She lets him. Her tears fall and she can taste the saltiness as she kisses him in return. She whimpers against his lips, dancing her tongue against his as their passion increases. Her fingers find their way up the back of his neck, tugging gently on his white locks.

He moans against her mouth, fingers digging into her. "Kara…"

"We have to stop," she pushes him away, panting as she does. She holds his shoulders at arms length, a blush furiously rising on her cheeks.

"What?" His eyes widen and that look of fear from before returns instantly. "But, I thought -"

"I can't." She drops her hands from him and casts her eyes down, unable to meet his. "I'm sorry. But-but I don't think I can do this anymore."

Again, he steps towards her. "We can make this work. Darling, trust me. Please, I'll figure -"

"No." She shakes her head. "No, I can't do this Querl. Don't you see? You're leaving me behind. No matter what happens between us, that will always be a fact. I will always have that at the back of my mind. How can we build anything like that? How can we come to grow and love each other with that seed of distrust already planted? I can't - I won't waste time in such a way."

"I'll stay," he's frantic now, shaken and looking utterly so. "I'll stay here with you."

"You can't," Kara reminds him. "The Legion, the Blight. You have obligations."

"I don't care about my obligations!" He shouts, the first time all night. "I can't about you! I want to be with you, Kara! Why aren't you at least trying to fight for us?"

She bites her lip, stares him straight in the eye. "Because I've decided there isn't an us, Querl."

He snaps his mouth shut and she can see the pain and anger in his face. Without another word, he pushes passed her for the door. She doesn't bother turning to watch him go.

Her phone buzzes once, twice, three times. She reaches for it, aiming to turn the damned thing off. But the texts are from Alex and it's already 1PM. So she unlocks the Iphone and reads the messages with disinterest.

Hey, the first reads. James just called looking for you, said you haven't made it into work yet. Call me.

Okay, so Lena just left me a voicemail asking if I knew where you were and why you haven't come into work or even bothered calling to let her know you wouldn't make it in today. Want me to tell her there was an emergency last night? Or is that too suspicious? Let me know!

For real though, Kara, where the hell are you?! Now you've got me worried! I swear, if you don't call me in the next 30 seconds, I'm coming over to drag you out of your loft!

She groans and dials Alex's number quickly. Her sister answers after the first ring. "Dear God, finally! Let me in."

"You're already here?" she sits up in bed, using her X-ray vision to determine if Alex truly stood on the other side of the door.

She did. And she looked pissed.

Groaning, Kara pulls herself from her self made cocoon and trudges across the space to unlock the front door.

Alex glares at her, taking in the red puffy eyes and wrinkled clothing. "You look like shit."

Kara sighs, running a hand through her tangled hair. "Yeah, well. Break-ups will do that." She turns away and heads back to her bed, crawling on top and stuffing her face into the pillows.

Her sister drops her mouth open, closing the door behind her as she follows Kara into her home. "You guys broke up?! But you just got together!"

"I know!" She grunts, voice suppressed by the pillows.

Alex sits at the end of her bed, resting her cane on the ground and stretching her broken, booted leg out before her. "What happened?"

Kara flips over onto her back and stares up at the ceiling. "He's leaving, Alex."

"What?" She furrows her brow. "Like, now?"

"No, but eventually. And isn't that just as bad?" Tears return and she bites her bottom lip to keep it from quivering. "And he said I can't go with him."

Concern crosses Alex's face. "You want to?"

"I don't know! But I wanted him to at least tell me I could!"

"Aw, honey…" She lays a hand on Kara's shin, giving her a pat. "I bet that was hard to hear."

"I was terrible," Kara admits. "He didn't have any answers for me. He said he can't stay and I can't go. And that we should just 'enjoy the time we do have'. But how can I do that when I know what's coming?"

"It would be difficult," Alex nods her agreement. "I wish I had an answer. But…"

"But, what?"

"I mean," she shrugs. "He's not wrong. If your time is limited, make the best of it."

"It's too late now," Kara says meekly. "I already told him I didn't want this."

Alex frowns. "Is that true?"

She sniffles, tears falling down her cheeks. "No! I want it so bad it hurts. But I don't - I can't make him stay! He has - he has - he has -"

"Breathe..."

She takes a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "He has duties. As do I. And neither of us can break from them. It's just...it's really unfair."

Alex nods and a moment passes between them before she says, "I saw him earlier today."

"You did?" She lifts her head up, studying her sister. "How-how did he look?"

"Terrible. Worse than you. And his lab was completely wrecked."

She knew Alex was only giving this information to hopefully make her feel a little better. But knowing Querl was suffering only made her ache even more. And so she sobs, turning to lay on her side with her back to Alex. She curls in on herself and shakes, clutching her pillow and wishing she could turn back time - just to that moment in the early morning when he was kissing her. And she would tell him that she'll take all the time they have and along the way they could figure out what to do about the inevitable.

"Look, I'll call Lena and tell her you caught some bug today, okay?"

"I just used that excuse not too long again."

"Alright…I'll call her and tell her that mom is really sick and I couldn't break away from work so you volunteered to go. I'll even say your phone doesn't get great reception at the Midvale house. She might buy into that."

"Sure," she says, uncaring.

Alex nods, knowing it was time to take her leave and let her little sister continue in her grief. But before she rises from the bed, she gives Kara's leg another pat and says, "I really think you should go see him."

"Alex, we broke up. If I see him now -"

"Just trust me," she cuts her off, taking her cane and standing. She looks down at Kara, huddled on her bed and pathetically heartbroken over a man she'd just met. "I want to see you happy, Kara. And right now...just...just go see Brainy."

"Querl," she corrects.

Alex smiles. And leaves.

***O***O***O***

Smoke surrounds them. Fires blaze close by. Screams of agony fill the air.

And still he cradles her dead body. Still he weeps. Still he strokes her hair, whispering apologies and telling her how much he loves her.

He doesn't let go. Not when the others surround him, watching in horror. Not when Clark steps forward to take her in his own arms and fly her away from this hell. He holds on, refusing everyone, everything. Except her.

"Querl, it's time." Clark's voice is strained with agony.

"No," he whispers, smoothing his thumb across Kara's cheek. "I-I can't."

"You must."

"No," he growls, shutting his eyes tightly and burying his face in the curve of her neck. "Leave us."

Clark steps forward, gently resting his hand upon Querl's shoulder. "We must go. Time is running out…"

"I can't leave her," he whimpers, choking on his tears.

"She's already gone…"

He wakes, gasping and terrified. Looking around wildly, realizing he'd fallen asleep at a desk in his lab. Slumping back against the chair, he runs a hand over his unshaven face and lets out a shaky sigh. His nerves run fiercely through him, thoughts speeding from one to the other. Next to him, a bottle of alcohol sits and he immediately reaches for it and pops the top open. He downs half the contents before lowering it back down, barely noticing the taste as he chugs.

Kara… he grips the bottle tightly, feeling a mix of anger, fear, and misery. He should have lied to her, should have told her they wouldn't have to say goodbye when the time came for him to return to the 31st Century. He could have saved what they had, gave them more time. And he would have figured something out to turn his lies into the truth. But instead, he gave her honesty. And she chose to end their relationship. She didn't want this anymore, the circumstances were too high...she didn't want him.

He stands and paces the lab, boots crunching on broken equipment and neglected experiments. He runs a hand through his disheveled white hair. I shouldn't have let her push me away...I shouldn't have left...I could have tried harder... "Fuck!" He throws his drink across the room, watching as it shatters against a wall nearest to the lab's entry.

"Shit, watch it!" Mon-El yelps as he barely dodges out of the way. "Brainy, what the hell, man?!"

The Culuan glares, but says nothing. Mon-El looks him over, surprised by the completely haggard appearance of his friend. Querl's face is hollow and sunken with dark bags under his eyes, his clothes are rumpled and stained, and a scowl permanently decorates his face.

"You okay?" Mon-El scans the lab, which is in a similar state to Querl. Equipment has been thrown around, papers scattered all over the table and floor, one of his computer screens blinks with static. And empty bottles are everywhere

"Get out," Querl growls, turning his back to Mon-El. He sways on his feet, reaching for the case of booze sitting on a table.

Mon-El narrows his eyes. "Are you drunk?"

"Of course I'm drunk!" Querl snaps. He leans forward on the table, pressing his hands against the chrome surface. His head hangs low and his shoulders slump, signifying his defeat.

The sight is pitiful. "What happened?"

"Kara happened," he says quietly. He opens a bottle from the case and brings it to his lips, taking a long pull and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand when he's finished.

Mon-El chances a step forward. "You two were -"

"Yes," he grunts, another drink down his throat.

"Sorry, I didn't know."

Querl scoffs. "That hardly matters now." He empties his bottle and sets it on the table before him. Silence overcomes the room until quickly, he snatches the glass and hurls it across the room, barely acknowledging it smashing against another wall.

Mon-El comes to stand before him. "You gotta stop this."

"It's my lab. And you are welcomed to leave."

He sighs, running a hand over his face and feeling a wave of stress smack him. He regards the other man skeptically, not sure how to take on his behavior. The Culuan had always had a temper and he wasn't a stranger to booze. But seeing him so distraught over Kara was...concerning.

"I really don't think you should be alone right now."

Querl turns and leans against the table, huffing as he crosses his arms over his chest. He keeps his head down, staring at the floor and giving off waves of dejection.

"We can talk, if you want," Mon-El offers.

Brainy scoffs and shoots him a glare. "You think I want to talk to you about -"

"Querl?"

The men snap their attention to the doorway, seeing the subject of their conversation shifting uncomfortably before them. She comes wearing leggings, a heavy woolen sweater that envelopes her thin frame and a sad, tired expression with troubled eyes behind her glasses. She fidgets with her hands, nervously looking back and forth between Querl and Mon-El.

"Uh…" the Daxamite looks to his pilot, whose mouth has dropped open in his shock of seeing Kara. "I'll catch you guys later. Okay?" He nudges Brainy.

"Oh, uh…" he doesn't bother tearing his eyes away from Kara. "Yeah, sure...later…"

Kara steps aside, letting Mon-El pass her. He nods to her, offering a small, encouraging smile that she can't bring herself to return.

She looks around his lab, thankful Alex had prepared her beforehand. However, she hadn't anticipated Querl to look so tattered. And she notices the brew he holds and the many empties left all around the lab.

He's drunk, she realizes. Her heart aches at the sight. "Querl…"

"What do you want?" He hisses, eyeing her intensely. He hadn't expected to see her this soon, and it throws him, making him uneasy around her and build a protective wall around his heart.

She answers honestly, quietly. "You."

He narrows his gaze skeptically. "You didn't last night."

"That's not true. I did. I do. But," she takes a deep breath and chances a step forward. "But I'm afraid of what's going to happen to us when -"

"There is no us, remember?" He drinks, watching her as he does.

"I want there to be," she doesn't stop walking towards him, taking it as luck that he doesn't back away. She looks to the bottle, her expression saddening. "Please don't drink anymore. I-I don't like seeing you like this."

To spite her, he brings the bottle back to his lips.

"Querl," she reaches out and snatches it from him. "Please."

"What do you want from me?!" He shouts at her, moving away to create space before he truly exploded. "Last night you told me there was 'no us'. And now you're here wanting me back? You can't play with me this way, Kara!"

"I'm not playing!" Her voice raises it's pitch in her desperation. "I made a mistake last night, I know. And I hurt you and I'm so sorry, Querl. But, this thing between us, it's real. And I won't - I can't walk away from it."

He scoffs and crosses his arms over his chest. "You just suddenly changed your mind?"

"I never wanted us to end, ever."

He glares. "And yet you ended everything without even attempting to fight for us."

"I can't fight against time, Querl!" She shouts, her body shaking with frustration and the sevre emotions she feels. "But," she takes in a deep breath. "I can fight for our time together."

He turns his face from her and she can see the clench of his jaw. Quickly, Kara crosses the room to stand before him, trying to get him to look at her. He smells of alcohol and again she's panged with guilt over his condition. Her tone is softer when she speaks again. "I'm sorry, please believe me. I don't want this to end. I don't. I made a huge mistake last night and I know that. I knew it as it happened."

"Then why -"

"I was scared." She places her hands on his hips, wanting to pull him closer to her, to break the barrier between them. The fact that he lets her touch him is a good sign. "I still am, honestly," she whispers.

He glances at her and she feels relief to see the anger he'd held was subsiding. She watches him with a nervousness that makes her shake on spot.

Finally, he whispers "I'm scared too." He doesn't care that he's giving up easily; doesn't care that all she has to do is show up with tears and an apology and he melts instantly. He loves her, has wanted her for such a long time, and he would give her anything she asked of him - no matter the cost to his own well being.

A sigh leaves her and she lets her shoulders slump and the tears she's held back fall freely down her face. "What do we do?"

Unable to resist, he reaches for her and pulls her to his chest. She immediately buries her face into him, and wraps her arms around his middle, sobs wracking through her. Gently, he cups her face and tilts it to see her watery eyes. "I will find a way."

She sniffles, whimpering weakly. "But, what if -"

"Shhh," he thumbs away the tears on her cheeks and kisses her tenderly. "No 'what if'. I don't want you to fret over this anymore, darling. I will find a way for us to be together. Just…" he shudders. "Just don't repeat last night, please."

She nuzzles him. "Never again. I promise."

Again he kisses her, holding her face between his hands and savouring every second. When he finishes, he plants a kiss to her forehead and lets out a sigh. "Now, come on. I need a shower and some coffee."

Kara wipes her eyes and gives him a smile, keeping her arm wrapped around his hips as they exit the thrashed lab.