A/N: In this next update, Kara has a difficult time accepting the truth, that James is Guardian. She's upset and worried about their friendship. Guardian confesses, but was there more to it? I hope you enjoy it. Read on!

~o~o~

Chapter 3: Everything You Are

Kara's apartment, that same evening:

Pacing back and forth, Kara couldn't believe that James would do this; it must be a mistake. It wasn't him, but the more she thought about it, the more it made a crazy kind of sense. He obviously didn't want her to know, probably because of the way she had ended things between them.

Was he doing this to show her that he had moved past all the hurt she had caused him or was it something else? To him, being a superhero meant that he didn't need her to save him; to rescue him; to love him? She shook her head, dismissing those reasons. James was his own person; strong; reliable; dependable; worthy of any woman, but then there were those reasons why he was doing this.

He said that she inspired him, but was there more to it? She wanted to confront him and ask him herself, but should she? She didn't want to take this away from him if it meant that much to him, but he could be killed. Could she live with that?

Startled out of her thoughts, her cellphone rang. It was Alex.

"Kara, we need you at the DEO; it's important," Alex said.

"I'm on my way," she replied and flew out the window.

"What's happened?" Kara asked, ready for anything.

"It's the Kryptonian," Alex replied.

"He's not Kryptonian; he's a Daxamite, an enemy of our family, but that was a long time ago," she said, but Alex looked confused. "I'll explain everything later. So, is he awake?"

"No, he isn't, but he did murmur something."

"What did he say?"

"We couldn't understand it; maybe it was someone from his home world?"

"I don't know his family, so it could have been anyone." Kara followed her to Mon-El's chamber, where he was still hooked up to machines.

"Maybe you should sit with him; it does seem to calm him somewhat. The doctors think because he did speak, he should be waking up soon."

"Alright, I guess I have a little time," she replied thinking of Guardian and possibly meeting up with him.

"Are you sure you can stay? It's pretty late," Alex asked. She did seem distracted.

"No, it's fine," she replied.

"Alright, I'll leave you here," Alex said.

Kara sighed, took a seat and watched him sleep or was he in a coma? They had no idea why he hadn't awakened. Can coma patients hear someone speaking? "I'm here; you're not alone." She spoke those words more times that she could think.

Now after midnight, she pulled out her cellphone and checked her text app, but nothing from Guardian. About to turn it off, then she received a text; it was him. 'Hello, Supergirl. My suit is repaired and I'll be on patrol tonight. I hope to see you again.'

Oh, no, she thought. I need to see him. She left the chamber. "Alex, I'm sorry, but I have to leave."

"Now, but he may wake up."

"You stay with him, but I have to go."

She frowned. "Is this about Guardian?"

"Of course not," she lied. "I'll be back; this won't take long."

~o~o~

Flying over the skies of National City:

Minutes later, gunshots blasted in her ears; she headed toward the sound. Guardian was there but he was outnumbered again. In an alley, just outside a convenience store, several men, who weren't armed, as far as could see, so she decided not to intrude. She saw guns strewn about on the ground. Did he do that without getting hit? Impressive, she thought. She watched him fight each and every one. Smiling, she watched as he managed to get the upper hand. They were knocked out and quickly. He gathered up the weapons and then he dialed 911.

Kara dropped down. "Good job!" She said with a slow clap.

He turned to her. "Thanks, Supergirl," he said and tried to catch his breath.

"You didn't even need me."

A few days will fly by in no time, he thought. "Well, I'll always need you, Supergirl … always."

She frowned, then, "I need you too."

"I wonder about that," he said without thinking.

"What do you mean?" She asked and came closer.

"I do make good copy," he said hoping she would get the hint.

"Oh, the articles, but I seriously thought you wouldn't mind if I wrote about you. Do you mind?"

"No, not at all. It makes me feel closer to you in some strange way."

She frowned again, but didn't say anything.

"Well, I have to go," he said and stared at her. Didn't she pick up on my hint? He wondered.

"Hey, that's my line," she said and smiled at him.

"I guess you're having a serious effect on me."

She couldn't let that one go. "How serious?"

"Very serious," he replied.

"Well, Umm, I have to go," she hesitated. Police sirens could be heard in the distance.

"Until tomorrow?" He asked.

"Yes, until tomorrow," she said, then she took off into the skies.

Minutes later, the police arrived and after removing the criminals, he decided to wait for Kara to come back and then he heard a sound. It was her.

"James Olsen!?" She screamed and dropped down from the sky, hands on hips.

"Hello Kara," he said in his normal voice.

"Hello Kara?" She came closer. "Is that all you have to say to me?"

"I wanted you to know, but I couldn't tell you."

"Why couldn't you tell me? Didn't you trust me enough to keep your secret? You've kept my secret."

"It was more than that and you know it."

That shut her up. Then, she shook her head. "I don't know what to say to you."

"Why can't we just go on like before? I'll be Guardian and you be Supergirl? It's not that hard."

"Not that hard? Seriously; you lied to me."

"I didn't see it as lying; just withholding how I feel about certain things."

"Oh, so this was payback for how I," she couldn't finish.

"How you dumped me; no, that wasn't the reason I did it." He paused as he stared at her. "I wanted you to understand that I wasn't just some guy you met, and let go like a few others I've seen come into your life, then disappear never thought of again. I didn't want to be one of those guys."

Stunned to hear this, but she didn't know what to say because it was true. "James, you're not one of 'those' guys. In fact, I think about you, how you're doing emotionally after what happened between us. I think about how great you are as head of CatCo, but more than that, I worry that I hurt you so badly that you won't be able to move on; to be happy. And now, look at you, putting your life at risk. I feel responsible."

He shook his head. "You shouldn't feel that way. It was my decision to do this, become Guardian, and it will be my decision to continue."

"So, you're just going to continue doing this, even if I disapprove? I couldn't bear it if you were hurt or worse."

"Kara, you are not responsible for me." He paused. "I can see how upset you are. I guess I was wrong to keep this from you. I knew you would react this way, but I couldn't seem to stop myself." He paused. "I miss you."

Kara didn't know what to say so she told him the truth. "I miss you too."

"I don't want to lose you, not as a friend, and certainly not when we're doing this, saving this city, saving the world. I don't want it to end; do you?"

"No, I don't but that was before I knew it was you."

He understood. "Why does that make a difference?" She was silent. "Look, this past week, I've never felt so unrestricted to be me, basically, to save people. I know now how you must feel, and I love it. I love it a lot."

"I know you do, but," she began but he interrupted her.

"You liked the secrecy, didn't you? The thrill of meeting up with me and I felt it too. You can't deny that and just because you know who I am shouldn't change things."

"But what if you're hurt?" She asked unable to accept it.

"Kara, don't you think I worry about you? Yes, you have super powers, but I care what happens to you too." He paused. "So why can't we continue as before?" He paused at her silence, then he came closer. She tried to stay calm but her heart refused to listen. "You are my friend and I care what you think; how you feel; and that will never change."

She relaxed. "I feel the same way about you," she said. "Thank you, James."

"You're very welcome." Still staring, the air was thick with tension.

Kara was the first to look away, but before she could leave, he had one more thing to say.

"Kara, wait!" She turns to him. "Will I see you later?"

She relaxed but she was disappointed for some strange reason. "Yes, I'll see you later."

She took off into the sky. Moments later, without warning, she closed her eyes remembering another time; and he did too.

~o~o~

About six months ago:

Kara had lost her powers and James was trying to explain why anyone can be a hero.

"I've seen so many photos of me, but this one feels different," Kara said staring at the photograph of herself holding a criminal with a gun with no powers.

"Well, they say that the best photographs express how you feel about what you're photographing." He stood up. "And I know you."

Feeling strange at his nearness, she asked, "What's the first picture you ever took?"

He pulled out a photograph from his wallet and showed it to her. "My, Dad. He bought me a camera just before he left for the Gulf War. It was better than what my family could afford; it was a good one. And then he didn't come home, and I never put that camera down."

She handed it back. "You look like him."

"Yeah, when you take a picture of someone; it's permanent and you capture the truth in that moment and you can keep it forever." He picked up the photo of her in the convenience store.

"You don't need powers to be a hero."

He's amazing, then she gave him a hug. He was a little surprised, but he hugged her back.

Neither wanted to let go.

Then Winn walked in.

~o~o~

Back to present time:

Kara opened her eyes remembering that special moment; she would never forget it. When she thought about it, it now feels like foreshadowing, but in her wildest dreams that James could be thinking of himself.

James looked up into the sky, thinking of what could have been. They hadn't imagined it; the feelings were there. After Winn walked in, it was awkward and uncomfortable but they managed not to talk about it, but it was there waiting to be acknowledged, but they never did.

James was also thinking of what could have happened if Kara hadn't regained her powers. He would be dead right now. She's amazing. "Kara?" He whispered. "I know you still care about me." She didn't hear him; not this time.

Kara could hardly see past her tears; tears of regret, but she would move on; she had to for her sake and for James, as well. They just didn't work; she convinced herself that breaking up with him had been the right thing to do.

Relieved to finally accept the truth she returned to the DEO to keep busy; to forget, but could she?

~o~o~

The next day at the office:

Kara and James avoided each other, at staff meetings, the cafeteria, which put even more strain on their friendship, but they managed to make it through the day. The nights were the hardest when they ran into each other during rescues, as Supergirl and as Guardian. They spoke but in clipped tones, appearing to be friends, but not really. Their friendship was deteriorating and he no one to blame but himself.

Working up the courage to call Clark, James called him, hoping he could help fix it, before he lost Kara forever.

"So, she knows," Clark said.

"Yes, I dropped a hint about her writing and she got it."

"You dropped a hint?"

"Yes, I wanted her to find out on her own; not from you."

"James, I think it's for the best."

"The best; the best for whom?" He raised his voice. "I'm sorry; I'm frustrated, that's all."

"James, you need to move on."

"Don't you think I've tried; but I can't."

"Alright, but have you stopped being Guardian?"

"No, why should I?"

"Isn't it awkward for you seeing her on rescues?"

"I can handle it, but she's having a hard time and do you know why?" He asked boasting a bit.

"She still cares."

"Yes, she still cares and if there's any inkling of those feelings, I can't stop being Guardian."

"James, this is not good. You can't force someone to care for you; if it's not there."

"But you said," he started.

"She cares for you yes, but as a friend; nothing more."

"Has she say something to you; if not, then you have no idea what you're talking about."

"James, please hear me out."

Fuming inside, he waited. "Go ahead."

"There is a way to find out her true feelings."

"What is it?"

"Ask her how she truly feels."

"Ask her?"

"Yes, ask her."

He took a deep breath. "Alright, I will," he said, but he was terrified at what she would say.

"James, I'm sorry this isn't working out as you had hoped."

"I know, and I'm sorry I raised my voice."

"You're forgiven. Call me if you want to talk."

"Thanks, Clark; I do appreciate your advice."

"I just wish," he couldn't finish.

"So do I," he said. "Bye, Clark."

"Bye, James."

~o~o~

Later that day, Clark held his tongue as Kara reamed him out.

"You knew all along; didn't you? Don't deny it; I know how close you are."

"Yes, he told me but I insisted that he tell you but he wouldn't listen."

"He always listens to you; what happened?"

"Don't you know?"

"Know what?"

He sighed. "He still loves you Kara and he wants you back; surely you know that."

A moment's pause then, "Yes; I do know that."

"Look, you two need to sit down and talk this out." He paused and tried to get her to understand what being Guardian means to James. "Being Guardian has awakened this need in him. I've never seen him like this. He truly loves it, and I don't think he'll give it up, not for a while; maybe a long while."

Inwardly smiling, she thought of their talks as Guardian and Supergirl. "Yes, he told me." She paced for a minute. "It's strange but James being a superhero seems as if it's been building ever since you and I came into his life."

"I thought the same thing," Clark admitted. "There must be a way that you two can still work together?" He paused at her silence. "Just give it time and maybe this need will leave his system and he'll go back to just being James."

"Just being James," she murmured. "This need in him; you're right. I don't think he'll give it up." She paused and thought of the past week. "I thought I knew him, but I guess since you left, I realized that it didn't seem," she hesitated.

"Perfect; is that the word you're looking for?"

"No, no one is perfect." I wasn't expecting perfection; was I? She wondered.

"Neither is a relationship; there are ups and downs. You grow and learn from your mistakes, but compromises are made and you move forward." He paused. "No relationship is perfect, Kara; you have to work at it." She was silent. "Just tell him how you feel. The words will come. Just tell him."

"We'll talk and soon, but that's not the only reason I called.

"What is it?"

"Mon-El finally woke up, but he attacked me."

Clark was stunned and very curious about him. "I gather you two didn't hit it off?"

"No, not at first, but he told me where he's from. He's a Daxamite."

"Oh, that explains why he attacked you. Our ancestors have never gotten along, even though it is possible we are related."

Kara was confused. "So, he's an El from another planet?"

"Yes, migration occurred throughout the galaxy and they migrated there."

"I see," she murmured.

"If you want to know more about him, you could go to the Fortress."

"That's a good idea," Kara said intrigued about Kryptonian explorers.

"The Fortress can give you answers, but don't take him with you," Clark said firm in that decision.

Kara frowned, but he wasn't surprised he felt this way. They knew nothing about him, but they needed to find out and soon. "Alright; I'll take your advice."

"You shouldn't go alone either."

"But why not; I can take care of myself." Thinking of her first visit, she thought of James, then his next words didn't surprise her.

"Take James and it will give you two time to talk away from the city; distractions; and responsibilities; it will work."

"He may not want to go with me. We haven't spoken since I found out the truth about him."

"Oh, I see, well, it's past time for you two to talk; clear the air."

"Alright, I'll ask him."

"Call me if you find out anything about Mon-El."

"Alright, bye, Clark."

"Bye, Kara."

~o~o~

Later that day, Kara called James and asked him to meet her at the coffee bar not far from the office. "Do you know where it is?"

"Yes, I know; I'll be there."

An hour later, James stood up as she approached him. "I ordered your favorite; if that's Okay?"

"That's fine; thanks." They sat down and sipped their drinks.

"What did you want to talk about?" James asked.

"You and me," Kara replied and glanced at her drink.

He frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, but we shouldn't talk here. I thought we could go to the Fortress." At his rather shocked expression, she explained, "Clark suggested it. You see, Mon-El, the Daxamite, who arrived here a few weeks ago, we need to know more about him, and the Fortress could give us answers."

"I see; Winn told me about him, but hasn't he talked to you about why he arrived here all alone?" He paused. "I just find that very suspicious."

"Well, Clark and I arrived here alone."

"But that was different, you two were just kids," he said.

"I admit I do have suspicions about him, but he apologized for attacking me."

"And you accepted his apology?" She nodded. "I hope he means it," he said worried about this guy.

"Clark is concerned as well. He thinks he may be hiding something; something important," she said.

"I see; and you want me to go with you to the Fortress?" He found that odd.

"Clark wants us to talk, and the Fortress is secluded, without distractions and I thought it made sense."

He thought about it, but spending time with her made perfect sense. "And you want that too?" She nodded. "Alright; when can we leave?"

"First thing tomorrow; at sunrise. We'll be back before our work days begins."

"Alright, I'll be ready." James couldn't help but remember the last time they were there.

"Great!" Kara said and wondered what he was thinking.

Both thinking of the reasons why their lives had taken such an unexpected turn, Kara hadn't set out to hurt him, and he didn't want to lie to her about Guardian. It's time to talk about those reasons and whether they could move past them.

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: You're Still You, Josh Groban.

A/N: Going forward, I've decided this story will be AU. Those previews of James in action next week looked good! More in a week. Now, tell me your thoughts! Thanks for reading!