DISCLAIMERS/NOTES
1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.
2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.
4. Just a reminder: the Supergirl in this story is not Kara Zor-El, but the post-Crisis Matrix with an altered backstory. For more information, see Disclaimers/Notes for the first chapter.
TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN AT ROCK BOTTOM
The two women descended from the clouds above, landing softly on the tip of the mountain. Once they were settled, one of them took a moment to remove the rucksack from her shoulder and place it on the rocky floor. They then stood motionless for a moment, their hands never breaking contact, looking at eachother nervously. Suddenly, after the other let out a sob, they enveloped eachother in a deep embrace.
Supergirl held tight as Mary Marvel wept over her shoulder. "It's OK... " she soothed. "Just let it out." The blonde heroine closed her eyes and stroked brunette hair. "I love you... "
"How?" came the muffled response. Supergirl gently released the hug so the two were facing. Mary was full of tears, unable to control the flow. The Girl of Steel looked at her questioningly. "How can you still love me?" whined Mary. "Everything I said... everything I did... " The white-and-gold clad heroine sobbed harder, her eyes closing tight. "I tried to... gods... I... I tried to kill you!" With that, she broke down again.
Taking a deep gulp, Supergirl leaned close and kissed her lover tenderly. "It's OK, my darling. It wasn't you... you were being... "
"But it was!" Mary burst. "I... I... I let out the... the... oh gods... how could I... ?" Her own eyes tearing, Supergirl caressed Mary's cheek. "E... E... Eclipso... she... she made me... made me... "
"It's alright, my love," whispered the shapeshifter. "You weren't in control. You were being manipulated."
Bowing her head, Mary was unable to look her girlfriend in the eye. "She twisted... twisted my feelings... I... oh gods... " She then darted up at Supergirl, pure agony in her eyes. "I'd never hurt you! Gods, I thought... thought I... could never... " She was all over the place, but Mary had to go through this. They both knew she had to let it all out. "I love you, Mae!" she yelped. "I love you so, so much. I... I thought I could never ever... " Her face contorted in pain. "I tried to kill you! I thought I could never hurt you and I TRIED TO KILL YOU!"
"Darling, it's... "
"I LOVE YOU, Mae!" Mary shrieked. "Please... PLEASE know that! I don't... don't care about what people think... if people think you're b... better than me! Dammit, I DON'T CARE! PLEASE believe me!" Tears continued to pour down her face.
Supergirl stifled a sob. This was what Jean Loring had done to her lover. Broken her. It was upto Mae to fix her. "Listen to me very carefully, Mary." The Girl of Steel held Mary's face intently, making her look her in the eye. Supergirl's own gaze was unwavering. "We all have layers to ourselves. We all have insecurities. But we overcome them. It's alright if, on some level, you feel inferior to me. Because, deep, deep down... you know you're not. We're equals. You are Mary Marvel... but more importantly, you are Mary Batson. The strongest, purest woman I've ever known."
Mary stared at her disbelievingly. "Pure? E... Eclipso turned me into... "
"I told you, darling," interrupted Supergirl. "We all have insecurities. All of us. And that's what Eclipso does: preys on those insecurities, brings them to the fore. But I never doubted you for a second. I knew it wasn't the real you. You're the most caring, loving person imaginable."
Mary began shaking her head. "No... no, I c... can't be. I love you m... more than a... anything... ANYTHING!... and I still tried to... " She covered her face with her hand, tears continuing to stream down. "How can you still love me?" she breathed.
Crying openly herself, Supergirl kissed Mary reverently. "You say you still love me after Darkseid... "
"Darkseid brainwashed you!" screamed Mary.
"But don't you see, my sweetheart?" sighed Supergirl. "I was still capable of... of... " She paused, thinking back to how the Lord of Apokolips warped her into attacking her friends and, more importantly, the woman she cherished. "We all have darker sides to ourselves," she said after a deep breath. "Even Clark. But if we're fortunate, then it's not the real us. And trust me, the real you isn't what Eclipso brought out. The real Mary Batson is the kindest, gentlest woman... the woman I love more than anything or anyone else in the universe."
Mary broke down once more, overwhelmed by Mae's declaration. Her legs buckled and she fell to her knees; Supergirl seamlessly followed her down, their hands never separating. "I... I... I don't... " Mary struggled through tears. "I... don't... don't deserve you... I... I'm not worthy of you... " Her lip wobbled. "Why didn't you give up on me... ?"
"That was never an option," Supergirl said without hesitation.
"But I... "
"Did you give up on me when I was with Darkseid?" asked the shapeshifter.
Mary incredulously frowned. "You were only with him for... "
"Time is irrelevant," said Supergirl. She had been under the evil New God's thrall for just a couple of days, while Mary was with Black Adam and Eclipso for months. The worst months of Mae-Trix's life. "It wouldn't have mattered if it took a year, or ten years, or an eternity. I would've saved you and brought you back to me... or I would've died trying." Mary eyes widened in wonder. "I never, ever, ever would've given up on you, Mary. Because if I did - I would've given up on my heart... and my soul." She kissed her partner once more. "I can't live without you, Mary Batson. You're the love of my life. You're my soulmate." As Mary continued to stare at her, Supergirl moved a free hand and reached into the rucksack. Her goal in her grasp, she kissed a weeping Mary yet again and brought her hand to the fore. "And there's nothing I want more... "
Mary choked as her lover opened her hand.
"... than for you to be my wife."
Mary stared at the engagement ring...