Hey there! Long time no see...

This is an idea that came to me some months ago.

Be aware that Kara is going through a rough patch mentally, and some of this issues might be triggering.

Thanks to my axesome Beta, Tejay who did an awesome work on this.

Please tell me what you think of it!

Enjoy!

THE BABY SITTING TRAP

As she was approaching the door of the house, Kara could distinctly hear Esme giggling inside.

This made her smile. Things had been hectic lately, and she was just glad that she took the day off to be with her niece.

Esme had been struggling a little with her powers, and her aunt was trying her best to be there as much as possible. But between her secret identity not being a secret anymore, and her new job, Kara knew that she needed to show up more for the little one.

She knocked at the door before entering the threshold.

'I heard some terrible sounds from the street! Who is attacking my niece?' she said, her tone half serious half laughing.

'Aunt Kara!' Esme threw herself at the blonde. Kara catching her effortlessly.

'Thank Rao you are alright! Do I need to defend you?' the blonde smiled

Alex and Kelly were standing there smiling, Alex's arm was behind Kelly, hand resting on her wife's hip.

'I think she is safe from now on'

Kara put her niece down and the young girl ran to her bedroom to play.

Alex took the time to look at Kara, the kryptonian had a tired and kind of hurt expression on her face behind the smile.

Kelly noticed as much as Alex, and looked at her wife, Alex understood then.

'Did you already have breakfast Kar?' she asked her sister

'I did, but you know I could eat.'

'That I sure know. Come on let's put some food in you.'

While Kelly fixed Kara a plate, Alex busied herself making them all coffees.

Kara never looked away. She watched them working together with easiness. The longing in her chest was heavier, as the minutes went by.

She questioned then, if that was the reason she didn't visit more often. Watching them having all of that was making her aware that she, in fact, didn't have any of it. Not even in the slightest.

When a plate arrived in front of her, she was put out of her reverie.

' Are you ok?' Alex smiled lightly, concerned.

'Yes, I am. I can't wait to spend the day with Esme! We will be very careful, I promise. And if at any point I need it, I will call you.'

'We trust you Kara, you know that right? Besides, it's not the first time you are watching over her.' Kelly reassured.

'I know, it's just… it's going to be okay.' She finished.

Deep down the words of Alex were still very fresh in her mind. Repeating themselves. How she wasn't Esme's mom, that she didn't have a say in raising her. It was stupid. Since then, a lot have happened. Still, the words were ringing in her ears every time she was around the family.

Restraining herself to give advices, to make decisions for Esme, to fully be herself.

She shook her head and watched the couple before asking:

'It's just for today anyway. When will you guys be home again?'

'Probably around 4. We just really need to have this adoption meeting to follow through with Esme and they asked us to not bring her. Before that we will be at work, we will be available at any time if you need us, okay?'

There it was, the concern that she would screw up. She couldn't blame them. Now that she was out to the world, anyone could try at any time to hurt her, and if Esme were to be with her, she would probably be involved.

'I'm not planning to go out, just stay there and play with her.'

Alex was surprised by that. She knew Kara loved the outdoors, and Esme was very much like her about that.

'You guys can go out if you want, you know?'

'That's alright, we will just wait for you to return. I'm sure we will find a lot of stuff to keep us entertained here.'

'Ok then.' Alex concluded.

Once they were finished in the kitchen, they called Esme downstairs. It was almost 8:30 and they needed to leave.

'Ok, you'll be good to aunt Kara sweety.'

'Yes Mom! I promise!' she smiled cheekily

Kelly then took her in her arms and kissed her all over her face, before adding

'We'll see you later, have fun!'

They both made their way to leave after that.

Once the door was closed and Kara heard the car leaving, she was suddenly aware that Esme was now her responsibility. The girl ran to her bedroom saying something about showing Kara her costumes. But her voice was in a distance. Kara's vision was blurring, and the doorbell ringing was an addition she didn't want right now.

She opened the door her respiration quick.

Green eyes met blue ones, and the worry on the visitor face was immediate.

The brunette entered the room, took Kara in her arms, and led her to the couch. She never stopped holding the blonde. Knowing that grounding her right now was the only option.

The buzzing sound in Kara's ear was slowly replaced by the soothing words, like an echo in the darkness.

She could barely made them out at first but as the seconds ticked by, they became more clear, but still not loud, just whispers.

'It's okay… you are safe… Esme is safe… Keep breathing… you are doing so good… you are here on this couch, on Earth… breathe for me again… that's it'

She found her vision getting clearer. She reached for her eyes to remove her glasses that were probably not so clean, to find out she didn't wear them.

When her hands became shakier by not finding the item, a hand grabbed her wrist so gently that it made the shaking stop instantly.

Kara looked at those green eyes, that knew her so well. A small smile was playing on the lips she wanted so many times to take.

Lena was still whispering, when she replaced a brand of air behind the blondes ear.

'Hey there.'

'Hey' came the reply. Her voice hoarse from the breathing that took place a little while ago.

'Aunt Lenaaaa!' came the scream behind them. Making them both jump. Kara had instinctively put Lena against her. Her grip stronger that what she intended to.

She released the brunette when she noticed.

'Isn't it the best god daughter I have?' Lena stood and reached for Esme who was running fully to meet her.

'Why are you here! Aunt Kara is here to spend the day with me!'

'Well I didn't know that.' She turned to make eye contact with Kara before adding

'I guess either your moms made a mistake and booked us both, or they did it on purpose'

Kara suddenly stood. Was it possible that after seeing her this morning, they called Lena because they didn't trust her? Or even before this morning, did they asked Lena to be there in case she couldn't take care of Esme on her own? Maybe they didn't trust her. Who could blame them she had a panic attack literally 5 minutes ago.

'When did they ask you to babysit?' she asked, her voice trembling a little.

Esme didn't catch it but Lena saw right through it.

'Last week, Tuesday if I remember correctly, why?'

'Oh, ok.' She said, surprised. The same day they asked her.

'So what was the plan for today?' the brunette inquired

'Well, I guess we were going to stay in, and wait for them to come back. Maybe make a fort in the leaving room.' Kara tried blushing at her lack of activities planned.

'It's a sunny day, why don't we go out? Maybe to the fair on the pier?'

'Yes I want that!' yelled Esme.

Seeing Kara's eyes panicking, Lena told Esme to go to her room to get ready. She asked her to choose a toy to bring with her.

With the little one gone, Lena approached Kara.

'Talk to me please?' she asked

' I just… I can't be seen with her outside, I'm afraid someone will take pictures and she will forever be associated with me. What if she end up hurt? What if things go wrong? I can't…'

'Hey' Lena stopped her 'It's going to be okay. Did Alex and Kelly tell you to stay in? Did they tell you to not go out because they were scared?'

'No, not really, but they don't have to say it.'

'Kara do you trust me?' Lena suddenly asked looking intensely in Kara's eyes.

'With my life.' The blonde answered automatically as if it was not even a question.

'Then you trust me to take care of Esme right?'

'Yes of course'

'Good. We are going to the fair. The 3 of us. I won't take no for an answer.'

Kara didn't find it in herself to reply. Lena called her driver, asking him to drop by her place and take a staircase with him. Less than 15 minutes after that he was in front of the Danvers-Olsen's house.

While the car was driving them to their destination, Kara wasn't talking. She was so scared. She thought for a minute, to just let Lena with Esme since she wasn't needed. But then she realized that Lena could still be a target. People knew that Supergirl and Lena were acquaintances, and they could still try to target her. Kara couldn't let anything happen to her friend.

Also some part of her was longing to be with the brunette. She tried to distance herself. After the wedding and everything was revealed, she didn't want to put anyone in danger, and while she exhausted herself being Kara and Supergirl publicly, she restrained herself from being seen with her friends and family. The risk was too high.

They arrived at the pier. Still in the car, Lena took the briefcase and turn to Kara.

'In there is an inhibitor. I modified it, so that it can make you look like someone else. I'll have contacts so that I will still see you as yourself, and Esme can use x-ray vision to see you too.'

Kara was lost. And before she could think further, Lena took her hand and continue.

'This is not because I am scared. I would like to be out there with you and not care about what people will think, say or do. But you are scared, and I can understand that. And if you need it for protection, we can use it, it won't bother me. I need you to know though Kara, that I trust you and us. And I don't think we need it. Nobody in their right mind would try anything against the both of us. And I don't think Esme could be in better hands than ours.

I am sure, that nothing will happen, but if you want to, we can use it.'

Lena was trusting her. How could she? Kara had been a bad friend for weeks now. And still, here she was, trusting her with everything that she was. Tears were threatening at the realization, and Kara didn't want to cry in front of Esme.

'I… I trust you, let's not use it today.' She answered with a little smile.

'Ok let's have some fun! Are you ready sweety?' she asked Esme

The young girl exclaimed that she was and they got out of the car.

They made their way to the fair, and regarding it being a weekday and morning, the pier wasn't really packed.

This relaxed Kara a little. But she was being very aware of their surroundings. Super hearing on high alert and x-raying a lot of things.

While they made their way to different stands Esme was in the middle of them. She was holding both of their hands and suddenly she stopped. Kara realized an alarm was ringing not that far from them. But with super hearing the sound was hurting if you didn't know how to control it.

Kara dropped to her knees and put Esme's hands out of her ears. The girl was covering them, wishing for the noise to stop.

Kara whispered, not wanting to add more noise in her niece's ears.

'Esme, honey, concentrate on my voice. I want you to try and find aunt Lena's heartbeat for me.

Do you hear it, it goes like this.' With that, Kara clicked her index finger on the back of Esme's hand.

She watched as the frown on her niece's forehead disappeared, and slowly, she reopened her eyes, meeting the blue in her Aunt Kara's eyes.

'Wow, that is so cool aunt Kara! Does it work with anyone or just Aunt Lena's?'

Smiling, Kara answered:

'It works with anyone or anything. You just need to find a sound that you like and that you can hear at all time.'

'I think I will find Mom and Ma's heartbeats from now on.'

'We can train on it later today when they come back, ok?'

'Yes! Can we go to the steering wheel now?'

Laughing slowly Kara stood and told her yes. The young girl went running in the direction of the wheel.

The blonde met green eyes and the expression of warmth that was coming from her friend destabilized her.

'So… exactly how many times do you listen to my heartbeat?'

Reaching for invisible glasses, Kara blushed a little.

'Well, it's good to have an anchor when things are too much. And… I find your heartbeat instantly when I search for it. I'm sorry if it is weird. I can stop if you'd like, I can go back to Alex.'

'I really don't mind Kara. It feels important and kind of soothing for you, so please keep doing it if it helps in any way.'

'You have no idea' The blonde said, looking at the ground

Before Lena could reply, Esme was coming towards them so they could get a ride in the giant wheel.

Kara saw Lena tense when it was time to get in.

'Are you okay? I can go with Esme alone if you'd like.'

'No. It's just… I'm not a fan of height.'

Kara was taken aback by that.

'You aren't? Do you mean you are scared when I fly with you?' Kara was suddenly scared that she might have terrorrized her friend more than one time, while flying with her.

'It's not the same. I feel safe with you, but in there…'

'Ok, you can really stay here. Or, you can come with us, I'll be right here, I won't let anything happen to either of you Lena.' she finished her sentence taking hold of the brunette's hand.

'Let's do this before I change my mind'

While Lena went to buy their tickets Kara went to her knees to talk to Esme.

'Esme, aunt Lena is a little scared to go in the wheel, we need to be gentle with her, ok?

We need to be calm and not move too much when we'll be up there. Can you help me make her less scared?'

'Yes aunt Kara, I can! I will be as strong as you!' the little girl said proudly.

Once they were at the top of the wheel, Lena's hands were trembling. They had stopped and the cabin was moving a little.

Esme heard her aunt heartbeat go quicker and she took her hand and pointed in front of them at a building.

'Aunt Lena, can we spot The tower from here?'

Lena dropped Kara's hand that was in the hand not held by Esme, and pointed at the building.

'Yes, it's right there, can you see it?' The girl nodded and Lena continued

'There you have Catco too.'

'Wow it's tall!'

'It sure is!' exclaimed Kara

After pointing at several building, the wheel started to turn once again.

Once out Lena looked at Kara

'Thank you for this, it wasn't unpleasant.'

Before she could answer Kara heard not far from them.

'Wait is that Supergirl?"

Sensing the blonde tense immediately, Lena took her hand offering support.

A boy, probably of 10 years old, and his dad approached them. Instinctively, Kara put Lena and Esme behind her before smiling warmly.

The boy was running and his dad was following.

'Ethan, wait a second.' The boy stopped and the dad dropped to his knees.

'It is not okay to run to people even if you think you know them. It is also rude to scream like that.

Maybe Supergirl is working or maybe she is not, but you need to be respectful with her and always ask nicely, without screaming if it is ok to disturb her. Do you understand?' The dad ended.

His voice wasn't mad, it was calm while explaining, and the boy didn't seem upset, he was more blushing than anything.

'Oh sorry dad, I got excited.'

'It is not me you need to apologize to.' The dad said.

Once standing again, he looked at Kara and the boy looked at her too.

'It's okay you can come closer.' She said with a smile to the boy.

'I'm sorry Supergirl I got excited.'

'I understand, but your dad is right, you can never know what I am doing, and I don't want you to be in danger if I was working. Being careful is being smart ok?'

'Ok! Thanks Supergirl!'

He was smiling bright at her. Still shielding Lena and Esme with her body she took two steps to the left so they could be out of his sight. Understanding the movement Lena took Esme hand and began to walk a few feet away.

While Supergirl and Ethan were talking a little, the dad watched Lena and Esme and simply stared in their direction.

'I'm so sorry we are interrupting your time. He saw her before me and I couldn't stop him.' He was really embarrassed and checked around them if his son hadn't alerted the other people of the hero presence.

Thankfully for them, nobody had noticed.

'I know that you can't always control their reaction. I thank you though for trying to teach him about boundaries, it is greatly appreciated.' Lena answered him.

'It's the least I can do with everything you are all doing for us all.'

'Dad! Can we take a picture?' The boy asked not screaming after his dad talk.

'Is that alright with you?' He asked Kara

'Of course!' She said, her smile larger than before.

After the picture was taken, they went their way.

'That is what I call an awesome dad!' Kara said to Lena

'He was really embarrassed, and I don't think we will make the headlines tomorrow.' the brunette replied.

'Good, that will be a change'

Since revealing her identity, the media were all over her, that was partly why she didn't go out more often these days.

'Who's hungry?' Lena asked

'Me!' Esme yelled

'You know I always am' stated Kara smiling at her.

They bought food and found a place to eat before they went back to some attractions.

They ended up on the beach walking and playing with Esme.

Nobody else recognized Kara, and no other incident happened.

As they were going back to the Olsen-Danvers house, Esme was slowly falling asleep.

It was only 2 pm and a nap sounded more than welcome for the girl.

Kara took her in her arms while they went inside. The girl was awake but still sleepy. She had sand all over and Kara knew that she wouldn't put her to bed without a quick shower.

Entering the house behind Kara, Lena was quick to make a decision.

'Why don't I shower her quickly and put her to bed while you make us coffee?'

'Sure' simply answered Kara

Taking Esme in her arms, Lena got up the stairs and started the shower.

Kara started a fresh brew of coffee and went to her niece's bedroom to put some toys away. She also prepared some pajamas and closed the blinds to put the room in darkness.

She went downstairs again before Lena had finished showering the little girl.

The coffee was served when the brunette entered the kitchen.

'Thank you for this, and for preparing the room.'

'Of course, it was a team effort'

They made their way to the couch and Lena broke the silence.

'Are you ok? I hope the fair wasn't too much, I didn't want to force you.'

'I'm ok yes. I was really scared but nothing happened at the end. I'm glad we went, Esme had a blast.'

'She sure did, and I did too.' Lena add looking into blue eyes.

'Also I wouldn't say nothing happened. You managed your fears a way I couldn't have. You also made sure that nothing was too overwhelming for Esme or me. And you kept us safe when you thought danger was possible.'

'I don't know if I did all that. I was really afraid most of the time.'

'You know the most impressive thing for me Kara? You don't realize how much of an inspiration you are to us all. You were scared and not one second you made Esme or me feel it. I was sure that I was 100% safe with you by my side. That is how you make people feel, and it's so powerful, but for some reason you don't see it.

Kara was surprised by her best friends words. She didn't see it like that at all. Somewhere along the way, her confidence had taken a hit, and she hadn't even noticed it.

Seeing Lena now, having so much trust and faith in her, made her chest feeling whole. And it was a feeling she hadn't had since she revealed herself that day.

'Nothing is wrong with being scared, but Kara, you are not alone. I know that you are doing your best, but I miss you more than I should probably.'

'I didn't mean to see you less, I just focused on being who the people expect me to be and along the way, I guess I forgot who I was'

'Well I didn't' Lena said, taking Kara's hand in hers.

The domesticity of it all suddenly came to Kara. A house, someone to talk to that you know won't ever judge you, a kid upstairs asleep after spending fun time out. She was longing for that and she was longing for Lena too.

She didn't even remember when she started to have feelings for her friend, but it was really early days of their friendship. Nothing felt right when Lena wasn't around. She never confessed to her because she couldn't take rejection.

Her phone put her out of her thoughts.

Alex was calling.

'Hey' she answered

'Hey Kar, how is everything?'

'Everything is good, Esme is napping.'

Kara excused herself and went to the backyard to talk to her sister.

'Why did you call Lena, Alex?'

'Well I didn't, Kelly did!' She heard the woman protest behind her sister

Kara's insecurities weren't far and she just couldn't contain it anymore.

'Is it because you are scared I can't take care of her? Because if that's the case you can just tell me, I would stop.'

'What? No Kara, where did that come from? Oh my god, why would you think that?'

Alex was mortified on the line, and Kara didn't know what that meant.

'Are you still there?' Alex asked

'Yes' came the little reply.

'We need to talk about this when we come home, but Kara that is really not the case. We wanted Lena and you to have a little time, you guys care a lot for each other, and we were trying to give you a little push in the right direction.'

'You what?' That was a bigger sound than just a few seconds ago

'Come on Kara, you are both miserable, and you'll never say it but I know that you are really attracted to her. We wanted to give you a chance to see it, and maybe do something about it.'

'That's… I don't even know what to say.'

'I'll tell you what, our meeting is over, we are coming home right now, you think about it and we'll talk about it when we arrive ok?'

'Yeah, ok. See you guys later'

'Ok, I love you Kara don't forget that.'

'I love you too'

The line went dead, and Kara knew she had to come back inside.

She had been terrified for the last few weeks, but in that house was everything she had dreamt of.

She needed to act, she was the one wearing the symbol of hope, she needed to be brave and do something.

Lena stood when Kara came back.

'Are you ok? I heard you speak loudly.'

'Yeah I'm ok. Can we talk?' she asked nervously.

'Always' came the strong reply.

She was so beautiful, her features were relax, but her eyes were deep inside Kara's. She was always so confident, even when she wasn't a CEO anymore. She was sure of herself and trusting Kara with everything. How was it possible that people weren't throwing themselves at her?

Kara took a deep breath and start simply.

'How are you doing? I've been avoiding seeing you and as a result I don't know how you are.'

'I am good Kara, I am in a good place at the tower, the only thing that is bothering me is a certain blonde that I don't see enough in my opinion.' the warmth in her voice and the sincerity of her eyes made Kara's heart skipped a beat.

'I'm really sorry about it. I just… Lena, I wasn't avoiding you only because I was focused on the jobs.'

'Oh, ok. Did I do something?' The hurt in her eyes evident.

'No you didn't, well I mean it's not anything that you've done.' Nothing was coming out right

'I don't understand. I thought we were ok. I mean I've been trying to right all the wrongs I've…'

'No!' Kara exclaimed.

Lena was frozen, her eyes lost. Kara came near her. Lena didn't move, but her eyes were trying to find answers in Kara's.

The blonde closed her eyes, trying to calm her nerves and it was instantly the case when Lena's perfume finally reached her. She opened her eyes, gaze strong, and finally just confessed.

'I have feelings for you Lena. I have had them for the longest time. And with everything happening, I didn't want to put that weight on you. And also selflessly I wanted things to be the same, because I know how it feels like to lose you, and I don't think I can do that again.

But you have so much trust in me, you gave me the courage to finally say it.'

Lena's eyes were wet, her expression unreadable, and Kara had a flashback of her admitting she was Supergirl resurfacing.

'Say something?' Kara tried, smiling a little at the same words she used a lifetime ago.

'You are an idiot!' Lena finally said.

'Well, that went well!' Kara said

'You had me panicking there!'

Kara didn't know how to respond to that, she began to take a step back when a hand took it's place at the bottom of her back.

Making her even closer to Lena.

The brunette smiled before saying

'Hi'

'Hey' Kara simply replied

'Do you know how long I have been waiting for this?'

'No clue to be honest'

'Have you heard of anyone, Sam or Andrea included, that had their desk resembling a flower shop by my doing?'

'I can't say I have.' Kara replied overwhelmed by Lena's proximity.

'I am going to kiss you now Kara, are you okay with that?'

'I … I'm really okay with that.'

Smirking, Lena collided their mouths. Softly, not letting her hand on Kara's back move.

The universe had disappear, and all she could feel, hear, smell, was Lena. It felt so right it almost hurt.

Breaking the kiss to breath they were startled by voices.

'Finally! We should have planned that ages ago!' Alex said.

Letting her hand out of Kara's back slowly, Lena reached for the blonde's hand before turning to face her new sister in law

'You know you could have talk to us instead or trapping us in the babysitting of Esme.'

'Yeah, but what's the fun in that?'

'So it was really because you wanted us to spend some time together?' Kara asked, embarrassed that she thought her sister didn't trust her.

'Yes it was, can we talk privately?' Alex inquired softly

Lena let go of Kara's hand and they went to the backyard once again.

Sitting on the swings that were present in said backyard, Alex broke the silence.

'Why would you think that we don't trust you Kara?'

'Because I'm not her mother and don't have a say in her education. And with me being out to the world I represent a threat to her. If people were to go against her because they saw her with me, I would…' she didn't finish the sentence.

Alex went to her knees in front of Kara.

'Look at me Kar.' Once their eyes connected she kept going.

'There is no one in this world or in any world that I trust more with Esme than you. Though it's a tight with my wife. And of course we know that being with you can make her known by the public, but we trust you to know what situations can be dangerous and what situations are safe.'

Alex saw that Kara still wasn't convinced.

'As for those words that I said about her education. I was upset and scared and I didn't mean them. I wanted to protect her and I wasn't even sure I could do it myself, so taking it out on you was easier. But it was unfair. I will always listen to you when you suggest something for Esme, because you know better than me for sure.'

She let her words find meaning in Kara's mind and waited for her reaction.

'So you trust me with her?'

'We absolutely do! How was your day?'

'Lena made us go out. Even when I didn't want to because I was afraid. And everything went right.'

'I had no doubt that it would be the case. And I have no doubt that if anything were to happen, You would protect Esme with everything that you have.

'Always.' came the reply.

'Good now let's get inside so you can tell us how it was with your girlfriend'

'She's not…' Kara stopped herself

'Yep she is!' Alex laughed

And with that they went inside. Kara knew that they had a long road ahead of them, but for the first time in weeks, she didn't feel alone to face it.

The End