*Chapter VI*
Over the ensuing weeks, a ritual had woven itself into the fabric of their lives. Each evening at precisely ten, Kara would slip into the bustling ambiance of the club, the soft hum of conversations blending with the deeper throbs of bass. Here, under the dimmed lights casting long shadows, she would nurse a few beers, each sip a prelude to the evening's true intent: awaiting Lena. Like clockwork, Lena would materialize behind the bar, her presence a beacon to Kara's watchful eyes. There was an artistry to Lena's movements, each pour and wipe performed with an effortless grace that captivated Kara, whose gazes grew increasingly unguarded as the nights unfurled.
Their touches seemed incidental—a brush of fingers as a drink was exchanged, the lightest contact as Lena swept away an empty glass—but each contact crackled with an electric undercurrent. Lena, sensing Kara's escalating dependency on these nightly encounters, switched her beverages from beer to water from Monday to Thursday, tempering her concern with a touch and a whisper, "I can't let you develop an alcohol addiction because of me." Now, Kara's smiles were laden with gratitude whenever Lena, with a practiced flick of her wrist, placed a towering glass of water before her and retreated to her other duties.
Tonight, however, the atmosphere teetered on the edge of the unusual. Lena, already ensconced in her role behind the bar, felt a twinge of unease—the night air was charged, and Kara had not yet appeared. Juggling the demands of her high-powered CEO role by day with the exhausting nocturnal hours at Lux was a delicate balancing act, one that Lena secretly relished as a thrilling contrast to her otherwise monochrome executive life.
When Kara finally made her appearance close to midnight, Lena's keen eyes instantly read the signs of distress in her posture. The stool, almost permanently reserved for Kara, supported her slumped form; even from a distance, Lena could see the unnatural flush on her cheeks, the glossy sheen in her eyes reflecting more than just the overhead lights. "Kara, is everything okay?" Lena inquired, her voice laced with concern. Kara's nod did little to mask the truth, and the water glass that Lena placed in front of her seemed more like a lifeline than a beverage. The cacophony of the club swallowed their chance for a deeper conversation, leaving words unspoken until the solitude that followed the guests' departure.
Kara was acutely aware of her own misery, a cocktail of exhaustion, pain, and disorientation coursing through her. The pulsating music of the club exacerbated her headache, and despite the chill that clung to her skin, perspiration dotted her forehead. She felt alien within her own body, as if exposed to a potent toxin—her thoughts flickered to Kryptonite, a phantom menace powerless against her absent abilities. She propped her head in her hands, catching Lena's gaze filled with worry. The noise, the lights, the crowd, all spun around her in a maddening crescendo. Pushing herself from the barstool, Kara aimed for the restroom, a desperate attempt to escape the sensory overload, when suddenly, the vibrant club lights dimmed into darkness.
For Lena, the evening had unfolded with the predictable rhythm of a well-orchestrated symphony, until the moment Kara attempted to stand. Her movements, usually so fluid, faltered dramatically. Lena, ever watchful from her post behind the bar, saw Kara's eyes roll back, her body sway like a tree caught in a storm, before it succumbed to gravity. The sharp gasp that escaped Lena's lips was lost in the pulsating music as Kara's form crumpled to the floor. Thankfully, a group of quick-reacting patrons cushioned her fall, their arms preventing a harder impact with the unforgiving ground.
Lena vaulted over the bar with a dancer's grace, her heart thundering in her ears, a sharp contrast to the thumping bass. "Kara, oh my God, Kara," she cried out, pressing a napkin against the small wound on Kara's head while simultaneously checking her pulse. The coolness of Kara's skin under her fingertips and the steady, albeit weak, thrum of her pulse brought Lena a wave of momentary relief.
As the paramedics navigated through the crowd, their arrival cutting through the chaos with clinical precision, they ushered Kara into the quieter confines of the staff room. Lena followed, her senses heightened—the acrid smell of spilled drinks lingering in the air, the faint sound of sirens outside, the soft but firm touch of the paramedic as he addressed her, snapping her back to the urgency of the situation.
"Miss Luthor?" he began, his hand gently pressing on her forearm. His voice was calm, grounding. Lena nodded quickly to his questions, her eyes darting to Kara's pale face. The paramedic's diagnosis was a mix of professionalism and bemusement—Kara's fever was alarmingly high, her symptoms indicative of a severe cold rather than just the fatigue of a long night. Lena interrupted him, her voice sharp, the fear evident. His nod was slow, understanding.
As he suggested that Kara be picked up by relatives, Lena's thoughts raced to Kara's sister, momentarily out of reach across the ocean. Without hesitation, Lena found herself offering her penthouse as a sanctuary. The paramedics, accustomed perhaps to unusual requests, acquiesced after a brief exchange of looks.
In the sanctity of her penthouse, Lena directed the paramedics to her bedroom. As they laid Kara down and exited, leaving the door to click softly shut, Lena leaned against it, a deep sigh escaping her. Was this a wise decision? Only time would tell.
She approached the bed, where Kara lay shivering slightly under the covers. Sitting beside her, Lena's touch was gentle as her fingertips traced the fevered brow of her unexpected guest. "Rest now, sweetheart," she whispered, a tenderness in her voice that surprised even herself.
As Lena made to retreat to the couch, intending not to impose further, Kara's hand shot out, gripping hers. Her plea, "Please don't leave me," was barely audible, hoarse and desperate. Lena's resistance crumbled like the cliffs against the relentless sea.
With a soft smile, Lena lay down beside Kara, who instinctively curled against her, head resting on Lena's shoulder, hand finding a secure place around her waist. The rhythm of their breathing synchronized, Lena's fingers drew comforting circles on Kara's back. She murmured soothing words into the darkness until sleep, merciful and quick, drew her into its embrace alongside Kara.
It is a rather short chapter, but at least it's a new chapter;-). Let me know what you think in the reviews:-)!