Earth 40

On Wednesday afternoon Lena Luthor and Supergirl were to open a new public park in the very core of National City. The works had been completely funded by L-Corp and the whole city was delighted by the results. Many people of all ages gathered there, humans and aliens alike.

Alex and Maggie were in change of the security of the event alongside some DEO agents. Mon-El and some other agents took care of the surroundings. Kara stood some steps behind Lena, her arms crossed across her chest. Once the initial applause had died down, Lena began her speech. Kara listened to her intently. She felt proud of her, of everything she had been able to achieve in that world, and she hoped to see her own Lena enjoying the same support: she truly merited it.

Lena finished talking, and an applause answered back. She then proceeded to go down the steps from the stage with Kara’s help, who kindly offered her a hand. The press photographers immortalized that scene, and they both thought that they would see it on the covers of the magazines the next day. Then, they walked to a red ribbon that bound together a pair of trees and the cut it together with a pair of scissors. The applause could be heard again.

“I hope you all enjoy this new park: it was created for you,” Lena announced with a smile.

After exchanging some words with the journalists that were present, Lena and Kara approached the public who wished to greet them. They walked together, hand in hand and showing brilliant smiles. Suddenly, a little girl, no older than six, with blond hair and green eyes came running to them.

“Can I take a photo?” she asked in a cute childlike voice.

They both understood she was asking Supergirl, so Kara turned to look at her without stopping to smile for a moment.

“Of course, little one. What’s your name?”

“Lori,” she answered, and then pointed to a couple who were holding a cellphone directed at them, “Those are mum and dad.”

Kara crouched next to her and carefully put her arm around her waist. Lena was about to retire to not to disturb them, when she felt Lori’s tiny hand taking hold of her own. She turned to her.

“You, too,” sentenced the little girl without stammering. Lena smiled, moved, and she placed herself crouching next to her from the side opposite Kara’s. The parents immortalized the scene from their spot and Lori gave the both of them a hug.

Lena and Kara stood up while holding Lori’s tiny hands each. The parents came to them.

“Thank you very much to the both of you…You are truly an example for this city and for the whole world,” assured the man.

“Well…” Kara didn’t know what to say; she wasn’t used to these situations.

“No, thank you for bringing your daughter along,” Lena assured with a kind smile.

“Lori asked us to come here, you’re her heroines,” explained the woman, “and I honestly like that she thinks of you like that, and that she learns even as a child that love is above sex, species, and everything else.”

“Bye Supergirl, bye Lena Luthur,” said goodbye the little girl. Kara had to hold back her laughter when she heard the way she mispronounced Lena’s family name: she was dying of cuteness. Lena also kept her composure, feeling the same warmth for Lori.

“It’s Lena Luthor, my sweet,” her mother corrected tenderly.

“Oh, it’s not a problem: for you I am Luthur,” Lena told her with a wink, making the child laugh.

“Are you all right, Kara?” asked Lena. The Kryptonian looked at her with watery eyes.

“That was…honestly moving,” she admitted with a hitch in her voice,” That that little girl also wanted you in the picture…And that her parents were so happy because we were her heroines…It’s so beautiful…And it doesn’t seem real.”

“I didn’t quite expect that either, but it sure made the rest of my week look brighter,” Lena joked.

“You damn freak!” A shout broke among the congregation. “Go back to your planet with that cape of yours and don’t ever return! We don’t want you here, Supergirl!”

Kara looked for the origin of the ruckus and saw a few men trying to come closer to their spot while continuing to scream at them.

“You should be ashamed of yourself, Lena Luthor! After everything those monsters did to your own brother you just keep fucking one of them!” cried one of them.

Alex and Maggie entered the picture immediately. The former gave the order to her fellow DEO agents to arrest those men and get them out of there before they ruined what was still left of that beautiful afternoon.

“What you have cannot be! It’s an abomination and you will be punished for it!”

Kara gave her attention to Lena, who had lost all the cheerfulness she had minutes prior. She felt anger and indignation at those men.

“Who are those people?” she asked, “I thought the whole city loved Lena Luthor and Supergirl,” she went on, dumbfounded.

“Well, you see…It’s been awhile since we went over homophobia on Earth-40…People go out with men or women as they like it, and there is no problem if the case involves different human races either,” Alex explained, “But there is still intolerance running rampant, although of another kind.”

“It’s called alienophobia,” Maggie chimed in, “It’s the absurd rejection of aliens and everything related to them, especially romantic interspecies relationships.”

“In National City, the alienophobes have created a group. They call themselves ‘Cadmus’,” Alex elaborated.

The moment she heard that word, Kara felt a chill. Lena took her hand, concerned.

“What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly.

“Cadmus also exists in my world,” Kara revealed.

“You also have alienophobes, then?” asked Maggie.

“Well, yes…”

Kara began remembering the whole Metallo and Cyborg Superman incidents, the Medusa Virus and the role that Lillian Luthor played in all that. She felt the impulse to share her knowledge but she suddenly remembered what Lena had told her about her mother. On Earth-40, they both had a relationship that was closer and more frequent than that of her own world and, though reluctantly, Lillian seemed to have accepted the fact that her daughter was romantically involved with Supergirl. Maybe in that world Lillian wasn’t a criminal after all…? She didn’t want to spoil Lena’s relationship with her mother without evidence. If she accused Lillian, she would never accept Supergirl and forgive her daughter if she turned her back on her to support her girlfriend, so she decided that the best course of action was to remain silent until she discovered more information about Cadmus.
XXXXXX

The program for that Wednesday ended with a charity dinner that would take place on a very exclusive restaurant with the most popular celebrities as attendees. Kara was happy to meet Cat Grant there and she spoke with her for a few minutes. She also noticed the closeness with which she spoke to Lena. When they came back to her apartment, she coulnd’t help herself.

“So, are you and Cat Grant close?”

“Pretty much,” Lena provided, “Is it any different in your world?”

“You haven’t introduced to each other on Earth-38, not that I know at least,” Kara admitted, “And I am honestly surprised about this, because Cat has never been a Luthor fan.”

“I guess becoming the girlfriend of her dearest Supergirl helped a long way,” Lena joked, laughing a little.

She then approached the rooftop terrace, opened the crystal door and went outside. Kara followed and stopped next to her, against the handrail.

“How did it happen?” She asked.

“What are you talking about?” Lena’s green eyes left her stunned for a moment.

“Well…Our…,” Lena looked at her frowning a little, “I mean, your relationship with the other Kara,” she corrected hurriedly. Lena looked at her sweetly and then looked at the night sky.

“I couldn’t tell you when we stopped being just friends exactly,” she began, “It was something that evolved little by little, almost without us noticing.”

“That is…Beautiful,” Kara articulated. Lena gave her a smile and took to looking the night sky once more, “Who gave the first step?” Kara asked with interest. Her curiosity was fully awake and she could not stop.

“It was me, although I was terrified…,” Lena confessed while lowering her gaze. She could reject me, or even get angry at me, and I didn’t want to lose my only friend in National City but…What I felt for her was very strong and I couldn’t remain silent any longer..

“And you didn’t lose her,” Kara asserted.

“On the contrary, I won her and much more,” Lena assured, “But I didn’t see things like this in the beginning. When I confessed my feelings to her I also gave her a kiss, and Kara literally ran out of my office,” Lena laughed and Kara smiled in return, “I think I caught her unawares, and she spent three days without visiting me. But she came back in the end, and apologized for her flight. I know she was ashamed of herself: Supergirl running away from a kiss!”

“So, what happened?” Kara asked, completely absorbed by the story.

“I wanted to tell her I was sorry for taking the liberty of kissing her, that everything was all right if she didn’t feel the same way I did, that we were friends above all…But she didn’t let me speak for long: she kissed me vehemently and my heart just stopped,” Lena was smiling, moved, while she recalled those moments. “It was one of the best days of my life.”

Kara smiles at the sight of her honest happiness. She had seen very few times her green eyes shining so.

“So, why Supergirl instead of Kara Danvers?” She suddenly asked.

“We make a great team together.”

“You and Supegirl?”

“With both Supergirl and Kara Danvers, if you must know,” she laughed mischievously. Kara averted her gaze for a moment. “ But we agreed that Cat Grant was right, the public couple made by Luthor and Supergirl could do much for people, and I believe we guessed correctly,” Kara nodded, remembering little Lori and her parents, “In any case, both of her personas are mine,” she added giving Kara a wink.

Kara smiled broadly, a little nervous. She had gotten enough information for that night. But then Lena’s turn came.

“How’s your relationship in your world?” she asked, “Are you and Lena close?”

“Yes, we are good friends,” Kara assured, now with a more relaxed smile.

“We started the same way in mine,” Lena whispered.

Kara felt her heart going faster. In truth, she was already crossing the line, but she didn’t know her own Lena’s feelings.

“How’s the Lena of your world like?” she went on, smiling.

“She’s a brave woman, committed, honest,” Kara quickly answered.

“You seem to be very fond of her,” Kara blushed a little at that, “You speak very well of her. Does she know that Kara and Supergirl are one and the same?”

“No, she doesn’t.”

“Or so you think,” Lena pointed out.

“What do you mean?” Kara asked frowning a little.

“Well, it took me a while to discover the truth. Maybe she also knows but prefers to let you know she doesn’t until you are ready to tell her.”

Kara stood a little discomfit. Did Lena know that her and Supergirl where the same person? Didn’t seem absurd to think so: Cat Grant connected the dots early, although she fooled her with the help of J’onn later.

A sudden gust of wind made Lena shudder a little, who was only wearing a sleeveless dress. Kara noticed and covered her shoulders with her cape, getting closer to her in order for the garment to cover both of them. Lena smiled silently to the Kryptonian’s gallantry. After a few minutes without sharing any words, only feeling the warmth from each other’s bodies, Lena made a move to return to the living room. However, when she turned towards Kara, she noticed that they were both invading the other’s personal space: she was so close. Her hand moved on its own. Her fingers lightly brushed Kara’s lips. She sighed. The Kryptonian was holding her breath.

“Her heart is beating faster. Her breathing has altered. Is she going to kiss me?” Kara asked herself, “Why don’t I step back?”

“You are the same as her…” Lena whispered with an expression of pain.

Kara was paralyzed, as if bewitched by her green eyes and red lips. But Lena reacted in time and took a step back, freeing herself from the cover that Supergirl’s cape provided.

“Please, forgive me…For a moment I thought you were her.”

“No…It’s all right,” Kara managed to explain, trying to calm herself and silently thanking that she didn’t have to reject her. If she could have.

“I really miss her,” Lena confessed with melancholy.

They said goodbye for the night without any more words because they needed to be alone and shake the tension of what had happened. Lena approached the window of her room.

“If I only could feel your lips again,” she wondered while observing the reflection of her own eyes on the glass.
XXXXXX

On Thursday afternoon, Kara paid a visit to the DEO to hand over a couple of aliens that she had captured after they had committed a robbery. She took the opportunity to talk to Winn.

“The artifact is severely damaged,” he admitted, “It’s not like it happened the last time: we had all the pieces and just some issues with the connections.”

“Can’t we ask for help to Cisco on Earth-17?” Kara suggested.

“We have no means to connect with Earth-17,” Winn informed her, “We just took Barry in when he came to visit.”

“Just my luck…” Kara grumbled.

When she returned to Lena’s apartment, she noticed her uneasiness.

“Have you talked to Winn about…?”

“I did, and he didn’t give me much hope,” Kara answered without looking at her.

“I also have been studying the device,” Lena pointed out, capturing the Kryptonian’s attention, “I don’t think it’s impossible to fix it, but we’ll need to create some pieces for the artifact specifically. That will take days.”

“Thanks Lena. At least you don’t think this is a lost cause,” she gave her a sad smile.

“I’m sorry about this, Kara,” it was painful to see her in that state.

“It’s not your fault, Lena; it’s mine. I should have been more careful.”

“I will do everything within my power to ensure you can go back home,” Lena promised herself silently.

Kara went to bed, a possibility that terrified her turning over and over in her mind. What if Lena and Winn couldn’t repair the Inter-Dimensional Extrapolator? What would become of her if she became trapped on Earth-40? She needed to come back to her people, to her Lena. She turned sideways and closed her eyes, but sleep was late to come to her.
XXXXXX

On Friday morning, Kara went to CatCo without energy. Sadness had taken a grip on her. James noticed, but decided not to overwhelm her with questions. And he wasn’t the only one: the queen of all media called Kara to her office. Kara cursed internally; the last thing she needed was to have to pretend in front of Cat Grant.

“Kerah, you don’t look so good. It’s everything going all right with your recovery?”

“Yes, I just didn’t sleep much tonight, Miss Grant,” Kara answered automatically.

“Are you sure that’s all?” Car insisted, “If you need to take a day off due health reasons you know you can do it.”

“No Miss Grant, it’s not a health issue,” Kara assured, giving herself away without noticing.

“Then there is a problem, Kerah,” Car resolved triunphally, “Please, have a seat.”

Kara averted her gaze for a moment and obeyed, sitting in front of her boss. Cat took off her glasses, left them on the table and fixed Kara’s face with her brown gaze.

“Tell me, Kerah, what has gotten you so?” she asked, “I don’t like it when my employees are down, because they perform worse and in return I earn less,” she added, earning herself a smile from Kara.

“It’s…Complicated…”

“I think I will be able to understand, so try me.”

Kara surrendered to her perseverance, took some breath and began to talk.

“It looks like that, after some time and some incidents, I have realized that I like somebody,” her words changed Cat’s expression.

“May I know the identity of that person?” she asked, uneasy. Suddenly, the sorrow she was seeing in those blue eyes made sense. She feared the worse.

“It doesn’t matter…That person is so far away…”

“Far away?” that aspect confused her and, at the same time, relieved her immensely.

“Yes, so far away, and I don’t even know if I will see her again sometime,” Kara admitted, defeated.

“A long-distance romance is always complicated,” Cat admitted, forgetting the fact that Kara had referred to a woman, because that didn’t bother her in the slightest.

“I don’t even know if the feels the same way that I do,” Kara added without shame, thankful for the fact that Cat hadn’t given any importance to the sex of the person that gave her such dreamless nights.

“And you would like to pay her a visit and tell her how you feel.”

“I would be content with just seeing her,” Kara admitted, resigned.

“I don’t like seeing someone like you defeated: it’s not like you to be like this.”

“Excuse me?”

Cat left her chair and approached Kara, inviting her to stand up. She then placed her hands on her shoulders.

“I hope everything gets better soon, and that you can return to your world, Kara Danvers-38.”

“To my world…Did you, did you know…?” Kara exclaimed, her eyes big as saucers. Cat laughed and took a couple of steps back.

“Please, don’t insult my intelligence. Of course I knew. It’s been quite a while since I discovered that Kara and Supergirl are the same person, and it was clear that, when one fell sick, the other would disappear in return,” she explained, “And I also knew that the both of them from my world were replaced by you.”

“Does Lena know that you…?”

“Nor Lena nor Kara know, and I prefer it that way. I don’t want them to feel forced to tell me something they didn’t want to tell me till now. I came out to you because I was worried about what was happening.”

“Thank you, Miss Grant,” she said sincerely. She then proceeded to explain the issue with the Inter-Dimensional Extrapolator.

“Do not give up. I know Lena, and I know she will do everything within her power for you to return to your world.”

“Can I give you a hug?” Kara begged, moved.

Cat nodded and took her in her arms. It was surprising how that new Kara had won her affection, just like the Kara of her world did in the past. She wished with all her might that she could return to Earth-38, because that was her home, and because the woman she liked was waiting there. A woman that, fortunately, wasn’t Lena Luthor-40.
XXXXXX

Kara went to L-Corp in the afternoon due to an assignment by her boss, Snapper Carr, to make an interview to Lena Luthor about Cadmus. Jess let her pass into the office and instructed her to wait for her boss. Kara sat on a chair but, after waiting for a few minutes she became restless and paid attention to her surroundings. She recognized Lena and Jess’ voices fron the other side of the door.

“We see that you ignored us. Be careful, princess, your Kryptonian girl won’t always be near you,” Jess’ voice recited, “I am sorry, Miss Luthor, I believe you should inform the police. Those guys don’t seem to joke around.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure they won’t venture any further than those words,” Kara heard Lena say.

Suddenly, she opened the door and Kara moved uneasily on her chair, reaching for her glasses while she tried to pretend. The young CEO smiled.

“Has anyone ever told you that it is rude to overhear private conversations?”

“Lena…Please, tell me what’s going on,” she asked seriously.

“It’s nothing you must worry about,” Lena answered while she leaned on her table, very close to Kara.

“Those people threatened to hurt you! How could I not worry?” Kara exclaimed, annoyed, “Was that Cadmus?”

“Don’t worry, I’m used to it. They do it frequently,” she admitted.

“How can you get used to something like that?” Kara asked, astonished, “Then…Going out with Supergirl…It’s a risk you’re taking!” she exclaimed, standing up.

“Nothing is ever perfect,” Lena resignedly explained, “There will always be people who are against something. But the truth is, I had never worried about that while I had Kara by my side.”

“That kidnapping attempt you told me about…It was them, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“How can you be so calm, then? Those people are criminals, they should be in jail.”

“Of course, but it isn’t so simple, Kara. So, while we can’t do that, I prefer to think about all those people who love and support us.”

“I won’t leave you alone,” Kara said with determination.

“As interesting as this does sound,” Lena joked, “Supergirl has a lot to do: she can’t be both my full-time girlfriend and my bodyguard; that’s why I hired John.”

“He isn’t doing a good job at protecting you.”

“Kara, stop,” Lena softly said, placing her hand on Kara’s chest, just where the symbol of her Kryptonian family laid under her shirt, “I am really thankful for your honest concern, but Supergirl belongs to everyone: I do not hold the exclusive property over her. It has always been like this and I don’t want it to change…Please.”

“But…” Kara objected, frowning.

“What’s more, Alex and Maggie already know about this. The DEO takes care of me, don’t worry”.

Kara pursed her lips and Lena gave her a smile. That woman never ceased to surprise her with her worrying, her instinct to protect, her bravery…Even though she was having a hard time missing her world.
XXXXXX

“It’s been almost a week already,” Kara-40 informed,” ¿When are you going to let my girlfriend visit me again?”

“If that was up to me, Lena would never come down to this place again,” Alex assured without looking at her.

“My, how selfish you’ve become big sis!” Kara accused her, “Just imagine how you’d feel if I, let’s say, had gone a little too far and you couldn’t see Maggie again.”

Alex turned to face her directly. The Kryptonian looked defiantly back at her, an incomprehensible rage clouding her gaze.

“Luckily, I arrived just in time to stop that from happening,” she exclaimed. Kara just smiled.

“But of course! Better a limping girlfriend than a dead girlfriend.”

Alex took a deep breath and went back to her task with the computer, which was compiling her sister’s vital sign’s data. Faced with the agent’s silence, Kara began talking again.

“At least you could bring me a photo of Lena, if you won’t let her visit me.”

“I didn’t forbid her to come here: if you haven’t seen it’s because she decided not to visit you. And I honestly can’t blame her.”

Kara frowned. Ire began pumping through her veins.

“What do you mean?” she asked, placing her hand over the glass with a thump, “Has she already forgotten me thanks to my substitute?!” her voice began to rise.

“Well, that will be all for today,” Alex announced before proceeding to reach the exit door.

“Do not ignore me!” Kara bellowed, “Tell me what’s going on between those two, I have a right to know dammit!” she hit the glass several times.

Alex closed her eyes, tightly. Even after all that happened, it was still her sister’s voice, and this time it sounded pained, desperate. She couldn’t help it and turned to face her once more.

“There’s nothing going on between them. Kara is helping us, and Lena is doing what she can so no one discovers the truth about all this.”

“I want to see her,” Kara asked, now more relaxed.

“She is in pain when she sees you like this, Kara,” Alex explained, “And you hurt her with your words.”

“Maybe I’d be a lot nicer if you’d let me out of here,” she suggested.

“Don’t you even try this again; do I have to remind you what happened a month ago?” Alex sentenced.

“But I am reforming! Can’t you see that I am able to keep a civilized conversation?” Kara exclaimed.

“I’m sorry; I can’t risk you hurting more agents just because I listen to my heart while ignoring my head.” Kara just laughed.

“Those agents where just rookies: they needed somebody to straighten them up,” she taunted, “If Mon-El and J’onn hadn’t intervened, I could have escaped.”

“Well, this sounds more like your current personality. Good night, Kara.”

Her sister called her again, but Alex knew how this conversation would end. She was tired of facing the same situation time after time, so she made her exist without another word while Kara shouted her name.
XXXXXX

EARTH-38

Alex was trying to catch her breath after her orgasm. Maggie was still above her, smiling exultantly.

“Twenty-eight years missing this…I don’t know how I did survive,” Alex joked.

“Easy there, Sanvers,” Maggie whispered while she kissed her neck, “I am going to help you make up for lost time.”

“Relax, Sawyer: now it’s my turn to enjoy you,” Alex announced while she changed places with Maggie and placed herself above her, who in turn looked back at her surprised and delighted.

“Well, I won’t resist,” she assured while she gave her a teasing look.

Alex smiled openly and started leaning towards her girlfriend when the doorbell rang and permeated the atmosphere.

Maggie frowned and Alex raised her head.

“Are you expecting someone?” the detective asked.

“No…”

The doorbell rang again. They looked at each other.

“Only my sister and my coworkers at the DEO know where I live, apart from my mother. I think I should go take a look.”

“Maybe somebody got the wrong address.”

“They’re persistent; remain here,” Alex requested while she got out of bed and quickly did her pajamas, “Be right back,” she kissed her on the lips and left the bedroom.

“Miss Luthor…” Alex said in surprise when she opened the main door.

“Just Lena, please,” the young CEO greeted back, “May I come in?”

“Just a second,” Alex closed the door and when back to the bed.

“It’s Lena Luthor!” she exclaimed.

“What’s doing Lena Luthor in your apartment on Friday evening?” Maggie asked.

“I don’t know, but it’s better if you get dressed.”

Maggie nodded and hurried to cover her body with her pajamas; she then sat down on the living room couch. Alex when back to the main door and opened it.

“Sorry, please come in,” she took a couple of steps back to allow Lena to access the apartment, “It’s something wrong?” she asked, still disconcerted by the visit.

“I am sorry to disturb at this hour without notice, but I needed to ask you about Kara. It’s been more than two weeks since I haven’t heard anything from her.”

“I understand. Please, take a seat,” Alex politely offered. She then came next to Maggie, who was wearing a pair of pajama pants and a sleeveless tank top, “This is Maggie, my girlfriend.”

“Oh…” Lena was surprised, however pleasantly so, “My pleasure. Please, call me Lena,” she added, offering Maggie her hand. She took it friendly.

“Maggie Sawyer, pleased to meet you.”

The both rejoiced at the naturalness with which Lena had learned of their relationship.

“James Olsen told me Kara had traveled to Europe to cover a story, but I haven’t heard from her since she departed and I think it’s strange, to be honest.”

“Well, she’s having some issues with the cellphones, but we communicate via email,” Alex explained.

“Then, is she all right?” Lena asked with interest. Maggie didn’t lose track of her every gesture.

“Yes, don’t worry. She’s just too busy with the story, but she’s all right,” Alex provided.

“Do you have also news on Supergirl?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant and casual, “How’s her mission on Earth-40 going? She came to visit four days ago and she told me some things,” Lena added.

“So she went to see you in the end…” Alex whispered, smiling sideways.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, nothing…” the agent assured, “Supergirl is still there, helping with whatever she can.”

“I am happy to know everything is all right,” Lena admitted, relieved, “I wish they could find a cure for their true Supergirl so than ours can be back to us.”

“That we all wish,” Alex declared, and Lena smiled.

“When you next speak with Kara, please tell her I miss her very much and that I want to see her,” Lena requested, “And if anything happens with Supergirl please let me know.”

“Rest assured, I will.”

“Once more, I am sorry for coming unannounced. Thanks for letting me in Alex, and if you ever need something from me or from L-Corp, you know where to find me.”

Lena got up from the couch and held her hand to Alex. She took it with a smile and she accompanied her to the exit.

“A pleasure to meet you, Maggie,” Lena said before leaving, “Good night.”

Once more alone, Alex came back to the couch and sat beside Maggie, taking her hand.

“So, are Lena and your sister close friends?” Maggie inquired narrowing her eyes.

“They get along very well, yes.”

“I’d say they do much more than just get along, because coming here unannounced to ask you about her…”

“Do you think Lena likes my sister?”

“That she likes her, that’s pretty evident,” the detective assured. “And she likes Supergirl, too.”

“You think she’s having doubts between the two?” Alex exclaimed, bewildered.

“Well, of course not, because she knows they’re the same woman,” Alex raised her eyebrows, “What? You can’t seriously believe she hasn’t noticed. We’re talking about Lena Luthor here. She’s the owner of a multi-billionaire corporation, she’s earned several doctorates, and what’s more…It’s clear that she knows, judging by the way she speaks of the two of them.”
“I am delighted that you know the truth about Kara and Supergirl,” Alex confessed while she hugged her, “This way, I can’t talk to you about these things without messing up, and I don’t want secrets between us.”

“Me neither, and to tell the truth, everything about this is very interesting…Lena doesn’t know that her alter-ego and Kara are girlfriends, does she?”

“No, Kara told me that she wouldn’t tell her if she paid her a visit.”

“So, were in possession of some privileged information, Danvers,” Maggie said in a teasing tone while she jumped over her girlfriend.

“Get off, Sawyer, now I am in charge,” Alex sentenced while she took a hold of her wrists, “Or had you forgotten about it?”

Maggie laughed and they both got up to go back to bed.

It had taken a bit of courage to go to the apartment of Alex Danvers. What would the agent think when she saw her in person instead of getting just a phone call? But she wanted to see her face when she asked her about Kara; she needed to read in her eyes that everything was all right. However, even after Alex’s words, Lena was not completely at ease. She felt a strange uneasiness, but she wanted to think that everything was the product of her longing and her desire to see her again.

Her gaze searched the vase containing the plumerias Supergirl had given her four days prior. When she left L-Corp that night, she took them with her. Their scent couldn’t be as strongly perceived, but it still lingered there. She reached with her index finger and carefully grazed a petal.

“I hope your sister didn’t lie to me and that you really are all right on Earth-40…Kara,” she whispered.

END OF EARTH-38
XXXXXX

Lena found Kara sitting on the couch. She had her arms around her knees and she was looking the night sky with melancholy though the glass doors.

“I thought I was the one used to look at the starry sky,” she announced to break the ice. Kara didn’t look at her.

“I talked to Winn. He’s told me that the Extrapolator still doesn’t work,” she said with a weak and sad smile. Lena sat next to her.

“Winn doesn’t like to talk about things when he’s not completely sure. Don’t lose faith, Kara.”

When the Kryptonian turned and looked at her, Lena almost couldn’t recognize her eyes. They were wet and slightly reddish. Had she been crying? She felt terrible.

“You have greeted me with your arms open,” Kara assured, “But I need to return to my world, I don’t want to become trapped on this Earth, this is not my place, this is not where I need to be…”

“Kara…” Lena didn’t know what to say. She had never seen her like this.

“Here I’m only usurping the place of another person, robbing her of her life…”

“Please, don’t say that; you are not doing anything wrong.”

“Your girlfriend would say otherwise,” Kara guiltily pointed out, “And when I think that I could never hug my sister Alex again, or see…,” the young CEO raised her brows, encouraging her to go on, “…Or see my Lena…I want to tell her that Kara Danvers believes in her, I want to tell her my secret, I want to…” Confess to her that I like her, she finished in her thoughts while she sobbed.

Despite Kara’s attempts, Lena knew what was really happening to the Kryptonian. It reminded her too much to the powerlessness she herself felt due to the state her girlfriend found herself in. A few tears escaped Kara, but she quickly dried them with the back of her hands.

“I’m sorry. I just got sentimental here.”

“Even the most powerful heroine has a right to feel vulnerable.”

Lena wasn’t used to seeing Kara so defeated; it made her heart break. That girl who didn’t owe her anything had done so much for her. She had lifted her mood, she had made her laugh, she had protected her image before National City and the world…Seeing her like a child, Lena knew that night was her turn to become her solace, her strength. Even though she there was little she could do to alleviate her sadness.

She approached Kara and embraced her by the shoulders. Kara startled a little when she felt her, but in no time she accepted the contact, the warmth and love Lena was transmitting her. She hid her face in Lena’s neck and began to cry silently. Lena could tell by her little tremors and her muffled sobs.

“Never lose hope, Kara,” she begged. The Kryptonian raised her head and looked at her with her blue eyes, clouded by the tears. Lena held her face with both of her hands, “I know it’s hard, but we can’t give up. We both have reasons to keep fighting.”

“And what if those reasons disappear?” she questioned.

“What?” Lena echoed back, letting her arms loose.

“What if I can never go back to my world? What if your girlfriend never gets better?” she seriously contemplated, “What will become of the both of us?”

“Kara…” she whispered.

Lena trembled when she felt Kara place her arm around her waist. She lowered her gaze to make sure that what she was feeling was real. When she raised her head again, Kara’s blue eyes were shining with a different nuance and her pupils had dilated.

TO BE CONTINUED