Live With Me

Chapter 13

Upon Lucy's guidance, Lena is taking Kara home. She doesn't think it's going to help anyone if she stays at CatCo because honestly, there's nothing Kara can do there. She can't work on any new articles until her name has been cleared, a task that Cat is currently working on.

Kara is sitting silently in the passenger seat while Lena drives, her face obscured from her so she can't see the forlorn look she's got going on because she's all too aware of how much Lena hates seeing her sad. Lena can sense it though, she knows she can because whenever it's safe to do so, she reaches over and rests her hand on her thigh, just above her knee as though to remind Kara she's doing it to comfort her, not to hint to anything else, not that Kara would have thought that anyway but it's little things like this that make her realize just how lucky she is to have Lena fighting in her corner each and every day.

"I know we'll probably figure it all out and I know we have a really good team but this one scares me," Kara admits, her voice so quiet Lena has to strain to hear it.

There's only one appropriate and truthful response. "It scares me too. Terrifies me actually."

Kara finally turns her head towards Lena and lets her see her tear-stained cheeks. "Before, they took my home, my privacy, my safety, a lot of things. Now they've taken my reputation and my name. There's not much more for them to take and I can't have them take you, Lena. I would die."

"Nobody is taking either of us from each other. I would fight every last one of them to the death before I let that happen, darling. I love you too much."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Lena holds Kara's hand tightly in her own pulling it to rest on her own thigh so Kara can keep a grip on her even when she has to let go of it to drive safely. "I will always be with you and I will always protect you, no matter what."

"I love you." Kara's words come out wet, broken almost, yet decisive.

"I love you," Lena says, the truest words ever spoken.

-

Lena bundles Kara up on the couch with some random documentary set on the TV for them to use as background noise. Both of their phones are on the coffee table in front of them, both facing up with their ringers on so they can hear them when they inevitably get calls to update them on their situation. For now though, they just have to wait. At least cuddling on a couch in a mess of blankets isn't the worst way to wait for news that could hit them like a bullet to the brain.

Kara is clinging to Lena like she might disappear at any moment and periodically sniffles. Lena can't help but think that it's about time she gave in and let herself be something other than brave. Even when she was in the hospital, she was too busy being brave to admit to her true feelings, the fear she must have felt, is still feeling. It's all toppled her over the edge now though, she's there.

She's tucked into Lena's side, her cheek pressed to her shirt and her chest heaving as she tries to control her sobs that just won't stop no matter how hard she tries.

Lena's heart is breaking. She can feel the rhythmic movement in Kara's shoulders as she cries silently and the way she's pressing herself into her side with such force. There's nothing she can do at this exact moment that could make her feel better because what's out there is out there now, they can't go back in time and stop Snapper from doing what he did, no matter how much they wish that were possible.

One phone lights up and plays a cheery little tune that is far too happy for the situation followed by the other phone and both of them launch themselves forward so they can grab their respective phone. They almost fall off the couch completely since their legs are tucked beneath them but luckily, Kara manages to slip one foot free that stabilizes the entwined pair.