Back To Krypton

Chapter 34

"I cannot just reverse the decision to have Astra questioned, with her being my sister it would look... suspicious."

"And the other option is that you do reverse the decision, take a small hit to the public's perception of you and protect the future." Lena counters. "I understand that you have responsibilities and a way you do things but if you don't bend the rules and the scope of your sight for this, there will be irreparable damage so severe that you couldn't even comprehend it."

Alura sighs. She understands what Lena wants her to do and why but she needs her to do certain things but it is out of her control. There are decisions she's made that just can't be reversed. "I understand that, however, Astra has already been handed over for questioning and by now, she will have already indulged information that will put her in the danger you are hoping for her to avoid. It's too late, I can't do anything about it now."

Lena lets out an annoyed breath. "Right, ok."

Movement out of the corner of their eyes has them both turning their heads to look at the figure entering the room. Kara wanders in, a little apprehensive and looking slightly pale. "Hey." Lena greets her softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Kara answers. "I'm just going to grab something to drink and then I'll come and join you guys."

"Let me." Alura practically leaps off the couch. She's in need of a break from the conversation with Lena and she's more than happy to have this excuse. "Lena, would you like one too?"

"Sure, thank you." Lena answers, barely listening because she's still worried about Kara. She wasn't doing too hot earlier and she still doesn't look great.

Alura leaves and Kara takes her spot. "What were you talking about?"

"I was trying to convince her to let Astra go without questioning her. It's too late though, the damage has been done."

Kara nods slowly. "I had feared it would be. I guess we just have to work with what we've got now though. First, tell me what you're feeling."

Lena frowns. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that we've gone far too long with me not checking in on you and I think that needs to change so, hit me with it. My mom is hiding in there to go and get the drinks because you can be really intimidating when you want to be, so, what are you feeling?"

She's got so many emotions running through her mind and all of them have been there for so long that she's kind of just learned how to deal with them coexisting but at the same time, voicing those emotions and her feelings feels like a task too large for her to do, especially out of nowhere.

Instead, she just shakes her head. "I appreciate you asking but I think I need time to process and think."

"Well, why don't we talk it out then? Maybe that will help you process." Kara pushes, her hand falling to softly sit on Lena's shoulder.

Lena really does appreciate the gesture but it's too much too fast. "Kara, can we just put it on the back burner? I really am thankful you're asking but I need more time to think about it all, to untangle my thoughts. We can talk about it all later, ok?"

Kara's face drops from open and concerned to disappointed and rejected. Lena gets it, she really does. Kara wants to be there for her in the same way she's been there for Kara but she can't go from having no emotional support in this way to suddenly having it all, it's too big of a jump and it's all way too sudden, she can't just force it now for Kara's sake, even if it does leave her disappointed.

"I promise, we'll talk later. It's not a no, it's a not now." Lena covers the hand on her shoulder with her own, squeezing it softly. "Ok?"

"Ok." Kara agrees, masking the sadness on her face with a smile that if Lena didn't know her so well, would fool her.