If I Can't Have You, No One Can

Chapter Seventeen

Kara finished up, did her dishes, grabbed her stuff and made her own way to work and dropped down into her seat to get on with an article Andrea gave her to do the day before but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't focus, her mind drifting elsewhere.

Andrea, noticing Kara's distraction, approached her desk with a concerned look. "Kara, is everything alright? You seem a bit off today."

Kara forced a smile, trying to appear composed. "I'm fine, Andrea. Just a little tired, that's all."

Andrea stood there and studied Kara for a moment. "You know, I've known you long enough to know when something's bothering you. You get that crinkle on your forehead. Care to talk about it?" she gestured into the privacy of her office and closed the doors behind them when Kara sat down.

Kara hesitated, unsure whether to confide in Andrea. But the concern in Andrea's eyes was genuine, and she found herself opening up. "It's Imra." She began, her voice barely above a whisper. "She showed up at my apartment this morning while I was still in bed with Lena, turning up out of the blue. And she... she said she wants me back."

Andrea's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, that's... unexpected. How did you react?"

Kara sighed, running a hand through her hair. "What she said, caught me off guard as I wasn't expecting her to say that let alone turn up after all these years and right when I have just gotten into a relationship with Lena. I told her that and I even introduced them although they seemed to know each other already. But it's been weighing on me ever since."

Andrea reached out, placing a comforting hand on Kara's arm. "Lena knows who Imra is because she asked me one day when she caught a glimpse of you both together. I told her and maybe she did a little bit of online stalking but that's beside the point. Do you still have feelings for Imra?"

Kara shook her head. "No. I left those feelings in the past with her when we broke up."

"Is it something else you are worried about then?" Andrea put her phone on silent, giving Kara her full attention. Whoever was calling could wait or leave a message she would answer later.

"I just think that Imra's return could upset Lena and I don't want her to feel like she has to compete for me when she doesn't need to. I choose her, always. Imra is in the past. Lena is my present and hopefully will be my future."

"Then that is a conversation you need to have with your girlfriend." Andrea squeezed her hand. "I've seen the way Lena looks at you like you're the only person in the world. Just remember, your happiness matters as well and I'll always be here for both you and Lena."

Kara nodded, grateful for Andrea's words of wisdom. "Thanks, Andrea. I needed to hear that."

"Kara I may be your boss but I am also your friend and you can come talk to me about anything ok." Andrea stood up to give her a hug. "Now back to work because I need that article finished by the end of the day."

"Yes boss." Kara chuckled and made her way back to her desk, finding that she was able to concentrate a little better and she couldn't wait to get to the bistro to have lunch with Lena.

Over the other side of the city, Lena had a lot of paper work to catch up on, leaving her staff to run things for a while so she could sort out the mass of papers crowding her desktop space. She had never felt like this before since she had never been in an actual relationship, more into only having one night stands but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her. She trusted Kara, of course, but the idea of Imra wanting Kara back stirred up a hint of jealousy she hadn't anticipated. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't hear Sam walk in the open door.

"Is everything alright, Lena?" Sam asked, noticing Lena's distraction as she tried to staple some papers together and took the stapler from her before she broke it by slamming her hand against it multiple times.

Lena glanced up, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Sam. Just a lot on my mind today."

Sam folded her arms against her chest and arched her eyebrow. "Oh don't give me that bullshit. Has Kara done something to piss you off?"

"No. Kara's ex showed up to her apartment this morning and it's just... Imra's visit has me feeling uneasy." Lena admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Why? What did she want?" Sam sat down to put her feet up for a moment after being constantly on them for half the morning.

"She turned up and said that she wants Kara back. "It's just the idea of Imra wanting her back... it's hard not to feel a little jealous. They have a lot of history between them, dating for six years and all." Lena chewed on the end of her pen.

Sam listened, her expression sympathetic. "I understand, Lena. But do you really think Kara's going to just up and leave you for her?"

"No but there's also the possibility she might. What if Imra's presence stirs up old feelings? What if Kara starts to doubt us?" Lena sighed and leaned back in her chair.

"Alright, get those thoughts out of your head right now. You and Kara have something special. I've seen it with my own two eyes. Whatever happens with Imra, I have no doubt that you two will work through it together. Do you not trust her?"

"Of course I trust her, Sam. I just can't help but feel this way."

"Fair enough. Have you talked to Kara about how you feel about the whole thing?" Sam grabbed a piece of candy; Lena has in a jar on her desk.

"We talked about how she felt about the whole thing but not about how I feel because I didn't feel like this before I left her apartment."

"Then talk to her and let her know your concerns." Sam stood up but not before stealing another candy from the jar. "Anyway, I have to get back to work." She rounded the desk to pull her best friend into a hug. "Everything will work out."

"Kara's coming for lunch, so I'll talk to her then." Lena let her go then sat down and got back to her papers.