The Emerald-Steel Collection

95. Road to you - Part 2

FLASHBACK

Trust was something funny for Oliver, it was really hard to get and easy to lose. He was used with people betraying him, he learned to question everything and everyone while he was on the island and he carried that with him after he came back to his city. To be who he was, he needed to be really careful so it was almost impossible to fully trust someone if he wanted to survive. He had a hard time but managed to trust Diggle, someone who was his bodyguard at first, but Oliver saw he was skilled, had experience and could be someone who could help him in his crusade. Diggle ended up becoming a great friend, so Oliver learned that maybe, not everyone was as bad as he thought. When he met Kara and learned she knew who he was, he saw that she had kept her promise. She was really good at protecting secrets, his and hers, and sometimes, they would team up and help each other. It became something Oliver didn't expected to, but ended up being really comfortable with. Kara was the opposite of everything Star City represented; she was a ray of sunshine so she helped brighten everything. He became used to her presence in the bunker, sometimes at the Big Belly Burger, or he would stop by to help her in National City. He knew he could fully trust her the day she risked her life to save his. They had kryptonite bullets, but decided to shoot him and she stood in front of him so he wouldn't get hurt. He couldn't believe she did that and gladly, managed to take the bullets out and Kara started to recover, making him breathe in relief.

Some time after that, Oliver knew he won 100% of Kara's trust the day she had to fight someone called Reactron. Not even her cousin, Superman was able to defeat him and he remembered how worried everyone was because on her first attempt, she almost died. James, her friend from work, and friends with her cousin, the annoying photographer she had a crush on, decided to call for Superman's help and that made Kara furious with him. He had no idea she could have that much anger inside, and that was something he would never forget.

They were with Winn, Alex and Oliver at the office they used as a base for operations, at CatCo. When Kara confronted James, he confessed he called for Superman's help.

- I can't believe you, James! – Kara said, feeling the anger taking over her as she stood up, staring at James with her arms crossed on her chest.

- I'm sorry, Kara, but I wouldn't risk you dying, so yes, I called him.

- People will keep thinking I can't even do my job right and that I'll always need Superman to come and save me! I want to be my own person; I can't rely on needing help every time things get ugly! Just leave... Please!

James stared at Kara and left, in silence. There was an awkward vibe in the room and everyone just stared at each other.

- Kara... Listen, it's ok to ask for help sometimes – Alex said – And you're still learning. I have faith in you; by the way, I know you're capable of wonderful things... We were in a delicate situation, and I was afraid I was going to lose you...

- I understand, but it doesn't give James the right to do what he did.

- He saved your life, Kara.

- I know. And I appreciate it. I just... Ever since I showed up as Supergirl, I've been dealing with this pressure, and comparisons... I love my cousin, but I can't live in his shadows. And I can't have people thinking I can't handle things, that I'll always need Superman's help... It sends the wrong message, especially to people wanting to hurt me and those I love. Don't worry, I'll find a way to take him down, but please, don't let this happen again.

- Sure. – Alex said nodding with her head.

Everyone else left, and Kara and Oliver were left alone in the room.

- I'm sorry about that... – Kara said.

- Its ok, I get it. – Oliver said – Can I talk to you... about it?

- Sure.

They sat on the small couch near the window and Oliver stared at Kara.

- You told me once that the DEO made you train with your sister, to allow you go on missions and all of that, right?

- Yes. She kicked my ass on my first day. – She laughed, making Oliver laugh.

- We've all been there, believe me. – He said – The guy who trained me in the island also kicked my ass for months until I started to learn and be able to fight. I had three people actually, helping me. The thing is... Living, making mistakes, almost dying, it's all part of the process to get better and do better. I know you almost died, and I understand what made James do what he did; I also understand your point. I just wanted to tell you that it's ok to fall sometimes, as long as we don't give up on getting up and keep trying. I really think you can beat this Reactron, you just need to find out the best way to do it, and sometimes it takes us a while to get there, but it doesn't mean we won't.

- Help me train! – She said out of sudden.

- What? – Oliver asked, caught by surprise.

- Yes, help me train. The hand in hand combat I mean, in that room Alex uses to reduce my powers so I can get better at it, just in case my powers fails me or if I can't use them for some reason... Maybe it will inspire me to find a way to finally beat Reactron.

Oliver smiled, nodding with his head. He felt warmth inside, knowing she trusted him with something so important.

- Sure, I can help with that.

Kara smiled back at him, feeling a bit hopeful. Since she had met Oliver and saw the Arrow in action, she admired his skills. It was impressive that he was just a human and could fight like he did, taking out multiple people at the same time. Yes, he was violent and abrupt, scared the hell out of people and she was sure that someday he would just scare someone to death, but he was really talented and efficient. When she met him he was still killing criminals and once Diggle joined him, he made Oliver see things through a different perspective. They talked about it once, when Kara told him she was against killing but she was glad he came to his senses.

They kept training together once or twice a week and Oliver taught her a few things he learned in the island like how to use a bow an arrow just in case, hand in hand combat without her powers and one day, they had a great idea about taking down Reactron, and they did it, together.

Later that day, back at the bunker, Oliver was talking with Diggle about their last mission, when Diggle noticed he was smiling more and seemed to be like free of whatever weight he carried on his back.

- I'm just trying to be more optimistic. – Oliver said as Diggle mentioned it.

- And I'm sure a certain blonde alien has something to do with that, right? – Diggle teased.

- It's not like that...

- Sure... I know you, man.

- I'm telling you! – Oliver said, not quiet sure why Diggle was saying those things to him now. – I mean, it's just refreshing to know someone like Kara, you know? I don't know why, but I feel like I can really trust her.

- I think you like her. And that's a good thing.

- I can't think about it now, Diggle.

- Why not?

- I need to focus on the mission.

- The mission can't take over your whole life, man. You gotta live too.

- I know. But for me is not that easy. What I'm saying is that even if I had feelings for Kara... I'm not sure if she feels the same, or if she would ever. And I don't know if I'm willing to risk things... She's different.

Oliver spent his life hooking up with random people, cheating on Laurel, having anyone he wanted, but Kara was different, and he wouldn't even dream of going back to his old ways, especially with her. But maybe, Diggle had a point.

For the longest time, it made him wonder.

END OF FLASHBACK