How Many Tears Are Enough?

Three

Lena has another one of her mute days. They've become rarer as Lena grows more comfortable with Kara. Not that she doesn't have bad days anymore but usually she doesn't shut Kara out completely, at least acknowledging her presence.

Kara should, thus, have been prepared for the worst when Lena needs her to dress her and doesn't utter a single word or give any sign of noticing Kara's presence. Kara should have been ready for the worst but she didn't realise until it has already happened. Not the absolute worst, granted, Lena could have done a lot worse still. But it's bad nonetheless.

Kara knocks on Lena's doors with her next dose of meds ready and pushes them open a few moments later, knowing Lena won't answer today yet still giving her the time to prepare for Kara entering. She's met with such a sad sight, it almost feels like her heart tears in two.

Lena is slumped over the edge of the couch, hand clutching the broken neck of a liquor bottle. A thin stream of blood seeps through her fingers and drips on the floor, mixing with the dark liquid once contained by the broken glass. The puddle is small for the size of the bottle and the glassy look in Lena's eyes gives away where the rest went. It takes a moment for Lena's eyes to settle and focus on Kara and when they do, tears nearly come spilling out again, trying to join their brethren in the by now dried tracks on Lena's cheeks.

"I'm sorry," the ravenette mumbles, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She drops the broken bottle and tries to sit up, rubbing the bloody hand in her eye, leaving read smears on her face.

Kara hurries over to her, keeps her from tipping off the couch when Lena threatens to over-balance.

"Hey, it's okay," Kara tells her as she carefully pries Lena's fist open to look at the damage. An ugly cut runs across her palm, the edged jagged an gaping and Kara knows she needs stitches for it.

"I'm really sorry," Lena hiccups, burrowing her face in Kara's shoulder. "It just hurt so so much."

"I know, I know you're hurting." Kara lifts Lena's face away from her body and looks in the eye. "How about tomorrow we try and find a better solution together? One that helps when it hurts too much. One that doesn't hurt you even more."

"Yes," Lena says around her tears, holding onto Kara's arms with both hands, unbothered by the gash in hers. Too drunk to notice. Kara frees Lena's hand, wincing at the deep red stain left behind on her sleeve. It's a lot more blood than she thought.

"I think you need stitches for that," Kara says as she holds Lena's hand up for her to see.

Lena gasps, "that's my hand?! That's deep."

Kara has to keep her from prodding at the cut with her other curious hand. "Yes, it is. That's why you need stitches."

"I can almost see my bones." Lena is lost in staring at her hand for a while, not noticing Kara carefully cleaning some of the now drying blood off her face and pulling her to her feet and out the door. Kara presses a towel in her hand, winding it around the hurt one and telling Lena, "hold on tight for me," as she guides her out, keeping an eye out for Lillian or any of the staff.

"I don't want to go to the doctor," Lena protests when she realises they're walking to the cars. "I don't want to. Please don't take me there. Please don't make me go." Lena stops dead in her tracks and nearly collapses sobbing again.

"Lena, you need stitches."

"Please, please, please," Lena whimpers softly, her voice so small and broken Kara really can't tell her she has to. She really doesn't have the heart to make Lena face what at the moment seems like her biggest fear.

Lena does need stitches though. The wound might not be bad enough to make her bleed out but Kara is certain it will get infected and leave a very ugly scar if it's not checked out. She thinks for a moment, bringing Lena's good arm around her shoulder so she doesn't tip over.