Stop the World (Supergirl)

Chapter 10

There was no real need for Lena to escort Kara, Alex and Sara to the station. Though it was after sunrise, the sky was still dark due to the dense rain clouds and the wind was bitter; they were all grateful that the station was undercover. It was all but deserted as there were no other passengers from Luthorsport, and what little seafood had been caught last night had already been loaded into the goods carriages. Mr O'Brien the stationmaster blew his whistle. It was time to go.

Lena was wrapped up against the weather and stood with Caoimhe sitting at her feet. She had had a deep, peaceful sleep, and had woken feeling snug and joyous, though that had faded all too quickly when she remembered that today her new-found friends were going home. They'd chatted on the walk to the station as though nothing was going to change. As though they were just going to the post office and general store and would be safely back inside with a packet of cards and a hot drink in no time. But that was not to be.

"Thank-you, Lena," Sara said. "I, ah - well, I guess I have a nice quiet, peaceful, summer holiday destination now. If I get a summer holiday this year, that is."

"It's been a pleasure to meet you," Lena said, shaking Sara's hand.

"Pleasure's all mine."

"I brought you this," Lena said, pulling a bottle of whisky out of her bag. "My condolences. Don't drink it all at once, but don't let it collect dust, either."

"I'll save it for a special occasion," Sara smiled, recognising the label on the bottle and knowing it would cost her a week's wages to buy a bottle like this. Lena's words were exactly what Sara could imagine Laurel saying, which brought an odd level of comfort. "Thank-you, Lena. Really. All right, Danverses, if we don't get on that train, we'll never get back."

"One moment more," Kara said, wishing she could stay with Lena. Part of her wanted to defy Sara and H and whoever it was forcing them to return to London, though her sense of duty, the reason she and Alex had volunteered and crossed the Atlantic in the first place, was stronger.

Sara nodded and boarded the train. "I'll go find us a compartment."

"You really should go," Lena said, "The train does have to leave on time and - "

Alex wrapped Lena into a hug. "You saved us. We can never thank you enough."

Lena held onto Alex. "I - it's what anyone would have done."

"Maybe," Alex said, letting go of Lena, "But it wasn't anyone. It was you. Thank-you, Lena. I'll miss this place, but we will be back and we'll be in touch before then."

Kara bobbed down to say her farewells to Caoimhe. "You'll remember me, won't you Caoimhe? Yes you will because you're a good, smart dog. You're the best girl and I'm going to miss you a lot."

Lena nodded. Her throat felt tight and she could feel tears stinging her eyes.

"Oh, come here," Kara said, flinging her around Lena. "Alex is right. She's always right and she's right about this and about you. We will come back. We'll write. You're not alone. Not anymore. We - thank-you, Lena."

"I don't have any more bottles of drink," Lena managed to say.

"Sara needs it more than we do," Alex replied.

"Bye, Lena," Kara said, forcing herself to let go of Lena as the train whistle blew and steam filled the station. She gave Lena a kiss on the cheek. "We'll see you again."

"Goodbye, Lena," Alex said, grabbing their suitcase and climbing onboard, Kara behind her. Mr O'Brien secured the door, then signalled to the driver that the train was ready to depart.