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Lena opened the secure lab door to admit Kara. Hi, thanks for coming.
Of course, always. So what’s this thing you can’t tell me over the phone?
She did a little jazz-hands thing.
So… you see,
Lena stalled as she led Kara to the correct side of the lab, I’ve been dismantling Lex’s secret bunkers – he left a lot of traces behind in company files – and,
she opened the safe and retrieved the heavily-shielded case inside, setting it on the table. well, some stuff I can dispose of pretty easily, but I just don’t know what to do with… I figured since you’re friends with Supergirl, you’d know what to do.
Okay, sure. Do you want me to get her? She can be here in like—
No, that’s, um. Well, let me just show you the problem.
She opened the case, turning to grimace at the kryptonite.
A couple seconds passed and there was a heavy thump from behind her. She turned around; Kara was on her back on the floor, breathing heavily and looking not-so-great.
Kara? Are— Are you okay?
Close— Close the box.
Ah!
She slammed the case shut. I’m so sorry, I—
She blinked as her brain caught up and Kara stood, shaking out her head. Wait, are you Supergirl?
Her eyes went wide. No, why— That’s— Uh.
She grimaced and continued in a small voice, Yeah, I’m Supergirl. Sorry.
…Well, first…
Lena put her face in her hand, I did not mean to expose you to a radiological hazard, that’s why I asked for Kara and not Supergirl. Second, Kara, I— I thought you trusted me, why—
Lena, no, it’s not about that at all, it’s just…
She sighed sadly. I didn’t want you to see me that way.
As an alien? Kara, you know I—!
No no, not, not as an alien, as a superhero. It’s like, ever since I started doing this, Supergirl has stolen all my friends. You know? Every relationship I have now, on some level it’s about Supergirl and not me. I— I wanted a friend who wasn’t like that. I’m sorry, it was selfish and—
Yes it was. And dangerous! For both of us! I— I can’t believe you, Kara—
She cut herself off and took a deep breath. I’m, I’m gonna need some time, alright? Time and space. Just to process. I’ll— I’ll call you in a couple days. By Tuesday, okay? I promise.
Alright.
Kara’s voice was small again. Thank you.
She turned to leave. Lena suddenly remembered the reason they were here. Wait, what do I do about the kryptonite?
Call Alex. The DEO can come get it.
Kara’s phone rang. Like every time in the last two days, she scrambled to grab it, hoping it was Lena. It was.
Lena!
Hey, Kara. Could you get in touch with Supergirl for me? I need to talk to her.
Oh, uh. Yeah, of course.
She supersped off her outer clothes and ducked out her apartment window, following Lena’s heartbeat to her office balcony. She had her glasses in her hand.
Hi.
Lena looked at her like she was seeing Supergirl for the first time. When she noticed the glasses, she held out her hand and asked, Can I?
Kara handed them over and let Lena put them on her face.
Wow, it really is you. I never realized a pair of prop glasses could do so much to change your whole appearance.
Um, yeah, it works better than you’d think. They’re not just a prop, they help suppress my senses so I don’t get overwhelmed.
Lena seemed to find that funny. So they’re glasses to help you see worse?
Yeah, basically?
There was a silent moment. So. I asked for time and I’ve had time. I… I’m not totally fine with it, not yet. You lied to me, Kara. So, we’re not all good. But I think we will be, we can move past this. Promise me no more lies.
Of course. I swear, I swear to Rao, I’ll never lie to you again, Lena.
Tears ran down her face. I’m sorry, what I did was really dumb.
Yeah, well,
Lena laughed, I did something pretty stupid too.
She sighed. Flew here on a bus?
I was having coffee with Kara Danvers,
in the middle of the night? I should have known. But no, Kara’s human, kryptonite won’t affect her!
Are you Kara, or are you Supergirl? Which is the real person and which is the mask?
I… Mostly Kara. I’m not really quite as clumsy or meek and Supergirl is a real part of me but, that’s not who I am.
Okay. Alright. … Lunch?
Kara hugged her. Lunch!