Author's Note: This is a story based on a prompt given to me for the SupergirlFemSlashSecretSanta2019 group on Tumblr. The prompt was 'Fake Girlfriend AU' by user: cobaltdaitan on AO3. When I first got the prompt, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to write a story within an Alternate Universe because I'd never done it. I'm usually strictly canon only. However, with that said, this idea came to me and the story flew out of me. So far, it's just over 7,000 words and there is still a lot more to come. The only canon characters in this story will be primarily Kara and Lena, with Alex, Kelly and Eliza mixed in. The rest are made up family members just to add a little extra humour to the story. This is may be an AU story but Kara still has her powers.

I'm from Canada, so the system is in metric. Temperature is in Celsius not Fahrenheit for those of you in the /
-25C = -13F

Happy Reading.

The Holiday Getaway: Part 1

It was the holiday season once again, and while it was the best season for Kara Danvers, it brought about a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach. One she felt periodically throughout the year, however at this time of year it was the most prominent.

She thought it might have something to do with the fact that every year, when the Danvers had their annual holiday getaway, she had to endure countless whispers and staring from her cousins as she was one of only a few that never brought a special someone or at least not for a while. Someone they were dating, someone they were married too, just someone. She always got lumped into the younger kids, as she was equal to them.

Even some of the teenagers would bring a special someone, but her, very rarely. The worst part being that it had been a couple of years now too.

She was currently in Lena's office for their almost daily lunch date, unless one of them was too busy, and Kara was explaining her ever growing problem, "So last year, when we went to the cabin, it was one of the worst times for me ever. I haven't brought anyone in years and while the year before neither did Alex, last year she brought Kelly. Kelly!"

"I-" Lena tried to interject into the conversation but Kara just continued on. She was sitting on the couch to Kara's left as Kara waved her hands around animatedly explaining her problem.

"So not only did I lose the one person that is typically my barrier from all the whispers and stares, all attention was put on me because I was the only Danvers that didn't have someone. I can't even wrap my mind around what this year is going to be like with the fact that they are engaged now. This year is going to be the worst one yet." Kara huffed in annoyance as she took a quick sip of her pop.

"Well, it can't be-" Lena tried again but Kara just continued on.

"Don't get me wrong, the cabin is beautiful. I usually get away from everyone and go for a hike, take one of my aunt's dogs out with me. She's a beautiful brown lab named Zoie, but I can only stay out for so long before I have to come inside. You know? It's cold. It's way up in the mountains, so there is a lot of snow, which makes the trails quite fun but it's still so very cold up there. So eventually, I have to come back and then I have to continue to-"

"Kara, take a breath!" Lena finally stopped Kara's tirade by placing her right hand on Kara's knee before quickly removing it once she had the reporters attention.

Kara swallowed nervously, "Whoa, has it been an overly busy day today?"

Lena shook her head, "Yes it has but that's not what that was. Kara, I have been trying to add to your problem for the better part of twenty minutes now. Why don't you take a breather for a minute and let me talk?"

"Okay," Kara took a breath in and let it out before motioning for Lena to continue with her thought.

"Okay, you and I, we've been friends for years now. Your problem with the holiday getaway is that you never have someone, and your family makes fun of that. So my solution, what if I come with you?" Lena suggested trying to gauge the reaction on Kara's face. She couldn't tell if it was happiness, or confusion. Before Kara could answer, Lena added, "As a fake girlfriend. Obviously, we aren't a couple, but we are close enough to pass as one." She quickly defended her point wanting anything for there to be more between them but not wanting to cross a line that Kara wouldn't want crossed.

Kara's brows creased in confusion, "You want to pretend to be in a relationship, for a weekend getaway with my family?"

Lena shrugged, "I think that if this helps you for even one year, wouldn't it be worth it?"

Kara turned in her seat to face Lena motioning between the two of them, "So, you and I, we would pretend to be in a relationship the entire weekend so that they stop staring and whispering?"

"Well, I have a feeling that if you showed up with me, they would still be staring and whispering anyway, it just wouldn't be for the reasons you've become accustomed too," Lena laughed.

"You think that I couldn't get a woman like you to fall for me," Kara asked sarcastically as she let her laughter fill the office.

Lena's cheeks dusted pink with embarrassment, "Do we have a deal or not?" She asked wanting to change the subject.

"Aren't you busy this weekend? Don't you have some work things you have to do? Or maybe Lillian has some issue she needs you for?" Kara didn't know what she was doing in this moment. She wanted Lena to come along. If anything it would make the weekend more fun if she had a friend there with her.

"Kara, I am always busy as a CEO but you are my best friend and I want to help you. Besides, a weekend away could do us both some good." Lena reasoned with Kara kind of excited to go away to a cabin for a weekend.

"If you are sure, then I appreciate you doing this for me. So…" Kara looked down at her watch noticing the time. "Well I was going to suggest we set some ground rules for our 'fake relationship'," She put up air quotes, "but it looks like I have to get back to work. I have to finish writing my article. How about I'll see you later?"

Lena smiled, "Sure, I'll finish up what work I have and I'll come by your place later. I'll make arrangements for my absence this weekend."

They embraced before Kara turned and walked out of Lena's office back to work.

XXXXXX

Lena walked up to Kara's door and knocked, it was just after nine in the evening. She'd shown up much later in the evening before so she wasn't worried that Kara wouldn't be home.

"Lena, you can come in," Kara shouted from the couch. "Well I hope it's Lena.. Alex, enough. Who else would be at my door at this hour?" She defended against the person on the phone. "Okay, well she's here so I have to go..." Kara watched Lena walk into her apartment and hang up her jacket and purse. "No.. Alex, we're about to talk about it now. Yes, I know your feelings on the topic but we're doing it, so you need to behave this weekend. Yeah.. Okay… I'll see you tomorrow." She clicked end on her phone and ended the call.

"How is Alex?" Lena asked from the kitchen as she was picking up the salad that Kara had most likely gotten for her before coming home.

"Oh, she thinks that our plan will backfire. That everyone will see right through it and it'll explode in my face." Kara huffed out in annoyance as she tossed her phone onto the table in front of the couch, it bounced off of some magazines and landed on the floor on the opposite side. "Dang it. Oh well," she whispered and turned her attention back to Lena. "Uh.. who said that salad is yours?" She asked with sarcasm dripping from her voice.

Lena didn't even skip a beat. This had become a norm for them. Kara would make some joke about the food she was eating and then they'd continue on. "Oh, did you get a turtle…" She looked around for an animal that might eat a salad.

"Ha ha ha, very funny," Kara scrunched her face sarcastically laughing before turning back seriously, "Seriously, how do you only eat those? I'd starve."

"It's very simple, not all of us have such amazing metabolisms that we are able to eat junk food all the time," Lena explained as she sat down on the couch with her salad and a fork.

Kara nodded, "Fair enough. Are you all set for our trip tomorrow?"

"I am, I am actually quite excited. The Luthors weren't too keen on christmas getaways that didn't involve a beach or some big work event, so this will be an interesting experience for me." Lena pointed out why she's so excited for the weekend away. She was also excited to spend the weekend with Kara but, being out at a cabin, she was almost more excited for.

Kara smiled at the light in Lena's eyes, "Whatever you do, make sure you pack for cold weather. I made that mistake once, a long time ago. It wasn't fun. I didn't get to go outside and have fun with everyone else. Granted, I was also only twelve so it wasn't too bad but still."

Lena gave a swift nod, "Cold, got it. I will pack tonight so that I can go into the office quickly before we leave."

"Lena, I thought you said you were ready, if you still need to go into the office, you can't be that ready." Kara pointed out the error in Lena's ways.

Lena feigned a shock, "I am ready. I just need to drop off some additional designs for R&D as they are on my laptop."

"Okay, I will allow it. Do you want Alex, Kelly and I to just pick you up from L-Corp then?" Kara asked, "We will be leaving early tomorrow."

Lena nodded, "Sure, that would work." She placed her plate down on the table with her fork, "So ground rules, do you have any?"

"Oh right, yes,I did say that earlier. I don't know. I mean, I am okay with whatever. We have to look and act as a couple does. That shouldn't be too hard, what do you think?" Kara asked the question not really sure how to answer it when she had suggested it earlier in the day.

Lena was in the same boat. She didn't particularly know what restrictions they would need to put down. "Well, are we going to act as a couple the entire weekend?" She asked feeling her cheeks heating up. "As in, should we keep it up even while we're not in the midst of prying eyes."

Kara felt her head nodding before she made a conscious effort to notice, she shook her mind at the thought her brain was having, "Uh.. I think that's… that's probably best. If we stop pretending and someone sees, than they may get suspicious and tell the rest of them. So for, legitimacy reasons, I think that would be best, don't you?" She asked wanting to ensure Lena was thinking the same way.

Lena nodded, "Yes, I do suppose that would be better. So, we'll just do any and all things that would pertain to that of being in a relationship then?" She asked more so for herself trying to wrap her mind around the idea of pretending to be in a relationship with Kara for an entire weekend. Only for it to be over once the weekend was over.

"Yeah, I think that makes sense," Kara agreed.

XXXXXX

Next day, Lena was standing in the lobby of L-Corp with her little suitcase waiting for Kara, Alex and Kelly to arrive. She had gotten to work at about five in the morning, printed off the documents R&D would need, and now she was waiting. Kara had sent her a text about twenty minutes ago to advise they would be there soon.

The silver SUV rolled up outside the L-Corp tower, and Lena emerged moments later. Kara got out of the driver's side rear door as Lena approached the vehicle, "Hey, I got your bag," She picked up Lena's bag and placed it in the back before closing the door. "Thanks Alex," she looked up at Alex in the driver's seat as she knew she had clicked the button to open the back door making it easier. "Hey Lena, did you finish your work?"

Lena laughed, "Yes, I did, thank you for picking me up here. However, I thought you said you were almost here a little over twenty minutes ago?"

Kara looked from Lena, up to the front where Alex was and scowled, "Alex, forgot to get fuel yesterday. We had to make a stop."

"Hey, it's not my fault that J'onn didn't fill up his own vehicle yesterday," Alex turned in her seat to defend her point.

Kara rolled her eyes, "You've had this vehicle since wednesday, it's friday. You forgot, that's all."

"Hey you two, we haven't even gotten on the road yet and you two are already fighting?" Kelly interjected into the conversation. She watched as they both scowled at each other with their eyes. "Hi Lena, how are you this morning?"

"I am well, thank you for asking, how are you?" Lena asked Kelly who was sitting in the passenger's seat in front of her.

"Good," Kelly laughed at the two sisters.

Alex looked from Kara to Lena and a smirk came across her lips, "Uh Kara, aren't you forgetting something?"

Kara furrowed her brow, "No, I don't think so. Just waiting for you to turn around and get going."

"Well, your girlfriend…" Alex dragged out the word, "Just got into the vehicle and you didn't even greet her. How rude." She stated before sucking her lips tight lighted to prevent herself from laughing.

The tips of Kara's ears started turning red from embarrassment.

Kelly reached over and shoved Alex's right shoulder, "Stop." She gave her the look.

Alex turned from the back and looked at Kelly, "What? You have to admit this whole thing is insane." Before she turned her eyesight back to the front, she put her hand on the shifter to bring the vehicle into 'Drive'.

"Yes, yes it is but that doesn't mean that you can pester them," Kelly pointed out to Alex fighting a laugh as well. When Alex had told her Kara and Lena's little plan the night before, she was barely able to keep it together. The feeling was still ever present in this moment.

Meanwhile, Kara was looking at Lena unsure of what to do. She knew that if they were in a relationship that the polite this would be to kiss her, but she didn't want their first time to be because Alex was forcing her to do it. Then again, she also didn't want to not commit as that would mean this was going to be a long and awkward weekend.

Lena could see the internal struggle going on inside of Kara's mind. So she took the initiative herself and leaned over placing a kiss on Kara's cheek. "Hello darling, just ignore your sister, why don't you?" She asked watching the wheels in Kara's mind slow down and turn into shock. It's clear she wasn't prepared for even that. This was Lena's idea, she was going to do her best to represent even if that meant she was holding the reins.

Alex's mouth dropped open, "Well then, at least one of you is with the program." She laughed out loud as she kept her eyes on the road and looked up into the mirror briefly to see Kara's face turn red.

"Alex…" Kelly warned her fiancee, "Leave them alone."

"It's going to be a fun weekend," Alex announced to the entire vehicle before she turned onto the highway leading them to the cabin.

XXXXXXX

It was just after noon when they arrived at the cabin, and when Kara had told Lena it would be cold, she wasn't kidding. The temperature on her phone showed negative twenty-five degrees celsius. It was quite different from the plus ten degrees celsius in National City.

Alex handed Kara and Lena their suitcases, at which point Kara and Lena started their way up the driveway.

"This is a cabin?" Lena asked a little floored with how big it was. "This looks more like something the Luthors would own."

"Yeah, I wouldn't doubt it. One of my aunts is a big time real estate agent from Los Angeles, so she bought this 'cabin'," she added air quotes, "Or that's what she likes to call it as it's on the edge of a lake and has these great mountain trails to walk on."

Lena looked up at the house from what she could see from the long driveway. It was a darker brown color, she suspected it was to emulate that it was a cabin, as if it were built from logs. It was two stories, but she suspected that it might have a basement from the way it's been built on this hill, and she could only see the front of it so it more than likely stretched back quite a way. It had a very large upper deck that stretched around the furthest left corner that faced the lake. The base of the cabin, had trees surrounding it, a large garage to the right of the cabin with three big bay doors, a walkway that lead up to the house, with spruce trees surrounding the grounds.

"This is beautiful, I can't believe you have been complaining about it for weeks," Lena admitted staring at all of the details on the house as they made their way closer.

Kara's mouth dropped open, the steam from her breath coming out in a cloud as she spoke, "I never said that it wasn't beautiful, it's just not fun being here alone." Just as she was going to add something a brown lab ran and tackled Kara to the ground, she landed in a snowbank next to the sidewalk the dog jumping on her, "Oomph! Zo Zo, you're here already!"

"Oh geez, Zoie, get off of Kara," A woman walked up to them, she looked to be in her late forties, her hair hidden by a red toque with a pom pom on top. Her jacket was one of those puffy jackets, with the fur around the hood, it matched the toque and was red. Her mitts however were white.

"It's okay… I.. I.. missed you, Zoie," Kara said in between the dog licking her face.

The brown dog Zoie was wearing a colorful striped red and white color, Lena suspected, was because of the holiday.

"Hi, I'm Roberta, Kara's aunt," The woman reached out her right hand toward Lena.

Lena shook Roberta's hand, "Hi, Lena." She let go of Roberta's hand before it clicked in her mind that she had to add something extra. "Kara's girlfriend." She smiled to add an extra little something but mostly she was just nervous that that came out weird.

Roberta gave a knowing smile at Lena and then too Kara, "Oooo.. girlfriend, well more the merrier." She looked back at Lena. "Well, make yourself at home. Kara, you know the way to the room. Zoie, come on, let's go." She walked past Lena and down the path, Zoie jumped off Kara and followed Roberta.

Lena put out her hand to Kara, who accepted the help getting back up onto her feet.

"Thanks," Kara said as she brushed off the snow that got on her red, and blue ski jacket. She took off her knitted toque, and shook the snow off of it just before she opened the front door and walked into the cabin.

The foyer of the cabin was even more beautiful than the outside of the cabin if that was possible. A crystal chandelier was hanging from the ceiling producing little rainbow sparkles throughout the foyer and open living room, that connected to the kitchen. A stairwell was just near the entrance that lead up to the bedrooms, Lena assumed.

"...Sound like a plan?" Kara asked Lena who was clearly in a daze her glasses finally defrosted from the quick change of temperature from the cold outside to the warm interior. "Lena?" She touched Lena's arm to get her attention.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Lena asked now looking down at Kara as she was taking her dark green knee length jacket with fur around the hood off.

"I said, we should take our things to the room upstairs, get some lunch and then maybe go for a walk," Kara repeated all of her information that she had said as Lena was admiring the room. "Let me take your jacket, we'll put our jackets in this closet with our toque and mitts." She took Lena's jacket and her own and put them on hangers in the closet before taking off her boots and putting them on the mat near the door.

Kara was wearing a white/red striped fuzzy sweater, over a pair of dark jeans, and a pair of bright christmas tree socks.

Lena on the hand had on a dark blue turtleneck sweater, also wearing darker jeans, and black fuzzy socks. She noticed Kara's socks, "Wow, do those socks light up too?"

Kara laughed, "No, but they have pom poms on them to represent the decorations. See?" She lifted up one of her feet to show Lena whose laughter continued as she picked up her suitcase and walked toward the stairs. "What you don't like my socks?" She asked sarcastically as she followed Lena up the stairs with her own bag.

They got to the top and Kara directed Lena in the right direction to the room she usually stays in when she's here.

"How big is this place?" Lena asked feeling like she might get lost a few times on this trip.

"It's big. Trust me, you'll get used to it. The Danvers clan isn't too big but we fill the space so it works out. Plus with my Aunt's three dogs, that helps as well. This is us," Kara stopped behind Lena at the door and opened it, motioning for Lena to enter first.

Lena stepped into the room, it wasn't too big but it had a queen sized bed, the head of it against the left side of the wall, two nightstand tables on each side. There was even a little ottoman next to the window, Lena suspected was probably for Kara to read and look outside at the lake. "This is cute."

Kara walked into the room after Lena, "Yes, it is…" Then it finally hit her. "I didn't think this through very well. I can sleep on the floor, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or I could ask my aunt for another room. I'm sure there are other rooms, this house is-"

"It's fine, Kara. We should be fine sleeping in one bed together. It's not like we haven't slept in the same bed before." Lena reminded Kara remembering the few times she'd fallen asleep at Kara's, which in turn she would argue with Kara to just sleep in her own bed. It worked out fine each time in the past. "Besides, we have to play the part of girlfriends. What if one of your cousins comes in in the middle of the night and they see you on the floor. Then they will really get talking." Lena argued her point further. She didn't get to this point in her life because she just let things happen, she got here because she was always determined to win arguments.

Kara nodded in agreement, "Okay, you're right." She placed her bag on the ground, near the door that lead to an adjoining bathroom to the other room. Alex and Kelly would most likely be in that room as she and Kara always shared this particular set of rooms.

Lena put her suitcase flat on the ottoman by the window, "Ready to go down now?"

Kara smiled, "Yes, let's go."

A few minutes later, they arrived down in the kitchen, with a stocked fridge. The countertops a speckled marble, with dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

"So, what do you feel like eating?" Kara asked as she entered the kitchen going for the fridge when Lena stopped her.

"Oh, I am not letting you be in charge of what we eat," Lena stopped Kara's movements and went to the fridge herself.

"That's probably a safer choice," Kara moved and sat down on one of the stools on the other side of the counter facing toward the fridge.

A male laughed as they walked into the kitchen and sat down next to Kara, "That's for sure. Do you remember that one year when you burnt toast so bad you set off the fire alarm and the fire trucks came?"

"Hey, that wasn't my fault. Auntie Bertie's toaster was very confusing and I wasn't sure how to work it," Kara defended her point on the matter. "Besides, Chucky," extra emphasis on his name, "I can remember a few times when you yourself-"

"Shhh…" He put up his hand to stop her as he stood up from his seat at the counter and walked around as Lena turned around with a few items from the fridge. He put out his hand, "Hi, I'm Chuck."

Lena put them on the counter, and then put out her hand to shake his, "Lena. How are you?"

"Well I was okay, but now I'd say my day just improved," He wiggled his eyebrows and he leaned his left elbow onto the counter looking Lena up and down. He wasn't even trying to hide that he was trying to flirt.

This was Kara's moment. A moment for her to come to Lena's rescue. "Chuck, what are-"

He stood back up and put out his left hand to stop Kara, "Shh… Kara can't you see I'm busy."

Kara shook her head, "Yeah, I can see that, flirting with my," emphasis on my, "girlfriend." She deadpanned waiting for the information to sink into him.

His eyes slowly open wide and his mouth drops open as he slowly turned his head to face Kara, "I'm sorry what? Did you just say that this beautiful specimen is… is…" He couldn't even put the sentence into words.

"My girlfriend, yes," Kara put it into words for him. Very clear words matter of factly.

Chuck's face instantly turned from one of shock, to one of admiration, "Well done Kara. I knew you had it in you. You and me, we need to talk later." He motioned between himself and Kara, before he walked out of the room.

Lena watched Chuck leave confusion clearly written on her face.

Kara recognized the look, "Yeah, just ignore him. He's harmless."

"Is Chuck Roberta's son?" Lena asked wanting to know as she made them some sandwiches from the bread, meat, and vegetables that were in the fridge.

Kara shook her head, "No, Auntie Bertie doesn't have any kids, just her dogs. I think that's the reason she got this cabin was so that her brothers and sisters kids could come and take advantage."

"That is precisely the reason I purchased this fine property," Roberta's voice echoed from the entryway as she walked into the living room toward the kitchen. "What other reason would I purchase such a huge house for, if not to share with my favorite niece, and her beautiful girlfriend." She stated as she walked around the counter, "She cooks too, you have yourself a keeper here Kara. We all know what happened six years ago with the frying pan." She winced at the thought.

Lena chuckled, "What happened with the frying pan?" She asked looking from Roberta to Kara.

Kara shook her head, "Why does everyone remember every time I have a cooking issue?"

Roberta looked to Kara, "It is because you always do it with so much grace, dear." She said sarcastically. "Lena dear, do you have any allergies that I need to know about?" She asked changing the subject.

"I don't have any allergies," Lena looked back to Kara. "What happened with the frying pan?"

Kara looked down at her watch, a watch that wasn't there, "Would you look at the time, I think I need to be walking your dogs. Yes, it looks like it's that time." She agreed with herself and got off the stool, as she called for the dogs, "Zoie, Oreo, and Tigger!" She called out and the dogs appeared out of nowhere.

Zoie the brown lab first, Oreo a black and white border collie and Tigger, a black terrier cross poodle.

"You guys want to go for a walk, yeah, okay, let's go for a walk," Kara walked into the foyer with the three dogs following her, tails wagging excitedly.

"Their leashes are there on the bench if you want Kara," Roberta yelled from the kitchen to Kara, who gave a thumbs up.

Lena wiped her hands on a napkin, "I should probably go with her."

"If you want to go Lena, I will not stop you," Roberta's voice stopped Lena in her tracks. "But she needs a moment to herself right now. We tease her a lot here, sometimes she needs to get away. I know that's horrible to admit but while I know she knows it's in good fun, somethings shouldn't be brought up. The frying pan, was definitely one of them. That was my error, it came out before I could stop myself."

Lena turned to face the other woman, "What happened?"

"She was trying to cook bacon, let's just say it didn't end well and leave it at that. I think if she wants to tell you, she will," Roberta stated not wanting to overstep her boundaries. She only just met Lena and didn't want to bring up something that Kara didn't want Lena to know.

"I think I'll go find her anyways, even if it's just to walk in silence," Lena walked toward the foyer pulling out her phone to send Kara a quick text.

Her phone vibrated as she was putting her toque on her head, she looked down at the screen. I'm just on the driveway. Kara's text read. She put on her mitts and headed outside.

Kara was standing on the driveway, throwing a ball, and a rope into the long front yard. One dog would bring back the ball, the other two would wrestle with the rope until it was brought back. Then Kara would throw them again.

"Hey," Lena spoke announcing her presence as she walked up to where Kara was standing.

"Hey," Kara responded. She put out her hand with the ball, "You want to throw the ball? It's nice and slobbery?"

Lena chuckled, "Wow, you're really selling it, but no, that's okay."

Kara turned and threw it, the ball landing in a pile of snow.

"Are you wearing snow pants?" Lena noted finally noticing Kara's pants were puffier and black.

"No, I just put on a ton of weight." She laughed. "Yes I am, Alex and Kelly left to check out the fun mobiles in the garage so she gave me her keys so I could get my gear out before I go for a walk. Do you want yours?" Kara asked.

"No, that's alright. Are you okay?" Lena asked noticing Kara's typical way of deflecting a situation such as this.

Kara shrugged picking up the rope and throwing it, Oreo and Zoie running for the rope. "This is one of the reasons I dread coming here. I love coming here to escape the busy city, and visit my favorite puppies, but sometimes the teasing can be a bit much." Lena listened wanting to let Kara get it out before she said anything. "I get that I'm not the greatest cook, and while I have had some funny cooking fails like the toaster. Trust me, it was funny but the frying pan is a tough one for me." She picked up the ball and threw it again, Tigger running into the snow to retrieve it.

"Kara, if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to," Lena wanted to know, sure, but she also didn't want Kara to tell her something she felt she had to say.

Kara shook her head, "No, you should know. I was trying to do something nice for the person I had brought with me. I wanted to be included, so I brought a guy I had only been seeing for about a month or so, I wanted to do something nice for them. So I cooked them bacon. Not only did I burn it, but the smoke detectors went off and when they came down to see what happened, they were so pissed off, they stormed off and left, never to be seen again. That one is just a tough one for me." She sighed, letting the feelings of the situation from years ago leave her like a weight she'd been holding onto finally left her.

"I'm so sorry Kara," Lena tried to comfort her not really sure how to when the situation was so long ago but the way it'd just been described felt so new.

"I think the reason she brought it up so nonchalantly was because you are the first one I've brought here since then," Kara admitted so easily.

Lena looked at Kara surprised, "That can't be right. You haven't brought anyone here since then?"

Kara shrugged as she reached down, picked up the ball and threw it again as Oreo and Zoie were too invested in getting the rope from the other to bring it back. "No one seemed special enough."

Lena let that sink in. This was a fake relationship, they were pretending to be a couple but still, Kara wanted to bring her here. Of all people. Lena might have been the one to suggest this idea but Kara wanted it. That spoke volumes to Lena.

"So, do you want to go for a walk?" Kara asked Lena hopeful.

"Can we eat first?" Lena asked Kara hopeful to eat something first. "I know it's odd, me suggesting we eat food but the sandwiches I made looked really good."

"If they looked good and you were hungry, why not stay inside and eat them?" Kara asked as she was mid through, she pulled her arm down in confusion. Tigger ran out into the snow thinking the ball had been thrown.

"What kind of girlfriend," emphasis on girlfriend by lowering the tone of her voice, "would I be if I just left you out here when you left clearly upset?" Lena argued.

Kara nodded in agreement before she tossed the ball in the general direction Tigger was searching in. "Good point. Look at you, always on point. You're really taking this seriously, you should get an award."

"I strive for perfection. Now come on, I know you are as hungry if not more than I am," Lena put out her arm for Kara to take it.

Kara did, she looped her arm around Lena's, "Tigger, Zoie, Oreo, come on, let's go." She waited a moment before turning to leave when they ran toward her.

"They sure like you a lot," Lena noted as the dogs walked with them up the driveway.

Kara nodded, "Yeah, they do. You should know that at least one of them always sleeps on the bed in my room. Just a warning. It's usually Zoie, and she takes up a lot of room."

"Well then I guess you'll get your wish and sleep on the floor," Lena laughed at the look on Kara's face. "What, a dog cannot sleep on the floor. If it's you or Zoie, I'm sorry but Zoie it is."

Kara stopped moving about halfway up the driveway, Lena stopped as well and looked back at Kara, "So I had a thought while I was standing at the foot of the driveway watching the dogs, and multiple cousins, uncles and aunts drive up the driveway."

"What was it?" Lena asked, curious to know what this mysterious look was in Kara's eye.

"So, we are pretending to be a couple," Kara whispered. "And it occurred to me that there's one thing you and I obviously haven't done. But we can't exactly do it for the first time in front of people otherwise it won't look realistic. You know, we have to sell the relationship."

Lena nodded understanding what Kara was referring too. She took a step closer, into Kara's space, Kara placed her red mitts with white polka dots onto Lena's hips, her own green gloves ghosted up Kara's ski jacket and wrapped up around Kara's neck.

It was as though they both knew what they hadn't done, no words of confirmation needed to be spoken, no words of what they were going to do needed. They just knew.

Lena leaned in some of the way, allowing Kara the chance to back out if she wanted but she didn't she leaned the remainder of the distance, their lips connecting in a sweet kiss. Lena wasn't expecting the fire she'd feel in her belly from just one touch of Kara's lips to her own, but once they had she didn't want it to stop. What probably should have been a short sweet kiss, turned into more. They moved against each other as though they'd done it plenty of times before.

Kara's fingers gripped at Lena's puffy jacket, which proved a challenge in itself but she was able to gain a grip when she wrapped her arms around Lena's waist deepening the kiss as Lena provided her tongue with access.

They kissed like that for a few minutes, a few extra that neither of them were expecting, until they finally pulled apart. They stayed in each other's arms, foreheads resting against each other for a brief moment.

"Wow…" Lena broke the silence that lingered between them as the feeling of the cold air prickled against her skin. The dryness in the air making itself known.

Kara nodded her head in agreement, slowly releasing her grip on Lena's jacket, "Yes.. Yes.. I think.. Uh… I think that will be very acceptable to the family." She reasoned trying to stick with their plan even though her brain wasn't currently processing information. "That was very realistic. Yes." She swung her arms back and forth trying to resist the urge to pull Lena back in for a kiss. "Shall we maybe go inside, it's kind of cold?"

Lena nodded, "Sure, yeah, inside. It is cold out."

Kara was still nodding her head, "Okay, inside it is then."

XXXXXX

A few moments later, Lena and Kara walked back into the cabin. By this point, the majority of the cousins, aunts and uncles were sitting or standing in the living room and kitchen catching up on recent events. The entire room went silent as Kara and Lena entered the living room.

Kara immediately felt embarrassed, "What? Is there something on my face?"

"Oh my god," a cousin sitting next to Chuck exclaimed very slowly sounding out each syllable. "You were right, she is gorgeous."

"Jerry, I told you. You didn't believe me?" Chuck asked looking at his cousin with shock.

Jerry laughed, "Honestly, no I didn't believe you. You very rarely tell the truth. Why would all of a sudden your assessment of Kara's girlfriend be accurate?" He questioned looking at Chuck with just as much shock.

"Ugh, I don't lie that much," Chuck tried to defend his point but it was lost when another cousin chimed.

"Nope," a female cousin answered this time. "Chuck, you always lie. Jerry's right, you never tell the truth."

"Susan, tell me one time that I lied," Chuck asked hoping that they didn't remember any of the times in the past.

"Ugh, let's use last year as an example shall we. I remember you telling all of us that you had a 'super hot' girlfriend but that she couldn't make it because she was studying for a big exam at Harvard," Susan pointed out quite sarcastically, as if the story was only just told to her.

Chuck laughed, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that one. That was good though. Even with that said though, I wasn't wrong this time. You have to admit, she's hot." He pointed toward Lena who was feeling very on the spot by this point.

"Chuck, that's enough." An older male interjected into the conversation. He looked like an older, more mature version of Chuck. The male stood up and walked over to Lena and Kara putting out his hand to Lena, "Hi, forgive my son, I'm Bill, Bertie's older brother."

"Lena," She answered him as she shook his hand. "I'm sure your son means well."

"I am sure he does but he knows that bullying is not tolerated in this family. If he bothers you again, you come see me," Bill stared into Lena's soul to make it clear he wasn't kidding.

Lena gave a slow swift nod not sure how to react in this situation. "I will keep that in mind but I deal with people like him on a daily basis, I can handle myself."

"Oh, can you now? I like a woman with strength, you ever get tired of Kara, you should look me up," Bill wiggled his eyebrows in a very joking manner.

"Uncle Bill, really? What about Aunt Sarah?" Kara questioned even though she knew the answer because her uncle does this with every new person regardless of gender.

"Oh Kara, you know I'm only kidding." Bill turned from Kara and looked back at Lena, "Might I say however, you really are beautiful. Now please, ignore these pestering cousins and make yourself at home. Bertie was saying you made those sandwiches in there," He pointed to the kitchen. "Kara, you found yourself a keeper with your history."

Lena's cheeks warmed at the compliment. Luckily she was still warming up from the cold air, so no one could see her blush.

Kara dropped her head in a huff, faking annoyance, "Lena, let's go see if your sandwiches survived all of these weirdos."

Lena entered the kitchen first, Kara slowly after her as she had stuck her tongue at Chuck.

"Kara, still ever so mature I see," Bertie pointed out as Kara looked back at her aunt.

Kara just smiled before asking, "Did you save our sandwiches?"

"What kind of aunt do you think I am? Of course I did," Bertie turned to the fridge from the stove and reached into the fridge collecting their sandwich. "Sorry, I could only save one of them." She admitted quietly wanting to ensure her reputation wasn't ruined. "My younger sister came by here and thought that I had made these sandwiches, so she took one and ate it as soon as she arrived."

"That's alright Auntie Bertie, I am sure Lena and I will survive until supper," Kara admitted for the both of them as she pulled the sandwich from the Ziploc bag it was in. She reached for the nearby knife and cut it in half giving one half to Lena.

Kara gobbled up her half in about four bites, Lena soon after. They were more hungry than either of them had anticipated.

"Well I see you found someone with your appetite Kara," Bertie laughed as she turned back to her pot on the stove.

Lena chuckled nervously a little embarrassed she had eaten the sandwich as fast as she had.

Kara waved it off, "Don't worry about it. So, what do you want to do? We could go back into the living room, or we could go upstairs and get settled, or we could go back outside which I'm not too keen on because it's colder out there than I remember… Thoughts?"

"If it's alright with you, I think I'll head upstairs just to take a breather, maybe unpack some of my things in the bathroom?" Lena suggested to Kara. "But I don't want you to feel like you have to come with me, I am fine to go alone."

Kara leaned into Lena, "I like your plan and honestly, I could use a break from my family too. Let's go." She put out her right hand for Lena to take, which Lena did with her left hand. She turned back to Bertie to ask-

"I'll shout when dinner is ready," Bertie smiled at Kara, before the two ladies turned and left the room.

"Ooooo… going to break the bed into shape with your girl-" A pillow hit chuck smack in the face. "Who did that…" The look he received from his dad spoke volumes. "Sorry dad."

Kara ignored them and directed Lena back up the stairs to the bedroom they are staying in. As soon as they entered, Kara fell on the bed flat on her stomach, "Ugh…" She turned her head to face Lena who was bent over opening her suitcase. "I am so glad you came along."

"Are you sure about that?" Lena asked not sure if Kara understands that a lot of the teasing has spawned because of her presence.

Kara lifted up and propped herself on her arms, "Of course I am. This would be so much worse without you."

"Darling, it seems as though they are being worse because I am here," Lena pointed out that every rude comment, every mention of bad cooking was directly linked to Lena being in the room at that moment.

Kara shook her head when Lena retrieved her little pouch that contained her bath products.

Lena walked them into the bathroom and placed them in the cabinet below the sink. She wanted to be respectful of Alex and Kelly needing to use the washroom as well.

"You have no idea. I am actually surprised only two stories of my epic failures in cooking have been mentioned so far. Everyone has one, and everyone always finds a way to bring it up somehow. Lena, that's only the cooking part that you've experienced, there is so much more," Kara admitted knowing that it would come out eventually. "It's one of the reasons I've become so close to Auntie Bertie's dogs is because I spend so much time with them. Don't get me wrong, a lot of them are pretty funny but hearing them year after year..." She sighed tipping over and laying on her back to look up at the ceiling.

Lena nodded slowly, "I understand." She spoke as she walked back around to the opposite side of the bed, and moved to sit down. Kara got up and re-positioned herself to lay back on the pillow, Lena fell down next to her. "How about we just lay here, and you can tell me about this place?"

Kara turned to look at Lena, "I'd like that."