Chapter six: Aftermath

It took days before she could return to her apartment again, the memories of Lyra heavy in her heart. Her face buried into the shirt discarded on the bed where they had once laid, tangled together. The first night she got some semblance of rest since Lyras death.

It took months for Kara to go back to Lyra's apartment, she threw herself into work, into being Supergirl anything to keep her mind off the witch.

After a time Alex was able to figure out the change in the kryptonites energy signature had been stabilized into one in harmony with earth's natural ones. The process of which killed her. The news didn't help.

She tried not to think as she moved to pack up the apartment. She moved slowly to pack away all of these things, well trying not to dissolve into tears. But she can't, she breaks first well putting away clothes.

A velvet box lined with lead. Inside was a bracelet, a steel chain in hundreds of colors that twirled along the metal enhancing the delicate designs etched into the metal.

A small note is placed inside it, hands shaking trying to keep her heart from reacting as she read the note, only one part sticking out. Will you marry me. Written in kryptonian with pronunciation notes.

Kara couldn't help the rush of happiness, that came crashing down as reality closed in once again… That night Alex finds her there, she's shaking clutching the bracelet to her chest eyes red and puffy.

"It was my fault!" She cried. "It was all my fault." Kara sobbed more holding onto Alex.

"No, no it wasn't Kara." Alex blinked back tears of her own.

"Yes! It is, if she didn't know I was supergirl. If i had just been more careful! She'd st-still be he- here. I would be- she would-"

"Don't do that Kara. Please, Lyra… She would have followed her dreams anyway. For you Kara. Because even though she wouldn't have known you were connected to supergirl, she would have followed her instincts anyway. Because the world needs you." That settled into Karas mind.

Alex was right. Together they cleaned up the apartment and together they left. Kara spent the next year getting into schedule with Catco, no one mentioned Lyra again, but once in a while you'd see Supergirls figure standing in the full moon light. A single deep red rose in her fingers left on the rails of the balcony.

Soon the name Lyra came back up in the form of Winns new girlfriend. Nothing but smiles all around, nothing but the slight hint of determination in Karas eyes.

Three years later Kara meets Lena Luthor and Mon-El of daxam. In an effort to move on she falls for the prince of Daxam. The most safe option for her Supergirl persona. Of course nothing could really hurt him. Until Rhea shows up and Alex's words echo to her again. The world needs Supergirl. Sending Mon-El off is easier he'll be alive safe at least. But it still hurts.

But Lena… Smart, gentle, beautiful Lena Luthor. Three years of friendship between them. A Luthor and a Super. Lena and Kara. No matter what Kara promised to protect the young Heiress. At this point she knew she had to tell Lena.

One of their biggest fights against her brother, Lex Luthor, made that a top priority on the girl of steels list. What had happened between the Luthor siblings and Supergirl felt almost like a parallel to what had transpired with Lyra…

That more than anything pushes Kara to seek out the led lined velvet box tucked within her treasure chest of things at the foot of her bed. The pain that had turned into determination now hovered somewhere between defeat and acceptance. For a long while Kara sat staring at the box cupped in her hands unaware of the person who had been knocking on her door.

"-ra, Kara are you in he-" Catching sight of the reporter Lena Luthor pauses.

"Lena! Hey-" she gets up moving to hug the young heiress.

"Sorry to just barge in like this, I- uh-" she glanced at the box. "I tried knocking but I didn't get an answer and you said you wanted to talk so I thought I'd just-"

"It's okay Lena, I- I'm glad you're here. I just didn't know you'd be here so soon." Karas voice was distant and Lena picks up on it.

"Hey, ar- are you okay?" She asked moving closer hovering her hands over Kara's uncertainly.

"Oh, um- yeah I was just-" her hands come up as she tried to find the words.

"What's that?" Lena inquired curiously motioning to the box still in Kara's hand.

"This- this was.. Is- well you see I wanted to tell you something. It's just…" Kara stopped holding Lenas worried gaze.

"It's okay just take a breath. You can tell me anything- you know that." Slowly Kara nods taking a deep breath.

"Come over here, I'll make you some tea. You can tell me what's bothering you." Lena offers. Kara nods.

"Okay, sounds good."

The kitchen was quiet for a long time as Lena heated the water. Kara slowly set the box down between them until two cups were placed on either side of it.

"Thank you." Kara says softly and takes a sip, Lena hums her acknowledgement sipping hers. "So… um- five years ago I fell in love with someone." Lena stayed silent watching Kara as the emotions flooded through her eyes.

"Her name was Lyra- Lyra Am-Ara she was a witch from thousands of years ago. Her brother was targeting a general for revenge. He was- they were very powerful. He was even able to bring supergirl to her knees…" the tears collected in her eyes. "Lyra was the only one powerful enough to stop him… She used her abilities to absorb and transform kryptonites energetic signature into something that would be harmless to Supergirl. But the process ... killed her."

"I- I'm sorry Kara I can't imagine what that must have been like for you." Lena offers.

"You can open it Lena." Kara motions to the box, slowly Lena opens the box to see the bracelet and the note on top… "Kara Zor-El, will you marry me." Confusion flashes across Lena's face.

"Lena I hope you understand when I tell you… I'm Kara Zor-El. I'm Supergirl." Kara spoke finally looking as if she was waiting for the worst to happen. Lena studied the girl of steel, the worried crinkle in her brow, the hint of red in her eyes and despite all the things she had told herself to do when the truth finally came out. She let out a long breath, eyes moving to the bracelet… Love.

"I know…"

Don't really know where to go next. Comments are welcome!