Chapter 58

Kara and Lena make their way through the forest, avoiding the guards which seem to increase in numbers with every yard closer they get to Lion Castle. Since Lena's pretty sure that it's where Lillian would want to stay, they agreed to go to it first.

While Kara's on lookout, or more accurately listen-out, Lena makes certain they don't get too off track as they maneuver around guards on their way. They find the castle, thanks to her memory and an old compass that Lex had given her before... everything. It was a gift when Lillian sent her off on her first scouting mission, so she wouldn't get lost, according to him. That had made them both laugh, because they both knew that Lex was more likely to get lost than her. And he did, but not physically.

The castle looms in the distance, it's gray stone slabs and sheer size enough to intimidate almost any ordinary person that comes near it. Perhaps that's another reason why Lillian chose it.

Lena and Kara get as close as they dare, close enough for Kara's hearing and sight to be useful but not too close to the multitude of guards that Kara sees and hears. They're mainly staying close to the castle, guarding it. Lena finds them a good hiding place in some thick but not too pokey bushes.

They crouch down and Lena looks out while Kara listens. There are some guards around, which Lena can tell even with her human ears, but they don't seem to notice them, so they should be good. Lena keeps watching and listening, just in case.

"You were right." Kara says after a long pause. 

"Of course I was. So this is their base? You can tell?" Lena asks.

"Yeah. There are a ton more guards walking around and patrolling on the above ground floors. And some people that look like they're working on stuff, but I can't tell what it is. It's stuff in beakers. There is one room that's lead-lined. Then, below ground I can't see anything. I can see the stone bricks of the castle, but it seems like they've covered it from the inside with a thin sheet of lead."

Lena nods, taking a moment to let all that information seep in. "Okay. I think that above ground room is where Lillian stays. She always did like her privacy. Below ground is most likely the labs. Kara, can you memorize where the above ground lead-lined room is? I would like to mark it on the blueprints when we get back."

"Sure." Kara squints slightly, the muscles around her eyes tensing.

Lena sits still, waiting for her to finish. She focuses on Kara, watching for signs of her being done memorizing it's location. It doesn't take her too long before the muscles around her eyes relax again and she nods to herself. Lena smiles but of course that feeling of the contentment of getting something done doesn't last long.

There's a rustling near them, too close for comfort and they're coming closer. Lena and Kara exchange a panicked look and Lena can tell that Kara's just about to bolt.

"No," she whispers so quietly that it would be inaudible to anyone but Kara. "Stay. I have a plan."

Admittedly, her plan isn't the greatest but it's the only one they have. Lena hopes it works, that she doesn't let down Kara's wide eyed, trusting self. Lena presses on Kara's shoulder, who allows herself to be moved until they're both kneeling instead of crouching. Lena moves closer, flinching when the sound of twigs snapping gets uncomfortably close. Lena curses under her breath and leans in, kissing Kara.

If Kara's surprised by this, she doesn't show it. She rests her hands softly on Lena's waist, guiding her closer to her body. The kiss deepens and Lena nearly gets lost in it when someone clears their throat loudly. Kara and Lena both freeze, and Lena's glad they have their hoods on so their onlooker can't even see the color of their hair.

"You're not allowed to be back here." A guard says, sounding annoyed.

"Run," Lena whispers. "Human speed, love."

Kara leans in to kiss her briefly again and takes her hand. They bolt, ignoring the shouted "hey!" behind them. His clumsy footsteps make it easy to tell how far he is behind them. Lena pushes herself harder than she has in quite a while, running like her life depends on it. And it does, especially with Lillian involved. But it's not just her life that's in danger. It's her world, too. Kara.

Kara, the beautiful woman who showed her kindness, genuine kindness, when she thought there was none left in the universe for her. Who has believed in her, believed in her goodness since day one. The gorgeous, amazing woman that Lena's falling hard for and for once, not being in control of something (especially falling in love) doesn't terrify her.

So yeah, she runs harder, runs faster than she ever has. Kara keeps up with her, like always. She guides Lena around obstructions that she sees before Lena does and soon, they can't hear any shouting or running behind them. But they keep going anyway, not slowing down until they reach the cave they slept in the night before. The cave where they had left most of their things, not wanting to be weighed down.

Lena slows and leans against Kara, panting. She may in excellent physical shape, but that run pushed her body past anything her exercises and workouts have in a while.

Kara helps her inside the cave and they sit down. Kara leans against the back of the cave and picks up a tired Lena, placing her between her legs. Lena hums happily and moves onto her side, snuggling against her girlfriend's chest.

"That was some plan." Kara remarks, smiling when Lena lazily bats at her arm.

"Like you thought of anything better. It worked, didn't it?"

"Somehow," Kara teases.

Lena's lips twitch up into a grin and she maneuvers herself so she can kiss her girlfriend again. Kara smiles against her lips and pulls back, making Lena grumble unhappily until Kara starts peppering her girlfriend's face with kisses.

Lena giggles at the onslaught. "You're avoiding the best part of me to kiss, darling."

"Oh? And what part would that be?" Kara asks, pausing her kissing to listen.

Lena's exhaustion is catching up with her and she hides a yawn against Kara's shoulder. She pulls back and gestures vaguely.

"Babe, I don't know what that means. You could mean your hand, or your lips, or knowing you, something dirty..." Kara says, knowing that'll wake Lena up a bit.

Lena's eyes open again and she smirks at Kara's face, which is rapidly turning pink. "Something dirty, huh? I can think of a couple places you haven't kissed. Yet." Lena raises one eyebrow in her signature move that she knows makes Kara melt.

"Lena," Kara says, her flush deepening.

"Kara," Lena responds. Her smile softens and she kisses Kara's lips softly. "I did mean my lips, love."

"Sure you did." Kara murmurs, leaning in again to kiss her again.

Lena falls into the kiss, but it's not long before she has to stifle another yawn. Kara pulls back and chuckles, her breath warming Lena's lips in her lips' absence. She kisses the side of Lena's head and gently pulls her closer so Lena can rest her head on her chest.

"Go to sleep, Lee." Kara murmurs, beginning to run her fingers through Lena's hair to relax her further.

"Mm." Lena purses her lips unhappily. "I don't know why I'm so tired. Was I hit with something?"

"No, Lee. You just ran really hard and you need to rest. Sleep, babe."

"What about you?" Lena asks, tilting her head so she can look up at her girlfriend.

"I'll keep lookout, make sure the guards and his buddies don't come after us."

"But-" Lena begins to protest.

"Nope. I don't need as much sleep as humans do and I got plenty last night. I'll be fine. Go to sleep, baby."

Lena mumbles something about how she's not a baby and snuggles closer to Kara, closing her eyes. A moment later, she's asleep. Kara can tell because her face completely relaxes in a way that it rarely does. Kara attempts to stop running her hand through Lena's hair but she unconsciously squirms and makes a unhappy face. Kara doesn't have the heart to stop.

She makes herself more comfortable and settles in, listening for anyone else nearby.

***

"Ma'am?" A hesitant man says.

The woman purses her lips, displeased at the interruption. "Yes?" She waits for him to continue, but it seems as though he is still hesitating. "If you're going to interrupt my day, you might as well go through with it."

"Um. Yes ma'am. There was a minor disturbance on the Danvers side. It's all taken care of, there's nothing to worry about." He says, stumbling over her words.

"What is it? Spit it out, boy."

"Yes, Mrs. Luthor."

Ooh, dramatic reveal at the end of the chapter... Next chapter, we get to see more of that conversation ;) And I know that if I were reading this, I would be starting to get worried so here's my reassurance! There will a happy ending! Which will probably be super sappy because I'm a sucker for that... And oh! I just want to let you guys know... I "baa"ed at a sheep and it said baa back! It was great! :D Alright, I'm done. Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!