Chapter 158

The next day, the tension in the air is palpable when Lena and Kara return to the DEO. Everyone is geared up, wearing their armor and checking their weapons one last time while they wait for everyone to arrive.

J'onn looks up from where he was looking over a map of the city with Winn and a few others when they walk in, giving them a respectful nod.

"Queen Lena, Princess Kara. Thank you for joining us. As we aren't certain what time of day that they will strike, we have concluded that we should send out our people as soon as possible."

"Is there not a period of time when the Festival is busier?" Lena asks.

J'onn shakes his head. "Sadly, not a big enough difference for it to be less than a large block of time. It's the largest festival in the entire kingdom, and it's always busy, from around the time the carts open to when they're put away for the day. And a bit after that, if you count how people flock to bars and parties."

"Damn. Alright. It's good to know, at least." Lena says with a quiet breath falling from her lips. "I assume you've already sent out some people on the ground?"

J'onn nods. "I've had people patrolling the streets for hours. Nothing so far. I'll be sending out the rest in increments soon. Queen Lena, I would like you to take your people and show them where to go on the rooftops. It would be preferable for your people to not be seen."

"Don't worry J'onn, most archers are rather good at stealthing, especially the group that I'm working with. We'll be alright."

"Good. And Kara, can you go with them, make sure everything goes well? Afterwards, you can go to the road you will be watching over."

"Of course," she readily agrees.

"I will go to my position once I finish up here." J'onn looks to both of them. "Thank you again for helping us."

"You're welcome, we're happy to help." Kara says, waving at Winn as she and Lena turn around and go to where Lena knows the archers will be gathered.

She heads to one of the training areas, where she finds them practicing and talking, mostly about the upcoming attack. They pause what they're doing when they notice Lena and Kara approach. They bow respectfully and listen as Lena begins to reexplain what the plan is. Kara watches proudly as her fiancée easily addresses the concerns and questions the archers have after her explanation, and makes sure everyone is confident about what's going to happen.

Once that's finished, Lena and Kara begin leading the rather large group of people out of the palace gates and through the streets. Group by group, they split off into alleyways to climb onto the roofs they're supposed to get on. Kara keeps an ear out to make sure everyone gets up okay and that they don't spook any citizens. Luckily, she doesn't have to step in once. Lena was right, these people are good.

Once the last group heads into an alleyway to climb, all that's left is Kara and Lena walking together. Kara goes with her to her fiancée's alleyway and smiles softly when Lena turns and faces her.

"Ready for this?" Kara asks softly.

"Always."

Kara smiles wider at Lena's response and pulls her close. They hug each other tightly, pulling back so that their lips can touch. Lena kisses her fiancée reverently, wanting her to know exactly how she feels for her in this moment.

"I love you," Kara breathes out.

"," Lena says in Kryptonese. She loves saying it in her language because the way Kara's entire face lights up in delight and surprise makes the world seem brighter for a few moments.

"I'll see you later, then."

"Mm hmm," Lena hums.

She loves how shy her fiancée's goodbye is despite the fact Kara literally just had her tongue in her mouth. Lena looks over at the ladder that goes up to the roof of the building and then back to her fiancée.

"See you at the violence."

Lena begins climbing, moving swiftly and silently up the ladder. She grins to herself when she hears the familiar sound of her fiancée taking off, the beautiful sound of Kara's laughter reaching her ears.

Lena stops when she reaches the top of the ladder, pressing close to the building in an attempt to stay out of sight. She presses her hand to the roof tiles, frowning when one shifts beneath the little amount of weight she's put on it. She continues prodding around, ensuring that the roof is stable enough for her weight and for her to move around if necessary before she climbs up onto it. Lena pulls out her bow and sets aside her extra quiver, tying one of the strands to a nail that juts out. Lena gently tugs on it and then ties another strong attached to it to another loose nail, tugging again and nodding contently to herself when it seems sturdy.

Lena rests her bow in her lap, one arrow clipped to the string, and waits.

***

Instead of walking around with a lot of guards trying to act like normal citizens while wearing weapons, Maggie and Alex agree with J'onn when he says he thinks they should walk around alone. It isn't surprising, as they had come to the same conclusion. However, what does surprise them is when he hands them a decent sized coin purse.

"What's this for?" Alex asks, confused.

"You're supposed to walk around and look at wares. We don't know when they're going to attack, so you might be wandering around for hours. At the very least, you should spend money occasionally. I'm aware you both have money of your own, but the DEO was willing to give money to spend on what you would like."

Alex nods, deciding not to argue. They all know that she and Maggie will pay them back the first chance they get.

What's this?? An actual update??? Crazy, right? I'm sorry that it's been a while, this past week has been a whirlwind and I've barely had time to write at all :( However I do have new ideas for stories that I'll probably be writing in my free time (which I sadly haven't had much of)! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!