I spent 9 months on this...

I regret nothing.

I forgot to mention in the last chapter but Lena WALKED ON WATER (yes I planned this. yes I'm proud of it).

So, this is it huh? The last chapter of this story before I move on to part 2. I tried a different method of writing here, I'm not sure how you'll like it but I'd appreciate any feedback since I wanted to include this sort of writing in part 2 and I wanted to know how much people like/dislike it.

To those who stuck by this story since it was published, thank you. You don't know how much it meant to me seeing you reading and taking time out of your day to comment.

But anyway, read and enjoy :).

Before this rising sun, Lena was only a shadow. Yet, as it rays, golden and strong, she wishes the life it emits would bleed a color into her. The life she owns only graying out as time passes and she wishes she could feel as vibrant as the colors that washed over her.

On this morning, the clouds above start to diffuse the daylight to a soft, gentle sweetness. Lena wanted to do nothing other than lay in her bed, under warm blankets and a cozy duvet, and wallow in her misery. But as always, no such thing was allowed. The dead are gone and the living are hungry, she reminded herself.

The remaining members of the Luthor family had headed out of the city to host a private funeral in their mansion for the now deceased Lex. The body was never retrieved from the ocean, so they stood at an empty grave with a false name to avoid defilement. No words were spoken. No respects were paid.

The three of them stood before the headstone, heads down. Maybe it was the only way they knew how to show their respects. Maybe they had their own speeches for him in their heads but Lena had nothing to contribute.

The amount of pain in her eyes must be enormous, to anyone looking. But no. She's happy he's gone. Grateful that he's not returning. For years she's lived with him as the face of her demons. It was never enough for him to put her through hell. It was never enough for him that he's pushed her down to be dragged through the mud for his mistakes. It was never enough for him to leave her cold and damned.

Those were his last words, you finally became me. And Lena cursed herself for letting him get under her skin like that. He broke her, in every way imaginable. She was not the same as yesterday. He had left this world, leaving her cold, crippled and shallow. She stares into the grave, knowing that it's empty, but she wishes he would rise from the dirt so she could bury him in it herself. She wanted him to face the monster she became, the monster he's created.

Perhaps this was the legacy of this family. For everyone to go mad as they slip away from realty and into their insanity. Lena closed her eyes and clenched her jaw, she had already lost her way. It was all a game that she must play. She's won. Because as sure and full of himself as he was, he was defeated after all. But she couldn't find it in herself to feel anything.

A hand touched Lena's shoulder ans she turned to look at her mother, who's been silent ever since the news was delivered to her the morning before. Lena took a brief glance at the blonde before shifting her gaze downward.

When the two sisters arrived to deliver the news to Lillian yesterday, it was the first time Lena had gone to visit the woman ever since she brought Tess back. When they'd left the car, she wondered how she was going to break the news to her that she was the one to kill him. By the time they reached the door, Lena's throat felt tight, a lump forming and threatening to break her resolve the moment she opens her mouth. Her eyes became misty against her will and she tried to blink it away but as soon as Lillian turned around and saw the state her daughters were in, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. And just as she stood up, their eyes met and Lena's remaining strength shattered.

Hysterical sobs shook her frame as she closed her eyes and clenched her fists. She hated to be seen like this. She fought so hard to reclaim control over her body, shocked by the sounds escaping from the deep of her chest.

She felt a hand on her cheek, guiding her face to press against a warm chest and a wrinkly shirt. Her silent weeping only served to confuse the woman ever more. Lena's shoulders shook and her hands remained firmly by her side even when she felt arms encircle her body. She could guess by the words spoken that Lillian had looked to Tess for an explanation instead and the only thing she said was. "Lex is dead." Lillian didn't ask any further, understanding that by the reaction Lena was showing, it must've been her to end her son's life. All she could do was hesitantly caress her distraught daughter's head.

But now, Lena had managed to get a grip on herself during what remains of the funeral and waited for her mother to say what she needs.

"I have to go back to my cell." Lillian said with a purse of her lips. "The guards are already waiting."

Lena only hummed in acknowledgment and looked at Tess, jerking her head to the car where two men dressed in suits stood. "Tess will go with you."The girl mentioned only sighed and nodded. She could tell that Tess wanted to have a word with her about what she'd seen at the beach.

The blonde had stayed away from her two older siblings and didn't really manage to see much in their fight. She's been too focused on keeping a wounded Kryptonian alive long enough for help to reach them.

When Lena had ran after Lex, Tess had to find a way to stop the wound from bleeding out. Thankfully, the cape Supergirl wore was sufficient enough for a while but the hero was quickly losing consciousness and Tess had desperately tried to keep her awake.

"How did you know when and where to come?" Tess flinched as the words came out, it sounded demanding and she wasn't trying to seem threatening. "Were you just flying around?"

It took a few minutes of painful squirming before Supergirl managed to form a response. "I sensed Lena's heartbeat getting erratic." She admitted.

"So," Tess asked in amusement. "You flew all the way here because Lena's heart was racing?"

"Yes."

"Wow, you really are hopeless." Tess chuckled and adjusted her grip on the cape.

"She hates me." Kara whimpered with a hiss at the shifting hands on her abdomen.

"Look, she doesn't hate you." Tess said awkwardly, she didn't know and honestly didn't care about this type of drama but she didn't know how to handle a crying person. "She's just through a lot. She's been stressed out for a long time and probably just took out on you."

"I screwed up, didn't I?" Kara teary eyes looked at Tess.

"Honestly? Yeah, you did." Tess said bluntly. "But that doesn't mean she won't forgive you."

Kara's hand moved and grasped Tess' wrist to make sure they had eye contact. "You think she will?"

"I don't know," Tess said uncomfortably, she should've just kept her mouth shut. "Just give her time to cool off." She suggested. "This ass isn't really giving her any breaks and there's only so much one person can take before snapping." She said with a jerk of her head behind them.

As if on cue, Lex came hurling past them and crashed into the beach house, landing with a nasty crack. Did that come from his bones or suit? Tess wasn't sure. She was more focused on the advancing, wet silhouette that made its way to the fallen man. Lena was strangely terrifying like this. She was glad she wasn't on the receiving end of this encounter. They've exchanged a few words before they had taken off again, Tess shook her head and looked back down. Kara wasn't really aware of what happened but she looked more attentive. Oh, yeah, super hearing, Tess thought.

"When will your backup arrive?" She asked to pull her attention away from Lena.

"Should be… soon." Kara swallowed and cringed at the coppery taste in her mouth.

It didn't take long for Alex to arrive with two agents, the two shared a look and Tess didn't like the look on the redhead's face. She just simply shuffled away from the fallen hero and looked behind her for the first time at the sea. It was very foggy from where she is, she could clearly see Lex's suit but Lena was no where to be seen. 'ah, there she is.' Tess thought as a flash of golden eyes pierced the steam. The people surrounding her were busy tending to Supergirl but Tess had seen enough. Lena had killed Lex.

Lena knew she knew. But none of them brought it up, there was no need to bring it up.

As the two blondes started walking away. Lena called out. "Tess." And waited for the girl to look back at her. "I want you to be in my office tonight." She stated. At the nod, Lena looked away and to the headstone once again. She didn't have anything to say, yet she felt as if she'll be never truly able to let go and move on if she didn't say anything. There was plenty of things that Lena wanted to get off her chest but no words came to her. At the time where it counted most, Lena was at a loss for words.

"When this began, I had nothing to say," Lena spoke quietly, mostly muttering to herself. "And now, you've lost to nothingness inside of me." Was he happy now that she's lost what little shreds of innocence she used to have? "And I let it all out only to find, that I'm not the only one with these thoughts in mind." She's lost the only thing that made her whole. "But the vacancy of these actions revealed, that this is truly the only real thing I've got left to feel."

"I'm just stuck." She chuckled humorlessly. "Hollow and alone."

She sighed and leaned her head back to feel the cool breeze on her face. The sun had fully risen and a brand new day awaits. She heard the car drive off in the distance, coming here at this time was the only option they had if they wanted to bring Lillian along.

"Maybe, in a way." Lena said. "You were the one who won. You made me take a life." She spoke to the grave. "Or maybe, it's just in my blood." Everyone in their family had done this one way or another, why would she be any different? She tried to be different but in the end, it didn't even matter. "Goodbye, Lex."

Lena turned around and looked to the side where a man stood waiting, she nodded her head and he started approaching. "Shall we, princess?" Asked Vulko and Lena only sighed and started walking.

…

Some nights, Lena sits facing the giant glass windows in her desk and wishes that she could have a life in the country. Where the responsibility and stress that the city brought would cease. Living in the city meant more people would be up and out at night, walking or driving a car with bright headlights and businesses would lit up their signs. The sky was dark, artificial lights below overpowering the stars. Lena wished that, for once, she could see a full moon and stars littering the sky.

Amber liquid swirled absentmindedly in a glass cup before moving to a pair of deep red lips. The glass stopped midway due to a knock at the door and Lena lowered her hand to wait for an announcement.

"Miss Mercer is here to see you." The door was slightly opened and Jess poked her head in. "Shall I let her in?" At her boss' nod, Jess entered the room and held the door open for the blonde to wheel herself in. "Do you need anything else, Miss Luthor?"

"Currently, no." Lena said and spun her chair to face the two women. "Though I'll be calling you here later. There is something I wish to discuss with you." Lena noticed the shift in her assistant's expression and hurried to reassure here. "Nothing bad, you haven't done anything wrong. I just need to speak to you about something that concerns the company."

"Very well." Jess nodded and stepped back to leave the room. "I'll be available when you need me."

The door closed with a click and Lena shifted her gaze to Tess, who held her hands together in her lap and waiting to be addressed. Lena looked down at her desk and started going through some papers, she threw a simple 'come closer' gesture at Tess. When the wheelchair stopped just in front of the desk, Lena stood up and rounded the desk to stand next to the blonde.

She crossed her arms and leaned against the desk. "So, you know I called you here for a reason." She stated.

Tess shifted uncertainly. "Have I… done something?"

"No, you haven't." Lena chuckled and shook her head. "I called you here because I have something to tell you. Something important."

"What's that?" Tess asked.

Lena paused and suddenly lost her smile. She took a quick glance at the floor and opened her mouth to reply but closed it as the words suddenly failed her. Tess was still staring at her curiously, wondering what sort of news would require her to come to Lena's office at the top floor. This was the first time she's been here. Lena took a deep breath before lifting her head and meeting Tess' eyes. "I'm leaving."

It took a moment for Tess to actually process the words. "What?!"

"I'm leaving." Lena stated louder. "I'm leaving National City for a while."

"Wh- Why?!" Tess furrowed her eyebrows. "Where will you go?"

"It's too much for me." Lena admitted, she looked back down as she spoke. She wasn't sure how she'd handle any direct eye contact at the moment. The past few days have been heavily emotional. "I don't know how long I can do this."

"But- " Tess started. "What will the media say? What happen to Lcorp-?"

"I've already took care of that." Lena stated calmly. "The new CFO's I've hired to assist sam will be ready to work by tomorrow morning." She assured. "Which leads me to the next thing I wanted to tell you." Lena retrieved the papers she prepared on the desk, slid them over and flipped them so they'd be the correct reading angle. "Take these."

Lena watched Tess reaching for the stack and observed her behavior. She smiled lightly at the look of bewilderment on the blonde's face. She pushed herself off the edge of the desk and moved to stand behind the wheelchair. She rested her hands on the blonde's shaking shoulders.

"I thought it's finally time to officially welcome you into the family." Lena smiled and looked down at the single wet spot on the document. The name 'Lutessa Lena Luthor' in the middle of the page in bold letters. "And now that you're a Luthor," she continued and moved her hands up to the handles of the chair, moving it to perch it right next to her own chair behind the desk. "You can temporarily take my place while I'm absent."

"Why are you doing this?" Tess asked quietly. "Why are you being so nice to me? I killed you."

"Because we're family." Lena shrugged and sat down on her own chair. "And even though you did kill me, I'm still alive -not very well at the moment, that's why I'm taking a break-" she reminded. "But I want to show you that, you don't have to be so guarded around me anymore. I'm your sister now. We can try to fix our family together."

There was a small quiver in Tess' lips before she swallowed. "I'd… really like that." She whispered.

"Great." Lena smiled brightly, for the first time in weeks before raising an eyebrow and smirking. "Now, just because I said you could take my place, it doesn't mean you'll have full control over Lcorp nor will you be CEO."

"Then what am I supposed to be doing?" Tess asked in confusion.

"You have absolutely no experience being a businesswoman, and while I believe that you'll be able to take the responsibility. I'm still not handing over my company to anyone." She clarified. "Jess and Sam will mostly be making all the decisions regarding the company. What you'll be doing is mostly learn from them, you'll have access to my office of course, but I want you to simply be the face of the company."

"The face of the company?" Tess repeated.

"Yes." Lena nodded. "You'll be given all the information you need and you will be the one to speak on behalf of the company in my place." She said. "Can I trust that you'll be able to do that?"

"Um, yeah sure. Of course." Tess looked hesitant. "But, what will I say when people ask about you?"

"Just tell the reporters that I have taken a break, simple as that." Lena shrugged. "Don't give them any more details or they'll start theorizing again and that is the last thing we need."

Tess stayed silent and just listened, she wanted to ask whether or not she'll be allowed to visit their mother now that Lena is gone. Will she have to go back to her apartment now too? She watched Lena retrieve a card from the pocket of her coat and hand it over. "What's that?"

"Your debit card." Lena leaned back. "Every month, a fixed amount of money will be deposited to that card. When I come back and see that you're doing well here, I'll upgrade your card to be like mine."

"Why not now?"

"It's my money." Lena said bluntly. "You're already going to live at my apartment, you can't have all of my possessions."

Honestly, Tess was touched at the thoughtfulness. But Lena was obviously joking so she replied in the same manner. "Can I use your cars then?" She smirked.

"You will absolutely NOT touch my cars." Lena stated. "If I come back and see so much as a scratch on them, you will not like what I do."

"Oh, come on. You won't be using them." Tess argued.

"you can't drive anyway."

"I thought you were going to fix my legs."

"I am. It'll take time and plenty of physical therapy, which I have also arranged." Lena said. "But Vulko says you will be able to walk."

"Then you can teach me to drive." Tess said cheekily and laughed at the look Lena gave her. "Okay, fine! I'm not touching your cars."

"Good." Lena narrowed her eyes before reaching into a drawer in her desk and taking out two items and placing them on Tess' legs. "These are the only ways you can communicate with me while I'm gone." She pointed at the first one and proceeded to tell her to activate the device and then turned to the other and told her that this is only for emergencies. "Hopefully you won't need it, but if you do, simply fill it with water and I'll come as soon as I can."

Tess held the items and traced the designs on them. "When will you come back?" She asked quietly.

Lena sighed. "I really don't know, to be honest."

A moment of silence passed before Lena heard a tentative reply, so quiet she almost didn't hear it. "I'll miss you." Two pairs of green eyes met and Lena surged forward and wrapped her arms around the nervous blonde. It was the first time they've ever hugged, actually, it was the first time they've had any sort of intimate contact. Lena pulled back and squeezed her sister's arms with a sad smile, telling her she'll miss her as well.

They took a moment to compose themselves before Lena had called Jess over. The secretary was shocked to hear that her boss was leaving but agreed when requested to guide Tess while Lena was gone. The dark haired Luthor was momentarily stunned when Jess had tearfully asked for a goodbye hug.

"Please take care of her for me, Jess." Lena whispered after she wrapped her arms around the woman. She smiled when she received a confirmation that she would not be disappointed.

…

Once the goodbyes were shared, Lena went home to take one last look at the life she'll be leaving behind once she sets off to Atlantis. She dug into her closet for the sets of clothes she was given. The black bodysuits were safely tucked in one of her drawers and she pulled them out to set them aside. As she pulled out the last one, a thin box was revealed to be underneath. Lena furrowed her eyebrows in confusion before a wave of recognition passed over her.

This was the hero suit Winn had given her before he left for the future.

She opened the box and held the suit in her hands, thumbs tracing the fabric and the design sewed into it. The corner of her lips twitched and curled up. Maybe it was finally time to put this thing to use. The empty box was discarded and the costume joined the clothes she had to her side.

It was definitely time to put it to use.

When it was finally time to head to Atlantis, Lena looked over her company one last time from where she stood at the beach. Only to see a figure floating in the sky heading its direction. Lena sighed, it is time for her to leave, for good. What was going inside her was painful, yet if she didn't take the time to rebuild herself then who will? She was going to a place where she could be surrounded with people who loved her and treated her well. Where she wouldn't be judged and shunned for simply existing. A place where she belongs.

…

Kara landed on the balcony to Lena's office, it was very late at night but the Kryptonian was sure the Luthor was there. The lights to the office were on after all. She came here to finally confront Lena and apologize as she should've weeks ago. She had finally recovered from her exposure to Kryptonite and has immediately put on her suit and flew here.

Her hand reached to tentatively knock at the glass doors, and the girl perked up at seeing the nonchalant hand gesture that peeked out from behind the chair and allowed her in.

"Miss Luthor," Kara cleared her throat. "Can we talk?"

There was a pause, which only served to make Kara more nervous. She fiddled with the hem of her skirt instead of her usual confident pose, hands on hips. Time seemed to go on forever before the chair finally spun, only to reveal that her best friend was not in it. Tess cocked her head to the side and waited for the stunned Supergirl to speak.

In that moment, Kara's face fell. In that instant her skin became grayed, her mouth hung with lips slightly parted and her eyes were as wide as they could stretch. "Where's… Where's Lena?" She stuttered with rapidly blurring sight.

Tess raised an eyebrow and she adjusted herself before breaking the news to the girl of steel who seemed to lost all of invulnerability at that moment. "Lena is no longer in National City." Out of complete silence, a cry rose.

There's so much stuff to ask you about now that this is complete. But I'll leave it up to you to talk about the parts that stuck with you. But I do want to know what you thought about the execution of the flashbacks. Did I do well? Did I not do well?

That's all I have to say for now, honestly.

Now that this story is officially tagged as complete, the first thing I am going to do is go experience it as a reader for the first time.

If you'd like to be updated on part 2, I'll either speak about it on 'Rebirth' when I update or you can come follow me on Tumblr at 'fandomdojo'. If you have questions I'll also answer them there.

See you in part 2.