Chapter Text
Kara couldn't believe her luck. The most beautiful woman she'd ever met had agreed to go on a date with her. Assuming it was a date. Kara wasn't sure if the word "date" had been used but she did know it had been heavily implied. The hand holding was also an encouraging sign. What was less encouraging was the crying.
There was clearly something that was deeply troubling Lena, and Kara desperately wanted to find out what. She loved fixing people's problems, it was part of the reason she became a paramedic. But she'd only just met this woman and didn't want to pry. Which she knew didn't make much sense because she usually treated strangers, but Kara hoped this woman wouldn't be a stranger for long.
"So where are we going for coffee?"
Lena's soft voice was like music to Kara's ears, and in her enjoyment of listening to the other woman speak she nearly forgot to answer. Fortunately, at that moment she spotted a cafe she and Alex had been to a few weeks ago. It was a small establishment squeezed between a book shop on one side and convenience store on the other. A couple of tables with chairs stood outside underneath the awning, around which a string of fairy lights hung. There were a couple of window boxes on either side of the door, the few scraggly plants inside desperately trying to hold onto life despite the cold fall breeze that was stirring through their leaves.
As they entered, the bell above the door tinkled gently. The interior of the cafe was warm, the early afternoon sun illuminating the tables near the windows. Further back, the tables were lit by an eclectic assortment of lamps. The tables and chairs were as varied as the lamps, a mixture of outdoor furniture and antique looking armchairs. Over the speaker, jazz music played quietly and Kara vaguely recognised the tune.
"Ella Fitzgerald."
Kara looked at Lena with a questioning look. Lena caught her eye, seemed to realise Kara was questioning her, and elaborated.
"The music. It's Ella Fitzgeralds A-Tisket, A-Tasket."
Kara grinned at her, leaned in slightly and said,
"Ya like jazz?"
Lena, clearly not picking up on the reference, considered a moment before answering.
"It's not my favourite genre, but my father-"
Her voice faltered, and Kara saw her swallow as if fighting back tears again. She then cleared her throat and continued.
"My father listened to a lot of jazz."
Kara could tell instantly that the subject of Lena's father was a sensitive topic. The part of her that liked fixing people's problems desperately wanted to ask about it, but she had to remind herself that this was a date not an inquisition. Unless it wasn't a date? No, surely it was. They'd held hands and everything. Kara knew she'd be riding the high from the hand holding for weeks to come, not to mention the hug. She missed the way Lena had felt in her arms, her soft warmth and the silky smoothness of her hair against her cheek. Even now, the scent of her perfume lingered on Kara's jacket; a faint vanilla scent with a caramel undertone. It was intoxicating and addicting and Kara wished more than anything she could fill her lungs with it again.
The pair made their way to the counter, behind which a short, blonde woman stood. She was bent over with her elbows on the wooden surface, deeply invested in the novel she had laid open in front of her. The sound of the bell and the approaching footsteps hadn't been enough to rouse her attention to Kara and Lena, but she looked up at the sound of Kara clearing her throat. She smiled apologetically and stood up straight.
"Sorry, what can I help you with today?"
Kara looked to Lena with a gentle smile.
"Ladies first."
Lena smiled back, looking almost shy as she made eye contact with Kara.
"Just a latte please. With almond milk if you have it."
The woman, who Kara realised seemed to be the only person who worked here, nodded and scribbled the order down on a note pad before looking questioningly at Kara.
"A mocha, thanks."
Another few marks were made on the note pad.
"Can interest either of you with some food? It's made fresh each morning."
Kara cast her eye over the selection in the cabinet. There was a dizzying selection of cakes, cookies, sandwiches, pies and pastries. She still felt mostly full from her bagel, but it seemed foolish to pass up the opportunity for a sweet treat. Eventually, her gaze rested on a particularly large white chocolate and macadamia cookie. She expressed her choice to the cafe proprietor, who smiled and used a pair of tongs to place the largest of the cookies on a plate before handing it to Kara. She looked at Lena, whose shook her head in answer to the unspoken question. Kara turned back.
"Just that please."
The blonde behind the counter nodded, and told Kara the price. It was cheaper than she was expecting, not that she was complaining. Kara saw Lena pulling her purse from her pocket out the corner of her eye, but with swiftness that must've broken the sound barrier, she managed to pull out her own wallet and slam her credit card into the payment machine. There was a beep as the transaction cleared, then a whir as the receipt printed.
"Grab a table and I'll bring your drinks over in a moment."
Kara looked at Lena, and gestured for her to take her pick of tables. She watched as Lena made her way to one of the tables near the front of the cafe, where the sunlight was still making a valiant effort to provide some warmth. She walked with a grace that captivated her, the sway of Lena's hips drawing Kara's eyes to her ass. She took a moment to appreciate the view before forcing herself to look away and make her own way to the table.
As she sat down across from her, Kara met Lena's eyes and smiled. Lena smiled back and it took Kara's breath away. In an attempt to look casual and hide the effect Lena was having on her, she removed her jacket and hung it over the back of the chair. As she did so, she glanced over at Lena, who quickly looked out the window with a pinkish glow spreading across her cheeks. They sat a moment in silence, both seemingly unsure what to say but still enjoying the others company.
Eventually though Kara cleared her throat and, looking around for inspiration on what to say and remembering the book shop next door, said-
"So, you reading any books at the moment?"
Lena perked up at the question, and Kara made a mental note that this woman definitely enjoyed reading. Her face lit up and she almost started vibrating with excitement. It was insanely endearing and Kara felt herself feel a little more in love with Lena.
"I'm actually reading a really good book right now about Eleanor of Aquitaine."
Kara desperately wracked her brains, struggling to remember what little she took in during history classes at school. She'd never paid much attention, and even if she had, she was almost certain that they hadn't covered Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her confusion must have shown on her face, because Lena's smile grew larger, and she started excitedly telling Kara all about the book, the woman, and her various husbands and children.
Kara let it wash over her, only half listening. She was mostly focused on her way Lena's eyes had lit up, and how her hands were gesticulating as she talked. It was a side of the usually reserved woman that very few got to see, and though she'd only known her for little over a day, Kara knew instinctually that she was catching a glimpse of something rare.
Lena caught Kara's eye, faltered and stopped talking abruptly. She nervously laughed and said apologetically,
"Sorry, I was rambling."
The look on her face cut Kara to the heart. It was the sort of look a child might give when they realise they're annoying the adult they're talking to. She knew she'd worn that face a fair few times in her life, but there was something about seeing it on the face of a woman who until now had been nothing more than confident and self-assured. It further cemented the compulsion to protect Lena into her mind, and she felt safe in the knowledge that her primary goal was to make sure this woman never felt ashamed for enjoying the things she did.
"I like your rambling."
Lena's eyes widened, and the self conscious look reduced slightly. She still looked unsure so Kara decided to double down.
"I never paid much attention in history at school, but if you'd been my teacher then I definitely would've done."
At this, Lena blushed a deep red and looked down at her hands in her lap. A small smile graced her lips and Kara felt the violent need to reach across the table, put her fingers under Lena's chin, and tilt her face back up so she could kiss her. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, their drinks at that moment. The smiling blonde woman placed the cups down carefully infront of them, taking care not to spill them. This was no mean feat, as she for some reason had her book tucked underneath her arm. It was being kept open, wedged as it was between the woman's arm and torso, and Kara could see the title.
One Last Stop
The woman noticed where she was looking, and grinned sheepishly.
"I lost my bookmark, and I can't dog ear the pages or my wife won't let me return it to the stock."
Kara shot a puzzled look at Lena, who was looking at the woman standing beside the table with an equally confused look. The expressions weren't wasted though, and their unspoken question was answered.
"My wife owns the bookshop next door. They let me take books to read but I have to keep them in pristine condition so they can sell them still."
She fished into her pocket and pulled out a small card, which she handed to Lena to read.
"If you take this round there, and say you bought a drink here, you'll get five dollars off your purchase."
The bell above the door rang, and the woman turned to greet the new customer. She then looked back to Kara and Lena.
"Anything else I can help with?"
Kara looked to Lena, who smiled contentedly and shook her head. Kara looked back to the woman and responded with a smile.
"No, this is great. Thank you."
She received a smile in return, and then Kara and Lena were alone again. Kara took a sip from her mocha, enjoying how the drink sang on her taste buds and warmed her stomach. It was also making her heart feel warm, or that might have been the sight of Lena, who having just taken a sip of her own drink, now had a crescent of foam adorning her upper lip. Kara opened her mouth to let her know she had something on her face, but Lena was already using the tip of her tongue to remove it. The action wasn't intended to be seductive, but seeing the way Lena's tongue slid across her lip stirred something in Kara's stomach, and she was acutely aware of a wet feeling in her pants. She shifted in her seat and looked away quickly, then crammed half her cookie into her mouth in an attempt to distract herself.
"Did you want to check out this bookshop once we're done here?"
Lena's voice was unmistakably tinged with hope that Kara would say yes. Her wide green eyes gazed across the table almost apprehensively, like she was worried Kara would say no. That was the exact opposite of Kara's intent, which was to go to the bookshop and buy every single book Lena wanted.
"Wouldn't be a date unless we went."
Kara was once again on the receiving end of Lena's dazzling smile. Kara wondered if her bank account would stretch to buying Lena the entire world. Tragically, she had to concede, it wouldn't. But she could definitely buy her a few books.
A faint buzzing sound started up, and Kara saw Lena reach under the table to pull her phone from her pocket. Kara couldn't read the name of the person who had text, but the expression that crossed Lena's face told her it wasn't good news. Her face, which had retained some of it's rosy tinge from when Kara had made her blush, went pale, and the smile faded from her lips. Her green eyes started glistening slightly, like she was fighting back tears. She stood up abruptly, and looked at Kara with a face that was full of regret.
"I'm so sorry, I have to go."
And then she was gone.
Kara sat in stunned silence, trying to process what had just happened. Should she go after her? Should she let her go? She'd seemed so upset, and Kara hated the idea of her being alone like that. But she had only just started getting to know her. In fact, she realised, she knew nothing apart from her name, that she was a doctor, that she'd been born in Ireland, and enjoyed history. Hardly grounds for Kara being allowed to delve into her private life. However, there had been that feeling. That connection. That deep desire to protect Lena, like Kara had met her and loved her before.
She stood up hurriedly and pulled her jacket on, before striding towards the door. Her hand went to turn the handle, but she suddenly realised she didn't know which way Lena had gone. She kicked herself mentally for not noticing, she shock of the sudden departure making her less observant.
"She went left."
The voice came from behind her, and she recognised it as the cafe worker. Kara turned to look at her.
"Go after her. She needs someone right now, and I think she'd want it to be you."
With that blessing pushing her forwards, Kara opened the cafe door, and turned left into the gathering dusk.