A/N: You know I don't ship, but I've just loved their dynamic too much lately not to do this. (Just to be clear, Alex does know Kara is Supergirl in this story and Lena and Alex are not in a first name basis...yet) That being said, enjoy.
Lena Luthor pressed the cold glass of scotch against her temple. The loud noise of the bar helped to drown all the thoughts that crossed through her head. Some days all the pain and suffer wasn't worth it. Sometimes redemption was simply an ideal and not a conviction. Why did she have to prove herself over and over again for sins that weren't even her own? She was just exhausted from it all.
"Another one, please" she asked the bartender without looking up, fearing that if she made herself noticeable then her peaceful evening would be ruined by someone recognizing her. But as luck would have it, someone did know her right off the bat.
"I do hope your driver is waiting for you outside, Miss Luthor. I have the jurisdiction to do a breathalyzer" the redheaded woman said sitting next to her "but then again, that would be very hypocrite on my behalf, since I intend to get as much booze as I can into my blood stream in the next two hours"
"Agent Danvers" Lena half smiled "what could bring a law enforcer like yourself to a bar in a week night?"
"Regrets, what else?" she signaled to the bartender that immediately poured her a glass.
"Well, I have my full share of those" Lena muttered "alongside every other action my last name can weight on my shoulders"
"So one of those days, huh?" Alex asked knowing all too well the empty look in her eyes, she had seen it plenty of times on her own reflection.
"One of those lives, Agent Danvers" Lena added quietly taking a long sip with her sight still fixed forwards.
Alex tilted her head looking at her cautiously. She was used of seeing Lena in a fight mode. In the past both had quite a share of bickering and disagreements, but in all that time, she had never seen her so down and deflated "What's troubling you so much, Miss Luthor?"
Lena chuckled "You just said it, 'Luthor'" she gazed into her drink "It's hard to be a shadow. No matter how much I try to make my legacy to throw some light into the darkness my family is, it's never enough. I guess you don't understand it. I grew up to be compared to one of the brightest minds. No matter what I did, it was never as impressing as what Lex could do. Any achievement I might accomplish was just dull in contrast. After a while, I just felt like I wasn't good enough, it's hard to have a sibling like that"
"You'd be surprised" Alex murmured to herself. Then, against her better judgment, she softly laid a hand on Lena's back "Listen, you should never put yourself as a runner up. Not to Lex or to anyone at all. You are Lena Freaking Luthor. You own not one, but two mayor companies in National City. You have literally saved the city and the world and never once asked for the recognition or compensation, you did it because that's just in your nature. That's just who you are. The only person you should try to surpass is yourself. That's your only competition. Be better to prove something to yourself, not to someone else"
Lena held a watery smile, chuckling to cover for the fact that her words had caught her off guard. She rapidly cleared her eyes as she looked away from her eyes "You would be a great soccer coach, Agent Danvers" she sniffed a bit "thank you for the encouragement" she said sincerely, still embarrassed of her own display of emotionality.
Alex smirked humming a response, rubbing her back for comfort before taking some distance and allowing the CEO to maintain her façade and pride intact.
The next sound to fill in for the silence was Alex phone "And that's my cue" she sighed "I have to head back to work" she reached for her wallet.
"No, please. Let me pay for your drink" Lena asked.
"This one is on me" Alex cut her off with a smile "When is the last time a friend paid for your tab? We both know Kara is as broke as they come" she set the bill down "Take care and take a cab" Alex gave her last piece of advice before walking away. Suddenly the whole room came back to reality, all the noise, all the people that was around her…for the moments Alex had been with her, there had been nothing else but both of them and their words. Lena looked at her almost empty glass and pushed it away. She didn't need that last sip to face reality.
Alex Danvers inspected her sister's desk. It was full of pink stickers with reminders of the things she needed to do as a reporter. There was a picture of both of them hugging back in their childhood house and some other decorations that gave the impression that Kara Danvers was the embodiment of a sunflower. And quite literally she gained her strength from the sun, so the comparison was more than adequate.
"Sorry for making you wait, Alex" Kara said as she approached "You said you had some updates on last week's attack?" she asked in a lower tone.
"Yes, Winn found a lead, but since our communication could be compromised, he asked me to give this to you in person" she extended the file "for your eyes only, so be sure to have a better security system than the lock from your diary"
"Hey!"
Alex just smirked in return as the expression from her sister was one of utter indignation. But her gesture turned from that to one of surprise and happiness in an instant. "Lena! Hi!"
"Hello, Kara" she answered in her usual tone.
"Did we have something planned for today?" she asked a bit confused "Was I supposed to meet a deadline-?"
Lena shook her head no with a radiant smile while looking down at her own shoes for an instant "No, none of that, I'm actually here for something else" she gazed up to look at Alex "Agent Danvers"
"You sure know how to handle a hangover, Miss Luthor"
Lena smiled amused, while Kara seemed downright shocked that her sister would make such a comment.
"I was hoping I would run into you, I heard you were in the building and I was hoping you would let me buy you lunch? As a thank you for last night"
"Oh" Alex said a bit aback.
"You can refuse, of course" Lena jumped to say "you don't have to feel pressured to agree"
"No, that's ok" Alex shrugged nonchalant "I'm free right now"
"Well, that's great!" Lena said brightly "I'll just tell my secretariat we are heading out so things run smoothly in my absence"
"Sure" Alex nodded while the CEO turned around.
Kara eyed her sister with suspicion and confusion as she now had a lunch date with her best friend.
"W-what was that about?"
"What?" Alex asked unphased.
"Why are you and Lena going out and what happened last night between you two?" she said out loud before realizing how the phrasing sounded "I mean-"
"Nothing. I just ran into her at a bar last night. She seemed like she needed someone to talk to, so I played the part"
"But…why didn't she call me?"
"I don't know Kara. I just happened to be there, don't read too much into it" Alex waved her concern off.
"All set. So, shall we?" Lena called from the entrance.
"Lead the way" Alex followed her out.
"So, thank you again for doing this" Lena said as she unfolded her napkin neatly on her lap.
"I'm the one that should be thanking you, I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant wh ere they don't serve burgers. One of the many quirks of having Kara as a sister"
"Well, I'm glad you are enjoying yourself" Lena tilted her head to a side as Alex took her glass of water "So…I kept thinking…you were so considered and thoughtful hearing all my complaints and I didn't even get the chance to ask why you were dealing with your regrets through alcohol"
Alex almost spited out her drink.
"Sorry, I phrased that horribly!" Lena apologized immediately reaching for a napkin, but to her surprise, Alex was snorting.
"No, that's fine" she cleaned herself while drawing attention to their table "you just sounded like my mom"
"Oh" Lena half smiled awkwardly "I didn't meant to give you a scolding, we both know if anyone needs a lecture regarding drinking habits is me"
"Well, I hope you don't plan on quitting soon, 'cause I would run out of drinking buddies" Alex said lightly "Kara is no fun in that regard, she has two speeds, either zero or a hundred"
"I've only know zero thus far" Lena commented.
"Yeah, I doubt you'll see her drunk"
"Anyways…" Lena looked at her expectantly and Alex knew she had no other means to evade her previous question "I'm going to sound like a broken record but… I had one of those 'Maggie' days"
"I see" Lena whispered "Sawyers"
"Yeah…"
"You must miss her terribly"
"That's the thing…I miss the concept of what we had together" Alex began "I saw myself with her, with a future, I was ready for a wedding for crying out-" Alex stopped herself when she felt her voice crack "but there was a deal breaker and…it all crumbled"
"You regret letting her go?"
"No…I regret investing so much of me into someone else. I poured my dreams and hopes in a life with her. Of course I don't regret our time together but it's hard to think of her without feeling betrayed and that's such an unfair thing to say, she did nothing wrong. So no, I don't miss her but I miss what we had" Alex explained "I just want a family of my own…"
"You have a family" Lena said tenderly.
"I know but…I feel like the odd one out. I love my mom but we don't always see eye to eye and losing my dad was just…" she clenched her fist so tight her knuckles turned white "And Kara is amazing, but her arrival shifted so many things in my life. I just wanted to have my little corner of the world. A place I could call my own, people with whom I could build something new…is it such a weird thing to say?" Alex barely gazed up, dubious of meeting emerald eyes. It was strange to open up to a Luthor. Their interactions weren't very common, but in a way it was reassuring to talk to someone other than her usual moral support.
"It makes perfect sense" Lena said soothingly, as if singing a lullaby "All I've ever wanted was a fresh start although I have not once considered marriage. But I understand wanting someone on your corner, to support you, hold you…love you. You wanted a family, that's not a crime. And for what it's worth, I think you'll be an excellent mother. I know it won't mean much coming from me since my role mother was Lillian, but-"
"No, it means a lot" Alex cut her out "You have seen the very worst and if you see potential in me to be a good mom, then maybe I'm not hopeless" she said heartedly "Besides, I wouldn't want to raise Lex Luthor 2.0" she added jokingly to change the mood.
Lena's jaw dropped with a smile "That was uncalled for!"
Both women had a laugh out of it.
"Anyways, I think that concludes both our therapy sessions" Alex smirked before raising her glass "for our messed up problems"
"Cheers to that" she gently clashed her cup of wine before a man approached them.
"Excuse me, are you Lena Luthor?" he asked as they settled the glasses down.
"In the flesh" answered Alex unaware of how her companion had become wary.
The man grabbed her cup and threw it on her face "That's for the hundred your brother killed! My cousin died because of him!" he raged while Alex stood up in a jolt holding the man in a key lock.
"Settle down!" she ordered "I'm a federal agent and I can get you arrested" she warned.
"They have to pay!" the man yelled back.
"She didn't even do-!"
"An eye for an eye!" he shouted.
Lena rose up cleaning herself with a napkin "It's quite alright, Agent Danvers. I'm rather used to these scenes" she explained almost apologetically "Set him free, I won't press charges"
Alex looked at her wide eyed "But-!"
"It's really ok" she emphasized in a hushed tone, her eyes averting every single gawk that came her way.
Alex then understood she was more concerned about the undesired attention than the empty threats of the man.
She exhaled resigned "Sir, I'm going to let go you now, you are to leave this facility right away, understood?"
He grunted an affirmative as he was harshly drove to the exit. As that happened Alex tried to look at Lena, but she kept her face concealed.
"Miss Luthor!" the manager approached.
"How could you let that man-?!" Alex was charging towards the slim man, when Lena cut her approach short.
"I am really sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Francois" she handed him some clipped hundred dollar bills "I hope this covers the expenses"
"Mais, oui, Miss Luthor. We are truly mortified this happened"
"It's not your fault" she smiled weakly "we should leave, Agent Danvers" Lena called without waiting for a reply as she went to the street.
Once Alex caught up to her, the red haired woman searched for the man to be in the crowd so she could properly give him a scare.
"I'm sorry I cut our lunch short" Lena said while still facing the ground.
"What was that?!"
"I hope I can get the chance to make it up to-"
"What the heck was that?!" she pointed at the restaurant.
"It's not for the faint of heart to go out for lunch with a Luthor, Agent Danvers" Lena said with little resolve in her voice.
"How often do accidents like this happen?" Alex demanded.
"Usually it's just verbal outrages; It's rare that they take action" she explained while looking at her now ruined outfit.
Alex then stopped her outburst to consider how Lena might actually be feeling. She reached into her pocket pulling out a paper napkin she happened to have. "Are you ok?" she handed it to her.
"Yeah, it's just always a bit of a shock, even though I should be used to it"
"You should never have to get used to this" she remarked firmly "You should ask for a restriction order"
"Against a fifth of the global population?" she asked "let's be practical, it's far better if I am the one that puts the distance"
Alex sighed in defeat.
"I know you might think me naïve or even submissive for my evasion, but this is how I've decided to deal with such situations. The least the press gets into my personal life the better. A good defense can be the best offense"
Alex put her hands on her hips looking down to contemplate "I sorta get it. It's gotta be hard to feel half of the world has it against you. Still, I think you should be entitled to live your life without fear of recrimination"
Lena frowned for a moment, those words sounded awfully personal coming from her. Perhaps she had her own share of dealing with people.
"Anyways" Alex messed her own hair up "you should put your clothes in salt or something; they'll get stained for sure.
"They are not my priority at this point" Lena said "I'll change when I get home"
"That's a long ride at rush hour" Alex pointed "You know? My place is near; I have beer in the fridge and a change of clothes. Plus, no one in that part of town would recognize you even if your face was on the side of a bus"
Lena chuckled "You know what? Yeah. Let's go"
Suddenly, what was meant to be a couple of hours turned into a whole afternoon of hanging out. Alex couldn't recall the last time she had such a great time with someone other than Kara and her game nights. This was a different dynamic. After Lena had cleaned herself up and put on some sweat pants and a National City University sweater, both woman had turned on the TV and watched a college robotic competition. Lena had no idea the older Danvers sibling knew so much about technology. So she was pleasantly surprised when Alex called the teams out on their mistakes during the course.
"Come on! Even a five year old could wire that!" Alex screamed at the screen holding her beer, just like a fan pretending to be a coach on a sports game.
"They could easily just program the whole course into the AI instead of giving individual commands on each of the tests" Lena added.
"Well, not everyone runs a tech enterprise like you" she countered "let the kids learn and grow" she mocked.
Their chat was cut short by a knock at the door.
"Oh! I hope is the delivery guy. I swear, if they mix my order I'm going to be so mad!" Alex warned while getting off the sofa and to the door.
"Imagine when I ask for a kale pizza"
"That's downright your evil Luthor genes showing through, no one would ever conceive such an abomination" she called over her shoulder while opening the door.
"I'm hurt!" Lena replied throwing a hand to her chest in mockery.
"Yeah-yeah" Alex rolled her eyes ready to face the delivery guy when instead her sister walked in with her sight fixed to the binder on her hands.
"I brought the latest report in. When Winn told me you hadn't showed up, I assumed you were doing some field work but I couldn't call you since you said our communications might be-"
"Kara!" Alex called her, making the alien girl look up to find her sister in casual clothing and her best friend lying on the couch in even more casual attire.
"Le-Lena? What-what are you doing here?" she asked fixing her glasses before shooting her sister a glare "You could have told me you had company"
"Well, I'm surprised you didn't hear us, since we were being so loud" Alex answered in code as how Supergirl's hearing had missed their voices.
"Guess I was distracted" Kara replied through her clenched jaw.
"I'm sorry, I hope you didn't have anything planned, I can leave if that's the case" Lena offered ready to collect her belongings.
"Nonsense" Alex said coolly "Kara here was just bringing me some paperwork since I didn't passed by the office today. So, thank you, Kara. I'll look into it later"
"So…what were you up to? You never came back into the office, Lena. I called a couple of times" Kara added softly.
"Oh! My phone! That's right, it got splashed too, it didn't even occur to me to check if it was still working"
"Got splashed? What happened?"
"We ran into a pretty brain limited individual that decided to shower Lena with some wine" Alex put it simply.
"What?!"
"Honestly, it was not a big deal" Lena dismissed "it's basically another Wednesday for me. Been that way since I turned 16"
"I'm sure you can change those people minds" Kara smiled encouragingly receiving a small smile in return.
"Not tonight though, tonight we are just worried to see which team will make is to the finals" Alex interrupted "you can join our nerd party sis. Or if you have some errands to run, you can go ahead" she said knowing Supergirl might have a busy schedule.
"I-I would love to join you" Kara fixed her glasses and took a seat in the middle.
"Well, the rookies were about to put up a fight" Lena explained.
"Sure, but against the champions? No way they'll win"
"Oh please! You can tell their professor did all the work! Those kids couldn't even tell apart the commands without the cheat sheet" Lena countered.
"Come on! They are the best! You are just mad because you rooted for the wrong team"
"Oh, I know that kind of people, I graduated next to many of them. They are paying big cash for the title"
"Really? Then why don't you put your money were your mouth is?"
"You know I could buy this building, right?"
"Dinner then!" Alex said "You win, I eat that awful kale pizza, if I win, you get to eat a real slice of five meats pizza"
"Deal!" she jumped to say extending her hand while both shook hands right in front of Kara while she awkwardly tried to move aside, for the first time feeling out of place among them.
"I-I want a piece of that action" Kara jumped in to say, if only just to be part of the conversation.
"You don't even know the teams" Alex pointed out pushing her shoulder lightly.
"In any case, eating a slice of five meats is not a punishment at all, she has to back you up, eating kale will be a real gamble" Lena teased.
"Ok, Danvers sisters it is" Alex wrapped her arm around her shoulders.
"Great!"
They kept watching and Kara had to ask more than once what was happening. By the time the match was oven, the siblings were contractually bound to eat kale pizza, as the rookies had smashed the competition with a great performance.
"Looks like you owe me another gathering so you can pay your debt" Lena smiled fully.
"Ough! Fine! " Alex groaned, still a smirk on her lips.
"Great, my place then, I'll personally cook said pizza"
"Wow, isn't that interesting?"
"I didn't know you liked cooking" Kara commented.
"Well, if you are going to try it for the first time, I rather have it to be one of my creations. That way you'll feel way guiltier of spitting it out, so you might actually have to eat the whole thing"
"You truly are evil" Alex snorted.
Suddenly, a ringtone filled the room "Oh, it's Winn…" Kara murmured to herself "I…should go" she stood up "see you tomorrow" she waved, half expecting the meeting to be over the moment she said she would take her leave, but the other two didn't made a motion to stand.
"See you later, Kara"
"Until tomorrow, sis" Alex called after her, watching her walk to the door.
"Well, it's way past beer time" the older Danvers pointed out walking to her kitchen "should we proceed to a glass of wine?"
"Actually…" Lena pondered thoroughly before deciding "just one glass should be fine" she accepted beaming.
And then Kara closed the door behind her, having a strange feeling in her gut the moment she heard laughter inside the apartment.
There might be a follow up, maybe not, it depends since inspiration and free time are not always on the same side (for those of you that were expecting a continuation to Supergirl's Girls, I'm sorry! I did wrote a bit further, but I wasn't all that convinced to publish it and then my computer crashed, so...yeah...) Anyways! Thanks for the support!
