A/N:
Just a few notes before we begin:

~Lena is 20 in this one. Kara is 22 and Lex is 30.
~Lena was done with MIT at 19 because of course she was.
~Lena and Kara meet during Lena's time at MIT when they are 17 and 19 respectively.
~National City, Midvale and Metropolis are their own things and I went according to Google Maps so just look them up if you wanna know where they are exactly.
~LuthorCorp has a branch in NA where Lena works. She's not CEO.

Also, I have no idea where Kara calling Lena "Lee" and Lex calling her "Ace" came from, but I see it all the time and guess what. I'm using it too!
Italics are flashbacks

1.

It's four phone calls that change Lena Luthor's life. That one time her mother was late to pick her up from kinder garden, a strange man had called the school and she had been picked up by someone she didn't know. Thrust into a life she was not used to, with a new family she wasn't familiar with. She was only eleven years old when Lillian had received a call that put a smile on her face unlike any other Lena had seen her sporting before. She had been shipped off to boarding school two weeks later. She dreads the calls from her mother; she knows nothing good ever comes out of them. So when her phone rings that day, at a time she knows Lillian would never be calling, she has to steel herself before answering.

"Your father is dead," Lillian's voice rings from the other end and it suddenly feels like she has to teach herself how to breathe. "Heart attack. The funeral is in three days." She hangs up. She can't do this now. Not now; not when things have finally begun looking up for her.

She leaves work early that day; tells Jess she'll be gone for four days, even gives her two days off for herself. The woman is surprised but doesn't make a big deal out of it, simply thanking Lena and throwing a concerned look over her shoulder as she packs up her things. She makes a mental note to check on her boss later.

Lena rides the train for the first time in what feels like ages; unfortunately, having a personal chauffeur limited her pointless roaming significantly. She makes sure to send him home early too, however, and she briefly wonders whether he and Jess will meet up and talk about her behind her back. Maybe even hold an intervention of some sort. It's a funny thought, to think that people would care about her enough to worry, but she can't bring herself to smile.

It's three hours later when she finds herself standing in front of a bar. Her feet had led her there and they are now leading her inside and she doesn't care enough to stop them. She has no say over any of this so when she finds herself sitting at the bar, a full glass of… something in front of her, she shrugs and drinks. A lot. She doesn't know how many glasses she's downed, but she lets a man fuck her in the filthy bathroom and she knows it has to be a lot. She feels nothing. She doesn't cum, didn't think she would anyway, and he leaves with a smug smile and a promise to call her. He won't. Not that she cares.

She is genuinely surprised when she manages to stumble her way back to her empty penthouse that night. No, it's not a penthouse. It's an overpriced suite on the top floor of an overpriced hotel. At least it has a private elevator, which gives her some illusion of privacy. For a moment, she thinks about calling Sam but immediately thinks herself out of it. It's late. Sam has a kid. Sam doesn't care that Lena is drunk and sad and lonely, she probably has a million things to do anyway.

Her head is spinning; it feels like it's about to split in half and her eyes won't open. It's morning, the sun that has so rudely awaken her tells her that much, and she's terribly hungover. She feels the telltale stirring of her stomach and she just barely makes it to the bathroom in time. With her body heaving over the toilet bowl, she remembers now why she hates getting so drunk.

It's not for another fifteen minutes that she trusts herself enough to let go of the death grip she has around the toilet and get up, stumbling slightly as she grasps the sink to pull herself up. A chuckle escapes her lips when she sees her reflection in the well-lit mirror. Her hair is matted and tangled, her skin a sickly, pale white almost grey, and her eyes seem sunken. She knows they're not, she was fine yesterday morning and it takes a little bit more than a night of heavy drinking for that side effect to set in, but she still sees them as such. She washes her face and runs her fingers through her hair and tries to fake at least some sense of control.

The sun is too bright, the city is too loud and the room is too big. Hungover Lena is a grumpy Lena and that's one more reason she hates getting too drunk. There used to be a time when being this hungover would be worth it, but it was way back when she had people to drink with and parties to go to and, quite frankly, drinking alone in a shady bar and being fucked in a bathroom is the exact opposite of that time. The coffee maker beeps and it's too fucking loud , she presses her palms on the sides of her head in search of some relief that she doesn't get as she stumbles to the bathroom and rummages through her thankfully well-stocked emergency kit for some Advil. She takes one; then two, then three and she's about to pop another one in her mouth when her phone chimes. With a sigh and a shake of her head, she puts everything back in place; she knows three pills aren't going to hurt her but she's ready to welcome the sweet dizziness that's surely about to set in. It's a text from her mother she's just received and, suddenly, she wishes she had taken a lot more than three Advil.

Funeral tomorrow, it reads and she has to check the date to make sure she didn't just sleep for an entire day. She swears her mother told her the funeral was in three days, but she's not about to text her back to find out.

She goes to the ice rink that day. She doesn't know why, but she does. Calls up Sam for good measure, asks to spend the day with Ruby. The young girl is beyond thrilled to be spending the day with her "aunt Lena" and that's more than enough to put a smile on the woman's face. She makes it a point to spoil the kid and waves Sam off when she whines about it. "It's only ever so often I get to spend time with my favorite niece," she says and Ruby looks a little offended.

"You have other nieces?" she asks and Lena chuckles.

"No. But even if I did, you'd still be my favorite." Ruby seems content with that as a huge grin makes its way to her lips and she beams up at the young woman.

"My father died," Lena states when she and Sam are sitting alone in the latter one's living room that night, wine glasses in hand, and Sam's eyes grow as big as saucers.

"Oh shit, when?" she asks when she manages to not choke on her drink, a little bit of the red liquid running down the corner of her mouth.

"I don't know, yesterday…?" it sounds kind of like a question and Lena hopes it gives off the desired hint of indifference she wants it to.

"I'm so sorry…" Sam mumbles as she places a hand on Lena's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"As well as I can be, considering." She doesn't even try to lie, she knows Sam will see right through her anyway. It's not a secret that Lena and her father shared a special bond and that she loved him more than anyone else in that family. Second only to maybe Lex.

"When's the funeral?" Sam asks and she reaches over to grab the tequila; the situation calls for something heavier now.

"Tomorrow. My mother called to let me know. I don't know if she did it cause she wants me there or cause she had to." Sam wants to say that it wasn't because she had to, but she knows Lillian and she knows that that's probably not the case.

"Are you going?" she asks instead and Lena nods.

"I have to," she mutters and the conversation ends there.

It's a six and a half-hour flight to Metropolis, and it's times like this one that Lena enjoys having her own private jet. Six hours on a commercial flight would be hell, even if it was first class.

Six hours on any flight are hell. Lena has half a mind to feel bad about having her pilot fly her at five o'clock in the morning as she clasps and unclasps her hands nervously, her palms growing sweaty and clammy and her knuckles turning white as she grips her seat belt. No amount of deep breaths help her calm down and her hand shakes as she lifts the glass that's sitting in front of her to her lips. She shouldn't be drinking, she knows that, but she can't bring herself to care.

"Four hours until we land," the pilot informs her and she sighs as she nods.

She falls asleep some time later and she only wakes up when the plane jerks, her eyes flying open in pure fear and panic. The pilot's reassuring words do nothing to calm her down and she doesn't sleep again for the rest of the flight, her eyes nervously looking around every few minutes.

She arrives in Metropolis at eleven in the morning and she's surprised by how warm the day is, given the season. Figures her father would die during Christmas; it was his favorite time of year, after all. She grabs a copy of the Planet on her way to the taxi stand, her eyes scanning the front page where a picture of her father takes up most of the space. "Lionel Luthor, founder of LuthorCorp, found dead in his office." She sighs as she reads the headline and Clark Kent's name underneath it. The full article is on page 5, apparently, and she doesn't know if she wants to read it. She knows she will, however. If anything, at least she trusts Clark to do her father justice.

The taxi driver looks at her weird when she gives him the address; she's certain he's recognized her but is too weary to say anything. She still finds herself unable to relax, however, the closer they get to the mansion.

"I'm sorry for your loss," the man says as Lena hands him the fare plus a very generous tip. "He was a good man." She only nods.

With her finger now pressed against the doorbell, she feels her anxiety spike.

"Lena." It's her mother that greets her at the door, clad in a black dress that's tighter than it probably should, her hair tied back in an elegant bun and Lena has to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Stylish even in mourning, Lillian would rather be caught dead than be seen looking anything less than perfect. "I wasn't sure you'd come."

"He's- was my father. Of course I'd come."

"Straight from the airport too, I see." Of course Lillian would judge everything, even now.

"I'll go to a hotel later. I didn't want to miss the funeral."

Lillian nods and steps aside, lets Lena walk inside as she eyes her from head to toe. "The service is not for another two hours. Plenty of time to go freshen up and wear something more… appropriate," she says as she runs her fingers down the arm of her daughter's coat. Lena nods, much too tired to argue with anything her mother says.

She sees him as she makes her way upstairs to her old room and her breathing stops for a second as her heart skips a beat. There, sitting on what Lena remembers being specifically Lionel's chair, is Lex. Lex in his impeccable suit and his signature smirk, the one he saves just for her; Lex looking right back at her with the same glint in his eyes like when they'd get in trouble together but always cover for each other. She hasn't seen him in ages, not since he went off to college and she got shipped off to boarding school and then college and then National City. He's changed, she thinks, but can't quite place what's off about him. His father just died so it's normal to be off, isn't it? It's a firm nudge from Lillian that makes her body begin moving again, her legs leading her the rest of the way up the stairs and into her room.

Memories are suddenly crushing over her as she walks inside and shuts the door. It's just like she remembers it, her bed pushed up against the wall, the dark sheets impeccably made, her desk sitting in the corner on her right, surrounded by shelves filled with all kinds of books she's already read more times than she cares to count… It's familiar and she can't decide whether she loves it or hates it.

It takes her about an hour to get ready and gather enough courage to go back downstairs. She's in a black dress now, her hair pulled back, tied in a high ponytail and she's wearing all her earrings. She knows Lillian hates them but Lionel didn't and today is not about Lillian, is it? She hypes herself up as she opens the door and her mind flashes back to all the times she had gone through those exact thoughts and motions when she was still living here and had to face Lillian every day. She can hear every conversation pause as she walks down the stairs and she hates it. She feels everyone's eyes on her and she has to clench her hands in order to stop them from shaking.

Everyone is there. Old business associates that hadn't worked with her father in years and new ones she doesn't know. But they know her, apparently. She briefly wonders if everyone really is looking at her or if it's just her mind being paranoid. She's not being paranoid, she realizes as she walks in the main living area where everyone is gathered. The atmosphere is heavy and the weight of several sets of eyes on her feel even heavier. But it takes all but a couple of silent moments for everyone to go back to pretending to mind their own business and for Lena to find herself standing next to the impressive array of food her mother has had delivered; looks like Luthors really do go all out, no matter the situation.

Lex isn't there anymore, she realizes. Probably somewhere socializing and talking business like he always does. She doesn't think a death in the family is enough to stop him. A woman comes up to talk to her and she can somewhat place her but not exactly. She knows Lena by name, however, and leans in to hug her; it's awkward and it makes her uncomfortable but she doesn't say anything. 'Just smile and nod, wait for it to be over.' She probably seems too eager to leave as she breaks the stiff hug and makes her way to the kitchen, but she doesn't exactly care. Driven by the smell of coffee and the desire to avoid any similar future encounters, she finds herself finally being able to breathe as the bitter taste of coffee floods her mouth.

"Ace." Her breathing hitches at the sound of the familiar voice and the familiar nickname and her head whips around to face the person standing by the door.

"Lex..." Her voice comes out more strained than she'd like it to as she struggles not to throw herself into the man's arms. She's beyond thankful when he moves forward and wraps her in a tight hug.

"How are you holding up?" he asks as he pulls back to look at her, his hands resting on the sides of her face.

"As well as expected," she replies. "I didn't know you'd be here."

"It's dad's funeral, Lena…" Lex sighs. "As much as I didn't get along with the man, he's still my father," he states simply. "Besides, mother was quite adamant that I be here. Something about keeping you in check?" he jokes in an attempt to lighten the mood and Lena chuckles softly.

"Thank you," she simply whispers, not really knowing what she's thanking the man for.

"So why are you hiding in here?" he asks as he moves towards the expensive coffee maker. Lena moves aside, her own cup of coffee now lying empty in the sink, and leans back against the counter.

"Too many people to deal with at once isn't ideal for me, you know that. Especially now."

"You're not wrong… Still take it black?" She's about to protest and say she just had coffee, but she was never one to deny a second cup.

"Old habits die hard."

"Where are you staying?" The conversation between them flows easily, effortlessly, and Lena loves it. She'd forgotten how much simpler things were a few years ago.

"I have a room booked."

"This is still your house, Ace, you know that." He reaches out and places a warm hand on her shoulder, his thumb running soft circles. "Stay here." She wants to argue; say that staying in the same house with Lillian again is something she can't handle right now, but she doesn't. She nods instead. She hasn't seen him in forever, after all; this will be a good chance for them to catch up.

They chat for a while longer and it feels… nice. Familiar. They talk about mundane things, work and relationships, Lex is apparently dating a woman named Elizabeth who Lillian is not very fond of and Lena can't help but chuckle at that. There was no way Lillian would ever be happy about anyone dating Lex. She asks about Clark at some point and her brother's expression darkens. They don't talk to each other much anymore, he says making Lena frown. They'd always been inseparable, seeing Lex being like this now feels wrong. She wants to joke, say that lovers quarrels can often be like that, but she knows better, knows that her brother will probably not appreciate the joke and she really doesn't want to fight with him now so she lets it go. They'll talk about it later.

Her features feel glued and unmoving, like a mask. She's not scowling, she's not frowning or holding back tears. She just… is. The three of them are standing in front of the casket, Lillian in the middle, of course, Lex to her right and Lena to her left. None of them is crying and Lillian's features are even stonier than Lena's own. There's no hint of sadness or grief in her eyes and Lena has to wonder just how her mother has managed to fool everyone into believing that she was some kind of grieving widow. Unless of course she's fooled no one and they're just humoring her; oh, that would be rich. She holds back a grin at the thought.

"Lionel was such a… a wonderful man." It's time for the eulogy and Lena has to stop herself from rolling her eyes the moment her mother utters the first sentence of her speech. It's a good speech, she has to admit, it praises Lionel and his accomplishments both as a businessman and a family man, and it makes him out to be perfect at everything he did. Just like he would have wanted. It also paints Lillian to be a loving and supportive wife, just like she wants it.

They're walking back now and Lena is wearing a pair of big sunglasses, courtesy of her mother, because she was tearing up and "people can't see a Luthor being so weak". She's one step behind Lex and Lillian; it's almost as if the woman deliberately pushes her back every time her steps lead her next to her and she wouldn't exactly put it past her if she did. She has an aura about her that would make anyone take a step back. She's just about given up trying to walk alongside her and Lex and is letting herself fall more and more behind when she sees her. Well, feels her first more than sees her.

"Oh," she yelps when her back collides with the person walking behind her. "I'm so s- sor…" She's suddenly staring into an intense blue she never thought she'd see again and the words die in her mouth as her heart rate quickens.

"It's okay, no harm done." Lena's breath hitches at the sight of the small smile she's missed so much. "I uh… I haven't gotten the chance to talk to you… I'm so sorry for your loss."

"I… I- I didn't know you'd be here…" Lena's brain is struggling to form coherent sentences now.

"It's your dad's funeral, Lena… Of course I'd be here." The brunette feels a soft hand slip into her own and squeeze gently and oh, how she's missed this feeling.

"Kara…" The name falls from her lips and, for a moment, it feels like nothing has changed.

"Lena." But only for a moment. It's Lillian calling her name, not Kara. And it's Lillian throwing a hard look at her direction, motioning for her to go next to her. She leaves with an apologetic look and a soft squeeze of her own and it's like the bubble she had found herself seconds before bursts into a million pieces.

"That'll be… Four eighty-two, please." The smile that graces the blonde girl's lips is a bright and genuine one as she extends her hand to accept the bill shes being handed. Lena hasn't seen her before (in all her five times she's been there in the past year and a half) and she can already feel her eyebrow rising at her sunny disposition. It's far too early in the morning to be this cheery.

"Hi, welcome to Noonan's, what can I get you?" she asks when it's Lena's turn at the front of the line, her smile faltering slightly as the brunette eyes her up and down but never leaving her face.

"A double Espresso please and a fruit mix to go." She doesn't copy the girl's wide grin but the corners of her mouth do rise slightly as she places her order.

"Right," the blonde nods and smiles as she punches in Lena's order. "That'll be… Four sixty-nine. Here's your receipt. You're number sixteen, if you could wait on the side here until your coffee is ready, that'd be great." She hands Lena the piece of paper as she accepts a twenty dollar bill in return and she stares a little when the girl in front of her doesn't take the change, putting it in the tip jar instead. She fails to keep her blushing at bay a couple of minutes later, when the brunette comes up to grab her order and winks at her as she leaves.

…

Lena is only slightly surprised when she finds herself standing in line at Noonan's again the following morning. The cheerful blonde is there again, ready to take her order. Four sixty-nine, receipt, twenty, fifteen thirty-one in the tip jar. It becomes somewhat of a routine as Lena becomes nothing sort of a regular at the place. Every day she's there now, her smile becoming more and more genuine as she goes through the familiar steps. She was number sixteen three times in a row and that's how she earned the nickname. 'Sixteen!' the blonde exclaims every time she sees her and Lena's smile gets a little wider each time. It's the first time she's had a nickname since Lex first called her 'Ace'. He hasn't done that a lot lately and having a new nickname is a nice change.

"I'm twenty one today," she jokes one morning looking at the number on her receipt.

"Aah, we should celebrate! You're finally of age!" the barista jokes without missing a beat and immediately bursts out laughing at her own words. Lena can't help but follow suit. She's still thinking about that interaction late at night when she's finally in bed and she realizes that it's not the joke she found funny, it wasn't very good after all, it was the sound of the girl's laugh that she loved. Her heart skips a beat at the thought and she groans as she squeezes her eyes shut. Realization hits her like a tidal wave and she doesn't manage to sleep that night.

A/N: I know I probably shouldn't be starting a new multi-chapter story when I haven't updated my others in CENTURIES, but I couldn't help it! I had this written for at least a couple of months and I just had to post the first chap to test the waters. Drop me a word if you liked it! Or if you didn't, I'm all about constructive criticism ^^
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