Author's notes: This is my first published fic. Reviews, suggestions and critics are greatly appreciated. You'll find more information on this story when I update my profile. Hope you enjoy the read.
The very last inch of us.
.
It is past 11 p.m. when Lena Luthor finishes reviewing the topics of the next morning's board meeting. L-Corp is silent at those hours, except for the noise coming from the CEO's office, as the news anchor covers the stock market in the background. Lena shifts her attention to the television, but notices her vision blurred. Maybe she is overworking. Even Jess was concerned, as she unexpectedly urged her boss to "leave this building and get an 8 hours sleep for once". The brunette, however, can't help it. She take her work seriously. And most importantly, she cherishes her corporation.
"In the face of current developments, authorities alleged all measures are being taken to elucidate the relationship between Luthor Corp and the newly found facility conducting research on humans using meteor rocks. In the past, the corporation funded similar experiments, under the administration of Lex Luthor. After his imprisonment, Lillian Luthor continued his program with Project Cadmus, before the exposure on the nature of the experiments forced it to be discontinued. Since then, no similar activities were registered. Lena Luthor, currently CEO of L-Corp, has yet to give an official statement on the matter…"
Lena turns off the television. She would always finish watching the news but she has enough of hearing her name these past few days. Ever since this new facility was discovered, her life has been a mess. With Lex still arrested in maximum-security prison and Lillian's disappearance 3 years ago, all attention turned to her. Media, government and society – they all demands explanations about a project she had no idea it was running in the first place. Damn, Lex. What on Earth was on your mind?
The CEO sighs as she slowly walks to her balcony. It was a brilliant idea to build it. National City is breathtaking at night – all those lights, the fleeting silence and distant sounds of cars and passersby. Everything manifesting itself as one city. And she loves every part of it. Lena wonders if someone out there is watching the lights and thinking the same. Maybe Supergirl. Yes, maybe Supergirl is out there, flying above. Protecting their city. And Lena's mind keeps drifting, until it reaches Kara Danvers, a smile parting the brunette's lips – the first on that stressful day. She wished her friend was by her side. Kara would smile and look at the stars instead. With that one particular look in her blue eyes that captivates the Luthor. It took some time, but Lena eventually figured out why was that. Kara always looks at the stars with forsaken eyes. Almost as if she misses them.
And the brunette is now looking at the stars herself. What does Kara see when she looked up? Which painful memory had stained her sky with desolation? Lena wonders. She isn't much different. Her sky is a void, absorbing her feelings and turning them to nothing. She really misses talking to her friend. But as the years went by, meeting each other became harder. Kara is moving on with her life; it got even worse with her engagement. And, in that moment, Lena closes her eyes. They are drifting apart – she feels Kara escaping her gradually. The marriage would be the final blow. And as much as she tries to, Lena can't bring herself to be happy about it. That Matthews guy seems a good person. No, he definitely is – she trusts Kara's judgment, although that girl could be naïve to a fault. But she can't come to terms with losing her. Kara. Kara is everything.
A sad smile appears on her face, as she glances at the stars one last time. Useless thoughts. Thus, the CEO gets rid of them, a semblance of resolve taking place. She was a Luthor after all. If she misses Kara, all she needs to do is to invite her friend to spend some time together. It is 11:40p.m. but, well, knowing the blonde, she is probably digging into her fridge with a goofy smile by now.
..
Kara's phone continues to ring, forgotten in her desk. But whoever is calling, they couldn't have chosen a worse time to call. Kara and Mon-El are having a serious discussion and neither of them seems willing to back down. The scene – from the eyes of a normal civilian – is peculiar, to say the least. It's not every day you see a couple having a fight, walking around the apartment on costumes and capes.
"Why are you being so worked up over this? Everybody's fine, Kara!"
"You're totally missing the point." Supergirl is standing in the middle of the room, holding her head with one head. She is trying to remain calm, but frustration is building up. All Kara wanted was a serious conversation, but somehow they ended up in a fight. Again. The second on that week.
"They could have been hurt, Mon-El. People could have died out there." Kara argues with a quieter but stern voice.
Earlier that night, they fought against one metahuman who was causing havoc in National City. Everything was going according to plan, until Mon-El let his temper get the best of him. He took an unnecessary risk that almost cost the lives of numerous civilians. Supergirl wouldn't be so bothered, since anyone can make a mistake, even heroes. Specially heroes. Except this is the third time it happens and Mon-El never admits his faults.
"Sure. Cause there was a freaking crazy super soldier trying to kill everybody. But I ended up saving the day. We are the heroes!"
And there it is: the faint smile; the weird light on his eyes. The expression that suddenly appears on his face and never fails to make Kara uneasy. It feels like Mon-El turns to a complete different person from the man she knows. Vain and vicious. It has been more frequent lately, that sudden change on his nature. And when it happens, Kara feels terrified. Thankfully though, it is always brief. In a split of a second, her fiancé is back to his usual self.
"Look, Mon-El. We had this discussion last time." Supergirl avoids his eyes, scared to find herself talking to a stranger again. "The lives of innocent people are at stake. We can't be reckless."
"Kara… Babe. I know that. I understand you have your methods. And I have mine. Don't you have faith in me?" Mon-El approaches the woman looking at her earnest blue eyes. He holds her chin softly with his hand, but Supergirl crosses her arms and keeps a frown on her face. "Don't be like this."
"Like what?" Her voice is harsh. Oh, she really hopes Mon-El would not dare to say anything stupid.
"Too strict and serious. "
"What?" Kara pulls away immediately and Mon-El sighs. Her persistency is a pain to him. "You want me to take my responsibilities lightly?" Every part of her body is tense and Supergirl is clearly trying to hold back her exploding anger.
"No. What I mean to say is you should stop shouldering the burden of the world. It will eventually destroy you! If those people got hurt, Lena Luthor should be the one carrying that burden, not you, Kara!"
Mon-El says with a hint of disdain in his voice. And obviously, he has said something very wrong. Because Kara's eyes lights in a heating orange glow and her ice blue orbs are beaming at him. Kara Danvers is pissed. Utterly fucking pissed.
"How dare you accuse her like that?! Lena Luthor is innocent!"
"As far as I know, 'Luthor' and 'innocent' should never be used in the same sentence."
"There's no proof that this metahuman is even linked to Luthor Corp! And Lena isn't like her family!" Kara will always stand up for her friend, and all that senseless injustice is exhausting. "No one can see that?!" She adds defeated.
Kara sneers, shaking her head. The fire on her eyes extinguishes; her bright blue orbs now reduced to bleak grey cinders. No one, but you. Lena's voice echoes in her memory. The brunette sounded so softly – so different from the fierce woman with proud and resilient green eyes that never wavered or displayed vulnerability. They talked about it a few times, about how the Luthor's name would always shadow Lena's worth. But the hero knows her friend better than anyone. And it makes Kara so, so sad and frustrated, that all the doubts and accusations lead Lena to seclude herself in a cold glass building – her own fortress of solitude.
"Kara?" Mon-El has a puzzled look, as he unsuccessfully tries to guess his fiancé's trail of thoughts.
"I'm so done, Mon-El." Supergirl says while running her hand through her hair. She prizes good communication, but she can't see that discussion going anywhere. "I'll get some sleep."
Exhausted, Kara heads to her bedroom. She doesn't look for her phone; she doesn't even look back to her fiancé. And in another part of the city, Lena sighs while holding her phone.
..
Lena Luthor walks fast. It is nothing new to Jess, except the secretary wonders how she manages to walk that fast on high wheels. Well, her boss is more than capable in pretty much any aspect. Jess wonders how the brunette manages to be so impeccable though. No person should be able to always show up elegantly dressed with flawless makeup on, remain proud and composed on hostile board meetings, while running a multi-billion corporation and fixing the mistakes of the previous CEO, all the while being the most competent person for those tasks. Really, is she even human? Well, she is a Luthor. Her boss would scold her if she could read minds.
"Jess." The secretary froze still. Maybe she can. "Please, confirm my agenda for the next two hours. I believe it's free."
They had arrived at Lena's office and the CEO sits comfortably in her chair. It is a cloudy day in National City. Lena notices some dark clouds hanging in the horizon. They could expect downpour in that afternoon.
"Yes. But Ms. Danvers called during the meeting to say she would come."
"Kara?" Lena is surprised. Kara didn't answer her call last night and still had not replied to her message. Normally, she would reply so fast, it somewhat amused the green eyed CEO. Is Kara going through something and needed her help? It worries her. "Alright. I'll wait for her."
"Ms. Danvers is already here. Should I let her in?"
"Yes, please." Lena lets a delighted smile escape her lips. She observes her secretary leave the office, feeling the excitement of seeing the blonde after some time. The CEO, however, contains herself. Chances are Kara is only there as Danvers, the reporter. Lena still had not given any official statement over the facility discovered on the underground of the abandoned Luthor Corp Plaza, in Metropolis, so she can expect all the media groups prying into her life in all possible ways, and that includes using the only person she considers a friend as a mean.
"Lena!"
It is quite ridiculous how it takes only one lively voice to crush any reasoning running in the CEO's mind. Kara had that power over the brunette and, surprisingly, the later doesn't care. She never feels weak or vulnerable beside Kara. In fact, she feels protected and treasured. Thus Lena would trust Kara her life – something she never really thought it would be possible before meeting someone like her.
"Hello, Kara."
Kara stands just a few feet away with a sheepish smile on her face – the one she is used to give when there is this particular idea in her mind that she is having a hard time to suppress. She eventually succumbs to it, most of the times. Which makes Kara Danvers adorable. Add to that the image of a pretty girl wearing a peach a-line dress and cream cardigan while fidgeting with her fingers and there she is: Kara Adorable Danvers.
"Can I hug you? I'm going to hug you." Kara announces suddenly and before Lena can process any of it, she feels those soft arms embracing her in a bear hug. Like Kara isn't even that taller and, mostly certainly, doesn't appear to be that strong. But her hugs are tight and soft and feel like a wide shelter from any problems. Really, Kara's hugs are Lena's favorites, except the "helicopter" one. God, she still had not figured out how Kara managed to spin Lena Luthor around like that.
"I missed you, Kara." Maybe that sounded a little softer than it should and Lena curses herself for that. But the reporter reacts with a melting smile, so she doesn't mind that much.
"I missed you too!"
"Have a sit. Sorry, I wasn't expecting you. My secretary just told me you were here. I did call you yesterday and send texts, though."
"Yeah, I've been pretty busy lately and I had to deal with a few things yesterday."
The brunette has a concerned look on her face, which makes it more difficult for Kara to dodge the subject.
"I was tired by the end of the day, so I ended up falling asleep and forgot to charge my phone. Which almost made me sleep in and I had to literally fly to work, and I forgot my phone at home, so… Did I say 'literally'? God, a reporter shouldn't make such mistakes."
Kara laughs nervously. She absolutely loves Lena's pair of green eyes, but when they focus at her with that much intensity, she tends to say embarrassing things.
"Are you feeling okay?" Lena has a puzzled expression on her face, one in which Kara can identify genuine concern and is that amusing delight? Anyway, Kara Danvers knows the CEO is a sharp woman. She probably sensed something is bothering her.
"Yes, it's just… You know, there has been a lot of work lately. Pretty concerning stuff, so I'm just exhausted and feeling pressured." Kara hates lying to a friend. But fundamentally, she isn't lying. She just omitted which work exactly she was talking about. And then, there is Mon-El. But, for some reason, Kara isn't used to talk about Mon-El to Lena. There isn't anything wrong with their friendship – Kara had shared some heavy stuff with, and only with, her –, but when it comes to her relationship with her fiancé, the blonde always senses Lena more distant, thinking about who knows what in that incredible mind of hers.
"I hope things get better soon. Is there anything else bothering you?" Damn. Sharp woman.
"Huh? No." Kara is pretty sure she isn't a good liar, but she really wants to avoid that subject for now. "Anyway, I'm sorry. I didn't want to come here and blabber about myself."
And Lena feels a bit upset. Kara clearly has something else bothering her. The fact that she can't open up about it implied a wall on their friendship. Maybe Kara doesn't trust Lena enough. The blonde isn't the one to blame though. Lena is the one building walls all around herself. Who she is to demand trust, when she is unable to give it to others? She wishes the reporter understood she could always count on her though. Lena Luthor would always stand by Kara Danvers.
"Right. So, I suppose what brings you here is the whole uproar involving Luthor Corp." Lena says it with a half-smile. She faces the whole thing with composed elegancy. And that really makes Kara's heart ache. An innocent never reacts so calm when facing degrading accusations. Unless it happened so often, they eventually grew acquainted to them – which, sadly, is Lena's case. And knowing that stirred something inside the reporter. Supergirl demands the justice the Luthor had stopped believing in. And Kara feels the sadness Lena should be displaying.
"How are you feeling about it?" She is asking as Kara, the friend, and the CEO is really thankful for that. That's one of the things Lena likes the most about Kara: she is kind. She values kindness before professionalism or anything really. And Lena suspects Kara doesn't realize how brave she is for that.
"You know, I'm used to it."
"And it sucks that you are!" Kara snorts. "I mean, it's so sad that you became used to it."
"Kara, look, it's really okay. I mean, it's not a great situation to be." Kara frowns and defeated Lena admits. "Okay, it's awful. But, eventually, it will play out the same way. The funds for that secret facility in Metropolis, we are already tracking it. Since Lex was imprisoned, it's been running with clandestine money. Not a single dollar was from L-Corp. I've got nothing to worry about."
"Do you have any idea of who's behind it?" Kara asks curiously; her reporter side kicking in.
"Most of the investigation is being held by the authorities. We provided help and information, but I don't have anything yet."
"Do you know what kind of experiments was being held?"
"Most of the scientific data was destroyed before the authorities arrived in the facility. I can't tell much for now, but, yeah, I can confirm they studied aliens and how meteor rocks affected humans." A short pause. Green eyes slowly drifting to a spot in the ground. "Lex was so obsessed with that."
And Lena bit her lips. Lex is still a sensitive question for her. She used to know him. She knew how he felt, his dreams and passions. But slowly and deliberately, he began to change. She remembers how words like "aliens", "murderers" and "menace" became frequent. How Clark Kent – a dear friend – turned to an enemy. How her caring brother became a complete stranger, with madness in his eyes and hatred in his speech. She could not recognize him anymore. But sometimes, when Lena was lost and confused and about to give up, the old Lex would resurface – the kind, intelligent and fair one. She knew that side of her brother better than anyone. And it proved to her what she needed to know: that within that man, lost in that insanity, there was still an inch of integrity. So Lena keeps a promise to herself. That if Lex ever reaches out to her, she will help him. She will find that inch and free Lex from that madness.
"Lena?"
Kara had seen the transformation that took place on her friend's semblance. The confident CEO suddenly looked enigmatic, her green eyes somber, reflecting absolutely nothing. Kara has seen this happen a few times before. And Kara knows once the Luthor steps in whatever dark place she has in her mind, there is nothing one could do, but wait until she feels comfortable enough to step out of it. And it can take a few seconds or even days. But Kara is patient. Well, not really, but she is for Lena's sake.
"I'm sorry. I got lost in my thoughts." Lena says while shaking her head. She has this confused and concerned expression on her face, probably wondering for how long she had drifted in thoughts. But Kara doesn't mind. In fact, she considers it lovely.
"Don't worry." Kara knows she has this dorky smile on her face, but it is no use fighting against it. Something about Lena makes her feel warm and bubbly and Kara would catch herself smiling goofily at her. And she doesn't try to suppress it anymore, because she found out Lena would always smile back and that is just so sweet.
"Well, I should go now." Kara finally announces with a half-smile. She really wants to linger there a bit longer. The reporter had forgotten Lena has this aura that just feels right for her. It's like they both have this mutual understanding and Kara can drop the walls down and be herself and that is just comforting, like being at home. And wasn't it funny that Krypton has just crossed her mind?
"We had such a brief reunion, Kara. Do you want to go out or, I don't know, have dinner in my place tonight?"
"I'm sorry, Lena. I'd love to, but it has been really crazy for me lately. And I'll meet Mike tonight. But we can definitely set another day!"
"No problem, Kara. So I'll text you later."
They share a hug that lasts longer than usual, both women wishing they can linger just a second more in each other arms. And then, Kara walks away in a slow pace leaving Lena behind, watching storm clouds casting shadows over National City. In that night, Lena would meet with ghosts from the past amidst a thunder storm.