"Miss Luthor?" Jess inquired, as she stepped through the large doors of Lena Luthor's office. "There's a call on line 1 for you."

"You'll have to tell them to wait until tomorrow, Jess." Lena said, standing as she signed her signature on one last document. With a quick glance in her assistant's way, "I have lunch and then meetings the rest of the day."

"I know," Jess said sheepishly, balancing on the line of professionalism and friendship. "But I really think you'll want to speak with them, it sounds important."

Lena lifted an eyebrow at that statement. Jess was normally the one pushing her away from her work, not towards it.

It was no surprise that Lena worked a lot. In all honesty, Lena had always considered herself a workaholic and she had long since overused the excuse that it ran in the family. That it was her genetics, when truthfully the only thing not slowing her down was the fear that she'd end up in a downward spiral similar to her brother's.

So she pushed herself harder than most. Expected more.

No one could blame her for wanting her company to succeed. And with the new innovative projects and weaponry they were designing, Lena wouldn't be surprised if it helped saved the world not just from threats, but from its own destruction at some point in the future.

L-Corp inspired her, gave her hope that just because something was crippled and destructive, didn't mean it couldn't be given a new light.

Lena tapped her fingers on top of a stack files before giving a nod, "Tell them they have fifteen minutes."

"Yes ma'am." Jess nodded, before slipping back out the door.

"This better be good." Lena muttered under her breath as she waited for the little flashing light to show up on her office phone.

With a glance at her TV, she read the time on the bottom right hand corner already knowing she would be late to her lunch with Kara.

The blonde had always been understanding when it came to Lena's cancellations but it never numbed the guilt that Lena felt afterwards.

The problem was that she was in love with this wonderful woman, who had the biggest heart, and all she wanted to do was spend countless amounts of hour with her but instead she was stuck at work answering phone calls and keeping up appearances. She loved her job, of course she did. But she loved Kara more.

Their relationship - the connection they shared had only grown over the months they had known each other. A platonic relationship morphing into one filled with passion and love. Into something strong and resilient.

Indestructible.

Kara would never fully understand the power she had over Lena. The way she could calm her with a look or a touch.

In all her life, Lena had never felt a connection as strong as the one she had with Kara. She had heard tales of love that bonded both, an unstoppable force that forged souls. When she was young she had never really believed she would find someone like that, she just never saw it in her future. It was all a myth in her young mind, that is, until she met Kara.

And then all the tales and stories became a little more imaginable.

A Super and a Luthor.

It'd make for one hell of a love story.

Lena was drawn back to reality when she saw the awaiting flashing light, and with a couple clicks she pulled the phone up to her ear waiting for the caller to speak.

"Miss Luthor?"

"Lena is fine, and you are?" Lena responded, letting a touch of aggravation seep through her voice.

"I'm John Cure, calling you in regards of a Miss Sydney Ash."

Lena swore her heart skipped a beat. That could only mean…

"Is she okay?" Lena said, her voice calculated as she fought over the panic rising in her chest.

"Ma'am," the man on the other side sighed, "I can't divulge that information until I confirm - "

"Answer me that and then I'll give you the damn code." Lena ground out, her hand landed down hard on her desk, "Is my daughter, okay?"

Lena heard someone murmur something to the man on the other side of line, but she couldn't make out what was said. All that matter was that it worked.

"Physically, yes. She and her parents were in a fatal car accident. Sydney managed to make it out alive with a few minor lacerations and a concussion, but her parents were found dead on sight."

Lena lifted an unsteady hand to her forehead as she closed her eyes, trying her best to sift through the information he was giving her.

With a shaky breath, Lena asked, "Is Addison Raymond with you?"

Lena heard the man flipping through some papers as muffled voices talked in the background.

"Lena?"

"Addison, thank god." Lena breathed sinking into her seat at the sound of a familiar voice, "Is she with you? Do you have her?"

"I have a unit on her, but right now she's under the hospital's care. As John said her adoptive parents are dead and according to our records you're the only one who can legally step in."

"Where is she?"

As the question lingered between the two, Lena felt a slow sense of dread surround her. If Addison was that hesitant to tell her, it could only me one thing.

"Just tell me?" Lena pleaded, already preparing for the blow of her answer.

"Luthor Children's Hospital."

Lena almost laughed, almost.

"You're joking." Lena scoffed, the last she heard Sydney was in Florida."Addison! What the hell is she doing so close to me? To my mother?!"

"I can assure you she was safe, they were taking a family vacation and were just passing through; they made sure to inform me before."

"You swore you would protect her from my family, that was the deal." Lena argued, her posture stiff as she rose from her seat.

"And it will remain that way. But we need to make some decisions. Meet me in the park. Three o'clock. I'll lay everything out and we can decide from there."

"I'm not happy about this." Lena said, needing to state the obvious.

"I know. I'll see you at three."

Addison finished saying before she ended the call. Lena stood frozen a moment longer before slamming her phone back into its place.

She couldn't hold back the anger that had built up inside her, everything she had done, everything that she sacrificed was for the little girl she gave life to four years ago. Lena vowed to protect her from the Luthor name, the legacy that only brought darkest and evil. That corrupted lives. She wanted it to be better for her.

And now it was all falling apart.

History was repeating itself, and Lena had no way of stopping it.

5 Years Ago

Lena anxiously ran her hands through her hair as she waited for the timer on her phone to count down to zero. In all her life, three minutes had never felt so long.

She was currently sitting on the edge of her tub, foot bouncing as she swirled a long piece of hair around her finger. Lena's clouded eyes stared into thin air, too worried about the seconds ticking by to do anything other than get lost in beat her pounding heart. She was dressed in a large t-shirt, and a pair of shorts. Her black hair wild and long, reaching down to her mid-back. The perfect distraction as she awaited the results.

When the timer alerted her that time was out, Lena shot to her feet and walked over to the counter.

The results were clear.

Pregnant.

Picking up the test with shaky fingers, Lena raised an eyebrow as she read it again and again until she couldn't deny it anymore.

Lena felt the room tilt underneath her as she leant against the back wall. Her legs giving out as she slowly slid down to the floor, her entire body trembled as fear and anxiety took over her senses.

She was going to have a kid.

And that alone scared the shit out of her.

A strangled sound escaped Lena as she wrapped her arms around her legs, her head laying on her knees.

She had put the test off for a couple weeks praying that she was being paranoid. That the nausea and the faintness was just her not eating enough between classes and the library.

But the signs were all there.

And now she had to tell Jack.

God, she had to tell her mother.

"Lena?"

Lena's head shot towards the door when she heard Jack's voice sound through the apartment. She scrambled to her feet as she hastily wiped away her tears.

In a few quick words she told him she be right out.

He was early.

Or maybe she was late.

It didn't matter.

She quickly grabbed both the test and package before sticking them in the cabinet under the sink.

She spared a glance in the mirror, not even bothering to try to wash away the dried tear stains, Jack would see right through it.

She never could lie to him.

When she opened the door to the bathroom, she was greeted by the sight of her boyfriend pulling groceries out of bags and putting them in their proper places around the small kitchen.

"Hey," He greeted, placing a pack of soda in the fridge.

"Hey." Lena whispered back, a sad smile ghosting her lips, as her eyes watched him cautiously.

"So I think," He paused, placing the last of the food in the fridge, "You'll be good on food for like a week or so with the stuff I bought."

"Thanks, Jack." Lena said, walking up to him, "You didn't have to do that."

"I did." Jack smiled, wrapping his arms around Lena's waist before placing a quick kiss on her lips. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Lena murmured widening her eyes, as her arms circled his neck, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Lena."

"I, um… god." Lena breathed, her head landing on his chest.

"Hey," Jack whispered, "What's going on?"

Lena took a deep breath, before looking up to meet his eyes.

She should just say it.

Rip off the band-aid.

Okay.

Three.

Two.

"I'm pregnant."

"You're…" Jack mumbled, before letting out a long breath.

"Yeah." Lena replied with a nod, stepping out of the embrace and walking over to the couch.

"But we've only… And we… Are you sure?" Jack stuttered finally getting out a question.

"I haven't gone to the doctor yet but home pregnancy tests are pretty accurate these days."

"So you're pregnant." Jack asked again, his brain clearly not processing the information.

"I can grab the test if you'd like." Lena said, pointing in the direction of the bathroom.

"No." Jack said, sitting down beside Lena, "No, sorry, I'm just…"

Lena nodded in understanding but didn't say anything.

They sat in silence for a moment, both stuck in their own thoughts. Lena kept stealing glances at Jack, holding on to the small ounce of hope that he wouldn't run. That she wouldn't have to go through all of this by herself.

When she couldn't take it anymore Lena cleared her throat, "I don't expect anything from you, Jack. It's a big commitment and our lives are only just starting - "

"I love you." Jack stated quickly when he managed to catch her wondering eyes.

"Jack - " Lena paused, her heart racing, "You don't have to - "

Jack shook his head, "I love you... Lena. And I'm not going to leave you, I'm here, okay."

Lena did her best to push back the tears blurring her vision but it was useless. As she leaned into his touch, he brushed away a tear with the pad of his thumb. When he leaned down, she tilted her chin up meeting his lips, the kiss only lasted long enough for their lips graze one another's.

"I love you, too." Lena whispered between them, shifting so her head was laying on his shoulder.

"We'll figure this out, I promise." Jack whispered into her ear as he wrapped his arms around her.

His words rang in Lena's ears as he held her close. She felt like she was in a dream, that she could wake up at any second but she knew in her heart she wouldn't.

This was real.

So the only question left for her to answer was if she was ready to embrace it.

Lena unlocked the door to her and Kara's apartment, instantly falling into her normal routine as she walked through the entrance. She first hung her purse and jacket on the hooks to the right of the door, followed by her heels being kicked off in that general direction (she would pick them up later).

She had gotten a text from Kara earlier telling her she was on the way but had to make a quick stop at the DEO. And honestly, Lena was thankful for the extra time to sort through her thoughts.

As she made her way further into the apartment, she felt herself relax in the well-known setting. When Kara and Lena decided to move in together they debated finding a new apartment or just relocating to one of their own. After several conversations, they finally settled on Kara's. It had held the most memories, and the warmth that pulsated throughout it made them both feel at home.

Lena settled on a bottle of wine, and poured herself and Kara a glass. She left them on the island before walking over to the bedroom to grab the files she had on Sydney. Her daughter had always been her most precious secret but with the pending arrangements it was time for it to come out in the open.

She had to tell Kara.

No more secrets.

Kneeling down by her side of the bed, Lena pulled a small safe out from underneath. A code and a fingerprint later, it was opened revealing the information she needed.

Lena inhaled a deep breath as she pulled the files from their hiding spot. It had been a long time since she had gone through it's contents: photos, legal documents, birth certificate… death certificate.

In the eyes of the government and her family, Sydney J. Luthor died on September 6, 2014. The girl who lived on was raised by her adoptive parents; a young couple that capture Lena's heart when she was looking for options - a fail safe. And they were safe, and loving, and everything she wished she had growing up.

It shattered Lena when the time came to give her up.

But she would do it all over again if she had to.

Lena wasn't stupid; she knew that her child had a chance of getting hurt even if she was far away from her family. But it came as a relief, not having to constantly worry about what would happen if Lillian or Lex got their hands on her.

At least, with different parents the child had a chance of a normal life.

By this point, Lex had gone off the rails, constantly stepping into Lena's life only to bring havoc and danger. He was lost, a maniac on a rampage taking anyone he could down with him.

She had just had Sydney at that point, and she did her best to protect her, shelter her. But it didn't take long for Lillian and Lex to learn about her existence.

And that's when she struck a deal.

There was, of course, a legal contract forged between Addison Raymond and herself. From anyone else's eyes it looked like Lena didn't give a damn about the child. That she was cold and heartless - the very definition of a Luthor. On paper, it was obvious that she wanted the kid as far away from her as possible and she did but for completely different reasons.

Pulling herself up, Lena held the documents close as she made her way back to the kitchen. She took a seat at one of the stools, and placed the file on the smooth wood surface in front over.

Her attention was diverted from the file when she heard a key turn in the lock. Her heart picked up a fraction of a beat at the coming conversation with Kara. But she did her best to settle it. She had learned early on that Kara used her heartbeat as a way to tap into her emotions. It terrified her at first, being that bare and open with no way to hide her true feelings. But Kara had a way of making her feel safe, even while being exposed.

Kara went through a similar cycle of events as she passed through the door, removing her coat and shoes before walking in Lena's direction.

"Hey." Kara murmured, her hand running down Lena's back as she leaned in for a kiss.

Lena hummed at the brief feeling of Kara's lips on hers, her eyes following Kara.

"Good day?" Kara asked, as she walked over to the fridge completely oblivious to Lena's anxiety. The hero stared at the contents of the fridge for a moment before deciding on a bowl of grapes so she could snack a little before dinner.

Kara turned back when she didn't get a response. Her attention centering on Lena, seeing how she was playing with her nails, and the unsteadiness of her fingers as the peeled at the frail nails beneath.

"Lena?" Kara whispered, covering Lena's hands with her own. When she gained the CEO's attention she tilted her head in silent question causing the Lena to draw in a shaky breath.

Lena cursed under her breath, her eyes falling to avoid Kara's. She had held herself together for most of the day but the emotional toll was finally reaching her limit.

She felt herself loosing a down hill battle, even as she desperately fought against her tears. She felt them burn the back of her eyes before spilling down her cheeks. Lena pulled her hands out from under Kara's, rubbing under tired eyes to wipe away the tears.

"Okay." Kara said softly, her voice remaining firm, "What's wrong?"

Kara had already made her way around the island and gently turned Lena so she was facing her. When Lena reluctantly met Kara's eyes, she could see deep blue eyes filled with concern.

"It's me." Kara whispered, her fingers guiding a stray hair back behind Lena's ear, Lena involuntarily closing her eyes at the action, "You can tell me anything, remember?"

Lena gave a reluctant nod, before tilting her chin up just enough to brush her lips across Kara's. The blonde stepped between Lena's legs, knowing that Lena needed something solid to ground her, remind her that she was safe and not alone. Lena let her hands wonder, one going to the bottom of Kara's shirt, just above the blonde's waist. The other going to cup the back of Kara's neck pulling her in closer. She felt Kara gasp as she stood, pulling their bodies impossibly closer, her arm wrapping around Kara's waist. Lena could feel the racing speed of Kara's heart against her chest.

When they finally pulled themselves out of the kiss, Kara and Lena were left gasping for air. Kara placed her forehead against Lena's, as her hands ran down her arms.

"Ready?" Kara asked, knowing the answer from the look in Lena's eyes.

Lena took a step back from Kara, directing her with her eyes to sit on the other side of the island. Kara complied watching as Lena's hand trembled as she played with the corner of the file that contained Sydney's information.

"Do you remember Jack Spheer?" Lena asked hoarsely, knowing full well that Kara did, but not knowing any other way to start retelling her past. "I was eighteen when we started dating. We were fresh out of high school, we had a good run too, even managed to survive our first year of college together. And then…" Lena paused, taking a moment gather her thoughts, "I found out that I was pregnant."

"Oh, Lena." Kara whispered, her eyes going impossibly softer even as she felt a pang of fear clench at her heart. She could only guess the direction the story was about to take, but she knew all of them, somehow, ended with Lena not having her child today.

Lena ducked her head a moment, trying to recover from Kara's gaze, "I went through with the pregnancy. I just couldn't bring myself end it and in the beginning we had planned to do it together. But then life got in the way and the pressure of school and parent's expectations became a reality. I saw him pulling away, so I gave him another out and he took it. The sad part was that I wasn't even surprised," Lena said, a hint of humor slipping into her voice, "It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Because I knew we were holding him back. He truly was a genius, Kara, absolutely brilliant."

"But then everything became really real, you know? Like, I was having a child with no support, no education, and I certainly couldn't go to my mother. So I started researching options, I was already close to eight months by then but I wanted to know what was out there."

Lena sprayed her fingers over the file, before pushing it in Kara's directions. Her girlfriend waited for Lena's confirmation, and reluctantly opened it.

Lena couldn't hold back a watery laugh, when she heard Kara gasp at the first photo of her and Sydney.

The date, August 16, 2014, was printed in bold on the bottom, it was taken a couple hours after Sydney was born. They were both sleeping, the new born laying on Lena's chest while Lena had a hand laying protectively over her.

"She's beautiful, Lena." Kara cooed, as she gazed at the photo.

Lena nodded, tears rushing to her eyes. She gently took the photo from Kara's hands, a fond smile forming as she ran her finger over the infant. "I think a nurse took this photo. It's one of my favorites."

Lena stole a glance at Kara when she heard a hitch in the hero's breath, looking to her hands she saw Sydney's fabricated death certificate.

She watched an array on emotion flash across Kara's face before she looked up to Lena. Lena opened her mouth to explain but -

"I'm sorry." Kara murmured, holding the certificate as if it was made of kryptonite, "I didn't know, I shouldn't have - "

"No, Kar - it's fake." Lena said, as subtly and quickly as she could. Her hand going to lower Kara's wrist. "It's not real."

"But - " Kara protested, eyes wide as she looked from the document to Lena.

"I had to do it for her protection. I'll explain everything, I promise but she's okay." Lena said, her focus shifting to calm Kara down.

"Lena," Kara whispered after a moment, her hands going to adjust her glasses, "Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Something happened." Lena said her voice wavered as she started to explain, "Her parents were in a car accident. I was contacted by the company that I hired to protect her and they told me that they didn't make it out alive."

"That's why you cancelled lunch." Kara said, the strange course of events slowing clicking into place.

"I met with my contact, Addison, and she went through our options." Lena continued, "It's either I take her in or she goes into the system."

Kara stared at the photos for a second longer before meeting Lena's gaze, "What are you going to do?"

"This involves you too, Kara."

"No, it doesn't." Kara stated plainly, she saw a flash of pain flicker through Lena's eyes but pushed through knowing Lena needed to hear this, "This is your second chance, Lena. I'll be here, for you and her, no matter what you decide, I can guarantee that. I don't know why you gave her up, and I hope someday you'll tell me, but this is not a decision that involves me. "

Lena felt the lingering tightness in her throat constrict at Kara's words. She trusted Kara, God, did she trust her but she had to ask.

"Promise?"

"I promise." Kara said in all seriousness before something sparked in her eyes and a small smile appeared on her lips. Kara leaned over the table, her hand traveling to the back of Lena's neck, as her thumb grazed over the CEO's jaw. "That I'll always be your friend. And I will always protect you."

"Thank you." Lena breathed doing her best to hold eye contact as a small laugh escaped her, "Now kiss me, you goof."

Kara muffled her own laugh between closed lips as she closed the distance between them, when they pulled back Lena saw Kara's eyes fade back to seriousness as she let her thumb travel once again over Lena's jaw.

"I love you." Kara whispered between them, "And unfortunately that means you will be stuck with me for a very, very long time. I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

"I know." Lena smiled. "And you're sure you're okay with this? It's a big commitment, Kara. And raising a child is not going to be - "

"Hey." Kara interrupted, her eyes bold and determined, wanting Lena to hear every word she was saying, "I want to do this. I'm not going to run and I'm not going to bail. It's you, me, and the kid. Got it?"

Lena narrowed her eyes briefly, before a small smile graced her lips, "Got it."