AU where Kara is already an up-and-coming investigative reporter dating L-Corp CEO Lena Luthor and Alex has gone semi-undercover at L-Corp in order to protect Kara and Lena until Cadmus is taken down. Sanvers primarily with background established Supercorp.

So, first time in this fandom and first time writing in a while. I'll do my best to update regularly, assuming life doesn't kick me in the ass again. Comments welcome.

As always, all the thanks to my best friend and eternal beta, Sithwitch13 who gets to listen to my continuous rambles and questions and panics about my writing. Also, you have her to thanks for science-y stuff making any sort of sense.

Rating is for the whole fic (subject to change but I don't anticipate it doing so).

Maggie Sawyer, former NCPD Detective, paused outside the L-Corp building and studied the imposing structure for a moment. When Lena Luthor had first said offhandedly "If you're ever looking for a job, I have one for you" after Maggie had saved her from a rampaging alien killer she'd merely smiled politely and assured the CEO that she was good as a detective. Now, here she was, a few months later and about to start her first day as head of L-Corp's security. It hadn't been an easy decision but seeing so many aliens, some of whom were her friends, murdered before she could stop the latest serial killer out to eliminate the alien presence in National City, she decided that maybe it wouldn't be so bad doing private security for a company that had recently publicly come out as pro-alien.

Maybe it would even allow her to have a relationship without getting accused of being work-obsessed or sociopathic. She snorted to herself at that. She'd made the decision right before her most recent semi-long-term girlfriend had dumped her. Planning to tell the other woman over dinner. Hoping it would let them move forward in the relationship. They hadn't even made it through the appetizer before Maggie was single again and her news went unshared.

Shaking off the grim thoughts, Maggie continued forward into the building's foyer. She'd made the decision and damned if she wasn't going to follow through, even if she'd been dumped before it had a chance to matter. She waved casually to the security guard at the entrance security desk and headed for the bank of elevators, swiping the key card she'd received just the day before at the security gate and again when entering the elevator enabling her to select the penthouse floor. First order of business was a meeting with Ms. Luthor. Maggie had been a little hesitant about the youngest Luthor but so far the CEO had done nothing to show she was like her brother and everything to show she wasn't and Maggie certainly wasn't going to judge her based on her name alone.

Stepping out of the elevator, Maggie flashed a smile at Luthor's receptionist when the woman looked up. Jess, if she recalled the woman's name correctly. "Ms. Sawyer right?"

"Yes. Ms. Luthor wanted to meet with me this morning?"

"Of course, let me see if she's ready." Jess gave her a practiced smile before hitting an intercom button and stating quietly, "Ms. Luthor, Ms. Sawyer is here."

"Send her in, Jess. Thank you."

Maggie flashed another grin and headed for the door before Jess could speak. She knocked briefly on the door as a warning before pushing it open and stepping inside. Out of habit she glanced around the room, looking for threats and, in this case, appreciating the simple stylish interior. Her scan halted abruptly when it landed on the pretty blonde haired woman in glasses perched on the couch. Maggie cocked her head and gave Luthor an inquisitive smile.

Luthor smiled at Maggie as she rose from behind her desk. "Ms. Sawyer, it's good to see you again. Welcome to L-Corp, officially."

"Call me Maggie, Ms. Luthor." Maggie glanced between Luthor and the mystery woman, curious and more than a little intrigued. The blonde smiled brightly at her and bounded to her feet.

"Hi. Kara Danvers." She held out her hand, still smiling and Maggie shook it automatically, a little bemused.

"Maggie Sawyer."

Luthor chuckled. "Yes, now that you've met Kara."

The blonde looked slightly abashed and Maggie couldn't help but think she looked adorable if not really Maggie's type. "Sorry, Lena."

Luthor laughed again, waving off the apology and Maggie's intrigue increased. Every time she'd met Luthor, or seen her at an event, the CEO had been polite but very reserved. She didn't think she'd ever heard Luthor laugh or knew anyone who had. "As Jess and the rest of security already knows, Kara is allowed full access to the building at all times."

Maggie arched an eyebrow. "I see. May I ask why, Ms. Luthor?" She flashed a brief smile at Kara. "No offense, Ms. Danvers."

"Oh, it's just Kara," Kara laughed and flashed another brilliant smile.

"Sure." Maggie couldn't help but smile back before looking back at Luthor, cocking her head curiously.

Luthor simply smiled in response. "Of course. Kara is my girlfriend. I trust her with everything. And please, call me Lena when we're alone."

Maggie blinked in surprise. She hadn't even know Lena was dating anyone, much less another woman.

Lena seemed to sense the surprise because she continued, "We've been keeping it quiet. Kara is a reporter with CatCo Magazine and we'd rather wait as long as possible before the story breaks."

"Of course, makes perfect sense." Maggie nodded. She still wasn't sure about this woman having full rein of the building but she didn't have much choice either. She vaguely recognized the name and resolved to do some checking later and learn some more about this Kara Danvers, reporter for CatCo Magazine.

Kara glanced at the clock. "I have to get to CatCo, Lena. Snapper wants a press meeting at nine."

Lena smiled at her girlfriend. "I'll see you later, Kara. Thanks for stopping by."

Kara grinned. "Anytime." Swiftly she pecked Lena on the lips before practically bounding to the door. She paused briefly at the door and turned to point at the desk. "Don't forget to eat your breakfast."

Lena laughed and shooed the other woman out of the office. "Yes, dear. Now go before Snapper yells at you again."

With a quick "Bye Maggie, great to meet you!" the blonde had vanished out the door, leaving Maggie slightly dazed at the enthusiasm. Blinking she turned back to Lena who looked amused.

"She's… a happy person."

Maggie chuckled. "Yeah, I'll say." She paused then added, "She seems nice."

Lena nodded, turning back to her desk and picking up the pastry and coffee sitting there. "She is. I understand if you don't trust her yet, Ms.—Maggie, but I assure you she can be trusted."

Maggie nodded slightly but shrugged. "I understand. But it's my job not to trust people. Easier to provide security if you just assume everyone's out to get you."

Lena smiled slightly. "I understand." She took a bite of her pastry and was silent for a few moments before setting both it and the coffee down. "I thought I might show you around the building. I understand you didn't get to see much yesterday given the paperwork."

Maggie laughed. "No, the stack of NDAs didn't leave much time for exploring."

Lena nodded and simply stated, "We take our security seriously. We have too much valuable technology and science here not to."

Maggie nodded seriously, her smile fleeing. "Of course. Believe me, I do understand that. I'll do everything in my power to ensure its even better."

Lena smiled. "Thank you. Shall we?"

Maggie nodded and followed the CEO out the door. Maggie listened attentively as Lena pointed out various parts of L-Corp, doing her best to memorize what floor and where on the floor every department was on. Most of the departments required security access to enter, Maggie noted approvingly. It wasn't a guarantee that unauthorized access would be prevented but it was sure better than simply allowing employees to roam. Several floors, such as Lena's office level, also required security access in order to even take the elevator there.

Maggie was starting to wonder how many different laboratories this building had when the pair stepped off the elevator and entered a lab that was nearly completely dark except for a desk lamp in one corner. The lab appeared to be the only one on the floor, the rest of the space walled off and only accessible through a security door. Maggie frowned, hand edging toward the pistol she had concealed in her waistband. Something didn't feel quite right about this lab.

Lena was unfazed, simply allowing the door to shut behind them before raising her voice only slightly to call, "Alex?"

A figure Maggie hadn't noticed raised its head from where it had apparently been peering into some sort of device but Maggie thought looked vaguely microscope-like. It was hard to tell for sure in the near darkness. Her hand curled around the pistol grip but she didn't draw, curiosity slowly winning over concern, especially since Lena seemed unconcerned.

"Lena?" a distinctly feminine voice asked.

Lena chuckled. Maggie raised an eyebrow. A second person who made Lena Luthor laugh and called her by name. Interesting.

"Yes. Can I turn on the lights?"

There was a pause and Maggie could just make out the person—woman—cock her head to the side as if considering the question. "Just a second." There was a flurry of movement at the other end of the lab and after a few moments Maggie heard something open and shut. "Ok, feel free."

Lena reached out and tapped a touchpad on the wall, turning the lights on low. Even that level of sudden light made Maggie blink suddenly. Then she blinked again in surprise. She didn't really know what she'd been expecting of the scientist hiding in the dark lab but a beautiful, slender woman around her own age with chin-length, wavy, auburn hair and intelligent brown eyes was definitely not it. Maggie glanced down the other woman's figure quickly, noting approvingly the sensible shoes, albeit nicer than anything Maggie usually wore. A white lab coat with the name "Danvers" embroidered on the left breast draped neatly over simple slacks and blouse. There was something about the way the woman stood that set off quiet alarm bells in Maggie's head but she couldn't figure out why. Everything else about the woman screamed "science nerd."

Releasing her grip on the pistol, Maggie smiled at the scientist, waiting for introductions. Alex wandered over, looking curiously between Maggie and Lena. When she reached a comfortable speaking distance, she spoke again and Maggie caught something in her voice, almost as if the woman was concerned about Maggie's presence. "What's up, Ms. Luthor?"

Lena simply smiled. "Alex, this is Maggie Sawyer, the new head of security and former NCPD Detective." Maggie raised an eyebrow slightly when the scientist's gaze sharpened noticeably. "Maggie, this is Dr. Alex Danvers, one of our best bioengineers."

It was Maggie's turn to look sharply at Lena. "Danvers? As in—?"

Danvers smiled coolly, holding out a hand. "As in Kara Danvers' sister, yes. Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Sawyer."

Maggie shook her hand automatically, noting the firm grip. "Likewise, Dr. Danvers." She glanced around the still only dimly lit laboratory. "If you don't mind me asking, why were you working in the dark?"

Danvers smiled briefly and Maggie felt vaguely like she'd been kicked in the gut. The woman was gorgeous when she smiled. "I'm looking at a PCR gel. All you need is a black light but I like the lights off, since I want to be sure I get strong bands when I take the picture."

Maggie nodded slightly. "Right. Of course." She heard Lena laugh softly beside her and Danvers' smile edged toward a full grin, eyes dancing with amusement.

"You asked."

Maggie smiled wryly. "I did."

Danvers looked from Maggie to Lena, the grin fading rapidly back into a politely curious smile. "Was there anything else, Ms. Luthor?"

Lena actually rolled her eyes. "No, Dr. Danvers. Just wanted to introduce you."

Danvers nodded, smile becoming real once more for just a moment. "Thanks, Lena."

Maggie arched an eyebrow before remembering this doctor was the sister of Lena's girlfriend, of course they'd be on a first name basis.

Lena nodded with a smile. "Want me to shut the lights back off?"

Danvers waved her off, already turning for the touchpad. "Nah, I got it. Bye Lena. Sawyer." With those words she'd tapped the pad plunging the lab back into mostly darkness and was navigating deftly back toward her PCR gels.

Maggie blinked at the sudden dismissal as much as at the sudden darkness. "Sure. See you around, Danvers." She thought Danvers gave a vague wave in response but it was hard to tell in the darkness.

Lena laughed softly next to her before leading the way out of the lab. Maggie glanced over curiously, wondering if Lena would say anything further about Dr. Danvers.

"You'll get used to Alex. She's pretty much the opposite of Kara in nearly every way."

Maggie nodded thoughtfully. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the scientist but for the life of her couldn't figure out what it could be. She followed Lena on the rest of the tour, continuing to learn the layout of L-Corp but part of her mind continued to dwell on the beautiful Dr. Alex Danvers studying science in the dark.