Winn honestly fears for his life. Lena's eyes could give Supergirl's lasers a run for their money. He knows Lena and Kara are friends, but I can't just tell her- then Lena takes another step towards him and dear god, I'm going to die, this is it, here lies Winn Schott, felled by Lena Luthor's righteous fury-
"Ms. Luthor."
J'onn strides into the room with authority. Lena turns her attention to him and Winn lets out the breath he didn't know he was holding. "J'onn! She's- um-"
"I know why she's here, Agent Schott." Lena meets J'onn halfway, and the two stare each other down.
"J'onn J'onzz. The last Green Martian." Winn and James look to each other, stunned at Lena's knowledge.
"How do you-? How does she-?" Winn stammers in the background. Lena responds, but keeps her blazing eyes on the alien in front of her.
"You exposed yourself once to save Supergirl from Red Kryptonite. I make it a priority to learn as much as I can about any potentially… hostile… aliens on earth, I have one of the most powerful companies on the planet, and I know one of the most impressive computer hackers. Present company included." Winn would object if the whole situation weren't so insanely stressful.
"I assume that means you are already familiar with the powers of Green Martians?"
"Somewhat. Your powers are much like Supergirl's. You can fly. You have super strength. You can-" Lena's eyes widen. She's so distracted by the realization her mouth temporarily stops working. The pieces slot into place. "Shapeshift," she breathes.
No one says anything as Lena processes. She whirls back to James, to Winn, trying to find signs of guilt. They would have known about J'onn, about fake Kara, about wherever real Kara was and they weren't telling her-!
"Where is Kara?" she asks the room again, desperate for someone to prove her wrong.
"I have other powers, Ms. Luthor. Do you know them?"
She rounds on J'onn, pushes a finger into his muscled chest, just above his crossed arms. Even as he towers over her, Lena glares up without fear. She assumes he's threatening her and she doesn't care. "You will tell me where my friend is." Her voice is steel. "Now."
"We're telepathic. I can read thoughts, feelings… even memories."
"I'm not leaving here without answers," Lena snarls.
"I don't think you understand." J'onn uncrosses his arms. "I can see into your mind. I can erase your memories."
Lena quakes, just slightly. Her face falls, but she doesn't move away from him. Her voice is shaky but determined. "So what? You'll make me forget about tonight? Make me forget I know Kara? Make me forget myself?"
"J'onn, no," Winn sounds horrified. "I know she's kind of terrible, but like…" James comes up behind Lena, as though he could do anything to stop the Martian Manhunter.
I know how much you care for Kara. Lena jumps at J'onn's voice in her head. She puts a hand to her temples. James and Winn look confused, but J'onn doesn't want them to hear. This isn't any of their business. Even without trying, I can feel it. Right now, you're afraid for her safety. You want to help her.
Lena nods.
I tell you I can read minds not to threaten you now, but later. You are not the only person who cares for Kara Danvers. If this goes badly… if you turn against us-
"I would never do anything to hurt Kara. Or Supergirl." she promises. "Just tell me-" without warning, her fierceness gives way to desperation- "tell me that she's okay. Tell me," she can't stop her voice from shaking. "That my best friend is okay."
No one answers, all but confirming Lena's suspicions. She turns to face J'onn once more, this time biting back a wave of grief that he can't ignore no matter how much he tries not to scan her mind.
"Tell me…" Lena draws a shaky breath, and forces the words out. "...she's not Supergirl."
J'onn, Winn, and James all hang their heads, eyes trained on the ground. Nothing. The silence is suffocating. Lena covers her mouth to stop the audible gasp, a sob trying to escape from her normally unshakeable demeanor. All she can see is the mystery Kryptonian pummelling-Kara. She should have done more-she should have figured out a way for Supergirl to fight safely… a weapon… a defense… a way to see this coming. Lena's mind is spiraling. J'onn feels it and breaks the silence.
"Supergirl is not dead."
Lena stares, his words a flicker of light in the darkness.
"She is recovering in another location, that even you cannot talk your way into," J'onn holds up a hand as Lena starts to argue with him. "No, Ms. Luthor."
"Kara Danvers is your friend. Supergirl is your friend. I want to trust you." He closes his eyes a moment, thinking. They wait tensely, and J'onn declares, "You may remain here with Agent Schott and Mr. Olsen. Supergirl's identity is hers to give to you as she chooses. I won't erase anything you've figured out on your own, but I also won't tell you anything else."
Lena wants to argue. Her hand curls into tight fists. She wants to scream and cry and turn the whole building upside down with the full force of L-Corp. Slowly, she unclenches her hand, and forces herself to say in an even voice, "And… you'll tell us if you learn anything about - Supergirl?"
"If anything happens, Agent Schott will be the first to know." J'onn looks to the boys. "She's your responsibility now, Agent Schott, Mr. Olsen." They stand at attention.
"Y-yes sir," Winn stammers. J'onn nods, looks at his watch. "As you were."
He returns down the hallway he came out of. Winn and James both let out deep breaths.
"Ohhhh man I thought he was gonna kill us," Winn moans, pushing his hands through his hair. "James, what were you thinking?"
"You try to stop her!" James gestures to Lena, who is still giving off enough I-will-kill-anyone-who-comes-between-me-and-helping-my-best-friend vibes to probably set something on fire.
She's not mad at James exactly. Lena can understand the awkward position she's put him in. But she's sure not in the mood to make out with him, either.
"Lena… are you okay?" James halves the distance between them, but still leaves her space.
"That," her voice is light but her face is stern. "Is the most ridiculous question you could ask me right now, James."
"I'm sorry," he offers. "I didn't mean to lie. Or to hurt you."
"I know. I don't-" her voice is going to break. "I don't want to talk about it now, okay?"
"Okay," James agrees. Winn comes over, pushing his oversized computer chair. He turns it to face Lena, and inclines his head at the seat.
"If you wanna sit, not to brag but it's uh," he gestures at it with a proud smirk. His attempt to lighten the mood is obvious, lame… and Lena is surprisingly grateful for it. "Kind of the best chair in the building."
Lena accepts the offer, letting out a shaky breath as she leans into the soft cushions. Winn wheels her back to his desk, and starts explaining how he designed the chair himself, the polymer he synthesized for the cushions, the aerodynamic structure-did you know he once crossed the lobby in three seconds in this chair? He continues talking, the ridiculousness taking the slightest edge on the despair threatening to swallow them all.
