Thank you for your lovely reactions to the first chapter! I couldn't resist diving straight into writing the second, so here it is!
To the guest who asked whether I could write about Kara losing her powers and not getting them back, I've added it as an option on my SuperShots poll.
"Good morning, Jess."
She's so polite to her assistant. Cat could learn a thing or two from her, Kara thinks, a little jealous.
"Good morning, Ms Luthor. There's a Miss Danvers here to see you."
There's no hesitation from Lena. "Thank you. Please send her in. Will you make a note downstairs that Kara Danvers is to be shown in right away whenever possible?"
"Yes, Ms Luthor."
Kara looks up from her seat outside Lena's office as Jess reappears through the large door.
"Ms Luthor is ready for you."
Kara flashes Jess a grateful smile, which she finds is returned to her.
Kara passes Jess and walks into Lena's office. She had been looking forward to seeing Lena again, especially after her display of immense generosity two days prior for which she felt the need to thank her.
Again.
Despite this, there's a strange feeling that radiates from Kara's stomach and seems to filter through her whole body. She doesn't know how to describe it and can't pinpoint exactly why it's there.
"Kara!"
Lena rises from her swivelly chair, a huge smile erupting across her face as she looks at Kara. She holds out her arms to give Kara a hug, which the Kryptonian awkwardly accepts because that wasn't what she was expecting at all.
Kara inhales Lena's strong perfume as she hugs her.
It smells sweet.
A little floral.
Expensive.
"Your arm! How is that possible?" Lena asks when she realises that she can feel two arms wrapped around her, two warm hands resting gently on her back.
Kara has been dreading that question. She doesn't want to lie to Lena.
But she has to.
She doesn't know why it seems to bother her more than it did before she told Winn and James or before Maggie figured it out.
But it does.
"She has eyes, Kara. Of course she'll notice," Alex had said when Kara told her that she wanted to go and thank Lena again in person.
She can't just tell a complete stranger that she's Supergirl, especially when that stranger is Lex Luthor's little sister.
Although she seems to be nothing like the rest of her family.
Imagining Lillian Luthor saving her life almost makes Kara laugh out loud because it's so absurd.
But Kara can tell that Lena is different.
"Oh, well when Alex got me back to my apartment she took a look at it and it wasn't broken. My shoulder was dislocated so she just popped it right back. It's as good as new."
As good as new? Kara sighs internally. Who even says that anymore?
Kara watches Lena's face as she frowns a little at her cover story. Alex had been the one to come up with it because Kara is usually rubbish at stuff like that and would probably tie herself in knots trying to keep up the front and then fall spectacularly flat on her face anyway.
"Oh. Well, I'm glad you're okay," Lena says, her frown becoming a smile again as she eats up Kara's excuse, albeit a little sceptically.
"Thanks to you," Kara says, and she watches as Lena's gaze moves from her eyes to the ground, her cheeks lightly reddening. "You saved me the other day, Lena. Not many people would have been brave enough to do that."
Lena shakes her head. "It was nothing, really. I couldn't just watch that car hit you. I actually feel pretty bad for dislocating your arm."
"What? It was pretty courageous, or maybe a little crazy. You threw yourself in front of a speeding car for me. You're my hero."
Kara winces again, has no idea why she's saying all these cringy things. It's like her brain shorts and her mouth has no filter when she's around Lena.
She figures that this must be how Winn feels most of the time, especially when Superman's in town.
"Speaking of heroes, Supergirl made her appearance the other day," Lena says quickly, seizing the opportunity to change the subject from her.
She's become so accustomed to shouldering criticism, justified or – usually – otherwise, that when praise comes her way it still feels unwarranted.
She's always struggled with it because the only people she's ever truly wanted it, craved it from have been the ones never to offer it to her.
Now, whenever someone commends her for a scientific breakthrough or sealing an important business deal, she struggles to know how to deal with it.
She feels like all the good she tries to do by investing money into the city, into her children's hospital, into her research, is undone twice as quickly by the people who are supposed to be her family.
And because they're either locked up or hiding from the law, all the blame and the anger and the judgement that always ensues is constantly laid firmly at her door, or at least that's how it feels.
Praise has never been a winning feeling for Lena.
But as she swiftly guides their conversation towards Supergirl, she finds that her heart swells at Kara's kind words.
"I guess you were right," Kara agrees, adjusting her glasses now that their topic of conversation has been inadvertently shifted to her, even if Lena doesn't realise it. "I'm sure she had a good reason for not helping out sooner."
Lena nods thoughtfully. "Did you see the picture of her stopping the armed thieves in a convenience store?
Lena sits back in her chair behind her desk and gestures for Kara to take a seat opposite her.
"It was so powerful, so moving and poignant. She didn't threaten him; she talked him down, made him see that we always have a choice. That picture embodies everything she stands for; hope and kindness and safety and so much more. This city, the whole world is so lucky to have her."
Lena suddenly realises that she's staring into space, lost in her own little world. She blinks and returns her attention to Kara, who is staring at her with a little smile on her face.
"I suppose that must sound strange coming from a Luthor?" Lena says, unsure of what to make of Kara's expression.
Kara shakes her head vigorously. "No, it's not that. My friend James actually took that picture."
"Well he's very talented."
A brief silence hangs in the air between them, though it doesn't feel awkward.
Both have found the other easy to talk to, so the pause feels natural.
"Y'know, Alex was pretty impressed with your sling. Where did you learn how to do them?" Kara asks, adjusting her glasses, genuinely interested to hear her answer.
Lena lets out a little laugh. "I've helped out at the Children's Hospital a few times," she replies, hesitating before she continues. "And Lex was always breaking something when we were little. He'd fall out of trees or get into fights with boys twice his size. Of course, I was always to blame because he was only climbing the tree in the first place because he was getting the reddest apple for me or he only got into the fight because I was getting bullied at school and he wanted to stand up for me…" Lena shakes her head. "I'm sorry, I have no idea why I'm telling you this. You don't care!"
Lena's sudden admission makes Kara's heart sink. The injustice makes her angry, albeit a little angrier than she would have expected.
Maybe she does care.
"Alex always had broken bones when we were teenagers, although it usually was my fault. She always got the blame, though, because Eliza thought she should have known better and because I was still getting used to my life here. I always thought it was unfair."
Kara sees Lena frown.
"Your life here?"
Crap.
"Uh, yeah. I'm adopted. My parents… They, uh, died in an explosion when I was twelve. The Danvers' generously took me in." Kara casts her eyes down to the floor. She still finds it hard to talk about, but she finds again that she doesn't want to lie to Lena.
So she hasn't.
"I'm so sorry, Kara," Lena says sadly. "I didn't mean to pry."
Kara waves away Lena's apologies. "It's fine, really. The Danvers have given me my life back, and so much more besides. I guess neither of us has had it easy, huh?"
Lena purses her lips and slowly nods her agreement to show Kara that she couldn't be more right.
Despite the wealth and lavish lifestyle she's inherited, Lena would give anything to have her father back.
She misses him every day and everything she does is in his name, to protect it, to make it mean something good again after all the destruction that Lex and Lillian have caused.
Lionel and Lex were the only people who ever believed in Lena and now they're both gone.
Because everyone leaves.
As silence manifests itself between them once more, Kara suddenly realises the purpose of her visit. She fumbles around in her handbag and produces a wrapped box.
"I actually came here to give these to you, as a thank you for everything you did for me the other day," she says a little shyly as she passes them to Lena over her desk.
Lena's emerald eyes sparkle as she smiles at the pleasant surprise. She begins to unwrap the present when Kara looks at her expectantly.
"I hope you like peanut butter," Kara says hopefully as Lena looks at the box of mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in her hands.
"That's really thoughtful of you Kara, and completely unnecessary."
A moment of realisation washes over Kara and she feels her heart sink. "Oh my Rao, you're not allergic to peanuts, are you?"
Lena chuckles at Kara's unusual choice of curse words and at that caring side that seems to be such a prominent part of her endearing personality. "No, I'm not," she says. "And these are my favourite, as it happens."
Kara's sullen face suddenly visibly relaxes and she lets out a little breath that she didn't even realise she was holding. She stands from her comfortable chair which makes Lena do the same.
Lena makes her way around her desk to give Kara another hug, one that noticeably lasts a little longer than their previous embrace.
"I'm sure you're really busy, I'll get out of your hair," Kara declares as they break apart, slipping the strap of her handbag onto her left shoulder so as not to arouse more suspicion.
"Wasn't that the excuse you used to get rid of me last time?" Lena jokes, remembering what Kara had said to her in the hospital.
Kara bites her lip, cursing herself for making it sound that way. "It wasn't that I wanted to get rid of you. But now that I actually know who you are, I know for a fact that you're busy. I mean, have you seen the size of your office? It's bigger than Cat Grant's! That's the sign of a very busy woman." Kara gestures around her to add to her point.
Lena laughs at Kara's bumbling, finding it cute. "Well, you'd be right in thinking that. You know what they say, the bigger the office…"
Kara stares at Lena blankly, her crinkle forming at her brow. "I've never heard that before."
Lena bites her lip to stop herself from giggling. "I'm kidding, Kara."
If Kara could blush right now, she definitely would. "Right."
Rao, what is wrong with me today? She thinks.
"I hope this isn't the last time we talk," Lena states honestly as she makes her way back to her chair.
Kara watches the back of her as she walks. Her long, dark, straight hair sways behind her back, sitting neatly over her black blazer. "I hope not either," she replies with a flattered smile.
Kara beings to walk towards the door, can feel Lena's eyes trained on her.
Or at least she imagines she can.
"Um, if you have a parking ticket, I can have it validated for you," Lena says as Kara reaches for the door handle.
"Oh, no, no, no, that's fine," she replies forcefully, turning to face Lena again. "I flew here."
Double crap.
"On… On a bus."
Why does this keep happening? How can I go for years keeping my lips sealed to almost outing myself twice in one day?
"Okay, well thanks for stopping by, Kara. Don't be a stranger."
Kara nods and smiles as she steps through the doorway.
But something makes her hesitate.
She has no idea why, but she finds herself turning around and peeking her head around the door.
"Lena?"
Lena's head snaps up from the sheets on her desk. "Yes, Kara?" She says with a smile, putting down the pen in her hand.
"My sister and I have this thing, a, uh, movie night with lots of food and the best hot chocolate in the universe. We're getting together at my place tonight and, well, I'd love it if you would come."
"Oh, Kara, I couldn't possibly impose on your evening."
"Please?" Kara says compellingly. "I insist."
Lena raises her eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "You do, do you?" She teases, but really she's flattered because no one has ever invited her for a girl's night in before. "As you've given me no choice, I suppose I can't say no, even if I wanted to."
Kara feels excitement build in her chest. "Great! See you at seven-thirty."
"Kara!" Lena shouts as the blonde makes her way out of the door again. She smiles internally as Kara's face appears from behind it. "I don't know where you live."
"Oh," Kara mutters, shaking her head and pulling a reporter's journal and pen from her bag.
She scribbles her address and phone number on a fresh sheet of paper as she walks over to Lena before placing it in her outstretched hand.
"Seven-thirty on the dot," Lena says, beaming at Kara before glancing down at her perfect handwriting. "I'll bring the chocolate."
/
"I still can't believe you invited Lena Luthor to movie night," Alex mutters, putting pizza and potstickers on plates for herself and Maggie. "How does that even come up in conversation?"
Kara throws her hands out dramatically. "I honestly have no idea. It just kinda slipped out."
Maggie moves from her sitting position and kneels on the couch so that she can see Alex and Kara in the kitchen. "I think Little Danvers has a crush on Little Luthor," she teases with a wry smile and a cheeky wink.
"I do not!" Kara fires back, foolishly taking Maggie's bait. "She saved me the other day. I just wanted to say thanks. And don't call her that to her face!"
"Didn't you take her a box of chocolates today?" Alex asks, joining in with Maggie's ribbing.
"Yeah? So?"
"You definitely like her," Maggie says simply, twisting back on the couch as Alex flops next to her.
"She's here!" Kara declares upon hearing footsteps heading up the stairs, ignoring Alex and Maggie and adjusting her glasses as she makes her way towards the door.
/
Lena smoothes her blouse as she heads down the hallway towards Kara's apartment.
God, she hopes she's not overdressed.
She checks her watch.
7:25
At least she's not late.
She takes a deep breath before raising her fist towards the door and rapping on it gently with her knuckles.
To her surprise, it flies open barely two seconds after she knocks.
"Lena!" Kara exclaims, a beaming smile erupting across her face. She grabs Lena's hand and practically drags her into her apartment, throwing the door shut behind her.
"I brought these," Lena mutters, holding out a box of chocolates to Kara. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you like."
Kara studies the box purple box. "Lena, these are fifty dollars a box!"
Lena frowns.
"Cat has them sometimes. She let me have one once. It was like eating a little piece of heaven," Kara adds to make the frown go away. "Thank you."
Lena relaxes a little.
"You remember, Alex," Kara says as her sister and Maggie make their way over from the couch. "And this is her wife, Maggie."
"Alex," Lena says with a smile before offering her hand to the detective. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"We've heard a lot about you," Maggie says. "And I don't mean the news."
Alex nudges Maggie's ribs with her elbow.
Lena between them, a little shocked.
Kara adjusts her glasses and stares at her feet.
"Aaanyway," Alex mutters in an effort to make Lena feel more at ease. "We were thinking of watching Notting Hill. You up for it?"
Kara and Lena nod in unison, causing Alex and Maggie to glance at each other and raise their eyebrows in bewilderment.
"Okay, we'll set it up, you guys get your food," Maggie commands, grabbing Alex's arm and dragging her towards the TV.
Kara self-consciously pushes her glasses up her nose. "Just ignore them," she says quietly before raising her voice so that Alex and Maggie can hear. "They're idiots!"
Kara hears them chuckle as she opens a pizza box and grabs five slices. She shakes her head as she offers Lena a plate.
As she takes a few slices, she spies a FBI ID card and an NCPD badge lying on the counter.
"I thought your sister was a doctor? You didn't tell me that she's a fed and married to a cop!" Lena whispers.
Kara follows Lena's line of sight and sees the badges. "C'mon, you guys! Seriously?"
Alex and Maggie have to fight the giggles that threaten to consume them.
'We're only teasing," Alex says lightly, and Lena can see that they don't mean any harm.
"I'm sorry," Kara says sincerely, scooping them up and putting them in a drawer, desperately hoping that Lena isn't upset.
"It's okay, really," Lena replies. "I'd be wary of me if I were them too."
"They're not wary, honestly," Kara reassures Lena. "They're just teasing us."
Lena raises her eyebrow but doesn't question Kara about what she means by that.
They make their way to the couch, Alex on Kara's left and Lena on her right.
Kara flashes Lena a huge smile as Julia Roberts' face fills her TV screen.
Lena can't help but return it because right now she feels like she's cared about, like she's gaining a friend in Kara.
Someone who could be a good friend.
She finds herself watching Kara more than the film and in her reactions she feels like she's seeing the world through her eyes.
Sitting there on Kara's grey couch eating pizza and potstickers and expensive chocolates, all the stress of her demanding job and busy day ebbing away, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
It's the happiest she's been for a long time.