Part III

There is love to be made, so just stay here for a while.

Perhaps heartstrings resuscitate, the fading sounds of your life.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

"Mmmph…"

Lena breathed in and out deeply, so tired from the past few weeks of work, she was too groggy and disoriented to function. The alarm kept blaring, and she reached her hand out under the hazy bright lights of the room to feel around for the source of the racket.

Her hand finally reached its destination, clumsily smacking at the electronic device, the silence calming.

"Lenaaaa. Wakey wakey."

Lena rolled her eyes, Sam's voice lighter and happier than usual. She curled up into a ball, ignoring the voice. Lena ignored the bright lights, and felt herself dozing off again, until footsteps echoed into the room, making Lena grumble.

"Lena Luthor," Lena heard Sam say…. or was it Kara?

Sam couldn't be walking around the room….

"Kara?" Lena grumbled out, pulling back the sheet as the individual froze in their stride for a moment, soon walking forward again and sitting down next to Lena.

The sheets were pulled back slowly, and Lena blinked several times, and looked up into… Sam's worried eyes.

"Sam?… Sam!" Lena said with more excitement, shooting up in the… bed?

"Lena? What is it? What's going on?"

Lena's gaze was blurry, rubbing her eyes, her heart racing, as she kept whipping her head back and forth, taking in her secret L Corp space…. only it wasn't her secret space at all.

She pushed herself back, finding herself in a giant bed, silk sheets tumbling down her chest and legs as she moved, her back colliding into a giant headboard. Why was she in a negligee?

"Lena, Lena honey, your heart is racing," Sam said worriedly, and Lena looked into her concerned gaze, the woman scooting closer.

"H-How did you get out? Where… where are we?" Lena stuttered out.

She felt dizzy, the bright sun shimmering into the giant bedroom and illuminating the space. Lena tried to blink away the haze, her head pounding lightly.

"Lena, I need you to breathe," Sam whispered, moving right up next to Lena, going to grip her wrists.

Lena jerked, but Sam held on as loosely as possible so to not hurt the woman.

"Let go. What did you do? Where are we?" Lena demanded, her eyes wild looking as Sam stared into them.

"Lena, honey, where do you think we are?"

"I don't know! Where did you take me?" she grunted out, trying to pull away, but the Kryptonian woman's strength kept her in place, Lena's heart racing.

"Lena… think, come on, where is this?"

Lena shook her head, completely confused, blinking away tears, Sam moving closer.

"Lena… what year is it?"

Lena whipped her head up again, staring at Sam in angry confusion.

"2018. The year's just turned."

Sam pursed her lips, and the response made Lena's brow furrow deeply.

"Honey… I need you to take a deep breath."

"Why do you keep calling me honey?"

"Lena-"

"What is going on!"

"It's 2021, Lena. The year is 2021."

Lena felt her blood run cold. She froze, staring into Sam's eyes, the woman looking on with concern… and maybe love?

"20… 2021, no, no…. that's not possible. I was just… I was in the lab-"

"Lena, you had an accident, honey? In 2018, the beginning of the year, you had a head injury, darling. You sometimes forget, but you're safe, okay? You'll get back with it shortly."

"N-no… no, that can't be… you… you were-"

"Trapped at L Corp, I know. I remember. But can you remember what came afterword?"

Lena shook her head, tears coming to her eyes, Sam loosening her hold slightly.

"I don't… Sam, I don't understand… you're Reign," Lena said, and Sam pursed her lips again, nodding slowly.

"Lena… you're not wrong. Before your accident, we weren't exactly seeing things eye to eye, but we worked everything out. You're safe here, now, with me," Sam explained, Lena furiously shaking her head.

"Lena… take a deep breath, please. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

Lena continued staring on, the haze in her gaze, the headache, everything confusing and blurry yet simultaneously so clear. She could feel Sam's thumbs rubbing over her wrists so gently, trying to soothe her. She focused on Sam's gaze. Was her friend still there?

The room was quiet as Lena kept staring into her eyes, her mind trying to process what was going on, her senses frazzled. Sam leaned in closely, bringing their foreheads together, still looking into Lena's eyes.

"Baby, come back to me," she whispered, which only made Lena more confused.

She went to speak but the pair was interrupted as the bedroom door flew open.

"Moms! I'm gonna be late for school!"

Lena whipped around, looking over to see… Ruby? But an older version of the girl, taller and more filled out. Ruby stared at them both in a bored manner until she took in Lena's expression and saw her mother holding her the way she was.

"What's going on? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing Rubes. Lena's just having an off day," Sam quickly replied, Ruby looking between the two of them, her concern growing.

Lena only grew more confused. Why was Ruby here? Why the hell was Sam? 2021? Nothing was making sense. She pulled away from Sam's grip, this time the Kryptonian relenting. She ran her fingers through her hair.

"Ow!"

Lena froze, her left hand caught up in her tangled tresses. Sam quickly went to help her, detangling her digits, holding Lena's hand as the Luthor rubbed her scalp and quickly looked down to check out what snagged in her hair… only to find a sizable diamond ring and diamond wedding band on her own ring finger.

As she stared, she watched Sam's hand slowly graze over her own, diamonds flashing back at her on Sam's digits as well. Lena's jaw dropped, and she looked back up into Sam's serious gaze.

"Do you believe me now that I won't hurt you?" Sam whispered, Lena shaking her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She pulled away from Sam, curling into a ball as she rested her throbbing head on her knees, placing her hands on top of her head as she tried to make sense of everything. Sam nodded to Ruby, mouthing for her to call the driver for school, Ruby worriedly nodding back, concerned for Lena but closing the door as she went to leave for the day.

Sam walked to their shared closet and pulled out her own Wharton School of Business sweatshirt and a pair of old sweats, walking back over to Lena and handing them over, trying to comfort the woman.

"Here, these are probably more comfortable," Sam whispered, Lena looking up with watery eyes, still so confused, her head and eyes not all there yet.

Sam kneeled next to the bed as Lena threw the sweatshirt on, pulling the smaller woman's slippers out for her. Lena watched as Sam worked, still confused, but oddly comforted by the small gestures. Was this all a dream?

"I'll um… I'll let you settle for a minute. I'll be just outside in the living room? I can pull up some old articles, historical timelines, pictures so… so you have some help."

As Sam began to stand, Lena caught her wrist. They made eye contact, and whatever had happened, was happening, Lena could see in her friend… wife's… eyes, that she cared deeply for her.

"Is this… is this a regular occurrence?" Lena asked, Sam smiling softly as she stood fully, patting Lena's hand gently.

"No. When the accident first happened, you forgot a handful of times in a year, but since… it's been very few and far between. It's been over 8 months, and they continue to happen less and less," Sam replied reassuringly.

Lena blinked a few times, before nodding slowly, Sam letting her be and closing the door behind her, Lena missing the woman's frown of deep concern. Lena rubbed her temples once again, trying to help her brain. Everything was still hazy, the lights felt too bright, and the headache was starting to make her feel a bit nauseated. How in the hell did she lose the last three years of her life?

Lena still felt incredibly groggy as she made her way out into the living room. It looked like her old condo, from years ago, only minor changes had been made. Lena felt so off, almost like a hangover or being deliriously sick, as she walked around, following the waft of roasting coffee beans in the air.

Sam was on her tablet typing away as she stood by the counter, looking up briefly to see Lena looking worse for wear as she walked over towards the large kitchen island. Lena remembered her way around easily enough, taking a seat at the bar, putting her head in her hands again. She rubbed her temples slowly, hearing Sam walk around. She brought over a mug of coffee, and Lena realized she likely didn't need to tell her how she usually took it.

She looked up as Sam brushed against her, the taller woman setting a tablet in front of her as well. In the blink of an eye, Sam zoomed to the couch and back, grabbing a blanket and draping it over Lena's shoulders.

"I pulled up a few articles and things… there are pictures in this folder," Sam began, starting with a folder of their… wedding.

Lena was shocked at how happy the two of them looked together. There were articles about their small and luxurious wedding, a private affair of some of the world's most elite. Lena was confused as she saw people like General Lane in attendance, but it seemed the happy couple were quite famous and garnered quite a liking in the press.

"I also pulled up a few web browsers with timelines full of major historical events these past few years…" Sam said drifting off.

Lena looked down, and immediately the headline made her gasp, eyes widening.

"The Loss of a Hero"

Lena took the tablet from Sam and skimmed the article as quickly and efficiently as possible, reading up on the death of Superman from years ago in a fight with… her brother.

Lena got lost in the text, skipping from article to article, reading up on Catco's exposure of the DEO, it's captivity without trial methods, alien experimentation. It seemed CatCo and L Corp's efforts to create alien amnesty and prevent government conspiracies was a big win with the masses, until…

"The Loss of Supergirl"

"I-I-"

Lena dropped the tablet, but Sam grabbed it quickly before it clattered onto the marble counter.

"She's not dead. Well, not really. The world thinks she is," Reign said, and Lena looked up into Sam's eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Sam took deep breath in through her nose, exhaling the same way, studying Lena. In the past, Lena's issues with her head generally resulted in her staying in bed most of the day cuddled up to Sam. A few times, she would question what was going on, but this was the first occasion where the Luthor was truly frazzled, questioning everything, not trusting Sam in the slightest. Oftentimes, the memory loss was slight, and after a restful morning or day, Lena was back and cheerful as ever….

But today? Today was not the same. Her Lena wasn't having brief confusion, but full-blown amnesia.

"I'll take you to see her later, if you want. The cell you mentioned, where you last remember seeing me? That's where she is."

"She's being held at L Corp?"

"You asked for her to be put there. She's been there for years now."

Lena's face dropped, shaking her head.

"No, no… that can't be right. This cannot be right."

"Lena, I need you to breathe"

"None of this makes sense! How did Lex kill Superman? How did he get out?"

"Your brother… it was me and your brother, but the public isn't aware of Reign's connection to the incident. You helped me get Lex out."

Lena froze, standing up immediately, shaking her head furiously.

"None of this is right. I don't…. you? And me? Kara, god, Kal-El… and Lex, I don't-"

"I escaped L Corp, and when I did, I was close to killing Kara. You begged me not to, swore you would go with me if I spared her… and I nearly did, but… Kara made a last attempt and it resulted in you hurting your head, and I took off with you immediately to make sure you didn't bleed to death internally from a brain hemorrhage," Sam began explaining, holding her hands up to try and ease Lena.

"When we left, I brought you to my sanctuary, and after a few months together as you healed… you finally saw things my way, and Lex's. Your brother… we helped him escape, but he of course didn't want to befriend aliens, not in the long run, so I ended up having to kill him after he killed Kal-El. People saw me as a savior for stopping him and avenging Superman's death… whereas Kara just wanted to jail him again and the masses grew outraged…"

"So when I fought with Kara one last time and she 'died,' people weren't quick to come down hard and fast on Reign-"

"Why? Why on Earth would I help you and my damn brother?" Lena interrupted.

"Because deep down you know this planet needs help, and desperately so. If humans were going to fix their own problems, they would have already. But this entire ecosystem as a whole is on the brink of collapse, Lena. You know this. I know this. And everything that has changed has made the entire world better."

"Superman and Supergirl offered free will! Offered hope! And now what? What, you're some dictator? And people just think their deaths were worth the cost!" Lena yelled, Sam's jaw clenching.

"No one knows Sam Arias, the CFO of L Corp, is Reign, Lena. Our guards are related to you and the Luthor dynasty for protection as they always have been. Even though L Corp and Catco and your image are better than ever, there are rebels out there and some are still bitter over Lex's actions, despite Reign's public support of you and your company."

"The DEO knows who you are-"

"Knew, who I was," Sam replied, pushing off the counter and striding towards Lena.

"Once Superman and Supergirl were gone, the human race felt comfortable voicing their opinions. Reign's presence? Crime rates, death tolls, you name it, everything has dropped. We have open enrollment for citizenship to this planet. Nations that were once at odds have joined forces, focusing on an interstellar agenda. This is the future, Lena, and all the Supers did was let people walk around in their ignorance. Humanity is finally evolving, and it's thanks to my presence and everything you've done to help me. We have made this world better, together."

"People live in fear, don't they?" Lena asked, crossing her arms, tears in her eyes, as she took in everything Sam was saying.

"Because you've given them no choice?"

"People have choices, and they choose to do what's right rather than make a wrong choice that leads them to their death," Sam replied, her temper rising, Lena shaking her head and laughing at her.

"And let me guess, you get to choose what's right?"

"I'm not the bad guy here!" Sam shouted, stepping closer to Lena, her eyes flashing red briefly in the loss of her temper.

Lena's lips pursed, crossing her arms and glaring, her eyes still not there yet.

"I understand this is a lot for you to take in, but three years have passed from what you can last recall, and whether you want to believe it or not, we are married and you do love me. Kara is in a prison with whatever remains of the DEO, not to mention your alien hating mother. And Reign and her allies have outposts all over this planet reinforcing the already established laws and assisting in a global army to maintain peace from outside galactic forces.

"I didn't need to become a world leader, just a world enforcer, outside the law just like your dear Supers, only I have actually created results!" Sam ended with a yell, hitting the marble counter, a crack splintering through the whole thing, making Lena jump.

The pair stood in silence, Sam breathing heavily and flustered as Lena just stared at the counter, unable to cope with everything. Eventually, she cleared her throat, wiping away the few tears that had reached her eyes.

"I clearly don't feel well. I'm going back to bed," Lena said curtly, turning on her foot and rushing back to her bedroom and shutting the door behind her.

Sam watched through the door as Lena fell to the floor in a sob, her head aching, her heart bursting, and dizziness not fading as she felt as if time flew by…

Lena wasn't sure how long she sat there crying. Sam went to check on her at some point, but Lena was adamant she wanted her to go to work so she could be left alone. Time seemed meaningless, and Lena's mind was a hazy blur as she went through the motions.

She showered, put on a face, she was confused and feeling sick but driven as always. Something wasn't right here… something was just not right.

She dressed to the nines in a little black dress and heels, annoyed it felt a little snug around her waist. She gathered a purse, looking for objects like cell phones, laptops, sunglasses, everything she needed to seem normal, and she was happy to find the Rolex Lex gave her still amongst her possessions; her brother had a knack for giving her unique gifts.

As she made her way back through her penthouse suite, she saw the coffee Sam made for her still sitting there, and decided to take a few swigs, gathering courage. Nothing about this was right, and as off as she felt, there was only one person she trusted to give her answers and help her make sense of all of this.

Lena told security she was taking her own car, her jet black corvette still in her possession to her relief, though she noted a scratch missing from it, wondering if the door had been replaced. She went to her car quickly, throwing the engine on and peeling out of the garage, hoping Sam was distracted to some capacity.

As Lena drove, she tried to think of ways to keep Sam from stopping her to see Kara. She felt too off, barely able to focus enough to drive, and didn't want to risk Sam seeing her still so loopy; she'd know Lena was up to something. She waited until she made it to L Corp, noticing a security detail waving her down, and finding herself surprised when he offered to valet her car, something Lena never required of her staff previously.

She walked into the building, many people saying hello, and she shot Sam a text saying she would be up in a moment to see her and apologized for her outburst this morning. When the woman took more than a minute to respond, she knew Sam was likely in a meeting, and it gave Lena the go ahead to move quickly.

The security guards at one of the first doors was surprised to see her, but upon giving her cold Luthor glare, they quickly stepped aside for Lena to enter, and from that point on she knew her time was scarce. Sam would have to act human for all the cameras and other people watching the building, but it only gave Lena a 5-10 minute advantage to get to her destination and get answers.

Winding down corridors, entering doors she still remembered how to access some years later, she went down staircases and finally made her way to the necessary elevator, where a bigger guard stood waiting.

"Mrs. Luthor, you are not on the list for visitation today," he announced from down the hall, Lena continuing her walk.

"I believe my ownership of this property gives me visitation rights whenever I so please," she replied, the guard then moving towards her, pulling a gun out to Lena's surprise.

"Per your orders ma'am, we have the highest level of security clearance for this sector, and your visits are scheduled 48 hours in advance, which you would know… if you were the real Mrs. Luthor," he said, locking and loading his gun, which Lena noted was of the tranquilizer variety.

Well… at least she wouldn't die.

Lena paused, looking at the man and taking him in.

"Fine. I'll call my wife and have this taken care of."

"Ma'am, do not reach into your purse, or I will be forced to take action."

"For Christ's sake, I'm having an impulsive day! Call my wife yourself if you bloody want!" Lena said, tossing the purse to the ground, pacing up to the man who stood up straighter now, not intimidated by an unarmed Luthor.

"Mrs. Luthor, I'm well aware you're trained in several forms martial arts, please keep back," he said, making Lena sigh as she kept walking, the man confused, until Lena reached her arm out, pressing something on her 'upgraded' Rolex which sent two minuscule electric pulsors right into his neck, effectively knocking him out.

"Why use your fists when you can use your mind," she muttered, going to the elevator and using his ID and scans to help enter the elevator.

As soon as the doors closed, Lena released a breath, feeling sweaty and ill, breathing heavily. Unless the cell was relocated, she knew she wouldn't have to play a guessing game of which room Kara was in. As soon as she stepped off the elevator, she was surprised to find another guard at a newly placed desk, a small laptop present as he stayed seated. He looked at Lena in confusion, the woman taking no chances as she ran and decked him, knocking the man down. Lena quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, choking him out until he went to sleep, the brunette letting him slide to the floor, stealing his seat for a moment as she caught her breath, her forehead collecting sweat.

She rubbed her temples, focusing her eyes where she saw names on the computer. At a quick glance, she saw the list of 'willing residents' staying in the L Corp facility. Lena's face dropped, looking at the pictures, clicking on different video feeds. Alex and J'onn were among the names, along with her mother, and Lena felt a pit in her stomach, curious to know where her other friends were stashed… if they were even still alive.

She swallowed, shaking her head and standing up quickly, not helping her dizzy mind, but she went to the door she needed, entering the familiar hallway and steering right ahead, throwing the door open and looking into the room which in the very back, in a big reddened cell, held Kara.

Lena practically ran, stumbling in her heels a few times, her dizziness only getting worse with all of the activity, and it wasn't until she squeaked out after nearly falling did Kara pull her head up from her knees, confused to see Lena approaching.

Lena for her part was in tears, running right up to the cell, placing her hands on it's clear glass walls. Kara eyed her warily, but found it confusing.

"Kara, my god," Lena said, her lip trembling, the woman quickly looking around for the access pad to let the woman out.

"Lena… what are you doing here?" Kara asked, standing slowly, the red sunlight keeping her formidable strength quelled for the moment.

"I-I don't understand. I went to sleep, and she was in here, and now I'm up and-and you are, and I don't-" Lena rambled, Kara eyeing her as she reached the wall, Lena finally finding the access pad.

She sighed in relief, looking up to Kara and smiling.

"I'm getting you out of here," she said, going to the pad and punching in the necessary code.

She was happy when it worked, it requesting her hand scan after. Lena placed her palm flat, breathing heavy all the while, Kara crouching down to look at her.

"Lena, you don't… look like you," Kara observed, Lena making direct eye contact with her.

Lena couldn't see much clearly, but she saw those blue eyes. How could she not? They were unforgettable. She subconsciously put her hand up and touched the glass, touching where Kara's hand braced her body, the blonde watching the gesture, even more perplexed.

"I don't know what's happened these last few years, but I'm getting you out of here," Lena said, and Kara was trying to piece together what exactly was going on.

"Lena-"

"No, I'll explain later, I just-"

"ACCESS DENIED."

Lena immediately frowned, looking at the pad, finding her hand signature not working. She typed the code in again, but once more was met with rejection, tears coming to her eyes as she turned to look at Kara, the Kryptonian having never witnessed the woman look so frantic in her life.

"Lena, you… you don't have access… you know this…" Kara said, watching the brunette, who was clearly the woman she had once fallen madly for, yet at the same time… something was off.

"I-I… I don't understand," Lena whispered, looking back up to Kara, the blonde worn but still loving at heart, sitting on the floor of her cell and going as close to the wall as she could.

"Lena, what's going on? What's happened?" Kara asked, looking into those big green eyes, only seeing confusion, bewilderment, and maybe fear?

"I… I fell asleep in 2018… and I… I woke up here…" Lena whispered slowly, as if finally processing the information fully for herself, Kara taking in every word, brow furrowing deeply.

"You… You don't remember the last three years?" Kara stated more than asked, Lena nodding slowly, looking away as more tears flowed, unable to comprehend everything, her head throbbing even worse than before.

Lena shook her head slowly again, finally turning back to look at the woman she fell asleep having just declared her love to.

"I… How did I get us here?" Lena whispered, her lips trembling, Kara shaking her head at Lena.

"Lena? Lena, it's okay," she tried reassuringly, both hands pressed against the glass now, which only made Lena take in her body.

Kara was thinner, and had scars all up and down her arms. She was in standard gray prison garb, and Lena shuddered to think about what other scars were hidden beneath the dreary fabric. She let out a sob, both hands on the glass now, pressing her forehead against it, and all Kara could do in response was reciprocate the gesture, the pair so close yet so far.

They were too lost in being there with one another, the feeling of calm and peace that came with just being near each other. Lena let out more sobs; her day the most confusing and draining one possible, and all Kara could do was sit there and hope her presence was enough. They were too engrossed in one another to hear the elevator doors open once again, and this time Reign didn't need to go at human speed to whip into the room, stopping halfway in to see the women there together.

Kara noticed first, small tears streaming down her own face too, as she pulled back from this brief moment of serenity, the movement making Lena look up to see Kara's worried face looking behind her. Lena turned to see Sam there, a face of clear fury in place as she witnessed the scene.

"Sam, she's not herself-" Kara began, the tall brunette not even looking at her, only looking at Lena as she strode towards her.

"What are you going to do? Lock me up too?" Lena said, exhausted and tear stained, Sam walking right up to her.

She stared into Lena's eyes, and all she knew was this wasn't her Lena, not the woman who believed in her and loved her. She studied her, and knew something was off but she had no idea what exactly.

"Do not make me force you to leave here, Lena," was all she said, Kara staying silent, not wanting to put Lena in danger by antagonizing the woman.

Lena shook her head, face crumbling as she stared at Sam.

"What happened? We were all a family once," she said, turning back to look at Kara.

"How did we get so lost trying to achieve the same goals? To make this world better," Lena whispered, crying, reaching to cover her eyes with one hand, Sam and Kara exchanging the briefest of concerned glances with one another.

Sam's fury died down as she watched the woman she loved fall apart, Kara too. Sam tried to touch Lena, but she batted her away, Sam taking in a breath.

"Lena, I need to get you checked out. You're off, honey, and I'm worried," Sam started, Lena laughing at her.

"Why? Because I want to see Kara? Because I'm not obeying you? Because I'm trying to figure out how I created this mess!" she yelled, Sam looking back at her tiredly.

"Because you're pregnant Lena. It's not just you. It's our child I'm worried about too."

Lena was still laughing when the words came out, and she choked on them. She chuckled a few more times, mostly in disbelief, until she realized from Sam's expression the woman was not kidding in the slightest. Lena turned back to Kara, who was also stunned by Sam's declaration, and Lena blinked a few times, feeling completely dizzy now, the lights getting brighter.

The last thing she saw was Sam rushing towards her as she felt herself fall…

How many days will it take to land?

How many ways to reach abandon?

Oh, abandon…