Alex finally gets released from the DEO but is she truly well? Lena goes out of her way to protect her love. But how long will Colonel Haley allow Lena to run interference? And is Kara the only one at fault for keeping her identity a secret?
A melodious hum drifting from the kitchen, slowly roused Alex from her impromptu nap on the couch. She resisted the urge to wake, snuggling deeper into the familiar cushions, her favorite blanket tucked around her; the familiar warmth of Kara's NCU hoodie, threadbare flannel pants, and ridiculous fuzzy socks all added to her comfort. Such a curious thing how someone always rested better in their own home. As soon as she had been able, the stubborn redhead had demanded to be released from the Medbay. She could wait for test results at her apartment, rest in her ridiculously over-sized but comfy bed until they figured out what, if anything, was wrong with her. They had already discovered the Harun-El Lena used was effective; the fact that Alex was still breathing, bones knit and internal organs no longer leaking, was a testament to that.
Lena, Hamilton, and Eliza's working theory was that it was simply taking longer for her body to metabolize the older batch of serum, a theory that Alex had little choice but to agree with since no one would allow her to consult on her condition. Their theory certainly explained why Alex's system had crashed originally and why she was still plagued with fatigue, though her wounds had healed. All of the Director's energy had turned inward, knitting bones and sealing shut lacerations, to the point that it had left little energy for anything else in those crucial early hours. Now, the more Alex healed, the less tired and sore she began to feel. If the doctor's theories were correct, Alex would be good as new, if not betterin a few more days' time.
The Director was in no hurry to get back under Haley's thumb. For the first time since she joined the DEO all those years before Alex was relishing her injury leave. She had many solid reasons to take a break from the DEO, but the main one, was currently clad in one of her old Stanford sweatshirts and well-worn leggings, humming an Irish hymn while making her a late lunch. When Alex had been given permission to leave the DEO, it was with the explicit direction that she not be left unattended, lest she develop super powers or die outright.
"That won't be a problem, Doctor." Lena had assured with a determined glint in her eye, taking the handles of the wheelchair Alex had been forced into and steering her towards the door. "Your place or mine, Darling?" was the only indication she gave that Alex had any say in the matter.
A quick glance at her sister and mother watching dutifully from the corner confirmed that her entire family was conspiring against her and she was currently at the young Luthor's mercy.
"Ummm...mine?" Alex finally answered, utterly out of options. An amused hum was all that answered the redhead as she was pushed towards a black Lincoln town car.
Two days had passed since Lena brought her home and the very first thing Alex had done when they reached her apartment was to show Lena how grateful she was. The couple's first two kisses had been in times of heightened distress, the Director prone and compliant. This time Alex wanted to be sure she was as active an participant as possible. Judging from the manner in which Lena swooned as they parted, she was quite successful indeed!
"Alex..." the younger woman had sighed and the Director could hold back no longer.
"I love you." She blurted out, holding Lena tight in case she was inclined to run. "I'm in love with you," she kept rambling, "and you don't have to say it back or anything I just..."
"Couldn't keep it in?" Lena supplied with a watery smile.
"Yeah."
"Me either." Lena told her with a wide smile. "Though I am glad you said it first!" She joked before leaning up to kiss the taller woman's nose.
The memory still made Alex smile days later and she would have remained in her reminiscent dream if a warm hand caressing her face hadn't made the redhead open her eyes with a sleepy smile.
"Hey you..."
Lena smiled softly in return as she placed a gentle kiss on Alex's lips. "Hello." She whispered with a giggle.
Alex took a moment to take in the angelic vision before her. She would never tire of waking to this version of Lena: ivory skin free of makeup and dark hair tossed casually over one shoulder. She leaned forward to capture those ruby lips in another kiss before she moved to get up.
"What time is it?" Alex asked as she stretched. Lena perched on the coffee table so she could sit up fully.
"Just after three. I didn't want to wake you, but you haven't eaten since breakfast..." Lena's eyes flicked downward, trying to hide her worry.
"What are we having?" Alex forced a smile, attempting to lighten the mood. Lena eyed her suspiciously but allowed it.
"I ordered a few things from Noonan's. I wasn't sure what you would be able to stomach."
Ever since leaving the DEO, Alex had found her appetite almost non-existent and the list of foods which made her nauseous steadily growing. She had assumed it was simply her body reacting to all the drugs in her system at the moment. Besides the Harun-El, a variety of medication had been given to her in an effort to stabilize her condition. However, her medical training made the former agent wonder if her lack of appetite wasn't a symptom of something larger. She suspected Lena was worried about the same thing.
As they rose to move into the kitchen, Alex wrapped her arms around the other woman's waist from behind, settling her chin on a porcelain shoulder. "Hey. I'm okay. Thanks to you." She reassured with a gentle kiss to Lena's shoulder where the sweatshirt had slid down and then her pale cheek.
"I know that." Lena replied in a slightly irritated voice before softening. "I know. I just can't help but worry. You may not remember what happened but I do."
Alex took a moment to let Lena's words sink in, not sure how to inform the other woman how wrong she truly was. She did remember. Alex remembered every bone breaking, her skin splitting, the coppery texture as her mouth filled with blood. Oh, she remembered. Something that horrific would be quite impossible to forget.
"I do..." she sighed against Lena's skin, hoping the other woman wouldn't ask her to elaborate. But, of course, Lena would not be Lenaif she didn't push the issue.
"You do, what?" She asked quietly, sure she already knew the answer. When Alex failed to respond, she gently shifted in her arms to face her. "Are you saying you remember the attack?"
"Yeah," Alex admitted, pressing her forehead against Lena's. "I really wish I didn't but...I do."
"I'm so sorry love." Lena whispered, rising to her tiptoes to gently kiss Alex's forehead.
"You don't need to apologize. I also remember you saving me, staying to help, even when you should have gotten out of there." Alex chastised with a playful glare.
"Luthor's don't run, darling." Lena informed her with a small smirk. "And I could never just leave you behind, even if you told me to."
Alex couldn't help but smile at Lena's stubborn streak and her honesty. The last part shot a barb of guilt through the agent as she herself was being less than straightforward. Not only had she remembered the attack but also everything that came before it. Including a certain sister's alien origins. She also recalled explicitly ordering Kara to keep said secret from her then best friend.
"That's not all I remember." Alex blurted out, taking a sharp step back. The grip Lena still had on the pocket of her hoodie tightened and the uncertainty in the young woman's expression tore her apart. "There's something else you should know...something about...Kara..."
"Alex..."
"I told her she couldn't tell you, but I didn't know you then. And I do now! And I cant... no I won't lie to you, not anymore..."
"Alex," Lena tried again, only to be rebuffed.
"No! You deserve to know the truth and I hope you don't hate me but—"
"Kara is Supergirl." Lena interrupted before Alex could spiral any further. The befuddled look Alex wore almost rivaled Kara's a few days earlier.
"You knew?" She gasped before pulling away fully, hands running haphazardly through her hair. "What am I saying? Of course, you knew! You'reliterallya genius..." Alex grumbled, clearly more upset with herself than Kara or Lena.
"Don't sell yourself short, darling." Lena informed her, dragging Alex by the hips back into her arms. "If memory serves me you have TWO doctorates under your belt. I stand by my earlier assessment. Management is a complete waste of your talents."
"How long?"
"Alex..."
" I just...please, Lena. How long have you known?"
"A while, dear. But I was happy to play along as long as Kara needed me to. The real question is, how do you know? Kara said—"
"That I had my mind wiped?" Alex finished guiltily. "I did. But, I guess, the Harun-El undid it? I remember everything. I'm so, so sorry Lena."
"For what? Protecting your family? That's hardly something to regret! I'm guilty of the same and more."
"I made Kara lie to you!"
"Oh please!" Lena scoffed, looking almost offended by the idea. "We both know that Kara is a grown woman and one who rarely does what you tell her to do. The choice was still hers. I don't blame you."
"But..."
"No buts. Kara and I will hash out our differences eventually and while it may take time to heal that relationship, I assure you ours is intact. You havenothingto apologize for. If you need to hear it, I forgive you but I don't blame you for any of it."
"Thank you." Alex whispered, all but collapsing against Lena, nose pressed against her collarbone.
The heightened emotion of the moment and her ever-present fatigue had made the woman lightheaded and she could feel the fever rising in her skin. As much as Alex wanted to stay molded to Lena, she felt a familiar and insistent nagging in her stomach. It roiled and suddenly the Director's only thought was getting to the bathroom in time!
Before she could even force her weak limbs into motion, Alex found herself in said bathroom with no recollection of how she'd gotten there. She glanced around the room in confusion, fixated on the dust that was settling all around her, the water from busted pipes drenching her. Turning towards the living room she was shocked to find Lena staring back, the younger woman framed by an apparent "Alex-shaped" hole in the bathroom wall!
"Alex!" Lena was spurned into action when the other woman's eyes rolled back and she collapsed towards the floor.
She was just able to reach Alex as the woman fell to her knees, dazed and weak. Lena quickly pulled Alex against her, trying to still the woman's trembling frame. To her surprise, Alex didn't reciprocate, instead keeping her arms stiffly at her sides while she continued to tremble.
"Lee...don't...I can't control it..." Alex whimpered, all but begging Lena to release her.
"Nonsense." Lena's voice was edged with pain. "You would never hurt me. I'm not leaving you, remember? You can't get rid of me that easily."
Alex could do nothing more than sob as she finally allowed herself to hug Lena back. The relief she felt was overwhelming, cooling the unfamiliar burn in her limbs as she fought to stay in control.
"Shhh, darling, I've got you." Lena cooed as she rocked Alex in her arms gently. "I've got you..."
"Open up, Ms. Luthor!"
Lena sighed as a familiar but unwelcome face appeared on her security monitor. Taking a moment to compose herself, she finally pressed the intercom with a manicured finger.
"Colonel Haley. To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, voice dripping in sarcasm.
"I don't have time for games, Ms. Luthor." Haley retorted, her irritation growing by the minute, as she remained locked outside the L-Corp building. "Where is Director Danvers?"
"As you know, Colonel, the Director is recuperating from life-threatening injuries. She is in no shape for visitors. However, I will give her your regards." Lena replied smugly, pleased the security cameras allowed Haley to see her face as well.
What she hadn't counted on was Haley's smug smile in return. "I've been to Danvers apartment, Ms. Luthor. How long did you think you could hide it from us?"
Lena's smile fell quickly, replaced with a grim expression. "She isn't stable, Colonel. And I won't have you throwing her into battle with my brother and his cronies just to prove a point."
"You forget, Ms. Luthor, Director Danvers is an active member of the US Armed Forces. She took an oath. Her cooperation is notup for debate."
"It is when the very substance keeping her alive was engineered in my lab." Lena countered. "Until I'm satisfied with the Director's progress, she needs to remain here for monitoring. I will, however, agree to a DEO liaison remaining on site to report back and share data."
Haley pursed her lips, considering her options. At the moment Lena's lab at the DEO was completely locked down, the Harun-El behind bulletproof glass, the only access granted to Lena or Alex. She was currently out of options and outgunned as long as Lex had the Harun-El and the government did not.
"Very well. Any agent in particular?"
"Agent Dox will do quite nicely, thank you." Lena replied as the doors to L-Corp slid open seamlessly. The group moved forward and Lena's voice quickly cut in. "Only Agent Dox."
When everyone retreated except Brainy, Lena closed the doors behind him before addressing Haley again.
"We'll be in touch Colonel." Lena moved to hang up but the Colonel stopped her, seeming to want the last word.
"I wouldn't have happened to see Supergirl landing on your balcony an hour ago, would I?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
"Supergirl comes and goes as she pleases, Colonel. Something you know quite well. If she had been here, I could neither keep her nor stop her from coming again."
"You're on thin ice, Ms. Luthor." Haley spat, momentarily losing control. She regained it quickly ordering, "I expect updates hourly."
"Naturally." Lena sniped as the Colonel and her men marched away. She knew it would only be a matter of time before the woman was back with either more soldiers or a government order.
But Alex's safety was her first priority. The rest she would deal with later. It certainly wouldn't be the first time she had been on the wrong side of the law...allegedly.
Lena quickly dismissed Brainy to a small lab where Eliza was currently working on a method for extracting the Harun-El without causing side effects to the user. Once she was satisfied with their progress, she made her way back to the larger lab hidden beneath L-Corp's foundation. Though it held terrible memories of Sam and Reign, it was still the safest place outside the DEO to house a Kryptonian...or two. She arrived just in time to catch the Danvers sister's mid spar. As soon as she'd found out about her sister's new abilities, Kara had been eager to help Alex master them as the elder had done for her so many years before.
Though Alex had gained super speed, strength and hearing, she lacked heat vision or flight capabilities (something Kara was particularly put out over). Alex, on the other hand, was glad to have not gained the full Kryptonian package well aware of how difficult each ability was to master. She, of course, was a quick learner, able to mimic Kara's techniques after only a few tries. Her DEO training was a huge help in learning to maintain control and deciding how much force was simply too much. Alex still fretted over hurting Lena but the stubborn Luthor was adamant that she feared no such mishaps. Kara, on the other hand, had squealed with delight when she learned she could squeeze Alex as hard as she wanted!
The two siblings carried on as they always had but Lena still found herself giving Kara a wide berth. She was not yet ready to hash out the long list of deception's the super had heaped upon her, nor was she willing to add more stress to Alex. She knew that were she and Kara to be openly fighting, Alex would be torn, convinced she needed to take sides. At a time when the former agent was both physically and emotionally unstable, a quarrel between the two people she valued most would be detrimental.
While Lena wasn't willing to argue with Kara, for Alex's sake, it did notmean she was ready to forgive. Her rage towards Kara was more on Alex's behalf than her own after all. The thought of Kara allowing her sister to sacrifice her mental and physical well-being, since she was barely more than a child herself, simply to protect the super's secret quickly sent Lena's blood boiling. In the beginning of her relationship with the Danvers, Lena had always felt slightly jealous of the bond the pair seemed to share. But now that she had all the information, she could see how toxic parts of their relationship truly were. The fact that Kara allowed Alex to risk her mind, that big, beautiful brain that Lena had grown to love, simply to keep her secret?!
No, the young Luthor was not quite ready to forgive that.
The discovery had also led Lena to question Eliza's parenting tactics. While Lillian had been manipulative in her withholding of affection, Eliza had used her affection as a dangling carrot, letting her elder daughter chase it with no hope of gaining the prize. Lillian was transparent in her disdain, while Eliza's was masked behind the illusion of maternal love. Alex's relationship with her mother was one more subject Lena would wait to address until the Director was in a more stable frame of mind. She moved deeper into the lab, observing the woman in question.
Alex moved around the training area with confidence, the lithe muscles under her tank rippling with restrained power. Lena was momentarily distracted by how spectacular the Director looked in that moment. Unfortunately for Alex, Lena was sufficiently distracting as well and the redhead only snapped back to the task at hand when Kara landed a hard right hook! Alex immediately dropped to one knee, terrified when she looked up to find her sister hovering over her. In that instant, she was thrown back to the Red Daughter's attack, to the pain and helplessness, to the sorrow she felt over being unable to protect Lena or herself.
"NO!"
Alex's whole world began to narrow into a pinprick. All she could feel was pain, the metallic tang of blood filled her nose, and her breath came in ragged gasps. Kara reached out for her in terror but Lena was surprisingly faster.
"Kara stay back!" She commanded, dropping to her knees before Alex.
Lena's hands settled gently on the older girls shoulders as she pulled her in softly. Alex moved as if on a string, an invisible force bringing her to rest against Lena, her forehead pressed to the side of her neck.
"I'm here. I'm here, Alex. Just breathe with me. Everything is okay, darling." Lena cooed, threading her hands through Alex's hair gently, at times softly scratching the sensitive skin on the shaved sides.
Alex could only nod shakily as she let the other woman care for her. She melted into Lena further as her soft hands drew comforting circles over her exposed shoulders and slipped under her shirt to lightly scratch her back. Ruby lips pressed a barely there kiss to Alex's sweaty forehead and finally, she was able to draw air.
"I'm...I'm okay..." Alex was able to whisper after a few more moments. Her warm breath tickled against Lena's skin as the other woman sighed in relief. Kara stood to the side, surprised and amazed that Lena could soothe her sister's distress so easily.
"Let's lay down for a bit, hmmm?" Lena asked, barely keeping her voice steady.
Alex nodded again shakily, before rising to her feet. In just a few short minutes, Lena had the Director resting peacefully on the white couch in her office, not caring that Alex was sweaty and dirty. The other woman wasn't quite asleep but she was resting comfortably while Lena worked at her desk, desperate to keep her mind occupied. A familiar sound from the balcony barely garnered Lena's attention, convinced as she was that Kara had returned from Noonan's with arms full of food.
The Kryptonian was well aware that Lena was uneasy around her still and had excused herself to grab snacks as soon as they'd entered the office.
It was not, however, Kara.
"Get away from her!" Alex yelled, suddenly wide-awake as she spied the Red Daughter hovering behind Lena menacingly.
As soon as the threat to Lena became apparent, Alex's fear and fatigue vanished and in its place stood resolve and determination. She immediately placed herself between Lena and the Kryptonian, bracing for the inevitable attack.
Red Daughter did not disappoint.
There was sneer in her direction and Alex soon found herself in an all too familiar position, painfully pinned against the wall of Lena's office! She winced knowing Lena had just had the office repaired from the last fight that occurred there.
"How did you survive?" Red Daughter inquired, ignoring Lena completely in favor of the mystery before her.
""You're asking the wrong question..." Alex sneered back at her assailant, her fear replaced with an undeniable need to protect Lena. "What you should be asking," the Director informed her with a sinister smile, "is how. Will. You?"
At that statement, Alex seized the hand round her neck, slowly and deliberately prying it away from her. Red Daughter watched in horror as suddenly her arm was extended and she was soon left reeling after a vicious head butt from Alex! The redhead then wrenched the Kryptonian's arm behind her back as Kara swooped in from the balcony, delivering an equally vicious right hook, narrowly avoiding a blast of heat vision.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't end you here and now?" Alex hissed in her ear as she locked her other arm tight around her captive's throat. With the rogue Kryptonian on her knees, the Director was easily able to restrain her despite being several inches shorter.
"I've come to warn Lena! If she does not stand against him, Alex will destroy us all!"