15, 16
Notes: Find me on Tumblr at spoopercorp and on AO3 as Local_Asshole.
Summary: Maxwell Lord and the General desire to further crush Supergirl's fragile emotional state.
Kara returned to the apartment two days later from Alex's and noticed that it was somehow emptier. She realized that it was devoid of Lucy's important belongings and the happy memories they shared. However, it seemed she was in a rush to escape as the majority of her clothes and objects she deemed as replaceable was untouched. It was not until now that she figured the choice she made last night was a mistake due to her drunken stupor; she could still feel the hangover lingering, but it did not stop her from crumbling to the floor and breaking down into body-wracking sobs. She hated herself for making one of the closest people in her life endure such emotional stress.
But it was for the best. For Lucy.
James sighed, "Look, I've known for a while that you've had feelings for her. A long time actually."
He paused, Kara unwilling to break the silence, then, "Lucy and I aren't together anymore. So what's holding you back?"
The blonde sighed and brushed her unruly locks with her fingers, "She doesn't feel the same way about me, and she never will."
He scoffed, "How will you know if you don't give it a chance?"
"Okay, fine. Suppose I did ask her out, and she said yes...you saw what happened between Adam and I. People aren't safe around me."
Kara gazed down from the balcony of CatCo, her eyes thoughtful, "Being Supergirl...it comes with a cost."
"That's crap and you know it. Look at your cousin. Clark manages. Maybe you're just scared."
The hero felt irked, "Can you blame me? James, I've lost everything and everyone I've ever loved: my parents, my friends, Aunt Astra, my entire home."
She began to make her way back into the building, "I can't risk losing her too. This is just how it needs to be."
Lucy did not fare so well either, calling Lois at the last minute and requesting in uneven breaths if she could stay with her in Metropolis for a while. They were never that close, in fact, it would be more accurate to call their relationship with one another estranged, but they were still sisters and they still cared. So, Lois did not hesitate to say yes, for if it was one thing they shared, they both lost someone special to them.
However, Lucy was thankful that the business of her position kept her occupied, and she spent most of her time holed up in her office at the D.E.O. Supergirl preferred to be contacted through earpiece by Alex, who debriefed her with details of her mission so she would not have to encounter her ex at the facility.
J'onn and Agent Danvers silently thanked their deities that they did not have to suffer through the potential awkwardness of the breakup, so were Winn and James, but they were all still worried for the two women.
After a week, Lucy noticed a discrepancy with the data that they collected from Lord Industries and LexCorp, which was now being run by Lena Luthor, who was more than willing to disclose any information that would aid the organization.
Director Lane decided to conduct a meeting with her highest ranked operatives.
"The Calculator and Riddler have been very quiet, along with Deathstroke and Hush. I suspect that someone higher up in the chain is directing them, possibly the General or Maxwell Lord."
"Are you saying that they've been dispatched on a mission?" an agent asked.
"Yes, and that they're most likely targeting the Pentagon. I was also notified by General Lane that there would be a top-secret convention being held there within a few days, with the world's leaders and highest officials attending. What is peculiar to me, is that they need to send four ingenious criminals."
"That's preposterous!" another agent shouted, "The Department of Defense is protected with the best security technology mankind can build!"
"That doesn't mean it's impossible to infiltrate. Hush is a master of disguise and Deathstroke and him are mercenaries. They're merciless when it comes to money. But Calculator and Riddler, they crave knowledge, and I think they're going to hack into the building's database simultaneously."
"Then we can tell them to bump up security tenfold."
"I'm not sure that'll even stop them in the slightest bit," Lucy sighed, "I'm going to send a large squadron to the Pentagon and hopefully they can gather some intel. Dismissed."
Alex slid next to the sleep deprived woman, "You need to rest, overworking isn't exactly the healthiest way to cope."
The soldier ignored her advice, "Is she okay?"
"Honestly..." the older Danvers started, "I haven't seen her that often, but she's been avoiding me less, and I'm sure that she's doing worse without you."
"Right..." came the bitter retort.
"Hey...I know you two can sort this out. Kara still loves you. She did what she thought was best for you and her, only I don't think it really worked out the way she wanted it to, but things have a way of aligning themselves."
"I haven't given up on her if that's what you're trying to imply, Danvers."
"I know," Alex chuckled, "But...aren't you going to send her with the team to the Pentagon? She probably wants to find out what's going on as much as we do."
"Supergirl has other things to worry about. Besides, I - the world," she corrected herself, "...the world can't risk losing her."
Kara rudely stormed into Lucy's office unannounced, "Why!"
The brunette casually glanced up her papers and swallowed her emotions, "Why what?"
The Kryptonian stalked up to the desk and slammed her fists down, causing the wood to groan from the force, "Why didn't you let me go with them!"
"National City simply needs you to remain here," came the calm answer.
"So you sent dozens of agents to their deaths?"
That struck a nerve. Lucy glared up at the blonde, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she narrowed her eyes.
"I sent them to garner intel, not fight," the brunette scoffed, slightly offended.
"And if they have no other choice?"
"Sometimes you must concede a battle to win a war. Sacrifices are necessary."
"How could you say that!"
The woman slammed her fists down, "Goddammit, I'm a soldier! Not a hero! I'm not constantly driven to fix everything for everyone!" Lucy growled, pointing an accusatory finger at her, "I can't be a perfect, selfless knight in shining spandex and a flowy cape like you! I'm human! I make mistakes! But I learn from them too! Sometimes I can't help but make inconsiderate and thoughtless choices, despite what my position means to others!"
Finally, she admitted, "I would gladly sacrifice the lives of strangers if it meant I could save the people I love."
"I-I could never do that..." the young hero whispered hoarsely.
"You don't know until you've experienced it for yourself." At this point the brunette was attempting to cool her breathing.
Suddenly Lucy realized a subconscious part of her intent on sending the teams of agents to the Pentagon. It was to protect her, albeit in a selfish and cruel way. The Director's dedication to her operatives was undoubtedly strong and her leadership was unquestionably objective, but if she were to select between the world and Kara, she would not hesitate to choose the latter. However, the Kryptonian remained oblivious to that fact, and also the fact that she would do the same.
"Please," the soldier said sternly, turning away, her stance firm, "Leave."
"I..."
"That's an order, Supergirl."
Kara immediately backed off, and retreated to the exit, gliding past Alex's forlorn gaze.
Lucy has had her fair share of pain as well; her parents' divorce, the loss of her mother, always living in Lois's shadow, and her gradual estrangement from her entire family. During her time serving in the Army, she had witnessed suffering and war when she was stationed in Afghanistan and the Gaza Strip in Palestine. So many comrades under her command were lost, mostly due to unforeseen circumstances, but she could not help but blame her inability as a leader and friend to her soldiers. She left the horrors back in the Middle East, but she also could not help taking some of the trauma with her. Since her promotion to the rank of major, she had not been in the field as often, opting to work behind the lines as she was an integral asset. However, she would miss it on occasion, hence she requested to be dispatched much more than necessary as others in her position.
The brunette shuddered at the memories, strolling along the snow-covered sidewalk, only lit by the street lamps and luminescence of the moon, complemented with several snowflakes that floated in the air. At least she did not shut herself in Lois's household as often as she did when she first moved in. Lucy found it relaxing to be alone at night; she did not mind the unfamiliarity of Metropolis, and she could handle herself just fine from muggers and thugs. Besides, the area that she went out at night was not as sketchy as when she was on patrol duty in a restricted section during her time as a private or sergeant.
It was mostly to divert her attention away from Kara. Since their confrontation in the Director's office, they made even less contact afterwards if that was even possible.
Lucy kicked the snow on the concrete and sighed, shivering at the cold. She neglected to bring any warm accessories, but her long coat would suffice as she stuffed her frozen hands into the fuzzy pockets.
Their breakup was more closely described as bittersweet. Bitter for obvious reasons as they still yearned for one another. Sweet because they were thankful that they had experienced such love.
However, their reasons for ignoring each other were slightly different. Lucy refused to be a token, a memoir, allocated to Lex Luthor's untimely death, and respected the Kryptonian's wish to be left alone. Kara was telling the truth when she said that the brunette reminded her of that fateful day, but it was mostly to protect her, to keep her safe. If Supergirl's enemies were given the tiniest hint that her former lover could be utilized as leverage, they would not hesitate to jump at the opportunity. She was worried for Alex as well, but J'onn's attachment assured her that her older sister would be in the safest hands at the D.E.O.
Unfortunately for the young hero, the attempt to defend her ex-girlfriend proved fruitless.
A tall, looming shadow several feet away was slowly approaching Lucy, it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, but she thought nothing of it as her job always called for caution, it was a natural reaction. It made her no less skeptical though.
She eyed the silhouette's every move, hand prepped to pull out her pistol. Once they were a few feet away, Lucy noticed the man reached behind him.
They both drew their weapons out, but he was much faster, releasing two darts from the chamber, injecting her neck with some unknown fluid.
Lucy's vision doubled and she collapsed onto her hands, and as she heard the footsteps reach a closer proximity, she swiped up her gun and pulled the trigger.
"Shit!" the man hissed in pain, clutching his shoulder, then he chuckled like a maniac, "I like you! Got some fight in there!"
The figure emerged from the shadows and cupped her cheek. He was clean shaven and bald. His face was as pale as a ghost, skin as smooth as alabaster. The brunette spotted a row of tally marks on his collar bone.
"V-Victor...Zsasz..."
"We've found traces of Director Lane's blood a few blocks away from where she lives, we're positive that she was taken captive by at least two criminals roughly five hours ago and they clearly wanted to make a show of it."
Kara was visibly shaking at this news, with her older sister attempting to comfort her, giving hugs and whispering into her ear that she would be "just fine", only Alex was unsure of who she was referring to.
"Hey," Alex cooed, patting her distraught little sister's back, "We're going to find her. I promise."
Kara abruptly stood up and began to pace around her apartment, "For all we know they could've killed her already!"
"You can't think like that. Your girlfriend is a tough survivor."
"What was I thinking? I knew I should've just kept my identity a secret, she'd be safe! What was I thinking, dragging Lucy into this? I should've known..."
Alex interrupted, "Kara, none of this is your fault."
The blonde sighed in despair, "Of course it is. If I wasn't with Lucy, none of this would've happened! She'd be here! Safe and sound! And now...I-I don't know what to do," she took a deep breath and whispered hoarsely, "Alex...I can't lose anyone else..."
"And you won't," the agent replied, "I promise you, we're going to get her home."
"I have to go alone or else they'll kill her; I can't have the D.E.O. behind my back!"
"I won't let you, it's too dangerous."
"But she'll die!"
Alex nodded, blinking slowly, but reluctantly, "You're going to go against my demands anyway. I know how much she means to you. Even though I'm aware of how capable you are...just...be careful, okay?"
"I will."
"I'm going to give you a few hours to get her back, but after that I'm sending in troops. I'll station them out a few miles away."
"Sis! I need medics at my location and a transportation unit! It's Lucy, she's...she's in bad shape, and Victor Zsasz and Lady Shiva are down."
"On it! And...done! Just tell me what the situation is."
"They drugged her, with something they manufactured themselves, and one of them had a cure, so I took it and gave it to Lucy."
"It's all right, me and my team will take a look at it once we extract samples from her body."
The Kryptonian was slightly relieved, as she knew her sister was the best biochemist in the D.E.O., "Her thigh was also stabbed, and the same leg is broken."
"We can get those fixed fine, don't worry, we'll handle it. Just make sure she stays conscious until they arrive."
Notes: Constructive criticism appreciated.