"Happy Thanksgiving!" Eliza opened the door to Alex's apartment and hugged Sam. "Let me take your coat. I'm so glad you could make it! And you must be Ruby." She shook her hand. "I've heard a lot about you. You're how old, thirteen?"

"Fourteen," Ruby said proudly. "My birthday was last month."

"Fourteen!" Eliza bent down to the young girl's height. "You know, when my girls were fourteen they got into a lot of trouble. Especially Alex. She was always out late, causing headaches for me and her dad. But I bet you're an angel."

"Sometimes," Sam cut in. "She's only an angel when she feels like it. Now Ruby, remember what I said about Alex's dad?" she said, seeing Jeremiah walking towards them. Eliza took the pie Sam had brought and went to arrange the overflowing table.

Ruby nodded. "He was in an accident."

"That's right. So be polite." Sam smiled and held out her hand but Jeremiah pulled her into a hug. "Oh."

"Alex has told me what you've done for her this last year. I can't thank you enough," he said in her ear.

"Just helping out a friend." She stepped back as Jeremiah took a knee, looking at Ruby. Sam groaned internally at the expression on Ruby's face; she knew all too well what was coming.

"And what's your name?"

"Ruby." The girl pursed her lips but Jeremiah could see the questions forming and he smiled at her.

"Go ahead and ask me."

Ruby looked to her mom for confirmation and when Sam rolled her eyes and nodded, she exploded with questions. "How do your eyes work? Can you see through your eyelids? Does the light hurt them? Who made them for you? If someone pokes you in the eye can you feel it, or does it just go back into your head? Do you need contacts?"

Jeremiah chuckled and stood up, Ruby following him as he headed to the seating area where Alex, Maggie and Eliza were all chatting. "I hurt my eyes while I was working and your mom's friend Lena made me some new ones."

At Lena's name Alex looked up and met Sam's eyes. The older woman had asked her to invite Lena to Thanksgiving a week ago and Alex had reluctantly acquiesced. She still was angry towards her but at a time where one was supposed to be grateful for their family, she couldn't very well leave Lena to eat Thanksgiving dinner alone at her desk. She knew a small percent of the reason she was so mad at the CEO was because she considered her to be a part of her family and she didn't want to have any more of her family missing from the holidays. A knock at the door sent Sam back to the entrance and when she opened it her jaw dropped.

"Kara?" Alex was the first to speak, rising halfway out of her seat next to Maggie.

The blonde woman waved and gave Sam a sheepish smile, one hand holding a wicker basket. "Hi."

"Kara!" Alex ran towards her sister and Sam had the wherewithal to grab the basket before Alex barreled past her, launching herself at her sister. Everyone looked away while the two embraced. "I thought you weren't coming!" Alex said breathlessly when she finally let go. "I thought you were staying in Russia or Ireland or wherever the hell you were! I invited—" Her face fell and she watched Kara's expression carefully, holding her sister at an arm's length. "I invited Lena."

Kara's eyes widened but she didn't say anything, swallowing. "That's fine," she said after a moment. "I haven't seen her in a while. We should probably catch up." She let her sister pull her inside as Sam looked into the basket.

"What's this?"

Turning around to answer her, Kara's face paled. "Shepard's...pie, from London," she said faintly.

Lena was standing in the open doorway, hesitating. She had on a dress that made Kara want to melt through the floor and a long wool coat that Kara had bought her the second month they were dating. She looked as perfect as ever, as though the last month hadn't even happened. There was a light mark by her eye that Kara skimmed past, focusing instead on the brunette's lips when she talked. "Happy Thanksgiving."

No one moved until Sam broke the tension. "Happy Thanksgiving," she said, wrapping Lena in a hug. Kara saw her wince when Sam's arms went around her but she shook her head and stared at the ground. She could hear Lena's heart beating across the room and she swallowed again, her own heart thudding painfully in her chest.

"Aunt Lena!" Ruby ran up to her and Lena bent down.

"Who's my favorite fourteen year-old?" She asked with a smile, holding her arms out.

"Me!" Ruby hugged her and Lena kept her face blank. When Sam had put her arms around her she'd brushed against her back. Two nights ago she and Nicholas had gotten into a fight and he had pushed her into the counter, which had come up to meet her lower back with bruising force. She had already taken a Vicodin to get her through the day and there were two more in he purse to get her through dinner. "I thought I wouldn't get to see you before I had to go back to school."

"I wouldn't miss seeing you," Lena said, reaching into her purse. "And I got you a birthday present." She held the package out to Ruby and the girl took it, tearing open the envelope.

"A subscription to the New England Journal of Medicine!" She squealed and shoved the paper in her mother's face, oblivious to the tense atmosphere of the room. Eagerly opening the package she gasped. "And a drone! Can I go try it out?"

"Right now?" Sam glanced at Lena but the brunette had her eyes fixed on Kara who was obsessively moving the food around the table.

Alex stood up. "I'll take her. There's a park nearby, we'll be back before the turkey's ready."

"You don't have to—"

"It's fine." The older Danvers brushed past Lena and took her and Ruby's coats off the rack. "Come on, Rube." The excited girl ran out the door after giving Lena another rushed 'Thank you!' and Alex hurried after her. "Ruby, you have to put on your coat!"

Eliza had gotten up with her daughter and hugged Lena as the door closed. "Thanks for coming. Happy Thanksgiving."

Lena smiled at her, tearing her eyes away from Kara who had taken her sister's spot on the couch. "Well, it beats pre-cooked turkey and the view from my office window."

"I thought we invited your friend but it looks like he didn't come with you," Eliza said quietly, with a pointed look at Alex.

"He's got family in Texas, he's visiting them for the holidays," Lena explained.

Kara couldn't help herself and she snorted. "Texas. Wow."

Lena looked at the ground. "I didn't think to bring anything, I'm so sorry," she said to Eliza, ignoring Kara's comment.

"Don't worry about it, dear. There's plenty of food."

The rest of the time passed more smoothly; Lena chatted mostly with Maggie and Sam. An hour later Eve arrived and they all sat in the corner talking among themselves. Not a single person in the room missed the glances Kara and Lena were shooting each other but Kara didn't say anything to her and Lena kept her head down when James and Lucy Skyped in for a few minutes and everyone fawned over their new baby. Alex came bustling back in with Ruby, bringing a gust of cold air with them and then the turkey was ready.

"Who's carving?" Eliza called out from by the oven.

"I'll do it," Alex offered, reaching for the knife.

Jeremiah beat her to it and smiled. "Let me."

After a moment's hesitation she nodded, stepping back. Everyone sat down and helped themselves to the food and wine; Kara, Ruby and Alex were the only ones drinking water and Sam shot her a glance but Alex waved at her to pour herself a glass. "Don't worry about me." Lena was sitting directly opposite from Kara and they both stared at their plates the entire time, occasionally interjecting their own version of whatever story was being told. There was a tense moment when Kara asked for the salt, not realizing it was by Lena's hand and the brunette handed it to her wordlessly. Their fingers brushed for a moment and Kara froze as the rest of the table laughed around them while Eliza told a story about her and Alex growing up, Alex protesting in embarrassment.

"I'd like to make a toast." Jeremiah stood up. "I know it's been a hard, long road getting this family together, but I'm thankful for everyone that's helped me. Especially Winn." The table grew somber and Alex wiped away tears. Clearing his throat, Jeremiah continued. "To absent friends."

"To absent friends," the table echoed. Everyone drank and conversation slowly resumed until they had all eaten their fill and scattered into the living room while Jeremiah put away the food.

"Kara, sweetie, you've barely said a word all evening." Eliza took the empty chair next to her daughter.

Kara sat back, her stomach about to burst. She had eaten a third of the food herself, her metabolism speeding up as she plowed through each course. "Just missing people, I guess."

"Are you talking about Winn or Lena?"

Sighing, the young woman put her head in her hands. Eliza knew, Eliza always knew. "Both," she admitted, watching Lena laugh with Eve and Maggie. Alex was talking to Sam by the door and Kara tried to listen in on their conversation.

"I asked her about it and she said it was nothing, but there's proof in these pictures. Would you ask her? Maybe she'll tell you."

"I'm not feeling particularly charitable towards Lena at the moment," Alex huffed.

"I know that, but this is serious. She would probably tell you before she told me, she's already seen you hit rock bottom."

Alex made a face. "Ouch. Aren't you the one who puked up pills on her bathroom floor?"

"Just ask her, will you?" Ruby ran over to them, eager to show her mother her birthday present. "For me."

With a groan, Alex gave in. "Okay," she said through a smile at Ruby. "If I can get her alone, I'll bring it up."

Trying and failing to focus on her conversation with Eliza, Kara scrunched up her nose. What could they be talking about?

"I think you should talk to her," Eliza suggested.

"Who?"

"The woman you keep staring at."

Kara blushed. "I'm not staring at her."

"Yes you are. And everyone but her has noticed. The same way she's been watching you since she came in and you're too dumb to see it," Eliza said with an air of superiority. "I know you, Kara. I know you still love her."

"Keep your voice down," Kara hissed.

"So I'm right," Eliza said triumphantly. "What are you waiting for? Go get her back. She's not happy with that boy and they both know it."

"She slept with that boy," Kara said bitterly, "And according to the covers of the tabloids, she seems perfectly happy with him."

"If she's perfectly happy with him then why isn't he here with her? Why isn't she with him? She chose to come to your sister's Thanksgiving without him, knowing your sister holds a grudge a mile wide against her. Why?"

Sensing her mind wandering into the 'what ifs' that had plagued her every waking moment, Kara stood up. "I'm going to help dad do the dishes," she said abruptly. Eliza raised an eyebrow but went to join them at the sink without a word.

Alex had slowly been working her way over to Lena and sat down next to Eve. "Is this seat taken?"

"Not at all." Eve moved over and offered her the open bottle of champagne. "Bubbly?"

"You know what," Maggie cut in quickly, seeing Alex's eyes fasten on the bottle, "Why don't we go get some more ice?"

"Sure thing." Eve jumped up and they got ready to leave, bundling up against the cold.

Lena regarded her with a cool expression as Alex settled down. "Something you want to ask me?" She was fairly tipsy from the Vicodin and alcohol in her.

Alex crossed her legs and hugged a pillow to her chest. "She's cute, isn't she?" she said with a nod to Ruby.

"Yeah, she is." Lena relaxed when Alex didn't immediately attack her. "Oh!" she exclaimed, setting down her glass. "Her birthday present! I should give it to her."

Despite the animosity between them, Alex's face darkened with a mixture of confusion and concern. "You already gave it to her."

"I did?" Embarrassment colored her cheeks and she picked up her glass, gulping down more champagne.

Alex nodded slowly. "A science journal subscription and a drone. I took her to the park to play with it."

"Oh. That's good," Lena said shortly. Her glass was empty and she reached for the bottle but Alex stopped her.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, genuine worry in her tone.

"Never better." Lena wouldn't meet Alex's eyes.

Alex bit her lip, not sure how to approach the subject. Might as well rip the band aid off. "I'm a fighter, Lena, I've been hit in the face before. And my eye looked just like yours did afterwards."

"I told you I'm—"

"Fine?" Alex held up her phone, the photo that Sam had taken of Lena's black eye glaring back at her.

"Put that away," Lena hissed under her breath, shoving Alex's hand down.

"Come on, Lena. You're smarter than this. You shouldn't be with someone who hurts you."

Lena matched her stare defiantly. "Everyone hurts me." She stood, ready to move to another part of the room and Alex grabbed the back of the heavy coat she'd worn all through dinner. It slipped off her shoulders and down her back and Alex gasped loudly, pulling everyone's attention to their side of the room.

"Alex? What's wrong?" Kara spoke up, not looking at Lena.

Lena's backless dress left her skin exposed, skin that had been covered up by her coat. It was a patchwork of bruises in various stages of healing, some dark purple, some yellow. There was one right across her back, an angry-looking line that had to have been recent. A dark, discolored spot at the base of her neck had some deep scratches around it, like someone had broken glass on her skin, and Alex's eyes widened. "How long..."

"How dare you," Lena said angrily, tears of humiliation threatening to show themselves. Yanking her coat out of Alex's stunned grasp, she pulled it back on with a wince that Kara didn't miss. Looking around her she realized everyone was staring at her and stormed out of the apartment without another word.

"What just happened?" Eliza asked her daughter.

Alex shot a glance at Sam, who made a cutting motion at her neck. "I'm not sure," she said slowly.

"Is Lena alright?" Eliza asked the question on Kara's mind, seeing the tendons standing out in her neck.

"I'm not sure," Alex said again. "Sam, could you—"

"Absolutely. I'll be right back, Ruby. Stay with Alex."

"Is Aunt Lena okay?"

"I'm sure she's fine, baby. I'm going to go check on her." Sam kissed her daughter and ran out after her friend, nearly bumping into Maggie and Eve on her way out.

Maggie looked around the room seeing Kara's concerned expression and Alex's shocked one and raised her eyebrows. "What's going on with those two?"

"Beats me. Alex won't tell anyone." Kara turned back to the sink, pretending like she wasn't dying to know what her sister had seen. No one said anything while she and her father reset the kitchen, Sam's return the only thing interrupting the silence.

"She is not in a good mood. Hey Ruby we should get going, it's getting late," Sam called to her daughter.

"Did she say anything to you?"

"Not really," Sam said, dodging Kara's question. The look on the blonde woman's face had her reconsidering and she rubbed her temples. "I'll call you tomorrow. There's something you should know."

"About Lena?"

Sam nodded. "About Lena and Nicholas."

Kara exhaled at the man's name. "Never mind. I don't want to hear it." She wiped her hands dry and gave her mother a hug, suddenly eager to get out of the room of people staring at her like she was about to break. "Tell me when you're leaving, we should have lunch before you go."

"And me." Jeremiah hugged his daughter. "I'm going back to Midvale with your mother."

"What?" Alex barely felt the shock but it was evident in her voice. "You were going to leave without telling me?"

"I was going to tell you tonight, things just got a little...busy." He shrugged. "We can talk about it later.

Eve stood awkwardly at the door. "I'll get going too," she said with a smile at Kara's family. "Thanks for having me, you're a wonderful cook."

Everyone went through another round of hugs before they left, Alex holding onto Kara a little longer than she needed to. "You're staying, right?" she whispered.

"Yes, I'm staying. I have no idea what I'm going to do about a job and everything else, but this is my home."

"You have a job, you can run Cat Co."

Kara stepped back. "Lena runs Cat Co," she pointed out. "I don't exactly want to see her every day."

Alex pursed her lips. "You shouldn't let something like that stop you from doing what you want."

"Something like her breaking my heart?" Kara shook her head. "I'm not ready. I'm trying so hard not to go after her right now, imagine if I had to do that every day."

"I'm just saying. Some things are worth suffering for." She thought about Lena's bruises and shuddered, handing Kara her coat. "You should talk to Sam. I'll see you tomorrow?"

Kara nodded and left, heading for her apartment.

A week passed and Kara still hadn't gone into the Cat Co. building. She had started working from home, coordinating with the other editors and settling back in her life in National City, but she was too afraid of the possibility of running into Lena and Nicholas so she stayed inside. She lived off of takeout and the occasional grocery run, always done around eleven or twelve at night when she was certain no one would see her. She hadn't spoken to Sam since Thanksgiving and no one had mentioned Lena to her; for all she knew Lena could've been out of the country. Except sometimes, when she was just waking up or about to fall asleep she found herself listening for the familiar heartbeat, the sound of Lena's soul.

"Focus, Kara. You have an article to write." She gripped her pencil so tightly that it snapped in her hands and she threw it away in frustration, the pieces disappearing into the corner of her room. She had been trying to write all day about greenhouse gases and how to combat their effects using a device Lena was developing but wasn't getting anywhere. Sighing, she stood up to retrieve the broken pencil and saw with dismay it had landed on an old Cat Co. magazine issue. It was the issue with her interview in it, the one she had done for Lena. It seemed like a distant memory but it had really only been a few months ago that she had sat down with James; the picture of Lena on the cover made her angrily open the magazine. Inside the cover was no better, it was a picture of them walking into Cat Co. together. She found herself flipping through the magazine and opened to the page with her interview.

There is quite a lot of controversy surrounding the long-time friend and more recently, lover of National City's local billionaire. Kara Danvers, the new co-chair of Cat Co. Worldwide Media, joined me for an interview on life, love and Lena Luthor.

James Olsen: Thanks for joining me today, Kara.

Kara Danvers: No problem. Thanks for doing this.

JO: Is this your first interview?

KD: Not my first interview, but the first time I'm the one answering the questions. I hope you did your homework.

JO: Oh, I read all about you but I'll let you tell the stories. So let's dive right in. What's it like working with Lena Luthor?

KD: It's amazing. She's so creative and intelligent and she's always been open-minded but to see her in action, coming in and smoothly transitioning into her leadership role at Cat Co...it's amazing.

JO: You had quite a transition yourself, I know. You were Cat Grant's best assistant and now you're running her company. Tell me how that change has been for you.

KD:That's very nice of you to say. I'm sure it's no surprise that when you're someone's personal assistant for so long you pick things up about their job, their life. Working for Cat Grant was like a junior boot camp to what was coming, only I didn't fully understand how much work she does on a daily basis. There are a million little details and tasks every hour that need to get done to keep the company running and I'm doing my best but those are some big shoes to fill.

JO: Give yourself a little more credit, even before you stepped in you were an accomplished writer with several critically acclaimed articles. Do you still find time to write or is your day-to-day life too busy?

KD: I try to write a little here and there but nowadays I end up doing mostly interviews. I—am I talking to much?

JO: Not at all, not at all. laughter Now, tell me. What's Lena Luthor's most annoying trait?

KD: Most annoying? I can't really think of anything...

JO: Nothing?

KD: Well, there is one thing. Lena's a hard worker. She stays late at the office, half the time I fall asleep waiting for her to come home. She always gets the job done no matter what. But I truly believe that not one single person on this planet needs to wake me up at six in the morning every day.

JO: She doesn't let you sleep in?

KD: She tries to but I hear her moving around and it's enough to wake me up. I haven't woken up after six-thirty since we started living together. Even before we were dating she would sometimes call me early in the morning, but of course I never minded the wake up call from her.

JO: laughs Any other pet peeves, hobbits, bad habits?

KD: You know what, I just thought of a few more. She never brings the groceries in from the car and she's a terrible cook. The other night she burned pasta. Pasta, that's not even possible! And she always annoys me by making the bed if no one's in it—occasionally she'll make it even if I'm still in it. It's a bed, it'll be just the same with a wrinkled duvet.

JO: Sounds like she's just as flawed as the rest of us.

KD: Only if everyone else leaves their underwear all over the place. I swear I've never seen her toss a single sock into the laundry hamper. She hangs up clothes and folds all of mine if she has some time, but there are pantyhose and bras on the floor of every room.

JO: So your lifestyle's changed?

KD: And another thing! What is so great about kale? What's the point of it? It's a gross, wilted leaf. It cannot possibly be meant for human consumption but she puts it in her salads. And smoothies. Why would you ruin a smoothie like that?

JO: Do you cook for her when you need a break from the kale?

KD: If I didn't cook we'd starve. The first time I went over to her house—did she ever say? The only food she had was a bag of rotten apples.

JO: You guys get along great though, I've been privy to it for the last few days. Do you think it's controversial, with you two running Cat Co. and her in charge of L-Corp? Some people think it could influence business decisions or what you print out.

KD: It may seem that way but we're just regular people determined to inform the public of the truth.

JO: As far as I've seen, Lena Luthor makes more of an effort to be transparent to the public than 'normal people'. You mentioned the other day to me that she initially wanted to keep your relationship under wraps, what changed her mind?

KD: It took some convincing on my part but I'm just so insanely happy that we finally found our way to each other, she couldn't keep it quiet without feeling bad.

JO: You say that like you believe in destiny.

KD: Only sometimes. The first time I saw Lena I knew she was going to be important, you know? It hit me like a lightning bolt. I think no matter what we're going to be together and if we ever break up—god forbid—we'll always find our way back to each other.

JO: What do you think about the public's idea of your relationship?

KD: I think it's important that people see a relationship like ours and see that it's possible to have a working relationship with two women that aren't pitted against each other. I also think the only two people who have the right to judge a relationship are the people in it. That being said, I'm sure everyone would agree that she's absolutely out of my league in every sense of the phrase. I always tell her she has a heart of gold and the best intentions of anyone I've ever met and she never believes me, but she works harder than anyone else, she cares more, she feels things more deeply than anyone could possibly guess. Sure, she can be hard to get to know but that's because it's hard for her to open herself up when so many people are trying to criticize her for every single thing she does.

JO: Heart of gold, that's an interesting saying. Is that one of your little relationship 'things'?

KD: It's something my mother used to say to me.

JO: Used to?

KD: She passed away when I was young.

JO: I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm sure she's always with you.

KD: Thanks. It's okay. I was adopted by a great family, and adoption doesn't always work out but I got lucky. Lena was adopted too, when she was four the Luthors took her in and she's spent most of her life fighting the stigma that comes with her last name.

JO: Do you think she's succeeded? Or more aptly, why do you think the public has a hard time changing its perception of her?

KD: I think she's done a fantastic job of proving herself but I'm also angry that she's had to, that she feels the need to validate everything she does. She's a human being and I think it's far too easy for people to forget that all any of us really want is to feel like we belong. I struggled for a long time with feeling at home in National City but my friends are here, my family is here, so I couldn't ask for more.

JO: Sounds like you've really settled into your place here and I'm so glad you're with someone who makes you happy.

KD: She's the love of my life.

The tears in Kara's eyes made it impossible for her to read any further and she slid the magazine under her pillow. She squeezed her eyes shut and felt a fresh pang of heartbreak, crying herself to sleep.

Lena was sitting on her bed reading through the same interview when Nicholas stumbled in, already drunk.

"Hey sexy." He gave her a sloppy kiss and she pushed him off, not sure how to feel. It was her first time reading the article because the night James had sent her the draft was the night her life had fallen apart, and she couldn't bring herself to read it since then.

"You read this, right?" She held up the magazine and showed Nicholas the cover.

"Yeah, why? That girl loves you, blah blah blah." He fumbled with his suit and tie, stripping down to his underwear. Falling into bed next to Lena he snatched the magazine out of her hands and stretched. "Don't bother reading that. Who cares?"

"I do," Lena said defiantly, her tumultuous emotions expressing themselves through anger. She reached across him with the intention of finishing the article but he shoved her arm down onto the bed, propping himself up on one arm.

"Do you love me?"

"What is it with that question?" Lena got out of the bed, stalling for time. Her feelings for Nicholas were all wrapped up in a ball of confusion and anxiety; he hurt her, he didn't respect her, and yet he had stayed with her through it all. He had held in the beginning while she cried about Kara, he had made sure that she felt safe, he took care of her. Until he'd changed. He'd wanted more, expected more, demanded more. And she still felt inexplicably drawn to him; every time he hurt her his self-hatred would burst through the seams and that was when she felt the closest to him—he was just like her, he hated the bad things he did and always strove to be better. He was her port in a storm; coming home to him always hurt less than trying to weather it on her own. Something her mother had said in one of her letters came back to her and she bit her cheek.

Fear of being alone is a powerful thing.

"I think I do," she said in a barely audible whisper. "I think I do love you."

"Tell the truth."

"I am. I think I love you."

"You think?" He clambered out of the bed, his movements jerky. "That's not good enough." There was a terrible softness about his face, like he already regretted something. She flinched back as he lunged at her but he was just that much faster, with eighty more pounds of muscle behind his fist.

Stars exploded behind her eyes and the pain set in a moment later as she reeled back, doubling over. Blood flowed from her nose and she tasted it in the back of her throat, gagging, her arms moving automatically to block the next blow.

Nicholas stood over her but the sight of her blood dropped him to his knees, his eyes wide with guilt. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I swear it'll never happen again, I'll make it up to you," he rambled as she tried to stem the flow of blood. "I'm so sorry." When Lena didn't say anything he stood up with cautious movements. "I'll call the doctor just wait here." He sprinted out of the room and she heard the tap running as he spoke hurriedly into the phone. She didn't even notice him come back in until she felt a warm cloth wiping the blood off her neck; his hands were shaking. "I'm so sorry," he said again. "The doctor is coming. I'm sorry."

It appears that Lena Luthor was visited by a private doctor late last night after a frantic phone call that her boyfriend, Nicholas Masterson made on her behalf. Ms. Luthor is believed to have suffered a fall from which she is expected to make a full recovery. Back to the weather.

"Which color do you think is more me?" Maggie said for the tenth time.

Kara looked at the identical shades of blue, not seeing either of them. A television in the next apartment was playing at a low volume and she overheard the announcer talking about Lena. Pushing her chair back, she stood, a worried look on her face.

"Kara? The wedding is in a few days."

"You've already planned everything with that blue," Kara pointed to the second colored tile, "And I think it suits you better anyhow, so stick with that."

"You're right," Maggie nodded, easily convinced. "Have you picked out a dress yet?"

"Dress for what?" She was listening for her favorite sound in the world, Lena's heartbeat, and her fingers itched to pick up her phone and call her but she knew she couldn't.

"For the wedding! I'm marrying your sister?"

"Right. Yes. I have it at home in a bag. Where's your dress?" She heard Lena's heart stutter and the voice of the woman she loved saying "Don't touch me," and her jaw clenched.

"Tim's holding it for me.

Alex's is in the closet and I'm not allowed to touch it on pain of death."

Kara was a million miles away and Maggie could see it. "Makes sense."

"Is there something happening at the DEO? You seem distracted."

Kara jumped at the excuse. "Yeah, I gotta get going. I'll see you." She was out the door before Maggie could say anything and before she could stop herself she was standing on the street staring at Lena's penthouse apartment, her chest tight with worry. Her brain was spinning as the elevator rose. Lena didn't fall. Lena ran away from assassins in high heels, she wasn't clumsy. She could down a bottle of wine and still beat Kara at chess in minutes. The only times Lena had ever been uncoordinated enough to fall down were when she was on drugs. She took a deep breath. The last time she'd knocked on Lena's door had led to a world full of pain but anxiety forced her arm up. A man's angry voice could be heard clearly from the other side of the door and Kara had to force herself not to see through it, pushing her glasses firmly into her face.

"This conversation isn't over!"

Then Lena's voice. "Violence just leads to more violence, I know better than anyone! I've seen it. You say you want to engineer a better future, with beautiful houses and clean energy. I'm trying to help you do that, but all you seem interested in is causing us both pain."

"Beauty and pain are the same thing, Lena. You can't separate them. If you're going to constantly undermine me I'm going to leave."

"You can't, I own your company."

"There is nothing you can stop me from doing."

Hearing enough, Kara knocked loudly. After a moment the door swung open to reveal a man in a business suit with a briefcase in his hand looking like he was about to walk out. "Can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm a friend of—Lena's," Kara said faintly, her mouth stumbling over the name.

He squinted at her, recognizing her voice. "You're the ex-girlfriend. I've seen your picture in the gossip magazines. What are you doing here?"

"I heard that she fell and I just wanted to make sure she was okay—" Lena stepped into view and Kara broke off. The brunette was wearing one of Kara's Midvale High tee shirts and there was a bandage over her noise. Kara's sight zoomed in on the dark bruises under her eyes that clashed with her always-striking emerald green irises, the way Lena was holding herself like her whole body was sore, and she swallowed.

"Kara? Lena's voice was disbelieving. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you got hurt," Kara said with a glance at Nicholas' imposing frame. He was blocking the doorway but the sight of Lena drew her like a moth to a flame; she didn't even realize she had taken a step forward until his hand was on her shoulder, stopping her.

"No one hurt me," Lena said quickly, glancing at Nicholas. The sight of his hands on Kara made her angry but she felt it through a fog; it was a muted anger that automatically justified anything he did.

Kara's eyebrows knit. "I never said anyone hurt you. Are you okay?"

Lena could feel her resolve weakening. She could blurt it out right now, tell Kara what happened when the cameras were gone and she and Nicholas were alone together. She could go with Kara where she would be safe and Nicholas wouldn't be able to hurt her anymore. Kara could protect her, Kara was Supergirl. She opened her mouth, not sure of what she was going to say, and Nicholas spoke up, shattering any half-formed daydreams.

"This is none of your business. You should leave before I call security." He closed the door on her and the last thing she saw was Lena staring at her, fear plain in her eyes.

She turned away from the door and moved robotically down the hallway. There was no noise from the other side of the door and she suspected he was watching her from the peephole. Each step away from Lena felt like trudging through mud, every nerve in her body screaming at her to run back and break down the door and demand to know what was going on, but he was right. It wasn't her business.