The Lab

"Yes I have my own lab."

"Where?"

"Here and the DEO."

"Where here?"

"Bring the donuts and I will show you."

Kara led Lena into the bedroom, she opened the the closet door, and then, placed her hand over an off colored panel. It read her palm, and a doorway opened up leading down a hallway. Kara led them down the hallway and down a spiral stairwell to her lab.

Lena came down the steps, and stopped cold, as she realized that Kara's lab was almost an exact duplicate of her own engineering lab at L Corp. Kara smiled to herself as she realized why Lena was so shocked.

Alex broke the moment, "Kara redesigned the lab after she met you, she made a few improvements in the computer systems and installed a secure link between here and the DEO. She also has an amazing 3D interface for her computer system.

"Bring Tempest down here Lee, so we can work on her."

Lena tapped the remote control on her wrist and brought Tempest down to the Lab.

"Harley, scan exterior of Tempest battle armor, and save the files under Lena 01."

"Scanning and saving Kara."

"Also, add Lena Luthor to your security protocols. Voice and biometric."

"Good morning Lena, please stand still while I scan you into the systems.", 30 seconds later, "Good morning Ms. Luthor."

"Good morning Harley."

"Voice print enabled, Lena Luthor is now added to security protocols."

"Good morning Alex, how are you today?"

"Doing well Harley, thank you."

"Tempest, security protocol, Supergirl 2521959, Harley, you now have access to Tempest operating system. Please scan and add to file Lena 01"

"Yes Lena, scanning in process, estimated time, 45 minutes."

"Lee what are you doing?"

"I'm adding all of Tempest to your database, you suggested improvements, now I get to see what you are capable of."

"Two nerds in their natural habitat."

"Shall I open up your medical protocol files Alex."

"Harley, when did you get sass?"

"Kara has been updating me on a regular basis, my personality is an amalgam of Lena Luthor, Alex Danvers, Eliza Danvers."

"How?"

"Kara Danvers has programmed me to learn, I have interviewed Eliza Danvers and Alex Danvers, but everything I know about Lena Luthor I have learned from Kara Danvers, I am looking forward to interviewing Lena and adding to my sass."

Kara and Alex started giggling and finally Lena gave up and joined them.

Twenty minutes later, "Tempest scan is complete."

"Harley, run diagnostics, full scan, compare to Kara Danvers system notes in the system.", Lena said, then asked, "Where is the Keurig?"

"In the corner."

Lena walked over to the coffee machine and noticed that Kara had all her and Alex's favorites flavors, not to mention a cup with her name on it. She started a good dark roast and walked over to Kara who was talking to Alex about work stuff and kissed her on the cheek, then walked back to the coffee maker.

"What was that?", Alex asked.

"That was a thank you.", Lena answered from the corner.

"For what?"

"Kara doesn't drink coffee except to make people think she needs it, so the coffee maker is here specifically for you and I Alex, and I would be willing to bet it has been here for quite some time."

"Lena's cup has been in that spot for 5 months, 14 days and 35 minutes. It was printed on my 3D printer." Harley spoke up.

Kara blushed and Lena and Alex just laughed. "I printed it the day I realized how much I like Lena."

Lena and Alex laughed that much harder. Kara pouted and pulled two crullers from the box and went to check Harley's readouts.

"Scan is complete, Tempest armor system could be updated and efficiency improved by 23.2 percent based upon Kara's initial testing. Defensive capabilities could be updated by 97.3 percent, taking into consideration the Armors plated."

"Can you explain the primary updates?", Lena asked.

"Based upon Kara's current engineering work, booster efficiency could be upgrade by 13.6 percent, allowing for faster acceleration and overall speed. Acceleration would increase by 6.8 seconds from standstill, and with a built in inertia dampener, could go higher if necessary. Overall speed can be increased by 175 miles an hour, based upon suit design and base metals used. Turning actually needs more testing, but Kara's initial assessment, however like Kara I believe turning needs to be tested while the operator is inside the suit, since the remote could be working slower than the neural interface currently in operation. Weapons are all in good working order, and non-lethal, Kara approves, however power usage is higher than necessary and recommendations for lower power levels could be initiated through a software update until a different solution could be found. Defensive measures could be set up using Kara's nanite technologies, this would offer both power saving features and since they can be programmed, their work could be controlled by the operator. There is also the question of Kara work on a force field, a low power array that would work to deflect most modern firearms and some high caliber weapons."

"So Harley, are you telling me that most of these upgrades could be done based upon Kara's current work?"

"That is a correct assessment Lena."

"Oh my God, Kara you are leaving CatCo and coming to work for me."

"Does that mean I couldn't date you?", she said sadly.

"Darling no, why would you think that."

"People would think you were playing favorites."

Lena smiled, "Kara, we would consider you a contract employee, long term, but you would have your own lab, you get to choose your projects, I would only be the financing. A typical contract would be for you to receive about 45% of the income if your project goes to production. The copyright and trademarks would belong to L Corp."

"Wait, I would get paid for creating and selling?"

"Of course, that is what engineers do, they create. At L Corp I get the best because I pay the best.", Lena answered. "My regular employees do not get contract deals, but they have higher salaries and better bonus structure than my contractors."

"But that would mean putting my name on the inventions."

"It would"

"People would know I am smart."

"Kara, you are a bloody genius"

Kara smiled shyly at the compliment and Lena realized at that moment that Kara never got credit for what she could do, only what Supergirl could. Alex smiled as she realized that Lena was giving Kara a gift that very few people ever did, she was accepting Kara and realizing that Supergirl was what Kara could do, not who she was.

Lena walked up to Kara, put her hand on her shoulders and as Kara looked up said, "Kara, who you are is not defined by what you do as Supergirl, you are Kara Danvers, and you deserve to be your own person."

"Thank you Lena"

"Anytime sweetheart.", Lena said through a yawn, "I must be more tired than I thought."

"You need to rest Lena, your body is still healing.", Alex said.

"I know, this is just amazing.", She pointed to the lab.

"Yeah, my sister is pretty awesome, but as your doctor, I'm going to insist you get a nap."

"I'm going to be down here working for a bit, if that's okay?", Kara asked, "You only have to say my name and I will be right there."

"Okay sweetheart, but don't push to hard."

Kara brightened, and kissed Lena lightly on her lips, "I'll be up before dinner."

"I set up an order of pizza and potstickers for about 7ish", Lena said, knowing she was going to sleep for quite a while.

"Okay, if you are up to it, we can watch the new Mary Poppins movie and catch up on the Crown.", Kara smiled.

"Sounds really good.", Lena smiled.

Lena and Alex headed back upstairs. Kara went back to work.

Once they entered the apartment, Alex looked at Lena, "Thank you Lena."

"What for?"

"Seeing more than Supergirl."

"Alex, I have had a crush on your sister since the day she came in with Clark Kent to interview me."

"Really?"

"Yeah, before I realized she was Supergirl, I fell for Kara Danvers."

"Lena, would be okay if I hugged you."

"Yes, but why."

Alex pulled her into a hug and answered her question, "Because she deserves someone who doesn't see Supergirl."

Lena settled into Alex's arms and realized she hadn't gained just a girlfriend, she was gaining an entire family.

"Now get some rest, but set up your food order first. My cell number is on the fridge, if you need me, text first, always easier. If Kara has to go out in an emergency, I will be here when you wake up okay?"

"Okay."

Alex helped Lena get settled on the couch and headed out.

"Kara.", she whispered, "Lena's on the couch, she's tired, so keep an ear out. I will do my best not to call you today. Have fun in nerd central."

As she entered the elevator she got a text from Kara, "Thank you Alex, love you." Followed by a chain of hearts that made her realize her little sister was going to be just fine with Lena Luthor.