Disclaimer: I do not own either of these characters from Supergirl. However, I took some liberties with Kryptonian anatomy. Enjoy :)

Author note: Be kind to each other and keep up your conservation efforts if that is your thing. I like where we live.

-
Voices
-

ON WITH THE STORY

"Here. You try." Lena's smile is excited and inviting as she held out her invention.

Kara hesitated...noticeably, then rallied. "But don't you think an invention like this one violates the right to privacy and freedoms granted to all refugees?"

Lena pulled the small scanner device into her chest protectively while she thought about Kara's words. "And what about everyone's right to know if their neighbor is dangerous in a way they can prepare for?"

Flipping her notepad closed and placing her pen behind her ear, Kara frowned as she thought about Lena's response.

Lena, noticing Kara honestly contemplating her words instead of jumping all over her as most reporters have throughout her life, set the alien detection device on the desk she was leaning against and waited with a bit of hope that her friend listened.

"It is fair to want to know your neighbor enough to help, perhaps, if they have needs beyond the usual. I imagine an old woman who cannot lift something and having a neighbor who can lend an extra hand." Kara bit her bottom lip and rolled up to her toes and back to her heels as she tried to find the right way to say what truly concerns her. "But the way you present your argument is by implying everyone should fear their neighbors. And that's not right."

Lena frowned, her arms coming up to cross defensively. "Yet almost every known alien can be horribly dangerous to humans. The strength Kryptonians have; the weapons fused with Valerones; the intoxicating pheromones of Lasmans – these are just a few examples that we know of."

Kara smiled a little teasingly. "At least two of these three examples have made efforts to be peaceful on their adopted home."

Raising an eyebrow even as her stance relaxes enough to hold her arms across her stomach, Lena tries a different tactic. "I am not arguing against aliens settling here, the President has made it clear that the majority of people welcome the diversity. I am simply wanting to make it easier for humans to not be tricked or betrayed by those they thought they knew." She didn't realize it but her tone got bitter, experiences in her life coloring her reasons for creating the detection device.

But Kara picked up on it right away and a sad sigh escaped as she contemplated her options. "And if I touch that device and it turns every color but green, what does that mean for our friendship?" Not waiting for a reply, Kara walked around Lena's desk to the white couch along the wall near the minibar and sat.

She watched as the business woman fumbled, green eyes a little wide but not fearful.

'Alex will find a way to kill me when this is all over,' Kara thought fondly. She patted the cushion beside her, beckoning Lena to sit beside her.

Not hesitating to sit on the couch next to Kara, Lena's breath caught for a moment as she asked, "Are you human, Kara?"

Smiling, Kara didn't answer. She reached out for and gently took Lena's hand, not tugging or pulling but waiting for permission to show her friend something. "Will you let me borrow your touch for a moment?"

Lena giggled nervously at the oddly formal way Kara asked but didn't remove her hand from Kara's. "As long as I get it back."

"Promise."

Lena believed her; however, there was a sinister whisper that sounded like Lillian when her stepmother dismissed her efforts or like Lex at his most unhinged telling her that this was all a trick – a dirty alien trick of chemicals, of mind control. Harshly, Lena slammed the mental door on those thoughts and reminded herself that Kara – open, sincere, adorable Kara – had only ever listened when Lena spoke and never attacked. Lena felt that to be a good friend she must reciprocate.

'Besides,' Lena internally admitted as her hand was slowly moved closer to Kara's throat. 'I am so curious.'

When her palm was flush against Kara's neck Lena looked up from the point of contact into oh-so-blue eyes that regarded her with hope.

"My language has some words no human will ever be able to say. This is because my people have an adaptation to our throat and vocal cords." Using her own fingers to press two of Lena's into a lower position she continued. "This chamber is used as an echo or amplification chamber." Drawing the other fingers higher and more to the side so that Lena's fingers resembled the Vulcan greeting, Kara's throat seemed to snap and exhale a vibration at the same time. "That is the subvocal cord connected to the chamber. I just said an old slang word of greeting in my language."

Lena had not realized how close she had gotten until her forehead bumped sharply against Kara's chin. "Ouch!" Absentmindedly ignoring the slight sting, she kept probing Kara's neck, finding a similar set up on the other side. "Why this adaptation?" Lena's brain was frantically flashing through all of the scientific reasons: water, air, vision impairment (is that why Kara wore glasses?), but she was floored when Kara answered.

"For a time, my people were able to traverse the vacuum of space which, as you know, carries no sound. But by touching each other we can still vocalize and communicate."

"Oh," came Lena's weak verbalization. Her heart started to pound when she realized she was talking to and touching a passing alien. One that was her friend. "Can...would you vocalize again? 2 words this time? I – I want to try to hear the differences." Never in her adult life had Lena ever blushed like she did now – not even during intimacy. Another first for her with Kara.

A bright smile and excited bounce met her question. "Sure!"

The first snap-echo was the same as before under Lena's spread fingers.

"Greeting," she confirmed to Kara's amusement.

"Yep. The next one is a goodbye."

Where the greeting was high in energy and crisp in vibration, the farewell felt ponderous and reluctant. "That is different," Lena noted, unconsciously bringing her other hand up so she had both echo chambers covered. "Once more, please?"

Kara obliged, opting not to tell Lena that prolonged touch on a Kryptonian's throat was a subtle sign of attraction. "You know, humans have unique features and quirks, too." Lena flicked an eyebrow up but didn't stop probing. "It's true," Kara insisted. "Among all the species in the universe humans have the most diverse palate of a single people."

Her hands stayed on Kara's skin but Lena leaned back and frowned quizzically. "Really?"

"Yep!" Sometime during their conversation Kara's hands had landed on Lena's waist and thigh, holding her steady. There they stroked softly and imparted an above average heat that Lena found very distracting now that she noticed it. "That might be one reason why Earth has so many diverse groups of non-Terran refugees and visitors. There is a food source for almost every species out there."

Lena's frown morphed into a shocked look. "Seriously? Earth is the choice out of the vastness of space because of our food?"

Humming and chuckling, bringing Lena's attention back to her throat like a homing beacon, Kara shrugged. "Maybe. Although some people eat much more toxic material than is naturally produced here. Luckily for them, humans manufacture quite a bit of toxic waste."

That tidbit of observation had Lena scrunching up her nose. "We are trying to save our environment from that waste and you are telling me that there are aliens out there who EAT it?" The blonde nodded, making Lena huff and shake her head, finally releasing Kara from her touch but not moving away from the reporter's side. "There is a lot humans don't know about the universe."

"True. But in some ways every sentient species is just like the people of Earth. We have basic needs that must be met. We desire relevance in our lives no matter how long or short. And we make mistakes. No being is perfect despite what some may believe." Kara meant that from the bottom of her heart. Growing up on Earth has actually calmed previously unrecognized vestiges of xenophobic behavior her people had towards others – even now she internally sneers at the thought of Daxam and they were true relatives to the Kryptonians.

But where her prejudices stemmed from a sense of superiority, Kara suspected Lena's prejudices came from a root of fear in the unknown. And it was exacerbated by the hatefully radical extremes exhibited by her brother.

Silence covered the room while each woman thought about the topics they touched on while dancing around the real problem.

"So," Lena sighed. "You don't want me to bring the prototype into production because you believe that it will only lead to hate and fear-mongering?"

"Partially," Kara admitted, tilting her head back to look at the ceiling. "I would rather have you be the one to create a device like this, but perhaps...hold on to it for a bit first?" Looking at Lena from the corner of her eye, Kara saw her friend's pensive look. "Maybe bring it out in a time of need for helping others instead of hurting them?" Thinking harder herself, crinkle and all, Kara offered a possible use example. "Hospitals that admit aliens would benefit from being able to identify who is coming into their facility. Even schools, homeless shelters, and alien friendly grocers – all of them have an alien community base even if they don't know it. I believe they should be prepared for assisting their communities, not discriminating among the crowd."

Bright blue eyes turned imploring as they took in the quiet woman who was both afraid and not afraid of aliens. "I know businesses, especially those in research and development, need to sell their products in order to continue their work but could this one be tabled for later?"

Those eyes and that pout were a devastating combo, as Lena was learning. "I suppose...I could lock it down for now."

Warm, warm arms pulled her in to a hug that simultaneous soothed and excited her. But it was the vibrating trill echoing against her cheek that made Lena swoon. "What, what does that sound mean?"

Kara pressed once more into her friend before she let her go and tucked a stray blonde hair behind her ear shyly. "A bit of a thank you ...mixed with a bit of a 'you're wonderful' compliment," she confessed.

Lena blinked and pulled back, stunned. "W – You think that? About me? A Luthor?"

Kara sat back and gave Lena an assessing look. How could this young woman who was trying her hardest to establish a better reputation for her family through good deeds and accountability not believe she could be wonderful to someone? Especially to Kara. It actually saddened her that Lena never expects praise or affection. "Yes, I do," Kara said with a broad smile. "Your work is admirable but I like the Lena who forces herself to eat tasteless green things then lights up when I bring greasy burgers."

Laughing, Lena lets Kara snatch up her fingers and pull her effortlessly up and over to her work desk. Letting go, Kara picked up the detection device and held it out to Lena. "Want to see if your device works?"

Lena smiled tremulously and shook her head. "I believe you. Let me put this away and we will grab lunch. I'm hungry all of a sudden."

The End