Impulse

Chapter 12

Alex glanced over at Supergirl across the situation table at the DEO and a frown line appeared between her brows and her mouth closed with her lips forming a straight line across her mouth. She had been briefing her fellow agents and the obviously distracted super hero about the rash of bank robberies that had started in Metropolis and had ended up here in National City where the adept alien gang had managed three hold-ups in four days. They seemed to be getting more brazen and a little more reckless with each job. The last leaving three civilians and the security guard with nasty acid burns from the lizard like alien in the group. It didn't help that Supergirl had been MIA for the first two and severely distracted while engaging with them during the last heist which had occurred straight after the bank opened this morning and had caused the alien lizard man to become panicked causing him to spit acid everywhere before making a quick escape into a nearby sewer grate.

Supergirl had hurriedly rushed each of the injured party to the nearest emergency department for treatment. Even right now as she gave a curt nod for the other members of the strike force to carry on with their individual tasks for the remainder of their shifts, Supergirl didn't even seem to register that the men and women around her were taking their leave and continued to play with the corner of her cape.

"Was my briefing clear on our plan of action for apprehending the bank bandit aliens when they strike again Supergirl?" Alex enquired with a quirk of her eyebrow. She sighed when there was no response, Kara obviously too wrapped up in her own thoughts to register what was going on around her. Her sister always had the weight of the world on her shoulders, but she'd always managed to multitask and juggle her professional, personal and super life with relative ease considering the strain it put her under. But things had notably been different since Kara had started up with a certain raven haired, porcelain skinned beauty and this distraction was going to get someone killed.

"Supergirl!" Alex griped a little more firmly in order to snap her sister from her thoughts and back here in reality.

"Huh, what?" the Super responded as she snapped to attention tearing the bottom of her cape that her fingers had been worrying for that past twenty minutes as surprised blue eyes met and held the intense, concerned and slightly irritated brown eyes of her sister. "Shit!" Kara muttered as she glanced down at her torn Cape for a moment before allowing it to fall from her fingers and float back behind her and smiled sheepishly at Alex when she registered that they were alone in the situation room. "Great briefing, Alex. We'll get those bandits next time for sure. Typical us having to clean up my cousins mess with him so caught up and distracted with Louis and the new baby. Understandable, I suppose under the circumstances so we'll forgive him for his tardiness in his superhero duties," Kara finished with a fond smile.

This was the opening Alex needed and she took it reluctantly, "And your tardiness in your superhero duties are the reason of?..." Alex allowed her voice to trail off as bright, fierce blue pinned her down.

"Don't you start with me, Alex! I feel bad enough already that those people got injured, but it's not like anyone else knew that he could spit acid at thirty paces! For the love of Rao, I'm doing the best I can and it's never good enough. People still get hurt and I can't be everywhere at once."

Alex watched in concern as Kara paced the length of the room and clenched and unclenched her hands, where they rested by her sides. "I don't know what to do. It's not like I can lock her up until I'm convinced that the danger is passed."

Alex crossed her arms and leaned her hip against the large table separating her from her clearly agitated sister. Kara was now muttering softly to herself seemingly lost in her worries again. "I take it this is about Miss Luthor."

Kara growled a grunt of acknowledgement, "Do you know anyone else who has been targeted by the fucking stripper club Mafia not once, but twice in the span of a week. If I hadn't heard her call, she'd be dead, Alex. Just a minute more and she would have burned up in that mangled up shell of a car at the bottom of that canyon! And do you know what happened this morning?"

Alex opened her mouth to respond, but Kara didn't seem to need her input in this moment.

"She went off to work! It's been three days, the bruises have barely started to fade. She is black and blue, with varying shades of yellow and purple thrown in for good measure."

"That must be attractive," Alex muttered under her breath.

Kara whirled around and pinned a fierce glare in her sisters direction, "She's still the most beautiful creature on the planet."

Alex snorted in amusement and Kara gave her a tiny twitch of a smile in response as Alex rolled her eyes in good measure. "She's beautiful even black and blue but," Alex prodded to get Kara back on track with her ramblings.

Kara huffed, "But she is the most frustratingly stubborn and bull headed person I have ever known...and I know you."

"Hey," Alex chided with mock scorn.

Kara came around the table and sat in the chair beside where Alex was leaning and motioned for her sister to take a load off as well. "We had our first fight this morning, Alex. It was horrible. My heart hearts."

Alex had never seen her sister so invested in someone romantically before and while it still tweaked her a bit that it was a woman like Lena. A Luthor for fucks sake. What were the odds! She felt the sisterly pull to be there for Kara and to help make this better for her even if it meant helping her fix whatever happened between Kara and Lena this morning. "What happened? What did you argue about."

Kara huffed out a sigh, "She didn't take too kindly to me forbidding her from going back to work."

Alex winced, "Oh, Kara. Even I know that a woman like Lena would never respond well to being forbidden from doing anything, very badly."

"I'm trying to protect her! She could have died three days ago. She'd be dead twice over if I hadn't been there to save her."

"You can only die once, Kara."

Again a slight twitch of her tight mouth as Alex tried to lighten the conversation a little. "Funny," she huffed before continuing. "I mean she acts as if she's invincible, like she's..."

"You?" Alex smiled as she helped her sister along in the convoluted mass of words to get to the root of Kara's problem.

"Well, yeah. Anyway. She tells me that no one gets to dictate what she can and can't do. She grew up under the fists of a family full of domineering tyrant's and not even I can tell her what to do. I just want to keep her safe, I tell her and she replies that she could be hit by a bus tomorrow and she refuses to cower and hide from a bloated sleaze ball like Bubba Calliano. I try and point out that she isn't even able to raise her right arm over her head, because of her severely bruised ribs and she has only been able to open her left eye since last night. That she needs to rest and recuperate for a while longer and stay safe until I can take care of the Bubba problem..."

Kara trails off as Alex slowly starts to shake her head. "You didn't say that. Not to the fiercely independent and bad ass Lena Luther. Oh, Kara. Lena isn't some damsel in distress, she doesn't need a knight riding up on their white steed to rescue her. She rescues herself or at least tries to before calling out for Supergirl to save her."

Kara frowns, "I love her. I want to protect her and keep her safe. Why is that bad?!"

"Well, it isn't. Not in and of itself. You can protect her and keep her safe, but you can't force her to stay locked up in her house. You don't own her, she is her own woman and is more than capable of making her own decisions when it comes to how she lives her life. If she chooses to show Bubba that she won't bow down to his intimidations that is her right."

"Not intimidations. Assassin attempts!"

"Kara. Semantics."

"Fine. Anyway in a clipped tone she told me that she appreciated the help I'd given her over the last couple of days, but she had several businesses to run and didn't need me telling her when she was fit to get back to work. She said she'd be fine and would have her security team with her and walked away saying that I could see myself out." Blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears as her voice cracked over those last few words. Kara blinked a few times, Alex noting the red tinge as Kara evaporated those unshed tears and clenched her jaw with steely determination. "Supergirl is going to pay this Bubba a damned visit and she's going to ensure that he doesn't hurt even a hair on Lena's head ever again. Him or his goons."

Alex reached out and grabbed Kara's forearm. "You can't do that, Kara. Bubba is a human law enforcement problem, not a Supergirl problem. And there is no definitive proof that he is responsible regardless of the circumstantial evidence you have against him. Maggie told me that she talked to you in front of the station this morning and that she told you the exact same thing I just told you."

Kara frowned her lips pursing in a look of displeasure, "not fair, Alex. I can't believe Maggie dobbed on me to you."

Alex smiled, "she was worried about you. You can't go off half cocked, Kara. You are seeing red right now and the last thing I need is dealing with the political nightmare it would be if you pulverised Bubba into a bloody paste."

Kara stood so quickly that Alex's eyes couldn't even register the movement. Kara started pacing again to ease her coiled up adrenalin and frustration. "Fine! If I can't go as Supergirl, I'll go as Kara Danvers intrepid reporter! Maggie told me all the stuff he's suspected of, but can't be proven. Human trafficking and prostitution and whatnot, I was only half listening. Forcing the women to dance and screw the clientele to pay off their debts that never seem to diminish."

Alex was flummoxed and speechless for a moment. Kara saw her sisters face and paused in her pacing to face her, hands on her hips, "what?"

Alex cleared her throat as a frown creased her forehead, "well, I truly doubt that they will just let Kara Danvers intrepid reporter – Alex grinned as she repeated that description- into a gentleman's club that is suspected of such crimes as human trafficking and prostitution. Not to mention drugs, gun trafficking and money laundering! I read the dossier on Bubba and he may be small time compared to the organised crime bosses in New York City, but it still isn't something to treat lightly."

"I'm not taking it lightly, that's the point. He is a danger to Lena and I will take him down. Besides, Kara Danvers intrepid reporter won't be recognised. I'll go in disguise. I'm sure Winn will help me. No worries. Trust me, Alex, it'll be fine. It's not like I can't protect myself if I really need to."

Alex knew the look on her sisters face. It was her determined 'my mind is made up' look and knew there was no talking her out of it. "Okaay then, it looks like Maggie and I have a special date tonight," Alex muttered. Maggie's going to kill me, she thought.

Kara stopped short at the door of the situation room. "Alex. I'll be fine. I can take care of myself," she said exasperated.

"If it's all the same we will be there anyway. Maggie's badge may come in handy in a pinch if you get in trouble. We won't blow your cover. Just let your big sister look out for her little sister." Alex gave Kara her sweetest pleading look, which had the blonde finally letting out a genuine laugh as she shook her head.

"Fine, just don't blow my cover," she stated before walking out the door and making a beeline straight for Winn.

Meanwhile across town...

Lena shifted subtly in her high backed executive chair with a wince trying to get into a more comfortable position as she signed a bunch of payslip cheques for the dancers and wait staff at Puss in boots. The doors had just opened for the after work crowd and only the minimal employees were required in the early evening. Things didn't tend to pick up till around ten unless there was a special function and they tended to be on the weekend.

Lena noted that the function board hanging on the wall beside her desk showed a packed house in both the male and female sections of the club on Friday and Saturday. The promotions in several of the gay and lesbian magazines seemed to be paying off.

Lena grimaced again and dropped her pen with a clatter on her deep mahogany desk and stood slowly. The club owner shuffled over to her hanging leather jacket and pulled out the orange medication container that she had thankfully stashed in the inside pocket. She popped two of the small narcotics into her mouth and washed them down with a finger of scotch. She knew it wasn't wise to mix the medication with hard liquor, but she was feeling reckless and agitated after the heated encounter with Kara early that morning. Lena could only imagine what Kara's reaction would be if she saw Lena downing her pain meds with scotch.

"Who does she think she is anyway ordering me about like some fifty's house wife. I forbid you," Lena snorted derisively. "Yeah, cause that's gonna go well," she muttered under her breath as she settled back into her chair. "Businesses don't run them-fucking-selves!" She went back to her seemingly endless paperwork. Invoices, receipts, payroll and rosters. Not to mention endless resumes and interviews. The business had a high turn around with employees despite being praised for her generous hiring practices.

Being an exotic dancer took a special breed of individual and it also attracted the desperate. Their were some men and women in her employ that took pride in their work, seeing it as as an art. They honed their bodies and skills with the pole and dance routines to near perfection. Some were exhibitionists who found performing for a live audience exhilarating, but there were pitfalls and temptations abound in this business. There were the dangers of addiction to both drugs and alcohol and the temptation to turn tricks in the private rooms when eager clientele offered large sums of money for that little bit extra. Lena paid a higher base wage above what they made in tips and private dances as a way to discourage that kind of behaviour, but it still occurred on a regular basis. So it wasn't uncommon to hire one or two new dancers every week. Lena hadn't realised that the strip club would be so much harder to manage than her dance club. All of the unforeseen logistics hadn't occurred to her at the time. All she had wanted was to give the gay and lesbian community a safer place to go for their adult entertainment needs. And Bubba had turned into a headache on top of her already high stack of headaches.

Lena rubbed her eyes and gave a world weary sigh before picking up the next stack of invoices. She didn't even look up when her office door opened letting in the pulsing beat of music and hoots and hollering of some very appreciative ladies.

"Oh, hey boss. I didn't see you come in through the main floor. Come in the back way did you? Would make a gal wonder if you didn't want to see her. Haven't heard from you since the other night. Have you..." Dusty's energetic voice trailed off when Lena glanced up to give her manager and friend her full attention and the woman got her first look at Lena's colourful new face. There was no amount of concealer that would have covered her bruises without her coming away looking like a heavily made up hooker, so she decided to just go natural today.

"Oh, darlin'! What happened to your gorgeous face?" Dusty said softly as she rushed forward. The tall, dark and handsome, solidly built butch rushed to Lena's side. Dusty lived in the gym when she wasn't at the club or bedding countless swooning femmes who fell at her feet. She was good for business the lesbians and gays alike loved her and she was an imposing figure who was able to sort out any of the clientele that got out of hand, whether it be drunken fights or someone getting too handsy with the dancers. But none of that strength was evident as Dusty lightly brushed her fingers down the side of Lena's cheek. "Who did this Lena? I'll kill them."

Lena reached up and took Dusty's hand giving it a small squeeze before letting it go. She gave her friend a smile. "It was a car accident, Dust. And it's lying in the canyon, a burnt out shell, so the killin's already been had," Lena smiled a little wider. She always seemed to mimic Dusty's southern drawl whenever they conversed. Her best friend Sam found it hilarious.

"Are you sure you should even be here. Your face looks mighty sore." Lena stifled a whimper as she shifted in her seat and knew that Dusty wouldn't miss it either. "And your ribs, I'm guessin'. Is there anything I can do?"

"I'm fine," Lena growled, "and this shit needs to be taken care of and I know there is something else going on because Charlie and Destiny are doing their double act and they aren't rostered on today. So don't tell me I shouldn't be here."

Dusty raises her hands in surrender and heads to the bar for a drink. She grabs a club soda for herself and waves the bottle of scotch with a silent enquiring eyebrow in Lena's direction. "Better just give me a club too, Dust. My pain killers are starting to kick in. So tell me who's quit and how many new dancers we are looking to replace. It's like a revolving door around here sometimes. If it's not trips to rehab, it's stripper boys leaving to shack up with some new sugar daddy who's swept them off their little gay feet. So what is the issue now?"

Dusty heads over to the comfy suede couch and places the two drinks on the coffee table. She motions for Lena to join her. "It will be more comfortable than that chair, Sugar."

The club owner gingerly stands up and heads over to the couch allowing Dusty to help ease her down. I let Dusty help me with no fuss just now, so why did I jump down Kara's throat this morning, Lena thinks to herself. Well, besides the forbidding thing. Did she over react? Kara cares and loves her. There wasn't anything malicious in her actions this morning. I'm pushing her away. I know I am, it's just that I can't stand it when someone tries to control me, even if it is out of an endeavour to protect.

"Lena? You alright?"

Lena refocuses on the room pushing her issues with Kara in the background of her mind. Dusty is holding out Lena's drink towards her with a soft, caring smile on her face.

Lena takes the tumbler and takes a sip, "mm thanks, that hits the spot. So what's going on?"

Dusty rubs the back of her neck and Lena tenses, recognising the nervous gesture for what it is. Dusty is worried. "A couple of our new girls seem to have gone missing."

"Missing? Are you stressed? Some of the dancers can be awful flaky at times. Dust are you sure they aren't just skipping a shift? Which girls?"

"Candy and Floss," Dusty answers softly.

"Okay, that answers why Charlie and Destiny are doing their double act. Did you try calling?"

"Yeah, both cells and home numbers. Cells straight to voice mail. No answer at their home. They have an apartment together. Lena, Irena and Svetlana were defectors from Bubba's club. And Irena's car is still in the back lot. It has been there since their last shift two nights ago."

"Then we'll call the cops and file a missing person's report."

Dusty scoffs out a snort, "oh, yeah. Cause the cops are really gonna care if a coupla strippers are missin'!"

"Actually I know the name of a cop who is apparently family. My girlfriends sister is dating her. Uh, what was her name again..."

"Just text your woman and ask her," Dusty supplies helpfully with a big cheesy grin. "I can't believe you just said 'my girlfriend'. Never thought I'd hear that from Lena Luthor."

Lena punches Dusty playfully on the arm as she feels a blush creep up her neck and heat her cheeks. "Shut up," she says bashfully. "Anyway we had a bit of a disagreement this morning so I'm not going to text her. It starts with M. Mandy. Margie, no. Maggie! Uh, Maggie Sawyer. That's it, Maggie Sawyer. Call her and ask her if she'll come out tonight. I'm sure it's nothing, Dusty, but better safe than sorry."

Dusty worries her bottom lip between her teeth, "I hope you're right, Lena. I just have a horrible feeling that somethin's happened to em'."

Lena pats Dusty on her leg hoping to comfort her. She may look tough, but Dusty has a kind and gentle soul and Lena is thankful that she has her friend looking out for the girls here. "It'll be alright," Lena reiterated even as her own stomach clenched in foreboding.