As Kara Danvers CatCo Media Reporter, she couldn't do much in the aftermath of "Supergirl" going rogue and murdering secret service agents in the process of attacking the White House. But as Kara Danvers, friend to Lena Luthor, she could absolutely swing by the CEO's apartment the next day. She had already seen Lena last night, in the company of Alex, in the aftermath and had been incredibly relieved to find that two of the most important people in her life believed that she was innocent. So coming to Lena as a civilian, to visit her friend, was a breath of fresh air.
Lena had been surprised to see her standing there at the door, but swiftly let Kara inside, all smiles and excited greetings. And so Kara had joined Lena on the couch, sipping on wine and talking in hushed tones, as if speaking too loud would disrupt the peaceful bubble they found themselves in, despite the worldly circumstances. Both women skirted around the White House subject, not wanting to taint the calm atmosphere.
Kara was finally able to relax, sitting across from Lena and admiring the gentle rustle of her hair as the breeze came now and then from the open balcony doors. She smiled over the lip of her wine glass, not realizing she had been caught staring until Lena ducked her head and smiled bashfully, asking "What?"
Kara blinked, "Huh?"
"Kara, you're staring," Lena told her through a laugh.
In turn, Kara's cheeks flushed with color as she shrugged, "I missed you."
Lena's shoulders which had been relaxed in their time together, suddenly drooped to mirror her exhaustion and she exhaled a deep sigh. "Kara, I'm so sorry." Her hand lifted, rubbing at her temples. "There's been so much going on-"
Kara leaned forward, jumping in, "No-no Lena, I didn't mean it in a way to blame you for anything. I completely understand! Things have been," an awkward laugh escaped her before she could help it, "a little crazy lately." Lena lifted her head and offered a tired smile. Kara pushed up her glasses and continued to speak, barely above a whisper. "If anyone should be apologizing, it's me. I haven't been here for you." She hated that her Supergirl persona had been more of a friend to Lena lately than best friend Kara Danvers. And what would happen to all of that progress when Kara finally revealed her secrets? Her lips pulled into a deep frown and she tilted her head to meet Lena's gaze head on. "I'm sorry I haven't been a good friend lately. I should have been-"
Lena reached out and took Kara's hand. They had been gravitating towards one another on the couch this whole time, and Lena was the first to breach the space between them. Accompanying her gentle hand hold was a soft sigh of, "Kara." Which had the blonde snapping her mouth shut, eyelashes fluttering with her surprise. "No more apologies tonight, please," Lena insisted, squeezing Kara's hand.
Kara smiled widely and nodded, turning her hand so their palms could touch, and threaded their fingers together. "No more apologies," she agreed.
They both softened yet again and leaned into one another, smiling over the rims of their wine glasses. "I'm glad you came by for a visit, Kara," Lena murmured after a short bout of comfortable silence. "I was actually meaning to reach out to you, I wanted to know if you would be interested in joining me on a trip to Stryker's Island. We need to find more information on Lex and who better to help than my favorite reporter?"
Kara's grin was bright and as eager as her response, "Count me in!" Lena's smile in return was equally as blinding and Kara found herself tipping forward slightly, "We'll make a trip of it," she insisted, eyes shining with delight. "You and me, on the road! Real life Thelma and Louise! But, uh, without the murdering, or the driving off a cliff part, heh. But then! Then we'll be detectives! Or well, you'll probably be better at the detective stuff and I'll just stick to the reporter shtick. But it'll be awesome to work with you, out in the field!"
Lena could feel the buzz of excitement rolling off her friend in waves, causing her to get out a, "Yes, Kara, it will be a delight," between quiet laughs.
Kara was glad to be included this time around. Lena had been doing a bit of investigation alongside Alex and Supergirl recently, so technically Kara had been there but Lena didn't know that yet. Kara's smile wavered and she hid it as not to worry Lena. She promised herself to come clean very soon with her friend. Otherwise, she knew it would come to bite her in the ass. But hopefully they would get through this trip without a hitch first.
There was a barely audible (to humans) flutter outside on the balcony and two soft taps as boot clad feet touched down on the cement. Kara subtly moved her gaze from Lena and towards the balcony, trying not to rouse suspicion as she surveyed the source of the noise. Framed by the billowing curtains was an imposing shadow. The person stepped forward and Kara's breath caught in her throat as she lurched to her feet, spilling her wine. The sudden movement shocked Lena into following Kara's gaze.
A sudden panic washed through Kara like a tidal wave and left her with a rolling sickness in her gut that she thought might actually make her vomit right then and there. The Supergirl impostor was right there and the only way to ensure Lena's safety was to expose her-or it, or whatever the heck it was!- but the easiest way to do that would be to out herself as the one true Supergirl. Bile crept up Kara's throat but she kept it at bay long enough to croak out, "Lena," and step forward between her friend and the intruder.
But for once Lena was faster, ducking out from behind Kara to get between her and Supergirl. "Oh! Kara, no!" Se assumed Kara was frightened by the Kryptonian, since they had dodged the subject of the White House and she didn't know the reporter's feelings on the events. "It's okay, I swear!"
Supergirl took another step into the room, her gaze on Lena, soft and doe eyed in the low lighting. Kara could choke on her rising panic, if it were physically possible.
"Lena," Kara urged, stepping forward and taking the CEO by her forearm, giving a gentle tug.
Lena spun around, a placating smile on her face, hands reaching up to cradle Kara by the upper arms, "Supergirl didn't do it!"
I know , Kara wanted to scream, I'm Supergirl, her eyes flickered to the caped crusader, She's the impostor!
And standing behind Lena, as if sensing Kara's internal struggle, Supergirl smirked. Another wave of nausea rolled through Kara's gut at the sight of her own features contorted into that satisfied, lopsided smirk.
Kara stumbled slightly, desperate to do something. "Lena," another croak, even more distressed than the last. Damnit! Why couldn't she get anything else out! Lena was in serious danger and Kara could barely pull herself together to function properly.
"Kara Danvers."
She flinched at her name falling from what seemed to be her own lips. Supergirl made to take a step forward and suddenly Lena was standing right in front of her, hands gently pressing into Supergirls diaphragm, whispering, "Please, you're scaring her," to keep the Kryptonian from advancing on her fragile, human friend.
And something about that interaction, or the way Supergirl turned her eyes on Lena again and immediately softened, had the initial panic wearing off, allowing Kara to pull herself together. And then Lena was returning to Kara, the same gentle hands at her waist, wide green eyes surveying her face and soft voice insisting, "I promise, Kara, she won't hurt us. I've been working with Supergirl and your sister too. Your sister! Oh, your sister believes in Supergirl too, that she didn't attack the White House. Kara, you must believe us."
Kara's eyes flickered over Lena's shoulder to where Supergirl was standing, arms crossed over her chest. Their eyes locked. Then simultaneously narrowed in scrutiny of each other.
Supergirl is a slave to her emotions, Red Daughter thought to herself. Why has she not acted? Lena must have something to do with Kara's indecision. That was the only thing she could think of that would stop Kara from attacking her right now. She does not want Lena to know of her second identity. This had her tilting her head curiously as Kara appraised her. This only seemed to fluster the other blonde, who stiffened and flared her nostrils.
Another smirk curled at her lips.
Coming to see Lena had been one thing, but once she realized Kara was with her, she hadn't been able to resist. She had lurked outside for some time, listening to their banter and watching the way they interacted, with her super-hearing and x-ray vision respectively. Reading about Lena from Kara's journal, meeting her briefly in the flesh. Neither compared to the possibility of standing between them both, of setting Kara off the edge and forcing her to reveal her true identity. The thought had barely solidified in her mind, before she found herself delicately landing on Lena's balcony.
Yet here she was, watching Lena placate a completely distraught Kara, who showed no signs of aggression. She had sworn the overemotional Kryptonian would have immediately gone on the offensive to protect Lena Luthor. Was keeping her secret worth more than Lena's safety? Impossible, she mentally berated herself. Not after the way Kara had spoken so highly of Lena in her journal. Then again, she had not yet made a threatening move on Lena. Did Kara sense no threat? The idea caused her to bristle indignantly. Kara Danvers was weak, where she was strong. Kara Danvers was corrupt where she sought justice. Kara Danvers was blind to America's greed where she would not allow it to stand any longer. The Americans were at fault for the death of the first person she had ever saved. Kara Danvers should absolutely feel threatened by her.
Lena's fingers curling around her wrist, pulled her out of her thoughts. She blinked the fog away, focusing on the bright green eyes before her, soft but imploring.
"Supergirl?"
A smile tugged her lips upwards, daring to tease back, "Lena?"
The brunette smiled fully and stepped back, taking herself out from between the two blondes. Kara was glaring so hard, that she wondered how close Kara was to switching over to heat vision. Supergirl crossed her arms tighter over her chest and cleared her throat before speaking again. "Kara Danvers. Glad to see you're keeping Lena company," she spoke slowly.
Lena gasped as Kara boldly stepped forward until they were practically touching. Supergirl's hand lifted off her bicep slightly flashing towards Lena, and the brunette resisted from stepping forward to intervene. The two blondes stood toe to toe. Two eerily similar blues locked onto one another. Kara's brow furrowed but Supergirl remained stoic.
Neither understood why the other did not attack.
Eventually, they both relaxed their posture slightly and it was jarring to see them take one step back in tandem and extend their right hands forward. They met in a slow handshake, steadily increasing pressure. Until they both winced and drew back. Equally matched and unwilling to attack until the other showed signs of aggression (in fear of putting Lena at risk) they were at a sort of impasse.
Lena exhaled a sigh of relief, stepping up to gently touch their still shaking hands. "Alright. Now that-erm- that is settled. Perhaps we can all sit, and talk amicably?" Her eyes were hopeful as they flickered between the two blondes.
Supergirl hesitated, "I shouldn't stay.."
Kara's lip curled in an uncharacteristic snarl, one of which Lena had never seen. "Considering you're public enemy number one now, even if you didn't attack, it's not like you have patrols to be getting back to."
"Kara," Lena's voice was sharp and scolding.
Supergirl smiled anyways, "In that case, I'll take a glass of wine."
Kara curled her fists as the other blonde situated herself in the corner of the couch. "Kryptonians don't feel the effects of wine," her voice forcibly level despite her agitation.
"Lena has good taste in wine, it's delicious. I can smell it from here," Supergirl shot back with a coy curl of her lips, arm raising to rest against the back of the couch, as the other settled on the arm rest and she comfortably crossed her legs.
Lena returned with a half full glass, handing it over to the Kryptonian with a smile, which Supergirl returned. Then she turned and reached for Kara, placing her refilled once-dropped-glass back into her hand and tugging gently on her free wrist, encouraging her to sit on the couch, on the other side so that Lena was placed between them. The perfect way to dissolve any tension that might arise.
Unfortunately in this position, Kara had to watch as the clone-is that was the impostor was? She still wasn't sure- used her fingertips to toy with Lena's loose hair while gazing adoringly at Lena's profile. Kara had to wonder for a moment, if that's what everyone else saw on her face whenever they walked in on their lunch dates. It was no secret that Kara held a deep admiration for Lena. Something that she had been tiptoeing around for quite some time, as it bordered feelings of the more-than-platonic variety. But sitting here watching someone who looked exactly like her, look at Lena in that way, it made her stomach roil with something she couldn't name.
Lena turned her attention towards Supergirl for a moment, smiling shyly as she ran her fingers through her hair. Supergirl smiled back, a bright flash of her pearly whites, even as Lena's silky hair escaped from between her fingers.
Kara cleared her throat, causing both women to look at her. She had to focus on not shattering the glass in her hand. "So," her voice was a bit more gruff than usual, "What brings you by? Since you should, in all practicality, be hiding out in a bunker somewhere.."
Supergirl's smile all but vanished at the question. It was a subtle reminder that Kara knew exactly the situation they were in, where as Lena had wool over her eyes.
"I wanted to check on Lena. Considering her personal assistant had been a mole for quite some time, when I heard another heart beating in her apartment, I was worried." Lena's smile was slow and she tried to hide it behind a large gulp of wine. Crystalline blue eyes drifted towards her, "I wanted to protect her."
Kara took a calculated sip of her own wine, if not only for something to do. A motion to concentrate on, instead of shattering the undoubtedly expensive wine glass. After collecting herself, she reminds Supergirl, "Lena's a big girl she can take care of herself."
A moment of silence passes between the trio, accompanied by blue-eyed glares, until Lena breaks it with a low laugh. "Now, now Kara. No matter how many times Supergirl saves me from falling off a balcony or a bombed press conference, remember what I said." She leaned towards the reporter, smirking, "You'll always be my hero."
Kara perked up, flashing a wide grin and absolutely preening under the praise. She even glanced over Lena's shoulder and raised her eyebrows at her doppelganger.
Supergirl sneered back, before placating her features as Lena turned to face her next. "Of course, I mean no offense, Supergirl. But a girl can't get too attached, since you do go around saving half the city and not just myself."
Supergirl was slow to smile at the Luthor, her eyes shimmering with a certain fondness. "Oh Lena," tumbled from her lips. But it sounded off, the L a bit too thick. Lena's eyebrows scrunched for just a second, before Supergirl was continuing to speak, her accent concealed again. "I would do anything to protect you, Lena."
And the words were so sincere. Her eyes expressive and shining. Kara saw this. And in that moment she understood that whoever this impostor was, she was equally enamored by Lena Luthor. Which meant that Lena was in no danger here. But it still didn't explain why this phony dressed up in the Supergirl suit and destroyed the White House. The slip of an accent was intriguing, but with Lena sitting between them Kara couldn't exactly hold an interrogation without spilling her secret.
Lena's eyes were wide, meeting Supergirl's intense gaze head on. Kara sat there in a strange kind of morbid satisfaction as the two other couch occupants leaned towards one another at a microscopic pace. She could hear Lena's heart rate, how it had started pumping furiously with the tender admission. Her own stomach rolled uncomfortably yet again and Kara acknowledged the feeling for what it was.
Jealousy.
It was a strange out of body experience (but not quite since she was uncomfortably aware of her own body sitting there) watching Lena inch towards Supergirl as the heroine leaned towards her as well. She could imagine the sensation of Lena's hot breath fanning her own lips. It caused her to physically jerk, moving the couch just enough to garner the others' attention. Both of who jumped apart from one another, cheeks flushing
Kara rolled the glass between her hands and took a careful sip, while raising her eyebrows at the other two. Lena cleared her throat and ducked her head momentarily, tucking hairs behind her ear and staring into her wine glass. While Supergirl had the audacity to throw another very crooked smirk Kara's way, which she found concerningly attractive. Kara furrowed her brow and stared across at the impostor, who raised a questioning eyebrow in return.
Kara snapped out of her confused gaze when a pale hand gingerly sat upon her knee. Lena smiled bashfully once she had her attention and Kara curled her lips in a toothless smile as she slid her hand into Lena's. On an impulse, stemming from where she wasn't sure, Kara leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to Lena's cheek. Immediately Supergirl was glaring daggers at Kara so intense that the surrounding skin of her eyes became red hot.
Lena glanced between the two and subtly sunk further back into the couch. That is an interesting development, she thought to herself. A turn of events had drastically changed her night, and apparently it saddled her between two not so subtle blondes. The CEO tucked her legs up onto the couch and balanced her wine glass precariously against her thighs. Then reached out and set her free hand on Supergirl's thigh, only to have the heroine discarding her wine glass in her own lap and miming Kara's hold on her hand. The other hand, still tucked against the back of the couch, found its way into Lena's hair again. This time more bold as her fingertips gently dug into the tender flesh of her neck.
Kara watched with narrowed eyes as Lena sighed on content and tilted her head back. She squeezed her friend's hand, smiling and lolled her head to the side, drawing a lazy smile across her face. "It's so nice to have you both here at the same time for once," she murmured, glancing over at Supergirl fondly for a long moment, before returning her gaze to Kara, "It's actually quite lovely."
"Lena-" both blondes cut themselves off, realizing they were saying her name at the same time.
Lena laughed at that. It started as a stifled giggle and slowly progressed into a full bellied laugh, which caused both blondes to follow suit. But it cut off when Lena's glass nearly fell to the floor, Kara and Supergirl grabbing it at the same time.
The room froze.
Supergirl was the first to recover, setting the glass on the table, as Kara jumped up, "Spill!" she stuttered a bit, "We, uh, some spilled!" She raced into the kitchen (at a human pace) and grabbed a couple paper towels for the few measly drops that now dotted the rug. She smacked herself in the forehead for her stupid lapse of judgement. Why did she have to grab the falling glass when fake-Supergirl was right there obviously with the same powers? She shook her head and returned to the room, kneeling in front of the couch to carefully dab at the carpet. "Sorry Lena," she mumbled.
Lena rolled her eyes and reached down, gently running her fingers over the length of Kara's shoulders, watching the motion. "Kara, don't fret. A few drops of wine won't be a bother, honestly."
"But it's red.. It stains," she quietly argues the point, focusing her eyes on the carpet so she wouldn't have to meet Lena's potentially judging eyes.
Lena dragged her fingers back across, dancing them against Kara's neck and teasing, "Don't make be grab you by the scruff and drag you back up here myself."
This drew a laugh from Supergirl and Kara jerked, smacking her knee against the coffee table. She winced, noticing the knee-shaped indent she accidentally left against the underside of the furniture. A finger gently coiled in the baby fine airs at the base of her neck and Kara sighed, dropping the barely soiled paper towels onto the coffee table before returning to her perch on the couch. She eyed the three wine glasses on the table and chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip. "Maybe I should get going."
She swallowed thickly before chancing a glance Lena's way. Her face had fallen, lips parted but no words came. Supergirl was the one to speak up instead, "You should stay." Blue locked onto blue. "If anyone should leave, it would be me."
Lena scoffed, grabbing onto Kara's shoulder and Supergirl's knee to keep them bot in place. "Neither of you are going anywhere." Two curious blondes turned her way, to find Lena rolling her eyes. "A few drops of wine is nothing to cry over, Kara you spilled nearly half a glass earlier, it's fine. And neither of you have overstayed." Then she huffed out an, "Honestly," and smirked, shaking her head.
Kara's smile was sheepish and Supergirl chuckled quietly.
Kara reached up and tangled their fingers together, softly reminding them all, "It is getting late though."
"It is," Lena agreed. She shifted on the couch and released both women, leaning forward towards the coffee table. "Which is why I'm going to finish this wine and we're all going to settle in for a movie. Okay?" As she spoke, she poured the other two glasses into her own, filling it nearly to the brim. Lena took a hearty sip and nodded to herself. "But first, I'm going to wash your glasses out. Alright? Good plan." She nodded again and lifted off the couch, taking all three glasses with her to the kitchen.
The nanosecond Lena was out of sight, the two blondes were on each other. Their foreheads knocked together, noses brushing. Kara hissed through her teeth, "Who. Are. You?"
Red Daughter sneered back at her. "You should know, Sestra."
Kara scoffed, "S-Sestra? Sister?" Her head tilted, eyes narrowing, "You've got to be kidding me. That's the worst lie anyone has come up with. I would know if I had a sister. Especially a twin like you!" She glanced quickly towards the kitchen, realizing she had risen her voice. But Lena hadn't seemed to notice, so she returned her attention to the person claiming to be her sister.
Supergirl scowled fiercely at America's champion. She did not understand. Alex told her that she was Supergirl's sister. And by extension that meant Kara Danvers' sister. Why was the kryptonian lying right to her face.
"Listen," Kara jabbed a finger against the House of El crest, "I don't really care who you are. I just need to know why you attacked the White House and why you had to do it while wearing the Supergirl suit."
"Orders from Alex."
Kara's jaw dropped, before she quickly snapped it shut and curled her fingers over the neck hem of the suit, yanking the impostor closer. "Alex would never order that. Plus, I saw her last night! You're not making any sense!"
Steely fingers gripped at Kara's wrist and squeezed until she released her grip on the suit. "Not your Alex," Red Daughter growled. "My Alex."
"Your Alex?" Kara quirked her head, squinting in confusion.
Supergirl leaned back slightly, tilting her head to mirror Kara's confusion. If Kara was friends with Lena, how could she not know her brother? Maybe she needed some clarification. Red Daughter raised her eyebrows and spoke slowly, "Alex Luthor," her accent slipping through.
"Lex is behind this?" Kara's jaw went slack, a fresh wave of panic threatening to topple her over.