I don't own these characters; DC/the CW does.
A/N: this is the sequel to Triangulate, making it an unexpected series. This one offers more plot than sex, but there is still the emotional turmoil you've come to expect. There's a lot more SuperCorp and Kalex moments along with AgentCorp moments, even though Alex tries really hard not to let those happen. This story earns its rating in this first chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
Quarter Past
1: Put Forth
Alex was at lunch with Vasquez, sitting at a cafe down the street from L-Corp. Alex was tempted to tell her about the touch of madness that infected Kara, and possibly Lena, the idea of them being a throuple… trio? She was not quite sure of the terminology. But, Vasquez had a lot to say today, which saved Alex from herself. She knew the right thing to do and had done it, but for some reason, she needed affirmation. They were the crazy ones, not her. Nobody shared a mate.
"You okay, Danvers?" Vasquez asked, waving around a thick, steak cut french fry. Her turkey sandwich was mostly eaten already.
Alex blinked. "Yeah, sorry I zoned out on you."
Vasquez laughed. "I didn't think Lucy beating me at the range would bore you so much."
"No, it's just been a wild four days." Alex blew out a breath. It was hard to believe it had only been four days. Then, it hit her brain what Vasquez said. She shook her head. "Wait a second, you let Lane score higher than you?" She pointed across the table.
Vasquez rolled her eyes and ate her fry in an angry bite. "Believe me, there was no 'let' involved. I don't know how it happened." She threw her hands up. "Anyway, think you can sneak off early to go to the range with me? Help me see what I might've done wrong. I can't lose to her twice or I'll have to wear an apron around the house and I do not look good in one."
Alex snickered. "I would pay to see that, but I'd pay even more to see you take Lane down. I'll tell Lena about leaving early."
"Your relationship has improved with her leaps and bounds if you can approach her and tell her things."
Alex nodded. "Believe me, I know. We've talked, several times, and you know about the lunches and stuff." She glanced down at her own food, her half-eaten grilled chicken wrap and fries. I can't believe these people have me eating lunch.
Vasquez ate a few more of her fries. "Got things sorted?"
Alex scoffed. "I don't think I'll ever have things sorted with her." There was always something new.
Vasquez opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, three women wandered over to their table. They worked at L-Corp. At least two were scientists, but Alex was not familiar enough with the third to place her.
"Hello, Doctor Danvers," a brunette who was possibly named Keanna. Alex tried not to pay too much attention to the other scientists around L-Corp or she would lose her mind to their high school behavior. Even the way Keanna stared at her now with dismissive dark brown eyes was more than Alex wanted to deal with.
"Doctor Mitchell," Alex replied with a slight bow of her head as a greeting. She would like to think being civil to the group would get them to go away sooner and she could get back to the real problem of the day where Vasquez somehow lost at shooting to Lane and they needed to sort that out.
"We're sorry to interrupt, but this is Doctor Fatinah Veda. She just got hired in our division and wanted to meet you, Doctor Danvers." The sneer was ignored as was the way she said Alex's title dismissively.
Alex arched her eyebrow and turned to the woman she did not recognize. She was petite, with waves of ebony hair and bronze skin. Beautiful did not come close. "Pleasure to meet you." She extended her hand.
Fatinah grabbed her hand with both of hers and grinned. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I've read so much of your parents' work." The other two snickered. One of the funniest things about Alex around L-Corp was how much better her parents were and what a disappointment she had to be for publishing and accomplishing so little. Little do they know I was a disappointment for very different reasons.
Alex nodded. "Of course you have." She eased her hand back.
"I was so surprised to find out their daughter worked at L-Corp! You must have so much going on." Fatinah oozed positive energy and smiled like she actually cared.
"Too much," Vasquez muttered. Alex glared at her and suddenly Vasquez's lunch was interesting to her.
"Maybe I can pick your brain later on about your parents' work or even your work. I have so many questions," Fatinah said, bouncing on her heels.
"I'm sure I won't be able to stop you," Alex replied. Farewells were said and the trio continued on their way. Alex fought the urge to curl her lip. What was that about? No one at L-Corp was below a laugh at her expense.
Vasquez could not help a chuckle. "That's probably going to bite you in the ass later on."
Alex shrugged. "Everything at L-Corp usually does."
"True. At least you're being well paid for it. And you're now being paid for both jobs."
True, even though she was still exhausted. L-Corp security was finally looking up to snuff. They had a few more tweaks they needed to make to be certain everything was perfect. Soon, she would be able to hand it over to Vasquez and just focus on her science. It would feel good to accomplish something in science.
-8-8-8-8-
Kara laid on the couch in Lena's office, her head resting in Lena's lap. Lunch was done, but Kara could hang out for a moment under the excuse she was chasing down a lead. Lena ran her fingers through Kara's hair.
"Has Alex spoken to you in the last few days?" Kara asked. She missed Alex like never before and it had only been four days. It was something about having the knowledge that Alex was her bond-mate that tipped things over the edge. Alex was already damn near everything. It was hard to fathom she was even more, but here they were and she wanted Alex in all the right ways. Now, if only Alex would just open her eyes and see the truth, we could have something even more amazing.
Lena massaged her scalp a little. "Yes, a little, but not in the way you want her to. She's acting as if nothing happened."
Kara scowled. "Do you think I was out of line?" She thought once she revealed the truth to Alex, she would be as bright and happy as Kara… well, in her own Alex way. Alex would finally have what she searched for and felt always eluded her — love and connection. And, she would have that with not just one, but two people.
Lena shrugged. "You know Alex better than I do."
"I don't know why I thought she'd just go with it. She always expects the worst." But, there was no "worst" for their bond and it came with the added bonus of Alex being able to be with Lena. It was so obvious those two had something as well and she could not believe Alex wanted to fight that off when she always had such a good time with Lena, and that was without their mating times.
"Maybe you hit her with too much too soon. I think she'll accept being your bond-mate much sooner than she'd accept also being attracted to me."
Kara nodded. Okay, maybe that was too much, but once the realization hit her, she wanted to move at full speed. Her heart ached at being denied what they could all have and cherish. "Would you date her? I mean, let's say I didn't exist and somehow you'd met Alex, would you date her?"
Lena chuckled. "You have it wrong. I would date her now with your encouragement. Without you, me and Alex are a struggle waiting to happen. She might have had different issues without you, but I would have still had mine. I don't see her being able to get past any of those things."
Kara did not totally understand that. "So, you'd date her now?" That was the important thing.
"I accept you're bonded to her and I understand you want us to get along. You see potential in us and I agree with you. I like Alex and we have sexual chemistry. I think it could grow into more. Will she let it?"
Kara pursed her lips. "Would it be wrong of me to just pout and tell her how much I want her to date you? And I want her to be my bond-mate? And just keep pouting more and more as time passes?" Eventually, Alex would have to give in and then she would see the truth for herself.
Lena laughed, throwing her head back, and tapped her fingers against Kara's forehead. "Yes. Stop trying to skip a million steps because you had an epiphany. You should date Alex first. She's your bond-mate and you both have missed over a decade of being together properly. Enjoy each other. I can come in due time."
Kara sighed and reveled in Lena's touch for a moment. "You are really smart."
"With the price I pay for therapy, I better be."
Kara smiled. "I'm really lucky to have you."
"We're lucky to have each other." Lena leaned down, placing a gentle kiss to Kara's lips.
Kara pushed up a little to deepen the kiss and Lena obliged. The angle was a bit awkward, but the caress of Lena's tongue more than made up for it. She reached up to stroke Lena's back and Lena moaned into her mouth at the simple touch. Lena's pleasure was delicious and Kara wanted more.
Kara broke the kiss. "Hey, do we have time?" She wiggled her eyebrows. She would be late regardless, but Lena might have a meeting or something soon.
Lena giggled. "Yes. It's been a while since we've done this in the office."
Kara could not help looking around. "It has. So, let's get to it."
"You are so greedy."
"No, you just taste so good."
Lena chuckled as Kara hopped up and slid off of the sofa. She eased Lena's heels off while Lena unbuttoned her pants. The scent of her arousal hit Kara immediately. The smell was so intoxicating and never failed to put Kara in a daze.
"You look drunk, my love," Lena said with a teasing smile. Her eyes sparkled and she was the definition of beautiful.
"Pants off. Now." Kara might have growled.
Lena snickered, wiggling the pants just past her hips, but she was not moving fast enough for Kara. Kara did the rest of the work, taking the pants down her smooth, creamy legs. She kissed each ankle before lying the pants over the coffee table, making sure they would not end up wrinkled. She nuzzled Lena's thigh, earning a whimper.
"Please, Kara," Lena whined.
"Well, you did say please." Kara dived in, licking Lena fully, even though her panties were still on. But, they were basically a slip of lace, barely there anyway. She got a good taste and Lena had to feel all of that.
Lena's hands went right to Kara's head as Lena cooed from the contact. Kara tasted her like the sweet treat she was. She would go down on Lena all day if possible. Lena moaned and arched against her tongue, trying to get closer.
"You feel so good, Kara," Lena whispered, voice already rough with want.
Kara smiled against the light, lace fabric of the panties and then moved them to the side to get to the real treasure. Lena cried out as soon as Kara's lips were on her skin. Kara hummed in appreciation, wasting no time drinking Lena in, lapping at her desire, and delighting in her essence.
"Oh, God, Kara," Lena moaned, threading her fingers through Kara's hair. The sound and touch was more than enough encouragement for Kara.
Kara tasted Lena like an ice cream cone, dragging her tongue up until she flicked Lena's clit with her tongue. Lena trembled against her and let loose a cute coo. Kara repeated this, getting similar results. It only made her crave more and more of Lena. She was not alone in her yearning.
Lena put her leg up on Kara's shoulder and bucked. Kara smiled to herself. Her bond-mate was so eager for her and she wanted nothing more than to give Lena everything she wanted. Well, except for the fact that Kara wanted to taste Lena forever.
Kara put her hand on Lena's abdomen, keeping her in place as she gathered Lena's passion on her tongue. She ran her tongue through Lena several more times before setting her attention on Lena's clit. She sucked the gem and Lena's body bent, trying to curve, but she was stopped by Kara's hand. She whined, but she loved it.
Kara kissed Lena with the intent on savoring her, but they did not have the time. Lena was already over her lunch break. Kara had mercy on Lena and slid a finger inside of her. Lena mewed and arched as much as she could as she throbbed around Kara's finger, trying to draw her in even more. Kara moaned into Lena's flesh, feeling every wonderful ripple. She pumped her finger in time with the movement of her tongue and lips. She resisted the urge to shove her free hand up her skirt, everything about Lena inflaming her, making her wet and hungry. No, this was about Lena.
Kara eased another finger into Lena and crooked both against her warm front wall and she suckled Lena's pearl and Lena exploded with a wail. Kara released her, allowing Lena to pitch forward. Lena cradled Kara's head to her as she panted. Kara spent her time licking Lena clean. Kara pulled away as Lena calmed. Her face was flush, but a pleased, sate smile adorned her face.
"That was wonderful, darling," Lena said, running her fingers through Kara's hair once more.
Kara smiled. "More tonight, but I'm also going to either invite Alex over or hang out with her. If the latter, I'll try to be in by nine."
Lena scoffed. "I'll believe it when I see it."
"I love you." Kara smiled and kissed Lena before leaving out of the window. She would text Alex later. For now, she had to make herself presentable for work again.
-8-8-8-8-
Alex let Kara come over, even though she was trying to give both Kara and Lena space. It was better for Kara to come to her place than for her to go to the penthouse. It would help get the crazy idea out of Kara's head that Alex and Lena should date. Of course, she could not just not be around Kara, though. Four days had been far too long. She needed cuddles as much as the next person. She was only human for crying out loud.
"So, pizza and Chinese?" Kara asked as she made herself comfortable on Alex's bed. They were both in their pajamas, ready for a night of catching up on their shows. Usually, they would do this at the penthouse with a proper television, but Alex was avoiding it, so her laptop would have to do.
"You're going to order both anyway," Alex replied, pulling up the sleeves of her white baseball shirt.
Kara chuckled. "I am. I haven't had pizza in days. Want anything on it?"
"Just plain." Alex turned to grab another pillow to put behind her back. "I need to watch what I eat. I'm not nearly as active as I used to be."
Kara snorted. "You fight crime, aliens, and metas most nights. You're fine, but I would love for us to start sparring again. Lena and Brainy would love an excuse to upgrade the gym at home or even the one at L-Corp. Have you used that one?"
"I have not." Until this moment, she did not know L-Corp had a gym. I thought I knew every inch of that place.
"Oh, well, we're going to go check it out next time I'm at L-Corp. It'll be fun. Lena says it's really nice."
Kara draped her arms around Alex and pulled her in close. The body contact was nothing new, but it held a new meaning after Kara's revelation of them being bond-mates. As Kara snuggled into her, Alex wanted nothing more than to fully embrace Kara and revel in the feel of them, but Kara was not hers. We're not bond-mates.
"Alex, it's okay," Kara whispered, as if she said it too loudly, she would shatter them.
With a sniffle, Alex shook her head and pulled away. "It's not. I'm not going to ruin your relationship. You're not mine."
Kara pursed her lips and turned to face Alex. Kara folded her legs under her and rested her hands on her knees, like that would keep her from touching Alex. "I'm as much yours as I am Lena's and you're as much mine as Lena is. You know this in your heart and soul to be true. We are bonded."
Alex shook her head, even though something quivered deep within her, tried to crawl to the surface, and threatened to overtake her. She ignored it, buried it, and was saved from answering as her phone vibrated. She picked it up to see it was an email under her L-Corp company address. The subject: is this your work?
"What is it?" Kara asked.
"I don't know." Alex opened the app and the email. It was from Fatinah, the new scientist from earlier. Good evening, I'm not sure if this is all right or not, but I was curious and I don't have any other means to contact you. Did you write this article? It says Dr. Danvers and I'm very familiar with your parents' writing style, having read plenty of their work, especially back when I was in school. This reads less formally, but is very well written and informative. It's an intriguing study.
"Well, what's it say?"
Alex shook her head. "It's just an email from a colleague. She liked an old article of mine." It was rare for her to get accolades for her work, even before she worked at L-Corp. She usually only published when she really felt like the knowledge needed to be out there in the world. Same for the few patents she held. Most of her knowledge was still in her mind.
Kara frowned a little. "She did?"
"Yes? Is that a problem?"
Kara's face remained tense and now she floated just a little above the bed. She rubbed her knees with her hands. "Of course not. It's just since you've gone to L-Corp, I've been reminded how offices can be like high school. I know how the scientists there treat you. I don't want them to be pulling a prank and hurt you."
Alex gave her a small smile, hoping to set her at ease. "It's not like that. She's new, so she doesn't know the lab politics just yet. I think she likes me."
Kara's frown deepened. This was about more than possibly pranking Alex. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, and don't be jealous. You'll get over this idea of us being bond-mates and accept it's just our usual emotions toward each other, nothing deeper, and you were hyped up on sunlight. You only bond with one person. Kryptonians are monogamous."
"You say that as if you don't know there can be variations and outliers." Kara scoffed and crossed her arms. "And you call yourself a scientist. Besides, we've seen in history and stories, sometimes Kryptonians do bond with multiple partners. It happens, deal with it."
As much as Alex wanted to deny it, she could not. It was rare for Kryptonians to bond with more than one person, but it happened. She was not sure it happened with Kara, though. They always felt strong emotions for each other. It did not mean they were bonded, though. She could not even mark Kara. Yeah, Lena can't mark Kara either, so what are you saying? Alex needed to get this back on track before her mind went down a dark path.
"Kara, I really think you're just confusing your feelings on this one," Alex said.
Kara looked at her as if she lost her mind. "Confusing them how? Do you think I'd be comfortable just letting anyone be with Lena? It's just you for a reason. But, go ahead and be in denial. Eventually, you know I'm right and it'll all catch up with you."
Alex scowled at how smug and certain Kara sounded. She was not bonded with Kara like that. She had had two long term relationships, felt love for those women, and had been more than ready to bond with them. But, those relationships weren't successful. It always felt like something was missing. At first, she thought it was a desire for children, for a nuclear family, but with Kelly it was something more. Alex shook that off and decided to answer the email. She would see what this Fatinah was about.
-8-8-8-8-
Lena was in bed, jotting down notes for the suppressant formula she was definitely going to talk Alex into working on, when Kara came into their bedroom. She expected a happier Kara after spending time with Alex, especially since it was almost midnight, but Kara had a scowl on her face. Lena put down her notes on the nightstand.
"What's wrong, my love?" Lena asked, opening her arms.
Kara wasted no time falling into her. Lena held her close and breathed her in, getting a whiff of Alex's scent as well. She melted on the inside. Kara mixed with Alex was something she was all too happy to enjoy now. No, focus on what's wrong with Kara.
"Tell me what's wrong?" Lena asked with Kara's head tucked under her chin.
"Alex is going to try to get a girlfriend," Kara replied.
Lena expected a lot of answers, but that was not one of them. Maybe she heard wrong. "Excuse me?" Alex could not be trying to get a girlfriend four days after what had to count as emotional trauma with her rut and Kara's epiphany.
"Some coworker emailed her while we were watching our show. Then, she told me again that I was confusing my emotions and that's why I believe she's my bond mate. She wouldn't listen to reason. She's being stubborn."
Lena chuckled as she caressed Kara's bare bicep. "Oh, you mean she's being Alex. Did you really think this would be easy?"
Of course, Kara pouted. "Well, I figured she'd take to it the same way you did. You're handling Alex as my mate pretty well."
Lena shrugged. "Because I came after the fact. I understand how you both could have misinterpreted your relationship, especially seeing you two in action. You have serious romance blind spots. Anyway, I'm happy to be part of your life, as well as hers. For her, though, she sees you in a happy relationship and thinks you're needlessly complicating it and trying to add an element in it that could lead to ruin."
Kara actually whimpered, like this physically hurt her. "Do you think that?"
Lena gave her an extra-tight squeeze. "I could happily share you with Alex since I've been doing that already. She might not realize it, but I still truly believe she is your favorite entity and you go through withdrawals when you don't see her after a few hours. You're hopelessly in love, both of you. All you're missing is a sexual component and I wouldn't be upset if you added that considering my experiences with Alex."
Kara's brow wrinkled. "But, do you think we could all be together?"
"Yes, I do. I like Alex and since I have your permission I do believe with enough time and allowance it could grow into more. And, after the effort she's put in for me, I would love to be able to take care of her." They had gone through this several times since Kara's epiphany last week, but Kara kept needing reassurances that she was not crazy because of how dismissive Alex was. Poor Kara could not fathom that her hero was afraid of something, especially something like happiness.
Kara hummed and cuddled in closer. Lena rubbed her shoulder and she purred. "I just want us all to be happy."
Lena kissed the top of Kara's head. "We'll get there. It'll take time. Just look at my relationship with Alex. Yes, we've grown leaps and bounds recently, but there were almost two years where we barely spoke unless the world was in danger. It'll take time. Be patient."
Kara only groaned. Patience was not really Kara's thing. Time, people, and the time with them were precious. Kara knew best how everything could be gone in a flash. "It's already been four days."
Lena chuckled. "Yes, I think it might take a little more than that, my dear. You know Alex best of all and you know she does things in her own time. She needs to process."
"I want her to process now. It all makes sense. She's a scientist. She should see the evidence and come to the proper conclusion."
"Sometimes, evidence needs to be tested. Hence, possibly getting a girlfriend."
A deep groan escaped Kara. "I just want us all to be together and happy and together."
"I know, sweetheart." She kissed the top of Kara's head.
Barely a minute later, Kara fell asleep curled up against Lena. Being upset must have exhausted Kara. Lena was tempted to text Alex and scold her, but instead, she snapped a picture of her notes. She sent the picture with a text. We're going to do the suppressant project or what?
It took Alex a few minutes to get back to her. She probably was deciding on if she should answer or not. Let me clear my study first. With two jobs, it's hard to have time for a third thing.
Lena frowned a little, thinking Alex was subtly trying to downplay Kara's epiphany again. But, Kara and Alex did not know the meaning of the word "subtle." You already have three jobs. I know what you do at night. She laughed at her own joke.
Well, that would make it even harder to handle something else. The three dots appeared to show Alex was typing more, but it took her a while to put the text through. How's Kara? I know she's mad at me.
Alex seemed receptive, the most she had in days since her rut, so Lena made a bold move. She FaceTimed Alex, who actually picked up. Lena's heart jumped. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder.
"To answer your question of how's Kara." Lena angled the phone so Alex could see Kara resting against her.
"Oh, wow. I didn't think she was that upset. I'm sorry. It looks like you had plans."
Lena glanced down at herself in a shimmering green negligee with an almost embarrassing neckline. She fought off the temptation to show it off to Alex. Memories of Alex's knot mixed with the anticipation of being with Kara made Lena press her thighs together. She did not cover up, though. Alex had seen her in less.
"She's not upset with you. She's upset with the situation," Lena said.
Alex glanced away. "She'll get over it."
"Or so you hope."
"She will. You have to remember she was hyper from sun exposure. Once she's back to normal, she'll realize she was just being crazy," Alex said.
"She came down from that days ago. You shouldn't belittle or invalidate her emotions, Alex. We're all allowed to feel what we feel." You as well, even if you don't want to acknowledge it.
Alex sighed, running her hand through hair. "I don't want her to feel let down and I don't want her to make you feel like you're not enough."
Lena laughed, throwing her head back. Alex had so many excuses. "Not enough? I managed to be so amazing I got an already-bonded Kryptonian to bond with me. I'm great." This was really good for her ego and she meant that.
The frown that cut across Alex's face was not surprising and would have been scarier if only she did not know what Alex's face looked like when she climaxed or how Alex was when she was in rut. "We're not bonded like that."
"Alex, you're a scientist. Examine the evidence before coming to the conclusion. Not to mention, you're a strategist. You plan things out, see all the angles, and go with the best plan for the moment. I feel like you let your emotions do the thinking here."
"There's nothing to examine or think about. It's not happening." Alex looked away, face flushed. "I should go to bed. Good night."
"Good night." Lena barely got the words out before Alex hung up. Lena sighed. This was going to be a major uphill climb. She stroked Kara's head.
-8-8-8-8-
Alex sighed as she threw her phone down on the bed. Kara would get over this eventually and they could all go back to normal. Like the normal where you banged her bond mate several times and tried to mark her like an idiot? Where you tried to pretend Lena was yours? That was the wrong thought to have as memories of being inside Lena flashed through her mind. She groaned and thought about Lena tonight, her breasts practically hanging out of her nightie. The sight of Kara pressed against Lena went through her mind. She tried to shake it away.
"Fuck." Her dick was hard and pressing against her boxers. She pulled down her underwear and grabbed a tube of lube from her nightstand. "This is so wrong." But, it did not stop her from using the lube and stroking herself to thoughts of Lena. And yet, when she climaxed, it was Kara's name she whispered in the dark. Tears immediately burned her eyes. It could not be true. She was too awful for it to be true. She did not deserve Kara, or Lena for that matter. She would only bring them ruin.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: After accidentally inviting Lena on an outing, Alex makes a date with Fatinah to try to move on.