"Miss Luthor!"
Lena looked up from her folder and Sam followed her eyes to the closed office door.
"Mr. Irons! She's in a meeting." Jess called after him and there was a clatter as something fell to the ground.
"No dammit let me through! I need to speak with her now!"
"Mr. Irons!"
The door swung open and Henry barreled inside, his face a mixture of anger and guilt that confused Lena even further. She stood from her desk and Sam stood with her.
"Miss Luthor. I'm so sorry he wouldn't take no for an answer." Jess glared at Henry.
"I needed to speak with you." Henry said pleadingly. "Please. It can't wait."
Lena looked over at Sam, who closed her folder. "I'm going to take a break, maybe run and grab us a couple of coffees. I think that should give you enough time to talk."
Lena gave Sam an appreciative smile. "Thank you, Sam. Jess, please push my next meeting back half an hour."
"Right away, Miss Luthor. I'm so sorry." Jess said.
"That's quite alright." Lena said assuringly and gestured for Henry to sit. After Sam exited with Jess and they were alone Lena crossed her arms and looked at Henry, her lips pursed. "Now normally I don't condone this sort of behavior, and your treatment of Jess just now was both unprofessional and highly inappropriate as was your rather boisterous entrance into my office. So what, Mr. Irons, has you so riled up on this rather quiet Monday morning, that this simply couldn't wait?"
Henry rubbed his hand over the top of his head and then down across his face. He looked ashamed and sorrowful but he also had a nervous energy about him that had Lena curious. "I'm sorry. I know this wasn't- I didn't mean to alarm anyone, but the weapon you brought in. The one you took from one of those men at the park on Saturday?"
"Yes, I gave it to Brainy to have him run tests on it." The fact that it was able to take down Kara was alarming, granted it took over a dozen to do so. She still wanted to know everything about it. She started clearing her desk of the paperwork she had strewn across it, when Sam returned they would need to go over to the youth center to meet Diana. She made a mental note to call Andrea after Henry was finished here. They need a good press release for the upcoming Grand Opening. "Why? What about it?"
"It's mine." He said, his voice low and thick with disgust. Lena set the stack of paper down and looked up at him slowly. Her attention now fixed on Henry. "They were supposed to have been destroyed. I thought I had handled it myself. Somehow those monsters got a hold of my designs." Henry looked up at Lena and tears shined in his eyes. "I owe him my life, you know. Superman. Years ago when I was just starting out. He saved my life, then doomsday nearly took his." He squared his shoulders, leaning forward slightly in his chair. "I vowed that day that I would be more like him, devote my life to protecting the innocent, as well as carrying on in his family's legacy. Even if I have no claim to it personally. So you can't imagine how I feel that the weapons that nearly took down his cousin, that killed so many… were the same—" Henry shook with rage, his lip quivering as he fought back his emotions unable to continue. Lena eyed him sympathetically. "I will understand if this information results in my resignation. However, if there is anything I can do to help take down these, Sons of liberty…" He spat the name out as he stood to take his leave. "Then know that I will devote my every waking hour to the task. I want to find the bastard that supplied those cowards with my weapons."
Lena sat thinking for a long minute as she took in this information. "Are these the same weapons you and Maxwell Lord were discussing the night of the Gala?" Henry swallowed and nodded. "You will coordinate your efforts with Brainy. I want full disclosure of your designs, Amertek's use of the weapons and any connections you can find that tie it back to Maxwell Lord."
"So you're not firing me?" Henry asked and his face showed his surprise and relief.
Lena softened, her features relaxing. "No, I'm not firing you." Henry's shoulder dropped as he exhaled.
"Yet." Lena crossed her arms. "You have given me no reason not to trust you Mr. Irons. I appreciate your honesty and your willingness to do what's right, but you will not disrespect my staff or me like this ever again."
Henry smiled weakly and nodded. "I won't. I am sorry for my entrance and disrupting your meeting. I will apologize to Jess on my way out."
"See that you do. I want full schematics and designs of your weapons on my desk immediately." Her mind was now buzzing with new alarms.
"I can have them for you in an hour." Henry replied. "Thank you Miss Luthor."
"Thank you, Mr. Irons."
He left quickly and Lena sat back in her chair. The events of Saturday felt like a surreal dream. She went from one adrenaline rush to another all in the span of 16 hours and she was still wrapping her mind around it all. "So much for a quiet Monday." She muttered. She glanced at her phone and was surprised to see a text from Kara so early.
Sam stopped by this morning, told me to tell you she spoke with Andrea and they will meet you at the new Youth Center at noon. Guess that means we will have to postpone our lunch plans?
Lena smiled at the tear emoji and the gif of a man walking sadly down the road. Actually I was hoping you'd join us. I'd like for you to see it.
-Yeah? I'd love to! Meet you there?
Sounds perfect. Lena felt her stomach swarm with that fluttery feeling she had been experiencing all weekend.
After Kara had collapsed from exhaustion they brought her to the tower and under the sun lamps. Sam and Ruby were already there and informed everyone that they had found the little girl's parents and it was a great relief to all that they were fine minus a few scrapes and bruises, terrified they had lost their little girl when all the chaos broke loose.
"I'm so glad. That could've ended much worse." Lena said relieved and went over to Ruby and hugged her tightly to her chest. "You were a hero today." She said proudly and Ruby smiled up at her shyly.
"I wasn't a hero, I just reacted." Ruby dismissed.
Lena shook her head and held her by both shoulders. "I saw the moment you chose to overcome your own fear in order to be there for that little girl when it counted most. That's what makes a hero Ruby, not abilities or strength, but the willingness and courage to do what's right." She smiled proudly at her and Ruby blushed. "That's a hero in my book, plain and simple."
Ruby looked over to her mom, her eyes shining, "I guess that makes her a hero too." Lena's smile grew at that. "Cool." She said more to herself than to Lena. She smacked Lena's arm playfully and backed away towards the lounge. "Don't tell her I said that. She'd never let me hear the end of it."
Sam approached Alex who was checking on Kara and smoothed her hands over her back before turning her around and gingerly touching the sling holding her arm in place. "How are you feeling?"
Alex looked at the room full of people she held closest to her heart and smiled when her eyes landed back on Sam's. "I'm feeling very blessed that we are all home safe right now." She glanced at her shoulder. "This is nothing in comparison."
"And how is she?" Sam asked as she looked down at Kara.
"We just got her situated under the lights, she's drained, those cannons depleted her energy levels pretty good. Sam watched Kara sleep restlessly with a worried expression. "So much strength and ability and yet she looks so vulnerable when she sleeps. I can't help but worry when she pushes herself to these limits." Alex wrapped her good arm around Sam's waist, taking a moment to really appreciate her. Sam smiled up at her and looked so relaxed and at ease, even after the horror they just faced only a few short hours ago. "I love you."
Sam leaned up and kissed Alex, pecking her lightly again right before she pulled away. "I love you." She echoed back.
"That's not going to be something I'll tire of hearing." Alex hummed.
"Good, cause you'll hear it often." Sam shot back and chuckled lightly kissing her one more time before resting her head on Alex's chest. Her warmth was like a balm to her strung out nerves. "I'm not sure what I did to deserve you. I'm so glad you're ok." She whispered softly into her chest. Alex held her tightly and kissed the top of her head.
Diana lingered in the main lobby of the tower, her eyes drifting more often than not to where Kara lay recovering. "She'll be happy to know you came to check on her." Lena said and she walked up next to Diana handing her a cup of coffee. Diana took it gratefully and gave her a small smile.
"I'm sure she'd much rather your company than mine." Diana said dismissively. Lena put the mug to her lips and pretended not to be as affected by that as she was. They stood in companionable silence for a few minutes as they watched people mill around them.
"You know, something I've realized after all these months and my time with Kara is that I've never seen her look at me the way she looks at you…" Lena looked over at Diana who kept her eyes fixed towards the open doorway where she could see Kara laying under the sun lamps. "I had assumed it was due to your personal history at first, the strong friendship you've built but—" Diana blinked several times and sighed heavily, words failing her.
"Diana—"
"I'm glad you both finally found one another." Diana said quickly. There was no malice in it, no hurt feelings, just a resigned admission and Lena couldn't tell if that was worse.
"Nothing's… happened. We haven't…" Lena shook her head unsure what to say. She was still working out what was between them. Sure they've flirted, Kara's even been more openly affectionate, but nothings ever actually been talked about. Not yet anyway. Kara did insinuate that she wanted to. So having Diana suggest there was something more when all they've done so far is walk a thin line that bordered on something bigger than what the term friends really encompassed just left her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
"If I ask you something, will you promise to answer it honestly?" Diana asked, turning slightly to better face Lena.
"Of course." Lena said sincerely, hiding the way that lit her nerves aflame.
Diana's eyes shifted to the open doorway and back to Lena. "If you were ever given the choice?"
Lena smiled softly, the answer coming easily without much thought needed. "I'd choose her. Every time." She frowned and looked down. "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't question if it was the right choice for her. She deserves better than me."
Diana's face softened with sympathy. "You both seem to share in the unique ability to be unjustly self deprecating." She smiled kindly at Lena and took a small sip of her coffee. "Have a little more faith in yourself, and be more honest with your feelings. You may be surprised what sort of outcomes you can achieve. Seems to me you just lack the confidence to pursue it." She raised her eyebrow. "Which is ironic, given that I'm telling that to someone who has no issue boasting her confidence in the sciences."
"Science is the only thing I've ever truly felt confident in." Lena smirked and Diana grinned at that.
She pointed to Lena's heart, "That's because you lack the belief you can achieve greatness here too."
Lena was surprised by the comment, it hit her in a profound way. She was molded to be perfect, Lillian didn't settle for less. She was told all her life that there was a bar and if she wished to succeed she needed to surpass its limits. Greatness was a goal to achieve and she had always strived for it through innovation and logic, perception and wisdom. She never considered matters of the heart as something to achieve greatness in.
Love is weakness. That's what had been drilled into her since she was four. It was only recently that she realized how wrong that statement was. How much emotional damage was inflicted upon her for years by those three words. It was never seen as a worthy pursuit so it was never really cultivated. Not truly. Not until she met Kara.
"Lena."
Diana and Lena both turned in the direction of Kara's voice and Lena's eyes widened at her name being called. "She's asking for you." Diana said and there was a soft smile on her lips. She looked at Lena and tilted her head. "You should go."
Lena hesitated only briefly, her heart pounding in her chest. She watched as Diana turned to walk towards where Sam and Alex were playing cards with Ruby. So much of her resolve hinged on her own ability to mask her fear. When she turned her attention back to Kara she realized that Diana was right. She hadn't really opened her heart up, not because she didn't want to, but because she had lacked assurance in it yielding a better outcome than what was already offered. If Kara's actions lately were proof of feelings all she needed to do was open herself up to it. She took a final moment to allow Diana's words to settle before making her way to Kara's side.
When she walked in the room Kara was trying to sit up, but clearly looked disoriented. Lena approached her, placing her hands gently on Kara's shoulders pushing them down gently. "You only just started your treatment Kara. Lie back and rest." Lena said softly.
"Lena?" Kara's eyes were half lidded, her face scrunched up in discomfort. Lena watched in some confusion as Kara's hand started patting the bed in an attempt to find something, then smiled when she realized she was searching for her own hand. She reached out and grabbed it and Kara relaxed instantly, gazing up at her with a warm tired smile. "So beautiful." Kara mumbled, already drifting back to sleep.
Lena's heart did a somersault in her chest, awakening with new abandon at the small praise. The conversation with Diana still weighing heavily in her thoughts. She had been too afraid to open it to her, to expose risk to an already beaten and tattered organ, but looking at her now she was wondering why.
"Rest." Lena swept her thumb over the top of Kara's hand. The fears she had weren't something she could easily dismiss, but she could at least be more open to the risk. If it meant keeping Kara, having her in a way she only dreamt of, she was willing to take the chance.
"Stay?" Kara asked.
"If that's what you want."
"Hhmmm, you comfort me." Kara said and drifted back into her slumber.
"Then I'll stay." Lena whispered. She would push past her own fears for Kara. The idea of exposing her heart to fresh wounds terrified her, but something in the way Kara clinged to her hand, pulling it close to her chest, gave her reassurance that it was in safe hands, she just needed to trust again.
Come Sunday there were simply far too many demands to warrant much time together. Kara and Diana had to give an entire briefing to the authorities that took far longer than normal given that most of the officers just wanted to be in the presence of Supergirl and Wonder Woman rather than actually debrief the mass shooting.
"The park was attacked because of their new public statement about being more inclusive to aliens and humans alike. I just don't understand how the Chief of police could have the audacity to ask me whether or not I found working with Wonder Woman more enjoyable than the rest of my team. What kind of question was that?" Kara lamented on the phone to her later that night. Lena smiled into the phone, holding it between her ear and shoulder as she stirred the soup she was preparing for dinner.
"That man is a sorry excuse of an elected official. I'm sorry Kara." She heard her sigh out in frustration on the other end and a distinct sound of springs as she assumed she landed heavily in her bed.
"You're already going to sleep?" She asked and she couldn't contain the mild amusement in her voice. "Kara Danvers, in bed before ten?"
Kara scoffed lightly. "Don't tease me, I'm too tired and too hungry to think of any worthy comebacks."
"You haven't eaten?" Lena asked, now more surprised at that than her sleep schedule.
"I literally just walked in the door." Kara sighed.
"I made soup." Lena said and she squinted at how awkward the comment was in its attempt at an invitation. All day her thoughts drifted back to the night before to Kara's hands at her face and waist, pulling her impossibly closer as she kissed her. Her own hands, for that matter, finally able to hold her in the way she had dreamed of doing for years. She looked up at the ceiling and lightly tapped her cell phone to her forehead a couple of times. Wow, super smooth Luthor.
"Oh? What kind?" Kara asked not at all aware of her current mess of nerves.
"Creamy chicken and rice." Lena said and sighed.
"Sounds fancy."
"I did have to make my own roux." Lena took a few steps away from the pot, looking down at her toes as she walked. "You- if you want to- I mean, I seem to have made quite a bit for one person." She spun around and pointed to the pot with the large spoon she was carrying as if Kara could see the gesture. "If you're not tired that is—"
"Lena?" Kara asked and she could practically hear the smile in her voice. "Are you asking me over?"
"Yes, rather horribly." Lena sighed and stopped pacing as she leaned her weight into the counter.
To her relief Kara laughed lightly. "I disagree. I'm on my way." And if she spun in a small circle in victory when they hung up well, no one could prove it.
When Kara arrived exactly 15 minutes later, her hair was slightly damp and up in a high messy bun, wearing leggings and a loose t-shirt and a thin sweater with sleeves that covered all but the tips of her fingers. Lena nearly forgot how to speak. "I brought wine." Kara said, lifting the bottle with one hand and smiling a nervous smile. "It's a red of some sort." She added and tilted the bottle to read the label and shrugged, "Cabernet I think…I don't know much about it other than it's from a vineyard and it's made from grapes. So don't test me on tannins or hippiness or things like that." Lena covered her mouth to hide her wide smile. "What?" Kara asked and her shoulders slumped down as her head tilted and Lena was struck with another strong wave of affection at just how cute she was.
"Hippiness?" Lena asked her eyebrow shooting skyward.
"Yeah, like when people talk about wine they mention things like — what??"
Lena was chuckling and shaking her head. "I think you mean hops and that's something people refer to when speaking of beer not wine. But you got tannins right so there's hope yet for you." She winked.
Kara let the arm she was holding the wine with drop to her side. "Oh. So does that mean I'm uninvited, now?" She asked raising her own eyebrow. Lena gave her a confused look in response and Kara gestured to the front door and smiled amusedly.
"Are you going to let me in?"
"Oh!" Lena stepped aside pulling the door with her. "Right of course. Sorry."
Kara chuckled lightly and stepped inside so Lena could shut the door behind her. "It's ok." They stood in the foyer for a moment in silence unsure how to proceed. Do they hug, kiss? It was all so new and they had been friends for so long, they never really crossed certain physical boundaries before, nothing more than light touches and hugs for years and suddenly a wide range of physical affection had been opened to them and neither knew what to do with themselves.
"Hi." Kara said and she hesitated at first but then took a step closer to Lena and Lena felt captive to her gaze. Kara brushed her fingers experimentally over Lena's hand which hung low at her side. She looked down at the small connection and took another small step toward Lena putting them nearly nose to nose.
"Hi." Lena whispered, her stomach flipped in anticipation as her eyes drifted down to Kara's lips wondering if Kara would close that small space left between them or if she was waiting for her to move instead. She felt a finger curl around her own and her mind suddenly clouded with desire from the small touch, wanting more. Her other hand reached between them resting softly on top of Kara's sweater. She rose up slightly on her toes and kissed Kara chastely on the lips. "Hi." She said quietly.
"You said that already." Kara whispered. Neither one of them making any attempt to move out of each other's space.
"I did?" Lena asked dazed, cause she couldn't really think past kissing Kara again her eyes still trained on her lips.
Kara nodded. "You did."
"Hmmm." Lena said her body leaning forward slowly and Kara smiled and kissed her again. Heat coiled up from within her, and her stomach swarmed with a fluttery feeling when Kara tilted her head and deepened the kiss. She heard distantly the sound of the wine bottle being set down on her entry table before a warm hand held her face. She moaned into the kiss and Kara's body reflexively drew closer to hers in response. The moved in sync with one another as if this was a dance they had done much more often. Kara's breath was hot against her lips and kiss was firm but tender and careful and full of restraint, like it was physically strenuous for her not to push for more. It was when she felt the gentle sweep of her tongue that her body nearly took over completely, her hands clenched into kara's sweater as she tried to savor every second. She was overwhelmed, pulling back and taking a shuddered breath. "That's…" Lena shook her head to clear her mind. "You're really good at that."
Kara beamed and leaned in to kiss her again but Lena paused her movements. "Let's," Lena closed her eyes and fought the sudden wave of arousal tamping it back down. "I actually need a minute." Her fingers uncurled from around Kara's sweater as desire set in and she lightly pushed with her fingers and found Kara surprisingly pliant and accommodating as she took a small step back. Kara seemed just as affected judging by her own breathing and she cleared her throat. "You're really good at that too."
They smiled at each other. "Still hungry?" Lena asked breathily, she needed the distraction of eating dinner.
"You should have seen Diana, I've never seen her raise her voice, but she was about two seconds away from leveling the entire precinct by the end of the briefing." She sighed and Lena bit her lip to fight the smile as she listened to Kara vent. There was a nervous energy between them that hadn't been there in the past. They orbited around each other in the same way they always used to only with the added distraction of attraction. They fumbled and ducked their heads when their shoulders brushed as they walked passed each other, or blushed profusely if the other stared for longer than what they had been used to. Lena found the latter to be the most enjoyable part of their new dynamic. Not only was she free to admire the beautiful woman before her, not having to do so through quick glances anymore, but she had the added bonus of seeing Kara blush and fidget at the added attention. She couldn't stop smiling if she tried.
"This soup has become my new favorite, I'm hooked." Kara said as she finished off her second bowl.
"I wish I had made more then." Lena smiled as she finished off her own bowl placing it on the side table. They decided to have dinner in the living room. She sat in her normal spot by the arm rest and side table, and Kara had chosen to sit next to her rather than her usual place on the other end. She crossed her legs, tucking her socked feet underneath her and if that meant her knee brushed up against Lena's thigh no one pointed it out.
"Is there no more?"
"I'm afraid not." Lena smiled when Kara's lip went into full pout.
"You're cute when you pout." Lena found herself saying out loud and she looked down after she said it thinking maybe it was too much.
There was a second of silence, before a trill of laughter. "Oh really?" Kara asked much too amused at the confession for Lena's liking.
"Don't let it go to your head." She said and pursed her lips looking up to level Kara with a glare but Kara seemed to take that as an open invitation to pry for more.
"Wait, how cute?" Kara asked and she turned in her spot throwing her arm on the back of the couch and resting her head on top of her wrist and Lena smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Let's just say there's a reason Cat would assign you to interview me. I had a tendency to share more than my PR team liked and all because of a pretty blonde that had rather irresistible puppy eyes when she didn't get her way." Lena poked her in the ribs and was delightfully surprised that even though she was made of steel it didn't prevent her from being ticklish judging from the squeal evoked from Kara.
"And here I thought I was a great interviewer." Kara said teasingly as she tossed a throw pillow lightly at Lena for her antics. She caught it and tucked it into her arms and laughed.
"Oh you are, but that bottom lip certainly gave you an advantage over James, and Nia." Lena explained through her laughter.
"Interesting. A super power I didn't know I had." Kara wiggled her eyes and tried to pout and Lena laughed fully at how ridiculous it looked.
"It's good to know you can't do it on command, I'm not sure how I'd be able to resist you otherwise." Kara smiled and they stared at each other for a moment, their eyes lingering before they both blushed and looked down.
"It's kind of awkward now isn't it?"
Lena felt her stomach flip uncomfortably. "What is?"
"This. Us." Kara said quietly, she fiddled with her fingers. "Not in a bad way, just awkward." Kara shrugged and smiled as if more amused by the situation than worried by it.
Lena put her hand on Kara's knee, smiling affectionately at her and loving that she didn't have to temper her touches like so many times in the past. "Maybe a little bit, but not in a bad way. We're just— " She looked down at her hand and rubbed Kara's knee with her thumb "learning new boundaries now." She tapped lightly with her index finger and was about to pull her hand away when Kara put her hand on top of hers preventing her from retreating.
"We can take it slow, be honest with each other and just see where it leads." Kara said matter of factly and Lena bit her lip to hold back her laugh. Kara pouted. "What? What did I say?"
"Nothing, nothing, God, it just sounded so corny, didn't it?" Lena said and laughed again when Kara's face turned even more pitiful. "Oh darling, it was endearing and lovely and of course we will do those things. It's just, it was the way you said it, please stop pouting." Lena leaned forward slightly and smiled amusedly.
Kara sighed heavily, but Lena could see she was just as tickled with herself as Lena seemed to be. "I was going for sweet…"
"And it was." Lena assured her, laughed harder still. "Oh see, that! That, right there! That's the pout face that gets me into so much trouble!" Kara shook her head and started smiling widely as she watched Lena take clear enjoyment from her own expense. "Hey." Lena leaned more forward, invading Kara's space slightly, her hand coming up to soothe Kara's crinkle and Lena sighed with deep, deep affection for this adorable being. "Have I told you how much I like you today?" She ducked her head slightly to meet Kara's eyes and the movement brought their heads closer still.
Kara shook her head. Lena pinched Kara's shirt between her fingers and pulled slightly as she nudged her head with her nose. "I like you."
"I like you too."
"No." Lena's eyes darkened as she held Kara's gaze. "I really…" She brushed Kara's lips with her own, "really, like you." She pulled her in closer and kissed her again.
The drive to the new youth center was a short one, intentional in its location so that Lena could get there quickly should any immediate needs arise. She was excited to be able to do a first walk through after countless hours of renovation work and remodeling efforts. They were finally at the home stretch and she couldn't wait to see the end results. Diana had more control over the logistics, what programs would be launched first, hiring the administrative staff as well as a team of professional counselors, tutors etc. So today would be the first day she met the new team members, before opening.
Frank pulled up to the front door right as Kara landed a few short feet away. She smiled and put her glasses on and her suit disappeared and in its place were well fitted pants, and a loose blouse hiding under a burgundy coat. She opened the door with a bit of flare and held her hand out. Lena was slightly startled by the entrance looking over at Frank and then back at Kara. She grinned, taking Lena's hand and helping her out of the car with a wink. "Frank." She said in greeting, smiling happily at him.
"Miss – Supergirl?" He said and Kara laughed.
"Kara's just fine, Frank." She corrected. She looked back at Lena who was gazing back with a questioning look. "You've trusted his discretion for years. I think he can be trusted with this as well. Right Frank?" Kara asked, keeping her eyes fixed on Lena as she pulled her closer. Lena's lips raised slowly, Kara was showing her she trusted her, not just her, but her judgments of others as well. It was a monumental gesture to her and yet she did it with such ease and casualty.
"Of course Miss Danvers." Frank said quickly. Kara frowned and glanced back at him.
"You can call me, Kara." She said again.
"Of course Miss Danvers, as you wish."
"No–" Kara started again and Lena laughed and touched Kara's cheek turning her back to face her. "It's no use Kara I've tried for years, I'd imagine you won't fare any better. Isn't that right Frank?" Lena asked.
"Yes, Miss Luthor." Frank said promptly. Kara pouted and Lena shook her head and kissed her lightly which to her amusement quickly lifted Kara's spirits. "You continue to surprise me. Come on, everyone should be inside already." Lena said and she smiled when Kara laced their fingers together.
"Almost everyone, Andrea had a last minute meeting with Miss Grant about something, she should be here soon though." Kara said as they began walking.
"Miss Grant? That's interesting. Curious what that's about." Lena wondered aloud. Kara shrugged and opened the door for them to enter. "Beats me, I left soon after she got the call. Whoa." Kara said as her eyes took in the space. Lena smiled and squeezed her hand, tugging her further inside as she also took in the new furniture and bright colors of the main foyer. It was elegant but catered to children of all ages and she felt her own growing excitement. "Its amazing Lena."
"It is, isn't it? I can't wait to show you the different rooms. There's a gym back there, three different recreational rooms, a huge play area outside, a computer hall, we also designed a lab where kids can learn and experiment under supervision, we will have tutors and counselors and there's even a program set up for families who are struggling financially, to help teach the parents skills to find jobs, budget their finances." Lena's eyes lit up at the potential of this place.
"That's amazing." Kara said her eyes shining with pride and adoration. She looked around again, "what you've done here, its — it has the potential of pulling kids out of the gap and setting their futures up generationally. What are you going to name it?" Kara asked.
Lena looked around at the space. They had been stuck on naming it, nothing fit and they struggled to find something suitable. She turned and faced Kara. "That's one of the reasons I wanted you here today. I was hoping you might have a suggestion?"
Kara's eyes widened. "You want me to name it?"
"Well, we all have suggestions, but nothing really lines up with what this place represents. I thought I'd ask your opinion on it, and Diana and Sam seemed to agree that for someone who inspires so much hope with her words on paper, maybe you'd have the perfect one for this place." Lena said hesitantly, like she might have just asked too much of her. Kara felt humbled and looked around before she looked back at Lena. "I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll think about it." Lena said softly. Kara smiled softly, touched by the offer and nodded. "Yeah, ok. I'll think about it."
"Good." Lena said and squeezed her hand gently. "Let's find Sam and Diana, there was a small group of kids that have already started coming to volunteer with painting and setting up the rooms, I bet they are all in the gym."
They started walking when they heard the door shut behind them. Lena turned around and saw Andrea approaching.
"Sorry I'm late." Andrea said when she got closer, her eyes darted to their hands which were still entwined before she looked back up at Lena.
"You actually came at a good time. We were just heading to the gym. Diana and Sam should be there now." Lena said.
Andrea nodded swiftly and glanced at Kara who offered up a small smile. Andrea smiled back quickly before averting her attention back to Lena. "Well lead the way then."
Lena furrowed her brow her eyes narrowing at Andrea's behavior. She tended to speak candidly more often then not and so her short answer responses were raising red flags. "Andrea are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Andrea said and sighed when neither Lena or Kara looked like they believed her. "It's… not something I'm…" Andrea raked her fingers through her hair and sighed when the two of them continued to watch her closely. "Ah fuck it. I was late because I was talking with Cat about leaving next month." Lena and Kara both stared blankly unsure where she was going with this. "I quit CatCo."