Kryptonian Nights 18

Deanlu

Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. These are about the many facets of love.

Luthors

Kara looked around at the venue. She was wearing a beautiful royal blue long dress. The material flowed around her just perfectly. She had arrived at the party twenty minutes later so there was quite the crowd now. Her appearance was mandatory since she worked for CATCO which was now owned by Lena Luthor. She could see Lena, Winn and Alex across the room talking. Lucy and James were speaking with the mayor. Several members of the City council, National City University and other movers and shakers were in attendance. Kara grabbed a glass of champagne from one of the waiters moving around the room and took a deep swallow. Definitely Lena's brand from the taste. She approached Lena and her friends before the path was blocked.

"Ms. Danvers, good to see you in attendance tonight." The gentleman who had intercepted her remarked stepping in front of her. He took her hand and kissed it. This had attracted the attention of Lena's group and Lucy across the room. Kara smiled and looked up at the gentleman with a questioning gaze. "Arthur C. Grindon. I have been wanting to meet you for a long while. I am building a stem and science school on the north end of National City. I would love to talk with you about it." was an older gentlemen with greying hair, mustache, and a nice clean cut beard. He wore spectacles and was dressed in a grey suit. A pocket watch hung in his vest pocket. "I was wondering if you would have a little bit of time for me later. I have some things I would love to tell you about." Kara could swear she knew the gentleman. She just couldn't place him.

"I would love to speak with you later Mr. Gindon." Kara offered only to be interrupted.

"Arthur please." Kara chuckled as he again kissed her hand again. He was definitely a smooth gentleman. The twinkle in his eyes intrigued her. Kara played with her glasses nodding.

"Arthur. Why don't you give me thirty minutes and I'll come find you?" Kara promised feeling a little queasy suddenly. The older man looked suddenly concerned obviously noticing the change her facial features.

"Are you okay?" Arthur asked taking Kara's arm to steady her. Kara shook her head feeling the queasiness clear some.

"I'm fine. I'll see you soon." Kara stated as she excused herself and moved toward Alex. Kara placed the champagne glass on a nearby table and approached the bar after waving to Alex. "Club soda please." She felt odd. Maybe it was the idea of being close to Lena and James. Their relationship made her feel uncomfortable due to her being in love with Lena. Add that to the falling out Lena had with Supergirl and you could say her life sucked lately. Alex and Winn had tried to help, but Lena was adamant about Supergirl betraying her. The weird part was that Lena's attitude toward Kara was mimicking the attitude she had with Supergirl. Kara didn't know what to think. The young reporter had decided to put her name in for foreign assignment in Asia unbeknownst to Alex, Lena, or any of them. Except James. He had been resistant to it at first arguing that National City couldn't do without Supergirl. Kara reminded him that she could be back in seconds to National City. That this was an opportunity to give her writing a boost. James had finally given in and submitted her name. They would hear at the end of the month. Both had agreed to say nothing until it was assured.

"Kara! You're looking beautiful tonight," Winn asserted as he took her hand and pulled her in for a soft kiss on the cheek. "You okay? You feel a little warmer than normal." Winn questioned in her ear.

"I'm fine." Kara whispered back quickly as she went to hug Alex and then awkwardly hug Lena. Lucy joined the group along with James. He hugged her whispering he hadn't heard anything. "So, how's it going so far? A lot of important people around tonight." Kara commented as the mayor approached. They all looked toward the mayor.

"Ms. Luthor and Mr. Olsen. Wonderful party tonight. You have much to be proud of at CATCO and LCorp. I just wanted to thank you for the new solar energy spots along the harbor area, Lena. They are saving us a lot of money. You're coverage Mr. Olsen has helped National City earn the reputation of being on the cutting edge of technology. Thank you both." The Mayor shook both their hands. He was introduced to everyone around the group.

"This is Kara Danvers, reporter for CATCO media." James introduced when Lena had forgotten her. The young reporter had grown use to her friends behavior, but it hurt.

"Kara Danvers. Yes, I would like to have a word with you." The mayor replied leveling his gaze at Kara. Her friends began to speak when the young reporter waved them off.

"I would love to speak with you. Do you mind walking with me?" Kara asked offering her arm to the mayor. He smiled and took the offered arm. They began to walk away when Kara heard her name.

"Kara, are you sure you have time right now?" Alex asked trying to give her an out. Kara shook her head no that all was fine. She continued to walk away as she engaged the mayor in small talk. The mayor actually led her to the dance floor where they began to move around with a slow song. Her friends watched especially Lena who had a peculiar look on her face.

"My sources tell me that you can get in touch with Supergirl." The mayor stated urgently. Kara turned a questioning gaze upon him.

"I have my ways of getting ahold of her. Why? Is there a problem?" Kara questioned as she watched the mayor fumble for the right words. The dancers moved around them even as Kara noted Arthur Grindon's presence across the room talking with a beautiful woman.

"You understand what I am about to tell you is not for release to the public at this time." The mayor pleaded after a moments reflection. Kara nodded still listening. He twirled her about making sure no one was close. "Earlier this evening a bed check at APEX prison found Lex Luthor not in his cell." Kara's steps faltered as her face changed to alarm. The mayor took over guiding her to make sure no one noticed. "A subsequent search has found no signs of him or how he escaped."

"Videotape?" Kara asked with trembling breath. The mayor shook his head no.

"Completely scrubbed. There is an all points bulletin out and the FBI is looking for him." Kara nodded closing her eyes. It explained why Alex and Lucy were here. It also explained why she had noted more security than normal. Alex's questioning of Kara moving off with the mayor was to insure her security and keep her near her big sister. As their dance came to an end Kara's troubled face told James something was wrong.

"I'll let her know. It may take a bit, but I will get in contact with her." Kara assured the mayor. James approached Kara as the mayor stepped back.

"Thank you Ms. Danvers. I know I can trust your discretion about this." The mayor murmured before walking away. James arrived as the mayor slipped away. A fast song began to play covering her and James presence on the dance floor.

"Kara? You okay?" Kara looked James in the eye. She could see it in his eyes before he even said something. Kara tuned her hearing into the group. Sure, they all knew. Even Lena. So that's the way it was falling out now.

"No, I don't think so. James I need to speak with a gentleman here on a story, but I am going to head home after this. Let Lena know it was a pleasant party." Kara turned and began walking away. James following her as she slipped through the dancers.

"Kara. Kara. Come on Kara." James entreated as she ignored him. Anger rippled through the young Kryptonian even as she approached Arthur Grindon. How could they keep her in the dark? So now she wasn't trustworthy. The foreign reporting couldn't come fast enough. If that didn't come through she would need to get a recommendation from Cat for a new job. It shouldn't be too hard.

"Mr. Grindon, I'm ready for that discussion." Kara stated softly pushing down her anger. The gentleman had been speaking to a city council member, but his entire face lit up now.

"Wonderful! Come let's take a walk. I have just the place for this conversation." Kara walked off with the gentleman. Her friends watching as the couple left the room. Concern and frustration painting their movements and features as James informed them of what he thought had happened. Arthur snagged two champagne glasses and a bottle of champagne that was sitting nearby. He continued to speak with Kara telling her about how much he loved her writing and making comments on each article. They arrived at their destination on the second floor overlooking the ballroom. He poured them both glasses of the bubbly setting the bottle on a table nearby. Kara moved to the glass retainer wall. She rested her hands on the top edge as she gazed down. Arthur came up behind her and offered a glass of champagne.

"To a world filled with science and math geeks and the reporters who spread the good news!" Arthur toasted. Both of them drank. "Pardon me for interfering if I am, but you are not happy." Kara again felt the queasy feeling she had at the beginning of the evening.

"It's nothing." Kara commented. Arthur reached over touching her hand. Kara glanced toward the floor below watching as a heated discussion took place between her friends. Alex was definitely having pointed words with Lena while James was attempting to defuse the situation. Lucy and Winn were definitely angry at both Lena and James for some reason. This time Kara chose not to listen in and looked away.

"My dear, it is something. Your face, the way you hold yourself,even your tone of voice tell me so. So tell an old man what is wrong." Arthur's eyes beseeched the young reporter to lay down her burden. Kara sighed and shook her head. Arthur motioned to the table. They sat while the young reporter began telling Arthur in haltings words how she had betrayed Lena and made her friends doubt her. Yes, she framed it in a human perspective not letting on that she was Supergirl. All the time Arthur plied her with champagne and whispered words of encouragement while sympathizing.

"Arthur I'm not feeling very well. I think I need to go." Kara went to rise, but was shoved down in her seat. She couldn't understand why she felt so weak. She held onto the table as she watched Arthur remove his mustache, beard, eyebrows, and the grey wig to reveal Lex Luthor.

"So easy. It was so easy Kara to get you to trust me. I thought Kal El was such a boy scout, but I was wrong. You're a proverbial ray of sunshine." Lex reached over pulling her out of the chair and facing her toward the ballroom floor. Kara felt the world slip away even as she pushed the side button on her bracelet. Well, she thought she pushed it. Next thing she knew Lex had torn her watch and bracelet off flinging them to the floor.

"Lex, you don't want to do this." Kara pleaded even as he tightened his hold on her.

"Oh, but I do. How does it feel Kara? To be spurned as I was spurned by our dear, sweet Lena." Lex Luthor asked as he pressed closer to Kara's back while they watched LCorp's gala below. Kara shook her head trying to clear it while Lex spoke into her ear. "Any moment now Supergirl is going to be needed. Will you run to her aid? Will you save her Kara Zor-El?" Lex's voice taunted her. "Would she die for you Supergirl? Would she die for Kara Danvers? I so doubt it." His voice wound its way into her mind reinforcing the doubt and pain held there. Below Lena shook her head at something Winn said. Alex responded looking around the room. James and Lucy were touching their ears receiving some type of instruction. She watched as Jonn entered the room coming up to Lucy and Alex. They looked distressed and started looking around carefully. She needed to buy time. Time she wasn't sure she had now.

"I would have thought that you would be as far from here as possible Lex. You know they are hunting for you." Kara said stumbling as a wave of dizziness came over her. Lex pulled her closer running his lips along her jaw to her ear even as his hands ran down her dress to her hips.

"Oh come know I like to take risks. Just like you." Lex turned her around looking Kara in the eyes. "I of course make sure to cover myself with sure things though. Lex turned Kara to the side briefly as he pulled the top button of his shirt opening to reveal a large piece of kryptonite. It explained why she felt so bad.

"Superman will be here any minute Lex. You know it'll be over then." Kara taunted Lex back. Lex laughed hysterically.

"Perhaps I want him to catch me Kara. Perhaps, what I really want is you. If you can't have Lena and she won't have me as a brother why not make our own little family?" He then turned her back around to notice everyone below had been evacuated. Lex pressed directly against Kara's exposed back. The kryptonite amulet burned in her skin. Kara screamed as the kryptonite burned in deeply making her skin feel as if it was ripping from the bone. She struggled to breath even as Lex ran his hands over her bottom. The DEO agents on the floor below turned toward her. Lex had his audience now. "I'm going to ruin you so you hate her forever. I'm going to defile you in front of all of them so they can never look at you with respect. This is all because of her, Kara. Lena couldn't protect you." Lex's hands were under the front of the kryptonians dress while the other hand pressed her tighter against the kryptonite. "Lena couldn't save you!" Kara felt her heart stutter. The sound of three shots from a gun resounded from nearby. Kara felt Lexs hands slip away even as she began to fall over the railing to the floor below. Her plummet was stopped by two strong, lithe hands.

"Kara!" The young reporter felt herself being laid on the floor. She looked left seeing Lex in handcuffs bleeding from the shoulder. She looked up as the motion caused her stomach to roll even as her back burned from the kryptonite. Lena stood over her having saved her from going over the edge.

"Champagne bottle." Kara croaked out. Lena looked confused for a minute before she understood.

"Alex, he's poisoned her. The bottle." Lena cried out even as Kara began to vomit and her eyes rolled up in her head. She could hear Lex's laughter in the background.

"You're mine now Kara! All mine! She will never have you now." Lex yelled as he was dragged from the room. Blessed darkness descended on her promising sweet relief even as orders were being barked out in the background.

Three days later…

Kara woke up with a start. The nightmare of Lex taking her shook her deeply. This was the second time she had woken up. The first time was the second day after the gala. Her trrified screaming had brought a dozen agents and Alex. It had take her older sister over an hour to finally convinced her she was safe.

'You're safe Kara. Safe. He's back in prison. He can't hurt you.' The words echoed like a mantra in her mind holding her on this side of sanity. Lena had hovered in the background looking devastated. She had fallen asleep shortly after being held by her sister.

It was late she figured out. The lights were set for night watch. She lifted her head and looked around. Alex was on a cot nearby. Winn and Vasquez were in a couple of cots across the room. Otherwise the room was empty. Kara looked at the machines nearby that took her stats. The shadow of the nightmare still was with her. She needed to get out of the room. Quietly, she evaluated her body. She reached up and shut off the machines. Then pulled the wires off. Solicitously, she sat up almost retching from the effort. Kara held still letting the vertigo and nausea pass. She then placed one foot on the floor and then another. The young reporters body felt like it was caving in on her, but she held fast. She needed to see the stars. The dream had her trapped in a room with Lex. She needed to be outside even if she was caught sooner than later.

Slowly, she walked to the medical room door. It was taking everything she had to get out of the room. She looked behind her to make sure Alex and her friends were sleeping. Then she looked outside. The skeletal night watch was busy so they didn't see the Kryptonian slip out. Kara walked. Well, really crawled along the wall to balcony. The doors opened silently. She found a spot in the corner where she wouldn't be seen. She needed to be out here. She gazed up at the stars wishing she could escape up there. She was broken now. She knew that for sure.

"You're not to be out of the medical bay yet." Lena's voice startled her causing her to roll into a ball and hide. "Hey, hey. It's okay Kara. You're safe." Lena reassured as she slowly approached Kara. The young reporter mewled in terror. Lena Luthor knelt next to the kryptonian. "Kara, can I touch you? Please Kara, listen to me." Kara took a gulp of air trying to reassert her will, trying to believe. She slowly unwound herself and looked over at Lena. Lena was desperate to get her to listen. "Kara can I touch you?" Kara took a deep breath and nodded. Lena reached over slowly moving close to the young reporter. "Easy Kara, easy." Kara began to breathe easier as Lena pulled her gently into her lap. The warmth of Lena's body and the scent of Irises and amber from her body wash began to calm Kara's racing heart. "I'm here Kara. I'm here." Lena just held her friend while they listened to the sounds in the night. It was a while before Kara spoke.

"You saved me." Kara said finally when she was calm enough to speak. Lena nodded against her head.

"Always." No doubt in the words. Just a clear and crisp assurance.

"He...said you weren't coming...you didn't care." The Kryptonian trembled even as Lena hugged her tighter. "I couldn't stop him...I didn't know the champagne was drugged. I should have known." Kara wept softly tears cascading down her cheeks. "I didn't think anyone cared. I saw you all knew after the mayor spoke with me and...I figured this was how it was going to be now."

"No Kara. No, that's not it." Lena adamantly argued with her tightening her hold. They had screwed up. All of them. Lena saw it now. She had let her anger and frustration get in the way. While Alex and those from the DEO wanted to keep her out of it. Superman insisting he could take care of it because he thought he already had a location on Lex. It had been a red herring.

"Then when he said…" Kara sobbed trying to control the rising panic in her. Lena kissed her head holding her as tight as she could wrapping more of her body around Kara.

"What? What did he say?" Lena implored even as Kara took deep gasping breaths. Kara struggled to say it.

"He said...he was going to ruin me. He was going to defile me in front of you." Kara was almost screaming now. So panicked. Lena saw red wanting to kill Lex for what he had done. For how he had taken the sweet good person she held and destroyed the underlying positiveness. "He said you couldn't save me...couldn't protect me. I didn't want to believe him...I didn't...but we haven't been right...we haven't…." Kara could barely breathe now.

"Shhh, listen to me Kara...shh, calm down...deep, slow breaths….that's it...come on, breath with me...good girl." Lena kept up the mantra even as she saw Alex step out on the balcony Lena shook her head and motioning with one hand to stay back. Alex nodded stepping back inside and making sure everyone stayed back. "I've got you Kara. I've got you. Shhh." Twenty minutes later Kara's breathing had began to move as Kara protested. "No, I need to move a little so I can see you." Kara calmed again allowing Lena to move to her side. Kara turned her face away embarrassed from her weakness. She wished she could fly away."Kara look at me. Come on honey, look at me." Kara decided it was better to get it over with now. She turned and faced Lena. "I want you to hear me Kara. Listen to me. I can and will protect you. You remember when you were falling." Kara nodded. "I grabbed you didn't I?" Kara closed her eyes remembering that moment hoping she broke her neck and died quickly. Kara shivered and nodded. "You are not ruined. Do you hear me?" You have not been defiled." Kara shook her head no. She felt him. She could still feel him.

"I can feel him Lena. I.." Kara sobbed as Lena wrapped her up in a warm hug. Lena knew this was going to take time, Kara wasn't just going to bounce back quickly.

"I'm telling you he's back in prison. I'm here. We are going to get you someone who can listen and help. With time it will get better. I promise." Kara shivered harder in Lena's tight hold. Exhaustion and the emotional break down causing her to need more rest. "We need to get you back to the medical bay. You're not well yet." Kara tightened her grip and whined. "Hey, hey. Calm down. I'm going to go with you. Okay?" Lena stressed as she felt Kara's hold loosen some.

"Alex, can you help me." Alex came out and bent down to help pick up Kara.

"Hey, I love you. I'm here for you too Kara. Just hang in there." Alex whispered softly as they lifted Kara up and moved her back to the medical bay.

Four weeks later…

"The position is yours if you want it. I need a good field reporter to go into not so safe places and get the story. It's a temporary position right now. Eight weeks at most. We'll talk after that. I'll give you two weeks to make a decision. I'm faxing the pay and benefits package to you. Just let me know Ms. Danvers. Mr. Olsen couldn't say enough about you. Cat Grant threatened that if I abused you she would personally fly over and rip me a new one." Mr. Phung said as Kara nodded.

"I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for the offer." Kara answered looking across the table where Lena and Alex sat. She could tell they were not happy. James was squirming in his seat knowing he was going to pay for helping Kara. The screen went blank in the conference room. Kara had wanted them all there because they were important to her recovery. Supergirl had been doing minimal interventions. Luckily, no alien threats had appeared lately and Cadmus was quiet. No one said anything for a few minutes. Then all hell broke loose.

"When were you going to tell us Kara? When did you apply for this?" Alex growled out. Even as Lena leveled a harsh glare at her and James. "I can't believe you would apply to leave after everything that's happened. We've been with you every step of the way Kara." Kara looked at Alex sympathizing with her sister some. That was the crux of the problem though. She hadn't been allowed to be on her own. One of them had always been with her. The reporter let out a slow breath.

"I applied a couple of months ago. James and Cat helped me with references. I hadn't planned to tell you till I knew I was accepted because I wasn't sure anything would come of it." Kara explained.

"Why? Why would you do this Kara? We need you here." Lena stated with certainty. Kara looked out the nearby window of the conference room. She stood up and wandered over to the window putting her words together carefully. She was still bound to angry outbursts from the incident. She took several calming breathes like she was taught.

"I'm not needed though. Supergirl isn't needed and Kara Danvers is just a burden to you all right now." Lena, Alex, and James were out of their chairs yelling at her instantly.

"That's not right. You're wrong Kara." Lena declared even as Alex came around the table and turned her sister around. What they all saw halted all their words. Kara's face was covered in tears.

"I need to do this. I haven't been right since it happened. You don't need me Lena. You have James. I'm not unaware that you two have been arguing over how much time Lena spends with me now." Lena and James went to protest until Kara held up her hand. "Please don't deny it. Kryptonian hearing remember." Kara smiled as she turned to Alex. "I'm also aware that my recovery is interfering in you being director Alex. You're being questioned on why I'm not in the field or contributing to any research on aliens."

"Kara, you don't have to do this. You.." Alex said as Kara cut her off.

"I just think it would be best if I take a break and work on Kara Danvers. You know Emily, my psychiatrist, said I needed to get away for awhile. This will give me time to develop my reporter skills and fix me. I can still meet with Emily by video link." Kara tried to assuage their concerns. James walked up to Kara and took her by the shoulders.

"I don't agree with why you're going. Lena and I can work out our issues with you here. We both need you. However, I understand the draw to do field reporting even if I don't want you to go." James asserted hugging Kara. "Come see me when you're done here." James looked at Lena who glared at him and left the room.

"You are my little sister. I would do anything for you. Brave anyone or anywhere. You don't have to do this Kara. But if there is one thing I know it's that when you make up your mind it's pretty set. So I will go along with this for now." Alex advised hugging her sister. "We will talk more later." Alex whispered and then left the conference room. Now there was only Lena and Kara.

"This is my fault. My family's fault. I didn't want to continue the cycle of Luthor's and Supers hating each other, but it seems I've done worse than Lex." Lena said coming up beside Kara. "I'm sorry, Kara. I don't know how to make this right." Kara looked at her friend. She took a long look. She then turned and pulled Lena into a hug.

"You have nothing to apologize for Lena. Mistakes, problems, trials all come through life to build us up stronger. We will make it through this one too. You're my friend." Kara leaned back looking at the CEO. "You've been there when I've woken screaming in the night, you've been there when panic attacks gripped me, you've been there when I was a complete and utter bitch. Not once have you left my side. But you can't take care of me forever. You have James. He has a right to have a relationship with you without me interfering."

"Kara, you're not interfering." Lena broke out of Kara's arms and began to protest. "What are you going to do when you have a panic attack? What about when you wake up from a nightmare? No, I forbid it. You're not ready." Kara giggled instead of getting upset. It was the first real giggle Lena had heard since Kara had been attacked by Lex. "What?"

"You sound like my mom." Kara burst out laughing even as Lena started laughing too. They both laughed for a few minutes until it tapered off. They both ended up resting on the floor against the conference room wall.

"I don't want you to go. I need you here." Lena said looking over at Kara. "I need you." Lena leaned over and kissed Kara. Kara responded deepening the kiss until she broke it off.

"I need you too. You need to take this time while I'm gone to make sure I'm what you need. Just know that no matter what I will always be your friend and always love you Lena." Kara whispered and kissed Lena's forehead. They both got up and straightened their clothes. Kara Danvers left the conference room even as Lena turned to look out the window. A Luthor and a Super did belong together. She was going to Damn well prove it.