Lena is back at her penthouse and drinking a glass of wine after fixing a quick but healthy dinner, including lots of kale. She checked in with Jess to see how L-Corp was running and trusted Jess to keep up and handle everything while she helped get Kara back. She also FaceTimed Sam to prove that she was in for the night and to see a familiar face and of course her favorite niece/goddaughter Ruby. Sam picked up in the middle of a yell up the stairs presumably to Ruby, but Lena has no idea what about. "Maybe next time don't pick up while screaming right next to the mic." Lena laughed.
"Hey, you have a teenage kid that doesn't listen and then you can talk, but it is nice to see that you're actually smiling instead of stressed about whatever is obviously bothering you", Sam replied.
Lena blushed, "You know you're the second person to comment on that today" seeing Sam's questioning look, Lena continues, "Alex brought me lunch today since she knew I wouldn't eat while I was working and well, I was laughing at you ordering me to go home." Sam nods in understanding before sighing at the mention of Alex, right as Ruby comes down the stairs and around the corner. "Is that Aunt Lena and did she say Alex?".
Lena says, "Hi, Ruby!" through the phone as Sam, not even acknowledging the Alex part of the question, says, "Yes Ruby it's Lena and once you're done with your laundry you can talk to her".
Ruby says, "I am done they were all dirty so they're in the washer now".
Sam scoffs and says, "And your soccer jersey that I washed yesterday, that I saw on the floor, you've already worn that?".
Ruby smirks and raises her eyebrow, looking more like Lena's kid than Sam's, and says, "it was dirty so it's getting washed again".
Sam shocked at Ruby's imitation of Lena just turns back to the phone where Lena is trying not to laugh having seen Ruby's reply and says, "She learned that from you. Thanks".
At that comment, Lena laughs and says, "Well it is effective, and since she has her laundry done for now", turning her attention back to Ruby, she asks, "How is soccer going Ruby? And school?"
Ruby sighs and says, "Soccer is great, except it rains so much in Metropolis and it gets so cold in the winter and school is fine, just boring". Lena nods in understanding, as Ruby continues, but a little more cheerful as she asks, "Did you say Alex earlier? What is she doing?".
Lena notices the look on Sam's face, but it's not one she's seen on her friend before, at the mention again of Alex. "We're just working on something for Supergirl" Lena knows she has to keep her face neutral, because Ruby and Sam don't know about Kara's identity, no matter how much it hurts to think of Kara alone in her worst nightmare, "and she brought me lunch because she knows how I forget to eat".
Ruby nods and says, "I miss Alex. Doesn't Kara usually bring you food?".
Lena takes a deep breath and says, "Well yes but I guess she was on an assignment for CATCO, so she sent Alex."
Ruby nods seemingly accepting the answer and asks, "Do you get to work with the SuperFriends a lot. Is Winn helping you?".
Lena laughs and says, "Yes I do work with them a lot, but Winn is actually in the future now with a wife and kids, so I don't get to work with him much anymore".
Ruby is shocked at the admission of time travel, and they continue to chat each question pulling at Lena's heartstrings because it just makes her think of Kara but of course, Ruby in all her childlike wonder and innocence doesn't know.
Eventually, Sam takes her phone back and sends Ruby to bed. "So, I won't say her name because apparently Ruby has super hearing but don't think I didn't see your face every time I mentioned her", Lena teases Sam, "but honestly I have never seen that look from you before".
Sam debates playing it off but sighs, running a hand through her hair, and responds, "I don't know. I just… Ruby misses all of you guys so much, and I just still feel guilty even though I know Reign is gone I just can't unsee their faces when they found out it was me, especially Alex. She was the first to run tests to try to help figure it out and helped me out with Ruby, and then when she saw I was Reign, part of her reaction was like she couldn't believe she missed it, but most of it was just sheer betrayal".
Lena nods understandingly and says, "Sam, trust me I of all people understand the guilt but that wasn't you, ok. What Reign did wasn't your fault. You beat her and saved Ruby, saved all of us and everyone knows that. No one blames you, especially not Alex".
Sam nods tears in her eyes, "I just had to get away, from the memories, from the people I hurt, and I felt, still feel, bad for making Ruby move again and she loved National City and all you guys so much better than here. Aside from the usual teenager things like refusing to do laundry" Sam chuckles, "she's been through so much but is so easy on me and never complains because she knows how guilty I feel even though I know the only thing she wants is to go back there".
Lena nods pensively and says, "Well with my new partnership with the SuperFriends, I know Jess has been taking on a lot of the work that I'm not doing, and it sure would be nice to have my CFO back in the same building. The only thing better would be to have my best friend and goddaughter close rather than across the country. What do you think about that?"
Sam sighs and chuckles, "guilt-tripping me really?".
Lena laughs, "Learned from the best".
Sam inhales and says, "I don't think Ruby will have a problem with it but let me talk to her and it will be a while to get things settled here and then find a house there and everything, but I think it's time to come back".
Lena smiles widely and says, "Talk to Ruby tomorrow and let me know. I can have everything set up here by the end of the week and I know Ruby's school ends soon so you could be here in three weeks and just have to switch offices".
Sam laughs at the oversimplification, "To the other side of the country yeah. Real easy. I still have to pack up everything here and..."
Lena interjects, "Just pack up the important stuff and decide which furniture you want to bring, and I can hire movers and send the Robert with the jet".
Sam chuckles at how energetic and excited Lena is, "You've really thought about this huh".
Lena bashfully looks down and replies, "Yeah ever since you left, which yes was right for you then but, and I speak for everyone here, we really miss you and it would be nice to have you back. I even have some L-Corp housing that you could move into for a little while and then pick out a house or you could find one online and I could tour it to make sure there's nothing bad or that they're hiding and it's perfect for you and Ruby and then you could move straight there".
Sam smiles, "I'll talk to Ruby and make sure, but I trust you and would rather not have to move twice."
Lena smiles widely again and replies, "Yes, perfect. Call me tomorrow after you talk to her, and I'll talk to a realtor and send you some pictures and set up tours. This going to be great Sam, I promise."
Sam nods and says, "I hope so. I'll call you tomorrow. Now get some sleep. Bye"
Lena replies, "I will. Bye." and they hang up.
Lena rises from the couch and cleans up the remnants of her dinner, recorks the wine, and goes to bed, much earlier than usual, yes thinking of Kara but more focused on the happiness of Sam coming back.
Meanwhile, on the other coast, Sam checked on Ruby, smiling knowing that Ruby would be much happier in National City and honestly, she would be too. Sam went to bed thinking how can I go back after all I did, but on the other hand I was so much happier, and she goes to sleep with a smile on her face knowing Ruby will be happier and she will be back with Lena and maybe, as long as she truly doesn't still harbor feelings against her because of Reign, Alex and she could be something even if she has to settle for being friends.
