I don't own these characters; DC/the CW does.
5: Talk
By the fifth day of being in the penthouse and on the couch, restlessness crept into Alex's bones. She needed to do something, especially since her ribs felt so much better. Not to mention, she and Lena had spoken about what happened and everything seemed smooth, so she did not have to worry over Lena's reaction anymore. It freed up space in her brain to concentrate on other things. She really needed to look into fixing those accelerated healing pills to make them more widely available. Little miracle workers.
A buzz on her phone answered her prayers of something to do before she could even fully wrap her mind around needing something to do. She grabbed the phone from the coffee table. An email from Fatinah? It was not unusual for her ex-girlfriend to email her. Fatinah was a good person and liked to cheerlead for her to finish projects, but Fatinah knew she could not do anything now. The entire building knew she had been in an accident and would be out of commission for a month.
Hey, Alex. Did you take your work laptop with you? I'm sure you have passwords on it and everything, but people in my lab are whispering about going to see what you were working on. It's like they want to prove you don't belong here…
Alex groaned. Why was everyone at L-Corp such a busybody? She glanced over in the kitchen. She did not want to disturb Lena and Kara's breakfast time. It was a sacred time for them, so she planned to pretend she was still asleep until Kara left for work. But, she needed to contact Vasquez as soon as possible to get her to retrieve her laptop and any folders or notes that might be visible in her lab.
She would usually call Vasquez over something this important, but she did not want to disturb the couple just a few feet away. A text should be just as good. Morning, I need you to get my laptop from my desk.
Vasquez was quick with a reply. Luthor didn't take it? Seen your desk. Might not be able to find it.
Alex rolled her eyes. The more comfortable Vasquez got with her, the more of a smart aleck she revealed herself to be. So far, it was fine, though. Ask Fatinah Veda. She works in the lab just above me.
Understood. Is it safe to bring you the laptop? I don't want to get in trouble with the bosses.
Alex snickered and glanced into the kitchen. The "bosses" were holding hands as they ate breakfast and making heart eyes at each other. It was adorable that they did that every morning. Even if they did not talk, they made sure to make eye contact often and they also made sure to hold hands. She had never been so tactical, even with Kara. Kara was touchy with her, but never really the other way around. She had been indulging this week, as she loved having Kara close, but she just did not initiate that. Kara always seemed to understand and touched her to Kara's heart's content, knowing Alex enjoyed it.
I'm much better. It should be fine and even if they don't think I should work, I need the laptop. It's got work on it for just my eyes. Yeah, it was all protected, but she did not want to chance it.
Understood. I'll bring it by at lunch.
Alex breathed a sigh of relief. I owe you.
Consider your debt already repaid. I'm bringing Lucy. She probably cackled as she hit send.
Alex did not bother to respond to that. Vasquez and Lucy had been over a couple of times. Lucy was not completely insufferable. Hopefully that would stand. She would never be Lucy's number one fan, but she could tolerate Lucy, especially since she came as an attachment with Vasquez.
"You should eat something since you're up," Kara said from behind her.
Alex yelped and turned around. "When did you get over here?" She usually had internal radar for Kara and could just tell when she was close by.
"When I noticed you were up. How are you feeling?" Kara asked, concern still misting up her eyes. She would probably worry until Alex was back on her feet.
Alex smiled, hoping to set Kara at some ease. "Much better. Want to check me out and let me know how everything is progressing?"
Kara gave her the once over and her expression brightened for a moment. "Much better, but still not near a hundred percent. You still have a week of your accelerated medication."
Alex nodded. "As I assumed. My ribs are still so damn sore." Another reason she slept more often than usual. It was a brief escape from her ribs.
"It'll get better. Be good for Lena, okay?"
"I'm always good."
Kara snorted quite loudly and then gave Alex a kiss before leaving for the day. Lena came over with a breakfast plate for her. A couple of waffles with butter and syrup, some scrambled eggs, and a banana. She ate those while Lena set herself up for her workday, laptop on the coffee table and pillows gathered on her side of the couch. Alex took her time eating, as she did not have anything else to do when she was done. After a while, Lena sighed.
"Everything okay?" Alex asked.
Lena waved her off. "Just the usual nonsense."
"Would it bother you if Vas and Lucy show up later?" She did not want to add to any stress Lena might have by having guests over and Lena might feel obligated to play hostess in some capacity.
"No." Lena turned away from her laptop to look at Alex. "They're coming over?"
Alex nodded. "Vas is going to bring my laptop. Fatinah emailed me that some of the scientists she works with might be planning to raid my projects to prove I don't belong at L-Corp."
Lena sucked her teeth. "Do they really have nothing better to do?"
"It would seem so."
Lena rubbed her eyes with her thumb and index finger. "I really need to do something about this high school culture. While I don't have to deal with it, I don't want to lose a brilliant mind because of it."
"I'm right where I want to be. I'm not going anywhere."
Lena smiled at her and patted her arm. "I know not you, but it could be happening to others."
Alex nodded. That was true. If they treated Alex the way they did, even though they were very aware she could break them in half should the desire ever overcome her, she hated to think how they treated anyone meek they decided did not belong there. "I could always shut them up and show them my work on the suppressant formula. Or the work from literally any of my patents. I don't like to pat myself on the back, but if you want me to just go make them feel stupid and they learn to not judge a book by its cover, I can do that. Hell, I've got a ton of research on that computer alone that would probably shut them down."
Lena tapped her chin and glanced away. "We'll put a pin in that, but let me say how I really wish you could just focus on your science for a while. I'm scared of what you might come up with."
Alex was not sure what she might be capable of if she focused on her science. She had never done that. Even before Kara came into her life, she had surfing and basketball. Then, Kara came into her life and she focused on many different ways to protect Kara. And, of course, there were very blurry and sketchy college years. Maybe I just thought one day science would be enough and keep me busy, even though life proved that wasn't true.
Alex loved science, loved biology and medicine. But, she also loved weapons and fighting. She loved protecting and being physical. She was made up of all of those things and always had been.
"So, have you and Brainy come up with anything for my new suit?" Alex asked. She could hardly imagine what Lena and Brainy would do considering their work with Supergirl's gear. She just hoped they managed to get in a few of the things from her wish list.
"Could I talk you into accepting a surprise?" Lena countered.
Alex snorted and made a show of looking down at herself. "I couldn't stop you right now." She could still hardly move.
Lena laughed. "You can still use your arms."
"Yeah, but we both know I would never hurt you. Did you manage to get the biofeedback in the suit? That's really something I'm interested in."
"Brainy and I both agreed to make that a priority because it is a good idea. We're also going to give you a gauge, so you know how much damage the suit is taking along with your body output. Definitely the best and most flexible armor. And those are just the basics."
Alex nodded. "I'm liking the basics. Oh, what about an arm sword!" She threw up her forearm.
"Are you just throwing out fantasy stuff?" Lena grinned. "Although, more offense is always better for you. I should make a note of that."
"Anything else you want to tell me?" Alex would love to know each and every secret about the suit.
Lena shrugged. "No. I think you'll have to wait to see."
"Seriously?"
Lena smirked at her and then went back to work. Alex was shocked by that, but she really could not do anything about it. Apparently, she was going to get a surprise. I hate surprises. Of course, Lena knew that, so this was purposeful torture.
Alex watched some television with the hope of taking her mind off of her new suit until Vasquez showed up just after noon. Lena let her up and let her in. She had Lucy with her, but more importantly, she had the laptop with her.
"Thank you so much!" Alex accepted the laptop as Vasquez eased it into her hands.
Vasquez shook her head. "No problem. I was planning to come over again soon, anyway." She took a seat on the far end of the sofa, away from Alex's leg.
"Pretty careless of you to leave your laptop behind, Danvers," Lucy said, wagging a finger and smirking like the annoying fly she was.
Alex rolled her eyes. "It's nothing really important here." Nothing she would deem classified or dangerous or anything like. "Just my science projects, but it would seem that's what the scientists want." She would be damned if she allowed anyone to steal her work.
"Why?" Lucy asked as she sat down next to Vasquez.
"Just to prove I don't belong at L-Corp. I don't know what they think it'll get them. Not like there's a raise in getting me fired," Alex replied. "Unlike having me arrested."
Lucy sucked her teeth and made a show of rolling her eyes. "This again? You need a change in tune, Danvers. At least my sister didn't break up your relationship."
Alex scoffed. "I introduced you to someone at least a million times cooler than James and I say that as a person who likes James."
Vasquez laughed and held Lucy's hand. "Check and mate, huh?"
Lucy glared at Vasquez. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"I always am, which is why I agree with Danvers. She introduced you to someone better for you, right?" Vasquez smiled.
Lucy groaned, but she could not say anything against that. Vasquez kissed Lucy's cheek, which pinked up immediately. Alex had to bite back a chuckle as Vasquez turned her attention back to Alex, as if she had not just put Lucy freaking Lane in her place.
"So, I had a couple of things I wanted to discuss with you, but I'm not sure if it'll fly just yet." Vasquez's attention drifted to Lena.
Lena shook her head. "No work talk until she can at least breathe without it hurting."
"It doesn't hurt much," Alex replied.
Lena gave her a pointed look and Alex bowed out immediately. Lucy snickered, so Alex glared at her. Of course, the look had no effect. Hard to intimidate Lucy if she could hardly move.
"But, this has to do with security, your security," Vasquez said, trying to save the moment. Good on her. Alex would never jump on that one.
Lena waved the whole matter away. "I'm safe for the moment. I think we all know I'm probably the safest person on the planet, so I think it'll hold for a few weeks."
None of them could argue that. Even if Vasquez did not know Kara was Supergirl — and at this point, she was probably just being polite to not mention it — everyone knew Supergirl had a very special connection with Lena. That was what made the Fallen Angels assassination attempt even dumber. She was not sure if anyone else would ever be so stupid to try to kill Lena while Supergirl was alive, not after what she did to the Fallen Angels.
"Well, at least you know Devon will be more open to your suggestions," Vasquez said.
"So, I'll have to go back to paying her twice," Lena remarked.
"At least I do good work," Alex commented, throwing her shoulders back. She might never be secure in her personal or social life, but Alex was damned certain all of her professional matters were top tier.
"Maybe I should've just hired you for security. Science is clearly just a hobby for you," Lena replied with a teasing smile.
Alex scoffed. "Then you wouldn't be almost getting killed over a suppressant formula."
"Tragic," Lena said dryly.
"I can't believe people at work don't believe you're friends," Vasquez said, shaking her head.
"Considering Alex barely knows she's friends with you, I can see it," Lucy commented.
"I'm questioning it right now since she brought you," Alex replied. In reality, it had taken her and Vasquez a while to accept that they were friends. It was difficult to get out of the commander/subordinate mindset, but they made it and Alex could not be happier that they did. Vasquez was a great friend.
"You two, don't start," Vasquez said. "Although, I should take the snipping as a good thing." When they first visited, Lucy had not said anything, like she was afraid her words would break Alex even more. "Things are getting back to normal."
Things were kind of normal, as normal as they could be with Alex and Lucy sharing a space. They had a long talk about guns and shooting. Lucy even pulled out her phone and showed her some new gear she might gift Vasquez for her birthday. Vasquez looked away and then Lucy came to life as she showed Alex some of her options. Alex helped her pick ones Vasquez would definitely like best. I'm so glad Vas has someone to look out for her like this.
Vasquez busied herself by talking to Lena, which was cool. They seemed like they were deep in conversation and then they pulled Alex and Lucy back into it, talking about cars of all things. At first, Alex thought it had to do with the SUV Lena had been in during the attack, but nope, just cars. Vasquez was in the market for one because Lucy was not a huge fan of her motorcycle and Alex's accident did not help matters.
At some point, Kara texted just to let Alex and Lena know she came by, but did not want to interrupt. Alex was a little saddened by that, always looking forward to Kara popping in, but she understood why Kara did not. Eventually, Vasquez was the one who pointed out the time and apologized over and over to Lena for accidentally skipping work.
"It's not a big deal. I'm happy you came over and distracted Alex for a while. She needs the company beyond me, so I hope you see fit to come by again soon. We'll order food and maybe play a game or two," Lena said as she walked Vasquez and Lucy to the door.
Alex would like to dispute that, but it was a good visit. She would love the company again. She had to stop fighting things she did not need to fight.
-8-8-8-8-
It was late. Kara was up, as she never got tired in the same way that Lena and Alex did. Yes, she slept and she needed it in a way, but not quite the same way as she did on Krypton. She loved being able to carry her bond mates to bed, so it was always a delight when they fell asleep on the sofa. She scooped Lena up into her arms and went to their bedroom. Lena only woke up once she was down and under the cover.
"I fell asleep?" Lena asked, not even opening her eyes all the way.
Kara leaned down, kissing her softly. "Yes, but it's late and you should be asleep. I'm going to go move Alex now."
"Be careful with her. Her ribs are still bothering her."
Kara smiled. "I know, love." It was heartwarming how much Lena cared about Alex, though. "I might lay with her for a while, okay?" She would not spend the night with Alex until she fully healed, too afraid that she might cuddle Alex the wrong way and make everything worse.
Lena yawned. "Take your time. I'll be here." She turned over onto her side and she was out once again.
Kara went back to the living room and stared at Alex for a while. Her first couple of nights at the penthouse, Kara just left her on the couch. No matter how carefully she had tried to pick up Alex, it was always too much for Alex's ribs. Now, she could move Alex without causing any harm and it was just better for her to sleep in a bed.
She was as careful as possible with Alex, not wanting to fold her too much. A little super-speed was employed to get to Alex's room. It was practically the size of her apartment, but she had not shown much interest in being in it. Granted, she had not seen much of it since she was almost always asleep when she was in the room. Kara had hoped the room would make Alex want to stay. She could have everything she had at her place right here with Kara and Lena.
Kara put Alex down with great care and Alex groaned as she settled on her pillow. For as long as Kara knew her, Alex was always a light sleeper. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at Kara. Kara floated over her and laid down on the other side of the bed. Alex put her hand out and Kara caressed her hand with her middle fingers.
"How are you doing, Alex?" Kara asked.
"You tell me," Alex replied.
"I know how you are physically. You're healing up great. Are you okay with being here? Are we respecting your space enough?"
Alex nodded. "More than ever before." She made a show of looking at the space between them now.
Kara laughed. "You like me squishing you."
Alex was quiet for a long moment. "If you didn't initiate contact, we probably would never touch. I'm not… tactical like that and watching you and Lena…" She shook her head. "I don't know."
"I like you just the way you are. I like that I'm basically the only person allowed to touch you the ways I do, even before we were bond mates. I'm special." Kara could not help smiling. And, really, for her, that was the truth. No one else could do what she did with Alex.
"You always were, and I don't mean that because of the powers."
"Oh, I know. It's one of the reasons I love you. You know just Kara and you love just Kara. If I blew out my powers tomorrow or told the world I was Supergirl, you would still be there for me the whole time and way after. You never give up on me as a whole." Sure, Alex got fed up with her sometimes and was all for letting her learn the consequences of certain behaviors as long as she would not get hurt, but never in all of the time they had known each other had Alex ever abandoned her, even her weird college years and her hiding the whole DEO thing in the beginning.
"Well, you put up with me and all my flaws, so I think you can consider us even."
Kara did not respond, but she felt like many of Alex's hangups were her fault. Beyond Alex having to live in the shadow of someone with amazing abilities, she still believed her existence caused Alex problems. Alex was always so stressed because she believed she had to look after Kara. Alex never got a chance to be carefree and rarely got a chance to worry about herself. Who was Alex without Kara dragging her down? She certainly would not get into these sorts of messes.
"What are you thinking about?" Alex asked. "And remember, we're being honest."
Kara sighed, eyes down for a moment. "How different things would be for you if I wasn't here."
"I wouldn't be me if you weren't here."
"Yeah, you'd be a doctor. A surfing doctor." Kara smiled at her. It sounded ridiculous, but yes, Alex would be someone so cool if not for her.
Alex chuckled. "Do I do both at the same time in your fantasy?"
"You don't think you'd be a surfing doctor?"
"I don't know." Alex shrugged. "I was never very social. I mean, you saw that when you came. I didn't have many friends before you and it wasn't because I didn't want them. I was just not very willing to talk to people and get to know them like that, so maybe my bedside manner would've sucked and I would've gone into research and then been miserable in a lab because apparently it's like being in high school. And, then, maybe I never figure out I'm gay and I just keep being miserable trying to be with men. Worse yet, maybe my heart still belongs to you, but you're nowhere to be found and I hurt everyday and have no idea why."
Kara frowned. "That would be horrible."
Alex offered her a small smile and nod. "So, let's not deal in hypotheticals. I'm quite happy with where I am. And I would kiss you if I could lean over."
Kara chuckled. "Can we keep a log? You owe me however many kisses from when you want to kiss me, but can't." It would be entertaining to find out how often Alex wanted to kiss her.
Alex nodded. "I'll be sure to keep track." They both knew she would not. Her medication would not allow her to be that focused.
"I'm still going to kiss you, though."
"I'd be very hurt if you didn't," Alex said.
Kara grinned. "I wish I could cuddle you up right now."
"Soon enough."
That was true, so Kara did not think about it. Time to change gears. "How are you getting along with Lena?"
"Same as we have been. She's very strict about my convalescence."
"Well, that's what you get for protecting her. And, I don't think I ever thanked you for that. I get why you did what you did. You're right. I never would've done that." It never would have occurred to her to do it. Now, if she had not stopped the bullet and Lena had been hurt, a lot of things would have occurred to her, as was evident by what she did to those gang members after Alex got hurt.
Alex's heart thumped rather loudly and she gasped. "And you don't hate me for it?"
"Of course I don't!" Kara could not believe Alex thought she would. We really need to talk about everything that happened. "One, I could never hate you. Two, I could never hate you for protecting Lena. Three, just because I wouldn't do it doesn't mean I'm upset you did it. I mean, I couldn't ride a motorcycle, but I'm not going to stop you from riding yours."
"Because I'm sexy as hell on it, right?"
Kara rolled her eyes. "Well, yes, but that's beside the point. I understand why you did what you did and I appreciate you keeping Lena safe. And, of course, I'm super happy you didn't die."
Alex chuckled a little and then groaned. "Don't make me laugh."
"I'm sorry. You're just beautiful when you do it and I love how you look when you laugh."
"When did you turn into such a flatterer?" Alex asked with a little smile. A blush stained her cheeks.
"I'm getting more and more confident in my relationship with you every day. Um…" Kara nibbled her bottom lip. "Does it bother you… what I did to those…" She curled her lip and groaned. "Fallen Angels?" Such a horrible name.
Alex scoffed. "If I had your powers, I promise you, I'd have done a lot worse. Their actions caused a lot of damage and people could've, hell, definitely would've, died if it wasn't for you. I have zero compassion for them, especially since this was over damn drugs."
Kara sniffled. "I was worried you'd be disappointed in me." It was a weight off of her shoulders to know Alex did not look at her differently over what happened.
"Not over something like that."
"You know Cat was."
"Yeah, well, Cat worries more about the brand than about you. I know Kara personally and I want Kara to be okay, not Supergirl or the brand. You made sure those bastards couldn't do something like this again. They didn't care that they put people in danger. God, there were kids out there. You worried about the innocent people around, which they didn't. Did you get angry? Yes, and you had a right to get angry. Hell, I got angry and now a guy is dead. All of your anger was released and nobody died. I'm sure they're not blaming you for the assassin that Sentinel shot."
"Well, no, but Cat is pissed over that, too. She's been trying to figure out Sentinel's brand and now you've gone all Red Hood on the bad guys."
Alex chuckled again and then moaned. "Stop making me laugh."
Kara went back to stroking Alex's hand. "I'm sorry. We're good, right?"
"We are always good." Alex smiled. "Stay with me until I fall asleep?"
"You know I will." And she did.
-8-8-8-8-
The day was quiet, but it was a comfortable silence between Lena and Alex on the sofa together as usual. Alex seemed to be breathing much better, so her ribs might be completely healed, but Kara had not mentioned it when she left for work. Alex decided to do some work along with Lena, so she was making some headway on her science projects. As much as she could without being able to conduct experiments anyway. A lot of it involved showing Lena her progress and asking Lena's opinion. It was nice to get feedback.
"Okay, so I have some science to show you," Lena said.
Alex arched an eyebrow. "Is this the suppressant formula?"
"No. We finished with that. No need to revisit." Alex had the poor habit of either never going back to unfinished projects or lingering on finished ones. Lena hoped to break her of that one day.
"Then what?"
Lena turned her laptop to Alex. "A checklist of things Brainy and I are putting in your new suit."
Alex nodded. "This is a lot of offensive weapons I wasn't expecting."
"You need more offensive weapons because you go on offense when you get the chance. You need more guns. The Hand of the Soldier is great, but you need more just in case. And, of course, it'll be bulletproof and such. You definitely need more defense, but we all know that. We're going to kick around ideas until I go back to the office and my lab where we can build it."
Alex blew out a breath. "You have a lot here. You don't have to go through all of this for me."
Lena smiled. She would walk through fire for Alex if necessary. "Alex, it's not a problem. I want to do it. I want to help Sentinel protect this city. Just like you saved me because you think I'm a light for the world, you are as well and you deserve as much care as you put into saving the world."
Alex shook her head. "I'm just out there to protect Kara."
Lena could not help wagging her finger at Alex. "That's a lie, Alex. You know in your heart you're as much a hero as Supergirl, except you're not as flashy. You do your work from the shadows. I'm not quite sure if you like that or if you're just used to it, but you're still a hero. You need things to make your job easier. I can do that and I want to do that, as does Brainy. Just promise you'll enjoy the suit when we finish."
"Of course I'll enjoy the suit." Alex glanced away for a moment. Even when she turned back, it took her a moment to open her mouth. "Do you really think I'm a hero?"
Lena had to smile at her. "You saved my life, so I might be biased." She was not sure why Alex did not think she was a hero. Maybe it was her "agent" mindset.
Alex smiled back. "Well, you're a hero, too, you know?"
Lena chuckled. "Thank you for saying so, but I am aware." This was part of why she did not understand why Alex did not consider herself a hero. If they kept score, Alex saved the world more than she did. "I don't need you to tell me. I need you to believe you're a hero and you're important. Not just important, you're amazing. You run around with people who have super powers and you keep up with them."
Alex was silent, but looked like she was in deep thought. She opened her mouth, but did not say anything and Lena got it. It was incredible to see how much self-doubt hounded Alex, but Lena understood that. She looked into Alex's eyes, needing Alex to see how much she meant her next words. I could get lost in her eyes if she let me.
"Alex, you are amazing. One of the best people I know. In fact, I feel honored to know you and to get to be this close to you. I love talking to you and learning from you and…" Lena reached out, caressing Alex's cheek. "I really want to kiss you right now."
Alex nodded. "I want the same, but we should probably talk to Kara before we do that."
"Agreed." While they both knew what Kara would say, it would still be better to let her know what was going on before anything went on.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: Alex and Lena talk to Kara about their desires.