I don't own these characters; DC/the CW does.

7: Easier Said

Alex's leg and ankle were almost completely healed and she thought Kara and Lena leaving her alone in the penthouse showed they had faith in her recovery. Kara had work and Lena had to physically go to a meeting, so Alex thought she would be on her own for a few hours. But, minutes after they left, J'onn strolled in with a medium-sized, brown paper bag in his hands as well as a couple of drinks. Guess they don't trust me at all.

"They're making you babysit me?" Alex asked. It made sense. In all truth, she had planned to try to walk around as soon as she was sure they were gone for the day. No chance of her doing that with J'onn around.

J'onn laughed. "I just thought it would be nice for us to spend some time together. If you want, I can go." He turned to the door.

"No!" She threw her hands out to stop him. "Of course not." She would love to spend some time with him.

He smiled. "I brought some bagels and coffee, even though I know they feed you well around here." He held up his paper bag bounty.

She smiled back. "I could eat again." She was going to have to hit the gym really hard when she was able to get up. She had let her diet fall very far to the wayside since coming to stay at the penthouse.

"I thought you might." He sat down with her and then began unpacking the food. "So, how are you doing?"

"I should be out of the cast in two days." She could not wait for that. She was not sure how people managed to sit still for days on end.

"I mean beyond the leg. How is everything? Kara keeps telling me that you're working on a new suit with Lena and Brainy, but Brainy doesn't want to show it to me." J'onn moved a coffee in front of her.

"They want it to be a surprise. I haven't even seen really, but Lena has shown me some of the things they want to put into the suit. They just keep asking me what I'd need or what my tactical gear had that my hero suit is lacking." It was both annoying and invigorating. She was eager to see what Lena and Brainy put together. Considering their work, it would definitely be incredible, but she could only imagine how incredible. It'll definitely make my life easier.

"So, they want to surprise you, too, then?" He pulled out a bunch of little cups with condiments to put on the bagels.

She nodded. "I think so. I trust them. I'm sure the suit is going to be awesome." She peered in the bag, grabbing one of the top bagels. Unwrapping the wax paper, she had a toasted sesame seed bagel and it was hot.

"I think you're right. So, beyond that, have you gotten any of your own projects done?" He went in the bag for his own bagel.

She grabbed a little container of butter and cream cheese. "I'm focused on one right now that I think I can work out without being able to do a physical experiment. I think it'll seem very cheap, but at least it'll be one thing settled in my brain."

He smiled at her as he prepared his own bagel with butter and jam. "You think too little of your work, Alex. You've always been brilliant. It's something I've always admired about you."

She shrugged and smiled back. It took all of her self-control not to preen hearing J'onn admit to admiring her. "Thanks, but I never said I wasn't brilliant. I never doubt that." For all of her self-esteem issues, Alex never once thought herself inadequate mentally. After all, she still managed school through a haze of sex, drugs, and booze before J'onn came to save her. She could always problem solve with the best of them.

His expression went back to his usual sternness and he stared at her, like she needed to know what he was about to say, which was sort of how he always looked at her. "I know you don't, but you still think too little of your work. It's one of the reasons you only do it when you're forced to. You don't really have anything to prove science-wise, so you undervalue it."

She gave him a side long look before taking a huge bite out of her bagel. She chewed and swallowed before talking again. "You think so?"

"It's just an observation. Anything else happening?" He bit into his plain bagel and then sipped his coffee.

She reached for her coffee and had a taste. It was perfect. She glanced at him. She trusted J'onn with so much and looked up to him like a father. She should tell him.

"Lena and I are thinking about dating," she said.

He nodded, not seeming surprised at all. "And you've told Kara?"

"Yes." She took another bite of her bagel. Oh, it's so good! It did not top the bagels Kara got for her in Brooklyn, but it was still delicious. "You've been holding out on me with the bagel spot, J'onn."

He laughed. "You know in our business you have to have some secrets." He drank a little more of his coffee. "So, what makes you and Lena think you should date?" He was so calm about it, like it was any other topic.

She blew out a breath. "A lot of things, including how we like so many of the same things. How I feel when she's around. How I want to make her feel when she's around me. Hell, when she isn't around me. I make plans with her in mind. Wow, I never even realized this until just now." Kara was so right. There was a lot there she needed to unpack about Lena, but she definitely would like to date her.

J'onn studied her face for a long moment. "Do you think you can balance two relationships?"

Funny he would pick up on that rather than anything else. "You don't think it's weird I want to date someone, more specifically my bond mate's bond mate?"

"I think you know what you want, Alex, and as long as you don't hurt yourself, I'm here for you. What I'm more concerned about is you being able to manage two relationships because I know how you get. You hyper-focus if you feel like you have something to prove or you under-focus if you feel like you have a handle on things. Things work with you and Kara because you're comfortable enough to just be yourself and trust in her, but also, you're more than ready to put in the work for the relationship if anything seems askew. Can it be the same with Lena? Do you have enough of that for Lena?"

She inhaled deeply. Could it be the same? Did she have enough for that? She felt more herself with Lena than any other woman she ever dated. Lena already knew her intimately, and she meant that on a non-sexual level, and accepted her. She could be herself around Lena. There was nothing to prove, just like with Kara. She was there and she would always be there.

"I think I can manage being with her," she replied.

He actually chuckled and nodded. "I know you can. I know how capable you are in all facets of life, not just being an agent. I just need to make sure you know you can."

She could not help grinning. "Did they have relationships like this on Mars?"

He nodded. "We had many types of relationships on Mars. Some I understood, some I did not. Yours…" He glanced at her before biting his bagel. It was almost gone. "Yours, I get. Both of them. Or the single one… which is it?" He tilted his head and pursed his lips. "Is it the three of you or are you all separate couples?"

"So far, I think it's both." It seemed like for Kara, they were all already in something together and it had been working out as them being separate couples, but also altogether, which she could see. The only real issue was the meaning behind the time they spent doing those things.

"And, even though I shouldn't understand that, I do it. I've had the privilege of seeing you couple off and all of you together. I think they're good for you and you're good for them. I think they'll take care of you and that's all I want. I just want you to be happy and well cared for. You deserve it."

She smiled again. "Thank you for that."

He clapped her on the shoulder. "I don't think you realize how much you enrich my life. You and Kara. I want nothing more than for your happiness. Beyond that, I can't wait for some grandchildren now."

"Hey! I only just had a bonding ceremony and me and Lena haven't even gone on a real date."

He chuckled. "It'll come when the time is right."

Alex nodded, but there was a light feeling in her chest. "How do you think my mom would handle it?" That was her next biggest worry. Her mother might surprise her, like she did with Alex and Kara being bond mates. Hell, like she did when Alex came out. I have to stop judging her. She's been here for me.

"Your mother wants you to be happy. I think you should start having a little more faith in her, yourself, and the relationship you have together. You both have grown so much and you need to recognize that. You're one of the bravest people I know, but you're so scared of never being enough. You need to know you are more than enough. That's why you have two amazing women who love you, a mother who loves you, and…" He sighed as if this pained him. "A me who loves you."

She had to laugh because if she did not, she would cry. "I know. I love you, too. I'm just… well, really damn stubborn. If this thing with Kara has taught me anything, I am very, very stubborn."

"But, you'll also get there." He patted her shoulder again.

"Hopefully, faster than before. I don't think any of us have ten-plus years to waste on me figuring things out again."

He laughed. "You'll be fine. Now, let's eat the rest of these bagels and watch some junk television before something happens." He shook the bag and a couple of other bagels rumbled around.

She laughed, but it was true. She rarely got to indulge and she needed to enjoy it while she could, even if it was because she was injured. So, yeah, she would get there. For now, she would finish this bagel, have another, and enjoy her time with J'onn.

-8-8-8-8-

Lena wanted out of this board meeting. She just wanted to get back to Alex and wait for Kara to come home and enjoy being with them. But, she got the next best thing once the board meeting was finally over. Brainy popped up in her office, pushing a tablet in her face. She had to back up to get a clear picture of what he wanted her to see, but when she saw it, she practically wanted to clap. It took all of her self-control to keep her from bouncing on her heels.

"Oh, we have to show Alex," Lena said.

"I was hoping we could start building a prototype since we both know she will be back to at least training in a few days," Brainy pointed out.

Lena chirped. "Oh, you're right. Guess I'm working late tonight." She could not wait to get started. "I'll call Kara and Alex."

Brainy practically giggled. Guess I'm not the only one who can't wait. Lena sent off a text and they went down to her personal lab. Alex texted back, but, of course, Kara was flashy… and cute. Lena almost walked into her.

"How long are you going to be here?" Kara asked with a pout.

"I'm sure you suspected all night and that's why you popped up here." Lena smirked and winked.

Kara put her hands on Lena's hips. "Yes, so I want you to know I love you and I'll miss you until you come home."

Lena giggled and then kissed Kara. "You are such a dork." I love that about her.

"And you love me for it."

"You know I do." It made her feel so wanted and Kara was the first person to make her feel like that without any ulterior motive. She also loved that Kara acted this way with her without shame. This was who she thought Kara was at first, before the Supergirl reveal, and then it turned out, this was who Kara was. "Look at it this way, you get to enjoy a night with you other bond mate. Make some training plans for when she's out of her cast. Maybe mention how much weight she's gained." They had spoiled Alex for two weeks and it showed in the fullness of her face.

Kara laughed, throwing her head back. "You're trying to get me killed, my love."

Lena leaned in to whisper into Kara's ear, pressing her body against Kara. "Maybe I want to walk in on you two tangled up." She nipped Kara's earlobe.

"One day." Kara gave her a swift peck on the lips. "I'll save you some Chinese food."

"You better." She would definitely need the food if she stayed all night. She needed more than the little snacks she had around the lab.

Kara gave her one last kiss before stepping away. She glanced at Brainy and waved at him. "Take care of her."

Brainy nodded as if everything was perfectly normal and he had not just witnessed them being utterly lovey-dovey. But, then again, he was probably used to it. "You know I will."

And then Kara was gone. Lena could not help smiling like a crazy person in love, which she was very aware she was. Then she turned her attention to Brainy, who was already going through her setup. He was not familiar with it, but would probably know it like the back of his hand by the end of the night. This was going to be a fun night.

"Should we call Alex? She could give input from the couch," Brainy said.

"This is true." Lena went to the nearest console and dialed up Alex. They could keep her company until Kara got home, unless she was still getting in her time with J'onn.

"Hello," Alex said.

"Hey, are you still hanging out with J'onn?" Lena asked.

"No, he left a little while ago."

Lena hummed. "Oh, nice. Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yes. It was wonderful." Her eyes sparkled enough to see in the video call.

"And you're behaving yourself, staying on the sofa?" Lena asked to remind Alex that she was still supposed to be healing up.

Alex laughed. "I promise I'm being good. You can call J'onn and ask. He made sure I stayed right here on the sofa. Still, it was a great visit. I had a good time. Never even thought about getting up."

I hope this idea makes her just as happy and distracts her just as much. "So, Brainy and I are about to work on your suit. Are you in the mood to help?"

"Oh, my god, yes!" Alex's face flushed with excitement. Wow, I wouldn't mind seeing that expression more often… and maybe in another context.

"Now, this should be really fun," Lena said and they got to work. Even with Alex only being able to help through the call, it was still excellent.

-8-8-8-8-

Kara came home with a mountain of Chinese food and drinks. She was not surprised Alex was on the phone with Lena. They had been on the phone when Kara dropped food off for Lena and Brainy. She piled things on the coffee table as Alex wrapped up her call without prompting. Kara tried to protest, but Alex shooed her away. Kara went to take her shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and she was giddy when she sat with Alex on the couch.

"So, just the two of us for the night. You good with that?" Kara asked. She wanted to enjoy some close time with Alex, but also they had some things they should talk about.

"Do you want to watch Die Hard?" Alex grinned.

Kara laughed. "Can we please not? I got a bunch of chicken wings for you, so you should be nice to me. Oh, and let me see your leg and your ankle."

Alex rolled her eyes as Kara moved to check the leg and ankle. Everything was very good. In fact, the cast definitely could come off in two days. They would need to discuss Alex working out to get back in shape.

"So, how's the suit going?" Kara passed Alex a box and some chopsticks. She also slid a bottle of tropical punch in front of Alex.

Alex actually squealed. "It's so cool. I wish I could go to the lab, but I'd be as much help there as I am here."

Kara nodded. "Not an engineer."

"Exactly. I wouldn't be able to literally build this thing with them."

"But, anyway, how's it going?" Kara asked before she slurped up some noodles.

"Well, we just got started, but it seems like it's going well. They still didn't tell me all of the things they decided on. They want it to be a surprise."

Kara snickered. "It's eating you up inside, isn't it?"

"Yes!" Alex groaned as she popped open the box of lo mein.

Kara smiled and leaned in, kissing Alex before she took her first bite of noodles. Alex smiled back at her. Kara opened her box of orange chicken and rice, alternating between that and her own noodles. Let's just dive into some pressing topics.

"What are we going to do when you get the cast off? We still have to keep Alex in for two weeks at least, but we can work you back to Sentinel shape. Do you have a workout planned?" Kara asked before eating some of her food.

Alex scoffed. "Of course I do. Don't worry about it."

"Those words worry me." In fact, dread dropped in her stomach. Alex was going to torture her when it came to training. "Maybe we should keep the cast on for a few more days."

Alex chuckled. "Nope. When the cast comes off, we will be in the gym for at least two hours everyday."

"Why do I have to be in there for two hours?" Kara whined. She did not mind training, but two hours in the gym with the red sun lights every night… she might pass out just thinking about it.

"Because I'm sure you need it. J'onn told me you're out there just punching stuff. I taught you better than that." Alex frowned, very disapproving.

Kara groaned, thoroughly reprimanded. "Punching stuff works!" Whenever she went out as Supergirl lately, she did not have to come up with a plan. Every opponent was weaker than she was and she would just hit them until they fell. And, maybe, just maybe, she still had a little anger over what happened with Alex.

Alex arched an eyebrow. "Until it doesn't."

"It's almost like you want to punish me for bringing you food. That's, like, my love language." Kara motioned to the pile of Chinese food, all for Alex. Okay, well, Alex was going to eat her lo mein and chicken wings and the rest would be for Kara, but still.

"I am aware. I know when you're upset, I can bring you food. But, that's not my love language."

"Okay, point made." Alex probably did not know her love language was touch. She needed cuddles when things went wrong. "I'm willing to share my bond mate with you. Why are you punishing me?" Kara pouted.

"You'll enjoy it." Alex leaned over to kiss her cheek.

Kara sighed. Well, might as well move on to the next unpleasant topic. "When… when you're better… you'll stop being so reckless, right?"

"I wasn't being reckless here, but I promise you, I will take better care of myself. I want to experience life with you."

"And Lena."

Alex smiled. "Yes, and Lena."

Kara breathed a sigh of relief and her chest felt lighter. "Why don't you think you were reckless here? You could've been seriously injured. Hell, this is a serious injury."

"It is, but it isn't. This was calculated. I wouldn't have done this if I thought I was going to die. I need you to understand, I would never purposely put myself in a position where you might lose me."

Kara nodded as she swallowed around a lump in her throat. "You sure? I can't lose you, Alex. I mean, you know what I did."

"I will do my best to never put you in that position again."

"That's good." It was a weight off of Kara's shoulders. "But, I also want you to know I don't feel guilty for doing it. I don't care if people look at Supergirl differently. I need everyone to understand when we're out there in the field, if they hurt Sentinel, there will be Hell to pay." Should she feel bad for feeling that way? She felt like she should, but she would not muster the energy to care. How will Alex feel about me feeling this way?

Alex patted her knee. "I'm not judging you over not feeling guilty about it because I completely understand. I've understood that way before we were bond mates."

Kara smiled. "That's true. I'm just happy you know what you mean to me."

Alex leaned in to kiss her. "I never doubt it, Stitch."

Kara's smile grew despite the nickname. This was so much easier than she expected. She happily ate more of her food before going to something more pleasant. "Know what you want to do for a first date with Lena? I could fly you two anywhere." She would love to help them romance each other.

"Thanks for the help, but I'll think of something. Plus, I think Lena and I have to discuss what we think a date is. She counted it as a date when we just sat here, working together."

Kara nodded. "Oh, yeah. For Lena, a date is whenever you just spend time together. Time together is always special to her because it was very rare for her to get special attention without strings attached or without someone wanting something from her."

"Yeah, I understand that. But, that's why we have to talk because I don't think of things like that as dates, mostly thanks to you and also Maggie. Quality time is quality time and dating is quality time, but it's not all quality time."

"You're going to be good for her." Kara was thankful for that.

"I'll do my best."

"I know you will." Kara sighed. They ate in silence for a while and then Kara decided to double back to their first subject. "So, what can you tell me about the suit?" She was eager to see the new and improved Sentinel. She and Alex would be able to have a good time while also doing good if the suit was as great as she suspected it was. And maybe Alex will be a little closer to this invincible image I have in my head. Of course, she still had to stop thinking of Alex that way to make sure Alex did not end up seriously injured.

"Their plans are going to be very different from what the original Sentinel suit was like," Alex said.

"Is it going to be like my protective suit?"

Alex waved that off. "No, no, no. We all agreed on something closer to my tactical gear. I want it to be something I'm comfortable and familiar with."

"That makes sense." Kara got started on the pot stickers. "I bet it'll be awesome." She fed one pot sticker to Alex.

"I look forward to it. I accept I have to be more careful and this'll help me do that as well as help me kick ass."

Kara nodded and she was so happy that Alex understood that she needed to be careful. Even though Alex planned to work her to death when the cast came off, Kara looked forward to it. She looked forward to Alex being better, to Alex and Lena dating, to them all being together. The future seemed pretty bright.

-8-8-8-8-

Lena stood back, holding Kara's hand, as Brainy did the honor of cutting Alex out of her cast. Kara had thought they should invite everyone over to see it, but Alex did not want anyone there that did not need to be there. Alex was parked on the couch, as she had been for the better part of two weeks. Alex groaned as the cast fell away and she tried to bend her leg. Kara stepped forward and put her hand on Alex's foot to help her. Alex winced as she bent her knee and wiggled her leg. Then, she rotated her foot. She seemed okay, no sounds of pain or winces.

"Are you okay?" Lena asked, heart in her throat, even though Kara had kept a great eye on Alex's leg and ankle. Not to mention, Alex was a doctor.

Alex nodded. "Just working things out. You know, the leg's been immobile for two weeks, so I need to get back to using it. Same with the ankle."

"Slowly," Lena said.

"Of course," Alex replied.

"Come on. Up." Kara helped Alex to her feet and then walked her around the living room, keeping her gaze on Alex's leg.

Lena could only watch them, voice gone, words abandoning her brain. This seemed like such a huge thing and she could not process why just yet. So, her eyes followed Kara and Alex around the room while her brain tried to catch up on what it all meant.

Brainy nodded as he watched them walk. "Alex, your science seems quite sound with those healing pills."

"Yeah, but we still can't figure out how to make them more universal," Alex replied.

Brainy frowned. "This is true and bothersome." He rubbed his chin. "Would it be all right if I continued to look at your work?"

"Knock yourself out. You still have all my notes and I'll share the folder I have, but most of the information is already in the database at the Tower," Alex said and then she looked at Lena. "You okay? You're really quiet over there."

"Just taking it in." Lena felt like she was outside of her body, outside of the situation. Seeing Alex walk around reminded her that those two Danvers would do anything for her. They were there for her the way they were there for each other. That was her family. "We should invite everyone over to celebrate your full healing." By "everyone" she really just meant the "Superfriends." She needed to do something.

"Maybe tomorrow," Alex answered. "I want to be sure the leg is fine."

"Of course." Lena dared to hope that Alex just wanted to enjoy her first mobile day with her and Kara.

Eventually, Brainy left after making sure Alex was fully healed. Alex wandered the penthouse, just walking around, getting her legs under her. Kara followed her about. Lena left them alone, but was not sure what to do with herself. She sat on the couch and watched them go to and fro about the place. After several minutes, they sat down with her. Kara grabbed her hand and held it while also holding Alex's hand.

"This is really nice. It always has been," Kara said.

Alex arched an eyebrow. "Is this about to be another I told you so moment?"

Kara grinned. "Can I just rub it in?" She kissed Alex's cheek and then kissed Lena's temple. Lena was quite happy with the attention and cuddled into Kara.

"You're going to make Alex go home if you keep this up," Lena said.

"Right. I am mobile again." Alex cackled.

"You're not going anywhere. We've got the food and we need to finish our show," Kara pointed out.

"Well, we do need to finish the show," Alex agreed as if that was the thing keeping her at the penthouse.

"We need to get started. We have three episodes left and surely Kara's going to talk through all of them, so we'll have to keep pausing and rewinding it," Lena said.

They all laughed, even though that was true. Alex went to take a proper shower for the first time in too long, according to her, especially getting a chance to bathe alone. Lena and Kara got their food together. Kara also prepared food for Alex. They made their way back on the couch with Kara in the middle.

Food disappeared and they focused on the show. Out of the corner of her eye, Lena saw Kara playing with Alex's fingers. It kept her attention because their hands drifted toward Lena's thigh. She did not breathe as Kara guided Alex's fingers to Lena's skin and then her breath hitched at the slightest touch. Kara glanced at her and smiled.

Lena tried to focus on the show, but her attention was caught in the web of the feel of Alex's fingertips with Kara's. And then Kara's fingers were gone and it was just Alex, absently stroking her leg. Kara took Lena's hand and gave her a quick kiss.

"The way it was meant to be," Kara whispered to her and Lena felt that in her heart. But, how long would it be this way? Alex was mobile again, so eventually she would go back home. Yes, they would still have moments like this, but it would be quite different. Don't get ahead of yourself. She wants to date and dating would be nice. It was just that this felt like it was how things should be. Now, I understand what Kara meant and how she felt knowing this was it.

Lena glanced over at Alex, hoping to see some sign that she recognized how perfect this was. Then, Alex added a little more pressure with her fingers on Lena's thigh and changed from making circles to something else. It took Lena a couple of seconds and then she realized Alex was tracing the elements from the periodic table on her thigh. Then, Alex looked over at her and gave her a quick smile, acknowledging not just this moment, but this thing between them. Perhaps everything would be fine.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: the end.