"Jess, can you send me the proposals for the new program Diana is spearheading? She and I have a meeting with Sam to go over the funding in half an hour."

"Of course, Ms. Luthor, I'll have them for you right away."

"Thank you, Jess."

"Oh, Ms. Luthor, Sam has just arrived."

"Let her in." Lena leaned back into her chair and smiled as Sam walked into the office.

"I come bearing gifts." She held out a small nondescript white bag.

"If it's tylenol and B-12 you're a lifesaver. I'm still nursing a hangover from last night." Sam smirked and gave Lena a knowing look that only her mother could rival. "I still can't believe you let me drink that much."

"You know how much I enjoy drunk Lena. Kara and I had quite a fun time getting you back to your apartment." Lena groaned. "Wasn't sure your fun side was going to come out at first with how quickly you tried to make an escape when Kara kept gushing on about her newest crush…" Sam winced when she saw the glare thrown at her. "Sorry. Overstepped." She backtracked. "Still you have to admit the rest of the night was fun, I definitely learned a lot."

"Fun and enlightening for you. I had a different experience." Lena rubbed her temple to try and clear away the remnants of the hangover. Memories of the night started circulating through her mind unprompted and she groaned as she let her head fall heavily into her hands.

Kara met up with Lena later that night as promised. Lena wasn't sure if she would at first as one dance had quickly turned into three more and each one progressively felt longer and longer as the songs were never ending. The occasional chime of laughter would pierce through the crowded dance floor as Kara and Diana continued to glide across it.

Much to her chagrin and growing agitation.

She needed to make a mental note to tell Jess to hire a different band for the next formal event LCorp put on. One with accordions, or old men in flannel who strummed a mean guitar, but couldn't sing a lick. Sure it was petty. Borderline unprofessional. Sue her.

Sam kept her company at least. Nursing her own cocktail as they spoke about Ruby and her new obsession with Pop It fidget toys.

"I just don't understand the fascination with fidget toys. They're useless and serve no purpose. I actually think they do the opposite of their intended purpose of keeping children focused and only add to distracting their minds." Sam ranted. "I mean, and don't tell Ruby this, I found one in the laundry bin and rather than folding, I spent over an hour mindlessly popping the god forsaken piece of sh-silicone, and got absolutely nothing done…" Lena laughed and was pleasantly distracted for the most part, which helped control the green monster raging inside of her every time she saw blonde hair twirl around a couple yards away.

"Ok, so enough about that… How long has this been going on?" Sam asked as she propped herself up on her forearm and elbow, leaning heavily into the bar counter.

"What?"

"You and Kara. Come on, you are practically swimming in scotch right now. All because of a few dances. What's that about?"

"Sam…" Lena sighed and felt a headache forming. "It's nothing."

"As a mother, I have a gift," Sam made a circular motion in the air "a kind of superpower. Some call it intuition…" Sam stared at Lena for a lingering moment. "So intuitively, I know by 'nothing' what you really mean to say is; 'Sam I'm having impure thoughts about a certain blonde.'"

"I hate you, you know that right?" Lena said in lieu of an answer.

"Am I wrong?"

Lena threw the last of the scotch down her throat and winced. "It doesn't matter."

"Denying what you feel won't make it go away."

"What are you, my therapist?" Lena jabbed back.

Sam laughed and reached out to touch Lena's knee, shaking it tenderly. "Oh honey, you couldn't pay me enough for all the baggage you have to unpack."

Lena scoffed as she playfully slapped Sam's hand away. She sucked in a breath feeling particularly drained all of a sudden. "She's...I've done too much harm. She would never see me as anything more than what we are now. Hell, just getting back to this state we are in was hard fought."

"What happened?" Sam asked so gently. Over the last year Sam knew some of the details, but not enough to connect any dots. It forced Lena into speaking half truths and just made talking about the whole situation more difficult than what it was worth.

"You know we had a falling out… a disagreement about how I handled non nocere, and by extension how I treated Supergirl… values and morals were made apparent and in the end I fell on the wrong side. I realized that too late and by that point our relationship was basically unsalvageable, and yet…" Lena felt the tears prickling behind her eyes as she often did when revisiting these memories, "she- well she-" Lena's bottom lip started to quiver as the emotions welled up past the point of breaking, the alcohol in her system made the task of hiding those emotions impossible.

"She was Kara. The epitome of forgiveness and second and third chances… she let you back in."

Lena nodded her head silently. She heaved a heavy sigh, shaking the past away like she always did, never wanting to dwell too much on it in fear that she would drown. "I didn't deserve a second chance, this, what we have now, was more than I thought I'd ever have again. Why rock that boat?"

It wasn't until much later that Kara made her appearance and by that point Lena was well past the point of buzzed and coasting steadily along in a state of tipsy, which tended to make her more loose lipped. Knowing this about herself didn't help in controlling said lips as she soon found out.

"Kara! Kara's here!" Lena hummed happily as she finished off her scotch. "That's nice. Isn't that nice, Sam?" Lena emphasized the words 'nice' with a scrunch of her nose as she grabbed hold of Sam's shoulder. Sam chuckled lightly, nodding her head. Lena followed her lead and nodded along with her before turning back to Kara. "So, how was your dance...I mean dances?" Trying not to sound too put out and probably failing miserably at it.

"She's incredible. I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner. We were just having so much fun getting to know each other." Kara began gushing on and on about how amazing Diana was. Lena's face started falling minutely as Kara went on until a soft elbow to her ribs from Sam made her quickly recover, hiding behind many years worth of Luthor Kara didn't seem to notice as she continued on, "She can speak so many languages. She actually taught herself Kryptonian! Can you believe that?" Lena finished off her glass. Sam watched as Lena waved to the bartender drawing his attention, flicking her wrist in a come hither fashion. "Another scotch please."

Sam perked up at that. "Kryptonian? What, did she just get bored one day and decide to learn a dead language? I mean aside from Superman and Supergirl does anyone actually speak it? For that matter do they even speak it? What use is it to her? I wonder why she did that."

Kara grimaced, feeling dejected suddenly at Sam's questions, she fumbled slightly as she tried to hedge around an answer. She couldn't fault her for not realizing how insensitive she had come across, but the words stung regardless and took her exuberant mood down a few notches. Lena sucked in a bated breath as she watched Kara start to coil inward. Not wanting her mood to sink further into a downward spiral she felt the urge to say something, anything.

"It's actually not too complicated of a language to learn. Easier than English I would argue." Lena said. Kara's eyes snapped to Lena's in bewilderment. Lena grimaced, not exactly the thing she had planned on blurting out in the middle of a crowded venue, but she's committed now so might as well lean into it. She turned to Sam, finding it easier to use her as a buffer and shrugged "All I'm trying to say is it's not that big a deal."

Kara looked completely taken back by this. "You learned Kryptonian?" Kara asked in almost a whisper. "When? How?" Her whole body lit up at the news and Lena's heart soared in response even though her stomach rolled over with nervous apprehension.

"Um. Over the last year. Mostly to read and write it. I'm sure my cadence and pronunciations are atrocious, not really having any real reference to go by aside from the few words I've heard spoken." That was a lie. She could speak it flawlessly and found it easier to speak than gaelic. Lena felt her heart skip and judging from the look on Kara's face, she heard and saw right through the lie. Shit. She suddenly couldn't look her in the eyes and fought the urge to escape this topic by bolting off the barstool to race for the exit.

"But you hated m- I thought you hated supergirl…" Kara countered, her face was contorted in a mixture of confusion, awe and disbelief.

"I was hurt and I lashed out. I made a lot of mistakes then that I've been trying to rectify. One of them being how I treated...her..." Lena held Kara's gaze, a heavy feeling pulling at her stomach. Maybe it was the alcohol. She took in a sharp breath as she tried to shake off the feeling. She really didn't want to have this conversation now, sitting on a bar stool, surrounded by people, Sam specifically, and on the verge of being too drunk to think clearly. They've barely breached the subject one on one. No, this wasn't the intention. It was a small insignificant fact mentioned to raise Kara's spirits, not reopen healing wounds. Except she knew it was anything, but insignificant in Kara's eyes. It would be everything, and to know that but not really be able to acknowledge it, or share in Kara's excitement about it, or in a part of her only a handful of people could, was frustratingly tragic. Because they don't share like that anymore, that bridge had been burned, she burned it down herself. Kara was speechless and her attention was so centered onto Lena that she found herself squirming uncomfortably in her seat.

The bartender finally approached with her drink in hand and Lena looked at him gratefully as he handed her glass back with 2 ounces of scotch and she drank it as a shot and winced as the liquid burned going down. "It's really not that big of a deal." she added timidly, wanting the attention to be taken off of her as quickly as possible, "Anyways, it sounds like you two had a lot to talk about." Her voice went up towards the end trying her best to inflect enthusiasm and genuine interest in her tone.

It seemed to do the trick well enough. The smile sweeping over Kara's face sent Lena's heart and gut into a summersault of juxtaposed emotions, adoration and envy chief among them. Lena gave a tight smile in response and felt herself relax when the attention and focus was off her once again and Kara's bubbly self came rushing back in an instant.

"We did. I think we have a lot in common. There's so much about her I'd like to know more about, you know?" Lena nodded and pushed her glass back at the bartender who eyed her warily before filling it again with another 2 ounces of the amber liquid.

Sam lightly patted her back, and casually removed the glass from Lena's hand, placing it down on the other side of the bar away from her reach, ignoring the look Lena fired her way.

"I don't know her all that well myself." Sam chimed in noncommittally. Her tone stayed light, her hand coming up to rest on Lena's shoulder to offer a modicum of support. "Where is she now anyway?"

"She was pulled into another dance with some dignitary…" Kara waved off. "Plus I promised I'd meet back up with Lena. I'm sure we will cross paths again later." She added offhandedly. She bounced on the balls of her feet a couple of times, the energy radiating off her with so much unabashed glee that Lena couldn't help but be genuinely happy for Kara, no matter how it made her own internal struggle rage against the jealousy that Diana was the cause.

"I'm glad you're having a good time Kara." Lena said honestly.

"I really am!" Kara shook her head enthusiastically. "She wants to show me this place outside the city where there's this tree that's several hundred years old. It was the only living thing to survive a forest fire over a century ago and it sits alone on the top of a hill overlooking the city." Kara smiles wistfully. "She said that something about me reminds her of it and she'd like to show me."

Sam smiles softly, squeezing Lena's shoulder to relax it when she felt the muscles under her hand tense. "Well that sounds an awful lot like she asked you on a date."

Kara's eyes snapped to attention. "What? Really? You think so?"

Sam stared at Kara for a second and pursed her lips. "Isn't it obvious? If it was, is that even something you'd be interested in? I've only ever seen you date men." Sam hedged in question, prying as gently as possible. Kara didn't have a chance to react because Lena's head lolled to the side and she stumbled as she tried to stand.

"I don't feel so good."

Kara's face fell slightly in concern and Lena almost took it back, regret and remorse were bitter pills to swallow when all she wanted to do was see another smile on Kara's face. "Sorry."

"Oh no, I don't care about that, are you alright? Why don't you drink some water?" She said her voice was laced with concern.

"That's actually a great idea." Sam agreed.

"Once you get hydrated maybe we can continue our people watching… There's a tray of some more of those salmon bite things out there with my name on it and a growing crowd that's just begging to be psychoanalysed by one charming reporter," Kara wiggles her eyes and points to herself, "and a beautiful, badass CEO." She thrusts her two index fingers at Lena and boasts a toothy grin.

"Oh. Um, maybe next time? I think I've had one too many drinks tonight and I'm feeling a little out of sorts." She tried to stand but stumbled recklessly and with a sudden realization of just how much she had to drink. Kara quickly reached out to catch her and Lena looked up at her gratefully. Sam rubbed soothing circles on her back and murmured something to Kara about calling Frank.

As they walked outside Sam holding onto Lena's purse and phone, while Kara had her arms wrapped around Lena's waist trying to keep her upright, Sam asked. "Do you think you can make sure she gets home safely? I have to be home soon, Ruby's friends should be dropping her off in about half an hour." Sam pulled out her phone to order an Uber.

"Of course. How about we drop you off on the way?" Kara said. Frank pulled up to the curb and Sam opened the door and put Lena's things inside before stepping aside so Kara could help Lena in.

"Yes, come with us, Frank won't mind, will you Frank?"

"Not at all Miss Luthor."

"Then it's settled. Get in here." Lena swooshed her hand a little too over zealously in encouragement and Sam and Kara traded amused looks before Sam put her phone back in her purse and got in the car after Lena.

"Kara, there you are, I was worried you had left already." Diana said as she approached the group. Kara held the door checking to make sure Lena and Sam were situated before averting her attention back to Diana. "Diana, hey. Sorry, I actually have to be going. Um, did you need something, or…" Kara fumbled with her glasses and awkwardly shifted her weight to her right leg as she tried to seem less flustered than she felt. Sam insinuating that Diana might be interested in her, added drastically to her nerves. Diana smiled and looked down, pulling out a small card from her hand bag. "I actually just wanted you to have this." Kara looked slightly confused as she gazed at the rectangular card. "It's my number, maybe we can see each other sometime soon? I'd really like to get to know you more. If that's something you're interested in as well. I don't want to assume."

"No. I mean of course." Kara cleared her throat and she half laughed at herself for her lack of tact. "I'd, uh, really like that actually." She took the card gingerly from Diana, her fingers lightly skimming Diana's as they made the exchange and she couldn't help the blush that bloomed on her cheeks.

The smile that radiated off Diana's face was stunning and Kara suddenly felt flushed for a different reason. "Wonderful. I look forward to hearing from you then." She leaned forward and dealt the most tender kiss to Kara's cheek. It was chaste and quick, but made her intentions clear. She knelt slightly to see into the car.

"Lena, Sam, it was a pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your evening. I'll see you both tomorrow." Sam and Lena both said their farewells and Kara, still reeling from the kiss, stood tongue tied and with a goofy grin on her face. "Good night Kara."

Kara found herself nodding before her mouth finally decided to start moving. "You too, Diana."

As Kara slipped into the back seat next to Sam she watched as Diana walked back through the main entrance of the hall disappearing behind the double doors. An exaggerated clearing of a throat broke Kara out of her revelry and she turned to see two gaping faces staring back at her. "Wow. Who knew Kara Danvers had it in her?" Sam commented.

"Holy guacamole… did that actually just happen?" Kara blurted out as she touched her face lightly where the kiss still burned her cheek.

"As an eye witness, yes. I watched the whole thing. Still reeling from the shock of it." Sam replied. "And as a friend, try and not say things like 'holy guacamole' amongst those that are over the age of twelve." Sam laughed.

Kara ignored that last part and turned slightly in her seat to see the two women better. "I mean, she's great, but…oh my gosh what do I do? I've never gone out with someone so out of my league before. It's all a bit ridiculous isn't it? I mean she's…" Kara waved her hands around in frantic circles as mild panic started to ruminate. "She's Wonder Woman! What chance do I have, this is all bound to end in a disaster. And I just—"

"You can't be serious?" Lena said curtly, effectively cutting Kara off. "Kara. You're Supergirl! You're a Pulitzer winning journalist, and if those two reasons alone aren't good enough for you…" Lena pointed at her thumb and fingers as she started listing off all the ways Kara was anything but a disaster. "You're funny, so smart, a true and genuine friend to everyone you meet, loyal to a fault, beautiful, kind, honest—" Sam grabbed Lena's hands and pushed them gently into Lena's lap.

"What Lena's trying to say, Kara, is that you aren't giving yourself enough credit and you tend to have a smaller opinion of yourself than those around you share. Diana would be so lucky to be on the receiving end of any of the things Lena listed off. Rather quickly too I might add." She murmured side eyeing Lena, who sunk back in her seat slightly embarrassed. She would blame the alcohol for her loose lips tomorrow.

Kara sat silently as she absorbed everything that just occurred. "It's just that my dating life has always been a mess."

"You dated a Prince!" Lena balked.

Kara laughed. "And look how that turned out… he had to leave earth, ended up traveling into the future, joined the league of legends, came back and told me he was in love with me, only to find out he's married!"

Lena shook her head trying to clear the fogginess of alcohol that clouded her brain. "Right, total asshole, bad example, but my point still stands anyway. Doesn't change the fact that he was."

"If a title mattered that much to me I'd be a pretty shallow person." Kara countered.

"Then what's stopping you from dating Wonder Woman?" Lena asked.

Kara paused as she stared back at Lena. A look of longing crossed her face briefly before she recollected herself. "Nothing I guess…"

There was a long silence after that as they all seemed too distracted by their own thoughts to speak before Sam finally broke the peace. "So is either of you going to acknowledge the fact that I just found out Diana is Wonder Woman and Kara is Supergirl or are we going to pretend that part of the conversation never occurred?"

Lena clasped her hands to her mouth as Kara's whole body flinched. Sam's head turned left and right before she sighed resignedly. "Pretend and ignore. Got it." She responded, folding her hands into her lap dramatically and not another word was spoken on the subject.

They dropped Sam off first, both waving silently as if too afraid to open their mouths and spill more damn secrets. Then Kara escorted Lena to her apartment, making sure she got to her door ok. They both lingered outside as Lena fiddled with her keys. "Thank you for walking me up, you didn't have to."

"I know, still wanted to though." Kara said. Lena nodded and tried to keep herself from swaying too much. "Tonight was fun. Thank you for inviting me." Kara added.

Lena looked down at her keys and tapped one against her finger. Her mind a swirl of images, most prominent among them Kara spinning around on the dance floor with a beaming smile. "You're a lovely dancer Kara, it was nice to see that side of you. I, um, didn't know you could dance."

"One step, two step, spin, repeat. Remember? It's not much to write home about." Kara laughed as she shrugged it off. They stood in silence, neither quite saying goodbye as both waited for the other to. Both of them relaxed in the simple comfort of each other's presence and neither willing to relinquish it just yet. "Don't forget to take something for your inevitable hangover, and drink some water before you go to bed ok?"

Lena scoffed and looked up at Kara. "I've been much worse, and the drive sobered me up a lot. I think I felt my heart leap out of my chest when Sam acknowledged both of our slip ups." Lena's eyes welled up instantly as remorse finally came, the lingering effects of the alcohol making her emotions rise to the surface a bit more freely than she would've preferred. "I can't believe I did that. I'm so sorry."

Kara shook her head and reached as if to touch Lena's arm in reassurance, but stopped herself before making contact. She clenched her fist and lowered her hand stiffly to her side. They hadn't really shown each other much physical affection since reestablishing their friendship and she still wasn't used to the new boundary. "No, don't be. She's a good friend, I trust her and besides, I did it first, I wouldn't have mentioned Diana's Wonder Woman if I didn't. I'm actually trying to be more open with those I trust." She looked at Lena imploringly, trying to convey with her eyes how strongly she felt about this particular point. "I'm trying really hard not to repeat the same mistakes I made with you."

Lena searched Kara's eyes, finding nothing but earnestness and sincere conviction within them. Nearly four years of friendship, before she felt her world crash around her. She spent another year lost, broken and alone, with her deranged brother as her only confidant. In that year she learned something about herself that she was loath to admit at the time. That her reason for being so completely shattered at Kara's seeming lack of trust in her, was because she was far more invested than she realized. She had to come to terms with the knowledge that she was and is in love with her best friend, only to mess it all up by turning into exactly what Kara accused her of becoming. A villian.

She didn't deserve this beautiful, radiant person, who took her back after one apology, believed in her when she had lost faith in herself, and stuck by her when no one had ever done so before. Kara would have been completely justified had she chosen not to forgive her, but she had and now Lena had to deal with the aftermath of her betrayal. Lena could no longer try and stake a claim on her heart. She had no right to it after being trusted with it and trampling on it in the past. Using Kryptonite no less. No, she had been gifted the return of Kara's friendship, asking for anything more than that was just selfish. Hearing Kara convey that she was trying to be better at being more open with those she trusted, based off what they went through, only made Lena speechless.

Kara shifted backwards on the heels of her feet. The lingering silence making her unsure how to proceed. "I just, um, well I hope you know that. Anyway, you should get some rest." She waved awkwardly as she took a small step back retreating into the elevator. Lena smiled, waving silently her own good bye, too afraid of what she might say if she allowed herself to speak.

"Sleep well, Lena." Kara smiled one last time before the elevator doors closed in front of her.

Lena sighed heavily and turned to open her door. The rest of the night she spent nursing a splitting headache and praying that her skull wasn't actually splitting into two pieces, but silently grateful she had something else to focus on other than the tightening feeling within her gut. She needed to find a new box for these emotions running rampant in her mind. She wasn't one to sulk. She allowed herself a few more moments of self indulgence in her wallowing before she closed that box and shoved it deep down. She was better than that and in the end the only thing she really wanted was Kara's happiness. She had been given a chance to rectify her mistakes, to prove to herself and Kara that she was better than her past transgressions. These past few months with Kara firmly back in her life was like having a tremendous burden lifted off her chest. She could finally breathe easily again, she was noticeably happier if Jess's comments were anything to go by and she was finally free from her brother's and mother's suffocating grip upon her life. She wasn't going to squander it because her traitorous heart wanted more than what it could have. So she would support and encourage Kara to find the love she so deserved and if that included Diana, well so be it.

Lena lifted her head up and took the white bag from Sam saying her thanks softly. Sam sat down in the chair across from her, crossing her legs and relaxing into the soft fabric as one rarely ever did when in Lena's presence. A swell of affection for her friend blossomed in her chest at the simple act, knowing she had someone like Sam in her corner. "Thank you for this."

"You got it, now we have a few minutes before Diana arrives for the budget meeting, is there anything at all you'd like to get off your chest?" Sam smirked when Lena raised her right brow silently challenging her to continue. Sam bounced her leg across her knee happily as she tapped her chin with her index finger. "Like, Oh, I don't know, maybe how three of the most powerful women in the world were all gathered under one roof last night and how two of them seemed to be pining rather hard for the blonde one… or how I had a rather extensive NDA to sign sitting on my desk this morning?"

Lena straightened in her chair, slightly affronted. "I was not pining." Sam levelled her with a withering stare. Lena crossed her arms in defiance, her eyes narrowing "I do not pine." She reiterated.

"Mmmm. I beg to differ honey. That was some next level shi-stuff." Sam corrected herself.

Lena pursed her lips to keep from smiling at Sam's correction. Suddenly The night before came back to her mind and she couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not Ruby, you can cuss in front of me Sam."

"It's second nature at this point. I couldn't if I wanted to. Believe me, when I stubbed my toe into the dresser this morning, I'd much rather have said the more scathing version of 'fudge 'sicles' but I'm a lost cause now."

Lena laughed full and bright at that. Sam smiled but still tried to look offended. "It's not funny Lena, I was worse than a sailor before Ruby, now I'm like little miss sunshine and daisies, who can barely utter the word crap without cringing first." Lena laughed harder because she knows just how true it is, having seen Kara wince while trying to use said word when describing a particular run in with Andrea a few weeks ago.

"Well in any case I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did, and hope you understand the severity of what knowing such information might entail. Having said that, I can't tell you how relieved I am that you know now. I finally have someone to talk to outside of Kara, her sister and their friends."

Sam smiled softly all too aware of what was at stake, having been through the experience of having Reign eradicated from her body. "I owe you both my life, quite literally. I just can't believe how insensitive I must've sounded when she mentioned Diana learning Kryptonian." Sam worried her lip slightly before adding "had I known then…"

Lena waved her off. "No don't, you didn't know and Kara understands that. She would never fault you for it."

"Well…" The corner of Sam's mouth quirked upwards slightly as she shifted in her seat. "Either way -"

A quick rapt knock resounded through the office abruptly ending their conversation. "Ms. Luthor, Ms. Prince has just arrived." Jess's voice rang from the other side of the door.

"Send her in, Jess."

Lena and Sam stood as one and turned their attention towards Diana as she walked in. Lena sucked in a silent lungful of air at her appearance. The woman was breathtakingly gorgeous. She was dressed in a simple black skirt with a loose fitted silk blouse and wearing killer high heels which only added in showing off her toned legs. She breezed through the door and a soft genuine smile crossed her face as soon as her eyes landed on Sam's and Lena's and Lena was reminded again why this woman was so alluring. She was effortlessly gentle and kindness radiated off her.

Sam was first to greet Diana, taking a step in her direction with her hand raised in offering. "Diana, let me just say once again how honored we are at having you on board. We both have been looking forward to this meeting for weeks now."

"The feeling is mutual. I have so many ideas and suggestions on how we can grow this program. To have a say in something so crucial to all children as they learn and grow is very near and dear to my heart. I'm happy to have a part in it."

"Well we can't thank you enough, please have a seat and we can begin." Lena said as she made her way to the sitting area and sat down on the far end of the sofa.

"Oh, we are meeting here?" Diana said, slightly confused.

"I'm sorry, is this not ok?" Lena asked, standing up quickly from the sofa.

Diana shook her head quickly and raised her hands. "No, no, this is fine. Nice, actually, I'm sorry I just assumed we'd be in a conference room."

Sam came around the small coffee table and rested in an armchair. "We can if you prefer, but we are all friends here and this setting tends to allow for more genuine discussion, rather than listing off hard cold facts. Given the nature of the program, we'd like to start off less formally and create a space that promotes open dialogue." She smiled softly at Diana and gestured toward the other end of the sofa. Diana sat down and a small bit of tension eased away from her shoulders. Lena sat back down as well on the opposite end turning her knees slightly inward to better face the two ladies in front of her. Jess walked in at that moment with three folders in hand. Lena nodded gratefully at her assistant and took the proffered folders from her hand passing one to Sam and Diana respectively.

"Thank you, Jess." Jess nodded silently and slipped out of the office quietly shutting the door behind her.

"Let's get started then shall we?" Lena suggested as she opened her folder to the proposals inside.

They spent the better part of two hours in rapt discussion over funding, and what the program would offer and the potential for more in the near future. Lena was pleasantly surprised by the amount of knowledge Diana possessed, offering suggestions that spoke both to the program itself as well as how it could be rolled out and executed over time with the least amount of friction. Sam had a lot to say on the budget given the board's reluctance to offer full backing on a project that was, in their eyes, 'experimental' and 'not profitable'. Both Lena and Diana suggested a fundraiser where they could get others to donate whatever funds the board didn't approve.

"I'll personally donate as well as." Lena mentioned enthusiastically, encouraged by this solution.

"That's very generous of you. Might I be allowed to offer my own contribution?" Diana asked. "I would love to pay for the fundraising event personally."

Lena shook her head quickly. "No, I can't ask that of you. Events of that magnitude are exceedingly expensive to put on and typically require more than one sponsor to support."

"It would be a privilege for me to do so. Please, I'm more than capable." She said with as much enthusiasm and eagerness she could project into her tone.

"That's very generous of you, Diana, thank you." Sam commented as Lena seemed to be at a loss for words.

"It may even cause the typical sponsors to donate the same, if not more, directly to the program instead, which is where the money is needed most." Diana exclaimed, excited by this new train of thought.

"Perhaps, I can call Kara and see if she'd be willing to make an appearance. Having Supergirl as a special guest always seems to open more pocket books." Lena smirked conspiratorially at the two ladies who both laughed in unison.

"You're maniacal." Sam teased. "That's genius actually."

"I'll call her after we wrap up." Lena said smiling, a wave of excitement washing over her at having a reason to call Kara. Not that she ever really needed one in the past, but lately she feels as if she's intruding without one. Kara would be horrified at the thought, but Lena couldn't help feeling so.

"Actually she and I are meeting for lunch after this, I can bring it up to her then." Diana said happily in offering.

"What? Oh. Great, yeah, that's - that works too." Lena stuttered. Sam met her gaze and flashed a sympathetic, knowing look before it vanished into a wide smile before Diana caught on to it.

"Well, I think everything is in order. At least enough to get the ball rolling." Sam said in an effort to close up the meeting.

"Wonderful. It was lovely meeting with you both. I'm very much looking forward to working with you two. Hopefully we will see more of each other soon and in not so formal circumstances. I don't have a lot of friends in National City and I should like to change that if I can." Diana said as she stood tall, straightening her skirt as she did so. "I should say my farewells now, however, as I have quite an attractive date I would prefer not to keep waiting." Diana smiled and winked. Sam and Lena both laughed noncommittally at the attempt of a joke and said their goodbyes.

Once Diana left and the doors behind her closed, Lena slumped back down into the sofa. Sam sat down right beside her, their knees touching as she offered her shoulder, pulling Lena into a warm embrace. "She's going to lunch with her." She said it as a statement but it came out more like a question. "Kara's going on a date with Diana." She reiterated as she let the news swallow her whole.

"Oh, honey." Sam said softly. She laced her hands into Lena's hair offering comfort in the only way she knew how. They sat in silence for a few short minutes, until they both needed to press on with the rest of the day and the demands of their jobs. She lightly kissed Lena's forehead and leaned back, sending her a reassuring smile. "Luthor's don't pine, my ass." Sam said teasingly as she raised an eyebrow.

That prompted a sad but nonetheless small smile and short gasp from Lena. "You just said, 'ass'."

Sam chuckled. "I had to do something to pull you back."

"Thank you."

"Now let's go be the badasses we know we are and make the world a better place. Then afterwards, we will go to my place, hang out with a stressed out teenager, realize our problems are nothing compared to those of a teenager's, and eat our weight in ice cream." Sam said. "How's that sound?"

"Like a heart attack waiting to happen." Lena rolled her eyes. "So obviously, I'm in."