"How was lunch?" Sam asked when Lena returned.
"It was perfect," Lena said plopping down on the couch. "I did an interview for CatCo. It seems Snapper Carr heard about my stepping down and sent Kara to interview me. I made sure she added something about you."
Sam sat down beside her. "Thank you. So, did you kiss her?" Sam asked. Lena glared at her. "I take that as a no. Lena, you are my best and probably only friend, but you are the most frustrating woman I have ever met."
"I.. I don't understand," Lena said slowly.
"You've been in love with Kara since the day you met her," Sam began carefully. "Jess knows it. I know it. Hell, everyone at L-Corp knows it. So why aren't you telling her? You could have everything you want, yet you say nothing."
Lena got up and went to the mini bar. Only Jess knew she kept a small fortunes worth of alcohol in her office. She poured them both a shot of bourbon and went back to the couch.
"I can't tell her," Lena said after taking a sip. "She's so… pure, good, innocent. She doesn't need to get involved with a Luthor. It's not fair to her."
"No," Sam said setting the glass down harder than she intended. "You're not being fair to her. You're taking her choice away Lena. From what I observed last night, that girl is crazy about you. If you don't want to be with her fine then walk away. Or you can have everything you've wanted since you were a little girl: love, family, happiness. But you need to figure that out sooner, rather than later, otherwise you and Kara are both going to get hurt."
Lena stared at Sam. Her… friend was right. All she ever wanted was for someone to love her, for someone to see her for her and not for her name. Kara never cared about the Luthor name, or money. She had a chance, a chance to have everything, but could she risk Kara in the process? It wasn't just Kara she had to think of, but Supergirl as well. Lillian already wanted Supergirl dead. If she were to find out Lena was dating Supergirl… Lena shuddered at the thought.
"You know if anyone else spoke to me like that I would have them fired," Lena said lightly.
"That's not true," Sam said, though she did pale slightly. Lena raised an eyebrow at her. "Jess."
"Relax Sam," Lena said seeing how scared the CEO was. "I'm not angry at you. Perhaps you're right." Sam's phone buzzed and Lena watched her smile as she typed out a reply. "Who was that?"
Sam put her phone away. "Alex. She was just confirming our plans for tonight."
"Alex, as in Alex Danvers, Kara's sister?" Lena asked in disbelief. "You have a date with Kara's sister?"
"No," Sam said loudly. Lena raised an eyebrow at her. "Alex is helping with Ruby's project. She said she had access to kryptonite and she's going to bring some so we can get started."
"Alex is bringing you kryptonite," Lena repeated. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Why would Alex give someone kryptonite, something that could kill Kara? Lena didn't like it. Even if it was to help Ruby. The only thing that made her feel better was knowing that Alex would never do anything to put Kara at risk.
Lena sat the glass on the table and stood up. "I need to get to my lab."
"How is your project going?" Sam asked, setting down her own glass.
"It's fine," Lena said, standing in the doorway. "But this is just one of many."
She walked out of the office. She paused at Jess' desk. "Supergirl should be arriving soon. Please send her straight to my lab."
"Of course, Ms. Luthor," Jess said. She didn't get a chance to check on Lena as the other woman was already in the elevator.
Lena stared at the table. Sam's words still echoed in her head. Was she sabotaging her own happiness? Probably. But she couldn't believe she was sabotaging Kara's. Kara would be happy without her. She should distance herself from Kara but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She was too selfish and that killed her.
Tears dropped onto the table and Lena banged her fists on the table. She was never a violent person. The only person she had ever harmed was the man she shot to protect Alex. Right now, she wanted to hit someone, or something. She wanted to destroy everything around her, like she destroyed the people around her.
"Lena," Kara called walking into the lab. "Oh, Lena." Kara appeared by her side in an instant and grabbed her hands as gently as she could. Bruises were already starting to form. "Relax your hands." Kara rubbed her hands until Lena relaxed.
"Kara," Lena whispered, leaning against the superhero.
"What happened?" Kara asked concerned.
"Nothing," Lena lied. She grabbed a tissue and did her best to salvage her make up. She was afraid it was a lost cause. She stood and went over to the safe. "Before I give you your gift, there is something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Kara was less concerned about the gift and more worried about Lena.
"I have kryptonite," Lena confessed. "In my safe. It's leftover from when Lex ran Luthor Corp. I destroyed most of it but kept some, just in case. I can also make it. I found Lex's formula and did some tweaking and I succeeded. The formula has been destroyed… Kara, please say something."
"Who has access to the safe?" Kara questioned.
"Only me," Lena promised. "My safe requires a password and fingerprint. No one is getting ahold of the kryptonite."
"Why keep kryptonite? Unless, you were planning on using it…"
"No," Lena exclaimed. "God no. I…" Lena opened the safe and grabbed the shield. "This, this is one of the reasons I kept the kryptonite." Lena handed the shield over.
Kara took the device but she had no idea what it was. "I don't understand."
"May I?" Lena gestured toward the device. Kara handed it over. Lena held it over the El family crest and watched it lock into place. "This device is to protect you from Metallo, and anyone else that tries to shoot you with kryptonite. Clark tested it for me and it works."
"You made me a kryptonite shield?" Kara asked in awe. Her fingers lightly traced the edge of the shield. Lena nodded. Kara threw her arms around Lena and kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Lena. This means so much to me."
Lena blushed. "You're welcome Kara. I'm making one for Clark too, just in case."
Kara tightened her grip on Lena. Lena had not only protected her but Clark as well. That meant more to her than she could ever say. "Thank you."
"Kara, air," Lena wheezed.
Kara released her. "Sorry." She stepped away from Lena but held onto her hands. "How's your hand?" she asked lightly tracing the stitches.
"It itches," Lena said. "But it doesn't hurt."
"What about the rest of your hands?" Kara checked each knuckle making sure there was no bruising from her outburst.
"They're fine." Lena flexed her hands, wiggling each finger. "See? How's that woman from earlier?"
"She's good. I thought I was going to have to pry her off Alex. She kept hugging her and saying thank you," Kara replied. "Alex didn't know how to react."
Lena pictured Alex dealing with a crying woman. It was an entertaining image, though she did feel bad for the woman. "What is she planning on doing now? The woman, not Alex."
"I don't know. She got very scared when she learned he went to jail. I guess she's struggling to pay bills. She stayed with him because he helped pay rent," Kara said sadly. "She has a son in kindergarten. I don't know what she's going to do."
"Where does she live?" Lena asked.
"On the corner of… wait why?" Kara asked confused.
Lena shrugged. "I was thinking of an anonymous check appearing in her mailbox. It would give her a chance to start over and take care of her son."
Kara threw her arms around Lena. "That's so sweet Lena. You don't have to do that though. No one expects you to."
Lena held onto Kara. "I want to Kara. I have more than enough money and this is a good cause. It's the least I can do."
Kara pulled away and cocked her head to the side. She sighed. "Someone is calling for me. I have to go."
Lena nodded in understanding. "Call me later, so I know you're okay?" she requested.
"Sure," Kara agreed before leaving the lab.
The former CEO looked around her lab. She had succeeded in protecting Kara and it felt good. She cleaned up her things for the day. Clark's device would have to wait until tomorrow. Her hands were too sore to be of much use anyway.
"Jess, tell Ms. Arias I'm leaving for the day," Lena said over the intercom.
"Yes Ms. Luthor. Do you need me to call a driver?"
"No Jess. My car is here," Lena said.
"Have a good day Ms. Luthor."
Lena left her building and headed to the address Kara had texted her. Lena mentally cringed at the neighborhood. It was low income, high crime, even with Supergirl's help. She sat in her car and pulled out her checkbook. She tapped her pen against the paper. She originally was going to give the mother a couple thousand dollars to help with her bills. Now she had another plan. She wrote out the check and grabbed a scrap piece of paper to write a note telling her to find a safer neighborhood. She pushed the note and the check under the door and left.
The empty penthouse made her sad. With Kara and Alex there, for the first time since she moved here, it was lively. Now with them gone… She felt more alone now than she ever did.
Lena downed one of her pain pills and poured herself a glass of wine. She wasn't sure what to do now. She was never home during the day. Usually she didn't get home until late at night. She settled on getting some laundry done and relaxing on the couch.
Halfway through her second episode of Worst Cooks in America, her guilty pleasure show, she realized she was hungry. She grabbed her phone and dialed the familiar number.
"Lena," Kara answered immediately. "Is something wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong," Lena promised. "I was wondering if you were free for dinner tonight."
"Dinner," Kara repeated. She liked the thought of dinner. "I could be there in two hours. I still have to finish this article."
"Perfect," Lena said as her stomach growled. "I will cook."
"Sorry Lena. Snapper is yelling at me. I have to go," Kara said sadly. "I'll see you in two hours."
Lena dropped her phone on the couch. She had two hours. Two hours to shop and cook. She jumped up, grabbed her purse and her keys and headed to the store.
Forty-five minutes later Lena was back home. Music was playing and the curtains were open. The sun was starting to set. It reminded Lena of the night Kara crashed onto her balcony. She turned the kitchen lights on and got to work.
She settled on surf and turf for dinner: filet mignon, scallops, lobster tails, shrimp and grilled asparagus. It was fancier than what Kara was used to but Kara deserved it. It was also one of the few things she could cook well.
Lena glanced out the window and saw a familiar figure flying toward her. Her heart skipped a beat. It was too much like that night. She sighed in relief when Kara touched down on the balcony, with a smile on her face. Kara pulled the slider open and stepped inside the apartment.
"Hey," Lena greeted with a smile. This, Kara coming home to her, she could get used to.
"Are you okay?" Kara asked moving toward her.
"Yes, I am. I… the last time I saw you fly to my window you almost died," Lena said softly.
Kara pulled Lena into her arms. "I'm here Lena. I'm okay," she whispered in her ear. "I promise I will never scare you like that again."
Lena leaned against Kara. "Don't make a promise you can't keep." Lena pulled away and Kara wiped away the tears. "I know you will try but you're Supergirl. You will protect this city even if it means your own life. That's part of who you are. I'm just… scared."
Kara kissed her cheek. "I will always come back," Kara promised. "That is a promise I intend to keep. Now, I don't know about you but I'm starving."
Lena laughed. "It's almost done. Why don't you change into something less super? You left some clothes here." Lena wrinkled her nose. "You should probably shower too."
"Yes ma'am," Kara said with a salute. She ran off toward Lena's room to shower and change.
While Kara showered Lena finished up with dinner. Pots were taken off the stove. Lena transferred the food into serving dishes and sat them on the table. She poured two glasses of wine and water and added them to the table.
Just as Lena finished setting the table Kara came out of the bedroom dressed in Disney pajamas. Lena raised an eyebrow at her. "Sorry, it was this or a dress," Kara said sheepishly.
"It's fine. I'm glad you're comfortable enough to wear Disney pajamas in my presence," Lena said. "Somehow I'm not surprised you own those. Sit, eat. I made plenty of food."
"When I came to Earth, Eliza and Jeramiah played a lot of Disney movies," Kara said once they were seated. "I had never seen a movie before. I didn't even know what a movie was. But I loved them. I loved seeing the princesses get the happy ending. Ever since then, whenever I'm sad, I watch Disney movies."
Lena made a mental note to buy every Disney movie she could find. She wanted Kara to be as comfortable as possible in her apartment. "How's the food?" she asked when Kara got quiet.
"Amazing," Kara exclaimed. "I didn't know you could cook."
"I used to help our cook," Lena said with a shrug. "Unfortunately, I never learned to cook the more basic meals. But a five-star dinner I can do."
"You're a great cook," Kara assured her. "Me not so much." Lena laughed. "Why are you laughing?"
"Alex may have told me about your attempt to cook," Lena admitted. Kara blushed. "She may have also told me about your struggles with kitchen appliances."
Kara gasped. "She didn't."
"How's your toaster?" Lena asked innocently.
Kara crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. "That's not fair. She wasn't supposed to tell you that."
"Don't be mad at Alex. I asked her to tell me about you," Lena said. Kara frowned. "It was when you were unconscious. I wanted to know more about you."
"Why?" Kara asked confused.
"Because you're my," Lena paused, "best friend. I want to know more about you."
Kara nodded in acceptance. "Shouldn't I know more about you then?"
"There's not much to know," Lena said sadly. "I was adopted by the Luthor's at a young age. You already know about Lilian. Lionel was nicer and he seemed to genuinely care for me but he died when I was in high school. And Lex… well you know all about him."
"I don't care about them. I care about you. I want to know about you, not your family," Kara told her.
Lena looked down. She hated talking about herself, mostly because there wasn't much to say. "You know I was adopted by the Luthor's." Kara nodded. "Turns out my mother had an affair with Lionel and when she died, he took me in. He always treated me well, better than he treated Lex. And Lex…"
"You two were close," Kara acknowledged.
"We were. When I look back, I wonder how he could turn into this," Lena said sadly. "I miss him but at the same time I am so angry with him. He was my best friend growing up and now it's like I don't even know him."
"I'm sorry." Kara sat her fork down. "I didn't think about what Lex meant to you. I only focused on what he had done to Clark."
Lena grabbed her hand. "It's okay Kara. You didn't know Lex like I did. Sometimes I wonder if I ever knew him." Lena let go of her hand and sipped her wine.
"If you ever want to talk about him, I'm here," Kara offered. "No judgment."
Lena smiled slightly. "Thank you Kara."
Kara cocked her head to the side and sighed. "I have to go."
Lena nodded. "Will you come back after?"
"If you want me to. It might be late though," Kara said unsure.
"I want to know you're safe," Lena told her.
Kara ran out of the room and changed back into her suit. When she returned, she was holding a cape in her hand. Lena frowned. "This is my spare cape," Kara told her. "I brought it with me, for you, so you would know I'm okay." Kara wrapped it around Lena's shoulders. "I'll come back." Kara kissed her cheek and flew out of the window.
Lena draped the cape over the arm of the couch. She quickly cleaned up the kitchen. Kara's almost empty plate was refilled and placed in the refrigerator for when Kara returned. Once the kitchen was clean Lena grabbed her wine glass and the bottle and made her way to the living room. She turned the news on and covered herself in Kara's cape.
Every news station she flipped through had images of Supergirl fighting an alien. Lena watched as Kara took punch after punch. As much as it pained Lena to watch, she couldn't turn away. Finally, after the fourth hit Kara took, she started fighting back. After her third hit the alien was on the ground, unconscious.
Lena sighed in relief. Kara was safe. Nothing else mattered. Lena sipped her wine and watched the footage of Supergirl's fight that was currently on repeat.
That was how Kara found Lena an hour later. Asleep on the couch with reruns of Supergirl's fight on the TV. Kara quickly changed into her pajamas and scooped Lena up into her arms. Lena's head dropped on her chest. Kara shifted Lena in her arms so she could turn off the TV.
Kara carried Lena to her room. Kara attempted to set Lena on her bed and then head to the guest room for the night. Lena had a tight grip on Kara's shirt. Kara could have easily broken the hold but she didn't want to risk hurting Lena, or waking her up. So, Kara settled onto the bed with Lena still in her arms. She closed her eyes and let the sound of Lena's heartbeat put her to sleep.