After her conversation with Kieran, the next two days were silent. Suspiciously so. Kara flew past L-Corp during her route, found Sam in the CEO's office, and Kara realized that Jess wasn't the only one who kept Kieran's secrets close to heart. Sam was an impenetrable force, and that was not something the Girl of Steel was accustomed to. Kara flew by Kieran's apartment right after, and it'd been cleared out. It was empty, and Kara panicked. Did Kieran leave? Sam gave Kara nothing to work with initially, but she did reassure her that Kieran was still in National City. The relief Kara felt was short-lived as Sam once again told her to get lost.
On top of it all, Lois heard about Kara's outburst with Kal-El and had been blowing up Kara's phone, threatening to come to National City in person, but there was no point. Kara would do the superhero thing her way, not his, and it made no sense for Lois to mediate anything. But it did seem like more people were against Supergirl losing the symbol than she assumed, and she struggled to get the city to accept the not-so-new her. Everything was chaotic and frustrating, and Kara was stuck at CatCo in a wig because Kara Danvers and Supergirl couldn't show up at the same time with a new hairstyle. Alex gave Kara a knowing look when J'onn handed her the wig, a smug 'You deserve this' on the tip of her sister's tongue. And Kara wore the wig with a type of pettiness only a younger sibling could pull off.
Regardless, Kara made a mental countdown. If she hadn't heard from or seen Kieran before the weekend, then she would break Jess and Sam down until she got answers. Until then, Kara had a life-changing decision before her. Cheetos? Or Ruffles? Kara grabbed the wrong wallet that morning, and her choice was limited to whatever a dollar could buy her after she begged Nia to spot her four quarters. She scratched at the back of her neck, and she squinted at the two chips. Both were her favorite, but she could only get one.
There was an underlying theme of choice in Kara's life that she wasn't interested in delving into without Kelly's help. Or with anyone at all.
"Heard you've made nice with Lena."
Kara glanced at James through the reflection of the vending machine, and she said, "Once upon a time, seeing you made my day. Now, you remind me of Clark."
"You make it sound like a bad thing."
"It was an observation, not an accusation. What do you want?"
"What's going on with you? First, you go off on Clark for no reason, and now, you're best friends with a Luthor?"
"I would recommend you stay out of family business, Jimmy. Being Clark's best friend does not give you the right to know every last detail about the House of El," Kara said.
"Clark confided in me about something Lex told him ages ago."
"So that's three unreliable sources. How fortunate for me."
"I'm serious, Kara. Lex wouldn't make something like this up, and if I'm right, then Lena's a lot more dangerous than you think."
"Fine, I'll bite. But only because I can't decide which chip I want. What are you talking about?"
Kara stormed into Kieran's office and said to Sam, "Where is she?"
"I already told you-
"Listen, I am not in the mood. I need to know where Kieran is because her secret is about to reach the DEO, and I will not be able to protect her if it does."
Sam leaned back in Kieran's chair and crossed her legs.
"What secret?" she asked.
"Do not bullshit me, Arias."
"I think that might be the first time I have ever heard you curse."
"Where is Kieran?" Kara gritted out.
Sam studied her, eyes curious, and she pointed to the blank spot on the wall Kara saw several days ago. It was still lined with lead, so she couldn't see anything. Sam chuckled and reached over, picking up a paperweight. The wall slid to the side. Kara had no expectations but seeing Kieran levitating off the floor with a barrier of ice around her didn't even come close. Sam stood and left the room after one last look at Kara. The door slammed shut, and Kara nearly jumped out of her skin when Kieran opened her eyes. Red pupils dilated then focused on Kara. The temperature in the room got so cold that Kara felt like someone injected pure ice into her veins. Kara shivered and wrapped her arms around herself as the barrier of ice was pulled into Kieran's chest.
Kieran lowered herself to the ground, which let Kara get a better look at her outfit. She was blown by Kieran's floor-length dress, bare feet, and the strange symbols glowing on her neck. She looked like some medieval witch. The gold ring on Kieran's left middle finger was the same color as the symbols, and Kieran fiddled with it as she glided across the floor. The closer Kieran got to Kara, the more Kara struggled to focus on the world around her. Her senses dulled, her body felt weak, and all she wanted to do was drop down to her knees. Kieran stopped at the threshold of the secret room and stared at Kara with an unsettling familiarity.
Kara felt exposed.
Like Kieran saw straight through her and then some. Kieran lifted her palm and placed it over Kara's chest. Pressure against her chest made her stumble back, and Kara was pushed further into the office with little effort on Kieran's part. Kara was too shocked to do anything but stand there as the door slammed in her face. The temperature returned to normal. Kara's heartbeat roared in her ears, and she was minutely aware of Sam returning to the room.
"Satisfied?"
"What- what was that?" Kara stammered.
"The reason why Kieran has been radio silent. I am acting CEO of L-Corp for an indefinite time."
"Is she- like is she okay?"
"Depends on why you're asking."
"Because despite our namesake, I do care about her."
After a long pause, Sam sat down in Kieran's chair and said, "You are an enigma to her, Kara Zor-El. A puzzle that she wants to figure out for the rest of her life for some reason."
Kara jerked in surprise.
"You know my birth name?"
"Of course, that would be the part you focus on. But yes, I know your name, Kara. I know your address, all three of your phone numbers, your biggest fear, and your greatest weakness." Sam cocked her head. "Well, your greatest weaknesses if we include the one you hold close to your chest. I know what happened to your planet, I know who your cousin is, and I know that you will not tell anyone what you saw. After all, you are a lost soul stuck on a planet that tolerates you because you have something to offer them. But whatever secret you think you know is only half the story. I'm sure Lex created some fantastical explanation that makes Kieran the bad guy. But Lex is and will always be the monster of that family. Kieran is well-trained."
The last part is said with a smirk. Sam twirled a pen around and leaned back in the chair.
"It goes against everything you believe in outing Kieran as something foreign when you've been hiding pieces of yourself ever since you put on that suit. It would be like ripping the symbol of your House from your chest in rebellion even though you know it goes beyond Superman and all that he stands for."
Kara clenched her fists and said, "You don't know anything about me."
"Fine, then tell me the true reason you became a superhero."
"To save people," Kara answered.
Sam's smile was as sympathetic as much as it was pitying, and Kara hated it. She hated being exposed, and nothing hurt more than realizing an almost stranger knew her better than half the people in her life. Kara swiped away a tear that slipped free and backed away. She wasn't running, but she couldn't stay. Sam noticed her potential escape and sighed.
"Look, Kieran is the second most important person in my life, nearly tied for first. I will die for her, and I will kill for her. So keep that in mind, Supergirl. But you should trust that she will come to you when she is ready," Sam said. "And one day, I hope you look in the mirror and love who you are, not the person you have been pretending to be since your pod crashed on our planet all those years ago."
Kara gave a sharp nod before she flew as fast and as hard as she could to anyplace that wasn't L-Corp.
Jess poured a glass of champagne while Kieran flopped face down on the bed. She groaned into the pillow. Moving into another apartment closer to Jess was never in her five-year plan. But Kieran didn't factor in her portal sickness kicking up a notch when she least expected it either. Sam hired movers and rented a less expensive but infinitely better apartment in her name. Kieran was too tired to be upset about it.
"Sam said the investors from Japan are willing to push back the presentation until your return."
"Oh, thank God."
Jess handed Kieran the glass and looked out of the window. Naturally, Sam bought an apartment with a bedroom that had a balcony. Kieran was unsurprised to see Supergirl floating outside of her window. Kara had that look on her face, one that promised a long and uncomfortable conversation, and Kieran sighed. Jess pretended that Kara wasn't there and turned to Kieran.
"Guess that would explain why she purchased an apartment on the top floor of the second-highest building in National City," she mused.
"I hate her so much."
"Yes, well. At least this apartment doesn't scream single and alone."
"I liked you better when you were afraid of me."
"Oh, I can assure you," Jess chuckled. "I am still very much afraid of you."
Kieran snorted and waved Jess out of the room. Jess smiled and unlocked the window before closing the bedroom door behind her. Kieran pulled herself upright and sat against the headboard as Kara strolled into the room. Kieran drained her drink before she placed the empty glass on her nightstand. Kara stopped until she was standing next to the bed.
"You aren't Lena Luthor."
"Hi, Kara. How are you? Rough night?" Kara didn't laugh, and Kieran sighed. "My name is Lena," she said. "Technically."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"It does, but it isn't the answer you want to hear." Kieran crossed her legs. "But since you don't seem to be in a joking mood and I am too tired for the runaround myself, I will admit the Luthor's are not my family. They were a means to an end, and we used one another until only misery and loathing were the only things left. I took the position at L-Corp to undo what Lex and Lillian did and what Lionel let slide to avoid besmirching the family name any more than he had. I am curious about how you found out."
"Lex told Clark about your arrival to Metropolis. Clark told James, and James told me."
"A person's secrets are never their own anymore."
"My boss wants to talk to you."
"I am currently out of commission, but I will schedule an appointment for this weekend."
"How do we know you won't run?"
"Because I know you would find me no matter where I went."
"Not if you're not from here. You could leave here and disappear!"
"If I could leave, Kara, I would," Kieran admitted sadly. "But I can't."
Kara clenched her jaw and gritted out, "You've been lying to me."
"Hello, pot," Kieran deadpanned.
"That's different!"
"Is it?" Kieran asked, cocking her head.
"Me hiding my identity about Supergirl is nothing compared to being a person from an entirely different universe. Who even are you?"
"That is the question of the hour, isn't it?"
"If you won't tell me who you are, then will you at least tell me where you're from?"
"That almost sounded like it came from a person who cares about me."
"I do care about you, Kieran. But I am allowed to be upset."
"Let's agree to disagree on that front, but you wouldn't believe me."
"I'm still here, aren't I?"
"For now." Kieran gestured to the bed, and Kara sat beside her. "Do you recall the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves?" she asked tiredly.
"Duh! I watched it all the time when I was in high school."
"So you're a fan of Snow White?"
"No. I- I kind of liked the Evil Queen," Kara admitted. "I know I shouldn't, but she was hot. Well, before she became a hag and everything. I've seen every variation of the story."
Kieran laughed and said, "I'll be sure to tell her that when I see her again."
"What? The Evil Queen isn't…." Kara trailed off with wide eyes at the look on Kieran's face. "She's real?" she exclaimed.
"Indeed. So is Snow White, the dwarves, the Huntsman, and the entire Disney collection. The Enchanted Forest, Agrabah, and everything under the sun from the world of Walt Disney were real where I came from. I have no idea how Walt got his hand on that knowledge, but I guess that's one of those things that cannot be explained. But The Evil Queen, or as I knew her, Regina is my mother. So, when you asked me who I was, the technical answer would be Princess Lena Kieran Mills of the Enchanted Forest, daughter of the so-called Evil Queen."
Kara made some sort of noise in the back of her throat, and she slid to the floor. Kieran arched an eyebrow.
"Would you like some tea?"
"I think I might need something a little stronger than that to take this all in," Kara muttered.
"To be honest, I didn't expect you to believe me."
"You pushed me."
"What?"
"Today, in your office." Kara stood up and scratched the back of her head. "You pushed me," she said.
Kieran hummed and threw her legs over the bed. She grabbed her empty glass and glanced at Kara on the floor. "I should probably make it known that while you might be the Girl of Steel, you are not the most powerful person in the city. Keep that in mind the next time you drop by my office unannounced even though Sam and Jess both told you I was unavailable to speak."
"In my defense, I wasn't exactly expecting you to be floating in the air with weird symbols on your neck," Kara huffed.
"Even more reason for you to mind your business next time, Supergirl."
"Can I have that drink now?" Kara asked wryly. "Because if you're going to keep being snarky, I'm going to need liquid courage."
Kieran snorted as she laughed, and she covered her nose. Kara gave her a cheeky grin, and she rolled her eyes.
"Come on, idiot. And please, go change into something else. I feel weird with you walking around my new apartment in the suit."
"Do you have any preferences?" Kara asked sarcastically.
Kieran followed the hallway down to the kitchen and gave Kara a sly grin.
"Not any I can say at the moment. But ask me again in a few weeks."
"Are you flirting?"
"Not at all." Kieran looked back and added, "You will know when I'm flirting."
"Why does that scare me?"
"It should."
Sam carried an unhealthy amount of food into the apartment and dropped it off in the kitchen. She paused when she found Kara at the island in a pair of Kieran's sweatpants and a way too small t-shirt that rode up whenever Kara moved.
"I take it Kieran picked out your clothes," Sam said.
"How could you tell?"
"She's put your best assets on display."
Kara grinned and flexed for the hell of it. Sam was caught off guard by the sheer amount of muscle and inwardly admitted she saw the appeal. God, Kara could literally crush someone with her bare hands. Why was that so attractive? Jess smacked Sam on the back of her head as she entered the kitchen.
"Stop staring," Jess scolded.
"Um, excuse me, she's sitting there looking like a Greek statue come to life, and I'm in the wrong?"
"Yes, because we both know she's not here for our visual enjoyment."
Kieran scoffed and came into the kitchen wearing shorts that showed off a lot of skin and a crop top. Sam narrowed her eyes.
"I did not come here to be a part of some weird foreplay between the two of you," she said.
"I just got out of the shower."
"And you couldn't put on a pair of pants? A parka?"
"I thought you liked seeing me like this."
"Please stop before your Kryptonian girlfriend squeezes the life out of me."
"I am not going to squeeze the life out of you," Kara snorted.
Sam pursed her lips and decided not to mention that Kara responded to only half of her comment. She unpacked the food and gave three-fourths of it to Kara. The four of them sat around the island with their respective dinner, and it was an eye-opening experience to watch Kara eat. Sam propped her chin and asked a question that was bothering her.
"Are you angry with me?"
"No," Kara said. "Why would I be?"
"Our conversation earlier got a little tense."
"Your words had merit."
"So you'll take my advice?"
"You didn't give me any advice!"
"I gave you plenty. You just weren't listening."
Kara flicked a green bean at Sam and went back to her food.
"Oh, right. Kara knows I'm a princess," Kieran said off-handedly.
"I could've told her that after college."
Kieran paused with her chopsticks in hand and narrowed eyes, and Jess smothered her laugh with a napkin.
"I am not a pillow princess," Kieran hissed.
Kara shifted and said, "I don't mind if you are. I'm a service top, so."
"What?"
"Yeah. I don't know why people think I don't have sex," Kara chuckled awkwardly. "Like it's not a foreign concept to me. I have hormones just like everyone else."
"What?" Kieran repeated.
"I'm just saying that if you are a pillow princess, I'm not against it. I'd take care of you."
Kara shrugged and went back to her food. Jess choked on her water as she snickered, and Sam practically fell off the stool as she laughed. Kieran turned red and flicked her wrist at Sam. A pillow flew from the couch and crashed into Sam's head, and Sam barely managed to stay upright. Kara winked at Kieran, and Kieran ducked her head.
"God, I hate all of you," she muttered.
"Nah, you love us. Oh, that reminds me. Can Ruby stay with you tomorrow until like two?"
"I thought she was staying with her friend for the week?"
"Kasey's Mom had a guy over when they got home from school, and Ruby said he gave her and Lisa the creeps. He kept staring at them, so I called Jannie and Marianne. They went and picked up the girls. Ruby is staying with Jannie and Lisa tonight. I'm taking her home tomorrow, but I have that meeting from 9-1."
"Of course, she can come over. I could use the company."
"Cool, thanks."
Kara shifted again, and she put down her utensils. She cocked her head toward the window, and she sighed.
"I have to go."
"You can come back," Kieran said. "If you want. I'll be up for a little, and we can talk. I know you still have questions."
Kara nodded and sped out of the room. She returned in her suit, and she picked up the pillow Kieran threw at Sam. She placed it in Kieran's lap and winked.
"Later, princess."
Kieran threw the pillow at Kara's head as she laughed and left the apartment.
"Asshole!" Kieran shouted.