A bit later than A03 but still here. As always a massive thank you to Ayakaspencer who probably wanted to strangle me for sentence structures and grammar on this but that's a small price to pay.
As always I hope you enjoy:
It takes two days before Kara sees Lena again. She's at the DEO when she overhears the faint Irish accent through Alex's phone.
"Sam, I need the new numbers for the Zortek deal," Lena's voice is strong and emotionless and Kara is hurt. She's supposed to be her wife, wives tell their partners when they're home after 48hours of little to no discussion. Right? After all, she's just spent all that time lying to people about where Lena was.
It takes an hour before she's walking into the L-Corp building, already beginning to make up reasons for her visit to Jess as she approaches the assistant's desk. Jess looks up at her in relief, which instantly makes her nervous.
"Thank god you're here," Jess sighs, relieved at the sight Kara.
"Why? What's happened?" Kara asks, concerned. Jess never seems pleased to see her.
"I'm 90% sure either the board chewed her out, or she chewed them out. Either way, I'll order lunch," Jess states with a shooing motion. Kara looks to the door and back again perplexed but when Jess shoos her again, Kara walks into the office.
She finds Lena sitting hunched over on the couch. A figure hugging dress with off the shoulder sleeves revealing tense muscles visible to Kara's sharp eyes. She feels herself wanting to wrap her arms around Lena in a desire to offer solace and reassurance.
"Jess, please, I asked not to-" Kara watches as a flash of emotion passes over Lena's face before a small smile appears. "Kara?"
"I didn't realise you were back," Kara admits, shuffling forward awkwardly as she shuts the door behind her.
"I didn't realise I had to inform you of my whereabouts," Lena remarked, kicking herself for the unintended bite in her tone.
"I am your wife," Kara reminds her gently. Lena rolls her eyes as she gestures to the seat beside her.
"You shouldn't think about that too literally," Lena mutters before taking a sip of coffee.
Kara nods, frowning in agreement. "When did you get back?"
"This morning, I just came straight here," Lena states gesturing to the duffel bag in the corner.
"So, Jack, huh?" Kara asks after a moment of silence.
"I forgot how much I missed him," Lena admits quietly.
"I remember how devastated you were when he…" Kara trails off.
"Kara, I told him," Lena admits. Kara's eyes widened, unable to control her anger.
"Lena,"
The familiar, unique tone of Alex's message hits Kara's ears before she can continue, frowning as she opens the message.
-J'onn said you might need this, just in case.
Kara opens the video attachment. She looks over at Lena before shifting closer and showing her the screen. Lena frowns beside her. It's a simple video of the two of them, at a party. Kara's hand is in Lena's as they laugh close to each other. Kara can't help the twinge of guilt at how comfortable they look together. In the video, Lena leans into Kara's touch as they grin at each other. Lena wraps her arms around Kara's neck as they rest their heads against one another. It's short and sweet, and Kara can't help but glance at Lena, whose face is stoic and unreadable.
Kara opens her mouth to ask more about Jack, only to be interrupted by a gentle knock.
"I brought lunch," Jess announces as she walks in, setting the food on the table while Lena looks pointedly away.
"Thanks, Jess," Kara gives her a tight smile and Jess glances between them before slipping from the room. Kara waits until she can hear the faint clicking of keys on a keyboard from the other side of the door before asking quietly.
"How much did you tell him?"
"That I wasn't from this universe," Lena lies, her voice soft and she feels her chest tighten at the deception. She knows she shouldn't, but she can't face the lecture.
"That isn't as bad as I thought," Kara agrees, smiling reassuringly at Lena who stares down into her coffee mug. Kara can see the familiar strain in her eyes, the way her jaw is set as Lena battles back her emotions. "Jess said there was something wrong with the board," Kara prompts, but Lena shrugs.
"You don't have to listen to my day out of politeness, Kara" Lena huffs quietly standing to look out the window. Shielding her from having to spill everything to the Kryptonian, all because of her discussion with Jack about her feelings.
"I can't think of a better way to spend my lunch hour than to be here listening to you," Kara shrugs. Lena gives a soft laugh at how ridiculous it sounds
"We're in the final stages of a new tech firm acquisition, which the board has doubts about whether it will be profitable or not," Lena explains.
"And will it?" Kara asks curiously, kicking off her shoes and crossing them under her and Lena feels a pang in her chest at the familiar actions.
"I think so, as did 'other' me. Sam is on board, which means it is financially sound and low risk," Lena states before turning back to lean against the desk, facing Kara.
"Well, if two versions of you and Sam think it's worth it, then it must be," Kara reassures as she watches Lena fidget at the compliment. Lena moves, shifting back as she looks at Kara for a long moment at how simple it would be to fall back into their old routine.
"What? I didn't get oil on the couch again, did I?" Kara asks in a panic and it takes Lena back to when they were friends who actually enjoyed eating lunch together.
"There is a party to celebrate the acquisition next week, would..." Lena stammers trying to get the question out.
"Oh, yes, I remember seeing it on my calendar," Kara chimes in smiling. "It was surrounded by hearts and smiling emojis. Are you asking me to go and pretend to be your dotting wife?" Kara smirks causing Lena to instantly tense,
"Forget it, it doesn't matter," Lena dismisses. It was silly of her even to ask Kara.
"No," Kara quickly protests, "Sorry, yes, of course, I'll go with you," Kara amends, seeing Lena visibly relax. "It'd look suspicious if I didn't, considering what we just watched," Kara explains, diverting from the fact that she really just wanted to spend time with Lena.
"Okay," Lena affirms, turning away, trying to hide the blush that is creeping up her cheeks.
"Do I have to do anything?" Kara asks gently and Lena gives a tight smile with a shake of her head.
"No, I think Jess is sorting it all. Just make sure there are no Supergirl emergencies," Lena orders and Kara gives her a teasing salute.
The day of the party Kara is a mess, running around the bullpen of Catco like a madwoman trying to collect everyone's pieces and review them before going home. And was sure she had made McKenzie cry when she saw Nia give her a hug.
"Kara, it's five," Nia called into her office as she broke another keyboard in her haste. She had to get Winn to make her one that wasn't as breakable.
"Crap," Kara cursed, quickly packing her things away.
"I'm sure being a few minutes late won't hurt," Nia assumes as she pokes her head into the office.
"Trust me, it's going to hurt," Kara admits as she runs out of the building. She had promised not to be late under any circumstances. As soon as she's in the side alley, she flies off. It takes everything not to break the sound barrier. Alex's voice ranting in her memories about how dangerous it was. She drops onto the balcony and is met with the sight of Lena in a stunning low cut teal dress as she's perched on a stool at the island.
"I got here as fast as I could," Kara stutters, dropping her bag and making her way across the apartment.
"You have half an hour, Supergirl" Lena issues her challenge into the crystal scotch glass.
Kara speeds through getting ready, her powers unrestrained in her panic. She takes a second to admire the dress that Lena has laid out for her: a simple white figure hugging dress she recognises from her side of the closet. Making a mental note to thank Lena. She manages to get ready in record time, letting her hair fall in natural ringlets down her back.
As she turns to leave her eyes catch the dark box. Swallowing, she opens it. She would wear it tonight, wouldn't she? Lifting the thin metal, she places it tentatively on her wrist, feeling the familiar tugging of her heart. Giving herself a reassuring nod she turns to the bedroom she's barely been in, noticing the black-rimmed glasses over on Lena's side of the bed, she peers through them and winces at how terrible Lena's eyesight is. She frowns, having never seen Lena wear glasses in the three years of knowing her. Setting them back where she found them, she turns and slips out of the room and back down the stairs.
"Ready," Kara announces, slipping her own lead-lined glasses on, and watches as Lean shakes her head.
"I can't believe that fooled me for three years" She mutters, Kara shrugs awkwardly before smiling.
"Do I need to know anything about tonight?" Kara asks gently.
"Just what I told you the other day," Lena begins, "Every tech giant in the country is going to be there so we have to act the part. Hence why you're even coming, I did some digging while I was away. We're the most photographed couple in tech and media, whether it be Pulitzer awards or breakthroughs for L-Corp we're glued to each other's side," Lena explains, showing her some of the screenshots she had taken.
Kara nods in understanding. "That's fine, I can play the loving, dedicated wife," Kara shrugs and Lena raises a doubtful eyebrow.
"I'll believe it when I see it," she placates, turning and picking up her clutch. "Shall we, Darling?" Lena's sarcasm makes Kara clench her teeth, but she plasters a smile over her face and nods, locking arms with the Luthor.
"Course, babe." Kara smiles, her voice dripping in sarcasm.
The drive to the party is done in silence. Kara's nerves are starting to get the better of her, as she unconsciously begins shaking her leg and twisting the small wedding band on her finger.
"Relax, you're going to put your foot through the floor," Lena scolds, placing her hand absently on Kara's thigh. Causing Kara to jump, before apologising, pushing her hair back from her face and Lena can see a faint glint of silver.
"You're wearing the bracelet," Lena reaches out before pulling back quickly, stopping before she invades Kara's space.
"Ugh, yeah, I thought it would be something that other me would wear," Kara supposes, her fingers dancing over the metal.
"Will you tell me more about Krypton? One day when we're not about to walk into a party?" and Kara gives her a familiar tight, pained smile, nodding. Lena feels relief as Kara looks up, the car rolling to a stop outside the party. As the car door opens Kara gets out looking back at Lena who is sliding over the seat and for a moment is floored by how naturally beautiful the CEO is. Lena's hair is falling in loose waves over her soft shoulders, mascara and eyeliner illuminating pale green eyes. Kara can't help but appreciate Lena's beauty and finds herself holding out her hand to help Lena from the car.
They walk into the party, Lena's hand held in Kara's steady grasp, stopping to accept the champagne being offered. Lena takes the lead, guiding Kara deeper into the sea of people.
"So do you have to give a speech?" Kara asks casually, moving on from their previous conversation in the car, as they stand to the side.
"Unfortunately, but it's short, only a few words about a promising future that'll lead to new growth and stronger business," Lena shrugs.
"So Jess wrote it," Kara guesses with a teasing grin and Lena falls into the familiar trap, grinning back.
"Of course she wrote it," Lena scoffs, sipping champagne, glancing at Kara who is chuckling beside her.
"Lena," Both jump as Jack steps up beside them. The familiar grin gracing his face. Kara panics momentarily before wrapping an arm around Lena's waist. Feeling Lena stiffen beside her, Kara glances to see a momentary look of disdain before it's replaced by a soft smile in Jack's direction.
"Kara, nice to see you again, I believe the last time we saw one another I was dying? Is that historically correct Lena?" Jack jokes, looking playfully at Lena.
Lena hears Kara's sharp intake and feels the subtle way her body tenses or the clenched jaw and the small crinkle between the Kryptonians eyes. Lena silently appreciates Kara's control of her anger in the situation as a flash from a photographer in the corner reminds her of the game they are playing.
"Nice to see you too, Jack. Lena mentioned she'd gone out to Metropolis to visit you," Kara states nonchalantly shaking his hand. She doesn't hate that he winces slightly at her grip.
"Yes, a rather spontaneous catch up, wasn't it?" Jack smirks, standing straighter, and Lena smiles sheepishly.
It irks her how much Kara is in her space, how easily Kara can touch her.
"Worth every moment," Lena admits honestly. She had learned a lot from her visit with Jack. But Lena doesn't miss the continued tension in Kara's body.
"So, Kara, how is content directing? Cat Grant still busting your balls?" Jack asks with a familiar cocky smirk.
"Miss Grant is great," Kara agrees uncomfortably, making both Lena and Jack chuckle, and Kara doesn't miss the soft look in Lena's eyes before it's blinked away.
"I've always said you'll be editor-in-chief in the next five years," Jack muses before dipping his head and whispering, "Well, I said it to the other you."
The glass shatters in Kara's hand, making both Jack and Lena jump.
"Kara!" Lena scolds.
"Oh golly, I have such a strong grip. Sorry. Excuse me." Kara steps away, trying to control her anger, dusting the broken glass off herself. She walks to the bar hoping they have some form of strong alien alcohol she can use to calm herself. She glances back at the pair to find Lena frowning up at Jack, quietly scolding him.
"I hope Jack is behaving himself," Sam says, coming up beside Kara, who turns to the dark-haired woman with relief.
"No," Kara scoffs, making Sam snigger. "Is Alex here?" Kara asks, looking beyond the tall woman.
"No, her and Ruby are having a girl's night of horror films and candy," Sam explains with a small smile.
"I don't know how you put up with Alex's horror movie obsession," Kara admits with a shake of her head. "I mean what's wrong with a good old romantic comedy."
"Probably because they're all the same," Sam teases and Kara can feel the tension in her start to relax.
"I should get back," Kara states as she looks back to the far off pair. Lena is standing in her familiar power pose, her arm folded across her stomach with her ankles crossed, and Kara can't help the flurry in her stomach at how much she misses Lena.
"Come on, before you start drooling," Sam teases, leading Kara back to the CEOs.
"I wouldn't-" Kara begins to protest only to be met with Sam's amused smirk. Kara steps up beside Lena making an effort to be consciously closer, placing a hand on the small of her back and she hates that Lena stares up at her with a soft pleading look. A look that reminds Kara that she is trying and Kara squashes down her anger for the night. They have parts to play and they need to look like they love each other.
"Well congratulations ladies, I must say I was very impressed when I read the numbers," Jack offered his compliments with a raised glass.
"Yeah, well, we couldn't have done it without Lena's backing. I know the board wasn't exactly for it," Sam explains, resulting in a small coy smile from the raven haired woman.
"Oh please, we all know Sam would have worn them down eventually," Lena enthuses.
"Still, well done ladies," Jack toasts and both Lena and Sam blush lightly as they do. Kara and Sam listen intently through their conversations on nuclear physics, much of it familiar to her from her studies on Krypton.
The discussion is interrupted when Kara's stomach lets out an unhappy grumble, causing them all to chuckle.
"Let's go see what they have to feed you, shall we?" Lena offers, leading Kara from her friends.
Once there is some distance between themselves and their friends Lena pulls them to a stop at a table. "I know you're angry at me," Lena whispers, taking a plate of horderves from a passing waiter and handing it to Kara.
"I won't make a scene, Lena," Kara promises next to her. "But we're going to talk about this, later."
Lena nods in agreement, a small smile on her face as she fights the urge to pull back from Kara who is so close she can feel Kara's breath on her cheek. Grateful that the Super is able to keep her understandable anger in check.
"Lena Luthor," Kara feels herself getting sick as the couple turn to the condescending smirk and the still present arrogant swagger of Maxwell Lord as he approaches them. The only difference is he's gotten older and Kara's sure he's become more patronising. Automatically, she slips her arm around Lena's waist. After all the last time she had seen Maxwell he had tried to kill her sister.
"Maxwell Lord," Lena greets, the familiar business smile stretching over her face as she feels Kara's toned arm tense around her, "Long time no see."
"Well, you know, business in Metropolis is always hectic," Lord grins, flirtatiously at Lena. "Congratulations on the new acquisition."
"Thank you, Max, but it's not just my victory," Lena smiles, her tone light but with an edge of directness.
"Well it's your name on the building is it not?" He continues charismatically looking down at Lena. Lena seems to straighten at the challenge and glances up at Kara. His eyes flickered over to Kara and she can see the belittling slant of his gaze.
"Ms Danvers, always a pleasure. I heard you got promoted to a reporter or something," Lord comments, smugly.
"Content Director actually and I still write articles." Kara corrects, puffing her chest out. Lena isn't surprised to see the faint muscle pulsing in Kara's jaw.
"Right," Lord intones in disbelief.
"Kara is heading up a story on the proposed alien registry and identification in schools," Lena announces, trying to reduce the animosity fluctuating between them.
"Really? How fascinating, I'm sure Catco's best reporter will be on it?" Lord smirks, Lena grips Kara's wrist as she shifts to step forward.
"Kara's writing it, after all she is their best reporter," Lena states matter-of-factly.
"I forgot you two are married now, I'm surprised really," Lord comments and both women bristle. "I thought you would have gone to the privately owned side of town, Lena."
"Money isn't everything," Lena dismisses as she consciously slides her hand over Kara's shoulders and shows off her diamond encrusted wedding band, as her other hand intertwines their fingers, pressing Lena's body closer to Kara's.
"No, especially when you marry a Luthor," Lord nods, smirking into his glass as Lena fumes at the insinuation. "I suppose it'll be kids next, to continue the family name?" He asks teasingly.
"No."
"Absolutely."
They say this at the same time and Lena subtly digs the heel of her pump into Kara's foot twisting it to make her point; she doesn't miss Kara's grimace.
"Absolutely not at the moment," Kara corrects brokenly, and she hates how his eyes dance between them.
"Well, I'm sure you have plenty of time," Lord stresses before looking back to Lena.
"I heard a rumour that you were working on a new thermodynamic interface?"
"I don't know where you heard this from Max, but I'm not working on anything like that," Lena admits.
"Well, maybe we should partner up?" Lord offers. "Work on it together. It could be revolutionary?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to come up with a proposal like everyone else," Lena states and Kara feels her anger bubble as Lena smirks as she sips the champagne.
"I'm sure any product of ours would be groundbreaking," Lord says in a tone that is only meant for Lena and it makes Kara's gut twist irritably.
"I'm sure it would, but I am very busy," Lena dismisses, her sculpted eyebrow raised in a silent challenge and Kara's patience snaps at his blatant disregard for her presence.
"You know I think I saw Barry from accounts trying to get your attention," Kara interjects, taking Lena's hand. "Excuse us," She practically growls at Lord as she pulls Lena from the conversation.
"Kara" Lena protests lightly as Kara drags her behind a curtain, "Kara what are you doing?"
"What am I doing?" Kara hisses as she turns to Lena. "We're supposed to be married, you're not supposed to be flirting with Maxwell Lord."
"I wasn't flirting," Lena protests.
"You were doing that thing with your eyes, that coy, playful face you do," Lena teasingly sends her the look she knows Kara is referring to.
"Yeah, that look," Kara points as she paces, making Lena chuckle at the ridiculousness.
"You need to calm down," Lena sighs, pinching her nose, her patience waning at Kara's childishness. "I wasn't flirting, Kara. I was doing my job."
"Your job?" Kara asks incredulously.
"Yes, Kara, my job. Making connections, being nice to people that are here," Lena tries to justify.
"Really is that what nice looks like?" Kara asks sarcastically, continuing to pace.
"Will you please calm down? It's not that big of a deal," Lena asks in a bored tone.
"It is when the tabloids start reporting we have marital problems and you're flirting with Maxwell Lord," Kara states.
"Kara, everyone has problems, it's not going to cause that big of a deal. If I was to actually go do this with Max, it might," Lena reasons. "Now, can we go back out there and get through this quickly?"
Lena watches Kara make that face she does when she doesn't get her way. The petulant pout and frown combination.
"Fine," The Kryptonian mutters bitterly. "Let's go" Kara begins to move.
Lena steps forward into Kara's space suddenly, "What are you doing?" Kara asks, as she involuntarily steps away, her back connecting with the wall.
"Relax, everyone who saw you drag me in here thinks we've just had an intense make-out session. To prove a point to Maxwell Lord, that I'm taken," Lena rambles, and Kara can see the blush on her cheeks as she steps in close, running her fingers through the Kryptonians' hair.
"You should, um," Kara stammers. "You should smudge your lipstick," Kara clears her throat, adjusting her glasses.
"What?" Lena asks as Kara reaches out, running her thumb across Lenas lower lip "Oh" Lena breathes staring into blue eyes. "Right" Lena nods stepping away from Kara running her fingers through her own hair.
"We should um get back," Kara states, gesturing to the curtain, and adjusting her glasses again as she does.
"Right, yes," Lena stammers as she follows Kara back to the party, unconsciously smoothing her dress.
They continue to mingle, walking hand in hand, working the room. At first, Lena can feel the discomfort rolling from Kara, her shoulders tense and the grip on Lena's tight. As they move around, chatting and making small talk, Kara begins to relax, the tension ebbing slowly until finally her hand fully relaxes. Her shoulders slowly relax as the night rolls on.
It takes until they are back at the apartment and Lena is removing her stilettos for the disappointment to return. Kara leans against the counter watching her, raven hair spilling over a bare shoulder. Kara chews her bottom lip for a moment before slowly moving to make an obscenely large mug of hot cocoa. The faint uptick in Lena's heartbeat letting her know that the Luthor is watching her.
"Kara?" Lena asks tentatively. Kara turns to find Lena standing before her on the other side of the island, wringing her hands and staring up at Kara. Who is leaning heavily on the marble countertop, eyes shut, trying to calm her rising anger as the information of the night comes flooding back to her. Witnessing Lord flirt shamelessly with Lena, Jack teasing her about knowing her secret, a secret she had trusted Lena with. Having to rely on Lena to work together and just get them through this shamble of a situation.
"You told Jack," Kara states and Lena can hear the hurt in her voice as Kara focuses on not crumbling the marble beneath her hands.
"I didn't intentionally, Kara, I swear," Lena carefully explains and Kara believes her but it doesn't stop her anger.
"I trusted you to keep my secret and you blab it to the first idiot available," Kara snaps.
"First of all, Jack isn't an idiot," Lena states heatedly, closing the space between them. "And secondly Kara, who else was I supposed to talk to?"
"Me, you should have spoken to me," Kara snaps standing straighter. Lena draws her lips into a thin line and Kara recognises the look of indignation as she moves around the counter and into the Kryptonian's space.
"Well forgive me, Kara, if I don't feel like I can spill my deepest darkest secrets to the person who lied to me for three years."
Kara rolls her eyes at the now familiar excuse.
"I needed to talk to someone rational, Kara, someone who wasn't going to judge me," Lena admits in exasperation.
"So you went to your formerly dead boyfriend," Kara states bluntly and instantly regrets it from the look of anguish on Lena's face.
"You're deplorable," Lena hisses, her eyes filled with rage.
"At least I can keep the universe that I just saved in check for more than five minutes," Kara retorts.
"Oh, and how long has your god complex been wanting to say that? To throw that in my face," Lena spits and Kara can feel the faint brush of Lena's breath on her lips.
"I don't have-" Kara stops as two rapid knocks sound on the door and she glances automatically at the clock with a frown. It's late, very late. "Stay here," Kara orders, causing Lena to glare at her back. Taking a calming breath, Kara opens the door with a frown.
"Barry?" Kara asks, opening it wider and inviting the tall man inside. "Cisco?"
"Hey, Kara" Barry greets as he steps inside as Cisco hugs her tightly.
"Good to see you Kara," Cisco grins stepping in behind Barry.
"Ugh, guys, this is Lena. Lena Luthor," Kara introduces them as Barry grins and Cisco waves awkwardly. "Lena, this is Barry and Cisco, they're um from Earth 1."
"Also Paragons, the fastest man alive, and superheroes," Barry fills in rapidly.
"Right," Kara agrees. "What are you guys doing here?"
Kara hates that they both look at one another awkwardly, shuffling.
"I looked into the Multiverse like you asked," Cisco explains.
"And?" Lena finds herself asking.
"We found another universe," Barry reveals.
As always let me know your thoughts, feelings and recommendations below.
Until next time folks!