Time always flew in The Cheshire and before she knew it she had to rush home. Kara had always insisted her apartment was immaculate but there was always something she found to tidy. Magazines not stacked right, a laptop where it should not be or furniture not quite at the right angle. The open-plan apartment with its muted colours was bathed in the sunlight, it brightened the modern space nicely. She used to practically live in her office but now she was somehow seeing even less of this apartment. Her time was spent in labs, The Cheshire and wherever Kara needed her.
She had changed into something a bit smarter to make the effort for Superman. He was running late so all she could do was wait around and anticipate his arrival. The pressure she tended to feel in this anticipation faded the moment he would show up, but that urge to impress him was always there. She thought it stemmed from guilt over her brother, Monarch's theory was that anything related to Kara turned her brain to mush. She was sure that she could kept her cool in these situations but admitted to herself that aspects of it could possibly, partially be true.
She checked herself in the mirror while she waited, she now decided that her outfit was perhaps too formal for a Sunday afternoon. She took out her earrings out and switched to a more comfortable jacket. As she thought about changing shoes there was a knock at the door. Opening it revealed the tall, broad and smiling Clark Kent.
"Hi there, come in," she said.
"Can't. I'm in a rush. Lois is supposed to be looking after Ruby, but she's running late," he said. Lena looked puzzled.
"So you flew from Metropolis, without changing, to tell me that in person. You really just need to take my phone number," she said.
"If my boss found out I had your number I'd never here the end of it," he said.
"I can deal with Perry White," she said.
"I was talking about Lois," he said with a smirk. Lena's face dropped. She had always just about managed to deal with the questioning of Lois Lane but the idea of a direct line for her was scary. That woman's ability to dig up hidden truths was uncanny, she was worried about the day she might let something important slip.
"Alright, I yield. I'll be here when you're ready," she said. He glanced at the open window, looking like he was about to launch, but stopped himself.
"Actually, do you want to come with? Ruby is always happy to see you," he said with a smile. Lena ran her hands through her hair, she had spent time on it and a super flight would ruin that in seconds. She looked at the smiling face and thought of Ruby.
"Okay then, just not too fast please," she said.
"No option I'm afraid, got to get back to Ruby and I'm in my civvies," he said as he picked her up. She sighed.
"Let's just get this over with." She had been surprised at how willing Superman was to give away his identity at first. She thought the Luthor name alone would have been enough to put him off. He simply said if Kara trusted her, so did he. She also found out that he had been impressed by her on that fateful day Reign attacked, she still just thought of it as a terrible plan. Kara did not always like the attention Clark got, but Lena had to admit that managing to impress him was an uplifting thought.
She held on tight as the wind rushed through her hair.
"You okay?" he asked. His voice carried easily even as the air whooshed past her ears. She just nodded and held tighter. The world blurred by and soon enough she was placed back on the ground. She stumbled back and had to catch herself. They were in an alley of some sort, but that was all she could really tell. Getting one's bearings and staving off dizziness after one of these flights always took a minute or two. Clark's strong hands took a hold of her.
"Thanks, but it'd be more helpful if you stopped moving," she said.
"I'm not," he said.
"Right," she said, instead waiting for the world to stop moving around her. She held Clark's wrist as her senses re-aligned and her legs became reliable again.
"One day I'll get used to that," she said.
"At that speed, people never do," he said. She whipped out a mirror and did what she could with her hair. Attempts to smooth it down were more successful than usual.
The crunch of broken glass beneath her feet sounded out as she looked to escape the smell of overflowing bins of the alley.
"Couldn't land somewhere nicer?" she said.
"There were maintenance staff on the roof," he said. She had always thought two people emerging from an alley together looked suspicious but both Monarch and Clark had told her no-one cares enough to notice in those situations. When she brought up the point people were more likely to recognise her, Clark conceded and told her he would be more careful, Monarch told her to watch her ego. She appreciated Clark's sentiment more.
As the streets of Metropolis were presented before her, it felt like it lacked the charm of National City. The spaces and buildings seemed so square. There was a greyness to it all and even the more impressive landmarks had an underwhelming flatness. It was sterile and overly orderly, the traits that probably drew Lex to such a place. Lena was more than happy to relocate the company headquarters away from here. Clark's pace was getting increasingly difficult to keep up with, he was in a rush to get back to Ruby. His worried expression from leaving the very capable Ruby alone for what was probably less than five minutes showed just how much he cared. When she first visited Sam after the transformation, the dilemma of who could care for Ruby was solved instantly. Superman had volunteered without hesitation, it was then when Lena saw his true heroism. He did everything in his power to help people, he was not just a flying bruiser like Lex had always insisted.
When they arrived at Clark's apartment building he turned to her.
"Do you mind if I rush up the stairs?" He said.
"By all means. Third floor, right?"
"Yep, it's not too far down the corridor on the left side. I'll leave the door open," he said, disappearing from view. Not fancying that many flights she called the lift. The useful applications of superspeed ran through her head as she waited for it to arrive. It was quite the generic lobby, the desk was empty but everything was clean and well kept. Clark and Lois did well for themselves to afford somewhere like this in the centre of Metropolis. A lift dinged at her and a few people made their way out. One of the patrons double took as she noticed her but quickly shook it off and went on her way. Lena sidled in and pressed the button, it was rough and a little more worn than the others. She had the space to herself as the smooth jazz kicked in, part of her longed for more exciting music in the lifts she took.
Her journey to Clark's apartment was uninterrupted and she strolled in to an empty living room. She could hear some sort of conversation in one of the other rooms. Clark popped his head around the doorway.
"Make yourself at home, Lois should be here soon," he said.
"Just make sure you're out here when she arrives," she said.
"There's no force in the universe that'd convince me to get in her way if she wants something from you," he said. Lena kicked off her shoes. The carpeted floor was soft on her feet and she sat down on the old sofa.
"Is that Lena?" Ruby's voice carried around the walls.
"Shouldn't you finish that question first?" Clark said.
"It's almost done…," she said. There was a pause.
"Ah, go on then. She won't be here long anyway," he said. Lena chuckled to herself, the man of steel was defenceless against the will of a twelve-year-old.
She scampered over and jumped next to her. Lena narrowly avoided the landing, bouncing up slightly from the impact.
"Easy there," Lena said. Ruby shuffled around, looking pleased with herself.
"Hi Lena," she said. Clark followed her out.
"Don't jump on the sofa," he said. She looked at him sheepishly, he gave a bemused look in return.
"Can I get you something Lena? Tea, coffee?" He said.
"No thanks, I'm fine," she said, Clark disappeared into the kitchen. She was prodded in the arm and turned to an energetic Ruby.
"Do I get to see Mum today?" Ruby said. Lena sucked air through her teeth.
"Sorry Ruby, not today," she said.
"Oh, okay" Ruby said, deflated slightly.
"How's school, I know Metropolis doesn't match up to National City but it must be growing on you, right?" she said, looking to move on quickly. Ruby half-smiled.
"The people here are nice. Oh, and I got an A+ on that science project you helped me with," Ruby said. She could still see her disappointment, but Ruby was trying to hide it.
"Happy to help, but it was all your work," she said, secretly pleased that her own record for flawless grades remained intact. She had not expected to get so involved in Ruby's life after everything was sorted. Kara's sister had been kind enough to use her DEO connections to make sure her school transfers and living situation went through without any hitches. It was Ruby herself that needed help settling.
"How are things with Clark and Lois?" She asked. Ruby arched over, looking at the kitchen door.
"I like them, but Clark has really good hearing. I can't get away with anything," Ruby said in a lowered voice. Lena arched over with her, matching her volume.
"Try playing out some sort of quiet, ambient noise on your phone, if you're lucky it'll mask what you're up too," she whispered back. Ruby slowly nodded in understanding and the two of them giggled with each other. Clarks reappeared out of the archway and raised an eyebrow at them.
"See," Ruby said. Lena waved him away.
"Girl talk," she said. Clark feigned a suspicious look. Lena usually felt awkward around kids, but Ruby was mature for her age and it was easy to be the fun one when Clark, Lois and Sam took on the brunt of the parental duties.
There was a sound of a keys jangling and the front door latch clicked, Lois clambered in with several bags.
"Sorry I'm late. I didn't think Perry could have a worse mood, yet the city's bout of power cuts has somehow managed it." Monarch's comment about everyone working on a Sunday popped into her mind. Clark strode out and kissed Lois on the cheek, he picked up the bags.
"I'll put these in the kitchen, you want me to cook tonight?" He said.
"No, it's my turn. I just need to put my feet up for a bit," she said. She turned to the sofa.
"Oh, Hi Lena." Lena waved at her. Noticing the giggling Ruby, Lois slumped down on the sofa next to her. "What are you two planning?"
"Nothing," Ruby said, briefly exchanging a sly look with Lena.
"Are you being a bad influence?" Lois said.
"Me? Never," Lena said, holding her heart, Ruby giggled again. There was some rummaging in the kitchen and a small crash as some groceries hit the floor. They all ignored Clark's clumsiness, it was common enough that she started to suspect it was not an act. Lois' tired expression turned. She flipped her long, black hair out of her face and an all too familiar grin rose up.
"I don't suppose I could get a quote about your feud with Cat Grant?" she said. Despite the fact Cat Grant was supposed to play no part in the proceedings, behind the scenes she was doing everything in her power to block L-Corp from buying out CatCo. She was still taking a lot of flak for the Air Force One incident but seemed determined to make an enemy out of her for some reason. Whether it was out of spite or for an attempted distraction from her political blunder, Lena had no interest or time for such childishness. She ducked behind Ruby.
"Save me Ruby, she's still in reporter mode," Ruby laughed again.
"I'm always in reporter mode," she said.
"Everything's packed up, ready to go?" Clark said, walking out the kitchen. Lena slipped on her shoes and sprang up.
"Ready when you are," she had just been saved by Superman. "It was nice seeing you again," she pointed at Ruby, "Finish that homework." Ruby slumped down and folded her arms.
"Fine," she said.
"After you, Clark said, holding open the door. They waved them goodbye as they marched out and got in the lift.
"She's a good kid," she said.
"She's coping well and thanks to Kara covering pretty much the entire world, I have a lot more free time to spend with her. Me and Lois are no substitute for her mother of course, but we do what we can," he said.
"You're doing a good job with her, trust me," she said.
As they made their way to a more secluded spot, Lena looked away for a moment and Clark was decked out with an S on his chest. The cape flapped lazily behind him.
"Ready for another flight?" He said.
"I do have a lab here in Metropolis if that makes it easier?" She said.
"Sorry to drop a change of plan on you, but she's been uneasy. The arm stuff and returning to a normal life has her a bit spooked, she still needs some encouraging," he said. Lena ran her hands through her hair. She nodded, her neck started to itch as she mentally prepared herself for a trip to the Fortress of Solitude.