The flurry of bored faces would have been a delight if Lena was not nearly falling asleep herself. Even though her speech she was short, she had succeeded a little too well in making it bland and uninteresting. She was stood in a small room in the CatCo building, it was already ridiculous to her that there was a room dedicated to press conferences let alone the fact she was standing behind a lectern. If she had anything of actual importance to announce it certainly would not be in some weird imitation of the presidential press briefing room.
She tapped at the lectern and looked over her audience. Every chair was filled and a crowd had formed at the back. They were all journalists selected specifically by CatCo's board. She saw it as a weak move she at least did not have to face a grilling from the likes of Lois Lane, although if she were in the room it would at least be a more interesting use of her time. The frantic scratching of pens had slowed down over the course of the speech. One by one they realised she had no intention of giving them anything noteworthy. The smaller scale did have its advantages, it reduced the risk of being interrupted by shootings of explosions that people made a habit of in her more open appearances. It also meant any idiot with a twitter account would not be there to twist her words, though it looked to her like some of the people invited to this room were no better than said idiots.
She wanted to rest her head on the lectern when she stopped talking. Jimmy Olsen, who was thrown in charge of this event stepped in from the side.
"Miss Luthor will now field your questions," he said. Lena's heart sank as hands shot up and the rabble leaned forward. It occurred to her making the speech longer might have made people want to leave faster, her ability to get to the point had betrayed her. She lazily pointed at someone in the front row, mostly ignoring the fight for attention. The first question was neither challenging or controversial and the following questions were of the same nature. She was answering on autopilot, thinking of the more useful things she could be doing. The responses she gave had just enough information to address the main point but were measured enough to keep the room from erupting. Before throwing her finger out to the next eager face she spotted someone sidle into the room. In front of so many, Lena knew not to give anything away but was intrigued when Kara half-heartedly joined the scrum for attention. A small shake from Kara's head when they made eye contact made it clear she was just doing it to blend in. She went back to answering more questions, it required no thought. Handling herself in this environment was so simple that her idling brain could not help but think of Kara now she had managed to get herself here. Talking to her about the ring and Reign would be a struggle, her preferred tactic of just going for the jugular could be disastrous given the circumstance. Scenarios and conversations raced through her head as she kept on fielding the questions, barely even listening to her own words as she tried and failed to come up with any way to gauge these subjects in any detail from Kara without risking what they had. She racked her brain trying to think of a way to come at the problem sideways.
The whole charade was reminiscent of the time Lex was arrested and she came out with several hundred ways to paraphrase the fact she was not her brother. Even the way she stood at the lectern was part of the show, looking professional while also keeping a stance that conveyed how this was a total waste of time for all involved. She picked another reporter and the inevitable happened.
"Rumours are circulating the delays in your acquisition are solely due to Cat Grant's interference, how would you address these claims?" If anything, it surprised her that it took this long for her to be mentioned. She stole a glance at a stoic and uninterested Kara before answering, she had been close to Cat, and Lena was still slightly weary of how Kara felt about the acquisition.
"Miss Grant's passion for her former company shines through when she speaks, that passion should not be the basis of any assumed actions on her part," she said. The rumours were technically baseless, no real evidence surfacing helped quell the wilder speculation. Unfortunately, a lot of the wilder speculation was actually true as Cat Grant fought tooth and nail at every step. If she had any interest in drumming up trouble for Cat Grant it would take very little effort. This opened the floodgates on related questions, her heart sank as it would probably double the length of the boring question time.
Kara's semi-permanent scowl easily cut through the crowd. She had never mentioned Cat Grant or Mon-El in detail after getting the ring. As ever, it was hard to tell if this was the ring consuming her thoughts or if Kara closed off that side of herself. Until Kara came along, Lena had been convinced that closing off feelings and appearing cold was a source of strength. That attitude still had some use, such as standing at a lectern surrounded by reporters. Even with this, now she no longer saw that as her true self or something to aspire to. It was strange to her that their roles seemed to have shifted, now she had to try and teach Kara the same lessons. The added factors of the ring and needing information on Reign complicated things to no end.
One by one, the questions fell by the wayside. Any enthusiasm from the crowded room had died down and Jimmy took his cue.
"Miss Luthor will answer one more question," he said. This instilled a bit more energy as the scramble for attention stirred up. It was hard to imagine something that had not already been asked five times. She picked someone out, barely registering whatever media outlet they came from. He was a young man who stuttered slightly as he spoke.
"Miss Luthor, you've inferred from your speech and answers today that there is truly nothing out of the ordinary about this acquisition. If there's nothing wrong then why hold a briefing like this at all, is it fair to say this is damage control?" He said. It was a gutsy question from someone who seemed so nervous. Without skipping a beat, she answered.
"As you're all very aware, there's a lot of misinformation and wild speculation about this whole process. Today I sought to clarify the reality that everything is above board and being professionally handled," she said. A few more notes were jotted, but the room seemed content. She stepped back, a few people tried barking more questions at her as she strode out, but it was hardly more enthused than usual. The doors were opened for her, Jimmy followed her out. The express elevator awaited and the top floor would provide a respite from the media circus. Jimmy had big smile on his face when the doors closed.
"What's got you in a good mood?" she said as they jolted upward.
"With the way you handled that, the board might finally get off my back," he said.
"Yes well, that last question hit a little close to home. Just because I gave them nothing to talk about, doesn't mean there won't be talk," she said.
"Well as long as Cat doesn't kick up more of a stink we should be fine," he said. Lena was amused as his face dropped, the mere idea of it worried him so much.
"Let her rant, all it does is show off her desperation," she said.
"You should be more scared of her," he said. Lena did not even bother responding. She was made distinctly aware of Cat's methods when she first inspected CatCo's structure and senior staff. It was baffling to her how they respected what seemed to be a system of bullying and fear. In the companies Lena ran, anyone who thought intentionally pushing someone to their breaking point just to see if they could handle it would be out the door in seconds. Sink or swim was a phrase she heard far too much when the board defended their old CEO. It did not occur to any one of them that all it did was burn out the best workers and scare off or break those with potential. Show care and attention, if you need to be firm, always remain fair. That was the philosophy she was going to drill into this company. There was nothing Cat Grant's bullying style could do to knock her off course.
"Now that's done, is there anything else you need from me?" She said, there was a bit of venom in her voice from her train of thought. She promptly expelled it from her mind and focused on the present.
"It should be okay, I'll be able to keep the board in check now and will keep pushing things through," he said.
"You sure? I can always take over the L-Corp side of things if that'd make life easier," she said, hoping he would refuse.
"No, you're a busy enough woman and that new C.F.O. of yours is a dream to work with," he said. She was pleased he had unwittingly obliged and it was good to hear her most recent major hire was working out so well.
"Are you implying I wouldn't be a dream to work with?" she said.
"No… well I…" Jimmy started, nervously looking up at the floor counter as if it could provide him with an escape.
"I was kidding, Jimmy. Keep at it, I know CatCo's safe in your hands," she said, messing with him was almost too easy at times. He breathed a sigh of relief.
The doors dinged open.
"You go ahead," she said. Looking over to the regular lift. "I imagine Kara showed up to see me."
"How is she doing these days? Whenever I try to contact her she doesn't answer or gets all distant on me," he said. Lena paused.
"She's been better," she said. Jimmy nodded slightly.
"If you ever need help, just ask," he said, reluctantly moving off to his office.
Lena ignored the busywork around her, she folded her arms and her foot tapped away as the other lift was slowly making its way up. Sure enough, Kara was amongst a small group of people funnelling out of it. Officially Kara still worked at CatCo so had free movement around the building. Lena had shifted her job to a "freelance consultancy position," it was a useful work-around for the fact Kara did very little CatCo work. Nowadays She spent all her time being Supergirl or being forced to take a break.
"Hi Kara," she said with a smile. Kara mildly acknowledged her before walking straight through to Lena's office. Lena stood bewildered for a moment before making her own way over. The door creaked gently as Lena pulled it shut. This office was far less impressive than her one at L-Corp, it was set up for her as a temporary space but as the weeks dragged on with little progress for CatCo, the dinky office remained. Apart from moving her favourite stapler here, she had little attachment to it.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Lena said, shutting the door behind her. Kara sat on the desk.
"Clark wanted me to pass on a message, apparently he doesn't have your phone number," he said.
"He's heroically protecting me from the onslaught of Lois with that particular move," she said. Kara seemed disinterested.
"He wants you to know Sam's ready to leave the fortress," she said. Lena stopped herself from reacting too much. Reign dismembered Alex and nearly killed her, now she was sitting here relaying the message to help that same woman.
"Tell him to bring her to my National City facility right away, they'll know the place," Lena said. She wanted to move on this quickly in case Sam changed her mind again, however the opportunity to talk about Reign had been dropped in her lap. She stopped for a moment, Kara rubbed her own cheek and glanced around the room. Lena wanted to leave it be, it was a tough call between her feelings and understanding how to deal with the World Killers. After brief deliberation she decided to go for it.
"Are you okay with me helping Sam like this? I mean I know you've said it before but…"
"My grudge was with Reign, not Sam," Kara cut in. Her monotone delivery contrasted with her apparent mood, Kara wrung her hands and glanced down to where the hidden ring was.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she said. Regretting her decision to ask about Reign.
Kara nodded silently. Lena had to get moving but leaving Kara alone while she was like this was a bad idea. Too much time in her own head could just wind up making things even worse, especially as she had tried to get her to confront her feelings on Reign and World Killers in such a rushed manner. Jimmy was just next door, but he did not know the nuance of the situation and Kara would likely shut him down. As she started gathering a few things an idea hit her. Any logical thought process told her how incredibly stupid it was, but it could be just that rogue element she needed. Someone with a fresh take and could speak as an observer from the outside looking in.
"Look, I have to go sort this out, but I want you to talk this out with someone," she said.
"Lena, seriously, I'll be okay," she said.
"Humour me," she said.
"Fine," Kara sighed.
"You know that underground alien bar with no name that you like?" she said.
"I've not been in a while," Kara said, her scowl replaced with a suspicious look.
"Meet Oddball there," she said. Kara's scowl immediately returning.
"You have got to be joking," she said. Lena expected this response and being honest with herself, she would do the same in Kara's position.
"Please, do this for me. I know you don't like him, but he might be able to help you if you give him a chance," she said. There was an instinct within her that was sure this could work out somehow despite all the reasoning she could think of against it.
"In what way, it's not like he knows to reassure me or calm me down," she said. Lena briefly debated telling her he had sussed her out.
"You can talk to him as Kara," she said. Kara shot a look of disbelief at her, if anything the idea was so ridiculous to her that it did not stir up any anger.
"Just give him a chance, he's done a lot for me and could do the same for you," Lena said. She did not want to be too forceful about the issue, if Kara ultimately made the decision to accept more help herself it would be a big step forward.
"I'll think about it," Kara said, she threw her a side glance. "How will he even know to meet me there?"
"Trust me, he gets about," Lena said. Lena looked back, she did not want to stall any more as Sam was on her way. "Look, I'll be free for you soon and if you don't want to do it that's fine. I only want to see you beat that thing and I genuinely think he can help. If I'm wrong, then that's fine too and we can move on from there." Kara did not respond again, the disinterest on her face had all but vanished and it seemed her mind was racing. She was probably trying to put together whatever reasoning Lena had when there was little to be found.
"I'll talk to you soon, I promise," Lena said.
"I'll hold you to that," Kara said. Lena wanted to move in and hug her, but Kara looked too distracted. She rushed out the office, hoping Kara would not dwell there on her thoughts for too long. When she got to the lift and it started making its way down she whipped out her phone, Kara had looked to wrapped up to try any super-hearing. She scrolled down he contact list until Monarch popped up. He picked up quickly.
"Is this going to be a useful call?" He said.
"Possibly, I need you to go to an alien bar," she said.
"How very specific," he said.
"It doesn't have a name, it's an underground place. Off-shoot from the city centre…" she started.
"Dumpsters, poorly lit, terrible graffiti, insist on a ridiculous password? I know the place," he said.
"You don't need more information than that?" She said.
"All the other bars that fit the bill aren't dumb enough to go nameless," he said.
"Great, go there," she said.
"Is there a reason for this, I could be busy," he said.
"You can make things happen wherever you go," she said.
She strode out of the lift and weaved through the reception area, the lab she needed wasn't too far away.
"Was that meant to be a compliment?" he said.
"Who cares, get a move on," she said.
"That place is garbage and I'm still not hearing a reason to go there," he said.
"I need you to talk to Kara, she likes it enough there. Either that or I could recommend a nice fermentation place for you," she said.
"A what?" he said. She stopped herself from chuckling at the disgust in his voice at the mere mention of such a place.
"I have places to be and she shouldn't be alone right now," she said.
"Aren't there people she actually likes who can babysit her?" he said.
"Probably, though you provide her someone to be annoyed at, which might be exactly what she needs. Besides, Reign's on her mind and we need to find out about. She won't want to risk her real feelings on it with me and my job is to keep her reserved and happy," she said.
"And she already doesn't like me, so prodding at the whole emotional spectrum thing isn't a risk to you or her," he said.
"That's the idea," she said.
"But is a risk to me," he said.
"That's your problem, besides when has risk ever stopped you before?" She said. Monarch made a vague sound of agreement at her.
"So, she knows I know about her extra-curricular activities?" He said.
"Nope," she said.
"So let me get this straight, you want me to immediately go over to a bar I hate, prod at the sensitive, emotional topics of a Red Lantern who already doesn't like me because you can't think of a way to do it yourself, all while not revealing and working around the fact I know who she really is," he said.
"Pretty much," she said.
"Right…" he said.
"Well you can tell her you figured it out if it'll help," she said.
"Where's the fun in that?" He said.
"So you'll do it?" She said.
"I get the feeling I don't have a choice," he said.
"You don't, I already told her you'll be there," she said. He groaned at her.
"Also, she might not turn up at all," she said.
"This is a flimsy plan, even by my standards," he said.
"If this doesn't end up helping both her and you, I'll concede that pool game you lost so embarrassingly to me," she said.
"I know you're trying to manipulate me with that one," he said.
"And it worked didn't it?" She said.
"One hundred percent, I'll make my way over now," he said, he hung up. If anyone could make this work, it was Monarch. Despite the many things that could go wrong with what she just set up, she could not help but be hopeful about it. It was in motion now so there was little reason to dwell on it. Her mind wondered back to the daunting task of fixing Sam Arias and let her back in to the real world.