A/N: So...I've decided to give it a bit of a follow up...
Lena Luthor settled her coffee down taking a moment for the caffeine to kick in before her day could properly start, despite her lack of sleep and the fact that she had drank more than her usual amount of alcohol the day prior. Still, she was managing. Except for the fact that the slight headache taking over her was suddenly tenfold when her office door at L-Corp was slammed open and a very upset Alex Danvers charged towards.
"What's this?" Alex threw a newspaper to the table.
Lena looked at a picture of their lunch and the unfortunate event of the glass of wine.
"I hope your reputation is not at stake over this" Lena said almost mockingly before standing up, her arms folded neatly before herself "you are not the first lunch date that gets photographed with me, it will be old news by tomorrow"
"I don't care about that" Alex dismissed shaking her head vigorously "you said it was rare when they took action in their outrages" she pointed "The note says you were hospitalized twice over things like this"
"Did you care to verify the dates?" Lena countered calmly "I was way younger then, I was an easy prey and to be honest, the attacks weren't even that threatening. It's almost embarrassing that I got scorched by a hot drink they threw at me"
Alex couldn't understand how she waved off all of that so easily "Why are you putting up with this? Why don't you get security?"
"That gives the wrong impression. It makes me look guilty; as if I was aware I had it coming. It's public image, basically"
Alex groaned putting a hand to her head "Ok, then get Supergirl on the scene"
"She has saved me multiple times; I don't need her on speed dial over my personal life, it's a very mundane thing. She has far more pressing matters at hand"
"I'm trying to help you out here!" Alex snapped as her concern was being so effortlessly dismissed.
Lena was taken aback by the strong tone the older Danvers used. She had heard it before, a very commanding voice that left no room for argument, since she was on a mission and determined. So she knew Alex was genuinely worried "I'm sorry. It's not that I don't appreciate you dropping by and being so heartedly interested in my well-being. I just…have been stuck in this web of situations by far too long that I've gotten used to it and see no need to act on it since it's not a priority on my agenda" she walked forward "but tell you what. Whatever your next idea or suggestion is, I'm going to give it a try. So, name it"
Lena regretted her words far sooner than expected. Her muscles were burning, her breathing was heavy and her heart about to explode in her chest as the sweat was freely running down the side of her face.
"Can-can we call it a day?" Lena half begged as she rested her hands on her knees.
"You disarm me once and I'll consider training to be over" Alex answered getting back into a fighting stance.
"Just once?" Lena repeated. In the last couple of hours she had learned far more about self-defense tactics than in all the classes she had taken in her spare time.
"Sure. You get the knife out of my reach and we are done with it"
"Fine" she stood up straight dragging the very last of her strength out of her reserves "However I want?"
"As long as there's no weapon in my hand by the end, yes"
"Very well, then" Lena got herself at arm's length from her "I'm not allowed inside an Irish pub downtown because they found me with my date inside the cold meat freezer"
Alex expression was utterly confused "Wait, what-?!"
And taking advantage of the diversion, she threw a left hook to her forearm knocking the pretended knife out of her hand.
Lena victoriously collapsed to the ground taking a much deserved break.
"The heck just happened?"
"I asked if the means mattered" Lena pointed out "I threw you out of your game and then took my shot. I am no black belt, but I can pack a punch"
Alex shook her head in disbelief before chuckling and taking the gear off "From what I heard from Supergirl you really can knock someone out with that swing"
"She told you so?" Lena raised a perfect brow with a sly smile.
"Sure did. Not that I'm surprised you can do that. Just another thing you can excel at" Alex commented with the hint of a sigh.
"It's troublesome to get such praise at times" Lena mumbled "People tend to forget that at the end of the day I am human" she whispered "at times I feel like I'm the only human around. Everyone is so powerful or an alien or…something out of the ordinary and…I'm just flesh and bone. No immunity, no super strength or bullet proof… and still, every time I am in danger or in the middle of a precarious situation it's just expected of me to rise above it…it's…exhausting"
Alex pondered at it in silence "I…never thought of that. To be honest…yeah, I simply assume you'll find a solution or help out or save the day in a way when I go to your door or see you work with Supergirl. You haven't let us down so far" Alex conveyed sitting next to her "but I feel you. Seeing Supergirl be that perfect, getting into my line of duty one day and suddenly being far better or more efficient than me in record time it's… almost intimidating. I'm human too. Next to that I'm fragile, vulnerable and expendable" Alex looked at the celling "I know people I work with will tell me otherwise, but to be honest, they too see too much of a façade. They only see my victories, the day I have a serious loss they'll just be disappointed"
"It the worst part of being in a pedestal" Lena said looking into her eyes "no matter where you move, you'll fall"
Kara Danvers walked up to the elevator greeting the secretariat with a bright smile, since she was the only person allowed to come and go freely into Lena's office.
Once she got there, she pushed the door open after a short knock.
"Hey, Lena!"
"Kara! Hi" the CEO stood up granting her a hug "What are you doing here? Is there a story you need to cover?"
"No, I just came by to bring you lunch" she extended the bag of food.
"My hero" she grabbed it going back to her desk, which Kara didn't expect, since usually they shared lunch time on the couch.
"So…what are you working on?" Kara sat on the chair across the desk.
"A business proposal, I need some investors" she answered, her eyes fixed on the screen.
"I'm sure you'll convince them! You've done it millions of times, this one won't be different" she said optimistically, not missing the fact that her friend winced at such reply and a microexpression of pain or annoyance crossed her otherwise perfectly neutral features.
"Thanks, Kara. I sure hope so" she smiled back.
Kara observed her carefully. Lena's body language was shouting something out of the ordinary.
"You look tense" she commented.
"Well, it's an important reunion" she waved off.
"I meant like…your shoulders are stiff"
Lena then took notice of that in her posture "Oh. Well, I am a bit sore. Your sister sure went rough on me yesterday" Lena huffed before hearing her own words "I meant in training!" she added in a jolt "she offered to give me some self-defense lessons after my run-in with the man at the restaurant. She said since not all confrontations would be so public or so innocent I should have an upper hand"
"Ow! That's…nice of her. She trained me too. She's the best combat teacher"
"I didn't know you did martial arts" Lena said amused and Kara had to do her best not to panic.
"Well, you know…I'm her baby sister. She-she wanted to make sure I would be safe if she wasn't around to protect me herself" she fixed her glasses.
"That does sound like her" Lena stood reaching for a file in her cabinet "Anyways, I better keep working"
"Absolutely, do you want me to keep you company? I can write my article in the sofa, I have my laptop with me" she was reaching for it.
"Actually, if you don't mind, I rather have the room to myself. I have to practice my presentation"
Kara stopped mid motion "Oh! Yeah- no, totally. I'll…I'll drop by later? Tomorrow, maybe?"
"Sure, maybe tomorrow" she walked her to the door "Thank you for stopping by, Kara"
"No problem" she flashed a smile before taking her cue.
Lena tapped her pen against the blue prints feeling already frustrated with the little progress she had. She needed a solution for her latest invention if she wanted to have the investor on board and so far the only thing she had was a migraine and her biggest progress was drinking half a glass of Scotch.
The CEO groaned as she pushed her notes away. It was way past working hours and everyone else had gone home for the day, but she couldn't afford such luxury. After the tenth time her simulation failed she rested her face on her hands and took a deep breath in. A spark of an idea igniting in her thoughts. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number she had saved for so long and not once had needed to call.
"Hello?" the voice answered form the other side cold and distant.
"Agent Danvers?" Lena called "Or should I call you Alex?"
"Lena, hi! Sorry, I didn't have your number registered"
"That stings" Lena chuckled quietly.
"My bad, don't take it personal. I only have work numbers saved"
"That's ok, since technically I'm calling for something work related" Lena added.
"Is it another person threatening you?"
"No, after the sparring session we had I should be able to fend for myself if not for the fact every muscle on my body hurts so bad when I move"
Alex laughed shortly "I'll be more considerate next time"
"Next time, ha?" Lena repeated.
"You didn't expect to become an expert overnight, did you? Or were you planning to get on that pedestal too?"
Lena smirked even if no one could see her "Fine, but next time I choose the gym"
"Done" Alex affirmed with a hint of happiness in her tone "Now, what is that you needed help with?"
"Well…if it's not too late, could you swing by L-Corp? I need a fresh pair of eyes to help me solve an issue. And since you seemed to be so into it when we watched the robotic championship, I figured you could help me?"
"I'll clock out and head there"
Lena exhaled relieved "Thank you, Alex"
"No problem. See you in a few"
When Lena opened the door of her office, she found the older Danvers raising a couple of plastic bags.
"Take outs are here so now we can properly work"
Lena invited her in with a huge smile "That's such a Danvers thing to do" she commented.
"Well yes, Kara mentioned several times that you don't eat unless she swings by, I thought to do the honors tonight"
"I won't say no to that" she grabbed one of the bags as they reached the desk.
"So, what are we working on?"
"I need to find a way to re-wire a whole system without compromising the external structure of the prototype. I have given it a million thoughts and it's either sacrifice the efficiency of the power source or having to re- design the whole thing"
"That does sound difficult" Alex hummed "Ok, then, show me your process" she asked as both started to doodle and come up with new ideas around the issue.
They spent hours and hours shoulder to shoulder working in the blue prints, making comments, laughing off their ideas and having a good time all things considerate.
"And we officially have ran out of food" Alex scrapped the bottom of the little box.
"It lasted longer than I expected"
"I mean, I did brought four combo meals, so" Alex shrugged making Lena smile.
"Next one is on me" the CEO offered before taking a glance at the clock "And apparently it will be breakfast" she said surprised "It's the morning already"
"We worked all night?!" Alex took out her cellphone noticing she had a few missed calls "Time sure flew by us. They sun will come up any moment now"
"I didn't even feel it. Usually all-nighters leave me with a headache and a couple of broken pencils, this was…fun" Lena dared to say "like a study night in college"
"Yeah, those didn't usually involve study from where I graduated" Alex added slyly and Lena just rolled her eyes.
"Anyways, I think I've abused your kindness, you should really go home and rest"
"Ditto" Alex reached for her jacket.
"I'll just stay a few more minutes and see how this last simulation turns out to be" Lena walked to the desk.
"No. That's enough for the day, you should really get some sleep" Alex reached for her arm pulling her slightly to get her away from work "if the simulator fails, I'll drop by again and we can continue, sounds good?"
Lena looked at her heartedly "Thank you and yeah, that sounds great"
"Ok. Let's get a cab home" Alex turned around heading for the door.
"Wait" Lena called absently.
"I've already told you, we can check on it-"
"No, not that" Lena said "the sunrise" she pointed. From up there they had a clear view of the first rays hitting every building in the city "It's been a while since I've taken the time to look at it"
Alex walked to stand next to her "Yeah, it's nice" she smiled.
"Truly beautiful"
Alex hid a yawn behind her hand as she tried to shake off the tiredness.
"Am I boring you, Agent Danvers?" an official called after debriefing a mission.
"Apologies, Sir!"
The man just grunted "Dismissed!"
Alex yawned again stretching a bit before feeling her phone vibrate with a new message from Lena.
-The simulation failed :/ So, what do you want for lunch? :) -
Alex chuckled before texting her back.
"Alex!" Kara walked towards "Hey, I tried to reach you yesterday, communications compromised or not you should let me know you are safe. J'onn told me you left at ten last night, where were you?"
"Oh, sorry, sis. I was working with Lena in a project for L-Corp, I lost track of time. We called it a day in wee hours" her phone buzzed again "Actually, I'm meeting with her again for lunch today"
"Oh! You are? Wait- for lunch? I thought we had plans?"
"Did we?" Alex raised a brow.
"No, we as in Lena and me"
"She probably forgot, she just texted me. She needs to solve this quick, so maybe she'll reschedule with you later on the week"
"She already canceled yesterday"
"Hey, give her a little break, Kara. She's dealing with this as best as she can. I'm sure when everything solves she will give you a call"
Kara frowned a bit looking away "Yeah, you are right…"
Alex patted her shoulder "There you go" she turned around smiling at her screen as she texted back. Supergirl just folded her arms watching her leave, a pang hitting her.
Since many of you won't like that the main interactions are Lena-Alex related, I might be cooking another fic for those who prefer Kara-Lena (angst-Hurt/comfort) interactions. All in good spirit! Until (probably) next time!