Welcome back and enjoy!

Lena much rather not completely recall the mess she had done of herself the night prior. She just barely registered that Supergirl had shown up at her office, as per usual. Then everything was a blurry up to the point she was clueless as how she got home. The pounding in her head served as a reminder that she was in no condition to pull out a stunt like that again. She was the head manager of two mayor companies, you couldn't get the luxury of falling behind. The gala was that evening and much was still to be done.

So when a pair of helping hands appeared at her door that noon, she felt beyond relieved.

"Hey…Lena" Alex walked in tentatively.

"Hi" Lena smiled broadly "What brings you here today? You are not getting cold feet about the gala, right?"

"Uh? No, of course not, I'll be there" she smiled back before shoving her hands into her jean pockets and looking down as she walked in "So…how are you feeling?" Alex dared to gaze up and Lena just knew she wasn't meaning about the nervousness of the event.

"Supergirl told you I was completely drunk last night, didn't she?" Lena asked covering her face with one hand as a strong blush painted her cheeks "In all honesty, I'm okay, I just didn't hold my liquor well"

Alex was aback but soon found relieve in the fact she didn't recall her being at her apartment the night prior, so she played along "Well, you know, that's why you have to call a drinking buddy" she smirked "to keep you in check, share your thoughts"

"I didn't want to trouble you, besides, I was drinking to get over an argument with Kara, so it wouldn't be fair to-"

"Hold up" Alex cut her short "You had an argument with Kara?"

Lena winced putting her files at a side "It was just a heated conversation, actually" she clarified "I…might have shouted my point across the room, not my finest hour. She's persistent when pushing a topic, I'll give her that, she's a reporter after all"

"Lena, you should have called me"

"Well…I know you two quarreled as well, it wouldn't be too fair to team up and…she's your sister, I can't talk about her with you like that. Plus, she's my best friend and I can't play favorites in your argument since you are also my friend. I guess I was saving us the conflict of interest" Lena provided.

Alex awkwardly shrugged "Yeah, I guess we all are in an uncomfortable situation there and…in whatever other event that might involve all of us" she added.

"Well, I'm hoping we can team up at a game night at least once, for a change" Lena smiled "but that will come to happen after we sort this out" she sighed "I should offer an apology first"

"Um…what were you two arguing about?" Alex asked folding her arms noticing how stiff Lena's shoulders got after hearing the question.

"Um…I…she wanted to know why I…" Lena couldn't bring herself to say it, so she cleared her throat "time management" she offered the lame short version of the almost truth "what about yourself?" she inquired getting Alex at odds now.

"Um? She…made a comment that upset me, I guess" she said stumbling on her words "Maybe I blew it out of proportion but sometimes I just feel…second to what Kara does, so her conclusion simply blew my circuits and got me fired up. I'm sure she didn't mean harm, she never does, that's also a bit infuriating too, because she's trying and she had a hard time coping with a lot of stuff but that can't always be an excuse, right?" Alex messed up her short hair in a frustrated manner "but, um…she's…my sister at the end of the day and I love her and family means things like this happening" she sighed "I was just….insecure and jealous"

"Jealous?" Lena repeated and only then Alex noticed her word choice "of what?" Lena asked intrigued and astonished.

"Um…you know…stuff" she avoided her eyes in a monumental fashion fighting off the embarrassment before clearing her throat "anyway, the gala is tonight and I'm sure there's a million little details you want to be perfect, so, how can I help you?" she asked hurriedly and while taking the Luthor by surprise, Lena couldn't hold back an appreciative smile.

"You have no idea what a lifesaver you are"

"I try to be" Alex eased back into the conversation.

"Okay then, get comfortable because we only have a couple of hours to get this show on the road" Lena invited her to her side as they went through the fine details. Surprisingly enough, they finished way faster than any of them could have anticipated.

"Well, I better go home and hit the shower before heading to the gala" Alex said getting all her stuff together just to take her leave.

"Actually" Lena called reaching for a large box from behind her desk "I wanted to give you this" she extended it "as a 'thank you for everything I've made you go through' present" she handed it while smiling.

"You really didn't have to get me anything"

"Well, why don't you see it first before deciding that?" Lena asked "but not here, though" she added "I'd rather have you decide in private if you like it or not, I always thought it was coercive to have kids open presents in front of the people"

Alex smiled "I'm sure I'll love it, whatever it is"

"I'll say it is clothing and… Kara clued me in regarding the color" Lena admitted "truly, if you don't like it, I can easily change it"

"Well, let me judge it firsthand before you go storming back into the store" Alex teased "thank you, Lena" she put the box at the side going to hug her tightly "but honestly, you don't have to feel like you have to repay me. I enjoy spending time with you and helping out is just what friends do"

Lena was caught off guard by her words but smiled nonetheless "You'll have to be patient with me; I'm still new at this"

Alex entered her apartment with not a moment to spare before opening the box. A beautiful red gown sparkled in front of her eyes. She extended the dress taking a good look at it. It seemed like something a movie star would wear at a premier. She didn't dare to look who the designer was or even imagine how much it had cost. And beyond that, she couldn't bring herself to admit just how much she loved it. It was elegant but simple, classy but not showy. It could easily make the whole room turn around to look at it but it wasn't meant to steal the spotlight. How could Lena manage to get her such a dress was mystery Alex didn't want to unveil. For now she just wanted to enjoy it.

Lena was standing in the middle of the room being surrounded by dozen of businessman that tried to impress her by the size of their bank accounts and some others that simply wanted a share of the profit the new L-Corp invention was going to bring. She, of course, had to play her part, since she needed investors if she wanted to keep funding her research and donating most profits to her charities.

"So, Miss Luthor" an older gentleman called her "are you considering in opening L-Corp's firearms branch again? When your brother managed it, the profits were sky high"

"Oh, I'm sorry to disappoint, but I have no such interest, I think there are enough weapons out there for my company to even consider bring in more"

"But your tech is the only one that is even close to fight off aliens"

"And that's a debate we will have to save for another day since tonight we are bringing new technology that can help improve lives, not end them" she said curtly noticing by how the man's vein was popping in his forehead that she was in for a heated debate. Luckily something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye and as she looked to her left she say Alex walking down the stairs in the outstanding red dress she had given her.

With a huge smile she excused herself "Apologies, gentleman, I have to attend my guest of honor, please, enjoy the evening" she walked away reaching Alex at the foot of the stairs.

"I take it that you liked the dress, then" Lena greeted "or are you just wearing it to make me feel better?"

"Well, the dress surely makes me feel better" Alex countered.

"I'm glad, because you look gorgeous" Lena praised getting a faint blush in return.

"You look as elegant and poise as ever" Alex replied before getting a loose red buckle behind her ear "So? What now?"

"Now" Lena grabbed a couple of champagne glasses "we try to relax and enjoy the night. We've done everything in our power so far, there's nothing more than sit back and watch it flow" she handed her a glass.

Alex smiled more calmly, letting go of the tension in her shoulders "For a change that would be nice" Lena smirked and clashed their glasses together.

They enjoyed a pleasant time, talking and laughing all while waiting for the grand presentation. As times passed by, Alex started to get a bit more anxious. Lena noticed how she kept on tapping her fingers restlessly against her glass or how she fidgeted with the border of her dress.

"Hey" she reached for her hand stopping the erratic movement, managing to get Alex's full attention "It's going to be alright. I'll just say a few words, present you and then you just have to wave or say hello or whatever you feel comfortable with"

Alex sighed looking down "I can't believe this is what makes me nervous" she confessed "I hold a gun for a living and being in front of wealthy strangers is what is wrecking my nerves" she bit into her lower lip.

"I'm going to be right beside you in that stage"

Alex chuckled "Funny, I thought I was coming here to give you moral support, you shouldn't be the one comforting me right now"

Lena grinned "Isn't that what friends do?" she asked getting a soft laugh out of the older Danvers "we are going to be there for each other, I can't imagine anything upsetting me while knowing you have my back"

Alex eased up "hey, if anyone dares to throw you wine again, am I allowed to knock them out cold?"

"As long as they are not shareholders" Lena joked along.

They shared a short laugh moments before a new individual stood in front of them.

"Um, hi" the intruder said softly.

"Kara" Alex said surprised to see her.

"I didn't think you would come" Lena mentioned with a hint of guilt in her tone.

"I wouldn't miss it" she smiled softly "this is a major breakthrough for L-Corp and my sister is being a part of it, how could I not be here?" she fixed her glasses gazing down "I…owe you both an apology. Alex, I was clearly wrong regarding what I said" she dared to look up "It's obvious that I couldn't be farther away from the truth and it clearly shows here tonight" she tugged the sides of her lips gazing at both shortly "and Lena…I'm sorry I never even gave you the chance to open up to me and I understand now that sometimes you need others and that doesn't mean we are any less of friends. It's just…an adjustment. Sorry it took me that long to see it"

Both women smiled fondly.

"Thanks, Kara" Lena said first "It means a lot that you came here" she squeezed her forearm "I'm sorry too for the way I snapped, there are some things that I said that I regret, specially the way I said them to you. You are real, I was just…at a low point that day"

"You don't have to explain it to me, not unless you want to" Kara offered and Lena nodded gratefully.

"Alex?" Kara turned to her older sister, whom exhaled with a small grin.

"You know? Those puppy eyes are an unfair advantage" she embraced her on a tight hug "thank you for the apology" Kara smiled back resting on her shoulder.

"Ladies and gentleman" the MC called from the stage "welcome to tonight's gala"

"Oh, that's our cue" Lena said leaving her glass at a side "ready?" she offered her arm to the older Danvers sister whom froze in her place.

"R-right" she clenched her fists "going live in front of all that people…I'm really a behind the scenes kind of person"

"Hey" Lena grabbed her elbow getting her close to mumble to her ear "tonight I'm no runner up to Lex and you aren't second best to Supergirl" she mumbled, but it was easily heard by the blonde.

"Wait, second best?" Kara questioned confused and a bit broken to hear her sister felt that way about her, suddenly it took more dimensions as why Alex had been so wounded by her comment regarding Lena just spending time with her to get close to Supergirl.

Alex's face turned red in an instant at those words. Of course Lena was unaware of the implication; since no one ever told her Kara was Supergirl.

"We've got this" Lena emphasized getting Alex out of her thoughts as she nodded "great" the CEO grabbed her arm driving her up to the stage.

Once there a dozen flashed blinded them both. Lena took the microphone and began her speech, one addressing the citizens and the other companies to collaborate to make National City a better place. Alex was dumbfounded by her eloquence, she made it look just that easy and compelling. She was so lost looking at her unfold in such a natural way that she was clearly taken off guard when Lena gazed at her with an arm extended to present her. Still aback, she walked up to the microphone smiling awkwardly.

"Um, thank you for being here" she said the first thing that popped into her mind "I'm truly honored that I got to be part of this project and-"

"Does this mean you have the feds on your pocket now too, Luthor?!" a voice shouted from the back "She's FBI!" he yelled "Is this your way to showing you are untouchable?! First Supergirl and now the law enforcers?!"

Lena kept her face as stoic as possible.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but L-Corp is following strict law regulations like any other company. Miss Danvers happens to work for the government, that's true, but it was her expertise the reason I-"

"So now that you are working together your prototypes will be linked to the government? You get the approval right off the bat?" a reported shouted.

"Is this so the government can keep an eye on all your new inventions, given to what happened with your brother?"

That cracked Lena's walls, a pained expression crossing her features "I'm not my brother, all L-Corp is, was built to-"

"Why wasn't this project approved without the collaboration of B.W. Industries?"

Alex knew it was enough when behind the lectern, Lena out of reflex clasped her hand holding tight. That was the real reason the CEO had asked her to be with her up there, so she knew she wasn't alone and Alex was determined to be there for her. So, taking a step forward she reached for the microphone…

"That's enough" Alex said firmly "we are here to show an invention that is meant to help improve thousands of lives, if you are so short sighted as to only look for reasons to attack, then by all means, I can show you to the exit" she pointed the door "Miss Luthor has dedicated all her resources to make this possible. I'll gladly show you the transactions that had been made, 97% of the money invested in the prototype came directly from her personal account. I'm only here because in a very small way I helped in the final phase, but you can take it from me and you are welcome to look into my files to see how legitimate I am, what Lena Luthor has done to give the citizens a better life quality is incredible and not once has she asked for your recognition, nor she announced it to the media. All this" she gestured around "was so the people could know that there's a new technology that could help them because if L-Corp had offered to the private industries in a small committee they would have rejected it just because her last name is Luthor" she finished leaving a the whole room quiet.

It was then that Alex realized her outburst and her nerve began to fade as she stood away from the podium, just becoming aware now that she hadn't let go of Lena's hand that was still concealed from the public's eye "Thank you for coming" she finished

The CEO smiled widely going to the microphone to add a simple "Any more questions?"

A cheer came from the crowd; it didn't take the two women even a second to recognize who was rooting for them. Kara clapped loudly and enthusiastically with enough charisma to infect others into doing the same. Soon, several people were cheering as well and the room was filled with new energy. Alex's point had come through and some other than Supergirl had stood up to fend for the youngest Luthor's honor and good name.

They sat at the table enjoying the dinner that was served to conclude the gala. By now, they were so at ease and comfortable after the speech that they could let their guard down and truly enjoy the night. By the time dessert came along many of the businessmen were already gone, leaving the table to be filled with just their chat, conversing with one another like if no one else was there.

"You know by tomorrow the media will backfire because of what I said, right?" Alex asked giggling.

"Let their wrath fall upon me, it was worth it" Lena smirked.

A waiter interrupted their laughter by presenting the two plates serving the CEO first "We have chocolate mousse with strawberries and a hint of coffee" he settled the tall glass for her "and a slice of Italian tiramisu, coffee flavored as well" he put the plate in front taking his leave.

Alex felt a punch to her gut but didn't even said a word before Lena changed their plates in a swift movement "I'll be taking that one tonight, you get to enjoy some chocolate mousse instead" she said without missing a beat, her smile not faltering once.

Alex gazed at her carefully, almost curiously. Lena knew exactly what that dish meant to her and made such a simple action to spare her the bad thoughts without even addressing the subject. It was such a strange and yet sweet moment that she decided to stop to contemplate it, even if Lena just kept on with their chat as if nothing had happened. The Luthor dig her fork into the tiramisu taking a bit before noticing how Alex had been silently contemplating her.

"Do I have chocolate on my cheek?" she asked making Alex snap out of it.

"Oh? Um, no. I was just thinking…I…had fun tonight. All things considered I'd say it went well, right?"

"Better than I could have hoped for" Lena provided with a smirk.

"Yeah" Alex nodded "better than I could have imagined" she agreed offering a soft smile that melted all worries away.

Thank you so much for the support! Until next time! Whenever that might be :)