"You sure you don't want the last piece?" Kara insisted.

"I've seen you eat before, pretty sure you should have it" Lena replied with a smile as she continued to eat her salad "Besides you bought today, so you should have dibs"

"Well, this lunch was sort of…'thank you' for helping Alex out" the reporter admitted with her goofy smile seated at her righteous place on Lena's couch at L-Corp's office "she told me at 5 a.m. all that happened yesterday and how you were there and well…Alex is often a very private and concealed person so I'm glad she can count on you, means a lot to me"

Lena smiled genuinely "It means a lot to me too" she dig in her fork "I must say yours are the first news I have of her today"

"Oh, well she was really drained so I might or might have not unplugged her alarm and shut down her phone. I think she needed a breather, so I hope she can sleep it off"

Lena smirked "I didn't know Kara Danvers was a schemer"

"Oh, I can be very schemer-y" she added with a cheeky grin before fixing her glasses.

"Miss Luthor?" her secretariat called from the door sneaking her head in.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt but you asked me to tell you right away as soon as Doctor Erikson from the fertility aisle could give you an appointment"

Kara choked on her bite forgetting completely if she really needed to breathe or not as she shockedly gazed upon her best friend whom threw an unamused glance towards her secretariat.

"Thank you, please schedule it in the nearest date possible and keep me posted in a more discrete manner" she reproached the younger woman.

"Y-yes, Miss Luthor, I'm sorry" she promptly left the room while Kara looked at her expectantly.

Lena rapidly raised her hands up "It's not what you think, I promise"

"Um, well then can you illustrate me as why are you getting an appointment with a fertility expert?"

"Research"

"I'm the reporter and unless L-Corp opens a maternity wing that's not adding up"

Lena sighed looking away "It's not for me it's...I was thinking about suggesting Alex to explore her options"

Kara was dumbfounded, her mouth hanging uselessly open.

"It's such a delicate topic I really wanted to have all the facts ready before even bringing up the idea. Besides I'm not sure if there's a line I'm crossing by even suggesting such a thing. I started this little investigation before Sawyers made an appearance, now I'm not certain if I should say it"

"Wow Lena this is...I mean..." Kara began trying to untangle her own feelings on the matter "Having kids is such a major part of Alex's plans...and...I can see you have been doing your homework but..." she pushed her lips to a side thinking it through "I don't even know what to tell you, she's my sister and most of this topic is on a grey area for me"

Lena exhaled half deflated "Yeah, I did assume it wouldn't be a very open topic for discussion"

"Still...I think you should tell her" Kara added carefully "It's like you said, she should at least know there are options and...well she really doesn't discuss this with me or Eliza so...perhaps you can help her through" she shrugged "maybe this will be her way to go around having kids, maybe not, but she should at least explore the possibility"

Lena smiled tentatively "Thanks Kara"

"Hey" she reached for her hand holding it gently "I'm really the one that should be thanking you. If it weren't for you...well I'm pretty sure Alex would be on a bad place, but you were there to help her through, it means a lot"

Lena smiled fully "She means a lot to me too"

Alex turned on her phone once more seeing all the missed calls and text she had from work, friends and family, but she only cared to see one in particular.

-Hey, Kara told me you were sleeping in today, just checking how it all went with Maggie. I'm here if you need to talk-

Alex dialed waiting nervously, she felt like she owed the Luthor an apology or an explanation or both or neither. She really just needed to hear from her, to hear her voice.

"Alex?" the CEO's tone carried through the speaker and into Alex's room like fresh spring air.

"L-Lena, hey, hi, um..." Alex shut her eyes tight "sorry" she finally said.

"I'm...afraid I don't quite understand? Is something wrong?"

"Oh, no, no, I just- I feel like yesterday I dismissed you so effortlessly and-" she swallowed "I know you were helping me I just really needed to speak to Maggie and now that I have a clear head just-sorry" she pressed her lips into a fine line waiting for any kind of response but there was just silence "Lena?"

"Pardon, not trying to ghost you I just don't know what to say, to be honest" she cleared her throat " if I'm being forward I did felt- well I didn't want to leave you-your homelike that knowing that Maggie was there, I do understand you had unresolved issues I just worried...I'm still worried to be frank, all I wanted to get out of this call was to know how were you feeling, so…"

Alex smiled to herself taking a deep breath before starting over "I'm fine, thank you. Actually thanks to you, anyway" she sat down "I was thinking maybe we could meet? Less drama this time? Just…talk?"

Lena chuckled "Of course, whose turn is to buy this time?"

"I believe it's on me" Alex said "you can pick the place, however"

"I'll make reservations, then"

"Great" Alex smiled to herself "what meal are we missing, we already had lunch, breakfast and take outs"

"You are forgetting the kale pizza"

"Right" she giggled "and the gala"

"True, so…how about dinner?"

"Ok" Alex felt her hands sweat "how does tonight sound?"

"That... works for me. I'll text you the address later"

"Perfect. See you then, Miss Luthor"

"Don't be late, Agent Danvers"

Of course Lena would have chosen a fancy restaurant to meet and Alex was happy to oblige to anything that wasn't Big Belly Burger for a change. The only problem she had was that 'nothing to wear' just became a real problem since she wanted to be up to the standard of the place she was going and the only piece of clothing that was suitable was the same dress Lena had given her. So against all the etiquette her mother had taught her, she once more wore the same dress and made it to the restaurant.

The place was of course situated at the highest floor of a luxurious hotel Alex only knew by name. So she was not expecting the man on the front desk to even mind her so it came as a surprise when he approached her.

"Madame Alexandra Danvers?" he inquired.

"Um, Alex is fine" she said "I assume Lena is here already since you know who I am?"

"Of course, Madame Luthor left instructions, if you would follow me" he escorted her to the elevator and right to the top floor where the restaurant was completely empty but a single table at the center just under achandelier. And right there was Lena Luthor waiting patiently while drinking a glass of wine.

The slim man cleared his throat "Madame Luthor, your guest has arrived"

"Thank you" she stood up greeting Alex with a smile that could had lighted up the whole night sky "I see you did fancy the dress"

The agent blushed "It's the only worthwhile dress I have"

"We should fix that" Lena smirked "have a seat please"

Alex did as three waitress stood by waiting for instructions while one poured her a glass as well.

"If this a slow night? Where's everybody else?"

Lena grinned coyly "I rented the place for the evening"

Alex almost spitted out her drink, being only glad she didn't because she wouldn't had been able to live down that embarrassment "The restaurant is just for us?"

"Well, since in our first lunch I was, quote on quote 'attacked', I didn't want to be disturbed for a second occasion" she explained "So there's no one but us and a very trustworthy staff that I have known for years, so we can talk with less drama as you put it earlier"

Alex felt her face heat up; no one had ever gone so out of their way for her "I don't know what to say…thanks?"

Lena chuckled "No need" she unfolded the napkin as they placed the main course in front of them "I guess I wanted a bit of calm as well, something slightly more private and intimate" she offered trying to figure out if that might be the right time to bring up the idea of looking for a donor so she could have a kid of her own.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I could get used to this" Alex motioned around, perhaps a little bit out of her element "but for private and intimate this is not the definition I have in mind" she admitted.

Lena was suddenly aback, since she thought that would be the right place "Oh, so what might you consider to have those qualities?"

Alex suddenly became shy as she shrugged "Well, honestly…your place or- or mine" she cleared her throat "it kind of became familiar. You have been into the core of my house and seen me in my very lowest and I have been to yours -" she bit her tongue suddenly aware that she hadn't actually confessed she had been there to take care of her when drunk "y-you know what I mean. Homes tend to be a bit more warm and welcome"

"I honestly wouldn't know" Lena said casually taking another swing to her drink, perhaps building up walls around the subject, but Alex saw right through it.

"Most had been lonely" she mumbled.

"Actually being alone was the greatest blessing in that house, it was far worse to be all in one room" she said bitterly setting the wine down just for her hand to be taken into a softer one.

"Hey" Alex cooed.

"I'm fine" Lena assured "It's never a pleasant road down on memory lane, that's all"

"I wish it wouldn't had to be so painful"

"It's ok, really. That's all in the past, I have my own life now" she said more to herself "I still rather have loneliness in a place that is my own than share suffering in someone else's roof"

Alex frowned knowing that was a very depressing thought to have "Seems like you too have been looking for your own corner of the world"

Lena smiled "Maybe just in a different way than you"

"Have you never considered…having your own family?"

"Pardon?"

"Well…to settle down?Marry?"

"I am very invested in my work; I don't think I would ever have the time to entertain the thought"

"I understand that" Alex said "my job is a very important part of who I am, but at the end of the day I want to go to something bigger than that when I get home. I guess I got tired of having an empty apartment and a couch one space too big for one person."

Lena stood silent really pondering at that thought; she too had grown wary of how much space there was and how little it fulfilled her. But she couldn't bring herself to see herself in a family, not at the risk of becoming like Lex or Lillian. She rather be alone and avoid the possibility of turning into the very role models that wounded her so badly.

"I guess we have different visions on life, Agent Danvers"

The red head smiled faintly "I guess we do, Miss Luthor" she tilted her head to the side "still, I believe us to be very much alike"

"Is that so?"

"I'm afraid" Alex shrugged mockingly "Next thing we know I might buy into some of L-Corps actions"

"But not CatCo's? I'm hurt"

"Oh please, like if you hadn't bought that company just so my sister could keep her job"

Lena actually blushed at the remark "I hope it wasn't that obvious"

"That my sister couldn't ever get another job but that same one?"

"That's mean, almost puts Lex to shame on the sibling department"

"Almost? I should improve my game" she nagged laughing alongside.

Lena leaned back allowing to escape her lips a heartfelt laugh, she felt that on ease in her company.

After a delicious meal and a beautiful view of the city at night it was time to conclude their dinner, but neither seemed too eager to do that just yet.

"Hey, I'm glad we could meet like this" Alex commented as they reached the lobby "quoting my own words, with less drama"

Lena smirked "Yeah, it was nice to slow down for a spell" she said considering that maybe that night was not the one to tell her about her research.

"Yeah" Alex stared fondly "hey…if it's not too late…maybe we could go for private and familiar?" she suggested "I'm sure I can find in my DVR the last season of the college robotic championship"

Lena had way more reasons to say no given that it was a week night than to say yes and still she couldn't find it in her to refuse "Sure, I've missed those days" she admitted.

"Great" Alex smiled "Let's go"

Not long after arriving Alex changed from the outstanding red dress to the most comfortable and common pants and sweater she could find, giving Lena a spare, the same ones she had lent her before. It was an odd concept to actually be able to say those were her usual clothes, the sense of a routine and the feeling of belonging actually washed over Lena as she could move around the house with such ease and familiarity, even having a favorite spot on the couch that belonged just to her.

The pretext of watching the robotic championship quickly faded to the background as they were talking over the TV, planning more projects for L-Corp and sharing ideas and theories. Just having the other as company made the most sense in a very peculiar way.

"So you say you plan to expand your technology to outter space?"

"I mean, Supergirl comes and goes as she pleases, getting out there should be more of a possibility to the average person"

"Wouldn't that be grand?" Alex chuckled "I could tell my kid, 'hey, do you want to go to the park or to one of Jupiter's moons?' "

Lena's smile grew softer as she tentatively tried to approach the subject "Am I to assume you would take your kid to space camp instead of the girls scouts?"

"I mean, if my line of work stays the same, I would like someone to follow my mantle….from a very safe and almost distant position" she reconsidered.

Lena kicked her feet up the couch getting to a better position to be face to face with her "Can I ask… do you want to give birth to your kid?" Alex stood dumbfounded for an instant and Lena couldn't wait another second before blurting out "Because I have an opening with Doctor Eriksen if you'd like to try"

Alex blinked the surprise away "Doctor Eriksen? I've tried to get through his secretariat for months"

Lena almost exhaled relieved as to hear Alex had actually thought the possibility "Well, if you want to, next Wednesday you can go see him at five o'clock"

"Wow" Alex settled her beer down letting that information sink in "I mean I've waited so long and now this feels so rushed"

"You don't have to agree if you don't feel comfortable with it" Lena cut in to say noticing how the red head had turned a bit pale.

"It's not that, I want to go, I so dream to go, you have no idea how grateful I am!" she twiddled her thumbs "It's just…I haven't told Kara or Eliza that I was looking into it and…I don't feel ready to tell them yet. I don't want to get their hopes up beforehand... I wanted to have some results before even thinking that could be a possibility for me" she explained "But now that I could actually go it feels sort of…frightening to face whatever the truth might be"

Lena could see glimmering through her eyes the fear of going alone, she knew that sentiment all too well "Alex" she reached for her hand squeezing lightly "If you allow me and only if you agree to it…could I accompany you?" she asked softly.

"L-Lena you don't have to-"

The CEO shook her head "Do you want me to come along with you?"

Alex could feel her eyes watery, truly moved by her kindness as she squeezed back her hand "I would be…so relieved if you did, you have no idea"

"Then there I shall be" she smirked trying to lighten the mood knowing how overwhelmed she might feel.

Alex launched forward crashing into her arms "Thank you, Lena" she said yet again to the Luthor. In the last weeks she had leaned into the woman like her rock and not once had she ever let her down.

"It's my pleasure" Lena replied hugging back, it felt all so natural and welcoming now. It wasn't just a greeting gesture or a formality, it was genuine "I'm glad I can be there" she mumbled resting on her shoulder.

Alex could hear the fondness of her words and something inside turned as she recalled Maggie's words. She too had been keeping secrets form her and for the first time it frightened her to lose her due to all the things that were unsaid.

"I'll always be there for you too, Lena" she said what seemed to be something out of the blue, maybe she couldn't say the truth about Kara, but she could begin about her own little secrets "You won't lose me" she assured.

Lena's posture shifted as she heard her but Alex held on tighter.

"I…I know you've lost so many…Lionel, Lex, your mother…" she mumbled "and…you can be broken too, you know I am so…I…I don't- I won't leave"

Lena slipped away from her arms trying to meet her eyes "I…I don't quite understand what you are-"

"I've seen you" Alex tried again "When…when you were over your head with drinks the night before the gala, Supergirl took you home and…called me"

Lena's eyes widened in a mix of realization and horror.

"And I stayed there and you talked to me…in a way that wasn't censored or coy or anything and you let all your walls down and told me it was hard for you to be seen like that"

Lena actually jolted up turning around "I…don't think I want to hear more"

Alex stood up after her "What I am trying to say is that you told me you were afraid to be broken because you feared that at the first sign of weakness you might be left alone"

The Luthor covered her face "You had every opportunity to say any of this the morning of the Gala, why bring it up now?" she looked over her shoulder.

"Because…I left" Alex said with little voice carrying shame in her tone "I told you I wasn't going anywhere and as soon as I felt the weight of having crossed that line, of getting that much trust out of you, it scared me. I didn't want to change how our dynamic was, so I figured that if you thought that part was untouched you wouldn't feel awkward around me" she looked at the ground "so when you didn't recall anything that morning I played along…" she tried to look for Lena's eyes "but now I realize just how much…talking to you, really talking to you means to me, how it sooths, nurtures and… I would want it to be both ways. You trusted me when you had no filters, I know you are sober now and aware of how difficult that is, but… if I can help you unload all the weight you carry on your shoulders, it would make so incredibly happy. Because you have no idea just how much you have helped me just by staying by my side when everything felt like crumbling" she took a step closer "so this time, I swear, I'm not leaving, even if you think you are broken or damage, I'll stay, you don't have to suffer through another lose" she reached to touch her shoulder as the Luthor was facing away and almost feared the rejection when she saw her shiver.

"I've lost so many" Lena whispered, her voice quivering as she tried to hold back a small sob.

Alex nodded, she knew this already "It doesn't get simpler when someone else walks away, I am aware, my words aren't empty, Lena" she embraced her from behind leaning into her shoulder blade "I'm here for you too" she said heartedly "I want you to know that".

Lena turned around and embraced her, for once being the one to seek comfort and relaying on someone else to be there to pick up her broken pieces. And Alex was there to do just that.