A/N: Thanks for the comments.
Jennifer Baratta - Thanks!
"How's it going?" Barry asked as he joined Lena and Kelly.
"According to Mary, Lex's popularity is starting to plummet." Kelly said.
"You don't seem pleased." Barry pointed out.
"I am. I just don't think it is permanent." Kelly said. "One small act will swing opinion back in his favour."
"Which would be a problem if Lex was thinking this through." Lena said. "The fact he hasn't tried countering this by rescuing a puppy means he is fully back into his old ways and is looking for revenge. All we have to do is show the world that side of him and we might win."
"This may help with that." Barry said holding out the latest edition of CatCo magazine.
Seeing the headline and the reporter's name Kelly asked.
"Kara wrote this?"
"Yes. Looks like she is back. From your expression I assume you didn't know?"
"No." Kelly said skimming the article as she did so Lena muttered.
"Hiding things is a definite trait."
Ignoring her Kelly said. "She didn't hold back with this. Has there been any fallout?"
"We don't think Lex knows yet. This doesn't hit the shelves for a few hours. It only came out online ten minutes ago."
"How did you get a copy?" Kelly asked.
"I ran to National City and Nia gave it to me." Barry explained.
"What about Supergirl?" Lena asked. "Is she back as well?"
"No. Not yet." Barry said.
"This could be a master stoke by Kara." Lena commented.
"How?" Kelly asked.
"The one thing Lex has over Kara is knowing her true identity. However, if Lex tries to name Supergirl as Kara now, it will look like he is being vindictive because of the article and making it all up. People probably won't believe him. He'll know that and it will drive him crazy."
"I'm pretty sure that wasn't her motivation with this article." Kelly said.
"Either way it will force Lex's hand." Lena replied.
-00-
"Sir. You need to see this." One of Lex's men said coming in with a tablet.
"What is it?"
"CatCo magazine is running an article on you. It is written by Kara Danvers and among other things repeats the claim you murdered the reporter."
Taking the tablet he skimmed the article before looking up at the man and asking. "Where is Mary Hamilton?"
"We are still trying to find her."
"Do that. Put everyone on it. And when you do find her, no longer just injure her."
"You want her dead?" The man asked.
"Yes. But more importantly, I want her to suffer. And I want her to send a message. So when you have killed her burn that damn S into her."
"S sir?"
"The Supercrest S." Lex said. "I want everyone to know who is to blame."
-00-
"Why am I here?" Mary asked as Luke led her into Kate's office.
"Because it isn't safe for you out there." Luke said.
"Okay, but doesn't Alice regularly just waltz in here?" Mary questioned.
"Yes. But that isn't the issue-" Luke started.
"It's a pretty big issue." Mary interrupted.
"And one that I am working on. But right now Alice is not the biggest problem. It's Lex. He has asked some of his thugs to take you out." Luke explained.
"Which you know how?"
"He has a mole. A mole with a video camera." He said handing Mary a phone. As she watched the video of him ordering her hospitalisation she asked. "How did you get this?"
"That's a long story. But the point is we have that. Can you use it?"
"Of course."
"Good." Luke said as his phone buzzed. Reading the message he added. "When you are done I have another message you can use."
"You don't look happy about that." Mary said.
"That's because this time he wants you dead."
"Where's Kate?" Mary asked.
"She went to put an end to this."
"Does she know about the second video?" Mary asked causing Luke to check his phone.
"No, it was only sent to me."
"Good." Mary said. "Because I really don't want Kate to end up in jail. So if you have a way to talk to her and keep her calm, now might be the time."
"Right." He said. "But first, let's set you up in the security room. You have plenty of internet access in there."
"I can access the internet on my phone. I can just stay here." Mary said.
"You could, but the security office is far safer and seeing people are trying to kill you it would be better for you to be in there."
"Fine." Mary reluctantly agreed.
-00-
As Lex sat in his suite sipping wine he heard the balcony door open before feeling a breeze.
"You should have practiced what you preached and locked your doors." Batwoman said standing by the window.
"Even the most valiant small time crook is put off by the drop from this height." Lex said putting his glass down and standing. "Does this visit mean you have reconsidered my offer?" He asked.
"I didn't think it was possible to dislike you more than I already did, but I was wrong." Batwoman said as she stepped more into the room.
"That's not very nice." Lex smiled. "Has something happened?"
"Plenty. But not what you think." Batwoman replied. "You made a big mistake."
"Going after your family?" Lex asked. "I don't think so."
"A mistake was attempting to go after my family." Kate said. "But that wasn't your biggest mistake."
"Do tell." Lex said.
"Your biggest mistake was issuing the order to hurt Mary in front of one of our allies."
"Hunt would never betray me." Lex said.
"Only that wasn't Hunt." Batwoman said.
"Yes it- The Martian?" Lex asked. "Dox?"
"Or another. The thing about having friends is they help you. And the thing about having lots of friends is you gets lot of help." Batwoman said. "Only it appears you don't have any and you are all alone."
"Unlike you I don't need others." Lex said.
"I have a feeling you'll need protection in prison." Kate said.
"You have nothing on me."
"Mary is releasing the video of you ordering her to be hurt as we speak."
"Which I'll claim is fake. It worked for an actual murder. It will work for this too."
"Not this time."
"So what you are going to take me in?"
"That's my dilemma. I don't think prison will help." Kate said noticing Lex reaching for something. "Don't."
"Or what? Death by a thousand papercuts?" He asked looking at the Batarang Kate was holding.
"Oh no. I was just going to use you for target practice." Kate said throwing the Batarang at Lex and hitting his leg.
"Damn it." Kate muttered as Lex swore in the background as he fell to the ground. "This new design is still going a few millimetres too low." She commented as she approached Lex. "I think it's time we moved somewhere that we won't be interrupted." With that she knocked him out.
"You could have just knocked him out." Luke pointed out.
"Then I wouldn't have known how bad the new design of the Batarang was." Kate said. "I'm going to take him to the old meat factory."
TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.