Summary:
It's Mid December and Alex Danvers and Lena Luthor are both invited to their friend Sam Arias Wedding. Bad weather means flights are cancelled and the only way Lena can get there is by going with Alex in her SUV. And so begins their road trip.
This is a story about friends becoming lovers over the holidays. You know like in those fluffy romantic Christmas Movies.
Each Chapter is a day over the holidays. Some days may be more than one chapter.
Alex Danvers, Lena Luthor and a road trip they will never forget.
Director Alex Danvers of the DEO wasn't sure how it happened, but she volunteered to escort CEO Billionaire Lena Luthor on a road trip. Well actually, she did know, because she had been the one to say, I got the invite too and I was planning on driving up, you could always come with me .
And much to the Directors surprise, Lena had agreed to join her, admittedly Lena had been reluctant and was rather desperate because all flights had been cancelled due to the weather, but Alex was still rather amazed that Lena wanted to travel the long 14 hour journey with her. Almost 1000 miles together in the black SUV. And Alex was kinda looking forward to spending 14 hours in Lena Luthor's company because not only was she a brilliant scientist, but she was also someone Alex really wanted to get to know better. Lena intrigued Alex like no one else ever had. At first she was very wary of her, but over the last year she had gotten to know Lena, another side of her that not many people apart from her sister Kara had seen. This was the perfect opportunity to get to know her on a more personal level, she hoped. And the reason for their road trip adventure? Their friend Sam Arias was getting married and they had both been invited. Unfortunately Sam had chosen mid December to tie the knot which meant very unpredictable weather. The wedding was also being held in Aspen Colorado, so Alex made sure to put snow tyres on the SUV.
So now Alex was standing in her apartment packing a suitcase for the week ahead. And in the morning she would be picking up Miss Luthor from her penthouse. Alex looked in her closet and pulled out a dark blue suit and waistcoat with a matching tie, zipped it all up in a suit bag and placed it to one side. That would do for the wedding, it was the smartest suit she owned and cost her a couple of weeks paycheck. Then she pulled out a few shirts, one white and one black. Those she folded neatly and placed them into her suitcase, along with some sweaters, tshirts, underwear and her comfy lounge pants. Once she was finished with her packing she decided to give Lena a call, just to make sure she hadn't changed her mind. Lately things had been a bit tense. Lena had found out Kara was Supergirl about six months ago and Lena had been distant with everyone including her. The only time they had seen each other were when Lena was needed to help at the DEO. It had all become very impersonal between them, which Alex didn't really think about too much until she and Kelly Olsen broke up a few months ago. Since then she had time to think about the other people in her life and that included Lena. Where had their friendship gone? They had built up a trust between them only to have it shattered and put back years because of the Supergirl reveal.
And although Lena said everything was fine with Kara, Alex still wasn't sure where they were on the friendship scale.
Lena was relaxing with a glass of scotch in one hand and a book in the other when the call came through, she placed both down on the coffee table and answered her phone.
"Alex, hi." She was happy to hear off the Director, she wasn't sure why, but Alex's voice always made her smile. Even after everything that had happened she still had a deep respect for Director Danvers. Especially being such a brilliant mind.
"Are you ready for our road trip?" Alex asked brightly.
Lena smiled into the phone, "I'm looking forward to it, I've heard the scenery is quite stunning."
Alex looked surprised, "You haven't been there before?"
"Oh I've been there, flown, from airport to airport, you don't get to see much scenery."
"You'll love it," Alex told her, having been that route a few times before in her youth for skiing trips with friends, "unfortunately Independence Pass will be closed, which is pretty awesome, but there are some other great scenic routes."
"And whatever way we go I am sure it will be awesome," Lena replied, "What time should I be ready?"
"6am, best to make an early start, oh and I've booked us somewhere to stay, so we can rest overnight and freshen up," Alex explained. It was a long drive and Alex didn't really want to be driving that long on little sleep.
"You do know we could share the driving?" Lena's brow creased.
"It will be dark, in the middle of nowhere, mountains, snow, I would rather we stopped on route, just to be safe…" Alex replied.
"So you do like to play it safe sometimes Director," Lena quipped.
"When someone else is involved I am always safe, it's only when I am alone you have to worry about me," Alex joked, kinda. But deep down she knew it was probably true.
Lena didn't know whether to laugh or be concerned, she hated to think of Alex being so reckless with herself, but she knew only too well that Director Danvers had this part of her, dive in head first and ask questions later kind of approach to most of the things she did. Lena was surprised at how well she actually knew Alex after all.
"Well, I'd best finish packing then. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight Alex," Lena said cheerily.
"Goodnight Lena." Alex put down her phone and got ready for bed happy that Lena was in fact going with her and she wasn't imagining it.
Lena sat in the passenger seat of the black Chevy Suburban 4 wheel drive vehicle whilst Alex loaded the luggage into the back. She pulled out her phone and texted Sam to let her know they were about to start their journey across the country.
Lena: See you tomorrow and we will keep you updated.
Sam: Don't do anything I would do with Director Hot stuff. ;)
Lena: Sam! What would your fiance say?
Sam: She's used to me being a terrible flirt.
Lena: Alex is just a friend.
Sam: Sure, your wedding will be next, remember I called it.
Lena: Stop! I'm going now.
Sam: Love you, tell Alex Hi, stay safe.
Alex made Lena jump when she opened the drivers door. Alex looked at Lena with a small smile, "Sorry, didn't mean to make you jump."
Lena shrugged it off and put her phone in her pocket, "Lack of coffee, lack of sleep… please tell me we are stopping for coffee before we leave the city."
Well Alex could hardly say no, she was getting the look that said don't talk to me until I have had my coffee, "Sure, we can stop at Starbucks."
Lena looked very relieved Alex noted. So the first thing she had learnt about Lena Luthor was she was pretty grouchy in the morning if she hadn't had her coffee, and even more so for lack of sleep. For some strange reason Alex found that totally adorable. She started up the SUV and pulled away, first stop Starbucks.
They used the Starbucks drive through and Alex had come prepared with two large flasks, both to be filled with coffee for their journey.
"Your a Goddess," Lena said surprised, "Why didn't I think to do that?" She took the hot flask gratefully and her large vanilla latte to go.
"Maybe because your head is full of science and stuff," Alex quipped.
"Hey, I do think about other things too," Lena replied.
"I'm looking forward to finding out what those things are," Alex smiled and sipped her own cinnamon latte. Then she opened the bag of pastries and handed one to Lena. Breakfast was served.
Ten minutes later they were on their way out of the city.
Alex reached for the music controls, she put on one of her favourite songs.
Lena looked surprised, "Who knew you had such good taste in music."
Alex looked at Lena, "Thanks, I think. I didn't take you for a fan of Zara Larsson."
Lena started to sing along so Alex thought what the hell and joined in….
"Don't worry 'bout me
You should worry 'bout you, yeah, yeah
Keep doing what you do best, babe
That's loving only yourself, babe"
They both laughed and sang together for the first hour. And Alex saw a playful fun side to Lena that she rarely got to see. That was until Alex put on her Christmas playlist.
"Your kidding me?" Lena frowned.
Alex glanced at Lena briefly, "What? Don't tell me your the Grinch who stole Christmas?"
Lena laughed at that, "Not quite, but I just don't really do Christmas."
"Oh?" Alex enquired, "Why is that?"
"I usually work."
Alex glanced at Lena as she continued to drive, "Your serious? So your like one of those women from a Christmas movie Cliche who hates the holidays and works Christmas Day?"
Lena looked at Alex, "Yes, why are you so surprised?"
"I'm not, not really, it's just, that's really sad."
"It is what it is." Lena replied looking out of her side window now, bad memories of growing up in the Luthor household flooding her thoughts suddenly.
"Well, I am officially inviting you to the superfriends Christmas dinner," Alex told her with a smile.
"I told you, I'm not really a Christmas person," Lena snapped, a little more harshly than she intended to, "I'm afraid I'll be busy doing more important things at L-Corp."
Alex noticed Lena's mood had gone downhill rapidly and decided to change the subject, for now. She also avoided Christmas music and put on some Evanescence instead. It was quite fitting music for the mood in the vehicle.
About a quarter into their journey Alex pulled up at a rest stop and they got out and decided to fill up with gas and get something to eat. Alex looked at Lena who was picking at her burger and fries. She looked tense and had been very quiet ever since Alex had brought up the subject of the holidays. She looked around the cafe, it was decorated with holiday cheer and a Christmas Tree. Alex had noticed the way Lena had glanced at the decor with a look of displeasure. She looked across the table now and reached her hand across, placing it on Lena's. The brunette looked at Alex's hand on top of her own and slowly slipped it away and folded her arms.
"Is everything alright?" Alex finally asked with a creased brow. You could cut the tension with a knife. When no response was forthcoming Alex asked again, "Did I say something to offend you?"
Lena unfolded her arms and looked down, then she looked up and met Alex's hazel eyes.
Lena knew Alex was such a gentle person under that tough Director Danvers exterior, and here she was giving her a hard time for doing nothing wrong, "No Alex, you didn't."
"Then what is it? Please talk to me." Alex was being genuine Lena knew this but she wasn't used to talking, not to anyone, and especially when it came to talking about her past and feelings.
"It's just, this time of year, it's not easy for me," Lena finally admitted and let out a breath, "growing up as a Luthor was never easy and the holidays just passed us by like any other time of the year, mother wasn't around, father was always away on business and I was usually left to either fend for myself, left at boarding school or," she paused and frowned, "or left with Lex."
"I'm so sorry Lena, that's awful," Alex told her gently, "but isn't that even more reason to change it, make up for what you lost back then, by doing it now and doing it better? You have a new family now, friends who love you and care about you."
"Do they?" Lena asked genuinely unsure.
"Of course they do, how can you even doubt that? Kara, James, Kelly, J'onn, Nia and Brainy, you mean a lot to all of them, and to me," Alex told her. And Alex cared more than she was willing to admit.
Then Lena realised something, "Wait, why didn't Kelly come on this trip?" She knew Alex and Kelly had been seeing each other.
Alex sat back in her seat and sighed, "We split up a few months ago."
Lena raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Really? I had no idea, I thought you two were happy."
"So did I," Alex said sadly, "She couldn't cope with the work I do, it scared her too much, but it wasn't just that, there was always something missing between us, a deeper connection, that spark, so here I am, forever alone, whilst she's out in the dating pool already."
"Alex, don't say that, just because that relationship didn't work out, it doesn't mean there won't be someone out there who is just right for you," Lena told her, "For what it's worth I think you're quite a catch." Lena smiled that sexy smile that curled up on her lips and made Alex weak.
Alex looked at Lena, is she coming onto me? No, Lena had never shown any interest in me, don't be so ridiculous Alex thought to herself. Although Alex certainly wouldn't mind, not at all. That missing spark, she always felt it between herself and Lena when they had playfully flirted with each other at the DEO. But that was all it was, harmless flirting, Alex convinced herself.
"Thanks," Alex smiled weakly, "Are you finished? We should get back on the road."
"Lets go," Lena said standing and getting her purse out, "I'll pay up."
Alex tried to stop her, but Lena was having none of it, she insisted on paying because Alex was doing so much for her by driving her to her friends wedding.
When they began to drive to the Mountain Lodge at the halfway point Alex noted that Lena was much more cheerful and she even allowed Alex to put on some of her favourite Christmas songs. But she drew the line at singing along.
By the time they reached the mountains snow began to fall, when they reached the Lodge it was coming down thick and fast. Lena was glad she had the sense to wear jeans and boots with small heels as she trudged through the snow with her overnight bag over her shoulder. Alex locked the SUV and followed her into the reception area of the lodge. It was a large lodge, with around twenty rooms, it had a rustic homely feel to it and the owner greeted them with a smile.
"Can I help you ladies?" The older man asked from behind the reception desk.
Alex stepped up to the desk, "A room for Danvers, I booked it yesterday."
"Ah yes, our last available room," the man reached for the key and handed it to Alex, he smiled and winked, "have a very nice evening ladies."
Alex looked at Lena who had also noticed the wink judging by the smile she was trying to hide.
They made their way to their room and when they stepped inside they both realised exactly why the man had winked at them.
Lena raised an eyebrow at Alex, "There's only one bed!"