Chapter 2: Rendezvous and Revelations
Following Volcana's attack, a sea of reporters flooded around Lena Luthor.
Kara was among them, of course, but amid the flash and glare of cameras and amid the teeming throng, she could hardly get a word in edgewise.
Nor could she ask the questions that were foremost in her mind.
Still, Lena beamed at her when she saw her in the bustling crowd of faces, and Lena's smile made Kara blush.
When Lena at last ducked away from the swarm, Kara followed.
"Are you alright?" the young reporter asked, speaking no longer as a reporter but a friend.
"I am, Kara," Lena murmured, but before she could say more, she eyed the other reporters, all of whom were trickling into the secluded space after Kara's example. "Forgive me," she said abruptly, "but we can't very well talk now. Let's meet in a few days' time – after everything is settled. But I am alright, Kara. I promise I am."
There was a gentle earnestness in Lena's voice and it warmed Kara's heart. She had asked the same question as Supergirl, but was more assured by Lena's response now.
Lena's response to Supergirl had been firm and direct – to the point, but curt and lacking emotion. Kara knew that years as a public figure had caused Lena to guard her emotions, lest some adversary in the business find some way to work against her. Now, the wall that Lena Luthor, billionaire businesswoman, erected around herself before the world showed its cracks. Emotion settled back into Lena's voice and Kara knew she could trust the sincerity she felt in her friend's tone.
"A few days – Yes! Of course!" Kara breathed, watching Lena slip away.
The days passed briskly, but still Kara found herself distracted.
She flushed any time someone mentioned the Volcana attack.
She scattered papers across her desk at CatCo.
On game night, she scattered pieces across the board in the same fashion.
She even grew so flustered that, when Alex offered her a pot-sticker, it took her a moment to grab it in delight.
Soon enough, the day came.
Lena's penthouse was nigh immaculate. Kara could hardly believe it was the same place she had warded off an inferno only days before. The singes were masked, patched over, buried. It was as though Lena was trying to force out the memory of the dread. Even so, vestiges of it remained to tarn the place – small streaks of black, new bits of furniture…
The mask was almost perfect, but not quite, and so Kara hugged Lena all the deeper.
She knew Lena was resourceful, she knew Lena was strong – but she knew Lena's fragility too. She wanted this hug to show Lena how much she cared for her, to show her that she had someone by her side. At the same time, she wanted to feel Lena close – to make sure she was safe, secure, tangible, real.
"You're sure you're alright?" Kara heard herself babbling. "You're sure? Really, truly alright? I was so worried. The smoke, the fire… You just hear such wild things! Alex told me that-"
"I'm fine, Kara," Lena interjected, affectionate amusement rising in her voice. "I can take care of myself."
"I- I know," Kara stammered. "But still-"
"When you're in any way associated with the Luthor name, this is kind of par for the course. Honestly, I'd be a little shocked if there wasn't an attempt on my life every other week."
Lena spoke blithely and laughed. Kara laughed with her, but hers was a nervous laughter. She hated that Lena felt the need to make jokes to deflect the horrible things that happened to her. It made Kara anxious – and anxiousness mixed with Kara's other feelings of agitation and nervousness was not a good combination. She wanted to change the subject, had to change the subject –
"Is it true you were naked when Supergirl fought Volcana?" she blurted out.
Ooh, not the best way to change the subject.
Was this silence as long and awkward as it felt or was that just her?
Kara knew her face must be as red as a ripe strawberry. Awkwardly, she tried to save herself. "I mean-" she spluttered. "Alex mentioned that Supergirl said-"
This was not helping.
"Well," Lena said silkily, "it's good to know Supergirl felt that was integral to put in her report to the DEO."
Lena let out a beleaguered sigh, slumping onto the sofa. "And here I was, thinking that things were returning to a sense of normalcy… I suppose by now it's in every tabloid from here to Metropolis? I wouldn't know, I've been trying to lay low for these last few days…"
"No, no!" Kara said quickly… and then sheepishly added, "So it's true then?"
"It's true," Lena murmured. "Truth be told, I'm a bit of a naturist… or nudist if that's the term you'd prefer."
Kara stumbled over an ottoman, nearly tumbling backward.
"Oh?" she squeaked.