Morning of the Gala…

Kara sat in her apartment with a book and a smoothie from Noonan's in her hands in her window and let the rays of the sun beat down upon her dressed in a pair of shorts and a tank top. If she wasn't an alien she should have frozen, but she sat there with the window open, in summer attire in the middle of a National City fall. Which in this case was sunny with a high in the 50s. There was a knock on her door and she looked from the pages of her novel, and then tilted her glasses down. She blinked back and wondered what in the hell she was doing there. She padded over to the door and opened it up, arm still holding the door and her body loosely tilted to the side.

Dear Lord in Heaven what was she wearing? Cat thought. She clenched her jaw as she let her eyes rove over the super's body. Kara's posture once very… confident, shifted as Cat let her eyes drink in the length if Kara's legs, and the tanned silkiness of her shoulders.

"A little cold don't you think?" Cat quirked and eyebrow. That was it, she broke Kara. She let the woman nervously tut around her apartment, cleaning where there was no mess. Cat sighed, and Kara looked up.

"I came to see if you were alright," Cat stated not sitting, not taking off her coat. Kara stood straight and placed her hands on her hips in her signature superhero pose. Cat recognized it for what it was.

"I am fine, Cat, actually I was about to get ready for the event this evening," Kara lied. She hated doing it but part of her felt her chest rise and fall in a weighted, heavy way. Cat watched her protégé, no, her friend.

"How in the world have I hurt you?" Cat cut through the bull shit. She was tired of it. Kara flinched and then Cat stepped forward, "I have always been honest with you about this Kara," Cat indicated her chest. Her words never betrayed the erratic beating of her maimed heart.

"You never once mentioned Alex," Kara whispered then she blinked as if she woke from a trance, "It's time to get ready Cat. I'll see you at the Gala," Kara tried to keep her composure, but when Cat glared at her like that, peered into her soul as she dove into her eyes, part of her squirmed and wanted to gush all her secrets.

"Alex Danvers," Cat began and watched as Kara's shoulders lifted and her eyes finally found her former bosses eyes, eagerly waiting for a morsel of information. Cat wanted to give in to Kara, but Kara had to understand she can't play with fire and not get burned, even if it was her heart. She wasn't a damned Luthor either. "Will be my date because you were already taken," Cat turned to the door but looked over her shoulder, "Remember who you chose Kara. Or have you chosen?" With those words Cat stepped proudly from Kara's apartment, leaving the woman in her wake confused, and miserable.

BEEP!

Kara pulled of her phone from her pocket.

Lena: How does 7pm sound for picking you up tonight?

Kara looked down at the screen and squeezed the phone until she heard the plastic and metal begin to stress and then responded.

Kara: I can't wait

Across the City…

Tap… tap… tap…

Sora ran, and she knew it was from Layla, the only person that felt right in everything that they did together. The way Layla looked at Sora for weeks could now only be explained by Layla's confusion and her inability to comprehend the gravity of being around her. Sora practically flew down the steps of the cliff face. Her legs carried her farther and farther down the beach, her feet sinking into the cold wet sand. Away from the woman that threatened to break her heart or tear her soul asunder. Away from the woman she was beginning to love.

Alex moved her headphones and listened. Something was… Na. She looked at her timer, she had time. She was waiting for a package anyways. All Cat said was to wear her hair in an up do, if she could manage that, and eye shadow in smoky shades of emerald if she could. Alex sighed when she got the demanding text and went to work. She was ready, make-up hair and all. All she waited for was the tux Cat said she would get to her.

There it was again… Oh, the damned door. It must be the clothes. She looked at her computer screen and sighed, it was 7:36 pm. She hated being late. But this was a different world, where fashionably late was better than being on time. Gods, she hated it. Alex hit save and rushed to the door. As soon as she opened the door Eve Tessmacher flew into her apartment in a flurry of words, and rambling. Alex looked out into the hallway and noticed no one else there. Alex shut the door sand turned around as she saw the woman hang a garment bag on the doorframe.

"Hello," Alex said as she looked at the woman waiting for the rambling assistant to look at her. Eve finally looked up and blinked.

"Wow," Eve said and then shook herself, "Miss Grant said you are an Agent, she never said you are gorgeous," Eve tilted her head.

"Um, we have met before Eve," Alex said stiffly, and awkwardly.

"Oh yes, but you usually don't look like this," Eve indicated with her hand to Alex and Alex let out an exasperated half laugh embarrassed. "I mean you don't usually look gorgeous, no I mean, you don't look…"

"I get it. I don't look made up," Alex helped.

"Yes, exactly. I never knew you would polish up this nicely, and I think your hair is just perfect for the dress," Eve said as she went to the garment bag.

"Wait… dress?" Alex straightened, and reached out suddenly caught unaware. Eve simply smiled, a light in her eyes, and then unzipped the bag. Alex hated dresses, no scratch that, she hated getting into them. She rather enjoyed the effect they had on people, and she hated to toot her own horn, but she knew she made a dress rock. But this dress, it was breathtaking. She looked at it, and then to the shoe box that came with it, and then another box… smaller and velvety. Holy shit! Cat Grant just Pretty Woman-ed her. She reached for her phone, dialed the number.

"Put the dress on Danvers," Cat demanded nonchalantly as she answered the phone. Alex listened and heard papers shuffle.

"Are you still at the office? When will you get ready?" Alex asked confused.

"Unlike 99% of the world's population, I was born ready for these parties dear. Now, get your skinny ass in the dress and I will meet you here."

"Cat I thought I was wearing a tux," Alex tried to argue but she was cut off.

"I can't let you have all the fun Agent. I always wanted to show up with a striking woman on my arm, and a revealing tux on my body. Don't worry dear, there are flowing lines in the dress for a reason, use them. You bring the gun, and I'll bring the champagne. We will be the talk of the ball," Cat said in to the phone.

"Cat…" Alex paused as she continued to look at the dress. Then Eve opened the velvet box. Her breath fled her lungs, "I'll see you there."

She walked over to Eve.

"Are they real?" Alex asked as she ran her fingertips over emerald diamond studs, and a neckless that dropped just to the hollow of her throat as she put it on. Polished emeralds outlined in little diamond studs on a silver chain.

"Miss Grant never goes halfway," Eve supplied. Then Alex went to put her hand to the clasp to take the jewelry off, but Eve stopped her. "When she and I picked out your attire, I have never seen her have so much fun. Please Indulge her, besides you would be helping me by wearing the nights outfit. She threated me with me job if I didn't have you show up in this outfit," Eve paused and softened her eyes and placed a hand on Alex's arms, "You will both look splendid together. Too bad you are just friends," Eve said then took her hand away and placed the items down.

"You know about that?" Alex asked swallowing. Cat's prior comment about lips on the older Danvers's pulse still made her jump.

"Oh yes, she only has eyes for a certain reporter," Eve said and then turned around with a maniacal look on her face, "Now let's get you out of those clothes and into your outfit, shall we?"

Alex didn't have a chance.

8:17pm…

"Where is the hostess of this extravaganza?" Lena asked Kara as she smiled up into the blue eyes of her constant. No matter if it was a friend, or possibly more, Kara had always been a constant. She believed in her, blindly some people would say, but Lena would always hope it was with love and loyalty that the super chose her. Yes, Kara chose her, and Lena knew it. It was practically smacked into her daily by the headlines in the papers. Luthor Reformed or Mastermind Remastered? Or one her favorites… Sister, or Protégé? Manipulator or Savior?

Lena watched Kara as she looked around as if figuring something out. She placed a hand on Kara's arm questioning and Kara looked down then looked up and around.

"Lena, what kind of Gala is this?" Kara asked as she saw the pairings, partners and dancers on the dancefloor. Lena pinched her lips together to refrain from laughing.

"Kara, you work here, you must know that this is a Gala to raise funds for the LGBT outreach programs for young people new or struggling in the community?" Lena asked and then she watched as Kara's eyes went wide.

"So everyone here is…" Kara blinked and smiled, "I'm so proud of this event," she beamed down at Lena and Lena, lost in that radiant smile, was reminded of why she loved Kara so dearly. There was a murmur in the crowd, but everyone went about their partying. Lena looked around and was gifted with the back of a splendid emerald dress. The lines were exquisite, and the cut was brilliant. She had to inquire about that dress, who the hell made it, and could she get one similar?

"Kara, I want to inquire about that dress," Lena said and tugged on Kara's hand, but Kara pulled back and smiled then blushed as her stomach spoke for her. Lena smiled brightly and cupped her dates cheek and gave her a kiss to the cheek telling her food awaits. Lena turned with a champagne flute in her hand as she walked to the woman in the green dress. She walked up next to her and then looked out over the crowd, playing it off that she just arrived. To look around and the woman just so happened to be in her vicinity.

"I bet you want you Caramel Macchiato right about now don't you," the voice teased and then Lena turned her head slowly and was met with a cheeky grim, "Maybe coffee ice cream in a waffle cone?" the woman winked and smiled brightly.

"You…" Lena began to say, but her voice stopped as she looked Alex up and down. The dress was full length but held off the ground by Alex in a pair of matching emerald pumps. The dress hugged her hips but flowed about her legs. Tiny rhinestones made small Celtic patterns and knots over the fabric, and the neckline plunged… deeply to the top of her abdomen. The on-shoulder dress fell comfortably and perfectly.

"Me…" Alex said and then bit her lip looking at Lena. Lena saw the motion and then blinked. This was her Alex, the shy Agent, who could kick her ass in chess, deliver her ice cream, and tell her she is worthy.

"You look…" once again her voice got stuck in her throat. She saw Alex tense up. A hand snaked around her midsection and pulled her close to their body. Cat Grant, short even in heels was just tall enough to glare over Alex's shoulders with her smoky brown eyes in a clear bid or challenge for property. She even went as far as to place a kiss to Alex's shoulder. Lena was taken a back.

"Cat, stop, she knows," Alex smiled and turned to place an arm around Cat's shoulders and bring her forward in the conversation. Lena watched as the woman shifted next to Alex with a wicked gleam in her eyes and a devilish smile.

"You ruined a lot of my fun Danvers. You should have seen…"

"Kara, have you seen her yet?" Alex cut off her date. Alex looked down into Cat's eyes and Cat looked up challenging. She rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Fine, fine, I'll stop playing with the Luthor, but everyone else on fair game. Agreed?" Cat pinned Alex with a glare and all Alex did was smile and nod. Lena looked at the pairing. If she didn't know any better, she would say they were dating. They looked exquisite together. Even their attire was playing on their chemistry. Where Alex's outfit was to die for, Lena's eyes nearly bulged when Cat Grant came from around Alex in a white tux with Emerald trim. She wore a double-breasted tux coat buttoned, and that was it. In essence her neckline was plunging even more so than Alex's. Lena looked down at her attire and found she was positively overdressed. Then Alex's hand found hers. She looked up. In the agent's eyes she found peace, as if she knew her thoughts, and then Cat began to tug on Alex.

"Come now Agent. I need to show off my date," Cat said, winked at Lena and then slipped her arm around Alex's waist as Alex looked back but placed her arm around Cat's shoulders. Lena made it back to where Kara was at and found her date finishing up a plate of finger food. Lena smiled endearingly. Kara's going to flip, she thought. She was about to frontload Kara, but she saw the woman shift in her seat. Lena watched her eyeline and sighed.

"She is beautiful," Lena said as she looked over to Cat and Alex. Her eyes slid over Cat and how she played the crowed and mingled. She was impressed that Alex could keep up and wondered if it was a DEO class on charm. Lena smiled, Alex must have aced it.

"Yes, she is," Kara said as her eyes stalked the blonde. Lena shook her head.

"I was referring to Alex," Lena cut in and then Kara's gaze shifted and took in the woman beside Cat.

"I'll be damned," Kara muttered as she leaned forward and smiled, "She looks amazing," then looked down to Lena and saw Lena watching the pair. Then she noticed it was one person in that pair in particular.

"Lena do you have feelings for Alex?" Kara asked bluntly, not thinking before she spoke. She watched as Lena watched Alex for just a moment longer then eyes met her own. Honest, loving, loyal eyes, filled with aching pain. Kara pulled Lena to her and kissed her forehead.

KABOOM!

The rubble flew over the crowd. The transferable glass on the roof of CatCo to enclose the party from the cool elements outside shattered. Wind whipped around, and the chaos of the moment gave Kara a split second to kiss Lena's lips, then dash out. Lena placed her fingertips to her lips. It was not like…

"Lena!"

Everyone froze as the entire gala looked to the Luthor. The party goers and money givers crouched down, hoping not to draw attention to themselves. Let them have the Luthor. Lena stood tall and firm, like a queen over her subjects in another queen's land. Lena looked around and saw Alex and Cat. Alex shoved Cat into an Alcove and then lifted the hem of her dress, and pulled out a smaller, yet powerful looking handgun.

"Lena Luthor," the voice deep and mocking. Lena looked around and then spotted the ingrate in the crowd.

"James Olson," Lena sighed, of course it had to be a scorned lover. It couldn't have just been an alien. Then as She looked into his dark eyes, his sinister smile, he hit a button. Suddenly his body was incased in a shell armor, glowing green then shot into the air. You heard a groan from above them. Lena watched as Supergirl hit the roof in heap. She could see the traces of Kryptonite in her veins as James tugged the woman over the roof top.

"I took out your pet, Lena. What will you do now?" James asked as he began to walk closer to the CEO. Lena was not afraid, she will never be afraid of a terrorist. All she had to do was buy time. She noticed the longer she spoke the longer Kara seemed capable. Not up to fighting form, but at least able to create a diversion.

"How did you get Kryptonite?" She asked. She knew Alex would want to know.

"Well the people I am affiliated with like to store it for safe keeping. It's also great having a friend on the staff to knock out the cameras for you," James gloated. He hasn't thrown up a helmet yet, why?

"What do you want?" Lena asked as she held her back straight and her chin high. She was a Queen, she was a Luthor, she was a lioness. It was the chuckle that sent prickles of fear up her spine.

"The one who took you from me," He turned around sharply and tugged on something. She noticed a cord attached to a grappling hook. Lena could only think the hook was coated in Kryptonite. She looked at Kara and saw her weakening. She looked to the side and saw Cat, but no Alex. She remained calm but tried to find Alex.

"Supergirl and I only have a working relationship, James. One I wish I would have kept with you," Lena sneered and then crossed her arms. On the inside she was begging Kara for forgiveness. James rushed forward, and it was then that she could see his descent into madness. His dark eyes black with rage, and his heart charred by revenge. He grabbed her arm tightly, and then pulled her to his frame. She tried to jerk away but only ended up bruising her flesh and scrapping the skin of her tricep in the grip of the gauntlet he wore.

"You should have never left me," he sneered then looked to her lips and then her eyes, "you should have just let me do as I wish," James said with an evil grin. Lena's brow furrowed. Those are not his words. Not his speech pattern. What was going on? She looked at him. She let him get close, she lifted her hand to his cheek, then his neck. She kept eyes on his, lips an inch apart, as she searched. Nothing, then she pulled back and looked in his eyes. The same. Maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought, maybe he was this man all along.

CRACK!

James stumbled forward and let go of Lena's arm, as he spun around grabbing the back of his neck.

"Well shit," Alex said as she stumbled slightly in one of her heals. She held up one of her hands and then gently took off her heels, "You know what James. I am tired of your ass. You claim people, I hate that," Alex said and then she took off one of the studs in her ears, "You push yourself on people," She took off the other and weaved a punch from James, "Then you want to be center of attention. We should have known that was what the Guardian was for you," Alex reached for the clasp and took off the necklace. Another punch and she ducked placed herself between herself and Lena. She reached down and gave Lena the jewelry then looked across the crowd, "I think I am about to destroy this dress. I apologize and loved every moment wearing it," Alex shouted only to get a nod from Cat as she ushered people to the stair well.

"You have no idea what you are getting into Alex," James gritted with a diabolical grin. Alex crossed her arms as Lena stood up behind her and raced to free Kara from the grappling hook.

"Oh really?" Alex blocked his hand as he reached for Lena, "K-X armor, Kryptonian Extermination armor," She said as she spun him around as he tried to kick out at her, but she was more agile. He found one of the old prototypes, practically a suite of armor, not her sleeker model.

"So, I guess you do know what top secret means at the DEO," James gritted as he punched out quickly. Alex ducked but it winged her bruised ribs, and then put her on her knees. She held them. Well shit, she might have just rebroke them.

"Then you know what this armor can do," he spat thinking he had the upper ground as he began a barrage of attacks. Alex looked around and saw Lena tearing the hook from Kara, Cat ushering the last of the party goeres, and then looked to James, it was only them. She hit the juncture under the armor at the elbow and it shot off, gauntlet and all. James yelped in surprise.

"Looks like you didn't know what you had on you," Alex smiled as she punched his jaw, but she took an uppercut from the ungauntleted fist. Thank the gods or she might have shattered her teeth. She staggered back, her vision blurred, and then she focused. She waited, she just needed time. James hit her in the back flank as he went around her. She screamed in pain. The fucking ribs!

"Alex!" screamed Lena as she started forward. She needed to get to her, she needed to help her. Kara would be fine, according to Kara in about 10 min to help the agent, but could the agent survive that long. Cat was the one who held her back.

"She has a plan," Cat said and then she nodded. Alex was constantly looking around, looking, waiting. Lena looked around and then she looked at Kara. Pallor coming back, cuts on her back coming back to normal. Turns out they were incapacitating hooks and had not dug deep enough. Kara gritted waiting for her body to function. Kara finally stood and that was when Alex finally smirked. James looked behind him quickly and then found nothing, when he turned around Kara was before him, and Alex was to the side.

"James, you have no idea what you have done. You endangered so many people," Kara gritted then lowly, "You endangered someone I love," James pulled back from Kara. Alex moved. She hit another point in the armor and it shot from his body. She looked over to Cat. Lena looked at Cat and she noticed the phone in her hand.

"2 more minutes," came a voice from the phone Cat was holding. Lena smiled as she watched the super, the idiot, and the sister fight. James began throwing punches franticly.

"James, its over with," Alex said as she hit one more point under the chest plate. It exploded. That was the reason why it was a prototype. If the point was hit on the chest it exploded with a small force. Not enough to kill but definitely enough to shoot the body out of the suit, defenseless with an unknown trajectory. Kara went to launch off the roof but stumbled. Alex in the fray reached for the gauntlet. She shot out for James. Alex smiled as she watched the hook reach his body encircle his chest and then she looked to Kara. Kara reached for Alex, but not before Alex shot after James yanked off her feet. For Kara it was slow motion. She saw the cable go taught, she saw the cable jerk Alex away. She reached out but all she got was the gauntlet, not Alex. She reached out with her other hand for Alex, she screamed as she felt her fingertips brush her sisters. Off the ceiling she flew.