Lena slipped off Alex's frame slowly so as not to hurt the woman any more than she already had. When she heard Alex begin to breathe deeply and without pain, she watched Alex. Her eyelids shifted possibly adapting to the loss of Lena's weight on her. Lena picked up her files, the ones she was supposed to work on, and walked over to her desk. She felt her shoulders tighten, and her chest clench. She sniffed but didn't turn around. How in he hell had she gotten there? Did Alex bring forth every weakness she had? How could she deserve this piece of heaven on earth, this devil with angels wings? Then she heard the rustle of fabric and turned. Alex shifted onto her side tucked into a ball. Lena smiled at how cute the woman was and walked closer to the woman.

She went to reach out for Alex to stretch out her frame, her ribs would kill her later, when the woman flinched. Lena pulled back and then Alex shifted, and her eyelids squeezed.

"No," Alex whispered.

Lena went to her knees, and then placed her hands on Alex's shoulders and gently shook. But that seemed to make it worse. The woman began to thrash in her sleep, and Lena barely missed Alex's right hook. Lena reached for that hand and held it with her own. She placed her body over Alex's, embracing, holding her still as she could.

"Wake up, Alex, please wake up," She plead in Alex's ear, hoping that the woman would wake. But it was with a scream that Alex woke from her nightmare. She shifted and grappled with Lena's body confused, but Lena would not give into the woman.

"I love you, I love you, shhh it's me its ok," Lena soothed as best as she could, and then she felt Alex's hand on her back, clawing into her dress leaving bruises in their wake. Her breathing grew deeper, more measured. The clawing turned into strokes, and caresses.

Lena felt to woman slipping back into herself, coming into her own consciousness.

"I'm sorry," Alex whispered.

"Are you ok?" Lena asked as she pulled back from Alex, looking into her face, brushing tears from Alex's cheeks. "Do you want to talk about it?" Lena asked.

She watched as Alex swallowed and closed her eyes, but they flew open when she closed her eyes as if she saw what her dreams threw at her like a video on repeat. Alex tried to sit up but was exhausted, and sore. Lena helped her as much as she could, but Alex's face grimaced in pain.

"I saw her again," Alex muttered. Lena waited as she sat next to Alex watching her get her breath. "Astra," Alex whispered, "I remembered, or dreamed about that night I took her from Kara," Alex said and then she crumpled.

Lena placed a comforting hand on Alex's back, rubbing soothing circles in between her shoulder blades. Alex tried to stand but she couldn't. She looked for her cane, and Lena gave it to her. She walked a few steps and it dawned on Lena she was trying to escape. Lena ran to Alex. She threw her hands around Alex's waist from behind. Alex could go no further. Lena held the woman, as Alex's body wrecked with physical pain, and the emotional hurt of a reluctant killer, she held Alex to her, to her heart, anchored with strings where her soul pulled the woman to Lena's atmosphere.

"Please, don't leave me Alex," Lena said over her shoulder, "Not like this. Not when you are shutting me out."

Alex sighed heavily and then tipped her head forward, defeated by the simple 'please' that came from Lena's lips. When Lena felt like the woman would not run from her she swiftly moved to her desk and got her phone, wallet, and keys. She walked to the battered agent and then stood next to her. She held out her hand. Alex slowly took it, lose and almost reluctantly. It made Lena's heart stop, as if she wasn't wanted or needed but then Alex's grip tightened. Alex then lifted their hands to her lips and kissed the back of Lena's hand. She didn't look at Lena, but she knew what it meant for the agent to take that step to let her in.

"Give me the keys," Lena said as she held out the hand. Alex didn't argue, she simply gave her the escalade keys.

"What level?"

"4."

"Space?"

"23."

Lena nodded and walked with Alex to the elevator, slowly, steadily. Lena in that moment realized that's how their relationship would be. Slow and Steady.

After the Ride…

Alex didn't look up as she rode in the passenger seat, she didn't watch where they went, so when they stopped in the garage of an unknown building she looked around. She looked to Lena, and she shrugged and got out of the car. Alex gingerly slid from the seat, closed the door, and walked up next to Lena. Lena hit the locking mechanism and heard the SUV chirp, locked.

"I hope you don't mind but I took you home," Lena bit her lips, "My home. I didn't know how to get into your establishment, or where parking was, if there was parking, and how to get into the parking…"

"Lena…" Alex smiled softly and held out her hand, "Its ok. I just don't want to be apart from you tonight, Please. So, this is perfect," Alex's smile didn't fully reach her eyes, but it was warm, and Lena couldn't help but smile back.

The elevator ride was silent but comfortable as they stood close absorbing the support from each other. When Lena opened her door, and Alex walked in she was glad she knew where she was. She knew the layout of the apartment and could easily navigate. She began walking to the guest bed room.

"Alex where are you going?" Lena asked as she watched the woman hobble to the guest room. Alex looked to Lena and pointed to the guest room. She was lost, and she didn't want to push, or be too forward. Even though she was a walking bruise, she was a living breathing woman that wanted nothing more than a bed… but no sleep. Alex swallowed as Lena, shoeless, and eyes glimmering with a soft smile walked toward her. She shook her head. Lena lifted her hands to Alex's and pulled on the free hand without the cane. She tugged the woman to a room to the opposite side of the apartment and Alex found a large bed, huge pillows, and a fluffy crimson comforter. She didn't go in. Lena and Alex stood in the door way taking in the sight.

"From now on you are welcome to sleep in here with me," Lena bit her lip, "Wake up with me. Hold me, and of course just… be with me. If you want the guest..."

"No," Alex interrupted, "No, I would like to sleep with you. I just didn't want to be too forward," as Alex spoke her face reddened and Lena smiled. She turned away from the blushing Agent.

"Are you hungry?" she asked but a hand clasped her own and pulled.

Lena felt the lips on hers crash into a bruising kiss. She heard the cane settle against the wall and hands slide up her arms and cradle her cheeks pulling her closer. Lena, she let go. She drove forward, not realizing she pushed Alex flat against the wall. Pressing her body to her… further into her…

Thoughts escaped Alex's mind as Lena thrust her tongue into Alex's mouth, taking, and craving more. Alex let herself be pinned to the wall. She started this, and she was excited to see she didn't have to finish it. But when Lena pressed against her, her thigh… A moan ripped through her and she tore her lips from Lena's and she breathed, deep and fast and she grabbed onto Lena's hips. Her eyes slammed shut when Lena found her pulse with those roguish lips. Alex went to take advantage, use her strength to give back in equal fervor when it happened.

Lena felt the agent collapse down the wall, slide down onto her thigh and she growled, but something shifted. She opened her eyes and saw Alex, open to her but her knee crooked up lamely, while the other held up her body weight. Lena nipped and sucked on the brunette's lips.

"Let's either get you food, or get you into bed, your choice," Lena smiled against Lex's throat.

"Lena, those are not fair choices,' Alex gasped as Lena licked Alex's pulse. Alex growled, "Get me to bed you damned Luthor!" Alex ordered. All Lena could do was smile and do as she was demanded.

She smiled as Alex sat gently on the bed and sighed. Lena, and her raging libido craved to worship the agent's gorgeous frame, but something sat strange with her. She crawled up onto the bed behind Alex and rest her chin on her shoulder holding her to her smaller body.

"How about, at least for tonight I get you into bed, and I grab you some food," Lena kissed the side of Alex's face, "best of both worlds?"

Alex sighed. She felt her body hum and her heart beat pound a crashing symphony of waves in her ears but she could not truly enjoy this moment when she gasped every moment from pain, and every touch elicited a wheeze of agony from her. Alex nodded but she pulled Lena around and looked at her.

"I want you," Alex said as she softly cherished Lena's lips, "Please know that my body is on fire, and I want you intensely," Alex told the woman in her arms. Lena's eyes grew wide then a smile crept over her lips as she slid out of Alex's arms and walked to the kitchen.

"That makes both of us, Love," Lena walked from the Agent. Alex smiled like a dopy love-sick jack ass as she heard the smallest lilt of an accent. She had it bad.

Good Morning…

The meal of turkey on rye, with spicy mustard and swiss was eaten in the kitchen. Alex couldn't eat in the bed, she needed to sit up and it was just easier to sit at the kitchen table. When all was said and done, the women took turns showering, and changing into bedclothes. With Alex's admission something shifted between them. They knew there were no boundaries any longer, nothing to keep them apart from taking what they truly desired, but the need to heal kept searching hands above waistbands, and kisses from becoming all consuming. It was Lena who went to sleep first. Alex simply watched her breathe and took in the fragrance of her fancy shampoo and conditioner and her lavender lotion. Something about her enchanted the agent. She was magical, and real, so very real. Lena hurt like Alex did, felt like she did, and wanted to be treated like she did. Alex broke down all of this while watching Lena breathe, she found their lives similar, and wondered what would it be like if Lena never came to National City, if Kara never befriended the Luthor. She shook her head as her thoughts took her down a darker path. She inched closer to Lena and took a chance and kissed Lena's lips ever so lightly.

"You are worthy, Lena Luthor," Alex whispered, "You make me feel worthy too."

Alex then closed her eyes, and sleep found her quickly. She didn't dream of Astra. She didn't dream of Kara's clouded eyes when she found out she killed her aunt. She didn't dream of hulking Aliens beating the shit out of her. She dreamt of arms wrapped around her, keeping her safe and warm.

She woke to her phone going off. Alex reached for the phone quickly trying not to wake Lena.

"Danvers," she quietly growled into the phone. She felt Lena move over to her and curled around Alex as Alex rolled and sat on the edge of the bed. An arm wrapped around her stomach, and lips kissed her side.

"He's gone," Jonn's voice grit into the phone.

"He who?" Alex said as she slid her hand to Lena's arm over her stomach.

"James Olson," Jonn deadpanned.

"I'll be right in," Alex gritted into the phone. She felt an arm around her waist squeeze her and she looked down in to glittering green eyes.

"James Olson somehow escaped custody at the DEO," Alex said down to Lena as she stroked her cheek. Lena bolted up and swung her legs around the other side of Alex sitting on the other side of the woman. Alex looked from the spot her lips where and then where she sat on the other side of her. Damned woman was nimble.

"How in the hell did that happen?" Lena asked as Alex slowly stood and looked for her clothes, but her knee gave, and she hissed.

"Fuck," Alex gritted, and she stood and flexed her leg, and then to Lena. "I'm gonna need help," Alex said. Lena hopped out of bed and dug around for their clothes, and found the knee brace, then separated Alex's clothes from Lena's and they began to get dressed. Lena stood next to Alex and waited to be told what to do.

"Lena, when I say help, I mean you will have to drive too," Alex said and then Lena's eyes shot open.

"Is it that bad?" Lena asked as she nodded and walked with Alex slowly into the living room and snatched up the keys.

"I didn't get the anti-inflammatories that the doc proscribed," Alex gritted as she placed weight on her knee. "It's just bruised and swollen, but it hurts like hell." Alex reached out for Lena's hand and then let herself be led from the apartment. When they began driving Lena took a chance.

"Thank you," Lena said as she watched the road in Alex's DEO SUV. Alex raised an eyebrow, "Thank you for being human with me," Lena said and Lex reached over and squeezed her forearm.

"Only with you," Alex said and then looked ahead.

DEO…

"Status update," Alex demanded.

Lena watched as Alex stepped out of the escalade she threw up her mask. She walked straight, shoulders back, and a dark predatorial look in her eye. She was a soldier on a mission even the cane didn't take away from Alex's presence. Lena never saw Alex at work, not like this and she found she was quite powerful, commanding. She watched as soldiers in tactical gear fluttered around her and popped to attention as she walked to the command center. She hung back not wanting to get in the way. The shift in Alex was instantaneous, and Lena was human. She would admit that this Alex had a certain allure and not for the first time wished they were somewhere private.

"He broke out around 0300 hours Ma'am," a soldier gave Alex a paper.

"Prisoner transport?" Alex looked around, "Who in the hell authorized a prisoner transport!?" she bellowed and watched as some of the soldiers ducked their heads and then listened to fingers zoom over keyboards. Alex exasperated.

"Get me Agent Schott right fucking now!" Alex ordered a private that just so happened to walk by, "Where is Director Jonzz?" she demanded.

"I am here," Jonn strode up, "I was looking into the exits," Jonn looked at Lena and held his tongue. Alex nodded. He was in Martian mode flying around. He must have seen them drive up.

"There are 5 transports that could be a possibility, but I lost 2 of them in the city," he offered his face grim. Alex was about to ask him another question, but Winn was brought up escorted by a soldier.

"Winn, find out who authorized a prisoner transport of James, and then I want you to hack into the cameras and follow 5 possible transports," Alex ordered.

"But…" Winn said.

"Agent Schott, that is an order," Alex boomed, and then reached out her hand and patted him on the back, "Thank you," her tone softened.

Winn smiled and then Alex, Jonn, and Lena watched as Winn's fingers flew over the keys. Lena watched as Winn hacked into the city's traffic cams, and then watched anything coming in or out around the time of departure.

"Satellite feed is about 3 minutes slow. Use the L-Corp camera service," Lena said. Three sets of eyes looked at her, "I am paranoid, hunted by my brother's lackeys, and a psychopath for a mother. So, and set cameras all over the city," she supplied. Alex motioned her over to work with Winn. She took a step back and stood with Jonn watching all the work around her.

"How did this happen?' she asked softly, quietly.

"I don't know, but it isn't the first time there was a mole in the DEO," Jonn said and then his brow furrowed, "Something had to have been blocking me from reading the moles thoughts," He grimaced. Alex placed a hand on his forearm, comforting him, but her eyes watched Lena and Winn at the computers. They split the load. He worked satellite feeds and City cameras, she hacked her own system, and brought up her own cameras.

Winn and Lena shouted at the same time, "Found something!"

Alex and Jonn looked over their shoulders, then looked up and then down at Lena. Lena's eyes never left the screen. Her heart flew into her throat and choked her from within. She looked up to Alex.

"No, Alex, I had nothing to do with this," Lena pleaded. Alex looked at the other screen, and then to Lena.

"Get into the building camera system," she gritted, and Lena's fingers flew over the keys. A black van stopped in the L-Corp garage. They all paused when they saw a familiar blonde get out of the van, walk to the back of the van and then pull out a person. The blonde took off the hood, and then James blinked at the light as he made out his enviornment. They watched as the blonde grabbed James harshly, and then smashed into him, all lips and hands.

"KARA!?" Alex, and Lena gasped at the same time.

"Yeah what's up, Jonn texted me what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Alex moved to the side, and the camera feed showed Kara playing an impressive game of tonsil hockey with James.

"Ew, that's not funny," Kara said laughing then looked around, "No that is not funny. Alex, Lena that is not me," Kara pleaded and then looked at Jonn. He investigated her open mind, and then he turned to Alex and shook her head. Besides that, was a live feed.

"Hey look," Winn said and then Alex and Kara growled slightly, "Lillian Luthor."

"Oh shit," Lena whispered then closed her eyes, "Clone, Kara's a damned clone," Lena looked up into Alex's eyes. Then the brunette clenched her jaw. And motioned with her head to follow her.

"Jonn, Winn find who authorized prisoner transport, Kara, go to the vicinity, but NO NOT engage with the enemy. I don't know what weapons they have," Everyone nodded their orders and Alex and Lena walked to the office that Alex used. Alex sat down in a chair absolutely spent and indicated to another with her hand hoping Lena would take the hint. She looked up and saw the look in Lena's eyes, on guard, edged, and planning for the fight she knew she had coming.

"You said clone," Alex began. Lena's shoulders relaxed slightly. Alex reached over and shut the blinds. She reached out with a hand, she gave Lena a choice. Lena looked at it, face getting paler by the second.

"Hi, I am Alex Danvers, I love Lena Luthor, and I know you didn't do anything wrong," Alex watched as Lena stepped forward but watched Alex's eyes, "Trust me as I trust you. You are worth it," Alex said and that brought the Luthor to her in a heap jellified limbs.

"For moment there I thought you were going to blame me," Lena sighed, and she took Alex's hand and brought it to her lips and sat down next to her.

"No, sweetheart, but I do need to know about this cloning you think your mother has finally accomplished," Alex smiled softly.

"Well for a long time Luthor Corp tried to clone. It was one of our R&D projects," Lena sighed, "we have been close, but something always came just shy of perfect. I pulled the plug once I took over and rebranded to L-Corp because there were other things I wanted to spend my money on. Being God was not one of them," Lena smiled, and then, "She must have retained the research. Got DNA from Kara when she was captive, or bleeding, or even a simple fallen hair," Lena began to ramble.

"It could have happened at any time," Alex reassured her, "Is the clone as powerful as Kara?"

"I am not sure. Every other test subject was flawed in some way. I am not sure how much research Lillian has done under CADMUS resources. If I were you I would tell Kara to plan for a fight of the ages, and if possible take the fight out of the city. The damage could be catastrophic," Lena said as she focused on the flat side of Alex's desk, "Tell her to be on alert for Kryptonite, and expect the clone to be immune," Lena whispered.

"Immune?" Alex sat forward, and Lena looked into Alex's worried eyes.

"She would try to make a clone, without the same weaknesses," Lena said softly, suddenly very afraid for Kara. Alex stood and then Lena watched.

"Jonn, tell Kara to keep an eye out for Kryptonite, and to take the fight out of the city if possible," Alex sat back down and trued to think. She thought of plans, where to attack, what to do, and then she narrowed her eyes. She pulled on Lena and then went back to Winn.

"Winn pull up the cameras. Are they still there?' Alex asked, and then Winn and Lena went back to work, fingers flying over the keyboard. Nothing, no sign of life.

"Kara do you see them?" Alex asked through the comms.

"No, they disappeared. I'll go in," Kara said.

"NO! Stand down. Winn bring up your map of the tunnels," Winn clicked a few files and then her threw the maps on a large screen. "Are there tunnels below L-Corp?" Alex asked. Winn zoomed out and overlay the city structures over the tunnel map.

"Yep, and this one leads to…" Winn dragged the map to the left, "To the docks, near the …"

"Alex, I'm going to the docs," Kara said as she listened in.

"Be careful and do not engage," Alex then turned around toward Jonn, "Please go and help her and take 3 units with you," Jonn nodded but not before he smiled. Alex smirked and motioned with her head. Looks like they reversed their roles for a while. Winn pulled one of the computer chairs around for her and Alex sank down with a sigh but watched vigilantly for anything she could use.

"I didn't know you were in charge," Lena whispered as she pushed her chair back and sat next to Alex.

"I am not, at least not yet. I wanted to shadow Jonn until I got the hang of it," Alex replied as she watched the monitors.

"I think you have the hang of it pretty well Alex," Winn toned with a snort. Alex kicked his chair and chuckled.

"I think you are doing well," Lena said as she turned and watched the people milling about them, giving them space, and waiting, watching their leader.

"We will see," Alex said and then sighed and leaned over to Lena, "Let's hope I don't get anyone killed," Alex spoke her fear only to Lena. When Alex pulled away Alex looked at her square, no mask, and then a self-depreciating smile and then her command mask fell into place, "Winn how many other entrances at L-Corp or in the vicinity have tunnels that lead to the docs?"

Lena watched Alex work. Their jobs were not that different… If Alex took over that is.