Lena had only dashed home to get some things, expected to be working all night triple checking the security of the battle suits as they were dismantled in house. She was not willing to take any more chances with that technology and risk losing it under her watch again. She was on the phone to her assistant when she got a knock on her apartment door late that evening. "No, I want everyone on security to be there and alert" she said as she hurried to the door intending to shoo whomever it was away before she left. "Hold on a second" she told her assistant as she opened the door. Her demeanour changed when she saw Kara standing outside, her eyes and cheeks red covered in tears. Lena stared at her in surprise, reading the upset expression on her face. "On second thoughts Miss Price, move the rest of my appointments to the morning. And tell the head of security to double check everything and I'll come back tomorrow" she said over the phone, hanging up and pulling her best friend into the apartment. Neither of them said anything, the situation seemingly etched across her posture and the tears streaming down her face. Lena put her arm around her and led her to the sofa before getting them a drink.
Many hours later the sun was rising and Kara was waking up on the sofa with a blanket draped over her body. Lena was in the kitchen putting together the best breakfast she could manage; toast and orange juice, bringing a plate to the waking woman. "sorry, I didn't realise I was that exhausted" she said apologetically looking at the living space where she nodded off, her shoes kicked off and glasses dropped on the floor, her blonde hair hanging loose.
Lena waved it off, her clothes changed into a fresh green business suit and blouse. Her bare feet walked across the carpet before hooking beneath her as she took a seat in the chair opposite, gently blowing the cup of coffee in her hands. "Sorry, I could've made coffee" she said. She wasn't used to entertaining this early in the morning.
"Its fine" she replied gratefully, picking up the undercooked bread and looking at it. Lena shrugged apologetically as Kara used her heat vision to roast to a golden brown before taking a bite. She remembered coming home to tell Lena about her break up, the woman stepping away to get the decanter, and then she was waking up on the couch. "When did I fall asleep?"
"Around thirty seconds after you sat down" she said. "I guess channelling the power of the sun takes a lot out of you."
"I guess" she laughed.
Lena looked at her in awe. "That was incredible Kara, what you did. The energy you were putting out, it was like…" she broke out laughing, realising she was about to compare her friend to a god. It had been breath-taking and terrifying. "What was it like? Having so much power?"
Kara exhaled thoughtfully. "It's hard to describe" she said. "It felt good. Scary. Empowering. It felt like I could do anything" she said hesitantly. "I don't think I should try that again" she added.
Lena nodded. she'd been up all night considering the potential doors this could open for Supergirl, until she realised this was exactly what Le and her mother had been afraid of. She didn't want to mention it but Kara, by accident, can come close to killing nearly every planet in their solar system with her energy. Scientists are already mapping the future effects on their gas giants because of Kara's actions, mapping the asteroids thrown out of orbit. They were fortunate her solar flare on earth didn't shut down every electrical device in the world. "For the sake of you, and my nerves, that might be wise" she nodded, drinking her coffee. When the girl had finished her breakfast Lena asked "how are you feeling about last night now that you've slept?"
Kara's eyes fell to the ground and she sighed. "I wasn't going to work" she admitted. "I like him. But he's right. It wouldn't have worked."
"Because of his fiancé?"
"Not just that. I wasn't honest. And the truth was I don't think I ever would've been, not with him" she confessed. "I liked being with him as Kara Danvers. He was an escape from Supergirl. A chance to be an ordinary human being, just for a while. It wasn't fair on him. Maybe it's better this way."
Lena stared back at her in sympathy, listening compassionately like a friend should. "I'm sorry" she said as Kara slumped back against the sofa. "At least you didn't end it on bad terms" she proffered. Kara nodded. "And you got at least one good night of sex out of it" she added, making Kara laugh. "At least yours wasn't a delusional maniac."
"True" she chuckled, looking at Lena. "He was a good guy. Terrible singer though. Hated karaoke."
"Hmm, sounds like he had a lucky escape then" she said, muttering something about "karaoke being overrated" which got a cushion thrown at her from the blonde. The friends laughed and began mildly bickering about their dates until Lena looked at her watch. "Crap, I need to get back to the office. I have under a dozen of Maxwell's suits to take apart before they get stolen again."
Kara picked up her phone and looked at the time. "Yeah, I need to head to work too. Check in with Dreamer. She was a little shaken yesterday."
"I'm not surprised considering how she was gasping for breath" she replied worriedly. "Your stunt in orbit gave her a panic attack. She could barely breathe. I think she was convinced you were about to cause the apocalypse."
"I'll check on her" she said, putting her shoes on and excusing herself to use the bathroom and clean herself up. When she returned she followed Lena out of the apartment. "Hey, thanks for being with me last night. I know you were busy…"
"Doesn't matter. I'm here for you" Lena assured her, squeezing her shoulder leading the way downstairs to the car. "Let me know if you need anything else. Maybe we could get drink, have a girls night."
"So long as you're not cooking. Otherwise it might still be breathing" she joked. Lena flashed her a playful scold before climbing into her car and driving to L-Corp. Kara set off in the opposite direction in order to get a proper breakfast before coming into work.
Cacto was bustling with activity thanks to yesterday, the public scrambling for new on the solar events and the technological malfunctions over the plant. Olsen was working overtime keeping all of his employees on task, recognising a national news event when he saw it. He was coordinating with reporters, photographers and informants, directing them to key industries and people in the streets to talk to and interview. The phone calls hadn't stopped for hours, and when he wasn't taking them he was emailing or meeting staff in his office.
The only reporter not covering the current events was Nia Nal, who he'd given the morning to work on a secondary story. Not because she was too junior for stories this big, he considered her one of his best, but because he saw the moment she walked in her heart wasn't in it today. He gave her an assignment to draft up some research, minimal and boring, but she didn't complain. She used the quiet to gather her bearings and relax, her chest still aching from how much hammering her heart did to it. When he finally pried himself from his office for five minutes he took her out to the balcony to check in on her, watching her step up to the railing and look over the city. "You should talk to her" he said again.
"I can't" she replied, unable to look at him.
"You know she didn't mean to scare us like that…"
"She could've" she squeaked, her voice still shaking. "For a moment, she could've. I've been up all night thinking about it, and I realised it was true. She could be the reason this city dies in my dream."
"We don't know that" he insisted.
"I do" she said. "She could be it. And if she is, then I have to stop her."
"What if she's not?" he asked her. She shook her head, not sure what to think. "Nia, you can't keep doing this. You keep going around in circles. You know Kara wouldn't hurt anyone on this planet, right?" she reluctantly nodded. "So you need to talk to her. Tell her about these nightmares. Let her help."
"What if she can't?"
"Then let us help you" he said comfortingly. She looked up at him, conflicted in what to do. Her faith in Kara was stronger than ever, but her doubts were chipping away at her resolve. "We can talk to her together" Olsen offered gently, seeing Kara step into the bullpen though the glass.
Nia followed his gaze and gulped, immediately turning away breathing heavily. "I'm scared of what might happen" she admitted.
Olsen nodded supportively. "We'll face them together" he promised, gently leading Nia back into the building walking between the cubicles.
Kara logged into her computer at her desk and draped her jacket over the chair, about to sit down when Olsen greeted her politely. "Hey, sorry I'm late. But I was…"
"Its fine Kara" he said interrupting her, glancing at a nervous Nia before asking "could you step into my office for a minute?"
Kara narrowed her eyes in confusion as she willingly followed the pair into the glass room, feeling like she was being sent to the principal's office back in school. She watched Olsen close the door and then draw the blinds around the office obscuring them from the rest of the building. Kara looked at Nia who paced nervously by his desk. "What's going on?" she asked, growing concerned at how odd they were acting. James didn't answer as he politely gestured for her to take a seat. She reluctantly did so, looking at them worried. "Am I in trouble?"
"No" he told her, taking a seat opposite looking at Nia.
Kara followed his gaze as saw her trembling. He took her hand and gently guided her into her seat before she hesitantly looked up at her mentor. "I… I have to tell you something" she said, sitting directly opposite her. Kara leant forward in her seat. She wanted to help. When she reached for her hands and saw her pull away she saw the fear from last night again. "I just…need you to listen. Please?" she stammered.
Kara reluctantly sat back, nodding mutely. Olsen put his hand on Nia's shoulder in support, letting her begin when she was ready.
Alex found time to pull herself away from her job to visit L-Corp, wanting to check in with Lena personally. Not just about the Samaritan situation, but also the text messages she exchanged with Kara about her break up. As much as it pained her to see Kara hurt, a part of her was relieved. She still hadn't shaken that feeling about Jake, not even when her concerns were explained. So she went to Lena's office, walking past her assistant who buzzed her in.
"if you're hear about the suits, I'm happy to report each of their internal computers and power cores have been removed and dismantled, rendering them all completely inoperative" Lena announced at the red haired women strolled in.
"That's good to hear" she replied, standing before her desk until she was invited to take a seat. She looked around the fixed office. "Looks good. You should give us the name of your contractor."
"The DEO insurance not paying for your repairs?" she asked. Alex dodged the comment prompting a chuckle. "It's good to be back here. Even after what Maxwell did, this is my domain, if that makes sense."
"Oh it does" Alex agreed, walking over to the glass windows overlooking the city. She recalled the Luthor compulsion to rise above us lesser mortals. She turned around flashing Lena a smile. "Reclaiming what Maxwell took from you must've been nice."
"You have no idea" she smiled back spinning her chair. "I'm grateful to finally put that unfortunate part of my life behind me."
"Aren't we all" she agreed, turning back to walk to her seat. Her eyes glanced over her computer and saw a familiar face upon it. "I seem to recall you giving me grief about looking into Kara's boyfriend" she chided reading Jake's name on the screen.
Lena turned back to the monitor and scoffed. "For your information, that's our employee database" she corrected, turning the monitor so the Danvers woman could pock her nose in. Alex leant down and skimmed the file inquisitively. "I fished it out a while ago after learning he worked here" Lena explained. "Maintenance worker. A good one by all accounts. Only with us for eight months."
"And you took this out of your deep storage to check his references?" Alex asked, circling the desk returning to her seat.
"Actually I was thinking of offering him a job" she replied. When she saw Alex raise her eyebrows she said "I thought, since Kara was getting quite serious with him, he might be interested in a little stability. Give him more than one reason to stay in National City. He's certainly qualified. More qualified than maintenance."
Alex stared at Lena bemused. "I never pictured a Luthor as a matchmaker."
She shrugged. "Not that it matters any more" she sighed. "I'm assuming Kara talked to you?"
Alex nodded. "She's pretty upset, but she'd get over it."
"You still don't like him?"
"Doesn't it bother you how…off putting he is?"
Lena shrugged again. "I found him quite charming."
"He got defensive about his ex-fiancé" she argued.
"I get defensive about my family past too" Lena pointed out. "Justifiably so, might I add." Alex hung her head and gave up, realising this was an argument she could have until he was blue in the face. And the reality was she had no evidence to back up her suspicions. Lena sat forward sympathetically. "I'm sure Kara appreciates you looking out for her, but come on Alex. You're above background checks and underhanded surveillance. That's the sort of crap that would compare you to my mother" she warned.
Alex shuddered. She did not want to be compared to Lilith Luthor. "I get your point" she sighed.
Their talk was briefly interrupted when Lena's assisted poked her head in carrying a box. "Miss Luthor, those printouts from AXIS Environmental are here" she said.
"Excellent, just bring them over here Miss Price" she said, standing up to receive the box from the young woman.
"And just to remind you, your meeting with the board of directors is in half an hour" she also reported.
Lena groaned. "Thank you Miss Price. that will be all" she said politely. The receptionist nodded and left the two women to their conversation. Alex followed the young woman out. All this talk of boyfriends reminded her she hadn't been dating for a while and should really change that. Lena caught her looking and smirked. "I think she's bisexual, if you're interested."
"What? Oh, um…" she stammered, blushing from Lena's smirk. "Lena Luthor the matchmaker. I can see it now" she grumbled, looking at the box seeking to divert the topic. "What is this about AXIS?"
"Oh, just an idea I had that's falling apart at the seams" she replied looking through the records sent to her. "I thought if someone wanted to hold a large quantity of kryptonite they might need the kind of facilities AXIS Environmental have. But after combing through their permits and acquisitions there are no facilities with the right industrial support that isn't already in use by them or other companies."
"Sounds like a dead end" Alex sighed.
Lena glumly nodded in agreement. "I thought I might find the name of their contractors in their Human Resources records instead, but it would appear they…" the woman trailed off when she stumbled upon a CV paper clipped to some documents amongst the employee files, examining it curiously.
Alex looked up at her. "Did you find something?" she asked.
Lena blinked and shook her head. "No, sorry. Just a…an odd coincidence" she said, putting it back in the back brushing it aside.
Alex's mobile buzzed so she pulled it out to read. "Finally, it's an email about those account numbers Kara found" she said, opening the attachment to read it. Lena paused her search to see Alex's reaction turn to disappointment. "Another dead end" she grumbled putting her phone on the table, the attachment on her screen showing the three account numbers with the mysterious initials.
"You couldn't identify them?" Lena asked, turning her head to read the screen.
"Their struggling to cut through the tape, but they identified two of the accounts" Alex explained slumping back in her chair. "H.Y. is Henry Yin, an accountant who moved back to Korea a year ago. And K.R. was the receptionist of Maxwell's marketing department, Karen Reilly, who's been on maternity leave. Rumoured to be her co-workers baby, by the way, or so the report tells." Lena became fixated on the numbers as she read the third account while Alex confirmed "we still don't know who W.J. is but the account seems completely pedestrian."
Lena's eyes flicked to her monitor, her fingers already tapping the arrow keys scrolling through her computer to double check something. She found the same numbers in the same sequence in her database, the same account. Another odd coincidence? She looked down at the initials: W.J. could it be that simple, that devious? "Can't be" she whispered, her mind startling to make connections she didn't like.
Alex picked up her phone again and saw Lena's expression become distant. "Are you okay?" she asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
The woman stared at her before rummaging through the box against to find that document from before. Before Alex could ask her anything she was grabbing her handbag and racing to the exit. "Eveline! Cancel my meeting with the board" she ordered, picking up her coat and moving towards the lift.
Alex scrambled to follow, flashing an equally bewildered look back at her assistant as she chased after her. "What's going on?" she asked when she joined her in the lift.
"We need to check something" Lena explained, showing her the CV she took from the box. Alex's eyes narrowed. "I'm hoping an old friend can tell me I'm wrong" Lena said as the doors slid shut on her.