Author's Note: Canon adjacent one-shots that will lead in to my story "I Heard Your Voice in a Dream". I'll note specific episodes at the start of each chapter. This chapter takes place during episode 201 "The Adventures of Supergirl".


Kara Danvers has spent most of her life on Earth trying to not judge others before she gets to know them. From the time she arrived on this planet, she knew that other human-looking aliens exist and live on Earth, so treating others politely could easily stop all manner of confrontations before they even started, a good idea for someone trying to blend in. As a result, Kara became a student of body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and actually listening to the words other people used (or didn't). She can, and does, keep any background knowledge of a person in mind when she meets them, but she does her best not to let it color her first interactions with someone. She prides herself on this ability, even though she knows it sometimes drives those close to her (particularly Alex and J'onn) a little crazy.

Despite all of this, Kara feels a little on edge at the news that Lena Luthor has arrived in National City. There's too much history behind the Luthor name for her to feel any other way. Still, Kara takes time to remind herself that the vast majority of the things she hates about the Luthors really are things she hates about Lex. She doesn't know Miss Luthor at all, beyond a couple of outdated photos Kal manages to find on his phone as they walk to the new Luthor Corp. headquarters. Edgy feelings or not, Kara reminds herself to keep an open mind. Miss Luthor is not her brother, any more than Kara is Kal.

By sheer coincidence, Kara and Kal run into Miss Luthor in her office's reception area. Kara had already planned to let Kal take the lead on this, since they're using his press credentials as their cover. This turns out for the best, because as soon as Kara sees Miss Luthor she suddenly loses her train of thought. The woman is… captivating. Not just her looks, either. Her presence fills the room, a confidence that wavers only slightly when Kal starts asking questions. Kara manages to shake herself out of her stupor by the time they actually arrive in Miss Luthor's office. She gets a tiny thrill from the way Miss Luthor smiles at her and includes her in the conversation, but she also pays close attention to both Miss Luthor's and Kal's body language, particularly how Miss Luthor changes when she starts talking about her brother. This attention doesn't stop Kara from following Kal's lead and scanning the office when Miss Luthor turns her back for a moment. But it does stick in Kara's mind, as does the fact that Miss Luthor was adopted, like her. The brunette meets Kara's eyes as she mentions wanting to make a name for herself beyond her family, and Kara's sure the other woman can see how well Kara empathizes. Kara's also frankly impressed at how Miss Luthor appears to be on top of the situation already, and willing to help by offering up the information they're looking for.

Kara is not surprised in the slightest when Kal says he doesn't believe Miss Luthor. That doesn't mean, however, that she has to feel the same. Call it hope, call it suspicion, Kara doesn't think she's seen the last of the young CEO.

*SC*SC*SC*

Barely forty-eight hours later, Kara has a whole new appreciation for Lena Luthor. The woman has shown repeatedly that she can keep her head in a crisis. She clearly worries about the people who work for her, as evidenced by the way she stayed with the chopper pilot until the EMTs arrived. She has the courage to do the right thing, even when it's tough or dangerous, like going through with the re-naming ceremony. She has clearly had some manner of defensive training, if they way she shot Corben is any indication. (Kara's especially grateful for the fact that Miss Luthor was smart enough to wait until Alex was out of the line of fire for that last one.) And… she noticed Kara's contributions. Paid her a compliment. When Miss Luthor says, "I hope this isn't the last time we talk," it takes Kara a moment to find her voice.

"I hope not either," Kara replies, meaning every word.