Chapter 10
Lena hates to take off again so soon but with Sam and Jess both there, she is completely confident that L-Corp and the Foundation won't crumble. Plans are made for her and Kara to head out to Argo in three weeks, pushing Lena into the second trimester and hopefully out of the more severe morning sickness phase. She has another couple of conference calls to finish up the Chinese deal that was put on the back burner amid all the crises. She also has been having meetings with Sam about possibly extending the C-suite to include a COO. Sam immediately crunches the numbers and 15 minutes later, a second after Lena's summons, a worried Jess comes in, heels clicking quickly.
"Yes Mrs. Luthor-Danvers?", the assistant asks.
"Please Jess", Lena shakes her head a grin on her face, "I really do think it might be time to you to finally call me Lena".
"Just being professional at work Ma'am", Jess smirks.
Lena grins, glad her assistant is comfortable enough to tease her while still being the best damn assistant a CEO could ask for, don't tell Kara. "Ouch! Ma'am? I'm not that old am I?", Lena asks, feigning offense. "Relax Jess. I just figured Sam here calls me Lena why shouldn't you?", Lena reasons.
"Well, Ms. Arias is your friend and well not equal but very close in the structure of the company", Jess says, carefully, "I'm your assistant and while I know you consider us friends, and I do too, at work it's professional".
"So if you and I were 'almost equals' as you said, you'd finally call me Lena", Lena says, with a smirk and her eyebrow cocked.
"Uh well… I suppose so", Jess says, unsure, "but I don't…
"Well, I'll take that as your acceptance", Lena says, straightening the papers, "I won't be as mean as Cat Grant and expect you to hire and train my new assistant as well as learn your new role and hire and train your own but I do expect my schedule fleshed out until my trip and of course, you to help pick up the slack while I'm gone. I trust it won't take you three weeks to learn your role, considering you've helped me run the company for the last seven years".
Sam spends the entire back and forth, leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, a grin on her face, only shrugging when Jess looks to her for some sort of hint as to what Lena is talking about.
"I'm sorry… I don't understand", the women finally says, looking to Lena for clarification.
"Welcome to the C level", Lena says, "the power and freedom is great but being beholden to the board sucks".
Jess's jaw drops in shock, "You're serious?".
"That I want you as my COO…", Lena asks, "completely. There is literally no one more qualified or that I trust as much as you. Please say yes".
Jess takes a breath, gathering herself to get over her shock, "Yes, yes, of course. Thank you, Lena!".
Lena stands rounding the table to pull her ex-assistant into a hug, "I would love to keep throwing raises at you and keep you as my assistant but frankly even I can't justify an assistant's salary being that high and… it would just be wasting your potential".
Sam and Jess both laugh at that.
"Thank you, Lena", Jess says, again, wiping under her eyes.
"Now you can relax on your vacation and whenever you take maternity leave", Sam says, stepping up to sling an arm over Jess's shoulder, "We've got you covered".
"I have no doubt", Lena says.
"But you will work until either the doctor says you can't or you give birth and you will be back as soon as the 6 weeks are up", Jess says.
"She knows me so well", Lena chuckles, "I will be on a light schedule once my pregnancy progresses and I have a feeling Kara won't let me leave home before at least 8 weeks".
"Thank god for Kara", Sam and Jess both says, earning themselves a teasing Luthor glare.
The three women continue to laugh and joke, Lena feeling very good about her decision to bring Jess all the way to the top.
While Lena ties up a few loose ends at L-Corp, Kara is busy getting the next issue of CATCO into print as well as lining up things for the next couple of weeks to prepare for her departure again.
"You're taking off again, Ponytail", Snapper barks, pushing his way into her office. Although Cat offered the fishbowl near the bullpen, Kara chose to stay in her small corner office. She hates to be on display when she's acting as a human, even though every one knows her identity anyway. Besides, she's striding around the bullpen or talking with other departments 90% of the time she's in the office anyway.
"Taking my company policied time off, yes", Kara responds, not even bothering to look up at the seething man.
"You know this industry takes work Ponytail, it's a time limited field. If we miss a moment, it's gone", Snapper says.
"As is life, Mr. Carr", Kara snaps, finally looking at him, eyes dark. "I'd rather not miss any more time with my wife and family than is necessary. If you'd like to use your vacation days, I'd be happy to approve your time-off so you can enjoy life like I am". Kara takes a breath, summoning some of the boss bitch energy she's seen her wife use many a times, "And you'd do well to remember that I am your superior now so it's Mrs. Luthor-Danvers to you. Have a good day, Mr. Carr". Kara turns back to her laptop, effectively dismissing him, and a smirk lifts the corner of her mouth as she hears the door slam and Snapper's angry footsteps fade down the hall.
"Hey Kara", Nia says, hesitantly poking her head around the corner, "You good?".
"Great", Kara grins, as she stops typing to look up at the senior reporter.
"You put Snapper in his place", Nia congratulates, "but he's not happy about it".
"That man isn't happy about anything", Kara sighs, "Unfortunately, I do have to keep him somewhat happy especially as he'll have to run stuff while I'm gone".
"Actually Kiera… or do I have to call you Mrs. Luthor-Danvers as well", Cat asks, the end of her glasses on her lip.
Kara grins, jumping up from her seat to hug Cat, "Ms. Grant. What are you doing here?".
"Well when I heard Supergirl was dead… I got worried", Cat shrugs, "I was prepared to write a heartbreaking eulogy. Imagine my surprise when I returned to the land of cell reception, that you were perfectly fine".
Kara laughs, "Next time I die, I'll make sure you're the first to know Cat".
"You'd better", Cat says seriously, "Now what's this I hear about you taking a vacation?".
"Oh yeah. I suppose it's ok to tell you", Kara takes a deep breath preparing herself for the story. "There was this group of aliens from the solar system Krypton was a part of. Their homes were also destroyed when Krypton exploded", Kara says, the memories still hard to talk about, "they somehow found out that a part Argo survived and came after me wanting the new location. They threatened Lena and the child she's carrying if I didn't tell them". Kara can't help the small smile the spreads across her face at the thought of their baby.
"I'm assuming it's yours?", Cat asks.
"Yeah", Kara says, wiping a tear, "Lena can explain the science behind it but… yeah it's a piece of both of us".
"Congratulations", Cat says, pulling Kara into another hug, "Who would've known all those years ago that I sent you to interview Lena Luthor it would end up with a Luthor Super baby".
They both laugh and Kara continues, "So with all that going on it was easier if they continued to believe I was dead. The DEO went in with some reclaimed and borrowed space ships and ended it. The threat is gone but I still want to warn Argo and tell my parents about the baby. Spend some time away from all of this. Lena's been a trooper, knowing she was pregnant through all this has just been… I'm in awe of her strength", Kara shakes her head, "We're both taking some time off, to relax on Argo and then a cottage in Ireland… each of our homes before the craziness of life started".
"That sounds wonderful", Cat nods, "I'll take care of things here. Don't you worry. You just take care of that beautiful wife and child of yours".
"Always", Kara grins, "Thank you, Ms. Grant".
Cat nods, grinning as she turns on her heel an evil glint in her eye and a few seconds later, Kara hears Snapper's nervous stuttering, which is only present when Cat scares him almost bad enough to pee his pants.
The next three weeks are pretty calm for the whole group. No threats and some fun game nights as well as a sister night for Kara and Alex which Lena and Sam take as an excuse to have a girls night as well.
Sam has to almost carry Lena out of the office and make a strict no work talk rule but they do enjoy their night even if the baby doesn't like the kale on her salad. Kara cheered, kneeling down in front of her and saying, "I knew you'd be my best friend", to her stomach, to which Lena took great offense. Kara quickly recovers with a "I can have multiple best friends like Sam and Nia but you're my favorite…always", sealed with a kiss. Of course, Lena doesn't turn down the foot rubs either.
Kara even plans a small date night for them, knowing Lena hasn't really felt like herself especially now that her bump is visible if you look close enough, or is she's wearing a very slim fighting dress, which is, let's face it, most of them.
"Come on, Lee", Kara begs, sitting on the bed her pants and shirt on but unbuttoned, jacket still on the hangar, "Just let me see".
"Fine", Lena huffs, "But be honest".
"Of cour…", Kara trails off as Lena comes to stand in front of her. Kara can't form words, much less think of any to describe how amazing Lena looks. She sniffs, trying to control her emotions, "Rao, you… Lena", she finally manages to say.
"Oh Kara, is it that bad?", Lena says, already reaching for the zipper.
Kara jumps up to stop her, "No, no, stop. Lena you're… you're [beautiful]. I literally can't think of an earth word to describe it".
Now Lena's the one with loving tears in her eyes, "It took me 15 minutes to do this makeup and it only takes you 5 seconds to make me ruin it", she chuckles, gently wiping the tears under her eyes.
"Sorry", Kara smiles, sliding her hands down Lena's arms to squeeze her hands before moving to her bump, "You look so amazing pregnant. I mean I knew you were strong but to be able to literally grow our baby… thank you. I love you so much".
Lena rests her hands on Kara's shoulders, at a slight height disadvantage without her heels, and presses up for a kiss, "I love you too. Now come on I want to see this amazing date you have planned".
Despite how hard Kara worked paying attention to the foods Lena and the baby have had aversions to over the last several weeks, the baby just had to choose tonight to have an issue with onions. Kara couldn't believe her luck when Lena went pale and slightly green at the table taking off for the bathroom. Kara followed her immediately, holding her hair back and keeping her steady while she expelled the appetizers they'd just eaten.
"I'm so sorry", Kara kept repeating, "It's ok I've got you, let it out. I'm sorry".
Once Lena's over the worst of it, Kara smoothly scoops her up, dropping a wad of cash on the table and flies her straight home.
"I'm sorry. I ruined your plans", Lena says, sadly as Kara gently helps her out of the dress.
"No, no, baby", Kara soothes, "it's not your fault. I know the sickness just comes and goes. It's ok".
"But you were so sweet and had this all planned and…", Lena starts.
Kara silences her with a kiss, "Hey, hey, no… all I wanted was a nice night out with you. I'm just sorry it ended up like this".
"It was a nice night", Lena says.
"Are you hungry? Any cravings?", Kara asks, "I know we ate plenty of apps but you didn't get to eat any of the main course".
"I'm ok for now", Lena says, "maybe later".
"Ok", Kara nods, kissing Lena's shoulder as she slips the dress off. "You really did look beautiful in this but how about we just get comfy now".
"Sounds good", Lena says, laying her head back against Kara.
"I may have another idea", Kara grins, "You finish up here, comfy, warm clothes, ok?".
Lena grins, "Ok".
Kara smiles, giving her one last kiss before taking off leaving only the curtains fluttering.
15 minutes and a short flight out of the city, the couple is curled in one of their balcony chaise lounges that Kara has temporarily relocated.
"This is perfect", Lena says, curled up against Kara's chest, one arm between their bodies, the other with her fingers interlocked with Kara's over her stomach, while Kara holds her close.
Kara smiles against her forehead, "yeah? I'm glad".
Lena shifts her head, reaching up to give Kara a kiss, "You're perfect. Thank you".
"Anything for you. I just wanted tonight to be a good night before we head to Argo", Kara says.
"It's amazing", Lena says, "I always forget how many stars there are. We never get to see them in the city".
"I know", Kara says, "I used to fly out here to be able to look at them while still being able to hear if anyone needed help. It's just far enough out to get some peace".
They spend the rest of the night, cuddled up talking, even as Lena starts to doze off, lulled by the sound of Kara's voice and the steadiness of her heartbeat against her ear.
AN: I don't know why but I had so much fun writing the office scenes. Jess getting the promotion she deserves and Kara going off on Snapper lol. And of course Cat Grant also putting him in his place after checking on Kara.
Thank you so much for reading. I can't believe how far this little trilogy has gone. I don't really have anymore villains lined up so if you all want to see something either villain or fluff prompt, send me a message or comment, whichever. I'm looking at mostly fluff and just family building for Supercorp and Danvarias as well.
I don't know how much further this part will go but I'm considering a fourth part that will be one-shots, kinda, of different scenes either after this or skipped throughout this story.