Longest chapter yet! I hope you all are ok with the character death I have in this chapter. I also hope you are all still enjoying this little story. I honestly thought it was gonna be a few chapters long. Nope, still going. Can you believe it? Thank you so for the lovely reviews. I think it is one reason why I have been able to churn out chapters at this pace.

Woody, Bittersweet, Nightshade - Truth

She didn't sleep, she couldn't. Sure she drifted in and out like a light doze but sleep never came to her and she hated what she will have to do in a little while. She looked to the dark haired beauty next to her and wondered how in the hell she got here. Throughout the night she needed to shift to her back, she thinks her ribs were broken, or at the very least deeply bruised. She was nervous getting into Lena's bed. She wondered for a few days now how she would look without her make-up, with her hair down, or even in sleep. There her thoughts turned into reality in one night. She looked over and watched Lena on her side slightly curled into Alex but not quite like a lovers embrace. Kara was not wrong about Lena being more than beautiful. There were no words to describe her. Phenomenal, extraordinary, brilliant, gorgeous, sexy, or even intoxicating seemed inadequate to describe the women beside her.

Alex turned her head and looked at the ceiling and sighed. She thought she needed more time, but nope. She could feel it. She could feel the pound in her chest, and the shallow breaths she took when the woman was near. She could feel her head swim with thoughts, at first professional then they grew intimate, and lovely, they were good. She didn't have many truly good things in her life. She was not exaggerating when she did things wrong. This thought made her turn to Lena, and her arm under the pillow that Lena's head was on. She curled her arm and like magic Lena came toward her and her curves contoured to her side. Alex wrapped her arm around Lena's back and held her shoulder. She would need someone very shortly. Alex look in the moonlight on Lena face brightening it like some pale fairy creature caught in Alex's embrace. Then Alex swallowed and then looked toward her phone. She got the message 20 minutes ago and she looked once more at the clock on Lena's bed stand as it read 3:44 am.

Alex ran a finger along the side of Lena's face and jaw. She smirked when Lena's nose crinkled back and forth trying to dispel a pesky bug trying to wake her like the witch on Bewitched. Alex finally spoke. Her voice still raspy from the smoke, gunfire, and the fight. Lena's eyebrow quirked and then an eye opened slowly and Alex's heart crushed when she saw that loving smile from Lena. Then as if Lena realized where she was and who she was with her eyes flew open. Her eyes slid down their bodies, her brain took in their positions, but she never moved. Alex watched as Lena looked into her brown eyes looking for something wrong with this. Then her eyes passed to the clock, and she huffed which caused Alex to stifle a groan, but Lena scramble away but kept her hand out afraid to be near but wanting to help.

"Oh my God, Alex are you ok?" Lena asked and when Alex nodded but only barely shifted her body to lean against the pillows half sitting. Lena blinked and tilted her heard. She shook images of those dreams from her mind, as she sat in her bed watching her friend. Then Alex looked out the window.

"Remember when we had dinner, and I told you I do a lot of wrong things?" Alex asked still looking out the window. Lena tried to read the agents face, anything but the sadness in her eyes. Lena nodded but realized that Alex could not hear a nod.

"Yes, and this line of questioning at 3 something in the morning is making me nervous," Lena said as she took Alex's hand and shook it to get her attention. When brown eyes filled with tears looked at straight at her, Lena let go of Alex's hand and went to reach out for the woman but Alex shook her head and tried to sit up on the side of the bed the pain in her torso almost put her back in her bed. Ever the stubborn woman she walked shakily back into Lena's office wrapped in the covers. She knew Lena would follow her, she knew she would sit next to her but she needed to be up right, in a chair not lounging in the bed of someone she was beginning to have very deep feelings for. Finally, when she sat in the chair, Lena sat in the other wrapped up in the blanket from last night and she pulled the chair over to sit closer to Alex. Alex took a deep breath trying to pull away from the woman, trying to gain control.

"I came here, I came to you very selfishly. I have to apologize for that," Alex lifted her chin and looked in to emerald irises that seemed to glimmer in the moonlight, "I came here because there was no place I would rather be. I wanted to be here right next to you, with you, and take what very few moments of solace, and peace in these moments we seem to be able to give each other because of what I have done."

Lena noticed the gravelly voice was still present and so where those tears. But something else surfaced and she was rather surprised of it. Alex Danvers always carried herself with such strength and pride, and confidence. Self-loathing did not seem to be something she would describe the woman and yet it oozed of her in waves.

"The fire you know about, it was all over the news. Kara was following the decoy, aka the fire. When we found out about other things going on it was too late. There was an explosion, and it brought me to my knees, and threw Kara away as she rushed toward me. Then this…" Alex looked at Lena and a sad smile pulled at her lips "Not sure of the clearance but let's just say an alien came out of nowhere. I looked past him and I saw his boss getting away. I put armor piercing bullets in his knee caps as me J'onn and I ran past him for the other DEO agents to take care of."

Alex paused and swallowed, then closed her eyes and breathed heavily. Lena pulled her hand out of the blankets and reached out for the woman beside her, to coax her into talking. Off to the side Alex's phone beeped and the agent looked at the message and squeezed her eyes shut making rivulets of tears slid down her face.

"You need to know before anything else happens today Lena. After this you may never want anything to do with me. I am used to it," Alex's lips pulled in a sad smile. Lena nodded for her to continue.

"We took heavy gunfire. I am thankful for some of the Kevlar we have developed. I am not sure I would be here right now if we didn't have it. I took two to the ribs, one to the chest and another in the shoulder. J'onn faired about the same as I had, but we were pinned. Nowhere to go. So I thought what the hell, and went out in a blaze of glory, cowboy bullshit. I think back on it now, and it was very stupid. We shared gunfire until all gunfire stopped. We went in tactically, and I trained my weapon on anything that moved. But I came up on a woman," Alex looked Lena straight in the eyes, "She was alive, but barely. I have been waiting for the message that told me of her passing."

Alex looked straight to Lena as she slid out of her chair and painfully, on her knees, her head bowed in shame begged for forgiveness.

"I am so sorry Lena, I killed her," Alex whispered when no sound came she continued, "Lillian Luthor, she is… by my hands…" Alex pitched forward her knee shooting pain up her thigh, and strength leaving her as the silence in the room grew. Lena stood up and went to her phone. She sent out a message and then went back to the woman on her floor and knelt next to her and took her broken body to her chest. Alex's arms went around her tighter than a straightjacket.

"Never do that to me again Alexandria Danvers," Lena whispered into Alex's hair and ear. Alex pulled from her, eyes disbelieving. The question shaped on her lips, not sure of what going on.

"Never be so stupid again. Never ever put your life in danger like that again," Lena whispered as she closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against Alex's, "Please don't leave me after just having got you," Lena could feel her own tears fall as she leaned into Alex. Then a Beep went off again. Alex pulled the phone back. Then looked at Lena.

"The DEO needs someone to… Identify the body," Alex whispered, "Do you think you can do that?"

"Yes," Lena said weakly then got up and gently pulled Alex to her feet, "I texted Jess, and my day has been cleared, and as soon as the media get this it will be understood."

Lena walked into her room and Alex stood there in her office, pretty much where everything started. She folded the blankets, giving Lena time to change clothes when she went to put the blankets back in the room. She didn't see Lena, but she heard the shower turn off. Alex stood like a lightning struck fool as Lena came out in a towel getting clothes from closets. Lena looked up and eyes met. They burned into the other, sadness, warmth, loss, and comfort were shared between chocolate and emerald. Alex turned and rummaged in her bag and brought out her clothes. A Beep went off on Lena's Phone. The brunette checked it and smiled, and then shook her head. She walked from the room, and on her desk was a small gym bag. She took it back into the bedroom then tossed it on the bed next to Alex.

"Kara," Alex gritted as she looked into the bag her temper about to flare. Damn alien sister needs to back off!

"Kara said you were not answering the last couple of texts and asked if she could drop off a gym bag so you can be comfortable," Lena smiled as she watched Alex's shoulders drop, "She was trying to be as delicate as Kara Danvers could be Alex. I would be grateful," Lena said as she sat next to Alex on the bed still dripping and in her towel. Alex looked over to the fresh and clean Luthor. Her hand worked with a mind of its own as she slipped a wet strand of hair out of Lena's face, and then her hand lingered on Lena's cheek. Both women were frozen, but it was Alex that pulled away with her bag into the office.

"Get dressed Luthor, you are dangerous like that," Alex smiled softly bringing humor back into the room. Lena smirked and raised her eyes brow, which caused Alex to chuckle.

When they were both ready Alex guided them to a dark SUV. There were no makes, or models on it, government plates, but if Lena where to say the car looked like a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Charcoal grey, black wheels, dark grey leather interior. Lena and Alex buckled up and began their drive. With no one on the road it was smooth and nice traffic. Lena looked over to Alex and bit her lip.

"Ask your questions Lena. Remember, no secrets between us unless we can't talk about those topics," Alex said as she watched the road.

"Last night," Lena began shifting in her chair, "I said you could have told me why you didn't come to the office. Then you said I was worth it. Why did you say that?" Lena asked as she observed Alex's grip on the steering wheel tighten, and then her eyes glare at the road.

"She said you were useless, worthless, a false Luthor. Not worth the name of Luthor," Alex growled softly remembering Lilian Luthor spouting off obscenities, and threats toward her daughter, "I was not lying when I told you that you are worth it. You are worth every second of someone's time. Anyone would believe that, and feel the same way. I also was not lying when I said that I haven't felt so at ease with another person outside of Kara and J'onn in a very long while."

"What happened?" Lena asked as she processed the information about her mother. Again she witnessed the steering wheel being wrung in and iron grip. Alex chanced a glance over to Lena and then closed her eyes for a moment longer than and blink then stared back to the road.

"Because I wanted a child, I got my heart broken," Alex whispered. Lena looked at the agent with new eyes. A child? Then she thought about her life, what she wanted. Could she see a child in the future? She looked over at Alex, maybe.

At the DEO…

Lena was led to a sterile room, florescent lights, and stainless steel interior. A doctor spoke slowly and softly too her as if she were a skittish wild animal about to lash out. Honestly, she was afraid Lilian was going to NOT be in the drawer, or at the very least pop up very much alive and shoot her in the chest, then laugh as she bled out of the pristine floor as a practical joke. God, Luthors are some morbid people. She turned and saw Alex on the other side of the glass and drew strength from her presence, and then Supergirl came beside the agent and put a hand on her shoulder and then brown and blue were on her. She took a deep breath and nodded to the medical examiner.

Lena blinked, then blinked again. She waited as if perched on the balls of her feet ready to find cover but nothing happened. She looked around, nothing. She stepped closer and looked at her mother's face. She looked tired. Lena's brow furrowed. She thought people were supposed to look at peace, but this strong, brilliant, super villainous woman looked so very worn out and tired. She looked older than her haughty nature allowed her when she would drop by out of nowhere and torment her and the citizens of National City in her perfectly tailored clothes, professionally cut hair, and perfect make up. Lena saw firsthand she was hiding so many things beneath those layers. She closed her eyes and let out a shuddering breath and nodded to the medical examiner that it was indeed Lilian Luthor.

She stepped away from the drawer and saw the two women in the world that meant more to her than anything. Kara threw open the door and wrapped her strong arms around Lena and rocked her back and forth. Lena watched as Alex stood back, pushed her hands in the back pockets of her skinny jeans, and then turned from them and walked down the hall, away from Lena. Lena did not miss the hurt in those eyes, just behind the mask of Agent Danvers.

Of course Kara should hold her, rock her and soothe all of Lena's fears. She knew her longer, knows more about her, how to handle Lena in times of crisis. Alex was very new to the world of Lena Luthor and she couldn't blame the woman seeking Kara out in this time. Damn it all it didn't hurt though. Alex turned the corner once more and walked into the infirmary and then walked up to Dr. Charles.

Dr. Charles was a monster of a man, but had the soul of a kitten. She always loved how he looked like he could knock down buildings with his bare hands, but hated to hurt living things. He had a healer's touch, that was for sure, and she was slightly surprised to find him sitting just where she left him to go to L-Corp several hours ago.

"Do you not sleep Bear?" joked Alex as she followed his index finger and went to sit on the examination table.

"Not when my favorite squirrel is injured and doesn't follow doctors' orders," He joked back and asked her to lose the shirt, "Thank you for coming back thought. Deep breath," he directed with his stethoscope. Alex laughed lightly at his nickname. It was all because of one OP where she scurried up a tree so fast to get a good vantage point one of the operatives came back and told the Doc. Ever since then it has been an easy back and forth. She sucked in a breath and hissed when he touched her shoulder and tried to rotate it. Then she nearly decked him when he touched her ribs.

"Ok," he said giving up and tossing his trust stethoscope on his desk. He walked over to her and handed Alex her shirt.

"Since you are too tender I'm ordering x-rays," then she was cut off.

"Pft, get Supergirl and you have an X-ray in no time," Alex darkly chuckled. She sighed and realized she was bitter at the wrong person or people for that matter, "Alright give me the gown, and I'll get in the chair. I won't fight today." Alex pouted, but was relieved that Dr. Charles didn't dig into the matter deeper. In short order she was in a hospital down, and was being rolled down to x-ray. She didn't see Lena and Kara come around the corner. She didn't see the look on Lena's face as she sped up but Kara put a hand around her wrist. She didn't see the hand that curled into a fist as she was held back as if she was about to scrimp, scrap, claw and fight be next to Alex.

When all that was said was done Alex was wheeled back to the room to get dressed. Before she even left x-ray J'onn was right there on the other side of the door. She took one look at his face, and the way his eyebrows lifted as if to tell her to fight him. He was the only father she had anymore really. Just this once she would look into those loving and caring eyes, and give in.

"Yes, Sir," Alex acknowledged softly.

"I didn't saying thing, Agent Danvers," J'onn said in his rich voice.

"You didn't have to, not this time. I'm too tired to be brave, I just want to sleep, and I hurt too much to even attempt anything energetic," Alex said looking down with her hands in her coat pockets.

"You accepting medical leave for 6 weeks?"

"3 weeks?" Alex shot back.

"5 weeks, Danvers," gruffed her commanding officer.

"4 weeks?" Alex pressed asking.

"4 weeks medical leave, and a week back here in Command central pending a medical evaluation?" J'onn said.

"J'onn, that's 5 weeks," Alex objected.

"No, its 4 weeks rest, and one week back with no operations pending a medical evaluation. I could say 5 weeks, with one week pending…"

"NO!" Alex hissed and her hand flew to her ribs, "No that's fine I'll be back in from time to time, but 4 weeks sounds like a vacation," Alex grunted displeased but willing to comply. J'onn simply nodded and then went about his business. Dr. Charles wheeled her back to the room and she got dressed. Then she looked at the doctor as he sat on his stool and looked over her x-rays. He sighed. Shit, that bad.

"You, Little Squirrel, are lucky you are walking around," he slipped on his reading glasses and read off her sheet, "You have a serious hip contusion to the left side, more bruising to the left knee, then 3 broken ribs on your left side, deep bruising to your right abdominal area, and a dislocated shoulder, which you relocated later, and Muscle tension dysphonia. I am guessing there was some hand to hand combat, someone got you into a choke hold, and now the muscles around your throat are swollen and your voice sounds off, which also is leading to discoloration around the throat. You need to take it easy and wear this," he handed her a sling, "for the next week and warm fluids will help sooth your throat. I mean it Alex, you have to wear it or it will take longer to heal. I can prescribe…"

"No, no drugs doc. I'll be alright," Alex said. It wasn't a secret she had some substance abuse a few years back. A lot of that was alcohol but she didn't want to tempt the beast with in her. Its take all she can to take a sip of Lena's wine and then none, without being rude. She may have to have a talk about that with her friend later. But right now all she wanted was her own bed.

The door burst open as she began to stand. Lena looked her over and noticed the bruises growing deeper and deeper along her jaw and neck, and the cut on her forehead was beginning to purple around the laceration, then she tried to look through the clothes but as much as she tried she could not see the rest of the injuries. She saw the sling in Alex's hands.

"Come on Doc, I want the run down right now," Kara ordered as the two women looked at each other. The Doctor was happy to be out of the line of any fire, and zipped off with Kara. The door closed and Kara waved her hand as they walked to the far side of the room.

"I already know, super hearing now shush I'm trying to listen," Kara said and the doctor simply chuckled a deep rich bass and walked on. Kara looked on and then Alex looked right at her and then Alex sighed and her face grew dark. Kara sighed and then pouted looking for J'onn. Maybe there was a bad guy to fight.

"Let me get you home. I know we have kept you far too long, and you have preparations to organize," Alex said as she slowly made to walk to the door.

"Stop right there," Lena ordered and then looked down to Alex's hands and then held out her hand, "Doctors orders, Agent Danvers."

"So what you want to play Doctor?" Alex bit her tongue as soon as it came out of her mouth and she held out her hand, "I am so sorry, I am simply tired and VERY bad, and very juvenile humor comes out at that time. Forgive me," Alex blushed. Lena blinked and then shook her head and walked toward Alex and held the sling asking which arm. Alex gestured to her left, and stayed quiet looking away. Lena made quick work of the very basic tool and then stepped away. Alex then made for the door, and then walked to the entrance way of the building. They got into the same SUV as they came in.

"How bad was it?" Lena asked. She could not get the image of Alex being rolled down a hall in the hospital gown away from her.

"I'm ok all things considered, some bruised things, swollen things, broken things, dislocated then undislocated things," Alex glanced over to Lena, "Lena I'm fine."

"How can you be so blasé about nearly dying, getting injured, and broken, and…" Lena yelled unleashing her fury upon Alex. Alex pulled the SUV over and put the car in park and then got out. Lena shook her head, mouth open and then flew out of the car, not nearly done with her rant. When she caught up with a limping Alex, Alex slipped into the passenger seat, closed the door, and then buckled up. Alex and Lena stared each other down, one with unbridled fury, and the other too tired to fight. Lena stared for a few more seconds then walked to the driver's side and slid into the seat.

"If you are going to yell at me, I don't want to be driving while you do," Alex said as she winced and then looked out the front windshield. Lena put the car in drive and drove back toward National City. The clock on the dashboard read nearly 7am. Lena sighed. Too many things, too much information, too many unprocessed emotions.

"I am sorry I yelled at you, but you seem like it is no big deal, but it is. There are too many ways the body can be rendered permanently injured, Alex," Lena looked quickly to the woman next to her, "I don't want that for you. I am sorry," Lena apologized as she reached out to pat Alex's arm but forgot about the sling and patted her thigh. Alex swallowed but nothing changed. Lena drove, Alex observed the entire way to National City.

"Where is your apartment?" Lena asked.

"Just take me to Kara's. I'll come by and get to car later," Alex said.

"That seems like our favorite excuse to spend time together doesn't it?" Lena smiled then turned to Alex seeing the smile in the agent's eyes.

"Yes, but it's always true. We either need to work out the kryptonite plan, or you have my vehicle of the day," Alex chuckled.

"You can always not have an excuse to see me, if you wanted," Lena said watching traffic trying to look nonplussed.

"I would like that," Alex watched to woman next to her, and sighed then rested her head back still watching her companion. Lena looked over to the woman, then back to the road. Alex continued to stare with warm tired eyes and a smile. Lena looked back with a smile but watched her lane change. It was starting to get to Lena.

"What?" Lena asked letting her smile stretch and actually feel the real emotions she was feeling in that moment. Alex sat quiet for just a little while still looking, watching. Then the car came to a stop in front of Kara's building. Alex took Lena's hand kissed the top then the palm. Both women stopped breathing as they looked to the other, then Alex opened the door and limped out and waved. Lena watched the woman pull out her phone. She heard a beep. She looked at her phone before she began to drive.

Alex: My Hero.

Lena looked up to catch the woman, but she was gone like a breath of wind. Lena let out what air she had in her lungs and leaned back in her seat. She tilted her head on the head rest. Yup, Alex Danvers was by far one of the most charming people she had ever met, and she might be falling into a very serious like of her.

Lena put the car in drive and headed for her office to get ready for the preparations for her mother's funeral. Once or twice throughout the day she would look at the palm of her hand and remember the softest lips she had ever known.