Chapter 3: My Little Luthor
National City, a large population of humans and alien immigrants taking refuge on Earth was a hot bed of issues. Though, sides have been drawn between them. The state's government formed a secret agency called The Department of Extranormal Operations also known as the D.E.O to protect the human species and monitor extraterrestrial presence on the planet. After, an alien was revealed to the public by saving countless lives. He resigns in Metropolis, often being referred to as a hero or Superman. He represented hope for many but others a real fear of the unknown.
The whole world trembled in fear of Lex Luthor, the C.E.O of Luthor Corp. He committed unspeakable crimes against the people of Metropolis, wealth bankrolling his projects to take down a former friend. Lex declared war against Superman. An earthquake caused by Lex's scheming to bring Superman down, though Superman brought him in and is now serving thirty-seven life sentences. Leaving Lena Luthor, adoptive sister of Lex Luthor, to take over Luthor Corp and rebrand it into a positive force to be reckoned with. Kara Danvers, a reporter for Catco received frequent weekly quotes from Lena Luthor on her new direction with L Corp. Blooming a friendship either Kara nor Lena saw coming.
Supergirl the resident hero of National City emerged into headlines after saving a plane from crashing. Since, Supergirl much like Superman has taken a city under its protection. National City remains divided between those who support aliens and who against. Criminal activity skyrocketed after Lex's arrest. Those who were still loyal to Lex banded to unite anti-alien groups targeting aliens and anyone willing to support their migration. The recent attacks on L Corp were solely orchestrated by Lex, himself, with his adoptive sister in his scope. He loathed the direction the company was taken by her hand. She stood for integrating all species while still protecting the humankind. Lex could never sit back allow his company to stand for that. He sent multiple hired hit man to her company doors just to be defeated by none other Supergirl.
========8========
Meanwhile...
Just outside of National City, a quiet neighborhood has been disrupted by a breach opening up in the backyard of a resident. Acres luscious land surrounded the house. Monica and Wally jumped out of the breach beside a colossal oak tree with a swing attached to it. The breach closed with a bright light shining in Wally's eyes. The field had a sweet harsh smell of herbs, it filled Monica's nose. She knew that smell all too well. She was home. She looked at the tree searching for a specific spot, carved letters into the bark. Her thumb rubbed over the letters (M.R. + L.L.). She couldn't believe it. She was actually back home. Her eyes watered.
Beyond the hill was the main mansion sitting past the lake. Her gaze directed to the tan brick house. She smiled that cracked her face hadn't been seen since childhood and she walked faster and faster until she was in a full run with Wally briskly running behind seeing the overwhelming excitement on her face. The lake was teardrop clear as their reflection danced through it. The grass was plush precisely cut. A mob of flies rose from the grass as their heavy feet stomped into the soil, the sun's heat pounding at their faces. They pass a massive garden of herbs and vegetables. An additional vine yield of grapes had been added to the garden. Monica slowed down as they were creeping up on the house composing herself. Inside jitters were hard to shake. She looked back at the acres of land she played on as a child. All the small memories she could no longer access in her mind. Even the memories she held dear to her throughout darkest of nights.
Wally kept his attention on the house. He nervously looked toward Monica to sense any tension but didn't. Green striped shades covered the windows sturdy columns kept up the roof and the many chimneys. Stone flowerpots went up the incline of stairs with grass that broke up the steps into threes. Monica admired the daisies tastefully places along the stairs. She headed up the stairs to the patio. They both followed the trail of marble plates to the front door. Her heart sank into her stomach once she pressed the doorbell. She could have easily used her x-ray vision to see if her parents still lived there. She couldn't, she needed to see their faces. They needed to see hers.
Wally couldn't imagine what Monica must be feeling to be home again after these years spent stranded on an alternate Earth. He knew of the sadness she felt being stuck. She had said nothing since they had successfully jumped through the breach. Wally hadn't thought to ask about Monica's family not wanting to cause her any pain. It was unavoidable now the door was opening.
Monica patted Wally on the shoulder. "Just smile." She whispered.
A well-dressed older man opened the door cleaning off his glasses to see who it was. Once, placed back on his face blurry vision cleared away the details of his daughter's face seeped into the back of his eyes. His jaw dropped his grip on the door tighten, while a woman approached the door a step from him.
"I said who's at the door, Frank?" Her head turned to see her daughter standing alongside a young man she could not place. She hadn't heard news of her daughter in years and here she was right in front of her. She felt tears escaping from her eyes.
"Mom! Dad!" Monica lunged for her father hugging endlessly.
"M-Monica?" His voice was husky yet familiar. It was him.
Monica took in a deep breath, her father squeezing her back. She pulled back to see her mother. The delicate gray-haired women had pools of tears streaming down her cheeks. Overcome with emotion she had never given up hope for her only child. Monica released her hold on her father to embrace her mother. She cried into her chest relentlessly just to pull back and smack Monica's shoulder.
"Where have you been?!" She shouted.
"I'm home now, Mom. Don't cry." She peeked at her now aging mother than to a timid Wally. "Where are my manors? This is Wally, he is my best friend, he helped me get home. This is Maria Rambeau, my mother, Frank Rambeau, my father."
Wally tried to stand bravely because in truth Monica could have gotten home with no help from him. A nervous grin came across his face sticking his hand out to the older man. Frank stepped down from the threshold to pull Wally into a bear hug.
"Anyone who helped my baby get home to us is welcome in my house. Come in."
Wally stepped into the cozy home to see double staircases that lead to a second level, sparkling diamond chandelier gleaming rays of color into the empty room.
"Can I change my clothes somewhere?"
"Oh, yes. Just upstairs two doors to the left," Maria pointed her finger toward the stairs.
"Thank you, Mrs. Rambeau." He nodded.
Wally could easily see that Monica needed time alone with her parents to explain her absences. He did not mind giving it to her. Once, he got upstairs and into the guest bedroom. He was grasping Monica coming from wealth and hiding it so well. She just did not seem to fit in this home. Monica was tough to direct for such comforts. She fit more inside the gym than in this elegantly decorated home. Wally could hear voices downstairs going back and forth. He couldn't make out the words. He looked around the room throwing his bags onto the bed. He was looking through the bag getting frustrated with his selection. He pulled out his phone to see a screensaver of Jesse. He sunk into the couch. He hadn't seen her in months, now felt further from her than normal. He locked his phone forcing it back into his pocket.
Monica's parents gathered in the living room. She explained everything the excitement once on their faces faded. The truth couldn't be more than a fairytale. She protested it was all true. Her mother wanted to believe her daughter but also needed the truth. She needed to be able to make sense of it all. Her daughter, the lucky one to be chosen the senior year at Yale to be a part of N.A.S.A. Blind to her daughter fate out in space she believed in her. It was her dream to become an astronaut. Monica knew she had no choice but to expose her powers to her parents. A level of understanding waved in at the sight of their daughter mid-air hovering above them. She looked up at the ceiling, checking for Wally.
A light knocks at the cracked open door, Monica was walking into the room.
"You miss her. It's ok to show it, Wally." Her voice smooth.
"How did you?"
She pointed up to her eyes. Wally's head tilted down glaring at the lines in his hand. The want to have Jesse around made him feel weak. She wasn't just his girlfriend. They were both speedsters now. He wanted to share his excitement with her. Now, traveling to another Earth to start his destiny. He pained to share it all with her. And, he couldn't. She was on another alternate Earth.
"How can we make it work if we're always apart?"
"Distance makes the heart grow fonder. I have experience with that. I've been in love with the same girl for years. I just could never let her go. Do you need help picking something out?" She gestured over the already messy bag. He looked up softening his resolve.
"Yes, please."
Monica helped Wally pick out a suit among the many her father collected in his youth. Wally insisted suits weren't his style. She went as far as to compare it to their super suits. A secret identity keeps them safe. Wally wavered and tried on the outfit. Monica convinced him if he wanted to be taken seriously he had to dress the part. Wally returned from the bathroom in a complete blackout suit except for his pastel yellow handkerchief. Monica laughed at the poorly folded handkerchief. Gaining her composer she refolded it properly letting Wally see himself in the closet mirror. The suit put at least five more years on Wally. His training gave him an impressive build filling out the suit nicely. She left Wally to stare at himself while she went to find her old bedroom.
She dwells too long in the bedroom before heading to her closet picking her signature style; black Burberry leather jacket, deep black jeans, Jodhpur boots in black suede, white button-down with a tan wool sweater over it. She braided her long jet black hair sectioned in the back of her head. A light pomade was added to the front of her hair slicking it back into the long braid. A double helix tattoo on either side of her skull came together at the back of her neck slightly hidden below a thin layer of hair. The single braid meant more to her than all the items she had owned. It was a promise to someone. Over the years, she had thought of cutting it off though despite the desire to return home stopped her every time. "Lena..." Trembled thinking about her.
Wally darted around the mansion to test if the suit could withstand his speed. Just to end up in the living room. The couple sat close together on the couch. Frank's arms holding his wife by the shoulder while she silently cried for all the years lost with her child, his mind still fumbling knowing that she had powers now. Maria coated her tears on Frank's shirt. Wally could tell they were mourning for the daughter they raised. He couldn't think of what to say. It reminded him of his own family's reaction to him gaining powers.
"Monica said you would not mind if I..." straightening up the suit jacket and tie.
Maria quickly clearing her throat trying to pull herself together. She fixed her posture sitting up straight.
Frank cut the young man off my lifting his hand to stop him, rising from the couch to in front of him. "In my youth, I don't think I wore it as well as you. It's yours."
"Are you kidding me?" Wally excited dashed to found the nearest mirror admiring the details.
Frank floored at his speed. He started to say something when Monica's voice startled him.
"Dad, where are my cars?"
Maria winced at the mention of those junk cars that just collected rust and dust. Monica noticed, her tune changed to sheer distress.
"You didn't... Dad! Where is my car's?" Her arms were crossed pressuring him for the truth. She leaned forward for the answer. Her eyes fastened on his. He had never enjoyed that frightening pose. As a teen, she had perfected the powerful posture hell-bent on views and wants.
Unable to think of arguing in this moment, she had just got home. He rubbed the skin between his eyes feeling a bittersweet taste of defeat. "Nova, there in the same place you left them."
Monica's eyes softened toward him. She hasn't heard that nickname in such a long time. Wally's hand smacked against the back of her shoulder.
"Better be some muscle in that garage." They both busted out in laughter, racing to the third garage in the back of the vineyard.
Wally opened the filthy garage door, sunlight filled the dim garage, dust roared into their faces revealing four cars; 1969 Mustang Boss, 1970 Chevelle SS, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, 1969 Pontiac Firebird
Wally's clapped, rubbed his hands together too excited to touch any one of them. "Let's get to work!"
"Pick one. I can't possibly drive them all," she smirked knowing how much he is in love with cars, especially muscle cars, "don't you dare say the mustang."
"The Camaro"
"We have a few hours before we lose light." She walked over to the mustang admiring the bodywork that had held for years in her absence. Rust gathered on the floor panels of the Camaro.
He examined the condition of each car yelling out the parts they needed. Monica kept a mental list, quickly researched where to find them, flying off to collect. Wally used his speed to quickly, change his clothes, remove dead parts, clean the interiors, and wash off the dust. Maria watched him from the window in awe of his powers. By the time Monica had returned both cars were pulled out the garage into the sun to dry, the chrome gleaming against the black paint of both cars. He hadn't even felt her presences just the movement of the car as she installed all the new parts rapidly. She kept her eyes on the time. After polishing the hoods they both admired their work, Monica dangled a key ring with a single key on it at Wally throwing it to him. Frank crept up behind Monica, scaring her half to death, he swung his arm around her walking her away from any prying ears.
"I know what you're doing." He whispered into her ear.
"I-I'm not," she immediately denying that she was stalling instead of facing the one thing that scared her the most.
"I know, Nova," he slides a small piece of paper into her hand held their hands together for a moment locking eyes. "You can find her here. She's a keeper, Nova. She always has been. I knew it the moment you introduced us she was your other half. Go get the girl." He unhooked his arm flashing her one last grin before heading back to the house.
The summer Monica brought Lena to meet her parents. Lena had been so nervous. She almost didn't get out the car when they pulled up. Monica kept it a secret how much she talked to her parents about Lena. How she would gush on the phone to them about this fantastic girl she was in love with. Once introduced they enjoyed Lena's company more than her own, being an only child Monica did not mind the attention going to someone else. Lena got on perfectly with them going as far to say they were her in-laws. She had left the Luthor behind and was just Lena with Nova's parents. They saw a change in their daughter when Lena was around. Simply couldn't help encouraging Monica to keep Lena close. It would only make sense that her father knew Monica still needed Lena.
She looked down at the sliver of paper opened it to see a single address write down. "I'm coming, baby.."
========9========
Lena Luthor would never describe herself as self-made. She knew she was a product of her environment. Adoption placed her in a family of Luthor's that valued only power. There was only one silver lining, Lex, her adoptive brother that had it worse off than she did. Both parents poured elitism down his throat expecting perfection. As children, Lex and Lena were inseparable, and he made her proud to be a Luthor. The constant coldness that radiated from her homemade Lena craves for heat. Her mother disliked Lena's free-spirit setting a determination to break it. Her father was her safe haven. He'd fight her battles with her mother which in turn just made their relationship worse. Once, graduation rolled around she was thrilled to be leaving home for college. If being a Luthor had any perks, it was their status, every college in the country wanted Lena. It wasn't until she found a school that didn't accept her she knew exactly where she was going, MIT.
The first few months for Lena were a rough transitional period. Most of her time was spent inside of her dorm avoiding swooning girls and head-over-heels guys that just wanted Lena because she was a Luthor. It wasn't until her brother invited her to a campus party that college turned around for her. The party was ill-light hot cramped with people. She was about to exit when she saw her brother in the kitchen surrounded by his group of friends she stayed. He pulled her into the clouded kitchen. She tried her best not to cough from the thick smoke. He introduced her as his "baby" sister. She wanted to jump down his throat at the comment. His drunken words slurred out his friend's names. Until he realized his best friend was missing they dispatched to go find her. Almost when they left a pantry door opened with a deep cloud of smoke released into the kitchen. A silhouette of a girl was inside of the pantry alone. Lena's curiosity allured her into the small room. The details of the girl became clearer the closer she got. She was radiant smoking a joint with a tight biker jacket on. Her clothes screamed rebel. Lena spent the rest of the night with her. She was high and intelligent babbling on about stars, universes, planets, black holes, and supernovas.
The next morning they woke up in the same bed. Just like that, they were hooked. Monica earning the name, Nova. Lena earning the tender name, My Little Luthor. She winced at her last name. Only Monica's steady-toned voice made it bearable even soothing. Lena literally could not think of a happier point in her life than when she was with Nova. Their infatuation grew to love over the years. Nova understood Lena's insecurities building her up to feel confident. She encouraged Lena in every way she needed. She was warm only to Lena. It made her feel chosen. Lena filled Nova with intense love. Senior year rolled around Lex distanced himself from Lena secretly focusing on bringing down Superman. She convinced herself he was busy with Luthor Corp. instead of facing the fact he no longer had an interest in her. Nova had permanently been staying in Lena's suite of a dorm room, when a knock at the door changed everything for them. An A.R directed three intimidating men to Lena's room asked for Nova. She was gone by graduation training for N.A.S.A. months passed until Lena got the news from Nova's parents she had been lost in space.
Lena took months to stop crying at the thought of Monica, the love of her life, just gone. She knew space was dangerous although Nova was smart her fate was sealed. A piece of heart still rested with Monica. She kept a picture of Monica inside of her office even after years of no news. Lena tried to date other people after Nova disappearance. They just felt like flings to her. It wasn't until Kara's similar warmth that Lena could muster up the want to be with someone, brief interviews with Lena left Kara dizzy and outright longing for more time with her. Lena enjoyed the company of the high-spirited blonde girl that made her way into her sky-rise office once a week. She could hardly pay attention to the questions when Kara was around, those cobalt eyes hidden behind glasses drawing Lena in. Kara would stumble around her words to speak to her when Lena pressed on subjects. She'd shiver under Lena's slightest touch melting under those powerful yet soft eyes. The blonde couldn't keep her eyes off the dark lipstick that coated her lips. The air between them always felt warmer. Lena's need for it pulled her in so many times closer to the reporter. Kara would never pull away. Within a few short meetings, Lena and Kara were friends. Their bond got deeper as weeks rolled by but Lena nor Kara expressed any feelings for one another. Lena was grateful to have a friend in a city where not too many people could see past her last name. It weighed on her how many people she has lost.
The last of her employee's clocked out, Jess long was gone. The building was silent Lena thought this was always the best time to bury herself into her work. She was only a few documents deep when a tremor from her baloney took her out of focus. "Still not a door, Supergirl." She thought. No one came thru the door. After, two minutes Lena was thoroughly frustrated from waiting. She pushed back from her chair, stood walked onto baloney. The cold air hit her bare arms and legs giving her goosebumps. It wasn't Supergirl. A woman was leaning against her railing smoking a joint looking out at the city with intention. Lena's heart skipped a beat as the women head turned her head. She licked her lips biting down on it at Lena. Her knees got weak at the sight.
"I'm back baby." Monica's tone once steady now assertive.
Lena couldn't believe she was actually standing right there. Instantly moving closer to her without thinking, pulling her into the tightest hug. She was sobbing uncontrollably. Her mind exploding with questions. Every breath in was caked with Nova's smell. She whipped away her tears into Monica's jacket.
Monica bold arms wrapped around Lena's waist unsuspecting this embrace so quickly. "Hey... Hey.. Baby, please don't cry. I'm not going anywhere."
Lena tugged her head back to see those metallic grey eyes that carried so much meaning to her. Monica glared back fighting back tears herself. She leaned forward pressing her lips against Lena's. Lena could feel a jolt inside of her whole body the second their lips touched. It was electric at first. Everything was getting steamy and fuzzy. She was intoxicated by her lips, Monica's hand wandering to her hips. "Please... Please.." She thought needing more. Meet by a sweep of air she had been turned around her back pressed against Monica's chest. Her lips slowly trailing delicate kisses up her neck only to stopped at her hairline. She kissed then bit the back of Lena's ear.
"I'm not going anywhere, My Little Luthor." She whispered into Lena's ear.
========10========