"Everybody in position." Winn directed over the radio, typing away at the DEO computers. "Maggie, what's your status?"
"One block south, preparing to hover." She responded from five miles away, walking briskly and subtly scanning the crowd of pedestrians around her. "Saw four Nodeis on my last lap, probably more flanking the restaurant. Gonna keep looking for escape routes, should we successfully distract them at any point."
"Same here," J'onn's voice added. "On standby."
Sunset was approaching, the breezy but warm late-spring weather drawing activity in Downtown National City. Le Tavolet was no exception, as a long line of diners had formed at the entrance. Families, couples, gaggles of friends, and dozens of undercover Nodeis populated the sidewalks. The DEO team was playing their hand carefully. They anticipated enough of an advantage this far inland that would prevent Nodei instigation of a conflict. However, all it would take is the snap of Lex's fingers for an attack and several innocent people caught in the crossfire, should the DEO attempt anything rash. Sticking to the plan was essential.
"Alright, we gotta get Jess out of there in one piece, then worry about Lex and his cronies after." Winn stated, perhaps reminding himself more than anyone else. "Supergirl, Lena, you ready?"
"Yes," the blonde said, linking her arm through the brunette's as they approached the doors.
"Ready," Lena confirmed.
Were it not for keeping up appearances for the mission, the Luthor would've brushed the physical contact away. She could feel the Kryptonian watching her in the corner of her eye, but kept her gaze fixed ahead. Outside of exchanging essential information, the two hadn't spoken since the fight hours before. Kara reluctantly backed down to allow Lena space, assuming a matter-of-fact tone as the team strategized. But the blonde's fidgety gestures and troubled expression did nothing to hide the wheels turning in her head, perhaps trying to deny the inevitable truth that the damage had been done. What it all meant for the two, Lena managed to convince herself she had neither the time nor the ability to ponder at the moment. The brunette instead mustered up any emotional strength she had left from the day, compartmentalizing the pain in favor of executing the next hour with calculated finesse. It wasn't the first time she'd had to do it, perhaps just not on this scale.
Alec and Dean had even coined this uncanny ability of Lena's the "Robot Switch," having witnessed her outpitch Morgan Edge for a crucial deal with investors four years ago. Business as usual, perhaps, but this meeting happened to occur just hours after the Luthor family was contacted by a woman claiming to be Lena's biological mother. Despite the incident being an obvious attempt at a piece of the moguls' wealth - shielded from media attention by the Luthor's PR team - Lena was visibly shaken by the devastating reminder. And, if she were being truly honest with herself, the momentary hope. It was the most vulnerable she'd been in front of her adoptive family since they discovered her as a child wandering in the woods. Just after hearing the news from Alec and Dean, Lena had rushed into her office alone, then emerged cool and collected fifteen minutes later. Her negotiation with Edge that day was flawlessly professional, emotionless yet lethal as she successfully won over the investors. Lena had turned down celebratory drinks with her brothers afterwards, instead opting to retreat into her office. In turn, Alec and Dean simply nodded in understanding, conveying an unspoken acknowledgement of their sister switching out of robot mode.
So, the longer Lena could keep the replaying of " we're not your family" out of her mind, the longer she could focus on the current situation.
"Any updates on Alex?" Winn asked tentatively.
"She's been benched for this one," Kara responded quickly. Lena's jaw clenched, ignoring the curiosity bubbling in her thoughts.
"At our apartment," Maggie elaborated. "She wasn't having it this afternoon, but at least she's scouring the database for Nodei activity on the perimeter."
"Roger that," J'onn answered. "Let's proceed."
Kara and Lena entered Le Tavolet, thanking the patron ahead of them who held the door. They shuffled around a few other people in the queue and past the hostess station. Spotting a beaming Jess and smirking 'Sebastian' in one of the corner tables, the two women put on cheerful faces and commenced the double date.
"Busy night, huh?" Jess observed as she stood to greet Lena with a hug and air kisses. "I've learned to just book everything under 'Luthor.' Guaranteed table every time!"
"It has its perks," the brunette giggled as she extended her hand to her brother.
"Sebastian," she greeted politely. Lena rested a hand on the Kryptonian's back. "This is my girlfriend, Kara."
"Pleasure," Lex gripped cupped her hand between both of his with force, though his expression was entirely at ease. Kara mimicked his breezy tone, but Lena could feel the back muscles tensing under her fingers.
"So glad we're finally doing this!" Jess exclaimed as they all sat down to peruse menus and make small talk. Lena felt a pang of dread on behalf of her assistant. She did nothing to deserve being Lex's pawn, and the younger Nodei sure as hell wouldn't let her become a casualty. After the waiter stopped by to take their drink orders, Lena folded a napkin over her lap and squared her shoulders.
"So tell me, Sebastian," she tilted her head towards Lex, her mischievous smile betraying the venom that emanated from her green orbs. "What exactly are your intentions with my assistant?"
"A karaoke partner for Sinatra duets," Lex replied quickly, punctuating his statement with both hands up and transforming the moment into an interrogation bit.
"B-sides only, we hope," Kara countered seamlessly, leaning forward with her palms on the chair. Lena glanced under the table, she could see the wooden seat starting to splinter under the Kryptonian's white knuckles. On impulse, she reached over to squeeze the blonde's knee in a calming gesture.
"Yes, yes! Of course!" He laughed with mock nervousness, before his beady eyes turned soft. Lex then stretched his arm across the back of Jess' chair, regarding her with a softer tone. "Doesn't matter, this one could bring even Ol' Blue Eyes to his knees."
"You're such a sap," the young woman blushed, delighted.
"Guilty," Lex bowed his head in Oscar-worthy humility before planting a chaste kiss on her cheek. Kara and Lena shared a subtle look of disgust.
"How long have you been dating?" The Kryptonian inquired. The younger Nodei could sense the genuine curiosity beneath the endeared act, trying to put the pieces of Lex's plot together.
"Well we met almost three months ago when we matched on Bantr. I couldn't believe how much we had in common! Same haunts, same music, same love for campy horror flicks," Jess trailed off, as Lex took her hand in his and started stroking the back of it with his thumb.
"Like, where was this guy hiding all along?"
"I'll say!" Lena exclaimed, earning a barely audible snort from Kara .
"And when you're not singing My Way , what do you do, Sebastian?" The Kryptonian asked, diverting the tension.
"Engineer. I develop equipment for deep sea exploration. Everything from propellers, to marine cameras, to…"
"Rovers?" Lena added sharply.
"Proceed with caution," J'onn's voice warned in her ear, and the younger Nodei bit the inside of her cheek.
"In fact, we do!" Lex fixed his sister with a cocky look that said try me.
"So cool!" Kara interrupted the sibling staredown, then addressed Jess with a friendly nudge. "So Lena's been telling me what a lifesaver you've been at work. Staying late, covering extra assignments, checking up on her, especially with all her projects lately."
"The best," Lena asserted sincerely, if not a little guilt-laced. "She's exceptional at reminding me to eat and sleep."
"Oh stop," Jess insisted. "I just want to make sure she's alright, that's all!"
"Which I appreciate, big time," the Kryptonian smiled while the assistant blushed. "So we wanted to thank you and take you out after dinner. It's girls night at the Flying Bull. Two-for-one tequila shots, drag show, what could be better?"
"Lena taking tequila shots?" Jess repeated skeptically. "Aren't you more of a martinis on rooftops kind of girl?"
"If you knew me in college, you'd understand," The Luthor grinned toothily. "I should hope you never get to conspire with my friend Sam. But anyway, we just want to let our hair down and personally, I'm a sucker for a good drag show."
"Fair point!" The assistant agreed.
"I do hope Sebastian would let us steal you away," Lena began quickly. "It's so rare for me these days to have a night like this off. We simply won't take no for an answer."
The Nodei's pulse was racing at this point, but she refused to let it show as she gazed expectantly between Lex and his girlfriend.
"Well, actually, I-"
"Your pinot noir," the waiter announced as he reached their table, bottle in tow. Uncorking it, the waiter presented the sample pour to Lex, as he was the one who ordered the bottle. "A fine vintage, I might add, sir."
Lex swirled the liquid for several seconds before taking a slow, indulgent swig. He proceeded to take his time ordering main courses for he and Jess as the waiter filled the table's glasses. The group made a toast and swigged.
"So another fun fact about Seb," Jess began, raising her glass under the dimmed restaurant lights. "He also owns a vineyard!"
"Really?" Kara's voice went a bit higher than usual.
"Well, it's a half-baked side project," Lex chuckled with a self-deprecating shrug. "Perhaps my iteration of a mid-life crisis."
"I'll take that over a gaudy Porsche any day," his girlfriend emphasized. "So he actually surprised me this morning with a weekend trip to the winery in the southern valley! Two reservations at the nearby spa, amazing food, spectacular wine, ugh, isn't that amazing?"
"Incredible!" The Luthor raved, but her eyes were growing wide with panic. Taking a slight breath, she composed herself, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "You know, there's no better place to detox than a spa! So we can whisk you away for plenty of debauchery tonight?"
"But we're leaving first thing tomorrow," Jess lamented, a tinge of disappointment at having to turn down the offer. "Well, I'm leaving first thing. Seb's sending a driver for me. This hard-working guy has to finish up a few tasks before meeting me out there."
"I'll be there before you know it," Lex assured her.
"Sounds amazing," Lena concluded a bit more bitterly than intended, provoking an apologetic glance from her assistant and a smug look from her brother.
Stick to the plan, J'onn's voice echoed in her mind as their food arrived. The group continued their inane banter throughout the meal, Lena convincing them to spring for a second bottle and trying to prolong the dinner as long as possible. She tried to find little segues so she could bring up the evening plans with Kara, hopefully enticing Jess to join them. After mentioning that the drag show was ABBA-themed, the younger Nodei managed to pique her assistant's interest.
"Well, maybe if it was just for a few hours," Jess wondered aloud, pouring herself a third glass of wine.
The waiter came by again to clear their plates. Just as he went to reach for Jess', however, a patron collided with him. Seemingly tipsy and en route to the bathroom, the man's clumsy momentum pushed the waiter's arm into Jess' glass, spilling pinot noir all over the front of her light blue blouse.
"Shit!" She exclaimed, jumping out of her seat and joined by the waiter and Lex as they rushed to help her clean up the mess.
"Goodness, I'm so sorry about that, ma'am!" The waiter fumbled, shrinking under Lex's beady gaze.
"It was some imbecile's fault. Though I wonder how he became so overserved, being at one of your tables," he snarled, a little bit of Lex poking through the Sebastian facade.
Lena and Kara promptly handed over their napkins, helping clean up the table and shooting each other a worried look.
"If you'll excuse me," a very red-faced Jess pushed past the group. She hastily shuffled towards the bathroom, dabbing fruitlessly at her shirt. Once she was out of sight, Lena and Kara dropped the pleasant act and turned to the elder Nodei.
"You won't win, Lex," Lena stated fiercely. "Dragging innocent people like Jess into this will only make your consequences worse. It's just a matter of time."
"Speaking of which," Lex looked at his watch, unfazed. "Eight hours left. I have cameras everywhere. I have people everywhere. The second you decide so much as to text her? I have Nodeis ready to tear your little assistant apart, limb by limb, live streaming the entire thing."
"What's wrong with you?" Kara whispered, appalled.
"We get what we want," the bald Nodei smirked, eyes narrowed. "It's about time the rest of you on earth caught on."
Suddenly his features softened, transforming back into Sebastian as Jess approached. The assistant appeared a bit calmer, her jacket was zipped up to cover her blouse.
"Babe, how are you?" He asked sympathetically as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Well, no amount of stain removing pens can save this blouse," she lamented, a little extra pout in her voice. "I just want to go home and rest up for tomorrow. This was a really fun night, guys, I hope we can do it again soon."
"I'll walk you home," Lex insisted. "Why don't you get some fresh air while I get the bill?"
"Thanks, Babe," she squeezed his hand and bid the other couple a good night. Lena brought her in for a hug, a pained expression on her face.
"Take care," Lena waved, forcing a smile. As Lex went to pick up the check - delivered by the waiter while they were all preoccupied with the spill - Lena slapped the leatherbound book back on the table.
"Here," she growled, slipping in a piece of paper with her writing on it. "These are the coordinates. Meet me at 6am and I'll give you the codes, only once Jess is safely delivered to a spot designated by our team."
"Done and done," Lex chuckled. "I'm pleased you've come to your senses."
Lena whirled on her heel and stormed out of the restaurant. Kara walked tentatively alongside her as she made her way down the sidewalk in silence. They came within a block of the DEO turnoff - Maggie was already waiting for her on the corner so the Kryptonian could fly them back and avoid detection. The blonde turned to her girlfriend.
"I-" she began shakily, her mouth opening and closing a few times as she seemed to debate her next words. "I'd give anything to take it back."
We're not your family repeated in Lena's mind as she against the heaviness that had accumulated in her chest. Ironically it was a self-preserving mantra, a shield. Lena would not allow herself to be disarmed by those eyes. No , she thought to herself, she refused .
"We're not doing this, Kara," the Nodei warned. "Not now."
She cursed the way her voice cracked on the last word.
"I'm not gonna force it," Kara responded gently, but her gaze was fierce. "I just needed to say it. And I told Alex to sit it out tomorrow."
"Kara, I literally just told y-"
"It's not about us," Kara countered, still calm but a bit firmer this time. "It's what the team needs, it's the right move."
Lena observed cautiously as the blonde started making her way over to Maggie, walking backwards so she was still facing her. The Kryptonian tried to mask her own remorse with a deadpan look, and the Nodei wished she didn't find the lack of poker face so damned endearing.
"Just so you can know what to expect tomorrow. We're all following your lead and we're with you. I'll see you at 6."
"See you tomorrow," Lena nodded, knowing she'd be logging plenty of laps tonight.