Chapter Eight: The Realization

Lena's POV

Game night came and I found myself outside Kara's apartment. Laughter erupted from behind the door. She's not realized I'm here yet. Just do it. She wants you here. Knocking lightly, I heard Kara get to her feet.

"She's here!" Opening the door, Kara greeted me with a warm smile. "Hey, come in." Taking my hand, the blonde ushered me inside. All conversation halted when the door closed. "Guys, I want to officially introduce you to Lena. Lena, this is Alex, Winn, James, Maggie, and J'onn." Each person raised their hand when Kara called their name.

"Hello, everyone." I kept my voice steady but not cold.

Winn's eyes narrowed. "Is it true you have a lab in the basement of L-Corp and you tinker with stuff?"

"Winn," Kara warned.

"It's okay. I was expecting the people who care about you most to have questions for me." Turning my attention back to the dark haired man, I answered triumphantly. "I do. I have a few works in progress."

"Can I see them?" He perked up. "Please?"

His entire demeanor changed. "Maybe. No promises." If he's as smart as Kara says, maybe he could help assist me. Why is J'onn looking at me like that?

"I'll take it." Walking into the kitchen, Winn refilled his drink. "Grab some food and join us."

"No warrants," Maggie shrugged. "I'm good. Welcome to the group."

"Whisky or tequila?" Alex questioned skeptically.

"Whisky. While I enjoy a good red wine, nothing can beat a sipping whisky or bourbon."

"She's in." Alex relaxed back into the couch. "You make Kara happy and treat her well. I'm good as long as I still get a sister night once a week."

"I never want to take Kara away from her friends or family." Three down. Two to go. "James? J'onn? Any questions?"

Folding his arms, James studied me. "You disagree with your mother and brother about aliens."

"Correct." Where is this going? Kara's trying to hide how defensive she just became.

"What's your stance on Kryptonite?"

My stomach dropped but I kept my CEO mask firm. "I hate it." Did she not tell them? Alex looks like she wants to kill him. She must know. J'onn doesn't seem phased. I wonder why. "Unless it's a form that can't harm Kryptonians, it shouldn't be on the planet. That's actually one of the projects I'm working on. An armor that can protect Kara from the harmful forms of kryptonite."

"I can help!" Winn nearly shot out of his seat.

"You are?" Kara questioned.

"I am," I smiled. "I didn't want to tell you until there was a prototype. It's only in the sketching phase now."

The photographer stared me down for a long moment. "Good. Glad to see Kara happy."

One left. "J'onn? Any questions?"

"No. I've heard everything I need to. Welcome."

"Since Lena's in the mix, we'll have to switch up our teams." Alex brought out a deck of cards.

"You're not taking my girl." Kara took a seat and pulled a chair out for me. "You're with me, right?"

"Always," I smiled. Kara turned a soft shade of pink. "What are we playing?"

"If it deals with money, I'm out. Luthor is going to clean us out," Maggie laughed.

Dramatically, I placed my hand on my chest. "I would never." The action caused most to laugh.

"I call bullshit." Maggie took a sip of beer.

"Riiiggghhhttt." Alex delt the first hand of cards. "Forgive me if I don't believe you."

"Believe what you will," I grinned.

A few hours, and many laughs later, everyone started gathering their things and calling Ubers or Lyfts. "Let me know if you want help in the lab or want to bounce ideas around," Winn smiled. "Glad to officially meet you."

"Thank you, Winn. I'll let you know."

"Good to meet you," James nodded. "Next week?"

"She has an open invitation to all game or movie nights," Alex grinned. "As if she'd need it. We have to win our money back somehow."

"It'll go to a good cause. I promise."

"It better. Kara's food fund is always a good one." Giving me a quick side hug, the agent continued. "Next week is at my place. Kara can give you the address. Bye."

"Bye."

Once everyone was gone, I sighed as relief washed over me. "I think that went well."

"It did." Wrapping her arms around my neck, Kara kissed me. "I've wanted to do that all night."

"Now you can." I tucked some hair behind the blonde's ear. "I brought over some night clothes and a toothbrush as you requested."

"We've stayed at your place a few times now." Mindlessly, Kara rolled a strand of my hair around her finger. "I wanted you to see mine."

"I like what I've seen so far. It's very you."

Xxx

Over the next few months, Kara and I fell into a routine with work, game nights, dinners out, and lab work. Different media outlets gossiped about me being seen out with the reporter who broke my story. Headlines were all over the place. Some thought Kara and I were dating while others paired me and Supergirl because she was seen on the L-Corp balcony. Winn was more than happy to assist with prototypes. If needed, I helped the D.E.O. with a device when something was going to destroy the planet. Miss Grant's favorite tagline was: A Luthor and A Super working together.

A few heads turned as I exited the elevator. "Kara?" I approached her desk.

"Lena, hi." The reporter smiled brightly. "What can I help you with?"

"I wanted to speak with you and Cat about something."

As if on cue, the businesswoman spotted me. "Miss Luthor, to what do I owe this visit?"

Slipping into my CEO mask, I answered. "I need to speak with you and Miss Danvers privately."

"Please, join me in my office."

"That sounds weird now," Kara whispered.

I chuckled, placing a hand on the woman's lower back. "I know."

Closing the door behind us, Kara was first to speak. "Not yet, Miss Grant."

"Damn." Taking a seat behind her desk, Cat folded her arms. "What do you need?"

"From that reaction I can assume you're chomping at the bit to break our relationship story?"

"Yes," Cat smirked. "I'm sure you've seen the tabloids. I'm sitting on a breaking story. It's difficult."

"Maybe I can help with that irritation. I'm sure you're aware of the fundraising gala for the children's hospital this Friday?"

"Yes. Media tickets were on a "need to know" basis. Unless you know someone, you're not getting inside."

Pulling out a ticket, I smiled triumphantly. "It's a good thing you know someone." Cat's brow rose. "I have one request."

"She's available," Cat smirked knowingly.

Kara looked up from her notepad. "Oh, you want me to come with you?"

"Of course," I smiled. "There's no one else I'd want there with me."

"I can't with you two." Cat shook her head. "Luckily for both of us, Kiera gets most work done early anyway."

"I need her all of Friday."

"That's fine." Taking the ticket, the older woman nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"What's before the event?" Kara asked.

"There are a few things we need to do beforehand." I desperately want to flirt with her right now but I shouldn't. Too many people are watching. Glancing at my watch, I smiled at the reporter. "Ready for lunch?"

"Yup," she beamed. "The new Indian place, right?"

"Mmhmm."

"I can feel my teeth rotting just watching the two of you," Cat muttered.

"Just wait until we're public," I grinned.

"Oh, God…" The CEO covered her face. "Get out."

Both of us laughed. Placing my hand on Kara's lower back, I allowed her to walk in front of me. "See you Friday, Cat."

"Until then."

Arriving at the restaurant, we were seated quickly. "What do you need help with on Friday before the gala?"

"I mainly need moral support. This is my first event in public since I came to National City." Without realizing it, Kara went to take my hand but stopped herself and sighed. "It's getting harder to not act like a couple. For both of us."

"It really is," Kara smiled sheepishly. "I'm happy to be there before, during, and after the event."

"Thank you." Our food arrived before I could say more. Once the waitresses left, I continued. "We can always reevaluate things."

"We might have to," Kara laughed.

Xxx

Kara's POV

Leaning back on my hands, I made myself comfortable on Lena's bed as she filtered through her closet. "I have no idea what I'm wearing tonight. At least I have just under seven hours to figure it out."

Exiting the closet, Lena had a few dresses draped over her left arm. "We can go back to your place and do the same thing if you'd like." Placing them beside me, she thought for a moment. "I'll need body tape for a few of these."

My brow creased. "Body tape?"

"To keep the neckline from moving. I'd rather keep my fake heart from the media and from harming you."

"Oh, that's how you're able to wear low cut shirts…" My cheeks became warm thinking about a particular outfit. "I was a little distracted."

"I remember," Lena grinned. "You were quite distracted." Standing before me, the brunette tilted my chin upwards. "You know, you don't have to wear these here." Gently, Lena took my glasses off. "There's no need to be Kara Danvers here."

Smiling softly, I nodded. "You allow me to be just Kara. Not Zor-El, not Danvers, not Supergirl. I can just be me around you."

"The perfect mix of them all." Dipping her head, Lena kissed me tenderly. Before the kiss led to other things, she stepped back. "As much as it'll disappoint you, with some of these, I'll need to wear my hair up."

"I like it both ways," I laughed. Looking over the outfits, I stopped on a red dress. "You always look fantastic in black but red is breathtaking on you." Lena smirked. "What?"

"You say that about everything I wear."

Falling back, I groaned. "I can't help the fact that you're gorgeous in every way." Smiling, I met the woman's gaze. "Mind, body, and soul."

"You are not helping me," Lena chuckled. "What?"

"I love seeing you smile." I love you. The realization caused my stomach to drop. When did that happen? Oh, gosh.

"Kara? What's wrong? You have that panicky look again." Moving the dresses, Lena sat. "Hey, look at me." Cupping my cheek, the younger woman spoke softly. "What just hit you? You can tell me."

"I…. I don't know if I can." It's not been long enough. We've only been a couple for five months. I couldn't possibly love her already. But the relief I just felt. Could this be real?

Studying me, Lena caressed my cheek with her thumb. "Does it have to deal with us?" I nodded. "Specifically me?" Another nod. "How you feel?"

"I mean it but I also don't want to make things awkward. Especially right before your big night."

"Unless you're breaking up with me, I don't think anything would make it awkward."

"No!" I shot upward. "Definitely not that." Searching tender green eyes, I bit my lip. "I love you." Her heart rate just skyrocketed. What have I done?

"Breathe," Lena smiled. "I'm not angry. I'm not upset." Cupping my face, she leaned forward stopping just before our lips touched. "I love you too." Bringing Lena with me, I layed back on the bed. "It's a good thing we have plenty of time before we need to leave."

"Definitely." I pulled Lena down for another kiss.