Chapter Eleven

Lena's POV

Pouring another round of scotch, I held one out for Kara. "I know alcohol doesn't actually affect us but routine helps."

"Thanks," Kara sipped the golden liquid. "I can't…"

Taking a seat beside the blonde, I stared at the journal. "I know." She knows everything about Kara. That she's Supergirl. That we're together. Thankfully she doesn't know that I'm Kryptonian.

"We need to find out if the boy is still alive. If he is, I think we can reason with her if she tries to kill anyone." Running a hand through her hair, Kara continued. "We have to break her heart. From what I can tell, she basically worships Alex, Lex, and feels like he saved her."

I've been rubbing off on her. "Manipulating others for his own gain just to turn on them," I finished my drink. "Sounds like my brother," I scoffed, pouring another round.

"Nature versus nurture," Kara mumbled. "I was raised by a loving family and she was raised to be a weapon. Molded to see America as this terrible place."

"She believes Americans killed an innocent boy that she saved. The only person besides Lex that she cares about." I understand where she's coming from. I grew up with conditional love. If I jumped high enough I'd get praise. If not, I was iced out. "There's nothing more we can do tonight."

"Yeah." Leaning into me, Kara wrapped an arm around my waist and snuggled into my side. "I know I've said it a thousand times but I'm so glad you're almost indestructible now."

Chuckling, I kissed blonde locks. "I know. While I was terrified of dying for a bit, getting almost beaten to death was worth it in the end." Kara groaned. "Too soon?"

"Far too soon." Her grip tightened. "I never want to think of a world without you in it."

"I know." I've always enjoyed the smell of Kara's perfume but now…it's different. I enjoy how it mixes with my perfume and the smell of my home. Our home, one day. "Let's get some rest. We can start again tomorrow."

Xxx

"Good morning, Miss Luthor," Jess smiled. "Can I do anything for you?"

"Nothing now. My first meeting isn't for another hour or so. I'll catch up on emails for now."

"I'll let you know when your 10 o'clock arrives."

"Thank you."

Entering my office, I started answering the dozens of emails and reading over contracts that sat in my inbox. Eventually, my mind started to wander. Last night I thought about Kara sharing my home. Asking her to move in with me would be a huge step for us. We stay at each other's apartments most of the time now anyway. I have plenty of room. Or we could get a place of our own. I wonder when she needs to resign her lease.

Hearing a knock brought me from my thoughts of homemaking with the Kryptonian. Closing all of my laptop's windows, I spoke. "Come in." I slid into my CEO mask before the door opened. Standing, I smiled. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Parks. Please, take a seat."

After a number of mind numbing meetings, all I wanted was to get down to the lab. Hearing someone coming onto my floor, I leaned back in my chair. "Kara, what a lovely surprise. Miss Luthor didn't tell me you'd be coming by."

"I wanted to surprise her."

"She's free now. Go right in."

Something doesn't feel right. Kara always texts me if she's dropping by. Glancing down to my watch, I steadied my heart rate. A bright smile greeted me as my door closed. "Kara, what a lovely surprise." Rounding my desk, I wrapped the woman in a strong embrace.

"Hey!" With slight hesitation, Kara did the same.

"I missed you." I nuzzled the woman's neck. She's not wearing perfume. This is definitely not my Kara. "It's been too long."

"It has been." Leaning back, Red Daughter smiled. "How's your day been?"

Taking a seat on the couch, I patted the spot beside me. "Better now that you're here. Can you stay for lunch?"

"Sure." Taking a seat, Red Daughter looked around my office. "Big Belly Burger?"

"Of course." Walking towards my desk, I put in the password for my phone. Before dialing the restaurant, I sent a RD message in the SF chat. "Hi, I'd like to call in an order for delivery." After the normal questions, I thanked the employee and ended the call. "So, how are things at CatCo? Is Andrea still breathing down your neck?"

"Yes," the blonde sighed. "But everything is going well."

Reclaiming my seat, I made myself comfortable. "So, I heard from Lex today." I leaned my cheek against my palm. "He wants to meet. Catch up over a thrilling game of chess."

"Are you going to catch up with him?"

"I'm not sure." Red Daughter's head tilted. "You know how much he hates Kryptonians," I sighed. "Especially Supergirl. It's hard to sit across the table from someone who's constantly trying to kill someone I see as a role model." Her heart rate increased. She doesn't know how far his hatred goes. She and Kara look exactly the same. Her hurt puppy dog eyes are going to kill me.

"I'm sure he doesn't hate all of them."

"My brother would use and manipulate anyone to get what he wants. He used me, his own sister, as a pawn for years." Her eye twitched.

"I've been reading books of old. The legends and the myths. The testaments they told. The moon and its eclipse. I really hope you're hearing this because I feel ridiculous." Alex sang as she came up the private elevator. "Plan S is outside."

"One thing I hope he never does is use you," I paused. I need to tread with caution. "More than he already has."

"Alex hasn't used me." Red Daughter's American accent slipped.

Before she could panic, I grabbed her hand. "I know. Everything." I held her gaze. If she's part of Kara, she can't look away. "You've been watching me and Kara for a while, haven't you?" She nodded. "Lex has also told you about me."

"Yes," her voice was soft.

"I don't know what he's told you about America but I do know he's been using you. Gaining your trust." Alex and her team are right outside. Please, give me time.

"He's helped me. Taught me."

"With books and chess, I know. Kara and I saw your room at the bunker. All of the books and pictures."

"You and Kara have so much in excess," she spat. "Kara lives so undisciplined."

"You saw her apartment?" Red Daughter nodded. "The food is because she has to eat so much. When she saves people, she burns a lot of energy. You're also Kryptonian. I'm sure you're the same way. Do you get hungry often?"

Stormy eyes fell to the hand I held. "Yes." She glanced towards the fridge and snack drawer.

"Food should be here soon. Or you can have some of the snacks I keep for anyone who needs them."

"Do you have any Chacos?"

"I don't. But I do have a lot of chocolate. If you stay, Kara and my friends can help you. You can have a life here. One of your own." I'm losing her. "America has its faults but-,"

Something changed in the woman's eyes. Stepping out of my grasp, Red Daughter shook her head. "No. Alex showed me what Americans do. They kill. They killed Mikhail." The woman's voice shook. "I could never…"

"Wait-," Before I could regain her attention, Red Daughter crashed through my window, Alex and her team burst through my door, and Kara tapped down.

"Are you okay?" She asked, worried blue eyes examining me.

"I'm fine. Go after her. Find Red Daughter before Lex does." Leaning into the couch, I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I was so close. I was almost past her walls." I need to get some Chacos.

"It seems any version of Kara is hypnotized by you," Alex grinned. She placed a Big Belly Burger bag on the coffee table. "I intercepted the delivery guy."

"Thanks." I sighed, running a hang through my hair. "I guess you're right."

"Something made her go back to Lex's side. How did you know?"

"While she looks like Kara, sounds like Kara, she doesn't smell like Kara." Alex's brows creased. "No perfume. I said it had been a while since we saw each other and she agreed."

"Kara spent the night, right?" I nodded. "You didn't even need a code," she smiled. "You're good."

"Any leads on Mikhail?"

Alex rubbed her temple. "No, sadly."

Landing, Kara dashed in and sat beside me. "I couldn't find her. I even went to the cabin."

"Damn." I took Kara's hand in mine. "I was so close to bringing her to our side." Glancing between the sisters, I continued. "Lex has his claws in her deep. She wants a life with friends. We have to find Mikhail. That's the way we can prove to her that Lex has been lying to her. She thinks Americans killed him. I just hope he's still alive somehow."

"Same." Kara kissed my knuckles. "Every version of me likes you apparently," she chuckled.

"I'm happy with the original," I smiled.

Clearing her throat, Alex spoke. "Before you two kiss, can we please leave first?"

"Sure," I laughed. "Thank you all for coming. I can manage the clean up. Was anyone hurt?"

"No. We sent Jess and everyone else outside. We'll let them back in."

Once everyone was gone, Kara cleaned up the glass while I put in a maintenance order for the window. "Well, your personal entrance will be out of order for a bit."

"I'm glad you're okay." After grabbing the to-go bag, Kara slumped into a guest chair. "Our normal order?" She began to unload the food.

"Yes. I don't think she would have hurt me. Not intentionally." Sitting behind my desk, I unwrapped my burger. "The part of her that's solely you is strong. It's just under the surface. She may have been molded by Lex but she's inherently good."

"Just before your text, we found an address that's linked to Linda Lee. Asking around, a brunette who looks like me has been seen going in and out of the building. I was about to check it out when your text came through."

"Should we check it out?"

"I should, yes," Kara grinned, getting to her feet. "Don't you have meetings?"

"I do but-,"

"I've got this." Leaning forward, the blonde kissed my cheek. "I'll take Alex and keep you posted on what we find. Red Daughter feels comfortable around you. She may come back," Kara bit her lip. "I always did."

Tilting my head, I studied the woman before me. "You do know there's nothing you need to worry about." Rounding my desk, I wrapped my arms around Kara's neck. "I love you. While she's part of you, she's not my you."

Smiling sheepishly, Kara blushed. "I'm sorry…" Looking away, she sighed. "I can't believe I got jealous of myself."

"Don't be." Cupping the woman's cheek, I kissed her quickly. "Stay safe and keep me updated."

"I will. Let us know if she comes back."

"Dinner at my place?" I toyed with a strand of Kara's hair.

"Pizza and pot stickers?" Kara grinned, popping up on her toes.

"Of course," I chuckled.