CHAPTER THREE: 'I Won't Leave Your Side'
"PRETTY NEAT, HUH?" Sam asked Lena, as they sat at a booth at the Alien Bar.
After a twenty minute banter of the pros and cons of going out to celebrate Lena's arrival in National City, the woman was inevitably able to drag the vampire out for the night.
"Get up off your ass, right now Luthor." Sam said playfully at Lena who was lounging on the couch and showed no efforts to move.
When Lena had moved to National City, she ensured that an unfurnished apartment would be waiting for her. And although she initially planned to visit Sam after she'd settle down, (knowing Sam resided in the city as well) Sam coincidentally ran into Lena at Noonan's that evening and dragged her to her apartment with all her bubbly excitement.
"Let's go out! Have some fun! I haven't seen you in years!"
"Two years and eight months to be exact." Lena quipped, "not that I'm counting."
"Aww did you miss me? Is that why you're here?"
"No." Lena said with narrow eyes.
She'd almost forgotten how much life humans had. How much excitement they'd hold over little things such as the first day it starts to snow in October, marking the temporary residence of Winter. Or discovering that distant relatives— no, friends— no, a vampire friend was coming over to stay in town for a while.
It was almost too boring for Lena to be as excited as Sam. Living for three thousand years and counting, with nothing but the bars of approval held above her head for Lillian, (and never getting much recognition for it) nothing seemed to excite Lena. Not even when Lillian would award her with so much as half a smile when she was in her mother's good books.
She's seen it all. She's travelled the world three times. She's seen historical artworks like the Mona Lisa hanging on the walls of The Louvre. She's tried the exotic foods of Europe and experienced the unique traditions of Southeast Asia. She's seen all of Shakespeare's plays. So what more could possibly rattle her bones into the feeling of excitement? A desire for more adventure?
And yet here she was, sitting across Sam in an odd bar, who was enthusiastically catching up with Lena about her life. She spoke about Ruby, her now twelve years old daughter who was having a sleepover at a friend's house that same night. (Another pro for Sam to be able to spend the night out.)
"How'd you even find this place?" Lena asked curiously, her eyes roaming the bar and couldn't help but sense a little off. She didn't know if it was the people there or the setting of the lights. It was weird.
"I actually don't come here quite often, but Kara had mentioned the place to me a few months ago." Sam said. "Kara is Ruby's babysitter." The human further explained, when she was met with Lena's confused arched brow of who 'Kara' was. "Speaking of…"
Sam's eyes trailed from Lena's to the entrance behind their booth. Lena turned around to see who Kara was (out of mere curiosity) and was surprised to find the same girl who smiled at her at Noonan's earlier. Intriguing.
"Hey, Sam!" A blonde with glasses greeted immediately before pulling the woman into a hug. (It was then Lena had noticed Sam had gotten out of her seat to greet the girl because she was too busy staring— observing Kara.)
"Kara, it's good to see you." Sam smiled. Lena got out of the booth to greet Sam's friends, seeing as though it was the polite thing to do. "This is my friend, Lena. She's staying in National City for a while."
A flash of recognition appeared upon the girl's face. "Oh! I know you!"
"Yes, you apparently love your sticky buns and potstickers." Lena said, all knowingly.
"That's me." Kara smiled sheepishly. "This is my older sister."
Lena kept her smile small, "Pleasure to meet you both." Lena said to Kara and the unnamed redhead lingering behind her.
Kara smiled at the vampire and Lena can feel the warmth radiating off of her. "I'm Kara." The blonde stuck her hand out for Lena to shake. A simple gesture, yet Lena felt her nerves gradually increase, as their hands came closer. Lena shook her hand lightly, but Kara's grip remained firm.
"I'm Alex." The redhead introduced herself, slightly looking Lena up and down intimidatingly. Oh, how Lena would be intimidated. If she were a human. The two decided on no hand to hand contact, and Lena settled for a small nod of acknowledgment.
Lena made a mental note to ask Sam more about Alex. Something about the woman made Lena feel like she knew something about her.
"So, a girl's night out without Rubes, huh?" Kara asked, amused to see Sam out for once.
"Yeah, she's over at Mariel's tonight. I thought it'd be nice to bring Lena out too." Sam nudged Lena who cleared her throat slightly, not enjoying the limelight.
"Well, it would be more pleasant with some alcohol." Lena joked, although it was rather dark humour and no one seemed to laugh. "I'm going to get a drink." Lena announced, as she excused herself to the bar.
"I'll come with!" Kara smiled, before following Lena to the bar. "Hey." She said, once they were at the bar.
"Hello again, Kara." Lena said with an amused smile.
Kara smiled at Lena's remark."So, what brings you to National City?" She asked. Before Lena could answer, one of the workers approached them. He smiled at Kara, and Lena knew the two must have known each other. "Hey, Mike."
Mike looked as though he just finished college. Still sporting somewhat of a baby face, but a growing stubble was enough to acknowledge he was an adult.
"Congratulations, Kara!" Mike smiled, before going to the tap and pouring a glass of beer and settling it on the counter. "For Alex." He says before preparing a small glass of lemon lime bitters. "And for you."
"Thanks Mike." Kara said bashfully. "Mike, this is Lena. A friend of Sam's."
"Nice to meet you." The boy quipped. "What will it be?"
"Martini, please." Lena said, before fishing out her cash.
"Oh, don't worry about it. On the house." Mike said with a wink before walking away to prepare her drink.
Lena took it as a cue to sit on the stool to wait, while Kara took the drinks to join her sister and company who were seated at another booth. Unexpectedly, the girl sat down next to her as she twirled her lemon lime drink with her straw. "You still haven't answered my question." Kara said playfully.
"Which was…?" Lena knew what it was, she wasn't daft. But she had to play human. Or be playful back.
"What brought you here to National City?" Kara repeated herself.
Lena chuckled, as if to say oh, right… that question. "I wanted a fresh start."
"Oh? A new setting?" Kara asked.
"I guess you can put it like that." Lena said, and Kara's mind seemed to wonder upon the vague answers she was receiving. Blue eyes searched pale facial features, as Kara was trying to read the girl.
Lena felt Kara's eyes on her, and for once she felt like prey rather than predator.
It was then Lena mentally thanked Mike who reappeared. "Your martini Miss…"
Lena hesitated, realising that she'd yet to say her full name. A name that was branded to her at birth and now, was with her like a curse. For many who knew what she was, the name would strike fear, terror. But Lena was here for a fresh start. To make a name outside of her clan.
"Luthor." Lena said confidently, and was pleased when none of the two didn't bat an eye at the name.
"Miss Luthor." Mike said with a small twinkle in his eyes.
"Thank you, Mike." Lena accepted the drink, before taking a sip. Left alone with Kara again, Lena quirked an eyebrow up at the blonde. "You should take that beer to your sister."
"Ah, Alex can wait a little longer." Kara leaned in as if to tell a secret, "I like to torture her sometimes." She said in a hushed tone. "Besides, she's probably sipping off of Maggie's drink." Kara spoke up this time, "but now that you've got your drink, would you like to join us?" Kara asked, a little hopeful And a little nervous. (Lena could hear her heart beat a little faster.)
Lena looked over at the booth where Alex was seated. It was quite a group, and Lena wasn't surprised to see Sam seated amongst them chatting away. It was nice to see her friend enjoying her time with friends for once.
As a single mother, and an owner of a multi billion dollar company, it was hard for Sam to catch a break. Something Lena never got the chance to do, due to her mother's controlling behaviour. And suddenly, Lena felt like she was intruding. Overstepping boundaries. Unwelcomed.
"I think I'm good here. Thank you, Kara." Lena settled on, as she played with the rim of her martini glass.
Kara hummed wisely, "I thought you might say that." Kara fidgeted with her glasses, "well I don't want to be that person but, I got promoted today." Kara beamed a smile.
"Hmm, congratulations." Lena praised, clinking their glasses together, knowing where this was going. She was surprised that she enjoyed the banter she shared with the bubbly human. It was, dare Lena say it... exciting.
"So, as woman of the night and your new friend, you cannot reject this offer." Kara said, as she stood up. She raised her brow expectantly with a cheeky grin, waiting for Lena's answer. "I promise, I won't leave your side. What do you say?"