CHAPTER FOUR: 'New Introductions'

LENA HAD NO IDEA what compelled her to agree to Kara's invitation. The outgoing, high spirited persona of Kara Danvers was just so hard for Lena to disappoint. And so, Lena found herself walking towards the table of friends, who were there to celebrate Kara's promotion.

"Hey guys!" Kara chirped and a round of applause broke out.

"There she is!" A petite woman cheered who had strong, tan arms wrapped around her shoulders that belonged to a man who wore a proud smile on his face.

"Congratulations, Little Danvers." The same woman who asked for Lena's vacant chair spoke up. She wore the same smile accompanied by the same dimples.

"Aww guys, thank you so much." Kara gushed, swatting a hand at them as if to say stop it.

"Who's your friend?" A man wearing a cardigan and tie asked and Lena realised she was actually standing there.

"This is Lena Luthor." Kara smiled, "a newfound friend." She added with a final and proud nod.

Alex choked on her beer at that, and Lena was sure she was definitely interested in what the redhead had to say.

"Luthor, was it?" Alex asked after recovering.

Lena nodded curtly, "yes." Lena affirmed, her voice low. She decided against questioning the girl's sudden reaction, since it was Kara's night after all. (And she didn't want to make a bad impression.)

Oblivious to the slight tension, Kara smiled at Lena brightly with those pearly whites and began introducing everyone.

"You've already met Mon El and Alex." Kara started off.

"Mon El?" Lena asked curiously.

"Oh! Sorry, Mike from the bar. His real name is Mon El. We never really let him forget it." Kara said cheekily.

"That's Maggie, Alex's girlfriend and a badass detective." Maggie saluted Lena with two fingers and a friendly smile.

"This is Winn, my best friend." Winn tugged at his collars like a gangster and grinned at Lena. "He and I work together."

"That's Lucy." Kara pointed at the petite brunette who held out her hand for a handshake to which Lena gave. "And her boyfriend, James." The man gave a short wave at Lena.

"Don't forget me!" Sam joked and Lena rolled her eyes playfully.

"And who can forget Sam?" Kara added in, to make her feel included. "Now that that's out of the way… let's celebrate!"

Lena feared that for the rest of the night, she'd be the odd one out. The one who was excluded in conversations and was better kept in the foreground, playing the role of the humble listener.

However it wasn't like that at all. She was able to find commonalities with Winn and their shared passion for science. They mostly spoke about the laws of physics and formulated and debated upon their hypothesis', if said laws were defied.

She was able to educate Lucy about the history of The French Revolution and the Civil War of Alexandria; dwelling deep into antiquity about the tactics of Spartan soldiers. She was surprised to discover that the girl had an interest in the military.

Thanks to her relationship with Sam, Lena was able to strike normal conversation with her whilst Kara talked amongst the rest of the group.

Oh, and Kara indeed kept her promise. She didn't leave Lena's side, and when she'd converse with the others she made sure Lena was included too. Lena was most fond of the blonde, as she was able to talk to Kara about almost anything.

"You know, I never got the chance to ask what exactly you've been promoted to." Lena commented. Kara breathed deeply into her glass of whiskey, (a drink Lena was surprised Kara actually enjoyed because, "I kind of like the warm burn? It makes me feel badass") at the mention of her promotion.

"I don't know if it's worth celebrating. I was actually dragged out here tonight." Kara said truthfully, but she wore a smile of appreciation, as she looked at the people surrounding her. Alex, Maggie, James, Lucy and Mike who waved from the bar. Her family.

Lena smiled softly, as she was content with Kara's happiness to have such an amazing support system."Well, whatever it is, it must be big."

"Well, I got promoted, yes" Kara confirmed. "But my boss, she never really promoted me to a new job?" Kara questioned, rather than stated. "I honestly don't know what to do." She admitted, "'explore your horizons'" the blonde mocked, her fingers wriggling in a bunny ear expression. "What does that even mean? Does that technically mean I got fired? I was a great assistant."

Kara rambled, and Lena laughed, amused at Kara's rushed thoughts."I-I mean, of course I was an awesome assistant." Kara played it off cool, brushing imaginary dust off her shoulders.

And thus, the two would banter playfully throughout the night, which made the atmosphere a lot more comfortable. It was Kara's older sister who didn't seem to be fond of their budding friendship. Lena never got the chance to hold out a proper conversation with her, but was able to chat to Maggie about places to visit in National City.

Curious at the subject at matter, Lena looked over at the pool table, whereby Alex and Maggie were playing a round together. The vampire couldn't help herself and listened in on their conversation.

"I'm telling you, Mags. Something is off about her." Alex sighed, as she watched her girlfriend successfully hit one of the balls into the socket.

"Give her a chance, babe." Maggie reasoned, before standing up to look at her options on the table. "She won't hurt Kara."

"And if I'm right?" Alex defended, "I'd never forgive myself for not being a better sister. Even though she's my adopted sister—"

"Lena?" Kara nudged the vampire, who suddenly felt guilty and rude for eavesdropping on a conversation that took a personal turn.

"Hmm?"

"I lost you there." Kara smirked, "am I boring you already?"

Lena forced a smile, as she wondered how Kara can be so exuberant, now knowing that she was adopted. That her parents are dead. That she was an orphan. "You? Boring me? Perhaps you are, Kara. You need to work on your people skills." Lena played along with Kara.

Kara's eyes widened with feigned shock, her hand flew to her chest and she added a dramatic gasp to accompany the act. "Lena Luthor! How dare you? I'm the most social person there is!" Kara stated. "I was once voted as most approachable in high school." She bragged.

"Oh, really?" Lena asked with an amused smile.

"Yup." Kara said proudly, popping the 'p.' Kara furrowed her brows, "what school did you go to in high school?"

"I was homeschooled." Lena recited the half lie as easily as she did breathing. (She did attend high school in the 60s and absolutely hated the ongoing racism and misogyny, despite the rise of feminism and the Civil Rights Movement.)

"Oh." Kara said shortly, "that must explain the mysterious aura you give." Kara said mysteriously and Lena chuckled.

"Oh! Dammit." Mike cursed, after the sound of glass shattering was heard. Lena's senses went in a frenzy, as the familiar smell of metallic blood filled her lungs.

Mike laughed sheepishly to himself, "I'm okay!" Mike announced to a worried looking Kara and friends, "guess I was too excited that my shift's about to end." Mike shrugged, as if the cut on his hand were nothing.

"I'm going to see if he's okay." Kara said to Lena, who'd disappeared from her seat, when she turned around.