The Morning After
Lena woke with a start to the sound of dull humming. Sunlight was filtering through the windows. The Luthor was forced to shield her eyes as she blearily sat up on the couch, scrambling to find her phone.
Bzzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzzzz. Bzz.
By the time she had found her suit jacket and pulled the phone out of its pocket, the buzzing had stopped.
White numbers illuminated the screen.
8:27 am.
Lena let out a groan, she had drastically overslept. She could imagine the number of calls she had to return this morning. Not to mention the meetings that Jess had probably rescheduled…
Somehow…despite sleeping on a couch which was practically half her height, she had one of the most peaceful night’s rest in recent memory. She wasn’t even sure how that was possible given the absolute chaos that had taken place over the past 24 hours.
Lena tapped her phone a couple of times. Despite its cracked screen, Lena could still make out the notifications.
1 missed call.
100 new emails.
And…
Alex (DEO): Is Kara with you?
Lena frowned; Alex hadn’t contacted her since they had put away Lex. With the crazed megalomaniac behind bars, there had been a massive restructuring effort within this world’s National City. Lena, similar to Earth-38, had regained her rightful place as CEO of L-Corp. Unlike her past universe, though, Lena had also gained ownership of the DEO. When Brainy decided to step down from the Director position following his near-death experience with Lex and Leviathan, Lena had asked Alex to return.
Given the massive fallout between Kara and Lena, Lena’s own betrayal, and well…literally everything else, Lena had assumed it was a crapshoot.
And yet, somehow Alex had accepted (with the understanding that Alex retained absolute authority over DEO decision making).
Since then, Lena and Alex had extraordinarily little interaction. Even when Alex had reached out, it had always been through a third party (read: Kelly or J’onn).
Another message popped up.
Alex (DEO): Can’t get ahold of her.
Lena chanced a look at the backroom door, which was still closed.
Is Kara still here?
She unlocked the phone, confirming that the missed call was indeed from Alex. Not wanting to have a conversation with DEO Director (she assumed the feeling was mutual), Lena opted to respond to the message.
Lena: Not sure. She stayed in a spare room last night.
Lena narrowed her eyes as the tell-tale typing dots appeared on her screen.
Alex (DEO): Can you check? Tell her she needs to stop by before CatCo.
There was a momentary pause before another message almost immediately followed.
Alex (DEO): Tell her Mxy is back. She will know.
Lena chuckled.
Lena: We met him last night.
Dots appeared again and then disappeared. Lena arched an eyebrow in amusement, watching the appearance and disappearance of the dots over a good minute. Finally, the Director responded.
Alex (DEO): Tell her to stop by anyways. You should come too.
Lena scoffed, putting her phone down on the table. Typical Alex.
There was another buzz and Lena looked back at her phone curiously.
Alex (DEO): Don’t meet anyone. And don’t read the news.
Lena narrowed her eyes. What was that supposed to mean? As tempted as she was to pull up CatCo’s website, she simply didn’t have the energy to care about the next big bad so to speak.
She had to worry about Lily.
Sighing, Lena ran a hand through her hair, attempting to look at least somewhat respectable before checking in on a potentially sleeping superhero.
Then she froze, attention snapping back to her phone and the table it was laying on. She distinctly remembered her office being in quite the disarray last night. Particularly, her glass table had been covered in nearly-digested, ridiculously expensive, decades-aged scotch.
She gingerly tapped the table to make sure, but her suspicions were quickly confirmed. The table was clean. She cast a cursory glance around the office and let out a rue sigh. It was spotless. Then she noticed a blanket on the ground.
Lena’s expression softened. Had Kara gotten up to give her the blanket?
From the blanket’s location to the spotless office area, Kara’s presence was literally everywhere.; given that it was obvious the superhero had woken up in a significantly less inebriated state, Lena would be shocked if her friend was within 100 feet of the building, let alone still in that room.
But, she had promised – implicitly anyways – Alex that she’d check to make sure.
Picking herself up off the couch and grabbing the throw, Lena made her way to the backroom.
She knocked twice, to no reply.
Lena shook her head. She’d have to tell Alex she had absolutely no idea where her sister was. But as it were, the CEO still needed to get changed. Jess (not to mention, the rest of the company) would notice if Lena was still wearing the same clothes from last night. And while they all knew that Lena spent the occasional (read: many) night in the office, her unkempt appearance would by the subject of many a rampant rumor.
And it simply was not something she wanted to deal with given everything else that was going on.
So, it goes without saying that the Luthor opened the room with every intention of picking up some fresh clothes.
Instead, she gasped and dropped the blanket with a light thud as her attention fixated on one rolled up Kara Danvers who was still very much in the building. The young woman was curled up in a ball, hoody drawn over her head and eyes closed with her hands tucked behind a pillow. Noticeably, missing the very same blanket which was now occupying the floor.
As Lena openly gaped at the reporter still curled up in the room, a small voice sounded out, “Kara Danvers is not available for comment.”
As her mind finally started to comprehend the situation, amusement rapidly began to overtake the surprise on the Luthor’s face.
“You do know that I can see you talking Kara.”
If it was even possible, Kara curled up in a tighter ball.
“Kara will not be available for comment for the next millennia.”
Mirth sparkled in Lena’s eyes. Oh, she was going to enjoy this.
“Hm…if you say so. But I’ve got an important message for Supergirl.”
Kara groaned, covering her face with her pillow.
“Supergirl isn’t available either.”
At this point, Lena openly laughed. “I take it you remember what happened last night then.”
Kara burrowed further under the pillow. “I’m never drinking again. Never.”
The juxtaposition between the painfully-embarrassed Kara today versus the overconfident, oddly flirty, Kara last night filled Lena with the odd itch to tease the other woman incessantly.
And it’s oddly satisfying to scratch an itch.
“Well, you were very adamant yesterday that you were looking forward to drinking more.”
Kara groaned loudly. “I’m a monster.”
Chuckling, Lena took a seat on a corner of the bed as she gave the other woman a brief reprieve. “You’re fine Kara,” she finally said. “We’re fine, it’s really not your fault.” Urging the Super a little, she continued, “Come on, you need to get up. Your sister needs you at the DEO this morning.”
After a few seconds of silently wiggling around on the bed, Kara finally sat up. The reporter kept her head bowed as she refused to meet the young CEO’s gaze.
“Kara,” Lena intoned, gently touching her shoulder as she willed the taller woman to look at her.
“Do you hate me?” Kara asked weakly, eyes slightly watery, as she brought herself to finally meet Lena’s beseeching gaze. Kara had a half smile on her face as if to imply it wasn’t a serious question…but somehow, Lena could tell the reporter needed an answer.
“Kara, no.” She gave her a reassuring smile. “How could I hate one of the only people who doesn’t make me want to rip out my hair on a daily basis?”
The answer seemed to settle Kara because she let out a breath. “Rao, I am so embarrassed,” Kara grimaced, ducking her head as she massaged her temple.
“You didn’t seem that embarrassed last night,” Lena couldn’t help but tease.
Kara gaped at her. “Lena…”
“I mean,” the Luthor continued, simply unable to help herself now that she had gotten started. And not after all those months of failed attempts at teasing. “I rather distinctly recall someone saying they were jealous of a little kid.”
Kara’s eyes widened in horror and she let out a yelp, covering her head with the pillow.
“I can’t hear you Lena!”
“Something about how she wanted to hug someone and touch some—” Lena spluttered, unable to finish her sentence, as a flying pillow rudely interrupted her perfectly splendid barb.
The CEO gaped at the bright red reporter sitting crossed legged on the bed, cheeks puffed out in indignation.
“You’re a monster.” Kara spluttered. She was so red that Lena would have been seriously worried if she were a normal human. But as it were…
“I’m a – Kara Zor-El Danvers, you threw a pillow at me. And you have the nerve to call me the monster?” Lena looked at Kara incredulously.
The two of them stared at each other for a good thirty seconds before bursting into laughter.
Kara placed a hand over her eyes, smiling to herself. “We’re like a couple of teenagers.”
“God, is this what it’s like to be a normal teenager?” Lena chuckled, wiping a stray tear from her eye. “Pillow fights and misunderstandings?”
Kara shrugged, giving the Luthor a small grin. “Well, I wouldn’t be the best judge of a normal teenager.”
Lena met the smile with one of her own, green eyes looking fondly over at cerulean kind ones.
Kara poked Lena in the shoulder.
“I feel like we’re going to be okay?” Lena knew she wasn’t just talking about last night. She laughed.
“I think we’re better than okay; would you have thrown a pillow at me last year?”
Kara feigned mild indignance. “Hey, you forced my hand.”
Lena scoffed, shaking her head but the blatant amusement on her face took away any sting the gesture might normally have had.
But unfortunately, their playful bickering was interrupted by a couple of sharp knocks at the far end of the office.
Before either Kara or Lena could process the implications of said knocking, Jess strode in carrying a small box. It took her only a moment to realize that the room was still very much occupied. She froze in her tracks akin to a deer facing blinding headlights, squeaking in surprise when saw the two in the backroom.
“Ms. Luthor…Supergirl…” Jess flushed bright red as her eyes rapidly darted between the two of them. “I am so very sorry; Ms. Luthor, didn’t see you come in and when you didn’t respond I just assumed you weren’t in and…”
She picked up the box as she cut off her own ramblings, motioning towards its contents.
“I-I just wanted to leave your new phone for you,” she uncharacteristically stuttered, placing the box on the desk before making a hasty retreat.
Before Lena could figure out exactly what to say or why exactly her assistant was acting so out-of-character, Jess whirled around at the office’s doors.
Still red-faced, she proclaimed, “For what it’s worth, I didn’t believe that article. But now that I…” Jess cleared her throat. “I just want you to know that I completely support you. And given…” The assistant paused, swallowing. “Well, everything, I took the liberty of rescheduling your meetings and calls for next week.”
With those rather ominous words, her rather flustered assistant exited in a flurry.
“Do…you get the feeling that we are missing something?” Lena asked slowly, looking back at Kara with mild apprehension. “Because that was weird.”
Kara shook her head. “Definitely weird, but it’s been a weird 24-hours.” The Super paused, thinking back to Jess’ words. “I can’t believe I forgot about my glasses.”
Lena’s lips quirked upwards. “I can’t believe she literally saw you without your outfit but just because you’re missing the glasses….”
Kara rolled her eyes, “Well my hair is down too…I guess to a normal person, it looks like Supergirl just camped out in your spare room.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that I was fooled by such a basic disguise,” Lena murmured amused. “But seriously,” She ruffled Kara’s hair fondly. “Supergirl has wicked bedhead.”
Kara rolled her eyes. “Like you’re much better?”
Lena huffed. “I was, actually, until someone had the gall to assault me.”
“Oh really, I mean, even your clothes are messed…up…” Kara trailed off, frowning as certain pieces started to come together.
Something clicked. The two of them stared at each other in growing horror.
Hair mussed. Appearance mussed. Blanket on the floor. Sitting on the same bed…
“You don’t think…” Lena tapered off, the last word barely a whisper.
“There’s no way…” Kara finished.
Then suddenly they were both dashing for their phones.
“Son of a --- mine’s dead,” Kara called out from the room as Lena fumbled to switch the sim cards between phones.
“I know, that’s why your sister messaged me.” Pressing a few buttons, the new phone finally turned on.
She sighed in relief as she realized that Jess had already gone through the phone setup for her. I really owe that woman a raise, she thought wryly.
“My phone’s up and running. I’m looking it up now,” she said, typing in the Catco website.
In a flash, Kara was right by her side. Lena noted that the woman had now changed into her complete Supergirl persona, cape and all.
Lena nearly dropped her phone again when the article finally loaded.
BREAKING, CATCO EXCLUSIVE: SUPER AND LUTHOR. A MODERN DAY ROMEO AND JULIET?
Beneath the byline was one slightly blurry but very compromising picture of a Luthor sitting on the lap of a Super.
“What the fuck.”
Supergirl strode into the DEO control room with a very pissed off Lena Luthor following closely behind.
“Can someone explain what’s going on.”
The small group of people standing around the large monitor in the center of the room rapidly dispersed at the sound of a very irate Supergirl. The remaining four turned around, Winn giving the two newcomers a little wave.
“Supergirl…” Alex started. “We have literally been looking for you all morning.” The DEO Director nodded her thanks towards the L-Corp CEO. “Lena.”
Kara didn’t even acknowledge the greeting, throwing up her hands in a furry.
“Since when has CatCo become the National Enquirer?!” Supergirl demanded. “They don’t just publish unfounded rumors, especially ones that aren’t true.”
“So it’s not true then?” Brainy queried, looking between the two of them curiously.
“What – of course it’s not true,” Lena interjected, looking at the lot of them incredulously. “If we were dating, don’t you think you of all people would have known?”
Kara threw out her hands in frustration. “Really Brainy, you too?”
“Oh I knew,” Brainy rejoined smugly, holding out a hand towards J’onn. “I said there was an 89.8% chance that the article was…” he paused, looking for the colloquialism. “…full of shit.”
Muttering under his breath (something about never betting against a 12th level intellect again), J’onn slapped some money into the outstretched palm.
The two women watched the interaction with poorly contained outrage.
“You thought there was 10% chance of being wrong?” Brainy stared at her, unsure of how to respond. “And J’onn…you of all people, did you actually believe the article?” Kara retorted, looking up at J’onn in disbelief.
The Martian shrugged, an easy look on his face.
“Brainy’s good at logic, not emotions. And I’ve always thought you two…” he gestured between the two women. “…had good chemistry.”
“What, chemistry—” Kara spluttered, attention suddenly darting back to Alex. “Did you think it was true?”
Her sister gave her a pointed look. “Don’t be ridiculous.” She gestured to the two of them. “If I thought it was remotely possible, do you think we’d be standing here?”
Winn looked over at her curiously. “Didn’t you just say that we had that contingency plan on the off-chance that it was –“ He cut himself off at the furious look from the Director.
“Alex,” the superhero whined. “You too?”
“I can’t believe this,” Lena muttered, taking a seat in one of the vacant chairs. “I mean, Kara’s dating William.”
“Kara’s dating William, not Supergirl,” Winn helpfully supplied.
Kara rounded on the two of them. “I’m not dating William – we went on one date,” she retorted, huffing. Lena arched an eyebrow in skepticism.
“I hate to interrupt this little lover’s tiff,” Alex barely suppressed a smile at the affronted squawks from the two woman in question. “But whether or not the article is true is beside the point.”
The Director motioned to Winn who tapped a few buttons on the keyboard. A video feed suddenly popped up.
“That is the problem,” Alex said, crossing her arms.
On screen was Mxy, walking into an apartment complex and appearing to hold a polaroid in the air.
Alex turned around to gauge both woman’s reactions. Lena’s expression was unyielding but Kara’s…
“Mxy did this?” Kara groaned, slamming a hand to her head. “Of course, he did.”
“That little imp of yours is pretty meddling,” Lena said dryly.
“I really have no control over him,” Kara retorted, gesturing to the screen. “Do you think I would have sent him to do that?”
Despite herself, Lena found her eyes crinkling in amusement. “No, of course not. But we should go talk to him. He needs to stop interfering.”
“She’s right Supergirl,” Alex responded, catching her sister’s gaze. “We can’t have a 5th dimensional being playing the city like it’s a violin. Plus,” she added slyly. “If you don’t get him to fix this, every bigot in the country is going to be aiming for a certain CEO’s life.”
Kara visibly paled. “I wouldn’t let that happen.”
“This wouldn’t be the first or even the hundredth attempt,” Lena retorted from her seat. “I can take care of myself.”
Kara shot her a warning look as flashbacks from her time travel experience played across her mind. “We can discuss this later. First, we need to find Mxy.”
Lena laughed. “That won’t be too hard, he’s obviously with Lily.”
Kara blinked, that was probably true.
“Who’s Lily?” Winn asked from behind the others.
The two women blanched.
“She’s…well…” Kara hemmed and hawed, trying to get the words out of her mouth in the most delicate way possible.
“She’s our daughter,” Lena said bluntly.
A squeak, a cough, a stuttering and a gasp followed shortly after.
There was a lot of explaining to do.