Earth 40

On Friday morning, the morning primetime show in town issued Cat Grant's interview with Lena Luthor and Supergirl. Kara was watching it from CatCo's office as Cat came up to her.
"What do you think, Kerah?"
"It’s a very good interview," she said at once, reaching for her glasses.
"I didn’t ask about myself, I know I was fantastic," said Cat, "I mean, how do you see them?"
"Very good, too." Kara did not know what else to say, and didn’t want to screw up.
"Do they seem to be in love to you?" She insisted.
"Erm, yeah…?" She answered hesitantly.
"You're Supergirl’s friend, aren’t you?"
"Uh...Yes, why do you say that?" She smiled exaggeratedly.
"Then you know what really happened..." Kara quickly realized where this was heading.
"Yes, I know," she admitted honestly.
"Then I’ll ask again: Do the look like they’re in love to you? Do you believe they will deceive the public?"
"Well...I think so, right? Or maybe...?" Kara spoke nervously. She had not prepared herself mentally for something like this.
"To me they don’t look like they’re in love" Cat said. "Of course, I've been a journalist for many years, I see things that others do not.”
“Oh really?” She asked piteously.
"Although...In a certain way...There does seem to be something, don’t you think?” Cat narrowed her eyes. "Maybe they're not such bad actresses after all."
Kara swallowed. Cat Grant could be really stubborn.
"Let's hope it works, but not too much." She pointed without looking at Kara.
"What do you mean, Miss Grant?" Kara asked worriedly.
"I hope Supergirl-38 is as honorable as our Supergirl."
"Forgive me, I don’t follow..." What was she accusing her of?
"And let’s hope Lena Luthor does not betray her true girlfriend," she added with a slight smile. She ignored Kara's words completely and turned her back on her. "Keep working on your article, Kerah...Don’t get too upset about what I just said.”

Kara gasped, but could not say anything else. What was Cat Grant insinuating? Could she have an affair with Lena Luthor in that world? That would never happen, she had strong principles, she could never bring herself to cross that line. But she knew that it was a harder effort on Lena’s part, even though she didn’t doubt her strong feelings for her own Kara. But she kept hearing Cat's words inside her head: Did she really see a chance that they both might feel something for each other? She shook her head. She shouldn’t think of such things.
XXXXXX

In the afternoon, Alex went down to the maximum-security cells to review some data. Her sister took the opportunity to speak to her with obvious interest.
"Big sis…" At the agent's indifference, she raised her voice. "Alex!"
"I will not tolerate your impertinence today, Kara," Alex said.
"Is there a new Supergirl in National City?" Alex finally looked at her. “I've heard the agents who guard me say that an interview of Lena Luthor and Supergirl made by Cat Grant has aired, and that everything went very well. What the hell is going on while I rot in here?”
"That's none of your business.” Alex tried to get on with her job, but Kara was not going to let go easily.
"Yes it is: A Supergirl from another Earth is taking my place!" She exclaimed, her eyes burning with fury. "Because she’s from another Earth, right? Have you replaced me?"
"In any case, we've replaced the Supergirl that no longer exists," Alex said.
"And where does she live? With Lena? Does she also pretend to be her girlfriend?!”
"Do you care now?" Alex turned to face her.
"Of course I care, Lena is mine!" She bellowed, placing her hands on the glass of her cell with a loud thump.
"I came to think that you still cared for her, and it is only your hunger to possess... There really is nothing left of my sister in you," she murmured in disappointment.
"You did not answer me, Alex!" Kara insisted.
“I’m not going to.”
"All right, then bring Lena here, I want to see her." Kara softened her tone.
“Don’t even dream about it.”
“She’s my girlfriend! Tell Lena I need to see her!"
But Alex turned her back on her.
"I'm not going to do that, I do not want you to hurt her anymore," she said. “Bye, Kara.”
“Alex, damn it, Alex!” Kara shouted as she hit the glass.

Alex Danvers did not feel much sympathy for Lena Luthor when she met her. She distrusted her, like almost everyone did, because of her family name. But time and the actions of the young CEO showed that her sister Kara was right, that Lena was a good person and just wanted to do good, just like them. When Kara told her that she was falling in love with Lena, Alex could not be happier and supported them from the very first moment. By becoming her sister's girlfriend, Alex and Lena had shared more time together, and had come to know each other on a more personal level. She smiled as she remembered how, when the four of them hanged out, Lena and she would begin endless scientific discussions as Kara and Maggie stared at them, with expressions of clearly don’t understanding a thing, until they finally gave up sat on the couch to share a few beers. How she missed those times.
XXXXXX

Kara-40 was not the only one surprised when the interview aired. When Jess announced a visit from Lillian Luthor, Lena sighed in resignation. She’d been waiting for news from her since she appeared on TV. It was not that they had the best mother-daughter relationship, but still she was her mother, and so she wanted to consider her, even when she had never received true love from her.
"You did not tell me that Supergirl had recovered!" Lillian exclaimed, closing the door behind her.
"Good afternoon to you too, Mother.”
Lena gestured to invite her to sit down. Lillian took off her coat quickly and took a chair without taking her icy eyes from her daughter.
“So?” She insisted. Lena took a deep breath.
"No, Mom, Kara has not recovered.”
"Well, I found her very...Normal," Lillian said, narrowing her eyes. Then she opened them suddenly. "Who was she? Was it the shape-shifting Martian?”
"It was Kara." Lillian's stunned expression made her keep talking. "It's complicated.”
"And I'm sure I have enough intelligence to understand it, so go ahead."

Lena brought her up to date on the latest events, just as she did when she began her relationship with Kara a year ago. Lillian was not at all happy about her daughter's relationship; she tried to make her change her mind. Like her son Lex, she thought that aliens were unreliable, that they were all a potential danger. But she finally resigned herself, knowing too well the stubbornness of her daughter.

"And who’s to say this new Supergirl will not go crazy like the other one did? I would not feel safe around her," Lillian stated.
"Fortunately for you, I'm the one who pretends to be her girlfriend, not you."
"I thought all this would make you rethink your position toward the aliens."
"Thank you, Mother, for your unconditional support," Lena said wearily.
"Just try to open your eyes and realize your mistake," Lillian insisted, "If the best of them can become that, what won’t the rest do?" She frowned and shook her head.
"I like it better when you pretend to accept my partner and we do not talk about it.”
"Yes, it's the best course of action; I feel like I'm talking to a stone that cannot see reason," Lillian exclaimed. "I do not know what Supergirl did to you, she has you completely...Under her spell," she said with contempt.
"In love, Mom, the word you're looking for is in love," Lena thought.
“Well, if you have nothing else to tell me, I have a lot of work to do.”
"I'll be leaving now and let you work, at least you're good at business..." Lillian got up, picked up her coat, and walked to the door of the office. "You're a complete disappointment in other areas," she said loudly enough for her daughter to hear.
Lena closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, taking several deep breaths. Seeing her mother always left her depressed. Whatever she did, it was never enough for her. Lillian had the virtue of making her feel small. She always had some reproach or correction to make, and never with affection or delicacy. Not even three minutes had passed when she heard the sound of her cell phone.

“Now what?”
When she read the message, her expression changed completely;, she could not stop smiling.
"Hi Lena, how's been your day at L-Corp? Mine at CatCo has been terrible. I've had to redo an article that I was supposed to have already written because I haven’t been able to locate it, Carr has not been amused by the delay.” Lena laughed “and Cat Grant has been keeping an eye on me all day, it’s like she doesn’t trust the way I do my job, or who I am, or whatever...I'm going to order Chinese food for dinner, I need it, I hope you don’t mind. Or if you want, we can order more food, it won’t be a problem for me.”
Lena laughed again. "See you later."

The day ended much better than it had started for both. They shared the Chinese food, Kara filled her plate several times, under the amused look of Lena. They chatted animatedly, and Kara told her a few anecdotes of her life on Earth-38, delighted to see Lena laugh earnestly after several days of barely contained sadness. Lena also related some fun moments, proving that she was not all seriousness and work.
"You're a wonderful company, Kara," Lena said suddenly. "I needed this today.”
"What, eating healthy food like Chinese food?" She teased and Lena giggled. "I needed it, too," she added softly. They dedicated to each other smiles in silence.
"And now let's go to sleep, I have to work tomorrow, and later at night we have the gala," Lena announced.
"It's true, our first public appearance since I've been here," Kara said a little uneasily.
"You'll do great." Lena placed her hand over Kara's, "but even super girls need to sleep, so ..."
Lena got up from the couch and pulled at Kara’s hand, who also stood. Then Kara looked at their joined hands and took the one that she had free to her glasses; Lena released her quickly.
"See you tomorrow, Lena," Kara said, and walked away from her.
"Good night, Kara-"
Lena lifted her arm a little, as if to keep her by her side, but did not say a word. That Kara was not her girlfriend, she should not forget it.
XXXXXX

Lena received an unexpected visit from Cat Grant at L-Corp on Saturday morning. After greeting her with a firm handshake, she went straight to the point, she did not like to waste time.
"I hope you know what you're doing," she said.
"I do not follow, Cat.”
"With Supergirl-38...You two are pretty close," Cat said. “I would not want to lose my respect for you that you earned so well.”
"What are you implying?" Lena asked indignantly, feeling attacked.
"I understand you two have to fake things to the best of your abilities, but... I hope you do not lose sight of the fact that it's a farce," Cat explained. Lena smiled sideways.
"So you came here to remind me that I must remain loyal to my girlfriend." Cat looked up at her. "At least you care that our relationship won’t deteriorate," she added, remembering her mother's opinion.
"Lena...I cannot imagine how bizarre and difficult this must be for you," Cat said with sympathy, "but you must be strong for the sake of all three of you.”
Cat had included the new Kara and Lena understood perfectly why.
"Cat, you know me ...”
"Yes, that's why I know anything can happen even if you don’t mean for it to. I know you love our Supergirl, but who knows what the new Supergirl can feel for you?”
"Supergirl-38 is an honest woman, and she's got things very clear," Lena said.
“No doubt, but when it comes to feelings, everything becomes unpredictable and uncontrollable...However, there are lines that should not be crossed, because the consequences would be devastating for everyone involved” said Cat.
“Trust me, Cat, not a single day goes by that I don’t think of that.” Lena assured her.
"I'm sorry I came to tell you this, Lena, you know I do it because I appreciate you; Supergirl and you," Cat said as she got up.
“I know, thanks.” She held out her hand to her, Cat shook it affectionately and gave her a smile.
XXXXXX

Kara and Lena visited the DEO after lunch. Alex wanted to discuss some things with Kara and J'onn with Lena.
"Hello Alex," Kara greeted.
"Hi Kara, come on in," the agent said as she spread some papers on her laboratory table. "You see, your blood sample gives the same results as my sister's sample when she was fine.”
"So I didn’t do anything that could help," Kara said sadly.
"It's not your fault, or anyone else's," exclaimed Maggie, who was crossing the door with her crutches.
"How are you, Maggie?" Kara asked. The detective kissed Alex on the lips and looked at Kara.
"I'm fine, waiting to start rehab." Maggie had wrapped her arms around Alex's neck. "I'm still going to give this woman a lot of trouble," she teased. Alex blushed a little and Kara could not help but laugh.

Lena had not gotten into J'onn J'onzz's office because she had changed her route, heading downstairs where her girlfriend was held. She had not told anyone, because she knew they would have stopped her, but she had to see her, especially after the conversation with Cat Grant.
"Good afternoon, Miss Luthor," greeted the DEO agent guarding the cell.
"Good afternoon, can you leave us alone?"
The man nodded and left. Kara leapt off the bed and went to the glass.
"Lena! Did Alex tell you to come?" She asked in surprise.
"No," Lena said in surprise. "I came because I wanted to see you.”
Kara stared at her in silence for a few seconds.
"You're just as beautiful as ever..." Her blue eyes danced between Lena's green gaze and her red lips.
“Kara ...” Lena rested her hands on the glass. “Please, become who you were before again, you promised that you would always come back to me...I...I need you..." she whispered, holding back her tears.
"Lena…" For a moment, Lena thought she saw the purity in her eyes again. But before she could say or do anything, the blue sky darkened again, like her soul. "Are you sure you need me? I thought you had already replaced me.”
“What?” She whispered, still recovering from the previous moment.
Kara placed her hands on the glass, abruptly so, startling Lena.
"I know about the new Supergirl. She’s living with you, right?”
“Kara...That...” Lena backed a couple of steps.
"I suppose you pretend to be a couple so everything stays the same as before, except without me."
"We do it for the city’s sake..." Lena's voice was barely audible. She was not ready to talk about it with her.
"And is my substitute doing well?" She did not let Lena answer “Do you fly together? Does she hold your hand in public? Does she sleep with you?!” Kara asked, raising her voice more and more.
"No, she does not sleep with me!" Cried Lena.
"And how long will it take?" She asked wickedly.
"Kara, please..." Lena said. "This is very difficult for everyone.”
“And not for me?!” Kara shouted. "I've been locked up inside this damn cell for over two months!"
"I want to get you out, but-“
"Get me out!"
"I can’t." She lowered her eyes. “You are too dangerous.”
"And I have to stay here while some other woman takes my place even in your bed?"
“It’s not like that!” Cried Lena.
"If I were her, I wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of the situation...I like you too much, Lena Luthor.”
Although her voice sounded perverse, her words managed to upset Lena more than she would have liked.
"She would never do that, because she is like you before you lost your mind," she said, inconsolable.
She turned back to the glass. She could no longer contain them, the tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Keep your promise, please...Come back to me," she sobbed.

"Where's Lena?" Winn asked.
"With J'onn," Alex said.
"No, she's not with her, J'onn is still waiting for her in his office."
"How strange, we came together," Kara pointed out.
‘Shit!” Alex cursed. "She went down to see my sister!"
"Please," Maggie begged Kara, who took her in her arms and ran beside Alex to the elevator.
"How could you agree to something like that, Lena?" Kara yelled without restraint.
"Kara, please." Lena's voice was barely a whisper. She was still crying.
"Get me out of here, I’ll kick back that damn usurper to her own Earth!"
The voices reached them as they emerged from the elevator. Kara made a move to accompany them, but Maggie asked her to wait there.
"Lena, you shouldn’t have come down here!" Cried Alex, who had already reached the cell.
"I'm sorry...I just wanted to see her..." she stammered. Alex took her shoulders to get her away.
“I know. I should have told you that she knew about Kara-38, come on.”
"Don’t treat her with such consideration, she's delighted with the new Supergirl!" Kara accused.
"Stop it, Kara!” Alex shouted.

"I'm sorry, big sister, you're too late." She gave her a look of hate. "I made her cry. You’ve failed again," she said cruelly.
Alex gritted her teeth. Lena closed her eyes. And then there was Maggie's voice.
"Don’t you get tired of always using the same sentences, Kara?" The detective asked, surprising them all. "Get Lena out of here," she said to Alex.
Kara smiled with satisfaction. She had not seen Maggie Sawyer in a long time.
“There’s a family reunion today and you didn’t tell me? Did my substitute also come? I want to see her face!”
"Kara has more important things to do than come down and see you," Maggie said, smiling. Kara smiled too.
"I know she’s here, I can feel it... But I'll have to settle for you. I really missed you, to be honest," Kara admitted.
"I'm not allowed to invite you to have some beers, sorry," Maggie teased. That made her laugh.
"You're the only one who doesn’t seem to break down when you talk to me. I like that," Kara confessed.
"Maybe it's because I'm the least emotionally attached to you," Maggie said calmly, “Something good had to come out of this.”
"And how is your leg?" Kara had softened the tone, but the look on her face did not convey how little she cared about her injury.
"I can still walk," Maggie explained, showing her the crutches.
"You're tough, Maggie Sawyer, but your bones are as fragile as any other human being; what a pity.”
Maggie knew that the conversation was over, and Kara had ended it with a clear threat. If she ever managed to free herself from her confinement, the Kryptonian would not hesitate to kill her.

“What happened?” Kara asked visibly worried when she saw them approaching.
"My sister knows you're here, taking her place," Alex announced. Kara swallowed. It was obvious she had not taken it well.
"Lena, please don’t come back again without telling me before," Alex pleaded.
"I won’t..." she whispered as she put her hand to her eyes to wipe away the tears. She didn’t want Kara to see her like this. Alex hugged her tightly.
It was a shocking sight to Kara. It was one thing to watch her hug and kiss Maggie. In her world, her sister also liked Maggie; it wasn’t surprising. It was very different thing to see her having those affectionate gestures with Lena Luthor, when in her world they had barely exchanged two sentences the day Lena burst into her apartment without warning. Their complicity made her think that perhaps Alex had grown very fond of Lena since she'd started her relationship with Kara. Alex was always very protective of the people who she cared for. Maggie's appearance took her out of her thoughts.
"Maggie!" Alex exclaimed when she saw her. "Thank you for your help."
Alex framed her face with her hands and kissed her intensely.
"You know I'm here for whatever you need, Danvers," Maggie said, "especially with rewards like this," she said, smiling and hugging Alex's waist, who kissed her tenderly on her head.

Maggie had the ability to calm down people whenever she was present. They all seemed more relaxed.
"You have a gala tonight to attend, don’t you?" Alex asked.
"Yes," Lena replied weakly.
The last thing Lena wanted was to show herself to the audience with a smile, as if her life was wonderful, when in reality she just wanted to cry and curse for losing the person she loved most.
"Kara, take Lena home and rest for a while," Alex suggested. "Maggie and I will stay in the DEO, no matter what happens."
"But J'onn wanted to talk to me."
"Calm down, I'll tell him what's happened, he'll understand, and if it's something important, I'll call you."
“Thanks Alex.”
Kara and Lena walked silently to the helipad.
"Do you want us to fly?" Kara offered.
"No, I'd rather go in my helicopter, I'm sorry.”
Kara sighed in resignation. Only a few hours ago they had shared laughter and potstickers, getting to know a more relaxed and personal side of Lena, and now she felt farther away from her than ever. It hurt, especially because Lena had been hurt again.
XXXXXX

Kara flew around the center of National City until she knew Lena had come home. Then she went to one of the terraces of the attic and crossed the open door. She dressed in street clothes and entered the living room, where Lena received her. "Kara
...”
"Hello Lena," Kara greeted back with a shy smile, touching her glasses.
"I'm sorry about before," Lena said. "The meeting with my girlfriend left me too upset.”
"I know, Lena, you don’t have to apologize," Kara said quickly.
"I didn’t want you to see me like this, I'm a little embarrassed," Lena confessed, her cheeks flushed and averting her gaze. Kara stared at her in silence for a few seconds.
"How beautiful she is when she blushes," she thought.
"Please don’t feel bad about that, we all have our weaknesses." Lena frowned at her. "Our low moments." She touched her glasses and smiled.
"It's true," Lena said with a smile. “But we have to keep going, and tonight they're waiting for us at the gala sponsored by L-Corp, "she added as she walked to her room.
"Yes," Kara said proudly, watching Lena recover. She was immensely glad that their relationship had not been marred by what had transpired that afternoon.
"Will you help me choose the dress?" Lena asked, turning to her from the corridor.
“Huh?” She stammered. “Yeah, sure.”
"Well, are you planning to see them from here with your X-rays?" Lena teased.
"No, of course not, I mean sure..." Kara gasped and finished her words with a laugh that ended up infecting Lena.
"Rao help us both tonight," Kara implored.