Earth 40

Kara stopped at the door that led to Lena’s dressing room. When Lena opened one of the cabinets, Kara was surprised. Not only were there dresses, but also shirts and pants that were familiar to her. The young CEO roamed her fingers over some clothes with obvious longing. Kara watched her holding her breath; she knew that those clothes belonged to her alter-ego. Lena shook her head slightly out of the trance and focused on her evening dresses.
"What do you think of this one?" She showed her a red dress, “And this one?" Now she was holding up a black one with a few details in white.
"They're...Both of them are pretty," Kara cleared her throat.
"This dress I love absolutely..." Lena stated, putting a midnight blue garment in front of her body. Kara imagined her dressed in it. Lena lifted her left eyebrow, urging her to speak again.
"It's very nice, too," she managed to say, reaching for her glasses.
"I don’t think you're going to help me much," Lena teased. Kara smiled shyly and pulled her blue eyes away from her.
Lena took a moment to look at several dresses, taking them to the full-length mirror of the dressing room and looking at herself with them. Kara looked at her carefully; she had no need to pretend since the occasion allowed it. And she thought that Lena Luthor was a beautiful woman, elegant and attractive, very attractive.
"I think I'll wear the dark blue one."
"It’ll suit you," Kara observed on an impulse. Lena looked at her, smiling.
"Thank you, Kara. Can you leave the room?”
“Why?” She asked, confused.
"Because I have to take a shower and get dressed. You don’t want me to do it with you here, do you?"
"Of course, sorry, I'm leaving!" She answered hurriedly with a wide smile.
Lena followed her gaze until she left her alone, and could not help but smile. Demure Kara was so adorable. She felt a prick of longing in her chest, but she took a deep breath and returned her full attention to what she had to do.
Kara reached the living room of the apartment and began to walk without a clear direction. She could not stand still. That night was very important; the people who would attend the gala had to believe that Lena and she were girlfriends. The theory had been clear for days, but the recent developments worried her. Cat Grant's words echoed in her mind, "I hope Supergirl-38 is as honorable as our Supergirl." Of course she had honor, no matter how exceedingly attractive and charming Lena was.
"Kara, can you come for a moment?" She heard Lena's voice from her room.
"Yes, Lena..." Kara answered peering through the door.
"You come in handy since you’re here, can you help me?" Lena pointed to the upmost buttons on the collar of her dress as she pushed her dark mane aside.
Kara swallowed. The dress matched her silhouette like a second skin, highlighting her feminine curves. And her back was quite exposed because she had not yet zipped up her dress. It made it very clear that she was not wearing a bra and Kara's heart began to beat faster. Luckily, Lena did not possess her Kryptonian powers, she could only see her flushed cheeks.
Kara came up to her, hesitating a little. Had been able to choose, she would not be there helping her with the damned dress. Not if that meant reacting that way and feeling guilty about it. Lena was not doing anything special, but that was the problem, she didn’t need to put any effort into it, her capacity for seduction seemed to be a natural quality in her. Kara tried to be as quick as possible. As if the sight wasn’t already enough, the warmth of the skin beneath her fingertips and the smell of Lena’s perfume were added to the torment her senses were being subjected to. Everything about Lena Luthor attracted her, absolutely everything; it was going to be very easy to be stuck to her during the night. But, how would she be able to get away from her later?
"Thanks, now there’s only the hairstyle and make-up left," Lena said. "Mary should arrive shortly."
"Mary?" Kara asked.
“My secret weapon when I need to get ready. You didn’t believe I pulled off those styles myself, did you?” She laughed.
"Of course, that makes sense," she said, laughing exaggeratedly.
“What are you waiting for?”
“Mm?”
"When Mary arrives, we’ll need her to see Supergirl here, not Kara Danvers.”
“Of course, that’s only logic!” Kara raised her hand to her glasses nervously. She felt very foolish for a while.
Lena barely had the time to blink once. Supergirl was right before her eyes.
"That speed of yours, I could use it when I need to get ready!" She joked. Kara smiled and folded her arms in front of her chest in one of her classic poses.
"You're perfect," Lena admitted with admiration.
“Thank you.”
The doorbell rang and Lena opened the front door. Half an hour later, Mary left and the couple prepared to do the same. Lena wore an elegant updo and her green eyes were highlighted with black makeup. She decided that it was better to go with her limo, to keep the wind from spoiling Mary's work.
Kara was nervous; she was not good at lying. Lena felt her nervousness and rested her hand over Kara's. The Kryptonian turned to face her in the car seat.
"It will be all right, you'll see."
Then Lena laced her fingers a little with Kara's, and their heartbeats quickened. But Lena knew how to mask the response of her body to that contact with the situation they were about to live.
"I'm a little nervous, too, but we should be fine. We did well in the interview, and tonight we’ll do the same.”
She gave her a friendly smile and released her hand; Kara took a breath and looked ahead.
As soon as they arrived at the place of the gala, many people approached them to greet them with enthusiasm. It was more than obvious that National City was glad to see them together again. Lena did not want to bother Kara anymore; she had realized what it took the Kryptonian to help her with the dress and have her so close, so she was patient and respectful and just just walked by her side. But Kara was not blind, and she was aware of the way all those people looked at them, hoping to see certain behaviors in a couple formed by women. Suddenly, her hand reached for Lena's, who looked at her with surprise. Kara gave her a tender smile, took her hand gently and they both kept walking among the attendants. Lena also smiled, appreciating the gesture.
"Hey there, hotties!" Shouted a male voice. Both became slightly uncomfortable.
"Mon-El!" Exclaimed Kara.
He was dressed in a tuxedo that looked really good on him. But what Kara liked best about that image was the beautiful woman who was clutching his arm, Lucy Lane, in a nice violet dress.
"Look at the faces they’re making," joked Mon-El.
"My boyfriend is always such a prankster, forgive him," Lucy said.
"I didn’t know you were attending this gala," Kara said.
"I was invited on behalf of the army, and he, well...Sometimes I wonder why I bring him as a companion.”
"Because I'm handsome and funny," he replied quickly, "and because you're the person that matters most to me in the whole world, and you know it," he added, looking her in the eye.
Kara and Lena looked at each other with a frown, then turned their attention to them.
"Anyway, have a good time, surely many more people will want to greet you," said Lucy, giving silly smiles to her boyfriend, who did not take his eyes off her.
"That's a couple in love," Lena sighed.
"I'm sorry, maybe I should be more affectionate with you..." Kara muttered.
"No, don’t worry, we've never been too sugary-sweet in public."
"Well, we’re lucky then." They smiled.
The background music changed and Kara noticed that many people were looking at them.
"Why are they all looking at us?" She asked Lena softly.
"They expect us to dance together," Lena explained. "Kara and I used to dance at these events.”
"I like to dance, and I can do it pretty well in fact," Kara boasted with a confident smile on her face.
"I know; it's a natural talent that all you Karas have," she said, smiling, "So ..."
Kara nodded. Lena placed her hands on the Kryptonian's shoulders. Then, Lena felt Kara’s arms move around her back, bringing her a little closer to her body. She sighed; she had not danced with anyone else for two months. They moved perfectly in tune with each other, enjoying the music and the pleasant sensations they were experiencing. For Lena, it was like going back in time. From time to time, she could not help but close her eyes and lean against Kara's neck, trying to imagine that she was her girlfriend and that the last few weeks had only been a nightmare. For Kara, it was something new; she had never danced with a woman like that. She was enjoying it too much, and she did not know if it was because she liked to dance, or because her dance partner was Lena Luthor.
However, at some point, Kara guided Lena in a twirl, and that made her moan in pain.
“Sorry, I did not think I was squeezing that hard!” Kara exclaimed at once.
"It's okay, it's not your fault," Lena said, dismissing the incident.
But Kara was not convinced. She knew she hadn’t put enough pressure to hurt her under normal conditions, what had really happened? Although Lena tried to continue with the dance as if nothing had happened, Kara was a little more cunning. She started guiding them towards one of the corners of the ample room, using the movements of the dance as an excuse. When she thought that no one could hear them any more if they spoke at a low volume, she spoke her mind.
"It was your girlfriend, wasn’t it?" Lena looked up at her quickly. "She hurt your wrist."
Lena averted her green eyes. She did not want to answer, the memory hurt too much. But Kara insisted, eager to understand what had really happened.
"That's what Alex meant when she said she attacked you, she didn’t hurt just Maggie and the DEO agents," she said.
"Please, Kara, let’s change the topic, I don’t want to talk about it," she admitted looking at her again. Her eyes were a lifeless, greenish gray.
"I'm sorry; I didn’t want to upset you." Kara regretted talking to her so directly.
"Okay, let's forget about it and continue with the gala.”
Lena forced a smile and took Kara's hand to pull her and bring her back into the central area.
About two in the morning, the gala came to an end. Lena said a word of thanks for the presence of all the attendants, on her behalf and that of her girlfriend, Supergirl, who stood at her side with her fists on her waist, showing a kind smile.
"Looks like the people had a good time," Kara said.
"Yes, everything has gone well," Lena observed. We can go back to my house flying, I don’t care if my hair gets a little ruffled anymore." she joked with a smile.
Kara nodded in delight, and helped her put on her coat. It was a cold night, and she would need it if she was going to cross the skies. She lifted her in her arms and looked at her.
"Hold on tight," she said suddenly. Lena looked into her eyes.
“Uh?” She stammered without understanding.
"To fight the cold," Kara said. “I keep my body temperature in spite of the climatic changes”.
"I know that very well," Lena thought.
As Kara had suggested her, Lena clung to her body. She could feel her heartbeat perfectly, a painfully familiar sensation. She kept her eyes closed for much of the flight. Just as during the gala, she wanted to forget everything and imagine that she was back in the arms of her Kara.
The Kryptonian landed carefully and released Lena, who could not help but sigh. Kara knew why.
"I wish I could give you what you've lost," she said.
"You're lovely, Kara.” Lena gave her a tender smile.
"No wonder the Kara of this world fell in love with you," Kara said earnestly.
“Why do you say that?” Lena asked, looking at her intently.
"Because...You're a wonderful woman."
As soon as she had spoken, Kara looked troubled, convinced she'd screwed up. Lena gave her a hand, aware of the situation.
"Surely no more than the Lena of your world." Lena smiled fondly. "Good evening, Kara.
"Good evening, Lena.”
To remind her of Lena Luthor's existence in her world was the best for both of them. Cat was right, what could Kara eventually feel for her if they kept up with that farce? Lena did not want to hurt her; it was more than enough with her own suffering. Kara was totally innocent of what had happened on Earth-40. So, for one more night, Lena had to contain her irrational impulses, those who told her that her girlfriend was back in her apartment, and curled up in her bed, begging Morpheus for some mercy.
XXXXXX

On Monday morning, Kara called CatCo to inform that she could not go to work because she had an appointment with the doctor to review the results of her surgery. Only James knew the truth, Kara was needed in the DEO.
"So you finally got it repaired?" She asked excitedly.
"That's what they told me," Alex said, "Just some more minor adjustments.”
It was hard for Kara to hide her excitement.
"Chill, little Danvers," exclaimed Maggie, "you seem to be anxious to lose sight of us all, have we really treated you so badly?" She teased, making her laugh.
"I'm sorry, Maggie, you know it’s not like that at all."
They exchanged smiles and at that moment, Lena and Winn entered the central operating room.
“All good?” J'onn asked.
"Fixed!” Winn announced proudly, "And ready to be tested!"
Lena smiled and held out her hand to Kara to give her the Inter-Dimensional Extrapolator.
"Here is the door to go back home." Despite her smile, Kara felt the sadness in her voice.
Kara started to say goodbye to everyone, shared hugs with Alex and Maggie, and assured that she would return very soon, but that she needed to see her own Earth and tell her sister that everything was all right, that she needed not to worry about her safety. When Lena's turn came, the others left to give them some privacy.
"You did a great job, Kara," Lena assured her, "and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to you, the city believes that Supergirl returned, that we are together and in love, those malicious rumors have calmed down... and We…You've given us a little more time to continue the research to know what happened to my girlfriend.”
"Lena, I'm coming back," Kara said, "so don’t talk like you’ll never see me again.”
"You know you don’t have to, right?" Lena said with a sad smile. “You've done so much more than you had to, no one will blame you if you don’t return here.”
"I would," stated Kara, "I will not leave you with all this, I will come back."
Everything was so absurd; that was not her Kara, she was not her girlfriend, and yet a part of her was reluctant to let her go. She would never say that aloud, but it was not necessary either: Kara was reading it in her green eyes.
"You'll have me back sooner than you think," she promised, licking her with her own blue pair.
Lena wished her a safe trip, and the others approached to wish her the same. Kara powered the artifact and generated an inter-dimensional portal.
XXXXXX

EARTH-38
Kara appeared on the roof of the building where Alex lived. She went down to her balcony and took advantage of it being already open to sneak inside. She saw her sister drinking a beer on the kitchen table, her back turned on her.
"Alex..." She whispered. The agent started on the stool and turned quickly to her.
"Kara!" She shouted, running to her and hugging her tightly, "Oh my God, you're back, I was thinking the worst, dammit!"
"You were already burying me? Supergirl is invincible," she exclaimed with exaggerated haughtiness. Alex slapped her playfully on the arm.
"Why didn’t you contact me? You couldn’t? Did you defeat Barry's enemy?"
“Hang on, let's sit and I’ll tell you everything, because...There is a lot to tell.”
Alex frowned and hurriedly sat down with her sister on the couch.
"Earth-40…" Alex repeated for the third time.
"Yes, instead of returning here, the device took me to another of the infinite parallel worlds, but fortunately, Winn and Lena were able to repair it and that's why I was able to return home.”
“Winn and Lena...” Alex seemed not to be able to grasp what Kara was telling her.
"Yes, as I told you before, everyone in this world has an alter-ego on Earth-40."
“Sorry, it's just... I cannot imagine having a Doppelgänger.”
"You probably have infinite of them, I was shocked too," Kara admitted, "but the truth is that you look a lot alike, and it’s not just your appearance, you share the same grumpy, neurotic personality," she added, sticking out her tongue.
"Hey, who's grumpy?" Alex complained, pushing her.
"And the same protective side for the people you care about," she said with a smile. Alex curled up her lips and looked away. "By the way, how's things going with Maggie?" She asked, the curiosity was too much for her.
“What?” Alex looked at her with an expression of surprise. "Good...Very good.”
“Very good?”
"The night before you left, she came to my apartment and well... We're together," she muttered, looking down.
"Are you girlfriends?" Kara shouted excitedly. "Just like on Earth-40!” She laughed.
“Seriously.”
“Really?”
Kara told her all the novelties and not-so-novelties she had known on Earth-40 and Alex couldn’t seem to get enough; she was really fascinated with the existence of the multiverses. She was horrified by the situation of Kara-40 and how it had affected the lives of all her loved ones, and regretted that they did not find the cure for her. But, no doubt, what had surprised her most was the romantic relationship between Lena Luthor and Supergirl, which the tabloids has baptized as “Supercorp.”
"And how was pretending to be her girlfriend like?"
"Well, it wasn’t that complicated, Lena made it easy." Alex looked at her with an exaggerated smile on her face. “What?”
"Nothing...It's so funny that you've finally crossed to my side," Alex admitted. "When I tell Mom she's going to freak out."
"It's not so surprising, is it? You knew I'm bisexual. Besides, you can’t tell anyone that Alex! I'm sure they'll start telling jokes with the Lena of our world and I don’t want that." Kara was nervous.
"Of course, because you absolutely don’t care about our Lena," Alex exclaimed, smiling sideways.
"I don’t like her like that, but I care about her; she's my friend," she justified herself.
"Well, she seems to really care about you," Alex declared, suddenly sounding interesting.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
"Alex, dammit, tell me if I need to know something!" Alex laughed again.
"Well...You see, James told me she came to see you at CatCo.”
“Really?”
"And not only that, she called me asking about Supergirl.”
"Well..." Kara was silent and just stared.
"We told her the same lies we tell everyone, but I'm sure she'd love to get a surprise visit from Supergirl.”
“You think so?”
"I know that, and that you would like to see her too: it’s written all over your face.”
"Drop it, Alex!" Kara complained. "What happens on one Earth doesn’t necessarily have to happen in others too.”
Kara explained her sister that she had to return to Earth-40, that she owed it to all of their alter-egos for the warm welcome they had given her and for helping her return to her true world. Alex understood perfectly, she had a strong sense of honor as did her sister, and assured her that she could leave at peace, that between J'onn, Mon-El, Guardian and the DEO they had everything well-covered during her absence.
"Tell everyone I'm fine and that I'll come back as soon as I can," Kara said, and hugged Alex strongly.
"Take care of yourself, please, and come back soon," Alex said, "I love you."
“Love you, too”.
XXXXXX

Kara flew to the L-Corp building; it was dark outside. She was curious to see the Lena of her world; it was as if she was going to see her again for the first time, like that morning when she met her with Clark. She knew that everything she had lived in the last week had changed her, and that nothing would ever be the same. She remembered the last time she had seen her, after the missile containing the Medusa virus neutralized by her exploded. She thanked her and Lena nodded, apologizing for having fooled her by making her think she was working with her mother. Kara had felt guilty for believing in her betrayal, but the final relief at seeing her on her side was stronger.
She stopped a few feet away and saw her on the balcony of her office, a glass of wine in her hand. Lena had just ended a business dinner and had not yet gone home. She looked at her a little more and saw that she appeared sad and lost in thought. Lena, completely oblivious to her, sighed with her eyes closed.
"I miss you," she whispered to the wind.
"Me too," Kara admitted internally.
Lena felt a little wind unfurl behind her, and turned quickly, thinking that maybe it was Supergirl. She did not see her, yet her green eyes met with a beautiful bouquet of white plumerias resting on the ground by the door.
Lena took a few steps, set the glass on the floor and picked up the bouquet. She closed her eyes and delighted in the floral scent. She knew they were freshly cut, and that had been Supergirl's thing. She smiled and opened her eyes, looking for her in the sky, but she did not find her.
"Thank you, Supergirl..." Lena muttered, hoping the Kryptonian could still hear her.
"You're welcome, and goodnight, Miss Luthor," Kara said behind her. Lena turned at once.
"Supergirl, you're here!" She exclaimed, happy to know that Supergirl had not disappeared and that she cared.
"That's right..." Kara came down until she stood on the ground. "First of all, I'd like to properly thank you for what you did two weeks ago. You saved many innocent lives.”
"This bouquet is a nice gesture of appreciation," Lena replied with a smile, "but-" Kara frowned. "Do you use my last name again?"
"I've always used it."
"That’s not true, when I was about to launch the missile, you shouted my first name," Lena pointed out.
"You’re right, but it was an extreme situation; I thought that my plea would have been more effective.” Lena looked away.
"Of course it has more effect when you call me by my name," she whispered with a shy smile that infected Kara too, "and I wish you would continue to do so if you do not mind."
"Of course not," Kara exclaimed, taking a few steps toward Lena.
When she was close enough to her, the shadows of the night no longer prevented her from seeing her face clearly. Her heart almost stopped.
“Oh, Rao...You're beautiful...How could I just see you as a friend before?” She thought.
Kara stared at Lena in a state of utter astonishment. Her eyes were as green and beautiful as those of the other Lena. No, they were even more so, for they had not the shadow of deep pain that had dyed those of her alter-ego since two months.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Lena asked, feeling a bit intimidated.
"Sorry, Miss–" Lena lifted her left eyebrow and Kara corrected herself, “Sorry, Lena.”
"You did not answer me... Supergirl," Lena insisted.
"It's... It strikes me as odd to see you after meeting your alter-ego," she admitted sincerely.
“My other self?” Lena asked curiously.
She had not planned it, but things had unfurled that way, and Lena deserved an explanation of her long absence, especially after having asked so much about her. Kara told her about the multiverse, told her about the Dominators on Earth-1, helping Barry and her friends, and her subsequent unexpected trip to Earth-40, where everyone had an alter-ego. Lena, like her sister Alex, was excited about that adventure, possibly for sharing that scientific and eager side for new knowledge.
"But this is incredible, we have doubles!" She exclaimed without being able to restrain herself.
"Yes, we do.”
Lena shortened the distance between them, driven by the injection of adrenaline that her scientific mind had received with that story. That gesture was enough for a familiar scent to reach the nostrils of the Kryptonian, feeling that her heart would stop for a second time. She recognized the perfume of Lena-40 in the skin of her Lena. If she was already attracted to her in that world, that effect multiplied in her own, because she did not have to repress herself, because nothing made her feel guilty for wanting her.
"Your perfume..." she murmured dazedly.
“Does it bother you?” Lena asked, feeling guilty. "Do you also have a superhuman sense of smell? I'm sorry... "She stepped back a few steps, aware that she was using a very intense perfume, but then Kara came out of her trance and advanced those same steps towards her.
"It does not bother me at all." Lena's expression relaxed. "On the contrary, I like it very much, it's very... Nice.” She gave her a wide smile and Lena bit her lower lip and looked down, then managed to change the subject.
"I'm so sorry about what happened to the Supergirl from Earth-40, and I'm glad my alter-ego is helping to heal her; it reassures me that they're friends there, too," Lena added with satisfaction.
"Friends...That's what I thought...They're lovers, they're in love, they make love..." she counted mentally. “But I can’t tell you because it would affect you too much."
“Supergirl?" Lena called, frowning.
"Excuse me, I was thinking...I have to go back there, they need my help."
"It seems very noble of you not to leave them to their fate after helping them; it’s typical of you," Lena said proudly.
Kara smiled at her words, and Lena felt her cheeks burn.
"Yes, definitely, you look beautiful when you blush," she thought.
Lena cleared her throat.
"Well, I suppose you have to go," she managed to say. "I don’t want to keep you if they need you."
"Yes, I have to go now," Kara announced.
"I hope everything is resolved soon, have a safe trip.”
Kara nodded and turned her back on her.
“Supergirl!" The Kryptonian turned to look at her. “Be careful.”
"I will...Lena.” The young CEO curled her lips in a beautiful smile.
"See you soon..." Lena muttered as she lost sight of her.
END OF EARTH-38
XXXXXX

The first thing Kara did upon arriving at Earth-40 was to face a minor alien who was making a mess in an alley. It didn’t take much effort to defeat it, but, during the skirmish the Extrapolator of Cisco broke in several pieces. Kara cursed, picked them up and forced herself not to worry; Winn and Lena had repaired it once anyway, and they could do it again.
When the DEO showed up on the scene, and Alex and Mon-El took over the alien. Kara greeted them, informing them that she had returned, and then headed to Lena's penthouse, where she welcomed her.
"You thought I wasn’t coming back?"
"I know this isn’t easy for you, you know don’t have to do it, and-"
"I always keep my word, Lena.” She took her hand.
"I know." She looked down for a moment. "How was your sister?"
"Oh… She’s good. Very good," she added, remembering that she was dating Maggie.
"And...Did you see anyone else?" Lena asked, thinking of her alter-ego.
"Well, the truth is, I did," she replied, smiling.
"And it looks like that went well," Lena pointed out.
"I think it was good for me to see her, I needed it."
"In order not lose track of ourselves with all this pretending game," Lena reflected inwardly.
“I'm very glad, Kara," she said sincerely, "and now let’s go to sleep; tomorrow you have no excuse for not going to your office at CatCo.”
"Right, I need to be there on time!” Kara exclaimed with energy. "Good night, Lena!” She kissed her cheek and retired to her room.
"You needed to see her, she's the one for you," she murmured in the solitude of her living room.
Kara got into bed with a question. In her world, Alex had ended up dating Maggie, just as had happened some time ago on Earth-40. Could the same thing happen between Lena and her? She was starting to think that, despite some more circumstantial differences, the personality and essence of the people was the same in all the Earths in which those people existed. And if that was the case, then it was not crazy to think that between her and the Lena Luthor of her world something more intimate than friendship could be born. As long as her Lena also felt something for her, something like what she had felt when she saw her again after two weeks. She hugged the pillow tightly.
"I like Lena!” She shouted inside her head.