The One with the Croissant
Lena came into the office early Monday morning to prepare for what would surely be a long week. She sat at her desk, sipping a cup of coffee (her third this morning), going over all the relevant material for today’s big meeting with Tate Industries’ executives.
Lena had to admit, she hadn’t been prepared to see Lydia Tate again. Their run-in at the Chinese place last week threw the CEO for a loop. It had been nearly two years now, since they last spoke. Lena knew that getting involved with Tate Industries meant she’s have to deal with Lydia on a professional level. But she had hoped this week she’d only be seeing Lydia’s grandfather. Its was easy for Lena to tell herself she was completely over Lydia Tate, when the woman was thousands of miles away. After everything they had been through and the way they ended things, Lena couldn’t imagine trusting the woman again. But seeing Lydia stand there in the middle of the restaurant smiling and laughing and touching her arm was another thing entirely. After all, you couldn’t erase their kind of chemistry. Seeing her again, Lena had felt mostly anger and defensiveness, but underneath it all Lena was still hurting.
Of course, there was the matter of Kara Danvers. Standing between the two blondes had Lena completely rattled. Kara was everything Lydia was not. She was sweet and shy and so so kind. A kindness Lena had never believed could be so genuine. Instead of commanding a room, Kara brighten it up. She had felt the need to shield Kara from Lydia. The other woman wasn’t a monster, and yet Lena knew Lydia ate girls like Kara alive. She could be so cruel and manipulative, always in control. Lydia embraced so many of the qualities Lena loathed about herself, and yet...she may have been the only woman Lena ever really loved.
All of this was too much for Lena so early in the morning. She felt the beginnings of a headache bloom behind her eyes. What was wrong with her?
Then she had gone and asked Kara to cover the Co-Op. What was she thinking? She didn’t want Kara and Lydia in the same room all day for a week. Or did she? Even amid the intense awkwardness of their encounter with Lydia, Lena couldn’t help but notice the way Kara reacted to her ex-girlfriend. Kara's smile had been present and polite, but entirely fake. That much was obvious. The blonde’s usual friendliness had been absent. Kara;s jaw was tight and her hand curled in a fist during the whole conversation. Lena dared to entertain the idea that Kara Danvers was jealous. Oh, but that was a dangerous thought. Probably just wishful thinking.
Nevertheless, this business deal was a turning point for L-Corp. Her company was finally crawling it’s way back from the blacklist after Lex’s arrest. This connection to Tate Industries was not only going to allow both companies to work on projects they couldn’t complete alone, but also show other companies that L-Corp was no longer being shunned. This could open so many doors for the future. Which is why Lena had recruited Kara to report on the deal in-depth. She needed someone she could trust. And she did trust Kara. Despite, all her instincts and safeguards, Lena felt she could let Kara in.
At that exact moment, Jess spoke through the intercom “Ms. Luthor, Kara Danvers is here. And she brought breakfast.” Lena couldn’t contain the smile that spread across her face. She reached over and pressed the reply button.
“Thank you, Jess. Send her in.”
Kara enters her office carrying a two coffees and a bag of pastries. A bright smile lights her face and Lena can’t help but wonder if she wears it all the time or if perhaps it’s only reserved for her.
“Hey, sorry, if I’m a bit early.” Kara says taking a seat on Lena’s couch. Lena shakes her head and stands from her desk.
“Not at all, Kara. You’re right on time.” She goes over and joins Kara on the couch, accepting the coffee Kara hands her. Kara's hair is pulled back in a tight bun, but she nervously brushes the strays behind hear ears.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked for breakfast, so I got you a doughnut, a muffin, and a croissant.” She offers Lena the bag of pastries, and even though Lena’s stomach is knotted up with nerves about today, she reaches in and takes the croissant. It’s still warm.
“You keep me well fed, Ms. Danvers.” Lena says teasingly, as she rips off a piece of the bread and pops it in her mouth. Kara takes a sip of her coffee to hide a blush.
“Most important meal of the day. All the doctors agree.” Lena laughs and it’s just what she needs to push away the oncoming headache. “Also, I was up most of the night studying.” Kara goes on “And I was hoping we could do a little pre-interview. You know, just get an idea of how you feel going into this deal and what your hopes and fears are. If you’re up for it. I mean, if now is an okay time.” Lena kicks off her heels and tugs her legs underneath her, getting comfortable.
“Fire away.” She says, popping another piece of croissant in her mouth. Kara opens her notepad and clicks her pen.
“Okay, it’s only a few questions...Tate Industries has a long history with your company’s predecessor LuthorCorp, now that you’ve rebranded and headed in a new direction, what makes you think you’ll still work well together?” Lena pauses, another bite close to her lips. She’s surprised by the question. Kara’s not pulling her punches today.
“Well…” The CEO says gathering her thoughts “Even though my brother pulled this company in the wrong direction to enable his own obsessions, L-Corp still strives to invent and discover, just as LuthorCorp did when my father was in charge. Just as Tate Industries has always done. Now that L-Corp is back on track, there’s no reason we shouldn’t once again invent and discover together.” Kara scribbles furiously, pausing to reread the statement while she takes a bite of her doughnut.
“Okay, good. Good.” The blonde nods, chewing. “It’s no secret that the Tates and the Luthors have always run in the same social circles. You and Lydia Tate knew each other as children, correct? Would you say you were childhood friends?” Lena narrows her eyes at the question, but Kara is looking down at her notepad. It’s hard to tell if she actually cares to know the answer.
“We knew each other as children, were forced to attend many of the same events and functions, but I wouldn’t say we were friends, no.” Lena didn’t realize how tense Kara’s body had become on the couch beside her, until the reporter relaxed and breathed out. “But..." Lena continues "when we both attended the same boarding school as teenagers, we became friends.” Kara doesn’t react, just dutifully writes down her response.
“Boarding school...okay, was that Wilding?” Kara asks, flipping back checking her notes. Lena shakes her head, reaching for her coffee.
“No, Wilding is all boys. Lex went there. Lydia and I attended Excelsior.” Lena corrects her. Kara nods, and writes that down.
“Excelsior. Got it. Now, do you think that friendship and your families’ history will be an advantage or disadvantage going into these negotiations?” Lena thinks on this for a long moment.
“I think, that sort of history, can be both an asset and a liability. On the one hand, you know what to expect from one another. Perhaps, we can skip past all the pleasantries and the games that usually accompany a deal like this and just get to the point. But at the same time, old friends usually know how to push your buttons, you know. They know your weaknesses.” Kara finishes writing and looks at her thoughtfully.
“What are your weaknesses?” She asks, quietly, almost concerned. Lena gives her a small smile.
“I really need this to work.” she says.