Chapter 5
The air was chilly and Lena could see her breath as she ran. It billowed out in small clouds and there was a light burn in her lungs. The cold making her breathing more difficult. Still, Lena could not just abandon her morning run. Every mile helps calm her mind and makes her feel accomplished before she starts her day. Usually, she ran on a treadmill in her buildings gym. But today she was at the Danvers property and running along dirt roads. Past old barns, silos, fields, and tractors. Scenery she’s never really seen beyond a television screen.
Today her run worked to neither calm her business stress or family drama. Rather each mile was spent thinking of Kara Danvers. In the car last night, when Kara had leaned over the console and wrapped Lena in a hug, Lena had felt a hammering of her chest. Lena had felt attraction to Kara. Attraction physically and emotionally. The damn women was kind and smart and pretty and brave. And Lena finally noticed it. How perfect Kara was. How much Lena would like to kiss Kara. Hold Kara. Love Kara. The only issue being that Lena had no idea of Kara’s feelings. Kara was bisexual but that didn’t mean she’d have feelings for Lena. Lena was a Luthor.
She finished her 8 mile run with a resolution not to act on her feelings. Instead she’d study Kara and try to determine if her feelings were returned. She wouldn’t make a move if she thought Kara indifferent. When she arrived back at the house Lena peeled off her sweatshirt and grabbed a change of clothes from her bag. She then headed to the bathroom to take a shower and wash the stink and sweat from her. Just as she arrived at the bathroom door it opened. Her eyes met the bright blue eyes of Kara.
“Lena!” Kara said in surprise.
Kara’s eyes took Lena in. Noticing the tight running pants, the sweat-stained tank top, the pinkness of Lena’s cheeks, the defined collarbones, and the small bit of skin not covered by the her pants or tank top. Kara bit her lip at the sight. Lena was usually in fitted dresses and high-heels, but this Lena, the sweaty, barely covered, messy bun Lena is much more the Lena that Kara knows. The Lena that Kara wants to know more of. Kara looked Lena up and down again, noticing all the defined angles, hard muscle, and slight swell of her breasts, Kara was beginning to notice that she wanted to know a lot more of Lena.
Kara’s appraisal and appreciation of Lena’s body did not go unnoticed by Lena. Usually, an obvious appreciation like that would led to Lena smirking and making some sort of move. Maybe an outright kiss if Lena knew the girl well enough. But at the moment Lena just felt a bit giddy.
“Umm…a…did you need the shower?” Kara asked. Her eyes now firmly on the floor as she fiddled with her fingers.
“Ummm..yeah….I went on a run.” Lena manages to say.
Kara gave a short awkward laugh before saying, “You must run a lot…..I mean….well….look at you!” Kara started floundering. “I…I mean…it’s obvious that you work out…..run….you look good…um….you can have the bathroom.” Kara said as she walked past Lena. Leaving Lena giddy in the fact that Kara found her attractive.
***
“Alex! Alex get up! Alex!”
That was the first thing Maggie heard as the door to the room opened. She groaned and burrowed deeper into the warmth that surrounded her. Not ready to give sleep up.
“Alex!”
Maggie felt the bed move with impact as something landed on it. She still refused to leave the warmth.
“Alex! Wake up Alex!” Maggie felt more movement as the warmth she was burrowed against started to move.
“Oh, oops sorry Maggie. Forgot you’d be in here too.”
“Kara, what is it? What’s so important?” The last voice was close to Maggie ear. So close she could feel its breath. It was then that Maggie remembered where she was and whose body she was snuggled up to. Maggie sat up and the light invaded her eyes.
“Alex? What’s happening?” Maggie asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Kara was sitting at the foot of the bed. Her bright eyes studying Maggie and Alex. Obviously much more awake than Maggie or Alex. She reminded Maggie of a puppy impatient to play.
“You guys are cute in the morning.” Kara smiled at them. Maggie looked over at Alex and saw the statement was at least half true. Alex looked adorable with hair sticking up on all ends and the collar of her shirt falling of her shoulder leaving her collarbone exposed. It was a sight Maggie could get used to.
“Ok. Kara. What’s wrong?” Alex asked stretching as she yawned.
“I…..I think I like Lena.” Kara said to her sister. Alex took a deep breath. It was too early for this.
“Ok. And?” Alex yawned again.
“Ok? Ok? What’s that supposed to mean! Come on Alex!” Kara found a pillow and started hitting Alex with it. This was big deal to Kara and Alex was acting apathetic.
“Hey…ouch…Kara!” Alex started to protest and block the blows. But soon Maggie snatched the pillow away from Kara.
“Ok. So Kara you think you like Lena? As in romantically?” Maggie asked gently.
“Yes! Romantically!” Kara cried. Her hands going up in exasperation.
“Do you think you like her? Or do you like her?” Maggie asked again.
“I…..” Kara thought about the question. This revelation was kinda new. About 30 minutes old to be exact. But….but it was more than that. Yes, seeing Lena all sweaty and perfect had awaken a physical desire but….but the emotional one had been there long before. Kara had seen Lena, seen beyond her title of CEO and her last name. Seen her fight bad guys, trick evil-doers, and inspire millions. Lena was special. She was caring and smart and beautiful and……and Kara definitely liked her.
“Kara?” Maggie asked gently. Pulling Kara out of her thoughts.
“Yes. I like her.” Kara said with a conviction she usually only had while Supergirl. Maggie nodded in understanding.
“Wait so you aren’t dating Lena?” Alex asked.
“Dating Lena! No! Are you not listening?” Kara cried. Certain her sister was playing some sort of game.
“I think what Alex is talking about is that you and Lena act so close that she thought you were already dating. Because you both acted like a couple.” Maggie said. Kara’s brows furrowed but she deflated.
“Why would I not tell you?” Kara asked Alex as she met her sister’s eyes.
“I…I thought you didn’t want to rub Lena in my face. I thought you were protecting my feelings because you had this beautiful girlfriend and I…..I didn’t…..” Alex said. Alex felt a little foolish at her misunderstanding. Foolish she’d been so sensitive.
“But you’re dating Maggie so why….” Kara was starting to get confused. Maggie decided it was time to jump in because Alex had appeared to space out for a moment.
“….and that’s why we told you. Alex hoped you’d admit to dating Lena when we told you. But you didn’t. I guess because you weren’t dating.” Maggie said. Her hand moved under the blankets to find Alex’s. Alex immediately intertwined their fingers.
“Of course we aren’t dating. We’re friends! Which is kind of exactly my problem!” Kara said dramatically before turning and falling dramatically backwards on to both Maggie and Alex.
“omff..…hey you’re not as light as you used to be!” Alex said as she shoved Kara off her. Kara shoved her sister back. She put more strength in it than she meant and Alex ended up on the floor.
“Alex!” Maggie cried.
“Ummpp……ouch! God, Kara be more careful.” Alex said as she rubbed her back.
“Sorry, Alex!” Kara said.
“Girls! What happened! I heard a crash…..Alex….why are you on the floor?” Alex’s mom said as she rushed into the room and saw Alex on the floor while Kara and Alex were on the bed.
Alex scrambled up while saying, “My little sister shoved me off my own bed.” Alex grabbed a pillow and chucked it at Kara and knocked her glasses off. Maggie laughed at the sisters antics.
“Alright well breakfast will be ready soon. Kara I think Lena is in the shower so tell her breakfast is ready when you see her. And you three need to be out in a minute.” Eliza said before leaving the room.
“You heard her Kara. Lena’s in the shower. Go tell her breakfast is ready.” Alex smirked at her sister who through another pillow at her face which Maggie caught.
“Come on Alex.” Maggie shot Alex a pointed look and Alex quieted down. Turning back to Kara Maggie said, “Ok. Kara, you like Lena. So what are you going to do?”
“Ummm…..I don’t know…”
“Does she like you?” Maggie asked.
“She likes Supergirl.” Alex offered nonchalantly.
“Which is irrelevant to the current conversation.” Kara said as she stared at Alex. Maggie studied Kara and Alex posture for a moment. They both looked at each other like they were hiding something. Like they were conspiring together.
“Are you two….” Maggie looked at Kara again. Noticing for the first time that her glasses were off and she looked familiar. Kara eyes looked down as she avoided Maggie’s gaze. But it was too late. Everything had clicked.
“Supergirl.” Maggie whispered. Her eyes wide with realization.
“Pffttt…..I’m not……I couldn’t possibly be…” Maggie held up her hand.
“It makes so much sense. How could I have missed it?” Maggie said. It all seemed so obvious now.
“You can’t tell. No one can know. She’s my baby sister Maggie.” Alex said as she squeezed Maggie’s hand. Her eyes pleading with her. Maggie knew all about secrets and she wasn’t one to share.
“It’s not my secret to share.” Maggie replied.
“Thank you.” Kara said as she leaned in and hugged Maggie.
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you, its…..” Alex started. Afraid the secret would threaten her relationship with Maggie. Maggie put her hand over Alex’s mouth.
“Don’t apologize. You were protecting Kara. Nothing wrong with that.” Maggie replied. Her eyes smiling at Alex, making Alex’s heart beat faster. Maggie tore her eyes from Alex and looked at Kara.
“Kara, does Lena know?” Maggie asked. A visible frown spread over Kara’s face.
“No. No she doesn’t.”