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Kara Danvers was running late. Snapper was not going to like that. However, there wasn’t anything she could do now. Unless…. Smiling to herself, Kara ran to the side of a building and lifted off into the air. She was Supergirl, wind blowing in the air. She finally made it to L-Corp just in time.
As Kara made her way into the building and got escorted promptly by a woman named Jess, to Ms. Luthor’s office. Took a deep breath, and then pushed the door open. “Ms. Luthor, I am so sorry about being late.” She quickly greeted the woman, shaking hands with her. “I flew here on a bus, but it kept— getting stuck.” She finished lamely.
Ms. Luthor glanced over Kara, chuckling and waving it off, motioning for Kara to sit. “Please, call me Lena.” she stated. “Oh, what bus did you take?” she asked conversationally. Kara froze as Lena looked her up and down. “I am positive I would have recognised you, if you were on the same bus as me.” she added.
Kara blanched. “L-Lena, I mean, Ms. Luthor, I mean—“ she started in on the ramble. “Alex told me my glasses weren’t a great disguise, but oh Rao, you recognised me so easily? I’m so sorry about what happened with your brother and my cousin, but I already believe you and I can be better than that!” She beamed slightly, nervous.
“You and I, we can be a great team. Change the world, you know?” She only stopped because Lena had her mouth dropped to the floor, figuratively. Kara fiddled with the glasses, absolutely terrified of the response.
“I’m sorry, what?” The Luthor responded. “You’re.. If you’re Supergirl, then why are you just, you know, telling the Luthor? And right off the bat, too.” She raised a singular, challenging eyebrow in shock.
“I mean,” Kara dragged the word out. “You did just gather it within seconds. Might as well confirm it.” She paused, fidgeting with her glasses. Obviously still nervous.
“Sit down.” Lena ordered. Kara, Supergirl, whoever the woman was, obeyed her instruction. “I didn’t know you were Supergirl before,” she stated with a frown. “I just meant that you were…” she trailed off. “Nonetheless, I doubt this is something you should just blurt out to anyone. Especially a Luthor.” she let that sink in.
It was Kara’s turn to blush, looking down and closing her mouth with a click. “Oh Rao.” she whispered. “OK, so I did misunderstand you.” she admitted. “I just thought you knew the Supergirl secret, can’t imagine what you meant otherwise.” She explained. Then she narrowed her eyes, frown in place as she lifted her head back up to look into Lena’s eyes.
“You may be a Luthor,” Kara acknowledged. “But that doesn’t mean you have to be a monster. I already think you’re quite the opposite of Lex, for whatever that counts.” she offered. “You’re right — I do not just go around telling my secret to anyone,” she continued. “But even when you guessed it, I felt like I could say. You were, like, a safe person to come out to. If that makes sense.”
“I think it does.” Lena agreed with a small smile, nodding. “So, do you really want to team up? A Super and a Luthor… How the people would talk!” she said in disbelief, shaking her head in wonder. She watched as Kara lit up, immediately nodding earnestly.
“Yes! I would love that.” Kara practically beamed. Lena liked that. “You can be part of the team. I don’t care what Alex says, or even J’onn. If I have to branch out of the,” here she lowered her voice, “The DEO to be with you — to be your partner — to partner with you then I am all for it.” She stammered.
Lena blinked back sudden tears. “I’m interested,” She promised. “But I have questions, a lot of them, and I hope we can answer those in time. But for now,” Lena gave a smile to the other woman — the Kryptonian, she corrected herself.
“For now, maybe let’s get back to your interview. And,” she nervously gave another smile, looking down shyly. “Maybe after, lunch?” She offered uncertainly. She definitely was interested in the woman, but wasn’t sure if the sentiment was shared.
“I can always eat.” Kara beamed easily. “And I’d love to know you more.” She added. “I could use all the friends!” she chuckled. Lena’s smile dimmed just for a second, but at least she’d get a friend. She would be content (more than content, even) to know her at all.
“Then it’s a deal.” Lena nodded. “Let’s go on with your questions then, Ms. Danvers.” She gamely challenged, a smile on her face. “What’s first?”
“OK. Going on the record now.” Kara fiddled with a recorder for a second before talking clearly. “Thank you for meeting me today, Ms Luthor.” she started. “CatCo was wondering, why the sudden name change for LuthorCorp versus L-Corp?”
Lena gave her a smile, settling into her chair as she debated her answer’s wording. “Well,” she started carefully. “I’m trying to rebrand this place, from my brother’s debacle. The destruction and devastation he caused is something I can never make up for. But I will try!” she finished earnestly, wringing her hands.
“I think I speak for us all when I say, you’re going to great, Ms. Luthor.” Kara smiled knowingly. She looked over at her notes before asking next, “Some of our readers would love to know this about you…” She paused, dramatically. Lena chuckled, bracing herself. “Cats or dogs?”
“Oh my god,” Lena placed a hand over her heart, laughing. “Your readers are personally attacking me.” She joked. “Cats, for sure. They may be less cuddly, but,” she paused now, a smirk on her face. Kara wished she could show the readers that. “When they like you, it means you’re a good person.” Lena finished. “Not every cat likes every person.” she pointed out.
Kara grinned. “Well, do you have a cat, Ms. Luthor?” an eyebrow raised as she asked the question.
“No. Too uh,” Lena replied offhandedly. “Too busy. I’m not home till late at night.” she explained.
“Fair enough,” Kara nodded. “A good reason.” She paused the recording, smiling, “I have a cat. His name is Streaky. Feel free to ask for pictures!” she returned to the tape recorder. “Next up, what is, uh,” she read over the question sheet.
“What’s your latest invention? L-Corp is developing all sorts of new gadgets everyday.” Kara praised. “It’s all the rage.”
“Top secret, I’m afraid, but I can tell you about the latest watch we’ve made.” Lena offered. Kara nodded. “Okay, so her name is Hope. She’s an AI, much like the Google that Android has, and the Siri that iPhones use. Except,” she paused. “Hope does not share your information. At all, ever. Unless it’s with an individual whose voice she’s programmed to respond to.”
“Wow. That, uh, that’s impressive.” Kara was shocked for a second. “My mother, Eliza, has a Hope watch.” she beamed. “She’s found it quite useful.”
“I’m glad.” Lena tried to restrain herself from laughing too loudly. Didn’t want it on the recording. “Anyway, what’s next?” she asked.
And so it went on for the next half hour until finally, Kara announced they were done with the questioning. “Finally!” Kara exclaimed eagerly. “I’ve been dying of hunger for approximately the last twelve minutes.”
“Only twelve?” Lena raised an eyebrow, chuckling. “Did you count?”
“Yes.” Kara nodded as they gathered their purses up and began to walk out of the office silently. “I take my food and nourishment seriously, see?” She fiddled with her purse for a second before pulling out a granola bar. Lena let out a loud laugh.
“So where shall we eat today, then?” She asked after she was finished laughing.
“I know the best hot dog place, just outside of here. We can also get funnel cake if you’re into that.” Kara offered. “Although I feel like I should warn you, I can eat twelve hot dogs. And then two funnel cakes. If left to my choosing, I mean.” She smiled sweetly.
Lena shook her head, almost fondly at her new friend. “Well, how about we order two funnel cakes then, and we’ll pretend one is for me?” she offered. “I think sharing The Secret,” she made actual air quotes. “Once today is enough,” she teased. “Tell me more about these hot dogs though. I’ve never had one.”
“What?!” Kara looked shocked. “You’ve never eaten a hot dog? Okay, golly. You’re in for a treat then! I hope you’re not a vegetarian?” she asked on second thought.
“Nope,” Lena promised as they reached the cart. “Just allergic to strawberries.”
Kara nodded, as if she were filing that information in for later. “I’ll order you just the one then, ‘cause they’re so big.” she gestured to a picnic table. “Go find us a seat, I’ll bring over the food. Anything to drink?” She asked.
“Water’s fine, thanks. Let me know if you need help carrying anything!” the Luthor offered. Kara nodded, then turned on her heel in order to get the food.
After a few minutes, Kara returned with arms full of food and drink. “Let’s do this. Oh, can I take a picture?” she asked quickly, whipping out her phone. “I like having contact photos,” she explained at Lena’s puzzled look. “And I can think of nothing more that I’d like than to have yours be the picture on your face when you have been blessed by the dog of hots. The hottest of dogs. Whatever.” she snickered.
“Smooth way to ask for my number, Danvers.” Lena teased. Kara grinned. “I’m smoother than butter, what can I say.” she stated.
“Go ahead and take the picture, can’t promise that I will like this ‘hot dog’ though.” She gave Kara time to set her camera up before taking a small bite of the hot dog.
“No! Lena you’re doing it wrong,” Kara protested. “Big bite, but only after you’ve put the mustard and ketchup on.”
Lena grinned uncertainly. “Do I need to go get a fork then?” she queried.
“No! A bite.” Kara insisted, lathering her new friend’s hot dog in the condiments. “Like me, okay?” she took a large bite of the hot dog on her plate before picking up her phone again. “Now you.” Kara instructed with her mouth full.
Lena let out a chuckle. “OK.” She found herself unable to resist Kara’s smile, and that and THAT is how Lena Luthor found herself taking a huge bite of her first hot dog, getting mustard and ketchup on her face.
Kara snapped the photo, just as Lena set the hot dog down and made a pleasant sound in the back of her throat. “That was not terrible.” Lena teased. “I’ll need to investigate further before I call it the hottest of dogs though. Dogs are pretty cute, y’know.”
“Not even two hours into our friendship, and you’re already teasing me. Great!” Kara complained playfully, smiling.
“How’s the picture?” Lena took another bite.
“Let’s just say, no one would ever fear you if this got out.” Kara smiled mysteriously. “What’s your number? I want to text you now so you have mine.”
Lena recited her number quietly to Kara, wanting that to be kept a top secret, need to know thing. “I will literally pay you to never mention this to anyone, ever.” she gravely said, though she was smiling.
“How much are we talking?” Kara raised an eyebrow, but then shook her head. “Don’t worry, I may work for CatCo, but any pics I take on personal time, are only used against my friends in text messages.” she promised.
“Promising.” Lena replied dryly, chuckling. “Oh, is your watch right?” Lena noticed the time.
“Think so,” Kara replied. “Do you need to get back to work?” She pouted adorably.
“Afraid I do. I have a board meeting in ten minutes.”
“Eat your funnel cake for five minutes then,” Kara suggested. “It won’t take you long to get up to L-Corp. Just make sure you wipe your hands on a napkin, not your pants. Been there.” She answered Lena’s confused look.
For what seemed like the millionth time today, Lena laughed aloud as she nodded. “Alright, then.” she took another large bite after a prodding from Kara, this time of the funnel cake. It was lathered with caramelized apple slices.
The Luthor let out an honest to god moan that left Kara blushing. Lena laughed, shaking her head, “Leave me alone. This is delicious. I’m taking it back to the office, screw the board!” She threatened.
Kara laughed again. “Do it, you can always reheat it. It’s amazing, right?” she beamed. “Mine’s got powdered sugar and plain ol’ maple syrup. It’s not as good as yours, I know, but it’s really classic.” she offered. “Want some?”
“Sure. I’m afraid I will not be sharing mine.” Lena replied gravely, a smile on her face. Lena took her fork and stabbed the other funnel cake with it, humming through the bite. “Feels like my tastebuds are exploding with all these new foods.” she confessed. “I’m going to have such a stomach ache.”
“Worth it though, right?” Kara asked, fiddling with her glasses.
“Oh absolutely. Can I ask you something though?” Lena requested curiously, watching the Kryptonian.
“Sure! Anything.” Kara replied immediately.
“Why do you wear your glasses? I mean… aren’t you supposed to have super sight?” she raised an eyebrow meaningfully.
“These are made of lead, so things aren’t that loud!” Kara replied swiftly. “My father, Jeremiah, well, he was my adopted dad… he made them for me. All special, just for me.” she said wistfully.
“That’s sweet.” Lena softly said, placing a hand on Kara’s uncertainly. “I have to go now, I’m sorry.” she apologised. “Maybe we can have lunch again soon? You’re welcome to text.” She offered.
“Of course! I’d love to.” Kara assured eagerly. “I’ll text you all sorts of cat pictures, too. Of Streaky and other randos I meet on the street!” She beamed. “Alright, I should go too. Snapper will be snappish if I don’t.” she joked, looking pleased with herself as Lena groaned goodnaturedly.
“I’ll talk to you later then, Supergirl.” Lena whispered, returning gingerly the sudden embrace that Kara gave her.
“Yes you will. Bye Lena!” Kara trotted off.
Yes, Lena thought. She was definitely in over her head with this woman.