Chapter Text
At all hours of the day and night, Luthor Corp was always a flurry of activity, especially on the top floor. In a conference room, Luthor Corp and an alien named Vartox were hammering out a deal. On both sides, there was yelling and finger-pointing. Otis Graves walked through the conference room, absorbing the atmosphere, and resentful that he wasn't allowed to be part of it.
He went into Lillian Luthor's large office, where she was casually reading a book. "Vartox wants to know what's happening to his deal," Otts reported.
"Get Lex," Lillian ordered.
"I can handle Vartox. It's no big deal," Otis insisted.
Lillian simply ignored him. Otis then walked off, humiliated.
Lex, meanwhile, was playing a game of poker and doing quite well for himself. He got a text from Otis to come back to the office. As soon as he did, he immediately got chewed out by Vartox, a Viking-looking alien with ridges on his forehead. He carried a nuclear-tipped axe with him at all times.
"I'm paying you millions in gold bars, and you're telling me to go fuck myself!" Vartox raged at Lillian.
"Bad time?" Lex assumed as he entered the office.
"Vartox, this is Lex Luthor, my son," Lillian introduced. "He's our best closer."
"If you're the best closer, where the fuck have you been for the last three hours?" Vartox demanded.
"Where have I been? Where have you been?" Lex countered.
"I offer you more money; you keep rejecting it. It's bullshit," Vartox raged.
"And nothing in this deal has changed except for my father's honorary vice president position in your company," Lex said as he read over the report.
"That's right. I don't want him around. I think I hate him," Vartox said adamantly. "So, what the fuck are you going to do about it, because he isn't getting that title?"
"We have given you everything you wanted, my father signed it, and now you refuse to close over this?" Lex asked incredulously.
"You're a smart motherfucker," Vartox complimented.
"Well, that's not going to happen. I hate the man just as much as you do, but a deal is a deal," Lex refused.
"I see how it is. Instead of fucking your father, you're fucking me," Vartox realized. "How about you take your queer attitude back in there and sign my deal? Or I'll take my money to some other company."
"No one is going to make this deal with you after your bad faith with us. We're the only company that can incorporate nuclear materials into Medieval weaponry. So, as I see it, your balls are in my fist right now. I apologize if that image sounds too queer for you, but I'm comfortable enough with my sexuality to put it out there. Now, get your ass in there and sign the deal," Lex ordered.
"You going to let him talk to me like this?" Vartox challenged Lillian.
"Lex speaks for the company," Lillian said simply.
Vartox stared at Lex intently and then went back to the conference room to sign the deal.
Kara Danvers took an exam at Metropolis University even though she wasn't enrolled there. Wearing her glasses, no one recognized her as she discreetly placed her exam in the pile. She then went to Lena Luthor's apartment. "What did you get me?" Lena asked excitedly.
"A 158, as agreed," Kara said flatly.
"I wanted a 175," Lena said disappointedly.
"It's out of 180. You're a B- student and got a 1000 on your SATs. If I got you that score, they would know you cheated," Kara said, obviously.
"So only a female Kryptonian can get a 175?" Lena questioned.
"Actually, I would have scored a 180," Kara corrected. "Now, where's my money?" Lena handed Kara some cash, which she counted quickly. "This is only half," Kara noticed.
"The other half is in my bedroom," Lena said, smiling.
The two kissed and then quickly entered the apartment, closing the door behind them.
That evening, Kara went back to her own apartment with ruffled clothes and her hair a mess. Alex, her adopted sister and roommate, was already smoking a bong of weed. The apartment was cozy, with enough room for Alex's drums, motorcycle, plasma screen TV, and couches.
"I nearly got caught today. I have to get my life together," Kara said reflectively as she took a hit.
"You could be anything you want, Kara," Alex told her.
"You sell pot for a living," Kara pointed out.
"You want in, you could be the greatest pot dealer of all time," Alex offered.
"That's what you told me when I got caught cheating on your exam in the 10th grade," Kara recalled.
"No one would suspect you're a dealer. You look like an innocent...blond...ditz," Alex said. "You can make it in this business. If I can make it, you can make it. Come on, help a sister out."
"Yeah, I'll think about it," Kara said uncommittedly.
"Think about what?" Maggie asked as she entered the apartment.
"What are you doing here?" Alex asked, spooked, with the bong in clear sight.
"How about I'm so happy to see me; where have you been?" Maggie mocked and kissed Alex in front of an uncomfortable Kara. "So, what's going on?"
"Alex is trying to set me up," Kara said.
"That's terrific. You'll take the pressure off of Alex. You'll succeed as you do with everything," Maggie said brightly.
"I have to visit Eliza in Midvale," Kara said, changing the subject.
"You visit her more than me. It makes me look bad," Alex said, shaking her head.
"I'll give her your regards," Kara said, giving Alex a kiss on the forehead, and walked off.
At the same time, Lex had a business outing with his mother, Lillian, at a fancy bar. They were both drinking vodka martinis. "How did you know how to handle Vartox?" Lillian asked.
"A charging bull respects strength," Lex said simply.
"I've set up a meeting with you and Morgan Edge. He wants to know where he's vulnerable to a hostile takeover," Lillian said. "He's our biggest client, so don't fuck it up."
"Consider it done," Lex promised.
"Then, you're dismissed for the evening," Lillian allowed, as it was near midnight.
A bar waitress then approached them. "You are mother and son, right?" she asked hopefully.
"My son is the best closer this city has ever seen," Lillian said proudly.
"You don't look like a baseball player," the bar waitress said ignorantly.
"I close situations for Luthor Corp," Lex explained.
"So, all you care about is money," the bar waitress assumed.
"Truth is...that's right," Lex admitted. "I don't normally do this, but since we are celebrating...," Lillian merely nodded. "I'd like to take you out for some buffalo wings and sex. How does that sound?"
"In ten minutes," she said, smiling, and walked off.
"Can you not do that in front of your mother?" Lillian scolded.
The next morning, Lex had sex with the bar waitress again instead of going to the gym, kicked her out, and then went to work.
Midvale
Kara had a heart-to-heart with Eliza at her house in Midvale. "What have I taught you, Kara? You can't be cheating on tests for people and smoking pot every day. I'm not going to be around forever, and I want you to stop with that stuff," Eliza scolded. "I know life has been hard for you, with you losing your planet, your parents, and your people, but you're not a kid anymore. And I want you to promise me you're going to start living up to your potential."
"I promise," Kara said sincerely.
Metropolis
Otis went to Lillian to complain some more. "It's really patronizing that you say only Lex can handle Vartox. I could have handled Vartox."
"And I disagree," Lillian said dismissively.
"Why?" Otis demanded.
"Because a man like Vartox isn't going to respect a cheese-eating rat like you," Lex said as he entered the room.
"It's nine-thirty, and we open for business at seven, and you look like a pimp," Otis scolded.
"My bad, Otis. But this is actually your suit because I was at your mom's house last night, the same place you also live," Lex mocked.
"Of course I live with my mom. Real estate values are through the roof in this city. It would be stupid not to," Otis said defensively. "And that isn't my suit."
"Moving along, Lex, recruiting," Lillian ordered.
"Just get some MU summer associate douche who has a rod up his ass," Lex mocked.
"There are a lot of things wrong with that sentence," Lillian said, unimpressed.
"Having all of our associates be from MU preserves the company's WASP image," Otis said bluntly.
"And no diversity whatsoever," Lex said, bored.
"You graduated from MU," Lillian pointed out.
"I'm the obvious exception," Lex said obviously.
"Find me another," Lillian ordered.
"I work better alone," Lex said darkly.
"I would let it slide, but all senior vice presidents have to have an associate," Lillian revealed.
"Wait...what? He's making senior vice president? I deserve that promotion. My revenue destroys his. I'm a slave to this company. I have zero social life; I'm here 24/7," Otis complained.
"Nepotism, Otis. It is a bitch," Lillian reminded him.
"Don't worry about it, Otis. Eventually, we'll run out of Luthors in the building. Except if I marry Eve, then she's a Luthor, and she'll make senior vice president before you," Lex mocked.
"Fuck my life," Otis muttered as he left the office.
"Be nice to him. He's sensitive, and he's right; he does destroy you in revenue," Lillian ordered Lex.
Lex met up with his hot secretary, Eve Tessmacher. "Eve, clear my schedule; we're hiring a new summer associate."
"Done," Eve said dutifully.
"Tell me, Eve. Does this suit make me look like a pimp?" Lex asked.
"Your bald head and your chin-strap beard make you look like a pimp," Eve corrected.
"Okay, I'll shave it," Lex relented.
"The beard, not your balls this time," Eve clarified.
"Got it," Lex nodded. "Make sure you give each applicant a hard time. Give me a wink if you like them."
"What are you looking for?" Eve asked curiously.
"Another you," Lex said seriously.
"Smart, honest, hard-working," Eve assumed.
"Blonde," Lex clarified.
Luthor Mansion
Lillian met with her husband, Lionel, in the backyard of the mansion for tea. "In ten years, I can step down as managing CEO, having accomplished everything I set out to do. Hopefully, by then, you'll be dead, and I can begin an entirely new chapter with my life."
"It seems like only ten minutes since I gave the company to you," Lionel said reflectively.
"And time moves a lot faster when you're old as fuck," Lillian added.
"But how good do I look?" Lionel asked, completely bald but with no wrinkles due to plastic surgery. "What's going on with you?"
"Lionel, how did you know to marry me?" Lillian asked.
"My dick," Lionel said simply.
"Well, I don't have a dick, and my heart tells me Lex isn't ready. He doesn't give a fuck about the people he works for, our clients, or the world, for that matter. I'm thinking he's an asshole," Lillian said honestly.
"So, what are you going to do about it?" Lionel challenged.
"How would you deal with it?" Lillian asked.
"If he lacks compassion, shove it down his throat," Lionel advised. "Make him work for poor people...for free."
"That should really piss him off," Lillian said, smiling.
Metropolis
At Luthor Hotel, Eve roasted each of the applicants to mess with them and screen them out before interviewing with Lex. "So, Chip, why would I want the whitest man on Earth to be our summer associate for our company?"
"What do you mean? White is right, white is tight, white is bright, white is might," Chip said defensively.
Chip then went to see Lex. Eve gave Lex a "fuck no" shake of her head as Chip went in. The next applicant looked really young. "What's wrong with you? You look like an eleven-year-old," Eve asked, stunned.
"Yeah, when I do role-play with my girlfriend, she's my teacher, and she spanks me with a ruler," he admitted.
Lex looked for a gesture from Eve as he took the "eleven-year-old" back for the interview. She gave him an appropriate WTF look. Finally, Kara arrived on the scene in cheap clothes, wearing nerdy glasses.
"Who are you?" Eve asked suspiciously.
"Kara Danvers. I have an appointment," Kara said awkwardly.
"Who made the appointment for you?" Eve asked.
"Lena Luthor. We're dating, so she hooked me up with this interview. It's either this or selling pot, so here I am," Kara said bluntly.
Eve simply stared at her. Lex gave Eve a look, wondering what was up. Eve quickly recovered and gave him a wink. "Lex Luthor is this way," Eve sent her in.
In the next room, Kara shook hands with Lex. "So, Kara Danvers, why should I hire you? You dropped out of high school; you have no college degree and no real job history. The fact that you're rubbing uglies with my sister isn't enough to persuade me."
"I'm a Kryptonian with superpowers and a photographic memory. Whatever I learn, I never forget. With my super-speed, I can do the workload of all of your associates combined," Kara revealed.
"Oh, really? Hack my computer," Lex said, handing it to her. Kara typed on his computer; her fingers were a total blur, and then she got through the password. She then handed it back to him. "Nice, my very own Super...girl."
"That's a bit condescending, don't you think?" Kara asked, offended.
"Why do you want a corporate job so much? Do you care so little for your soul?" Lex asked skeptically.
"Luthor Corp is the most powerful company in the world. With my expertise and powers, I can make us both fabulously rich and the most influential people on this planet. I can bring you rocket technology, communications, food production, energy extraction, and construction methods that will make this world a utopia. The question is not whether you should let me work for you. It's whether I should invest myself in you," Kara said bluntly.
"I'm inclined to give you a shot, but what if I decide I don't want your alien drama?" Lex asked.
"I'd say that's fair," Kara said, shrugging. "I'll just go to Wayne or Edge or Queen instead."
"Okay, you're hired," Lex decided.
Lex immediately started barking out instructions for Kara. "You're to get urine samples from Eve to use as your own. We drug test, and weird-ass alien results could show up. You're to move out and move in with Lena to make her happy. Then, you're going to MU and tour around. Learn everything there is to know about MU in case Otis interrogates you."
"Why would Otis interrogate me about MU?" Kara wondered.
"Because he's an asshole who likes to get into my business. He can't get to me, so he goes after Eve and my associates under the pretense that he's serving the interests of the company," Lex explained. "Get yourself a Supergirl suit so I can start manipulating world events in Luthor Corp's favor while having plausible deniability."
"Skirt or pants?" Kara humored him.
"...skirt," Lex decided.
Kara walked around MU and used her falcon vision, X-ray vision, and super-hearing to get a read on the entire university at once. It didn't take long for her to memorize everything about the school. At the Fortress of Solitude, Kara used a 3D printer to create a new suit for her. In no time, the suit was complete with red boots, a red cape, a red skirt, and a House of El crest on her chest.
Kara then entered the Luthor Corp building and found the right floor after scanning and memorizing the entire layout. Kara then met with Lena, who pretended not to know her for the benefit of everyone else working on the floor. "Kara Danvers, I'm Lena Luthor. I'll be giving you your orientation."
"Wow, you're pretty," Kara said softly.
"Keep hitting on me. I love it," Lena smiled back. "The world is going to be blown away by what we can do here."
"I love you," Kara said, smiling.
Lena gave Kara a tour of the place, telling her all the details. Kara simply listened, not taking any notes. "Lex is your commanding officer, but Otis oversees all the associates, so you have to answer to him as well."
"This Otis character. What's he like?" Kara asked.
"I try not to have any contact with him, so I don't know," Lena said honestly. "You should admire Lex and fear Otis."
"You're too smart to be a lowly assistant. It's my first day, and I already outrank you," Kara said sympathetically.
"It's because I'm a bastard," Lena said, shaking her head. "So now that you have all the money and position, what does that mean for us?"
"It means, from now on, I'm on top when we make love," Kara told her.
"Oh, stop," Lena laughed, hoping no one else heard them.
Lex came to work with a cheerful disposition. Not only did he just hire a hot blond associate, but she also happened to be a Kryptonian who could make him lots of money. He got to his office and realized he had just been demoted. "What the hell?"
Lex came storming into his mother's office to complain. "Why am I being demoted?"
"Vartox fired us. I can't justify giving you a promotion when you lost one of our biggest clients," Lillian said, displeased.
"I'll get us new clients," Lex promised.
"Yeah, good luck with that in this economy," Lillian said, doubtful. "You disrespected Vartox, and now he's taking his business elsewhere."
"I've assessed the situation, and I'm going to leave the company," Lex threatened.
"No, you won't, because you know I'll throw you out the window myself if you do," Lillian threatened back.
"I want my promotion back. I want it...I want it...I want it," Lex demanded.
"I'll give you your promotion back if...you do charity work," Lillian ordered.
"Well...shit," Lex muttered.
Lex entered his office and met with Kara. "Your first case. Find Vartox and kill his ass," Lex ordered.
"Wasn't he your client a few days ago?" Kara wondered.
"Yes, well, that was obviously a mistake. He's a super-villain that must be taken down," Lex said adamantly.
"Right on it," Kara replied.
"Are your suits ready?" Lex asked.
"Suits? I just have the one," Kara said, confused.
"Get more in case they tear or something," Lex ordered.
Vartox was minding his own business at the park near a playground with his ax. Supergirl landed in front of him, ready to kick ass. "Vartox, I'm here to defeat you," Kara said to him.
"You're just a kid. Do they not feed you?" Vartox scoffed as he towered above Kara.
"I can hear your heartbeat. You're scared," Kara sensed.
Vartox punched her through the playground equipment. "On my planet, females bow before males," he said rudely.
"This is not your planet," Kara told him off.
"It's not yours either, Daughter of Alura," Vartox taunted.
"Don't say her name. It triggers me," Kara said fiercely and then flew at Vartox, punching him through a tree. Vartox quickly recovered and gave Kara a falcon punch. He then took her by the throat.
"Does Vartox have to choke a bitch?" he asked rhetorically.
Vartox threw Kara into a nearby building, causing instant destruction. Debris and wires were exposed everywhere. Vartox leaped into the building to kick some more ass. "Wearing that symbol doesn't mean shit. You're still...just a woman. Fighting Superman would be the real honor. Fighting you... is just a warm-up. Kara tried to fight back, but Vartox was able to easily block her and throw her around. You can't stop me. You can't stop any of us."
"Who is us?" Kara wondered.
Vartox threw Kara out of the building and back into the park where she landed with a thud. Vartox landed on her and swiped down with his ax. Kara avoided the swipe and kicked him off her. Vartox threw his ax, slicing into Kara's right shoulder. Vartox then tackled the distracted Kara to the ground. Blackhawk helicopters arrived on the scene and fired on Vartox, scaring him away. Missiles blasted the once-lovely park to ruin, with a beaten Supergirl in the middle of it.
Kara, in civilian clothes, met up with Lex at a hot dog stand. "What's the update?" Lex asked, oblivious to the news reports.
"He's tough. He kicked my ass," Kara admitted. "He nearly tore me into pieces."
"You'll do better next time," Lex said unconcernedly.
"Don't you care? I nearly died," Kara said dramatically.
"I try not to get emotionally involved with my clients or my associates or when they're both fighting each other in mortal combat," Lex said simply as he inhaled his hot dog. "I'm about winning."
"You can be both," Kara reminded him.
"Then, I'd have to care about you. And if I care about you, I try to hit on you, and then I try to sleep with you, and then I get a sexual harassment lawsuit," Lex reasoned.
"So, what do we do about Vartox?" Kara asked as they entered Luthor Corp.
"Keep pressing until you hurt him. You don't have to overpower the guy. You just need to find his weakness and exploit it with a doctor's precision," Lex told her.
"So, what should I do?" Kara asked.
"Think," Lex said simply. "You've fought him once; you'll fight him again. Keep fighting him until you figure it out or die."
"I was thinking the same thing," Kara admitted.
"Then, what do you need my help for?" Lex asked as they entered the elevator.
"I don't know how to fill out these employment forms," Kara said sheepishly.
"Get Eve to help you," Lex said dismissively. "And write up an engagement letter."
"What's that?" Kara asked.
"It's a statement of love that I intend to marry Eve someday in the near future, probably, maybe," Lex said obviously.
The two entered the top floor, where they met up with Eve. "Hey, Eve, can you show me how to do my W4 form?" Kara asked.
"Of course I can. Do you also want me to teach you how to wipe your ass?" Eve asked sarcastically.
"Hilarious as always," Lex said adoringly. "But, seriously, show her how to do it. Once you teach her once, you'll never have to teach her again."
"Oh, so she's a robot," Eve realized.
"Try alien," Lex corrected. He then turned to Kara. "Here's my card. Go shopping."
"Does this mean you care about me?" Kara asked, shocked.
"Fuck no. It means how you dress is a reflection on me. I need you looking hot and fabulous every day," Lex clarified. "Now, get out of my face and go shop."
Later that evening, Kara wasn't sure what to do. She looked to Lena for guidance. "Can we go home and have sex?" Kara wondered.
"You're a rookie associate now. You can't go home until nine for the next few weeks, unfortunately," Lena said grimly.
"But all of my work is done," Kara said, confused.
"Well, Otis wants to see you," Lena said, frowning.
"Tell me this: is my skirt too short?" Kara asked concernedly.
"If it gets me hot and bothered, it's too short," Lena said flirtatiously and walked off.
Kara entered a conference room with Otis with zero fear. "I'm Otis Graves, and I'm the graveyard for associates. Get it?" Otis began.
"Yep," Kara nodded condescendingly.
"You wanted to see me?" a random associate asked as he came in.
"Yes, Gary, come in," Otis allowed. "Gary is one of our most promising associates from last year," Otis explained to Kara. "Did you do that thing I asked you to do?" he asked Garry.
"My brother was over, so we played video games together instead," Gary said lamely.
"Come on, bro. This is the third time I've asked for that...thing," Otis said impatiently.
"I'll get right on it," Gary promised.
"Don't bother. You're fired," Otis told him.
"You can't fire me," Gary protested.
"And yet I just did. Pack up your things. I don't want to see your face around here," Otis ordered. Gary then left the office in a huff. "See what I just did there? I just put the fear of God in you. We pay our associates way too well, and way too much advancement, which is why your appointment really pisses me off. So, I demand results here at Luthor Corp," he said to Kara. "Or, I'm going to have to spank you."
"That guy isn't an associate. He works in the mail room," Kara said, not intimidated in the least.
"How do you know that?" Otis denied.
"I've memorized every single employee and their face in this building," Kara said simply. "And I have a secret deal with the Luthor family, which means I'm virtually unfirable. So...I'm going to go home now."
Otis looked dumbfounded as Kara walked off. "What the fuck?"
At the same time, Lex noticed Lillian leaving the office in a black dress. "Absolutely beautiful, categorically stunning, regally hot," he complimented.
"It's creepy as fuck for you to drool over your own mother. Don't do it...in the office," Lillian scolded and then entered the elevator.
Kara went to her apartment to give Alex the news. "Luthor Corp has assigned me to Lena's apartment," Kara said.
"Your girlfriend's place. How coincidental," Alex said resentfully.
"I can still visit on occasion. I have super-speed," Kara reminded her.
"Yeah, you using your powers against that Viking alien is all over the news," Alex pointed out.
"He was a former client who went rogue," Kara excused.
Alex barked out a laugh. "You're going to fight any alien that doesn't bow to Luthor Corp?"
"It's better than what you do...selling pot...to potheads," Kara said.
"When you're right, you're right. Want to watch the game?" Alex asked, referring to an MU game.
"Sure," Kara said, sitting down with her on the couch.
The next morning, Eve was ready with Lex's coffee. "Will you marry me?" Lex asked jokingly.
"We've been married for the last seven years. You would know that if you ever did your taxes," Eve mocked.
Lex smirked, not taking her seriously, and walked off, meeting up with Kara. "Vartox has moved on to a corporation called Rozz," Kara reported.
"Good," Lex said unconcernedly.
"Good? No, this is bad," Kara said.
"Now, we know who the enemy is. He makes a move, you make a move, you go back and forth until one of you wins, and I am actually referring to violence," Lex said bluntly.
"But what if I die?" Kara asked.
"Then, you're not as good as you think you are," Lex said dismissively.
"Lex, how is your charity cause coming along?" Lillian demanded as she intercepted him. Kara took off, not wanting to be part of this Luthor drama. "It better be good because if I find out you're not putting in your full effort, I'd be very pissed off."
"I've decided to help rebuild a park that Supergirl senselessly destroyed," Lex assured her.
"Good," Lillian said, pleased.
Kara avoided Lillian and waltzed into Lena's office. "I need help with this Vartox guy."
"I have three other corporate takeovers on my plate right now," Lena shot down.
"I have to take this guy down tomorrow," Kara said, panicked.
"So why are you coming to me? Take him out...do your stuff," Lena said.
"Because Eve says you're the best researcher in the company, and I need an edge," Kara said sincerely.
"Eve said that," Lena said, flattered. "Come into my office."
"You have an office?" Kara realized. "How is that possible when I only have a cubicle?"
"As Eve said, I am the best researcher in the company," Lena said, impressed with herself.
"Actually, I made that part up. I haven't had time to talk to Eve," Kara admitted.
"Is life just one big joke to you?" Lena chided.
"It's kind of like a weird dream ever since I landed on this planet," Kara replied.
"Well, this is reality, and in this reality I take my job seriously," Lena said, offended.
"I'm sorry. Look, you weren't there. I got my ass kicked. And I want your brother to succeed. He has nowhere else to turn to fight this guy," Kara explained, sitting down across from her. "I would prefer not to fight Vartox again unprepared."
"Research is just as much science as it is an art form," Lena said as the two went into the library. "Here, you're going to violate my privacy and sexually harass me."
"If you insist," Kara allowed.
"Then, we'll go to dinner together. I'm thinking Sushi," Lena said enthusiastically.
While Lex went back to the bar and treated the waitress like she was a prostitute, like a naughty boy, Kara and Lena were having wholesome, romantic, homosexual bonding. "But seriously, why aren't you higher on the corporate ladder?" Kara asked Lena.
"I don't test well. I don't know what it is. If only you could take all of my tests for me," Lena said suggestively.
Lex interrupted their dinner. "Where are we at with Supergirl kicking Vartox's ass?"
"Well, I...," Kara said awkwardly.
"If you keep playing footsies with my sister instead of coming up with a fighting strategy, you're going to lose," Lex warned and walked off.
"Look, you come off as the bad guy, trying to start a fight with Vartox. We need to change that narrative," Lena said.
"But...maybe I am the bad guy," Kara said, morally confused.
The next morning, Vartox was minding his own business, walking down the streets of Metropolis with his ax on his back, when he was suddenly attacked. The street exploded in violence as Vartox punched Kara down the street, through several parked cars, and then ripped into a parking complex. Civilians fled in terror, wondering what the fuck was going on.
As Kara emerged from the ruined parking complex, Vartox kicked a tanker at her and then threw his ax at it, causing it to explode on impact. The explosion caused the rest of the parking complex to collapse. Vartox immediately attacked the stunned Kara with a neck chop and a punch to the gut. Kara's boots dragged across the pavement. Vartox swung wildly, missing her completely. Kara punched him back and then slammed her elbow on his neck to keep him down. A falling car landed on Kara, distracting her. Vartox took advantage and kicked Kara away. As Kara was on the pavement, beaten and bloody, Vartox punched her hard and then gave her a devastating uppercut.
A busted-up Supergirl walked into a tailor shop. "What a train wreck," the obviously gay tailor said to his female assistant as Kara entered.
"Hey, I'm looking for René," she said, thinking that was a woman.
"I am René," the gay tailor informed her.
"Yeah, did Lex Luthor say I was coming?" Kara asked.
"Lex Luthor sent you," the gay tailor said, stunned. "Well, that's an entirely different matter."
"I was told you know the meaning of discretion," Kara said hopefully.
"Of course," the gay tailor said obviously.
"I need a suit that doesn't tear easily," Kara requested.
"But looks exactly like the one you're wearing?" the gay tailor asked, unimpressed.
"Yeah," Kara said awkwardly. "Oh," she said, surprised, as the female assistant got her a drink and then went down on her knees in front of her to measure her. The female assistant then measured Kara's breast size. "Large?" Kara figured.
"Yeah...no," the female assistant shook her head.
Kara exited the tailor shop in civilian clothes and got a phone call from Alex. "Hey, I miss you. I wish things were like before," Alex said sincerely.
"I'm not sure things will ever be the same as before. I'm corporate now. I've lost my soul," Kara said mournfully.
Kara went back to Luthor Corp and met up with Lena. "So, did you win?" Lena asked expectantly.
"I'm on my way to win," Kara assured her. "Listen, I couldn't have survived without you," Kara admitted.
"You're welcome," Lena said, smiling. "Lex says he has some corporate paperwork for you to look through. It's all in conference room C."
"A whole conference room?" Kara wondered.
The two went to the conference room and found boxes of documents. "Holy shit," Lena said, stunned.
"Too easy," Kara said confidently.
"Read all that shit by the end of the week. I have a new client I need to play tennis with," Lex said and walked out.
"Your brother is an asshole," Kara pointed out.
"You just figure that out," Lena said, unsurprised.
Lex went to Morgan Edge's estate on the tennis court. "Glad to finally meet you, Lex," Morgan said, friendly.
"Here's a bunch of pictures of you cheating on your wife. Enjoy," Lex said, handing him an envelope.
"Where the fuck did you get these?" Morgan asked, stunned.
"Yeah, it took my private investigator only a week. Imagine what your enemies have on you," Lex said, declining to tell him that his private investigator had superpowers.
"You trying to blackmail me?" Morgan demanded.
"No," Lex denied. "I mean, I can't jerk off to these pictures. Not with your ugly ass in them."
"What's the big idea?" Morgan said, outraged.
"When your wife finds out, you're fucked. She has enough voting shares to force you out of the company. So, I recommend you give her preferred shares with no voting rights to keep her happy and you in your seat," Lex said.
"That's two million more," Morgan protested.
"A fraction of what you will lose if you get voted out of your company," Lex said, obviously. "Then, you can go around and fuck whoever you want."
"Lillian said you were going to charm me to get my business," Morgan said, dismayed.
"Yeah, I don't do that. I piss people off. That's what I do. Now, let's play," Lex said, ready to get his game on.
Lex came back to the office after kicking Morgan's ass in tennis. He found Kara on his couch chilling. "Did you read all of those files in an hour?" Lex asked, amazed.
"Yeah," Kara said simply.
"I haven't burnt you out, have I?" Lex asked, amused.
"No," Kara said, shaking her head.
"Find any errors?" Lex asked.
"There's a dismissal of a Luthor Corp employee in 1995. It's a woman. I know it is, but it's like her presence has been entirely erased," Kara said.
Lex froze at that. "Well, keep that to yourself."
"Sure," Kara said, shrugging.
That night, Vartox was minding his own business, driving a truck along the highway. Supergirl landed in front of him and slammed her shoulder into his engine block. Vartox went flying through the window and skidded across the pavement. Kara flew at Vartox and kicked him in the face. Vartox attempted to punch her back. Kara kicked him in the chin as she flew up into the air. Kara then dropped down and elbowed Vartox in the head. Kara went for a punch, which Vartox cupped and took control of the fight. He gave Kara a solid uppercut and retrieved his ax. Kara swooped down and kicked Vartox through his ruined truck and out the other side. Vartox slammed into the pavement hard, buckling it.
Kara quickly advanced on Vartox with punches to keep him off-balance. Vartox swung his ax wildly, missing each time. Kara kept punching all over Vartox's body, dropping him. Vartox finally took hold of Kara, kicked her to the gut, and slammed her to the pavement. Kara attempted to escape, only to be slammed back down. Vartox then punched Kara repeatedly in the face, keeping her down. Taking his ax, he swung down on Kara with the intent to kill. Kara grabbed the ax, keeping it from meeting her face.
"Is it the same old story, you completing your mother's mission to imprison me?" Vartox demanded.
"You double-crossed the Luthors," Kara revealed.
"Wait...what?" Vartox wondered.
Kara fired heat vision into his ax, exploding it. The explosion sent shrapnel into Vartox's face and chest, killing him.
Kara entered Luthor Corp, a little ruffled. "I failed..." she admitted. "...at not being awesome," she said, smiling. "You should have seen it. I was punching and kicking, and nothing worked, and then it hit me...the nuclear tip on his ax will explode when exposed to heat vision. And you know how I came up with that little gem? Through research with Lena. We make such a great team."
"Good work. Get some sleep and come back to work early in the morning," Lex allowed.
Kara smiled gleefully at her victory and then frowned as she saw Lillian coming. She sheepishly escaped Lex's office as Lillian came in. "Lex, how is the charity work going?" Lillian asked.
"I'm getting this park fixed up," Lex said lamely.
"Really? What's the contractor's name?" Lillian asked skeptically. Lex said nothing. "I'm not an idiot. Don't treat me like one."
"I got more important things to do, like making lots of money and getting revenge on those who have scorned me," Lex said impatiently.
"When we first met, you were a screw-up," Lillian reminded him.
"Like...when I was born?" Lex asked, stunned.
"I gave you a shot at the mail room, paid for you to go to MU where you jerked yourself off the whole time, and I still hired you," Lillian said.
"Is it because I'm your son?" Lex figured.
"Allegedly," Lillian said, pissed off.
"You've benefited immensely from me," Lex said arrogantly.
"You made a promise to me. You broke it, and you lied to my face. So, this isn't about professional. It's personal. You better give me my fucking park," Lillian demanded.
Kara showed up to work and was confronted by Otis. "Where are you going?" he demanded.
"What do you mean?" Kara asked, confused.
"It's pee time," Otis ordered.
"Yeah, I don't need to go," Kara said, shrugging.
"Don't bullshit me, let's go," Otis insisted. The two went toward the bathrooms. "You know, I asked my cousin- funny story- who went to MU if he had ever known you. He didn't."
"It's a big school," Kara said dismissively.
"It really isn't," Otis countered. "Time to face the music."
"I demand a female observer, which is my right," Kara said smartly.
"As it happens, we have a female doctor on staff," Otis smiled back at her.
"Alright, cheers," Kara said as she took the cup and went into the bathroom. Within a split second, she exited the bathroom, went to Eve's desk, got her sample, and went back inside the bathroom without anyone noticing. Kara then went back to her cubicle victorious.
"Where have you been?" Lex asked.
"Getting drug tested, but everything worked out," Kara told him.
"Good," Lex said, pleased. He then went over to Eve's desk. "I have another jar for you to fill."
Midvale
Kara went to see Eliza at her house. "I just killed an alien that refused to sign a deal with the company I work for. A lot of other people were hurt in our battles. Tell me, am I the bad guy?" Kara asked, confused.
"Come here," Eliza said, resting in bed. "When you first came to Earth, I was scared, alone, and I wasn't sure I could raise a Kryptonian girl. But who else was going to take care of you? The DEO? They'd put you in a lab. You made me a promise to do something with your life. You're now in the door. Promise me now: the only way you'll leave is if they fire you."
"Well, okay then," Kara nodded.
Metropolis
The next day, Kara came to work at Luthor Corp ready for action and dressed nicely. "Nice dress," Lex complimented.
"Thanks, Lex. I sold a shit-ton of pot to get the money to buy them," Kara said, impressed with herself.
"Nice," Lex said, smiling. "You know, when I first started, my mother rode me so hard I wanted to quit once a month. Now, I'm going to ride you even harder because you have powers and you can handle it."
"I will get paid at some point, right?" Kara asked hopefully.
"Does Batman ever pay Robin?" Lex asked rhetorically. Kara simply stared at him. "Yes, you will be well compensated on and off the books. You're my goose with the golden eggs, and I will let nothing happen to you."
"Then, let's save the world," Kara said, smiling.