Disclaimer: 'Supergirl' and all related characters are the property of DC Comics, Warner Bros Television. and the CW. Kara Zor-El/Supergirl was created by Otto Binder, Al Plastino and Curt Swan. Lena Luthor was created by the legendary Jerry Siegel and Kurt Schaffenberger. Alex Sanders was created by Greg Berlanti, Ali Adler and Andrew Kreisberg. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. No profit is intended or wanted for this story.
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"Lena?"
"Yes? Is that you, Kara? You sound so far away," Lena Luthor replied.
"I... Um... I got a new Blue Tooth and it's not working right."
"I'd take it back to the store for a new one or a refund."
"I will."
"So, in the meantime, pick up the phone."
"Can't... Um, driving to the airport. Just wanted to let you know I have to break our lunch date. Sorry."
"'S'okay. Where are you going?"
"Snapper is sending me to Metropolis to look into this Justice League thing."
"Well, have fun. And be careful!"
"I will, Leen. Talk to you soon," Kara said, ending the call. "God, that was a pain! Glad that's over!"
Alex looked down at her step-sister, trying to lighten the mood by saying, "A pain? Really? I thought that would just be a workout. All you had to do was unlock the phone, open the phone app, hit your speed dial and fly to the mike then jump on the hang-up button. Anyway, you sounded convincing to me and I know what happened."
"Not that! I meant having to break our lunch date. I've been doing that too much lately."
Alex heard something in Kara's voice and asked, "Is there something I should know?"
"About?"
"You and Lena?"
Kara flew up to look her sister in the face, "What? What are you talking about?"
"You're acting like I did before I came out."
"Well, that's not it! Lena's a friend. And straight as hell!"
"I always thought I was too. And you."
"On Krypton, gender didn't matter the way it does here. If a girl likes another girl, or a guy likes another guy, no one cared. Krypton was more advanced than Earth after all..." Kara smirked at her sister. "Well, except for the Krypton Daxan thing... And I blew that up big time!"
"Okay, I get your point. So why is it so hard to break a lunch...?"
"I've done it too many times. Since Cat went on her global walk-about, I really don't have anyone to talk to who's not part of this superhero thing."
"But Cat's back. Isn't she?"
"For a while, I guess. Still, Lena and I have really become friends and..."
"Well, how is Lena Luthor with Supergirl?"
Kara caught the slight emphasis on Lena's last name but chose to ignore it. "Well, I've saved her butt a few times. We're friends too. Why?"
"Do you trust her? You as in Supergirl."
"Yes. Totally. Both as Kara and Supergirl. Again, why?"
"Good. We've managed to keep this quiet so far but the DEO isn't as secure as it once was. Not to mention, anyone vetted for this office has access to any portion of the entire facility. I think, if Lena's willing, we can hide you out with her for the balance of this problem."
The problem was an inadvertent exposure to Red Kryptonite. Kara walked past a tech as she was transporting a sample to one of the labs on a cart. Then the wheel of the girl's cart gave under the weight of the lead container. The front wheel broke off, skittering across the floor and the cart fell sideways, dumping it's load. The lead container cracked open. The Red K radiation caught Kara but, thanks to the quick reaction of the tech, the exposure was minimal. Still, in seconds, Supergirl shrank down to the size of one of those action figures that some company made of her.
Thankfully, this time, the Red K didn't alter Kara's attitude, sending her over the edge. That had been the typical Kryptonian reaction to Red K but sometimes it just altered the Kryptonian physiology - like the time Clark had been exposed while he, Lois and Jimmy had seen the original King Kong at a revival theater. Thanks to a red ring from Cracker Jack that turned out to be Red K, Clark as Superman became a giant, mindless Superman fighting off Air Force fighters from the top of the Metro Tower in midtown Metropolis.
In Kara's case, she had been feeling sad and low after Mon-El's departure. At times, she felt like she was only inches tall. Hence, her body's reaction to the Kryptonite.
"You sure? I mean, I trust Lena but her offices are not nearly as secure as the DEO."
"I think it'll work. You just stay in her executive suite at L-Corp for the next couple of days and we'll be good. There is limited access there. I'd've suggested CatCo but Snapper Carr is a dangerous media risk."
"What about at home?"
"I'd rather someone was there in case something else happens," Alex replied.
"Okay. I guess that won't be too bad. After all, it's only another thirty-one hours," Kara agreed. "And I'd rather be with someone too. This is pretty isolating, after only five hours."
Alex nodded, thinking, 'If the thirty-six hour maximum threshold is still valid. There is still so much we don't know about that damned alien isotope. So far, the radiation wears off between twenty-four and thirty-six hours. But...'
"Okay, you want to call her and ask if..."
"On it!" Kara declared as she swooped down on her phone.
"Whoa! Kara, Supergirl can't call Lena from your phone!"
Pulling up and hovering over her screen, she nodded, "You're right. I'm just so rattled by all this." 'I hope that's all it is,' Kara thought. 'Not the kryptonite.'
"It's okay. Here, use this secure phone." Alex held out a handset from a console phone. Kara flew up towards the microphone end as Alex asked, "What's the number Supergirl would call? Not you, Kara, but Supergirl."
Kara rattled off the numbers and Alex keyed them in. After what seemed to be an eternity, Lena answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Lena, this is Supergirl."
"On the phone no less! Well, to what do I owe this honor?"
"I have a favor to ask... I can't give you details yet but I need to come by your office and see you. Alone."
"Wow, mystery. You have me hooked. Come on by."