Chapter Text
“How was your flight from Singapore?” Sam asks.
“Long,” Lena replies with a heavy sigh as she drives her sports car down the streets of National City. “It was twenty-three hours, and the man sleeping in the seat next to me made sounds like a professional lumberjack. I ended up just putting in my headphones and working. The good news is the contract for that new acquisition has been completely reviewed and revised. I sent it back to contracting when we landed, so that’s one fewer thing to do. The bad news is I’m exhausted. I have a crick in my neck, a sore back, and my bra is cutting into my shoulders.”
Sam’s laugh rides through the phone line. “I thought your expensive bras were the most comfortable things ever created? Didn’t you say they were the best things ever to wrap themselves around your breasts since … What was that girl’s name?”
“I was drunk. Don’t be crude.”
Sam laughs again. “You’re the one who said it, Lena. I’m just quoting my boss.”
“How is it that I’m only your boss when it suits you?”
“Because we’re friends. That means I can taunt you mercilessly.”
“Hrmmm.” Lena squirms in her seat. “Perhaps I should go back to my earlier Luthor days before I hired you, and I didn’t have friends.”
“Yeah, that sounds fun, Lena. How did that work for you?”
“It … okay, not well,” Lena admits. “Are you sure I can’t do better than you for a friend?”
“You tell me.”
“Sadly, no,” Lena replies. “Even when you’re mocking me, you’re a fabulous friend. Hey, how are those quarterly reports looking? Did you get the … ugh. God damn it.” Squirming again, Lena reaches underneath her shirt in the back, playing with the hook of her bra.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m so done with this damn bra!”
“Ha! Your thousand dollar bra?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Sam.” Unhooking the bra, Lena sighs with relief. “It only cost me $600.”
“Only!? Lena, all of my bras combined don’t cost that much.”
“Well, now you’re definitely exaggerating.”
“No, I’m not. Normal people don’t spend that much on a bra. If I spend that much on something for my breasts, it better do a lot more than just hold them in place.”
As she does the magic trick, pulling off her bra without removing her shirt, Lena asks, “You’re not still in the office, are you?”
“No, I’m waiting outside for you to pick me up. Why, do you need something?”
“Just a drink, a lot of drinks. The way this conversation is going, I think one of us is going to be writing the other one up with HR if you’re still at the office, so I wanted to check.”
“Oh, I should be so lucky to be harassed by you, Mama Moneybucks. Please, please harass me, and I’ll settle out of court.”
“You’re hysterical. If I’m going to harass anyone, it’s going to be that cute blonde in … nope!”
“Who were you going to say?” There is an obvious smile in Sam’s voice.
“I am way too tired to have this conversation. I was in an all-day conference, went to dinner with the client, and finished it up with a twenty-three-hour flight. My twenty-four-hour bra expired twelve hours ago, and my sober expired even longer ago. I’m going to pick you up, we’ll go to my place, and we’ll … Oh, my God!” Head snapping to the right side, Lena stares out of the car’s window at what she’d just done.
“What!? What’s wrong!?”
“I … I … I …”
“Lena, are you all right? Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I just threw my bra out the window.”
“… what?”
“I just threw my $600 La Perla bra out my car window.”
“I …” Sam lets out a sharp laugh. “Why!?”
“I have no fucking idea. You know how you take off your bra, and you just kind of toss it to the side after a long day?”
“Yes.”
“I … I think I … That. I think I just did that, except I tossed it out of my open car window, and I drove away.”
“Oh, my God, Lena!” Sam laughs again. “Go back and get it.”
“Oh, hell no.”
“But it’s a $600 bra.”
“And I have ten more at home just like it. I wouldn’t turn this car around for a pile of hundred dollar bills lying on the ground. I’m certainly not doing it for that constriction device that was choking the life out of me. I’ll be at L-Corp in two minutes. Why don’t you think of some humiliating things to say to me when I get there.”
“I’ve already started,” Sam assures her boss and friend.
“I have no doubt. I’m hanging up now. See you soon,” Lena replies as she disconnects the call.
<><>
Peeling the article of clothing from her face, Kara goes from staring in shock at the bra to the sports car and the driver that are racing away from her. This isn’t the first time Kara had seen the attractive brunette. Though the ‘over the boulder shoulder holder hurler’ doesn’t regularly drive by Catco when Kara gets out of work, the reporter has seen the woman on more than one occasion over the past year. Flashy cars and hot women aren’t exactly exotic creatures in National City, but there is something about this brunette that stands out. Usually, the woman is on calls, generally work calls, but on the few times when the brunette is left to her own thoughts, there is something sad, perhaps lonely to her that just seems--
As the man waiting at the red light next to Kara leans just a bit too close to get a better look at what is in her hands, her head shoots up sharply. “Excuse you!” Kara says, clearly affronted as she snaps the bra in on itself and folds it around as if packing it for a trip before she shoves it into her purse for safe keeping away from prying eyes. “Rude!” Head turning quickly back to the road, Kara strides with purpose across the street as soon as the light turns green seconds later. She makes her way to a nearby alley, changes, and takes to the air. She lands on her own balcony, smiling when she sees the woman within. “Hi, Alex! Did you order food?”
“Is the Pope Catholic?”
“Uh … I don’t know a lot about Earth religions, but doesn’t he have to be?” Kara asks as she crosses the apartment, dropping her purse on the couch and making her way to her curtained off bedroom to change.
“Yes, Kara, he …” Alex sighs. “Never mind. Yes, I ordered food. It should be here soon.”
“Ooo! Ooo! Did you get--?”
“Potstickers? Yes.”
“Wait! What about--?”
“Pizza? I got that too,” Alex replies as she pops open a beer.
“Well how about--”
“Ice cream is in the freezer. Honestly, Kara, this isn’t my first rodeo.”
Dressed in pajamas, Kara steps out from behind the curtain. “There was a rodeo?”
Leaning on the counter, Alex takes a sip of her beer. “Yeah, that’s where all this bull is coming from.”
Slowly, Kara looks right and then left before meeting her sister’s gaze again. “There were bulls?”
“Jesus Christ, Kara. Are you really an investigative reporter?”
Kara nods.
Shaking her head and taking another sip of beer, Alex replies, “It’s moments like this that Lois’ Pulitzer is a hell of a lot less impressive. So, tell me about your day. Anything interesting happen?”
“Snapper let me do that interview on the new shelter.”
“The alien one?”
Nodding quickly, Kara flops down onto the couch.
“How’d you talk him into that?” Alex asks as she joined her sister.
“I presented my ideas in a fair and reasonable way. I reminded him that non-human citizens were citizens too. Then I presented him with some of the headlines from the most read publications around the country this past year none of which included aliens.”
“Because most aliens have gravitated to a few parts of our planet to be with their own kind,” Alex says.
“Exactly!” Kara bounces in her seat. “That’s my point exactly. We have a unique opportunity, and we’re wasting it reporting on politics and fashion, something every other part of the country has.”
“Those sound like really good points.” Alex takes another sip of her beer.
“Thank you.”
“How many times did you have to point this all out to Snapper?”
“Well, it’s been a few months, and I bring it up every day, but--”
“So you badgered him.”
“For a good cause! Anyway, Eliza’s always said that if you believe in something you should stand up for it, and I believe in this shelter. Alex, they’re doing good work here.”
“Okay, okay. So, meet anyone you know?”
With a smile, Kara shakes her head. “It’s not like that. There were families there, refugees just like I was when I first came to Earth, but they didn’t have you, Eliza, and Jeremiah to take care of them. There were children playing together from races that in the past would have been at war. People put their differences aside for their communal good. It was beautiful.”
“That sounds nice, Kar.”
“It was. Oh, I learned something really interesting too.” While Alex listens attentively, Kara continues. “Some of the species have nutritional needs that aren’t easily met with foods commonly found on this planet. A group of scientists had come in, did a lot of tests, and they’ve brought back these synthetic food cubes that are species specific to meet their nutritional needs.”
Her beer pauses at her lips as Alex’s face scrunches up unpleasantly. “Synthetic food cubes? Are those as tasty as they sound?”
“Ah...unfortunately some of them, yes. It’s making a life and death difference for some of these folks, and they’re in the taste test stages now. I offered to help, but they said it was an ‘alien only’ project.”
“Heh heh.” Draining the last of her beer, Alex puts the empty on the coffee table. “Kara Danvers, human reporter, wasn’t welcome to take part in their little taste test, huh?”
“No,” Kara grumbles. “I’m so good at eating things too, so good.”
“Maybe Supergirl should just happen to drop by on the day of the taste test and heroically offer her help.”
Gasping, Kara smiles broadly. “Alex, you’re a genius!”
“A thirsty one,” Alex says as she rises and heads back toward the kitchen. “You want a soda?”
“Sure. What do you want to watch on Netflix?” Kara asks as she grabs the remote.
“Something with boobs.”
Remote in hand, Kara pauses and looks at her sister. “B...boobs?”
Putting a bottle of beer and a bottle of root beer on the table, Alex nods. “Is that a problem? I’m in an eye candy mood.” When Kara only blinks at her, Alex says, “Kar, you still in there?”
Her smile returning, Kara nods. “Yeah, sure. I just … boobs. We can watch whatever you want, Alex.”
“Well, last week was a Disney marathon so--”
“No, you’re right. It’s your turn. Boobs. We can watch something with boobs. If you want to see boobs, we can see boobs.”
With a bottle in each hand, Alex sits on the couch. “Why do you keep saying boobs?”
“I don’t keep saying boobs. You’re the one who keeps saying boobs. You’re the one who brought up boobs. I’m not even into boobs. Why would you ask me about boobs?”
Leaning closer to her sister, Alex says, “Boobs.”
Eyes widening, Kara blushes.
“Okay, I have no idea what’s going on, but I do wonder how everyone in this city doesn’t know you’re Supergirl. You have no poker face.”
“I don’t even know what that means,” Kara says as she hands her sister the remote. “Here. I’m going to get ice cream.”
“Of course you are.”
Alex has just turned on the TV and begins to flip through the options on Netflix when the doorbell rings.
“I’ve got it!” Kara says, dropping the gallon of ice cream on the counter as she races to the door. Smiling, she opens the door for the delivery guy. “Hi, Jeff, right?”
“Yeah, hi, Kara. Just you and your sister?” He holds out the food.
“Yeah, just me and Alex,” she replies as she takes the three pizza boxes and large paper bag.
“Wow, you girls do have some appetite.”
“Oh, no I … leftovers,” Kara assures with several nods. “Yup, I love my leftovers. Pizza is better the second day and even better the third. Isn’t that what I always say, Alex?”
Shaking her head as she walks up to stand next to her sister, Alex holds out several bills to Jeff. “Yeah, there’s nothing my sister likes better than leaving food around for later. Here you go … uh … man. And … Kara, do you have a ten?”
“In my wallet.” Kara doesn’t look up from unpacking the food onto the kitchen counter.
“Just a minute.” Alex leaves briefly to return with the ten dollar bill. “Here. Have a good night.” After closing the delivery guy out, Alex returns to the couch then joins her sister in the kitchen, dropping Kara’s purse on the counter. “Hey, I have a question for you.”
Curiously, Kara eyes the purse and then her sister. “What’s up?”
“That’s what I wanted to know,” Alex says as she pulls the bra out of Kara’s bag. “This isn’t your size.”
Kara’s eyes bulge. “Alex, I can explain.”
“Oh, I’m looking forward to this.” Alex smirks.
“I was just standing there, and it hit me.”
“Like an epiphany? I know how that feels.”
“No, like something in the face. It literary flew out of a car and hit me in the face. Some woman threw her bra at me.”
“Were you at a rock concert?”
“No, I was at a red light.”
Rolling her hand in front of her, Alex says, “Explain.”
“Okay, so I had just left work, and I was waiting to cross the street. The light was red, so I was waiting. I’m a law-abiding citizen. There’s this woman who drives by Catco sometimes. She’s … Well, she’s beautiful, and she drives this really expensive looking foreign sports car. As she drove by, she pulled off her bra and threw it in my face.”
“A rich, beautiful woman in a sports car threw her bra at you?”
Kara nods.
“I should have your problems,” Alex mutters. “Can’t you be satisfied just being Supergirl? Do you have to attract hot lesbians too?”
Looking away, Kara pulls a container of potstickers from the bag and shrugs. “She may not have been a lesbian. Maybe she was bisexual.”
Tossing the bra at her sister, Alex says, “Thanks. That’s much better.”
“Hey!” Kara places the bra on the counter. “Well, now it’s a trend. Beautiful lesbians are throwing bras at me.”
“Hardy-har-har.” Eyeing the undergarment, Alex asks, “What are you going to do?”
“About?”
She gestured toward the bra. “That thing. I mean, you still have it. What are you going to do with it?”
“Well …” Pulling out a potsticker, Kara put it in her mouth and chews thoughtfully. “It looks expensive. Doesn’t it look expensive?”
“I … guess? I mean, I wait until they’re buy-one-get-one-half-off at Target, but yeah, those things can be pretty pricey especially if you’re on the larger size and …” Alex picks up the bra, examining it for a moment. “La Perla. I’ve never heard of that brand. You?”
“Mmmmummm.” Kara shrugs around a large mouthful of food.
“Very classy.” Pulling out her phone, Alex does a quick search online, paling a bit suddenly. “Motherfucker!”
“What? What’s wrong?”
Snagging the bra again, Alex lets it dangle from between her fingers. “These things cost hundreds of dollars. Who in their right mind spends hundreds of dollars on a bra?”
“Someone who really cares about their … boobs,” Kara suggests. “I realize human women need bras—”
“Don’t.” Alex glares. “Don’t make me hate you more than I already do.”
“Alex,” Kara whines, her lower lip jutting out in a powerful pout.
“No. I will not submit to your blackmail attempt today. Some obviously rich woman tossed her underthing at you today, and all you had to do was stand around and be superhuman. I’m putting myself out there, and my dating life is a disaster.”
“It’s not a disaster, Alex.”
“It’s a disaster!”
After several beats of silence, Kara asks, “What about that Denari girl? I thought you had a nice date with her.”
“So did I, but then she flaked out and disappeared. The next time I saw her, I was arresting her for being part of that smuggling ring.”
Kara winces. “That was the same girl? Awkward. What about the cop? You never told me how your date with her went.”
“Because it didn’t happen. It was the same night I arrested the Denari girl.”
“No.” Brows furrowing, Kara shakes her head. “I remember you saying you saw her and … You didn’t talk about it, but you saw her.”
“I did because she was in the group of NCPD detectives who helped to bring down the smuggling ring. She got to see a girl I’d made out with a week earlier get hauled in and then use her one phone call to ask me for bail money. She, ah … didn’t reschedule our date.”
“Alex, I’m—”
“Forget it, Kar.” Grabbing a plate, Alex throws two slices of pizza and three potstickers onto the plate before heading to the living room. “I’m basically undateable. I’ve come to terms with it. Don’t tell Mom, okay? She’s still hoping for grandchildren one day. Heck, I was hoping for children.”
“Hey!” With the rest of the box of pizza and a carton of potstickers in hand, Kara flops onto the couch next to her sister. “Maybe my hot bra girl will have a hot friend, and I can set you up.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Alex clicks through options on Netflix before her attention spins back to Kara. “Wait a second, are you saying you’re interested in bra girl?”
“Well, I uh …” Kara’s fingers steeple together over each other. “She’s beautiful, but she looks so sad sometimes. I feel like she could use someone in her life.”
“You know what that feels like?”
“No, I …” Her speech pauses, and Kara sits blinking at her sister. “You’re amazing, and I know how lucky I am to have you in my life. I feel like there’s someone out there for me, someone special. On a planet of seven billion people, there’s got to be someone.”
Picking up her beer bottle, Alex holds it out to Kara. “A toast to us and finding our one in seven billion person.”
Kara grabs her root beer bottle from where she’d put it on the table, holding it out to Alex. “To us!” As Kara strikes her bottle against Alex’s, she does it with a bit too much vigor. Both bottles break, glass raining everywhere even as soda and beer spew all over.
“Jesus Christ!” Alex pulls herself away, trying to avoid the worst of the spray of glass and foamy liquids.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’ll clean it up!” Kara is already in the kitchen and back again, a hand towel and the trash can at her side.
Watching her sister, Alex chuckles. “You think maybe this is an analogy for our lives?” When Kara looks up curious, hands filled with shards of broken glass as she kneels on the floor, Alex shakes her head and smiles. “You’re probably the most physically powerful woman on the planet, and here you are trying to get broken glass and beer out of your carpet on a Friday night. I’m the number two agent in one of the most highly-classified, covert government-run organizations in this country, and I’m wearing a good portion of that glass and beer that didn’t end up in your carpet. I mean we’re…”
“Disasters?” Kara suggests.
Alex’s laughter grows as she nods. “God help whatever poor people get stuck with us. We’re both disasters.”
Dumping the glasses into the trash can, Kara disappears into the kitchen again but comes strolling back in, a bottle in either hand. As she hands Alex a beer, she says, “Take two? How about a toast to a couple of disasters. They’ll never know what hit them.”
“You’re such an optimist. Don’t move that bottle!” Alex carefully clinks her bottle against Kara’s. “To the Danver’s sister. May they find someone deserving of their disastrous selves.”
“To the Danvers sisters,” Kara agrees as she drank her root beer.
“Poor bra girl.”
“Poor bra girl’s friend.”
“Maybe she doesn’t have a friend,” Alex counters between sips of beer.
“What kind of bra girl wouldn’t have a friend?”
“I … have no idea how to answer that. So, to bra girl and her friend, they’ll never know what hit them.” When Kara raises her bottle again, Alex pulls away. “Gently!”
“Sorry,” Kara whispers.
“I’m thinking more about bra girl.”
With a shy smile as she looks away, Kara admits, “You and me both.”