Chapter Text
“Ok. Next question.” Lena’s assistant scanned the group of journalists. “CatCo, please.”
"Mrs. Luthor, your wedding anniversary is coming in two weeks – are there any particular plans?"
Lena managed to hide how irritating this question was for her. She squeezed the edge of lectern little bit more and gave polite smile to the journalist. "To be honest - I would be rather if this press conference was about the L-Corp’s plans for the next year and not about my personal life.” She said calmly. “So the only thing I’ll say is that there will be a gala on this occasion, but all of you have already known that."
"I know, but do you plan any special surprise for your wife?”
Lena smiled but her grip became stronger, her knuckles were completely white. “Would it be still a surprise if I told you?” She asked back with a smirk and a few journalists laughed. “Next question, please.”
~ ~ ~
“Hmm, a special surprise… I wonder what it could be.” Kara thought aloud as she watched the press conference on TV in DEO. “Hey! Maybe she’ll talk to me that night… Oh, wait! Maybe she'll even use one whole sentence!” She said wryly.
“Still that bad?” Alex asked.
“It's getting even worse.” Kara admitted helplessly. “The beginning was… well, strange – for both of us. But I had a feeling that we both were trying to make it work… But now? Uggh…” She tilted her head and exhaled heavily. “She is either at L-Corp till the night or working in her office at home or just hidden in her bedroom or …” She waved vaguely. “Wherever I’m not…” She grinned. “I thought about it.” She put her hand on the back of her neck. “I thought about if I did something that would upset her… But I don’t think so.” She sighed. “I - I don’t know what’s happening…”
“Did you try to talk with her about that?”
“When?” Kara laughed wryly. “Have you been listening to what I’ve just told you? I haven't even seen her in last week!”
“Really?” Alex raised her eyebrow. “Do you want me to talk to her?”
“About what?”
“Well, about how the wife of my sister should behave.”
Kara laughed bitterly. “I don’t think that that was included in our marriage contract.”
“Maybe not, but you are supposed to look like a happy couple for the public – or at least a couple.” Alex argued. “How do you want to convince everyone on gala when you are not able to spend some time in one room?”
Kara raised one finger. “Correction – she is not able, I am.”
“It doesn’t matter, Kara.” Alex said with an anxious face. “The gala is the beginning. You had one year of public silence, but it ends now.” She remembered her. “There will be more events where you will have to be as a couple. You are in this together. Equally… And if both of you can’t play the game, we are all in trouble.”
“Ok, ok.” Kara raised her hands in defeat. “I’ll talk to her about it.” She promised. “But I can’t guarantee that it won’t make things worse than even worse.”
~ ~ ~
Kara flew to L-Corp. Even though it was late she knew Lena will be still there.
But she didn’t land on the balcony. She didn’t because when she got close enough to see into Lena’s office, she saw Lena sitting on the sofa with her head on the shoulder of another woman who was hugging her.
‘What the hell is this?’
She froze in the air hesitated for a second. Using her super-hearing in this situation would be unethical but on the other hand – Lena was her wife, and they had a deal. Kara knew that it was weak excuse, but…
“… have you considered to tell her?” Woman asked.
“No. There is no reason.”
“Lena, there is a reason!” Woman argued. “Do you want to live like this?”
“Of course not, but we have a deal which is a priority and this is something that could jeopardize it… I just have to get used to it.” Lena said sadly. “It will be better, I just need a time.”
“Look, you know I love you and will support you in any decision you make, just… think about it, ok? You can be happy. You SHOULD be happy… The only thing you need to do is tear up the marriage contract and –“
Kara heard enough. She turned around and flew away.
Seeing Lena like this was… new. Her wife acted like confident, fearless, determined woman most of the time they spent together. But the Lena she just saw was vulnerable…
This Lena was unknown for her.
And unknown was also the other person in Lena’s office – who was that woman who just said I love you to her wife?
Kara needed to think.
But first of all, she needed long shower, comfortable clothing, dinner and well, a lot of ice cream.
She headed home.
~ ~ ~
Kara was sitting on a barstool at the kitchen counter, thinking in the dark.
Thinking about when and how they got to this point. Yes, their marriage wasn’t based on love, it was based on greater good. Or something like that…
One year ago, they made a deal. One year ago, Kara though there is a way how they can handle this together, in much better way than they are handling it now. One year ago…
~ ~ ~
“Miss Luthor.” J’onn walked toward the woman and held out his hand in greeting. “I'm grateful you’ve made time for us.”
“Mr. J’onzz.” Lena greeted him back and shook his hand. “When you get an invitation which says in the interests of global security you have hardly any chance to say no.”
“Well, that’s true.” He agreed. “So, welcome in DEO.”
He led them into the meeting room where the two other persons were waiting for them.
“I am not sure if you’ve already met Supergirl…” He began.
“No, I haven’t had the pleasure yet.” Lena told him. “Supergirl.” She greeted the woman with a nod. “I assume you don’t prefer to be called Miss Danvers when you’re wearing this.” Lena pointed at superhero’s suit.
“You can call me whatever you want, Miss Luthor.” Kara said with polite smile and held out her hand.
Lena accepted it with short shake and then offer her hand to the other woman in the room. “Lena Luthor.”
“Special agent Alex Danvers.”
“Please Miss Luthor, take a seat.”
CEO sat down at the round table and looked at J’onn. “So, Mr. J’onzz, tell me why I am here and why I had to sign this NDA.” She pulled out a file from her handbag and handed it to him.
“Well, straight to the point then.” J’onn said. “We found out a very disturbing information when we made a research of one of our dimension portal.”
“Which type of dimension?”
“The time dimension.” He specified.
“So, we are talking about something what’s going to happened in future, right?”
“Yes.” He confirmed. “The point is we don’t want to let it happen.”
“Isn’t it dangerous or even forbidden to do that? Changing the future…”
“Usually yes, but in this case we don’t have a choice.”
“Well.” Lena said slowly. “The fact that you asked a Luthor for help means that the situation is really serious.” She looked at all of them. “So what exactly are we talking about?”
“I think it will be better if we show you.”
~ ~ ~
Lena and Supergirl walked through the portal.
“Where are we? What is this place?” Lena asked, looking around.
“This is National City.”
“What?!” Lena was shocked. “How can this be National City? This city is in ruins! Where are all those people?”
“They are dead… This is future.” Kara said quietly. “Our future where everyone in this city, in this country… on this planet… is dead.”
“What - what happened?”
“War… Between humans and aliens.” Kara explained. “They – we – were not able to live together.”
“No… No! I don’t believe that this is how it’s going to end.” Lena shook her head. “It – it can’t be!”
“Choose a city.”
“What?”
“Choose a city.” Kara repeated. “And I will show you it looks like this… Every single one.”
Lena remained silent. She looked around for any sign of life, but everything was ruined, covered with rubble and dust, with a strange smell in the air. The destruction was the only thing visible all around.
“I need a proof.”
“Miss Luthor… Do you really need to see more? We have an evidence back in DEO, we can -“
“I need a proof.” She repeated firmly.
“Ok.”
Kara flew them both to the building Lena recognized – the building of Luthor Corp. It was clear that the destruction was greater here and even though Kara stayed in the air high enough not to behold all details Lena saw the bodies without life.
~ ~ ~
“Here…” Alex pushed the tablet to Lena. “If you need to see any photos, footages or articles.”
“I need a drink.”
Alex nodded at one of the agents who nodded as well and left the room.
“How many years do we have?”
“Twelve years.”
“Twelve years?” Lena sigh. “Just twelve years to no living being on this planet?”
“If we don’t do anything – yes.”
Lena was swiping through the pictures on tablet. “Why was the destruction greater near the Luthor Corp?” She asked. “Why did you take me to that place to give me a proof?” Lena spoke to Supergirl.
“This is your answer.” J’onn pointed at the photo on the screen.
CEO frowned and looked back at the screen. There was a photo of soldiers walking on the street. “I don’t understand.” Lena began but then she saw it. “Oh…” On the weapons, on the soldiers’ gear – everywhere was a logo of Luthor Corp.
“Luthor Corp was - or will be - the main supplier for the human’s soldiers...” J’onn explained. “But mainly, some research projects will be very interesting for both sides.”
Lena swallowed and then raised her gaze from the screen. “You have my word that my company will not produce any weapons and if there are any blueprints or dangerous research then everything will be destroyed.” Lena assured them.
“Thank you Miss Luthor, we really appreciate that.” J’onn said. “But… we are not sure that it will be enough.”
Lena was confused.
“The point is that we are not afraid of that kind of weapons because if Luthor Corp doesn’t produce them, they will be made by some other company. It is just a question of the time.” Lena still didn’t get it, so J’onn continued. “But there is more powerful weapon which can change everything – the mind.” Lena’s eyes widen. “And if we would have people’s mind on our side, we could -“
“Stop!” She interrupted him. “If you want to convince me to use any of my brother’s devilish idea how to control mind of any living being then I say no.” Lena made a gesture that made it very clear there was no discussion on the subject. “Never! It maybe wouldn’t lead to the same type of war, but it would definitely lead to other one with probably same result!”
“I agree with you.” J’onn assured her calmly. “That isn’t the way we want to go.”
“What is it then?”
“We want to show humans and aliens that they can live and cooperate together in peace.”
“And may I ask how do you want to do that?”
“By marriage.”
“Who will get married?”
“Supergirl…”
“Oh, you are just in time – we are celebrating a marriage.” Lena told to the confused agent who just came back with the glass and bottle of vodka, taking it from him and pouring a glass for herself when she asked. “Who’s the lucky man?”
“Woman.” J’onn corrected her.
Lena froze. “Wait… I hope you are not talking about…“ She wished someone would begin to laugh, but the room was completely silent and everyone was looking serious. Everyone except Supergirl who looked nervous. “Shit!” She drank down the glass and poured herself another one.
~ ~ ~
That was how they ended up together – in this new apartment, in this marriage, in this fiction which hopefully will help save this world.
Lena agreed.
Of course, their marriage isn’t real for them – they aren’t wives, they aren’t friends, they are something like business partners, and Kara hoped that they respect each other, that both of them respect the severity of their situation, of their goal. But now? Now it looks like her wife has… lover? …girlfriend?
Whoever this woman was, she was a threat for their goal. Kara knew it. But she also knew that there is no assurance they will succeed. And if they don’t it would be very selfish to let Lena live last years of her life unhappy and unloved.
~ ~ ~
Lena turned on the lights in the kitchen.
“Fuck!” She shouted and put one hand on her racing heart. “Jesus, Kara! What the hell are you doing here in the dark? I almost had a heart attack.”
“Sorry. I… needed to think.”
“Well, that explains this.” Lena pointed at three empty ice cream cups.
“I need to talk to you.” Kara turned her head toward her wife.
“About?” Lena took a bottle of water from the fridge and moved to take the glass from the cupboard. Not looking at the other woman.
“About the gala.” Kara said and Lena’s hand with glass stopped in the middle of its way from cupboard to the counter.
“I though Jess talked with you about all details.” Lena still didn’t turn to her.
“Yes, she did.” Kara confirmed. “But the program is not what I want to talk about.”
“What is it then?” She put the glass on the counter.
“The – the reason why the gala is held.” Kara said hesitantly.
“The wedding anniversary?” Lena asked, pouring the water to the glass.
“No… Well, yes – but I meant us.”
Lena stiffed for a while and took breath then she turned around and looked at Kara.
“Us?” She asked.
“Yes, us – because we supposed to look like a happy couple.”
“And why do you think we won’t look like that?”
“Seriously?” Kara said in disbelief. “Tell me, how much time did we spend together in last week or in last month?”
“Why is it important?”
“Because we had one year to make it work, to use to each other, to learn to interact with each other... And I think we are more strangers than we were at the beginning.”
“Look, I know what will happen if we fail, so - ”
“Oh, really? Because you don’t act like you do!”
“I just don’t see any reason why we should pretend when we are alone.”
“You saw the reason, Lena!” Kara said. “You saw with your own eyes what is going to happen if humans and aliens are not able to live together… And unfortunately for you, this marriage – you and me – we are a part of plan how to avoid that… How to show them that we all can live on this planet and not be in a war.” Kara exhaled. “I just – I just think that if we try to be friend behind the closed door, there would be better chance to –“
“What if this is not the right way?” Lena interrupted her.
Kara was confused. “What do you mean?”
“What if Luthor and Super isn’t the solution?”
Kara hesitated for a second. “I don’t know if it is or it is not.” She admitted. “But do you know about any other way which could work?”
“No. But…” Lena didn’t finished the sentence.
“But what, Lena? What’s your point then?”
Lena didn’t answer.
“Did you…” Kara hesitated. “Have you met someone?” She asked, thinking about the woman in the office.
“What?”
“It is a simple question, Lena.” She gave her a serious look. “Is there someone else you wanna be with?”
“No.” Lena said firmly.
“Than what is this about?” Kara asked still not sure if she should believe her or not - there was still the unknown woman in her mind. “Because something has happened… Something has changed and I have no idea what it is.” She was losing patience. “The only thing I have is the feeling that you do everything you can to avoid me.”
“That’s not true.” Lena raised index finger in disagree.
“Isn’t?” Kara raised her eyebrow.
“Kara, I have two companies to run. Maybe it will be surprise for you but it is a lot of work to do!” Lena was also in offense mode.
“Even at home?”
“Yes, sometimes even at home!”
“So you want to tell me that that is the reason why you always disappear to your office or bedroom five minutes after I come in?” Kara asked wryly.
“There is no mention in the contract that we have to spend a time together when we are at home!”
“Rao! Do you think that there is any chance that we can convince anyone when you can’t bear me at all?” Kara asked in disbelief. “Do you really want to live like that all the time? Cause if someone gave me these questions, my answer would be no for both of them!”
Lena closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. “Haven’t you had any doubts about this during the last year?” She asked quietly.
“It’s normal to have doubts, Lena.” Kara said. “And it would be much easier to face them if you talk to me. I mean - look at us! We should show people that humans and aliens can live together - but tell me, Lena, can we?”
“I think you are overreacting here.”
“I’ve already lost one home!” Kara shouted and stood up from the barstool. “I’ve already lost my family.” She said more quietly with tears in her eyes. “And I don’t want to feel that pain… that emptiness once again.”
“Kara…”
“I will do anything I can to prevent that happen again.” She said firmly. “For me, for my family, for everyone who wants to live on this planet. But I need help… And you agreed, Lena.” Kara pointed at her. “When we were in the not far future and saw this planet without life, saw the dead bodies with Luthor Corp weapons in their hands – then you agreed.” She reminded her. “If you have doubts… If you are convinced that there is any other way – better than this one - the way that can change the future… Change the end where this planet is dead, then tell me… If you don’t believe that we can change anything… If you want to spend the rest of that time with someone else… Tell me… I won’t blame you… But tell me while we still have a time.”
Lena didn’t say anything, she was looking down to her glass, so Kara took a few steps to stand next to her and gently touched Lena’s chin with one finger to make Lena look at her.
“And yes - that’s my answer for your question.” Kara continued. “Yes… Of course I had and sometimes still have doubts… The thoughts that this is not enough.” Kara admitted. “But I’ve had no doubts that if we want to, we can at least try to change the future without thinking that we sacrificing ourselves in this marriage.” She said softly. “But if we fight with each other, how can we persuade others not to fight?” She asked, looking into Lena’s eyes. “Yes… I have a fear, I have doubts, I have so much questions, but right now the most important one is – are you still in this with me?”