Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sun has always been Kara’s favourite thing on earth, don’t get her wrong. The food and people and nature are great too, but the feeling that the sun gives her. That feeling is her favourite thing on earth, because it feels so much like home. Sometimes when she closes her eyes, whilst looking towards the sun, and the insides of her eyelids colour this amazing red orange, she can almost taste home again. Feel the warmth or Rao on her face. The colour is slightly off, and the feeling is a bit different, but it is oh so close. It’s the closest of home she has, so whenever she has a moment. Whether she is flying, working or just on a stroll. She will take a moment, stand still, close her eyes and tilt her head back into the sun. Reminiscing of home.

Just like now, utterly lost in the sensation as she stands on the deo balcony. Sunbeams blanketing her form, to any onlooker she will look utterly ethereal. Truly not of this earth. Almost shining as bright as Sol himself. If you look closely, you might even see a faint glow from underneath her skin. Truly glowing in the light, peaceful and serene. Yet nothing perfect can last forever and all serenity and beauty ends, such is the way of life, and such is the way of Alex’s disruptive nature. “Kara get your ass in here we have a briefing!’’ She shouts, breaking Kara out of her peaceful trance with a disappointed pout. Before remembering that Alex promised food at the end of her shift, accompanied by watching the wizard of Oz and quality sister time. Which makes her excitedly bounce into the DEO. Knowing that they are already halfway done for today. Walking into the briefing room with a pep in her step. Alex shoots her an amused gaze as J’onn looks at her sternly, to take her seat so the briefing can finally begin. She quickly sits down and gives Winn a small wave, which he happily returns. Much to the annoyance of J’onn. He clears his throat.

‘’As you all know, Lena Luthor, sister of Lex Luthor moved to National City roughly two weeks ago. Today she has announced a press conference with unknown subject matter to be held in two days’ time. Seeing as Miss Luthor’s intentions are unclear we shall surveil the area in civilian attire to keep any alien related unrest at bay. We are currently expecting Anti-Luthor protestors to be amongst the crowd and the likeliness of an attack is rather large. Danvers you shall lead the civilian squadron, Vanquez, I need you to set up three sniper points in the buildings across the quad. Supergirl, we need you on coms at all times and surveilling the air for any unruly activity. Furthermore, we have gotten word that Luther-Corp is hiring within the IT and Labs divisions. Mister Schott we need you to go undercover within the company and gather intel into any nefarious business.’’ J’onn explains, showing images of the quad in which, the press conference will be held as he points towards sniper specific locations and shows potential blind zones for Supergirl to focus on. Explaining the different tactics and codes to be used whilst in the field and weapons allowed upon this mission. Nearing the end where he mentions Winn, Kara sniggers as she sees the half-asleep man’s eyes widen in horror upon hearing he has received his first undercover mission. Having expected to be needing to do the same old and not to actually have to pay attention let alone go undercover!

‘’Wha-What?!’’ He exclaims in a blind panic as he abruptly stands, causing all the agents their eyes to train on him as he shrinks back under the scrutinizing gazes. His chair falling backwards with a dramatic clang.

‘’Mister J’onn… no uhm Director Henshaw-Jones I- Uhm no you have the wrong man! I will break under the pressure of the field, I can’t, no. They will be onto me within the first few minutes! Besides have you read any of Miss Luthor’s’ work? That woman is a genius, she will see through me within seconds, not minutes. Minutes is too long, even. Like that is not giving her enough credit! And what if she really is evil? There is no way I would survive that, like uhm what if she figures it out and with the tour of the building, she might pull out a death ray on me. We don’t know, that might be a thing she has made, or like a freeze gun and I’ll be stuck as a popsicle for the rest of my life. I don’t want to be a popsicle!’’ Winn rambles on his voice wavering and cracking ending in a frightful whine. Becoming more and more frantic with every word that leaves his mouth. Throwing his arms out wildly, so much so that one of the agents gets slapped across the face. Only to be quickly held back by Alex as she tries to keep her face stoic, yet failing horribly when she glances at Kara, who is in the same predicament. Both quickly having to cover their faces as laughter threatens to be let loose.

J’onn, however, seems much less amused. A stern frown on his face as he watches the awkward chaos, that is Winn Shott, be unleashed. ‘’Mister Shott! Calm down this instant! This is the job you chose; you knew what it would entail. You were made well aware of the potential of having to go into the field when you applied. Now it would do you well to remember that fact as you try to disobey my direct orders again. Or else there will be nothing left for you here, am I understood?’’ Winn gulps at the sharp tone, flinching before quickly straightening his non-existent spine. Giving J’onn a military salute and a quick ‘Sir! Yes Sir!’ before J’onn dismisses the rest of the agents with a wave of his hand. Holding in a sigh until everyone but Kara and Alex have left the conference room. Letting out a shuddering sigh as he collapses back into his chair. With the two amused and chuckling sisters on either side of the table looking at him fondly.

‘’Tell me again why I hired him.’’ He mumbles with a sigh.

‘’Because he is the best within our IT employee.’’ Alex says, having regained her professional composure once more. Whilst Kara, who is much less inclined to remain professional and very much still chuckling, says at the same time. ‘’Because he is one of the super friends and you would do anything for us!’’ Exclaiming gleefully, and whole convinced of the fact. Entirely aware that the statement is indeed very much the truth.

J’onn rubs his temples with exasperation and a very real oncoming headache. ‘’Perhaps.’’ He mutters, unclear to whom he answers. ‘’Now get out of here and make your rounds, I have a headache.’’ Waving them off as well. But not before Kara’s brow furrows in concern and asks if she can get him anything. When he requests silence and solitude she nods dutifully and leaves the room behind Alex with a soft ‘’Feel better, see you at game night.’’ Before giving Alex a hug and leaving the DEO as well, in order to make her rounds.

Flying around National City always feels wonderful, its freeing to not have to limit herself. Not constantly be frightened of hurting those closest to her, pacing herself as to not walk through something or break her stuff in her excitement. Always having to be warry so she doesn’t break her furniture, her art supplies or her friends. Flying is freeing, she doesn’t have to worry about any of it, she can simply be. She doesn’t have to think too hard, about what to say, about how to move or dumb herself down. She can be fluid and precise, instead of clumsy and wooden. I mean, she loves her friends, her stuff, her job and everything that surrounds it. The entire human earth experience.

But there is just nothing as freeing as being able to fly and not have to limit herself for even a second. Seeing miles around the city, she sometimes lets herself hang above it gazing out into the hills and woods behind it. Finding small animals with her superior sight and enjoying watching their simple lives, scouring across the forest floor or small birds flying and feeling as free as she does. She enjoys the sounds and views of nature and all that is natural. Except for when her forest friends, a very one-sided friendship mind you, are in danger. Because Kara views herself as much of a protector towards the forest animals as towards the inhabitants of National City.

Like when Kevin, the curious squirrel, got caught by a falcon and she raced over there in record time. Resulting in the breaking of the sound barrier and an embarrassing lecture from Alex, but it was sooh worth it. Because she saved Kevin from being eaten and even got to hold him for a few seconds while she lowered him to the ground, a fact that had her riding high for days. Loving the small fluffy animals. It did leave her feeling a tad guilty though, she didn’t want to falcon to starve either so she quickly went to the supermarket, in full Supergirl regalia, just to buy a packet of meat so the falcon wouldn’t starve. Which promptly caused a Media shit storm as the public was rather confused yet fascinated by the fact Supergirl frantically sped into a store quickly grabbing meat and skipping the line, throwing a few coins as she shouts. “It’s for the falcons!’’ Before blurring out of the store. The security video had gone viral with people speculating whatever she meant and why she was in such a hurry. The Flacons football team quickly using the exclamation during one of their commercials, only to receive a warning for a lawsuit due to unpaid voice acting of one Supergirl.

But no matter what trouble she may get into helping the animals, she loves it just as much as helping the humans. But no matter how much she enjoys the serenity of the forest, she always keeps an ear out on the city to listen for trouble. Like now, enjoying the jovial adventures of Kevin, who she might have fed a tad too much as he heaves for a few seconds after chasing two neighbouring squirrels off of his tree. Only to hear a panicked cry and the loud rotor of a helicopter in the distance.

She quickly straightens herself, tearing her gaze away from Kevin and his antics and towards the far side of the city where a helicopter appears to be under attack of several drones. Tensing every muscle in her body, she gazes towards the helicopter and pushes off on nothing but air, breaking the sound barrier as she shoots towards the scene with haste. Time is of the essence as the helicopter appears to slowly lose its function and struggles to stay in the air.

She quickly arrives upon the scene, her fist smashing though one of the drones before it has time to notice her arrival. Splintering it in every direction. The remaining drones quickly fire upon the helicopter, hitting the pilot in the chest. Killing him within a single hit, before refocussing its effort on Supergirl. Assuming to have completed its mission, as the helicopter loses control and starts spinning uncontrollably. Due to the pilots' body having fallen against the wheel. Frantic to save the crashing helicopter, Kara snaps towards two lined up drones. Using her Heat vision to shatter them. The world slows as kara speeds up, blowing freezing air towards the last drone. She sees the particles slowly form, the ice cold slowly spreading towards the drone. Sure to be a perfect hit, she turns towards the helicopter, which is not significantly lower towards the ground. It will certainly crash within the next few seconds if she doesn’t intervene. So, she trusts her freeze breath to reach the last remaining drone, shooting off towards the plummeting helicopter. Its blades slowly turning as it inches towards the ground.

Ripping the blades off to access the top of the helicopter, she rips her hands through the roof to gain a proper grip. Before refocussing all her efforts on her strength, forgoing her speeds as the world speeds up once more. Straining in effort she lifts the helicopter as the metal groans in her hands, slowly ripping open the roof more and more while she slows the aircraft towards the ground, setting it down with an audible thud and a groan. She sighs a breath of relieve as she unclenches her hands and flies towards the side, where the finds the other passenger. Wide eyed with a look of pure horror etched upon her face. ‘’I am never flying again.’’ She mutters, resolute. A fact Kara will view as strange when she looks back weeks after the encounter. For now though, she chuckles as she wipes the non-existent sweat from her brow. Nearing the horrified woman. ‘’Here let me help you.’’ Kara says as she helps the woman out of her seatbelt and onto the ground. The woman shoots a sorrow filled gaze across her shoulder towards the dead pilot, hanging lifelessly in his seat. ‘’I’m sorry, I wish I could’ve gotten here sooner.’’ Supergirl’s steady voice feels small as she also looks at the lifeless form.

The woman nods slowly, as if it takes a few seconds for the words to register. ‘’Yeah, I am sorry as well.’’ She says sullenly, as if she could have helped the man in some way.

Kara clears her throat awkwardly, never having learnt how to properly deal with these situations. Slowly steering the woman away from the helicopter and the dead pilot. ‘’Do you want me to wait with you till the police arrive?’’ Kara offers kindly, making the woman look at her quizzically.

‘’You would show kindness to a Luthor?’’ She questions, looking at Kara in wonder. It starts Kara for a second, before finding recognition on the woman’s face. Lena Luthor, the sister of Lex. Lena takes the second of startlement as an answer and nods her head with a sigh before slowly walking towards the entrance of the rooftop helipad. Sitting down against the wall, staring at the helicopter whilst she waits for the police to arrive.

Kara shakes her head, coming out of her stupor and walks towards Lena before sitting down next to her. Giving her true answer to her question. Yes, Kara would show kindness to anyone. Even a Luthor.

Lena tilts her head in the most careful and miniscule way. Just barely enough to gaze at kara from her peripheral. ‘’Why?’’ She asks, soft and calm. So very different from the boasting charismatic voice Lex always appeared to put on. ‘’Everyone deserves kindness, everyone deserves a chance. I am not going to judge you on anyone’s merits but your own.’’ Kara explains kindly, keeping her head straight, towards to broken helicopter. Its blades stuck in the roof towards the right, its roof curled open with indents from where kara had gripped it. A few holes littering the side from the bullets and a spray of broken drones, among one a frozen shattered drone, across the roof in parts.

Lena nods, seemingly happy with the answer as she too gazes at the chaos. A sorrowful expression on her face as she looks towards the side of the helicopter that houses the dead pilot. ‘’His name was Victor Jackobson, he had a wife and two kids. He was a good man, he didn’t deserve to die just because he was affiliated with the Luthor name.’’ Her voice is accented, unwavering with a lilt of anger residing beneath the surface. Kara remains quiet, only tilting her head towards Lena to show her unwavering attention. ‘’None of the people who died due to my name deserved it. There were so many innocents whose lives were lost due to the chaos lex bestowed upon the world.’’ The anger strengthens as an angry tear rolls down her cheek.

‘’Do you think Lex did this?’’ Kara asks carefully. She had watched the trials, Lena testifying against lex’s abhorrent crimes. If it wasn’t for Lena, lex would have at least twenty of the thirty-two life sentences less. She brought so many of his deeds to light, the ones that people would never have known, piles and piles of evidence she collected meticulously over years. And yet throughout the trial she looked at lex with such broken longing, for a brother who was stolen from her and a dear friend she has mourned. It had solidified the fear in the public, they no longer trusted any of the Luthor’s. Not being able to place their trust in someone that could mourn a psychopath, even if it seemed utterly human in Kara’s eyes.

The people thought it might have been an act, that her eyes had betrayed her. And her deeds would not hold. That she, too, was evil and conniving. Soley for the fact that she knew the madness and yet still cared.

Lena sighs, heaving a hand through her hair. ‘’I truly do not know. The mad man is locked behind bars but knowing him. It shall not be enough to stop him for long, and after what I did. This could very well be an attempt made by him. Yet, truly Supergirl, there are so many whom wish to see me perish. I have not the faintest clue as to whom this attempt was made by, though I do speculate it was him.’’ Lena’s head also turns slightly, tearing her gaze away fr0m the wreckage and into kara’s eyes. Kara’s heart broke the second they first made eye contact; such a broken gaze peered into her own. Eyes so beautiful yet so broken.

‘’You are no longer in Metropolis, Miss Luthor. I promise I'll keep everyone safe from lex’s grasp.’’ Kara vows, words filled with determination and hope. Wishing to see the broken gaze mend.

‘’You cannot promise something so grand Supergirl.’’ Lena says with a rueful smile, before looking back towards the carnage. Kara stares for a few seconds, unaccustomed to people not holding her to the grandest of expectations. It has become so mundane for her to promise the world or to die trying. So normal that even she, sometimes, forgets she is but one person, she cannot carry the world, she cannot protect everyone. But she will die trying, that she can promise. as long as she can try, she will. And she will blame herself for which she cannot achieve and everyone she cannot safe. So, it doesn’t matter that Lena doesn’t expect the world, they both know she cannot deliver it anyhow. But she will try, she will always keep trying. ‘’No, I guess I can’t. But I’ll try. I’ll try with all my might.’’ She whispers, afraid that if the masses would hear they too would lose the hope Lena appears to have lost. Lena's looks her in the eye, darting across her face with a stoic expression before nodding.

‘’Then I guess I shall take solace in that fact.’’ They return to gaze at the wreckage, a comfortable silence envelops them as they wait for the authorities to arrive. Still seated on the ground, against the wall when they arrive ten minutes later. Lena’s rueful expression twists to a more stoic one as she stands to greet the police, giving her statement in a calm and practised manner. Gone is the anger, the vulnerability and sorrow.

Kara slowly backs up and flies of the roof, flying away from the where she could be seen to gaze back upon the scene. Wondering why Lena had shown such emotion to her when she was known to be cold, stoic and aloof. Perhaps it was a show of trust, or it was a manipulation. Kara can’t be sure of her intentions, no matter how sincere they may seem. She is sure of one thing though. Lena Luthor is perhaps the most interesting person she has yet to meet, an enigma Kara can’t wait to unravel.