danversxluthor

[danversxluthor]

Luthor-Danvers - A Reckless Endevour

Part 4 - An Almost Perfect Getaway

“Alex, hey.” Lena said, greeting the DEO director on speaker phone. “I’m just about to walk into a meeting, can I call you back later?” 

“Lena, Lex had a visitor. Something interfered with our systems, so we just got the code yellow. Nothing has happened yet, but we want to be careful until we’re able to identify the visitor.” Lena was stunned, silently processing the news. “In the meantime, you and El should go home just to be safe.” Alex warned in a quick, clear voice. Lena still hadn’t spoken, her mind racing a mile a minute. “Lena, are you there?” Alex asked.

“Ye--Yeah, yes. Sorry, yes.” Lena stammered as she got up from her desk. “I’m packing up now. I should be at El’s school in 15 minutes.”

“Just go straight home. Kara’s already on her way to the school.” Alex said reassuringly. 

Lena felt a sense of relief knowing that her indestructible wife was guarding their daughter. “Thank you, Alex, and if you hear anything, any updates at all, please keep me informed.” 

“Sure thing. Now get home and stay safe.” Alex softly ordered. 

Lena was on autopilot the entire drive home. Who would visit Lex? Lillian’s out of the picture, and most of Lex’s former associates have scattered to the wind. Her mind kept going in circles. It had been so long since Lex was locked behind bars, and well before El was in the picture. El only knew bits and pieces of Lex’s story, just enough to quell her inquiries, but certainly not enough to appreciate the risk.

Her phone vibrated, notifying Lena of an incoming call from her wife. She picked up immediately. 

“She’s not here, Lena.” Kara said in a panicked voice.

“What do you mean she’s not there?” Lena asked, the words coming out angrier than anticipated.

“I went to the school and asked them to pull El out of class, but they said she was marked ‘excused.’ They even checked her classroom just in case, but no El. No one has seen her all day.” Kara quickly explained with a shaky voice.

“That’s . . . that's not possible. I dropped her off. I saw her walk into the building.” Lena said in disbelief. “Call Alex now and tell her to check El’s tracker. I’ll check her phone's GPS as soon as I’m home.”

“Ok, call Alex.” Kara confirmed to herself. “Right. Alright.” Kara took a deep breath. “I love you Lena. We’re gonna find her.” Kara said in a reassuring voice, attempting to sooth her wife’s worries, just as much as her own. 

Lena was so choked up, she just nodded her head as if Kara could see her, and hung up the phone.

“Alex, El’s not at school. Can you check her watch tracker.” 

“Hang on, I’m working on it.” Alex said without missing a beat. “It shows El at--” This can’t be right… The DEO director quickly rebooted the application just in case the system was still experiencing issues.

“Alex where!” Kara said urgently.

“She’s at school.” Alex said with traces of confusion and fear in her voice. This may just be coincidental, but the director couldn't help but suspect Lex’s visitor had something to do with El’s disappearance. 

“Alex, she isn’t here! The school checked and I--I can’t hear her heartbeat--” Kara’s voice cracked at the end. 

“Kara, listen to me. Breath. We’re going to do everything we can to find her.” Alex said, trying to keep her composure for her sister’s sake. “Now, get back to the DEO. We’re already pulling up the school's security system and CCTV footage of the surrounding area.”

Lena saw the text from Kara. El’s watch wasn’t with the teen as it had been that morning. Lena couldn’t wait any longer, still driving with one hand on the wheel and the other working on her phone, Lena checked El’s phone GPS. Nothing. There was no location for the phone, meaning it was either off or destroyed. Lena threw her own phone in the passenger’s seat and sped white knuckled the rest of the way to the penthouse. 

As she eased into her usual parking spot, something seemed off. Lena got out of her car slowly, grabbing the taser in her purse just in case. She looked left, everything was in order, then right and spotted it. The parking space belonging to Kara’s old camry was empty, and Lena knew Kara hadn’t driven the old car since El stopped playing soccer two years ago. Out of all the luxury vehicles, why would someone take the camry? Lena put the taser back in her purse. She had a good guess as to the answer to her own question. El. 

—-------------------

El walks through the penthouse door at 3:48pm, once again dressed in her school uniform, and right as planned. The relief of being home is quickly shattered when the teen takes note of her mom standing calmly at the kitchen island. The last time Lena was home this early was when L-Corp was bombarded by a hit team. But, Lena’s far too calm… scary calm in fact. El schooled her face, she knew her only hope was to play it cool. She had no sense of what her mom did or didn’t know. 

As soon as El made it to the island, Lena pulled her daughter into a tight hug. “Thank roa, El. We’ve been worried sick.”  El was still processing the situation, but decided the best course of action was to act like nothing happened. The teen couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt as her mom pulled away from the hug, still holding El’s shoulders tightly. 

 “Mom. What’s going on? Why are you--,” El feigned innocence, trying to get a grasp on the situation. Lena’s concerned yet stern expression told El, her attempt at total innocence was in vain, Lena knew something. El quickly diverted her eyes to the ground in an effort to avoid Lena’s piercing gaze. 

Lena held her hand palm side up, “Give me the keys, El.” El knew a losing battle when she saw one. El conceded and went without argument to the side pocket of her backpack and fished out the camry keys, placing them in Lena’s hand. 

“I--I’m so sorry mom. I didn’t mean to worry you.” El apologized as she tried to move away from her mom, her guilt intensifying by the second. The teen had never done anything even remotely bad (other than maybe sneaking into the weapons locker), so she didn’t know what to expect next--disappointment, anger, yelling, punishment, etc. Lena’s relative silence felt like the calm before the storm. At this point, the best El could hope for was a stern “go to your room”, but no such luck. 

“Take a seat on the couch. Jeju will be home soon, then we need to have a talk.” Lena instructed in a tone that made it clear this was non-negotiable. El quietly made her way to the living room as if she were a suspect enroute to an interrogation room. She plopped on the couch, dropping her head into her hands with a sense of defeat. 

After taking a few seconds to gather heself, El’s mind went back to work trying to figure out her next move, if she even had one. She wasn’t willing to give up on her project just yet, especially now that she’d enlisted Lex’s help. And, like Lex said, she had all the intelligence and cunning of a Luthor. This is just a little set back. 

First, she knew she had to determine what her parents know about today, besides that she hijacked the camry. El pulled her phone out of her backpack and powered it back on, all the while keeping an eye on Lena in the kitchen, aware that the CEO could look up at any moment. From the home screen El could see a dozen or so missed texts and calls.

Based on the texts and their timestamps alone, El surmised that, an hour after she left the prison, there was some sort of DEO emergency that required El to stay at the penthouse for security reasons. There was no indication that anyone knew about El’s visit to Lex nor that she stole DEO equipment and impersonated an agent. If they had, El was certain Director Danvers would already have El in a pair of kryptonite cuffs and off to a DEO holding cell. Even though her Aunt was a softy at home, El knew that, as the DEO Director, Alex had a duty to uphold the law, even if it meant locking El away. 

El surmised that she had only been partially caught, which was a relief. Her project could still move forward, she just needed to exercise a bit more foresight and caution from here on out. For now, El’s objective was to mitigate the damage. She knew she’d have to own up to some of her wrong doings and maybe indulge her parents in the conversations she’s been avoiding. If everything went as planned, it would all be worth it in the end. 

The sound of boots lightly landing on the balcony made El tense up, the anticipation of Kara’s arrival finally coming to an end. Lena lifted her head to see Kara open the glass door. The penthouse was eerily quiet as the Super made her way to the kitchen. She eyed her daughter sitting on the couch, elbows on her knees, head in her hands, completely stoic. El could feel Kara’s eyes on her, but couldn’t bring herself to look up for fear of seeing Kara’s disappointment.

When Lena initially called Kara and told her about what El did, Kara almost didn’t believe her wife. But, when Lena sent the garage security footage, a detail El had overlooked in her haste, Kara was still shocked but couldn’t deny the truth. Even though the couple was relieved to see El hadn’t been kidnapped or injured, they were concerned beyond belief. El was always such an easy going, smart, and kind kid, she didn’t have a rebellious bone in her body, or so they thought. 

Kara gathered Lena into a warm hug. Some of Lena’s tension from the day dissipated as she rested her head on Kara’s strong shoulders. “How’s our girl?” Kara whispered. 

“Quiet… I think this is a discussion we all need to have. Any updates on Lex yet?”

“No, but Winn’s working on clearing up the interference with the security footage. The audio is completely lost, but the video might be salvaged.”  Both Kara and Lena had gone through the prison’s footage. The visitor was blurred enough to be any generic DEO agent. Hopefully Winn could work his magic to clear up the underlying data feed. 

The couple refocused their attention on El, who still hadn’t moved. Even though they had discussed how to approach handling the situation with El less than an hour ago, they both felt at a loss now. Nonetheless it was time to face their daughter.

El kept her head down as she heard her parents approach. The teen’s adrenaline from earlier had finally worn off and the lack of sleep from the night before was taking its toll on her exhausted body. Lena took a seat on the couch to El’s left while Kara pulled a chair over so that El could look at both Lena and herself as they spoke. 

“El, what happened today?” Kara asked in a firm but even tone. El still didn’t move. The guilt and shame that came with knowing how much worry she caused her moms was eating away at her. El couldn’t bring herself to look at her parents’ disappointed faces. She had to say something but she needed to take care not to get caught in a lie. 

“Sweetheart, please talk to us.” Lena said as she gently put a finger under El’s chin and raised her daughter’s head to meet their gaze. El’s tired eyes met her parents. “What happened?” The couple’s concern deepened as they noticed just how exhausted the teen was. 

“I-- I ju--” El stuttered as she began, “I just couldn’t do it today.” El finally managed to get out, releasing an exasperated breath.  

Kara and Lena waited for El to continue, but the teen was determined to let her parents lead the conversation so as to avoid inadvertently revealing any new information to them. “What couldn’t you do?” Kara asked, dropping her gaze to meet her daughter’s downcast stare. 

El looked up to see Kara’s genuinely concerned expression. The emotionally tense situation in combination with her already exhausted state, made El chest ache with guilt and shame. She ran her hand through her long blond hair and looked up to the ceiling trying and failing to keep her tears from falling. 

Finally, El took a deep breath to regain her composure before continuing on. “I couldn’t take another day at that school.” There was a sense of relief that came with her painfully true words. The best way to dance around a topic isn’t to lie, but to know exactly what truths to tell. 

This was a start, but Lena and Kara needed more from their daughter. “We just want to understand, El.” Lena placed a reassuring hand on El’s shoulder. “But, in order for us to do that, we need you to tell us what's going on with you.” 

El took a shaky breath, “I go to school every day and I feel. . . empty. You keep me there because you want me to be a ‘normal’ teen, but . . .” El was gaining momentum now, the dam holding her pent up emotions cracking. “The classes are a complete insult to my intelligence, and...” The volume of El’s voice was rising and the teen couldn’t stop herself from continuing even after seeing the hurt expression on her parents’ faces. “The other kids... I know you want me to make friends or whatever, but I will never be their friend. I am not like them! ” El took a deep breath trying to keep herself together, “I’m not normal. I will never be normal. I know you're disappointed with me but I just can’t be what you want me to be.” And with that, El picked up her bag and stormed off to her room, leaving Kara and Lena speechless.

“I can’t believe she thinks we’re disappointed with her,” Kara never wanted her child to feel the pressures of having to be anyone but herself, “Ok, so maybe I’m disappointed she stole a car and drove without a license… but… what have we done Lena.” The couple was well aware that El had been struggling in school, but not that it had gotten this bad.  

“We’ll figure this out. Its probably time to call Kelly too. But Kara, we can’t let her off the hook. She needs to know that what she did was wrong. We need to impose some consequences.” Kara nodded at her wife’s wise words. They had never really punished El before and between the two Lena normally handled the discipline around the house. 

One call to Kelly, three takeout orders of cheese pizza, and an hour of cool off time later, the couple made their way to their daughters room. 

Knock knock… 

El opens the door and drops back down to her bed, biochem books strewn about. She’s aware of her massive success earlier, but now it's time for an encore performance. 

“Ellie, ” Kara  sits on the edge of her daughter's bed. “Mom and I love you so much. We love what a smart, funny, sweet, caring person you are. We’re not disappointed in who you are… not one bit.” El can't help but crack a small smile at her Jeju’s words. 

After a few moments, Lena broke the comfortable silence, “El, we still need you to tell us what exactly happened today.” If El thought she had gotten off easy by revealing her inner hatred for school, she was sorely disappointed. 

El took a deep breath and began. “Mom took me to school, I went to the main building as usual, and then I left.” El shrugged and continued, “I came home and took the camry for a drive. And now we’re here.” El sighed. It was technically the truth, a very vague truth with large gaps but it was a safe start. 

Lena and Kara were well aware El’s story was only a half truth at best. “Do you want to try that again?” Lena challenged, her eyebrow raised slightly. 

“What? I was doing what normal teens do . . . I ditched and took a drive. It's not that big of a deal.” El rolled her eyes, “I’m sure you did far worse when you were my age.”

“El, this is a big deal.” Lena said, trying to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, “skipping school, not wearing your watch, hacking into the school’s system and altering your attendance record, stealing a car, driving underage and without a license,” Lena couldn’t hide her exasperation. “It's entirely unacceptable behaviour and you know better than this.” 

“Nothing bad happened! No one got hurt and the car’s back in one piece.” El was digging her heels in and her exhaustion was really starting to show. “Seriously, relax mom. Luthors have gotten away with far worse.” Lena was stunned into silence at her daughter using the Luthor name in such a way. El immediately knew she had gone too far.

“No, El.” Kara’s eyes were piercing and her jaw clenched. “What you did was dangerous and illegal.” Kara paused, not breaking eye contact. “There was an emergency at the DEO today, and because you weren’t at school and weren’t wearing your watch--” Kara took a deep breath trying not to choke up at the thought of how panicked she and Lena had been earlier, “we couldn’t find you El. If anything had happened to you--” Kara shook her head at the thought. “We were so worried.” El’s heart dropped at seeing how upset Kara was. “What if you or someone else had been hurt?. . . Your actions have consequences, Luthor or not.” Kara and Lena looked at eachother, Kara giving a slight nod. 

“Your jeju’s right, El. And we’ve discussed your punishment.” Lena’s voice was calm but stern. “You’re grounded until you’ve earned our trust back. That means when you're not at school, you’re home with me or jeju. No DEO or lab time either. And, for the next two weeks you’ll volunteer at the tutoring center after school.” El nodded, accepting her punishment.

[danversxluthor]

Luthor-Danvers - A Reckless Endevour

Part 3 - Uncle Lex

‘He knows’ El thought to herself. Maintaining a passive and unemotional face, El looked at the man sitting across from her. Surprisingly, Lex’s appearance was relatively unchanged from the newspaper pictures and television interviews, the only differences being the slightly more defined creases on his forehead, more distinct frown lines, and, of course, his signature custom tailored black suit was swapped out for an orange prison jumpsuit.

“Hello Uncle Lex,” El replied in a monotone voice, keeping direct eye contact with the man. She continued on so as to control the conversation and prevent Lex from taking over, “I have a few questions for you about--”

“Does your mother know where you are?” Lex cut in before El could finish. 

El remained calm and quiet. She kept eye contact with Lex, not flinching, not showing any fear. She’s come this far and she certainly isnt going to let a man in chains ruin her plans. 

“Oh… were you actually asking? I figured it was rhetorical.” El replied after a long pause, doing her best impression of Lena on zoom calls with the L Corp board. “Now, as I was saying before you so rudely–”

“I’ll take that as a ‘no.’” Lex leaned back in his chair. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. I’m actually quite impressed that a teenager outsmarted a top secret government organization and broke into a max security prison. But then again, you’re a Luthor.” Lex added with an impressed nod. Ell couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride (and slight shame) at Lex’s praise.

“I’ll answer your questions, but first I have a few for you. After all, I'd like to get to know the future of the Luthor name.”

“Fine.” El nodded. It seemed fair to the teen and she knew she was capable of keeping her answers vague enough to get through without losing total control of the conversation, right?

“School. Where do you attend? What year? And what course of study?” Lex fired all three questions quickly. 

“St. Bernard’s High School, sophomore, and all advanced placement courses or college level independent study.” El succinctly stated. El then hesitated, feeling the need to justify herself further, “well, technically I have all of my credits to graduate, but I have to stay in highschool for another two years.”

“Your mother’s doing no doubt . . . typical Lena.” Lex frowned. “You obviously have the intelligence and cunning of a Luthor, you shouldn’t be held back from reaching your full potential.”

“I know,” El sighed, “it’s so frustrating. I understand the research at L-Corp better than half the R&D teams. I even catch their dumb miscalculations.” El takes a deep breath, realizing she let too much slip. 

“At your age I was already on my way to my first phD. I was developing world altering technology.” Lex started with a note of nostalgia in his tone. “The difference between you and me, El,” Lex leaned forward again, looking intensely at his niece, “is that I had a mother who nurtured my gifts. I was never restrained from becoming great. Lilian never feared who I am or how great I would become.”

She knows her moms only want what's best for her, but a tiny voice of doubt was creeping in - Are they scared of me? Of my potential? Is this why they hold me back? Lex could see the gears turning in his niece's mind. He has El right where he wants her.

“Mothers always want what's best for their children, or so they claim. Lena was always so scared of becoming a, what is the word she used… oh yes, a monster. And now that same fear is driving her parenting. Tisk tisk, my lovely sister should know better.” Lex rolls his neck casually, eyeing his niece and the effect his words are having. 

Did they see her lack of social life as a sign El was a sociopath like Lex? Maybe she was too much like Lex? Or did she want to be more like him? El took another deep breath to ground herself. She needed to focus and stay one step ahead. 

“Any powers?” Lex asked nonchalantly. El’s wide eyes jolted to meet Lex’s gaze, hands holding to the steel table in front of her for dear life. “It’s not a secret, at least not to me. I know all about how they created you. Half-Luthor, half-kryptonian; a hybrid. It's not ideal, but you’re still a Luthor” Lex reassured before looking down to El’s hands, which had produced two very slight dents in the table. El followed his gaze down, and took a deep breath in as she released her grip and folded her hands in her lap.

“Some. Strength, obviously. But, they’re still developing.” El scolded herself for the damage.

“Based on my research your powers should be fully developed in another two and a half to three years. I’m sure your kryptonian mother will train you up as the next super.”  Lex started with a bite in his voice.

“They . . .” El was considering what was safe to share, but luckily reminded herself of what she was here for. “They don’t have a say in what I choose to do next.” The truth was, El hadn't actually considered being the next Super. Of course, she would always protect her moms and family - that's what this whole project is about after all - but she also wanted to study astrophysics and the space time continuum and maybe live on the east coast for a bit.

“Physical power is nothing without a powerful mind, El. Embrace it. You are so much more than they will ever allow.” Lex looked at El with so much intensity, she wouldn’t dare break eye contact. Lex felt an unexpected level of kinship with the teen in front of him, reminiscent of his relationship with Lena when they were still living under the same roof at Luthor Manor. Lex took a deep breath, composing himself once again, “You simply haven’t had the necessary guidance and foundation to realize your full potential El. No need to worry though, Uncle Lex is here and we won’t let the Luthor name fail.” 

El knew this was dangerous, but she too felt a sense of connection and understanding with Lex. He knew what it was like to be brilliant and misunderstood. He knew what she was capable of, and more importantly wasn't afraid of it. Despite all of this, El couldn’t shake the feeling that she was betraying her moms.

“Now, you came here for help. What can I do for my favorite niece?” Lex asked in the tone of a focused businessman. 

“I’m trying to eliminate or lessen the negative side effects of kryptonite.” Lex listened intently. “So far I’ve reviewed your kryptonite inoculation research from the old Luthor Corp records and I’ve reviewed additional source materials.” El began thinking out loud, “If I create some sort of kryptonite serum that can be administered at increasing dosages over several months, possibly a year or so, then I think it could work.” El waited for Lex to jump in.

“It sounds like you’ve developed a working theory. Why not go to Lena? She would be just as capable at working through simple theory.”

“You know why I can’t go to my mom.” El rolled her eyes, annoyed that Lex was clearly toying with her, while their meeting time continued to tick away. “And it’s not a simple theory. I want to use it . . . on myself. I think it will be most effective and have less severe side effects before my powers fully develop.”

Lex’s eyebrows raise, impressed at his cutting edge niece. “How very Rasputin of you my dear niece. So, you want to poison yourself… how can I help?”

El jumped back in enthusiastically. “The theory is fine, but I can’t figure out how to create a safe yet effective exposure to liquid kryptonite. Because this hasn’t been done before, I don’t know how much to use or what length of time. Also, I need a supply of pure kryptonite and a distilling lab.”

“The inoculation notes Lena has are only half of my research. I developed an entire time table and dosing chart. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to test it, so you’re on your own there. I can also help with the kryptonite.” Lex hesitated before asking gently, “El, have you ever been exposed to kryptonite before? Does it affect you yet?”

El thought back to a month ago when she went to the weapons locker at the DEO. It had been a long and infuriating day at school, and when the final school bell rang, El was so worked up that she ripped her locker door clean off the wall. Luckily for El, no one saw and she was able to make her escape to the DEO for an impromptu visit. At the DEO, El was shaking and refused to touch anything, both behaviors setting off red flags in Alex’s mind. While Alex was taking care of an emergency, El snuck off to the weapons locker and found what she was looking for. Kara had always told El that kryptonite hurt, that it felt like burning in your veins and complete weakness. If El really had super strength then kryptonite would at least stop her temporarily from hurting anything or anybody else. When she unlocked the container of kryptonite, she immediately felt the effects though not as intense as Kara. Her body felt achy all over, head throbbed, she could barely hold the weight of her body up, and was too weak to even get the kryptonite sealed again. That’s when Kara, who had just flown back to the DEO, heard the erratic beating of El’s heart and rushed with Alex in toe to the weapons room where they found El curled up on the ground, green pulsing veins, and kryptonite inches from her. 

“I have and it does.” El finally answered Lex. 

“Very well. At least you know what you’re getting into. The immunization process won’t be pretty and you’ll have to muster through the pain, but if this is what you want . . . uninhibited power, then I will help you on this path.” Lex continued to be impressed with his niece.

Knock, knock-- that was the one minute warning. They needed to finish up and quick, but El still had so many unanswered questions. 

“Do you have a pen and paper?” Lex asked. El went to her bag and found a small reporter’s notepad and pen she swiped from CatCo and slid them over to Lex, who quickly started writing.

El just wanted to ask questions, but she let Lex focus on his writing. Lex calmly put the cap back on the pen, flipped the notepad closed and slid them over to El. “You’ll find everything you need to know here.” El secured the items back in her bag. 

“Thank you, Uncle Lex,” El said softly. 

Knock, knock--their hour meeting time had expired. Before the door could fully open, Lex looked at El one last time and calmly stated, “Don’t write. But if you need my help, you know where to find me.” 

[danversxluthor]

Luthor-Danvers - A Reckless Endevour

Part 2 - Hooky

The next morning, El woke up at 4am, 2 hours before her alarm, and continued to turn her plan for the day over and over again in her head. The teen had grown used to the feeling of constant exhaustion after two weeks of little sleep and her mental wheels turning. El had never played hooky before, never been in trouble at school, never blatantly lied about something so significant, and certainly never done anything this dangerous or reckless. Today marked the end of “perfect rule following El” and the beginning of some part of herself that El didn’t even know what to call yet. She tried to quell her fears by reminding herself that this was all to protect her family, even though the thought of her moms’ disappointed faces haunted her. 

El finally got up at 6, made her bed, got dressed in her usual school uniform--a blue and green plaid skirt, navy knee high socks, and a long sleeve white oxford under her green cardigan sweater. El looked in the mirror one last time, an immaculately pressed uniform hung loose from her skinny frame, strawberry blond pin straight hair fell just below her shoulder blades, and light green eyes stared from behind her slightly crooked, rectangle glasses, her typical school day look. The only noticeable difference that El knew she couldn't hide were the heavy bags under her eyes. Taking a deep breath, El opened her door and stepped out ready to put her plan in play.

“Morning mom,” El said as she walked into the large white and grey kitchen. She grabs a banana from the fruit basket on the counter and sits at the island across from Lena. 

“Hey Ellie, sleep ok?” Lena asked, still looking down at her phone. The CEO already had her makeup on and was dressed for the day in a black pencil skirt, deep green blouse, and three inch black heels. El couldn’t imagine wearing such uncomfortable clothes five days a week, or even one for that matter. 

“Yeah, I guess.” Lena looked up and into her daughter’s tired eyes. The CEO started to notice that El seemed excessively tired in the past weeks, more so than a typical growing teen. She knew it likely had something to do with Kara’s injuries weeks earlier, but figured El’s anxiety would ease as time passed. Now that it had been over two weeks since Kara woke, Lena was starting to think that perhaps something else may be contributing to the teen’s exhausted state. Lena and Kara talked after leaving El’s room the night before. They decided not to push El into therapy just yet, but to keep a closer watch for any signs of depression, anxiety, or concerning behaviors. 

“Where’s Jeju?” El looked over her shoulder to the closed balcony door.

Lena poured her second cup of coffee and leaned her forearms on the white marble counter, “Emergency. Apparently, there was a fire from an engine explosion at the docks this morning.” El couldn’t hide the worry from her face and unconsciously bit her lower lip. All El could picture was Kara in the med bay again, looking completely lifeless. Lena picked up on El’s anxiety and reached for her daughter’s hand. “El, look at me. You have nothing to worry about. Jeju is going to be ok. It’s just a fire, and Aunt Alex and the DEO will be there as back up.” 

“No, I--I’m not worried.” El’s voice rose at the end, giving away her already unconvincing lie. She looked down and continued to eat her banana. 

Lena’s phone went off a second later. “And look who it is,” Lena passed her phone to El with a smirk. Kara had texted a picture of herself and Alex, both with soot smudged on their faces and big smiles. “See just fine. A little messy, but fine.” El nodded with relief.

Lena drove El to school for the first time in two weeks. While Kara was off supergirl duty, the hero insisted on taking her daughter to school with the hope that Lena could get to work earlier and eventually home earlier, which didn’t always happen. El loved her momma driving her, there was loud music and singing, it was the only way Kara could cheer El up for a day at school. Lena was a more practical driver, they listened to NPR and talked about odds and ends at L-Corp or school, all while Lena occasionally peaked at her phone which vibrated endlessly with notifications. 

Pulling up to the carpool lane, El opened the passenger door and grabbed for her overly stuffed backpack. Lena leaned over and touched El’s left wrist, clearly making sure El was wearing her watch. El raised a single brow as if to say ‘really mom? . . . yes, the watch is there.’ El pulled up her sleeve to show the blue watch secured on her wrist. Lena looked away quickly and withdrew her hand, a bit taken aback by having been caught by her daughter. “Wouldn’t dream of forgetting the restraints.” El added sarcastically, but feeling a bit bad at her own remark. After all, her mom was just trying to help.  

Lena looked at El with a frown of disapproval. “Hey, watch the attitude young lady.” El looked down and mumbled “sorry,” an answer which usually wouldn’t fly with Lena, but she knew the start of the school week was always difficult for El and this was even more so with Kara back to supergirl duty. Lena looked in her rearview mirror at the line of cars forming behind her and remembered, “I won’t be able to take you home today. I can either ask Aunt Alex or you can take--.”

Before Lena could finish, El blurted out “bus!” Then, realizing she came off a bit too excited, El cleared her throat, “I- I’ll just take the bus. No need to bother Aunt Alex,”  El said in a nonchalant tone. Honk honk--the dad two cars down interrupted, clearly in a rush. Lena scowled looking behind her. The two exchanged quick goodbyes. Lena, however, didn’t drive off to work right away. Instead the CEO pulled into the parking lot adjacent to the school where she could still see El. Lena couldn't help but feel nervous about El’s lack of social life - she never wanted El to feel as alone as she did growing up. 

Lena watched as El walked through the school campus with her gaze drawn down to the concrete and shoulders curled in on herself as if blocking out the arbitrary highschool world happening around her. El became almost unrecognizably small, as if she was a whole different person from the poised and confident daughter Lena knew at home. All Kara and Lena wanted for their daughter was to have what neither of them had, a loving family and the chance to be a kid. Lena couldn’t help but feel they had failed El in some way. 

El opened the doors to the main building and made a b-line for the first floor girls bathroom. The first floor was reserved for the cafeteria and administrator’s offices, including the principal and counselors. As such, the girls bathroom was rarely occupied and, lucky for El, it was located right next to the cafeteria’s back entrance, making it the perfect launching point for her plan. 

El only had 10 minutes before the bell rang, so she needed to work fast if she was going to make it out of school undetected. She moved efficiently, first pulling out the DEO issued black uniform from her backpack. She had swiped the uniform from the agency along with a careless agent’s security badge a week ago while visiting Aunt Alex for a powers check up. The DEO uniform was unassuming to the average eye, though a bit big on El. Nonetheless, it would still pass as a disguise to get her into the prison visit with Lex. Once El finished tying her black boots, she pulled her long hair into a tight, military style bun, and put her glasses away in her backpack.   

Next, El unstrapped the blue watch from her wrist. Even though the watch’s primary use was to dim her powers, it had many other features, one of which was a gps tracker. El carefully folded her school uniform so as not to wrinkle it too much and tucked it in a smaller bag along with her watch and cellphone. She placed the bag in the ceiling vent with 2 minutes to spare. 

El peered out the bathroom door. The coast was clear and most students were now on the upper floors heading off to their various classrooms. El quickly and quietly left the bathroom and went out the cafeteria’s side door and into the back alley. With her head down, El got herself to the bus station three blocks away. 

Less than 20 minutes later, El was in the penthouse garage, having snuck a pair of car keys from the junk drawer in the kitchen a few days earlier. The penthouse had a private garage packed with over a dozen cars, from fast sport cars to military grade SUVs, but the keys El had belonged to a simple silver toyota camry Kara occasionally drove. El unlocked the car and immediately opened the control board under the wheel and connected her laptop to the car’s control center to disable the car’s gps tracker, because of course Lena needed gps on everything. This was an easy task for El and within 30 seconds she disconnected her laptop from the control panel.

With her laptop still open, El began hacking the school’s system, which was even easier than the car. El went to the school’s attendance system, which showed her as ‘absent’ and changed her status to ‘present.’ This would ensure her school wouldn’t make any unwanted calls to her moms notifying them that she failed to show up for class.  

With everything in order, El finally started the car with shaky hands. It finally hit her, she was actually doing this. . . there was no going back now. El had never driven in the city before and didn’t even have her driver’s license yet. Aunt Alex had taught her the diving basics and even let her drive on some backroads when she went to visit her grandma Eliza in Midvale. El drove out of the parking structure and to her surprise had an easy escape from the city, going against the morning rush hour traffic.

Finally the adrenaline from the morning subsided and El released a heavy sigh. El memorized the directions to the prison last night and sat back for the remaining three hour drive. She ran through how she was going to approach her conversation with Lex. Aware that Lex had a knack for getting into people’s heads, El resolved that she would keep her outward emotions to a minimum. To ensure her own safety, El had to guard her emotions and mind. 

Two hours into El’s drive, self doubt and guilt started to fog her thinking. She couldn’t help but imagine all the ways she could slip up and be caught. What if the prison knew she was obviously a rogue teen and not a DEO agent. They would have to call her moms, who would be so disappointed and hurt, not to mention El would be grounded for life. Or would the DEO simply lock her up for impersonating an agent? Then El would just be another Luthor in prison. That thought caused El to spiral in another direction. She began to question whether she was going too far. Would she end up like Lex? El tried to refocus but the thought that she was just like Lex kept creeping into her mind. Just like Lex, El was now a criminal, having committed, she didn’t even know how many crimes in a single day. Not to mention, she was on her way to ask a murderer for kryptonite. She shivered with anxiety, the similarities to Lex frightening her to her core.

El can just make out the prison on the horizon, less than 10 minutes away now. El refocuses her mind. She can’t be emotionally vulnerable when she sees Lex. Her mind has to be an impenetrable rock, so she can get the information she needs and be back at the penthouse by 4. El reviews her plan in her head one more time as she nears the prison.

As El pulls up to the front gate, five guards surround the camry. El keeps her face neutral and pulls out a DEO issued badge. One of the guards steps forward, looks the badger over front and back, signals to the gatekeeper and El is in. 

El had never been in a maximum security prison before, or any prison for that matter. She had seen the DEO’s holding cells but those were only meant for short term use. This was totally different from the DEO. El stared straight ahead, forcing her eyes not to wander with curiosity, as she was brought just outside a secured meeting room. 

“Agent Holms,” the guard addressed El, “you have one hour. We’ll be right outside if she needs anything.” 

El nodded and the guards positioned themselves at the entrance of the hall and meeting room. Peering into the gray poorly lit room, El saw a tall bald man eyeing the door with a hint of amusement. El took a deep breath and then opened the door and walked immediately to the chair opposite Lex and sat. She fumbled with a small device in her bag, it was a demo from L-Corp that would manipulate any recording devices to make video footage blur and audio incomprehensible. It was just a precaution, after all she didn’t want anyone knowing her interest in kryptonite. 

El finally looked up at her Uncle Lex for the first time and felt a strange pull toward him. 

“Hello El,” Lex’s mouth formed a menacing grin.

[danversxluthor]

Luthor-Danvers - A Reckless Endevour

Part 1: Sunday

Sunday evenings in the Luthor-Danvers household are pleasantly predictable, well at least as predictable as a home with a kryptonian, genius CEO, and half-kryptonian genius teenager can be. As usual Lena sits in her dimly lit office wearing yoga pants, an old MIT hoodie, and fuzzy slippers that her wife gifted her last christmas. The CEO was pouring over the quarterly L Corp. revenue reports in preparation for Monday’s jam-packed schedule of meetings--first research and development, then two separate board subcommittees, and finally ending with video calls with potential overseas investors. 

Meanwhile, at the kitchen island, Kara furrows her brow in concentration as she scrolls through an email from a new source concerning an ongoing story about proposed alien protection legislation. The legislation goes before Congress in a few days and, if passed, would provide greater housing and employment protections for second generation aliens and hybrid-aliens born on earth. Even though Kara has a duty as a journalist to be neutral, she can’t help but be invested, after all her daughter is a second generation hybrid-alien. Kryptonians blend into human society easily, but there are still calls for alien registration and alien detection technology. 

Kara enjoys her nights like this, being home with her wife and daughter. She has been off duty from the DEO for the past two weeks, ever since she was struck with a concentrated form of kryptonite that left her in a coma for three days. When Alex initially ordered her sister to take two weeks off to recuperate, Kara was constantly fidgeting, wanting to get back to helping her city. But now she’s gotten used to the domesticity of it all. She enjoys the time with her little family of three, leisurely sipping on her coffee in the morning and family dinners every night. But, that's all about to change, come Monday morning Kara is back on Supergirl duty. 

Down the hall behind closed doors, El sits in her swivel chair at her desk with notes strewn about and multiple windows open on her dual screen computer. While normal highschoolers are rushing to finish their homework for Monday, El, who had already completed the credit requirements to graduate and her homework for the entire semester, kept herself busy with independent learning and experiments. Kara and Lena were aware of El’s genius and even encouraged El to engage in independent learning, but the couple insisted the teen go to a normal highschool and have time to be a normal kid, something the couple had been denied. 

Tonight though, El was working on a secret project. Usually El freely shared her ideas with her moms, especially Lena, who saw a lot of herself in the curious teen, but not tonight. El started working on her secret, and potentially dangerous, project right after Kara woke up from her coma. 

El still remembers that dreaded night. Lena woke El up at 3 am with a shaky voice and unshed tears in her eyes, telling the teen that Jeju was hurt and they had to go to the DEO now. Lena and El drove silently but frantically to the DEO and were immediately led to the med bay. Kara’s lifeless body lying prone on a hospital bed below sunlamps, the medical team rushing about to save the fallen hero. El was numb, she stayed silent as Aunt Alex explained what happened and that they would do everything possible. El had never seen mom look so lost, so shattered. El didn’t shed a tear, not in front of her mom anyway, she had to be strong for her family now. Her powers were far from fully developing yet, but El knew she needed to step up for her mom and National City if anything happened to Supergirl. El felt the weight of the world on her shoulders for three whole days, until finally Kara woke. Even now, the teen has trouble sleeping through the night without the images tormenting her mind. 

El vowed to prevent anything like that from happening again. She had to protect her family, and had to protect her jeju. The only way El saw to protect her family was to fully develop her powers, train like crazy, and... eliminate kryptonite as a weakness. El was disheartened when her initial research showed that it was 99% impossible, without full body armor, to eliminate the effects of kryptonite on an adult Kryptonian. But, that didn’t mean that El couldn’t try to eliminate or at least lessen her own future kryptonite weakness, after all El was a hybrid whose powers had only just started  presenting and she still had time considering she had only just turned 15. Of course, El had never been exposed to the substance but Alex guessed that once El’s powers were fully developed, kryptonite would take effect too.

As she continually researched, El developed and refined her theory for eliminating kryptonite weakness. Just like Rasputin and others throughout history had practiced mithridatism, El hypothesized that she could develop an immunity to kryptonite by self-administering non-lethal amounts to ultimately protect herself from kryptonite poisoning in the future. The “how” was El’s biggest obstacle. How was El going to get a supply of kryptonite and process it into liquid form that she could then inject into herself on a regular basis at increased volumes. El figured that kryptonite was similar to cyanide, in that even a small exposure could devastate her system - she would have to be extremely precise on how she determined the dose scale and the process would likely take months, if not years. 

El was painfully aware that Kara would return to the DEO on Monday, and felt an urgency to find a way to start the immunization process soon. She became so desperate that she even hacked into Lena’s personal files. El had hacked Lena’s files before for purposes of a birthday surprise and hadn’t been detected, so it was relatively simple to do it again. Her mom had various reports and notes on kryptonite but nothing helpful for El’s purposes. Instead El delved deeper and accessed the research notes of the one person she knew who had the greatest expertise on kryptonite, her notorious Uncle Lex. El downloaded all of Lex’s notes onto a thumb drive and cleared any trace of herself from Lena’s system. 

El had never met Lex. Sure, she knew he was a brilliantly insane scientist who hated aliens, but there had to be more to him, right? A few years ago, when El started taking an interest in experimental chemistry and biology she was naturally drawn to cutting edge studies, almost all of which had their origins with Luthor Corp. She became extremely curious about the Luthor side of her family much to Lena’s chagrin. El read everything she could on the Luthors’ work, and eventually asked her moms about it. Lena was slightly nervous by her daughter’s request but Kara insisted they be open with El about who her family is. Lena answered all of El’s questions, putting particular emphasis on the fact that El is her own person and not bound to the Luthor name as well as the importance of ethical experimentation. The old articles and interviews, and stories from her moms were helpful but never quite satisfied her curiosity about the Luthors. And now, with her project in full swing, El’s curiosity about Lex’s work peaked again.

For the past few nights El read and reread Lex’s notes, until she came across something that looked promising. The notes were from Lex’s early years at Luthor Corp, around the time he and Clark were friends. Lex was working on a cloning theory, which included sub-research on kryptonite effectiveness elimination. The theory was not based on use of armor or a suit, instead Lex’s notes were focused on measured exposures to kryptonite, similar to El’s theory. But, Lex’s notes were incomplete and left El with the same question she started with “how?”. 

In order to test her theory, El would have to find kryptonite and figure out how to expose herself just enough to develop an immunity while avoiding irreversible damage, or worse, death. Lena had long since destroyed her supply of kryptonite as well as any supply L-Corp or its affiliates possessed. El could always try synthetic kryptonite, but red kryptonite had its own dangerous side effects and may not provide the immunity El needs. No, for the best possible chance, El needed pure kryptonite and a way to expose herself in measured increments. Once again the only person El could think of asking was her Uncle Lex, which is why, at almost 10:30pm on Sunday, El was figuring out how to get to Lex’s prison and ask the source himself for more information and, she hated to admit it, help.

Back in the kitchen, Kara decided to call it a night. The reporter closed her laptop and threw the empty bag of extra butter popcorn into the trash can, before stepping into Lena’s office to try and pull her workaholic wife away for some beauty rest. Kara stood in the CEO’s doorway watching as her intense and adorable wife worked away in total concentration. 

“I can feel you staring.” Lena softly spoke, not even looking up from the papers in front of her. 

“I can’t help myself.” Kara smirked and went around Lena’s desk to wrap her in a relaxed hug, resting her chin on Lena’s shoulder. “Time for bed babe.”

“Just a few more minutes, and I’ll be right in.” Lena replied. 

Kara protested, “it's my last night free of Supergirl duties . . . thought you might want to take advantage while you still can.” Lena’s head perked up at the mention of their last uninterrupted night together. Spinning her chair to look at the blonde, Lena leaned upward and placed a soft kiss to Kara, just breezing over her lips teasingly before pulling away and getting up. 

“Well I can’t possibly say no to that now can I.” Lena stood from her chair and wrapped her arms around her wife’s neck. Kara moved her hands to her wife’s waist, pulling her in close. She could stay in this moment forever, but she also couldn’t help but see from the corner of her eye the light on down the hall coming from El’s room.

“I hate to end this but I think El has developed your nighttime work habits.” Lena gazed down the hallway and sighed, she couldn’t deny it, El was certainly her daughter. 

El heard two pairs of soft footsteps coming her way and panic immediately set in. She wasn’t used to keeping things from her parents and this was a particularly big thing. El quickly collected her notes, throwing them in a hidden desk drawer, closed the windows on her computer, and pulled the USB out of the export and threw it safely into her backpack. Just as a lite knock came at the door, El pulled out a book and opened it to a random page.

“Come in,” El let out a bit more breathless than intended. She tried to calm her heart rate which was still beating excessively fast. El knew her Jeju’s super hearing would pick up on her heart beat if she hadn’t already.

The door creaked open fully allowing both of her parents entrance. “What are you working on kiddo?” Kara looked at the open book on the desk as she placed both hands on El’s shoulders and bent to kiss El on the head. Lena leaned on the doorway, looking on with a soft loving expression.

El pushed up her glasses and replied, “nothing really, just some light reading before bed.” This time El’s body didn’t betray her and she was able to keep her heart at a normal rate. Given that she grew up with one mom who hid her identity from the world and another who grew up in the Luthor household, El shouldn’t be so surprised that she is somewhat of a natural at lying. She’ll have to be good given her plans for tomorrow and the coming weeks. 

Kara looked down at the sheer girth of the book and in a mock suspicious voice said “Right, light reading about . . .” Kara peered down at the book as Lena walked over to join the pair “magnetohydrodynamics.”

“You know if you let me take some college courses I wouldn’t be so bored out of my mind that I have to read about MHD.” El gave a slight eyebrow raise, reminiscent of Lena’s signature facial expression.  

Lena, leaning her hip against the desk, nodded approvingly, a slight smirk on her face, “Well, it's never too early to develop a well rounded understanding of physics. But being a kid is just as important.”

“I know, I know. Blah blah blah” El grumbled. “Make friends, go to football games, drink beer and be a normal teen.” El rolled her pale green eyes. 

“We want you to do all of that, minus the beer,” Kara stated. “But seriously, are you at least trying to be social El?” Kara and Lena have had this conversation with El before. On several occasions El’s school had notified them that, while El excelled in academics, she didn’t engage with her classmates. It was only last month that Lena and Kara started considering putting El in therapy, thinking El’s lack of social engagement was due to social anxiety or bullying. Now, the couple, who had never taken therapy off the table, looked at their daughter with concern. 

This was delving into a conversation El did not want to have tonight, or ever really. Every time her parents brought up the importance of El having a normal life, El had to hold herself back from screaming the obvious--she’s a Luthor and a half Kryptonian, nothing about her life will ever be normal. Instead El went for deflection. “Ever considered that I’m just too far advanced for such shenanigans?” El jokingly inquired.

Kara knew this method of deflection all too well from years spent with Lena. Something was clearly going on whether or not El wanted to discuss it. “Sweety, is it your powers? Anything new coming in?” Kara asked gently, sitting on El’s bed facing the teen. Kara couldn’t help but think back to a month earlier when she found the teen pale and in pain, curled up in the fetal position after an 'accidental' kryptonite exposure in the DEO’s classified weapons locker, which El had somehow managed to just 'wander' into. The scene broke Kara’s heart, and she wanted nothing more than to help El though this. 

El didn’t answer. This was yet another conversation she didn’t want to have. “I know it can be overwhelming and confusing when they start to develop and a lot is changing.” Kara remembered the panic she experienced in her teenage years from over stimulation and fear of accidentally hurting people.  But, El just looked down at her hands, still silent.

“And you know that no matter what, we’re here to help.” Lena said, rubbing El’s shoulder. “Is the watch working ok?” Lena had worked nonstop the day after the incident in the weapons locker to develop the watch to prevent the teen from becoming too overwhelmed. Still no answer from El. The teen hated being reminded that she was going through what she referred to as “powers puberty.” Sure, the idea of powers was cool, and she already started showing signs of super speed and strength, but constantly being watched by her parents, Alex, Eliza, J’onn, and everyone else like she’s a ticking time bomb was a bit much sometimes. 

“Yeah, it's fine.” El raised her wrist to show the small blue watch which Lena designed to dim El’s powers and make them easier for El to control when the time came. El hated the idea of being out of control but equally hated having to rely on technology to avoid being dangerous to others. 

Her parents were patiently looking down at her, clearly not letting up. So, El used yet another method of avoidance she referred to as the “tired child” and gave a big yawn with droopy eyes. 

Just as El hoped, Lena’s protective mom instincts gave into her tired child. “Alright sweetheart, I think it's time for you to get to bed.” Lena said as she brushed a stray piece of strawberry blond hair behind El’s ear. “We love you so much and you can always talk to us about anything.” Lena pressed a soft kiss to El’s forehead. “Good night my genius girl.”  

“Night” El said in a drowsy voice, giving another small but genuine yawn this time. 

“Love you Ellie. Sleep tight.” Kara said as she closed the door behind her and Lena.  

Even though El was tired, she tossed and turned in her bed, debating tomorrow. Should she take the dive and talk to Lex? She’d have to keep her head level and not let him get to her. On top of that, should she really risk ruining her relationship with her parents? Sure El had kept secrets before, but only minor secrets, nothing as large as seeing her murderous uncle who certainly hated her half-kryptonian guts. El didn’t know about what tomorrow would bring as she  drifted into yet another night of restless sleep.

[danversxluthor]

The Super Blues (Pt. 4) -- REWRITE

Kara nearly broke the sound barrier as she flew to Alex’s location on the bridge. Alex was crouched down pulling her jacket over the blond girl who was shivering curled up in a ball up against the bridge railing. The girl was a far cry from the lively niece Alex had seen grow up before her very eyes. 

“Sweetheart, we’ve been so worried. You’re not in any trouble, we just want to help Lori.” Lori didn’t respond, she just continued to shiver with her face tucked into her knees.  

-----

Where am I? was the first thought that came to Lori as she started feeling the world around her once again. It was as if she was waking from a trance. Her body felt foreign. The shivering teen could hear her aunt’s familiar voice but was still feeling rather disoriented. 

The teen’s shivering got worse the more aware the teen got. As the blood started rushing back to her, Lori remembered the events of the day -- but the walk was all a blur. 

Did she really ditch school? Oh no - it was real! I missed class! Oh roa - jeju and mom are going to be so mad. Every thought of failure and disappointment swarmed Lori’s mind. She felt like she was suffocating and desperately tried to catch her breath. She tried to claw at her neck and chest, shrugging her aunt’s warm jacket off in the process. 

“Lori, hey, just breath kiddo.” Alex tried to get the young teen to calm herself to no avail.  

Kara’s heart was broken at seeing her little girl shivering with Alex crouched down trying to calm the teen. The super landed as gently as she could so as not to startle the pair. Lori was so overwhelmed that she didn’t hear the soft thud of boots hitting the ground. Alex looked up and gave Kara a nod and moved to make room for Kara.

“Lor,” Kara gently says as she crouches down to where her daughter is on the ground, “Lori, hey, its ok. You’re ok.” But, Lori doesn't seem to hear her. Kara is no stranger to panic attacks. She’s experienced several of her own and had to talk Lena through attacks in the past.

“Breath Lori, just listen to my voice and breath.” Kara says as calmly as she possibly can. Kara continues her message, and solely Lori starts to calm herself.

When Lori is finally out of the fog of panic, she’s reminded why she is here and why her Jeju is here. Her Jeju should be out saving other people, people who really need help, but instead Lori had to let her own problems take front and center. She should be stronger than this - she’s a Davers-Luthor after all.  The shame and guilt hung over the teen - she couldn’t even look her Jeju in the eye.

“Lori, hey kiddo, is it ok if I pick you up?” Kara wanted nothing more than to wrap her daughter in her cape and rush her home to Lena to be checked out, but she also knew Lori was in a fragile state. The teen nodded her ascent, and they were off toward home.

“I’ve got you, Lor.” Kara lifted Lori gently off the ground and immediately Lori clung to her Jeju, still shaking from the cold. 

“Just take deep breaths. Let's get you home.” Kara warped her cape around the freezing teen before lifting off. By the time the pair landed on the balcony, Lori was in a restless, shivering sleep in her Jeju’s arms.  

“Oh, thank roa,” Lena swung the balcony doors open letting the cold night air and Kara come straight through. 

“What– is she– what happened? Is she hurt?” a million questions and scenarios of what could have happened were running through the CEO’s mind. Kara carefully set their daughter on the couch but was stuck when she realized Lori still had her cape in a death grip.

“She’s freezing cold, Lee. Can you grab a few blankets to get her warmed up?” Kara asked in a calm voice, trying to bring Lena down from her anxiety. Kara gently releases her cape from Lori’s grip and starts piling on warm blankets. 

When they get Lori setted, Lena askes once again for details of what happened out there. But before Kara could answer, the young blond turned over and started to stir. 

“Jeju? Mom?” Lori said in a tired groggy voice.

“Lori, hey baby.” Lena said gently brushing blond hair from Lori’s sweaty forehead.

“What–?” Lori felt out of place, not in her body but also not out of her body. She didn’t even know what questions to ask. Kara and Lena looked at each other with worry. They didn’t have a handbook for this situation. They didn’t quite know what this situation was.

“It's ok, Lor. You’re safe.” Kara sat next to her daughter and pulled the blanket Lori had previously pushed off back up the teen’s arm. 

“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Lena asked in full doctor mode. Sure, she wanted to know what happened and why Lori ran off, but Lori’s health was a more pressing matter at the moment. The young blonde was silent for a long moment, taking stock of her body and her surroundings.

“I-- I’m-- I--” Lori stuttered. She didn’t know how she felt. Numb, alien, dreaming, wrong -- these were all Lori’s feelings but they weren’t the right answer. Lori had already put her moms through hell, she needed to give the right answer. So, Lori settled for the next best thing - deflect. “I’m sorry.” Lori said flatly. 

“Lori, we’re not mad. We just want to help. Please let us help you.” Kara begged, brushing a stray blond hair from Lori’s face. 

Oh, no. I gave the wrong answer. I’m so stupid. How to fix this? How to fix this? All my fault. So weak. Lori’s mind was spiraling once again. She felt her chest tightening again. The blanket was all of the sudden boa constrictor, getting tighter and tighter. 

Kara could hear the uptick in Lori’s heartbeat and quickly stepped in to calm her daughter. 

“Its ok, Lor. Just breath. In and out.” Lori closed her eyes and listened to her Jeju’s calming voice. The teen started to come down and exhaustion was once again taking over. Lena and Kara decided not to press Lori any further. This discussion could wait for another day. Right now, Lori needed rest.   

----

After Kara carried their oldest to bed, she returned to her own bedroom to find Lena still at work on her tablet. “What are you doing babe? You should get some rest. We have to be up in a few hours anyway.”

“I just need to understand what happened out there.” Lena looked up at her wife. “What was she doing out there?”

“I don’t know. Alex found her halfway across the bridge.” Kara took a deep breath, remembering the sight of the small blonde curled up against the bridge railing. “She didn’t say much. She just seemed tired and cold… and scared.” Kara ran her hands through her hair, completely at a loss for what to do next when there were so many unanswered questions.

“The surveillance videos aren’t very helpful either. She just walks and walks. I don’t get it.” Lena rubbed at her tired eyes.

“I think we need to get some rest. We won’t get anywhere until we talk to Lori.” Kara leaned over and kissed her wife on the head as she slid the tablet out of Lena’s hands. 

“I see what you did there…” Lena says sleepily. 

“Wait…” Kara perked up and walked to the bedroom door. Lori should be sound asleep, why in the world would she be getting up already. But when Kara peered out the bedroom door, she couldn't help but feel a little more relief and love for her family.

“Not tonight, little one.” Kara guided a sleepy El from almost entering Lori’s room back to her own room and tucked her youngest in bed. El didn’t fight it. She just wanted to see her big sister. Before Kara could leave though, El caught her wrist and looked up at her Jeju with a frown.

“L-Lori?” El asked in a sleepy voice.

“She’s home safe, Ellie. But she needs her rest, just like you.” Kara kissed the young teen on the forehead and said goodnight.

TO BE CONTINUED... 

[danversxluthor]

The Super Blues (Pt 3) -- REWRITE

Kara, Lena, Alex, and the rest of the superfriends stood around the marble oval table in Lena’s home office, their makeshift war room for the time being, divvying out assignments to search the city. Brainy had already finished reviewing the school’s security footage at the main entrances of the school, but still found no sign of Lori or anyone looking remotely like her leaving the building. 

“Could she have left from the roof?” Nia suggested as a long shot.

“Checking now… negative, the roof door sensors didn’t go off today.” Brainy confirmed. 

“I just don’t understand how she seemed to disappear without a trace.” Alex questioned. 

“There has to be another way...” Kara huffs. The super was getting more and more irritated. How could they send their daughters to a top-notch school with the best security in the city and still lose one? After they find Lori, Kara would be making a very concerted effort to get in on the PTA. 

“There are five entrances into the school.” Brainy informs.

“What?” Kara exclaims. “But they only have the two main entrances.”

“Main, is the key word there. Briany’s right.” Lena pulls up the school blueprints for both the remodeled school, showing two main entrances, and the original blueprint, showing an additional three entrances. 

“And they don’t keep security cameras or door alarms on any of them! In this day and age - I mean -” Kara was fuming now. 

“Kara breath.” Lena warns in her CEO voice. “Lori could have left out of any one of those entrances. The two entrances on the north facing side lead to Central St. which has several bus routes connected. The entrance facing east leads to a dead-end parking lot, so we should focus our search on Central St. and those bus routes. 

“We don’t have much to go off of, but if we split up, we should be able to cover the city in under an hour.” Alex shows the team seven sections of the city on the hologram, each color coordinated to the respective superfriend. As Lena went into more detail on specific locations, she was interrupted by a soft cough coming from behind the door. The group turned to see El, who had just made it home from school, peeking through the crack. El looked back at the group like a baby deer in headlights, completely frozen and then rushed off toward the stairs, shortly after which the group heard a loud thud from El tripping her way up the stairs. 

“I’ll check on her.” Kara said as she left the room.

“Ellie, hey little one,” Kara found El laying on her bed, hands clutching her raven hair. “I know this is scary, but we’re going to find your sister, ok.” El shook her head as she sat up and looked at her Jeju with red rimmed eyes.

El took out her pocket notebook and pen and started writing - i’m sorry. My fault. Kara decided not to push El to speak, especially under such stressful circumstances. 

“It's not your fault El. We don’t know what happened, but we’re doing everything we can to get Lori back.” Kara reassured as she started standing up to get ready to search.  

El wrote again – She said she was just tired, but something else is wrong. I didn’t say anything and now she’s gone. 

“What do you mean she said she was tired?” Kara asked curiously.

El wrote some more – She wasn’t acting like herself, she stopped smiling and talking to people. She was sneaking out the back entrance of the gym at lunch but I never saw her come back in today. 

A light bulb immediately went off in Kara’s head - the east-facing entrance from the original blueprint - the one that leads to a dead end.

“El, did Lori say or do anything else? Do you know if she could have gone anywhere else?” Kara questioned. Jeju almost never used a serious tone like this with El and it made the teen shrink in on herself even more. 

El shook her head with tear filled eyes. “‘m s-s-sor-ry” El said voice cracking. 

Kara knelt down to look El in the eyes, “You have nothing to be sorry about. This was not your fault. Thank you for telling me, Ellie.” El threw herself into Kara’s arms, an occurrence that rarely happened. Kara held her daughter until a knock at the door caused the two to break apart.

“Everything ok here?” Lena questioned. 

“Yes, I think El may have figured out which exit Lori left from.” Kara nodded down at her youngest.

----

Kara finished her segment of the city first and then looped around to help cover the others. Lena and Brainy stayed at the house monitoring various camera footage to signs of Lori, only spotting her a few times from footage taken hours prior. It was finally dark out and getting colder as the sun fell. 

“The bridge, thirty-seven minutes ago.” Brainy calls out. 

“Details please. Which bridge?” Lena cuts in.

“Lori was crossing the bridge on Hawthorn over the bay leading towards the industrial park just outside the city about thirty-eight minutes ago now.” Brainy clarifies pulling up the images of a lanky blond in a National City Prep school uniform - short sleeved blue polo, plaid gray and red skirt, blue knee high socks and ballet flats. The girl walked stiffly, not looking around, just forward. Lena couldn't help but think she was looking at a stranger. Why would Lori wander outside of the city? The industrial park was known for a variety of troublesome activities - drugs, gangs, prostitution, and all sorts of crime. 

Brainy sent an update to the team on the ground. Kara was already flying toward the industrial park with Alex following behind on motorcycle. As she flew, Kara couldnt help but think of all the times she had to go to the industrial park to fight. The area seemed to attract all the worst sorts, and now apparently her daughter who was doing roa knows what. 

Kara sped through the entire industrial park, but found no sign of Lori. “Brainy, you’re sure she’s here?”

“Affirmative, she started walking across the bridge forty-two minutes ago, and assuming Lori was consistently walking at her average pace, she would have made it to the industrial park twenty-three minutes ago.” Brainy explained. “Though, the human body tires quickly especially after longer travel with poor footwear. It's possible…”

“Found her,” Alex cuts in. “Kara, I need you to get down here.

TO BE CONTINUED….

[danversxluthor]

The Super Blues (Pt 2) -- REWRITE

Kara and Lena meant to talk to Lori the morning after the parent teacher conference, but once again life got in the way. Supergirl was needed at a massive industrial fire near the wharf and Lena was called in for an emergency board meeting on a critical therapeutic acquisition. Their parents’ temporary absence wasn’t an uncommon occurrence and neither of the Luthor-Danvers kids were surprised or offended by it. The girls simply went about their days getting ready and then heading off to yet another day of school. 

As the week went on, more Supergirl emergencies sprung up and the acquisition discussion turned into multiple days of intense negotiations to seemingly no avail. As much as Lena and Kara were concerned about Lori and wanted to talk to her, they just couldn’t seem to find the ideal time. Alex was even helping out by driving El to and from her speech therapy, which also served the purpose of checking up on Lori.

Finally, Thursday morning rolled around, and the outside world seemed to quiet down. Kara took the opportunity to make her famous blueberry pancakes before her girls were up and getting ready for school. While Kara cooked, Lena made sure the girls were up and moving. To no surprise, Ellie was already dressed and packed up for school. 

“Good morning sweetheart” Lena greeted from the doorway. El went to wave but corrected herself seeing her mom’s raised eyebrow.

“‘Morn-ing” El greeted, “can you sign my per-per-miss-ion form?” El asked handing out the piece of paper. 

Lena quickly read through the form. “Oh, the science museum, that's wonderful El. Of course.” Lena signs her name and notes the date in her smartphone. “Now get downstairs before Jeju eats all the pancakes by herself.” And with that, El was off. 

Lori has never been a morning person and has always put up a fight to get out of bed, especially on a school day. 

Knock knock

Lena waits, not hearing any movement or seeing any lights flicker on under the doorway. 

“Lori…” Lena calls before knocking yet again. “Lori, come on sweetheart, it's time to get up for school.” Lena waits again, but after hearing no movement, she opens the door to find Lori curled up under the covers looking like a lump on the bed. After flicking on the lights, Lena makes her way over to the bed and sits gently, slowly peeling back the covers. 

“Lori, it's time to get up baby.” Lena rubs her hand up and down her daughters back slowly rousing Lori from her sleep. Lori curls in on herself further and smooshes her face into her pillow to hide from the uninvited light.

“Come on Lor, you don't want to be late for school.” Lori grumbles and starts to roll out of bed, her golden hair a complete mess. Lena kisses Lori on the forehead and walks out to give her daughter some privacy to get ready for the day.

“Oh, and better hurry, Jeju made her famous pancakes.” Lena calls from the hallway. Despite sleeping for over nine hours the teen is still exhausted. Lori makes her way to the bathroom to try and salvage some sort of acceptable look for the day. She’s glad for the school uniform - one less thing to think about. Lori pulls her unruly golden hair into a messy bun and washes her face. She looks over at the makeup but doesn’t have the energy to make the effort. Who really cares anyway. As long as she doesn't stand out she’s fine. 

El has finished her fifth pancake by the time Lori makes her way down the stairs. 

“Morning Lor,” Kara calls out, “how many pancakes for you?” 

“I don’t know, whatever's left I guess,” Lori pours herself a large thermos of black coffee and sits next to El. She sips at her coffee knowing well enough that no amount of caffeine can bring her out of the exhaustion. 

“How are the pancakes kiddo?” Kara calls over her shoulder as she goes about cleaning the dishes. After receiving no response, she tries again. “Lori, how are the pancakes? I didn’t burn them, did I?” And still no answer. 

Lena looks up from her tablet to see Lori staring out the window, tired eyes unfocused. Kara and Lena share a concerned look. El goes to get Lori’s attention, but Lena smoothly intercepts her. 

“Ellie, why don’t you get your book bag and shoes ready.” Lena suggests, eyes not leaving Lori. El, sensing something else far more serious is going on, quickly makes her exit. 

“Lori,” Lena says as she takes El’s seat and slowly brushes her hand against Lori’s shoulder. Kara has now stopped washing the dishes and is looking across the island at her eldest. The touch seems to have brought Lori back to the kitchen. 

“Hmm?” Lori’s eyes refocus and her gaze meets her Jeju’s across the island. “What was that?” Lori asks in a monotone. 

“Are you feeling ok, Lor?” Kara asks. 

“Yeah, just a bit tired I guess.” Lori explains as she picks up her fork and starts cutting the pancakes in front of her. She isn’t really hungry though, just doesn’t want to see Jeju's concerned face anymore. Lori knows she’s not fine, she knows she is more than just tired, but she doesn’t know what she is. And how can she possibly put something so minor on her parents who are already so overstretched. No, Lori knows she has to hold it together. 

“Do you want to stay home today?” Lena asks in a soft tone. “I can stay with you. My schedule is completely empty, so it would be just you and me. We can stay in and cuddle and watch movies or we could sneak out for lunch, maybe even see Aunt Alex?” Lori continues to push around the pancakes on her plate, half listening to her mom. 

“I’m fine. El and I should probably get going.” Lori leaves the cut up but uneaten pancakes on her plate and she starts getting up from the counter.

“Ok, Lori, but you can always call us from school if you need to come home and rest,” Kara comments. Alex had reported to Kara that Lori barely left her room during the week. Kara didn’t know what to make of this. Lori was looking rather pale and warn down. 

“Sure thing, Jeju,” Lori assured, trying to sound livelier to ease her parents' obvious concern. 

“We’re just worried and we love you. You can come to us with anything.” Lena says. 

“I promise I’m totally fine,” Lori says assures her parents again, this timing adding a small smirk, but the look on her moms’ faces tell her they’re not convinced. Lori walks briskly out of the kitchen to avoid any further caring remarks that just make her feel worse and worse about being an unnecessary burden. A few seconds later, Ellie sneaks through the kitchen after her sister. 

—

“Kelly, I have no idea what to do,” Lena says in exasperation. “She isn’t talking to us. She didn’t even want to stay home from school. She’s barely eating. At least she’s keeping up with school, but that's always been a walk in the park for her. What do we do?” Both Kara and Lena were in Lena’s office talking with Kelly on speaker phone. After this morning, the pair knew that it wasn’t as easy ask talking to Lori, especially when Lori had no interest in talking to them.

“You’re right to be concerned, and you’re doing the right thing by trying to talk it out.” Kelly reassures the pair. “Ultimately, Lori has to be open up on her own. Sometimes that's hard, especially for a teenager. Keep letting her know you’re here for her no matter how hard she pushes you away. It's also probably best to keep an eye on her. I know you both have difficult schedules, but to the extent at least one of you can be around in the morning or after school when the kids are home, that would be helpful.” 

“I know you told me not to, but I went on webMD and did some digging on team mental health. And... do you think she might have an eating disorder or hurt herself or…” Kara asks, swallowing her words hard. Lena squeezes her wife’s hand, dreading the thought that Lori would resort to such a thing. 

“Lori is in a unique and volatile phase of life. Teen hormones and emotions are in constant flux, it’s difficult to say what's going on without having more information.” Kelly explains. “WebMD can be a great resource, Kara, but it can lead to some quick and often misleading conclusions. For right now, just keep an eye on Lori and make sure she’s eating enough, bathing, sleeping, etc. and, Kara, maybe take a break from webMD.”

“Thank you, Kelly. We really appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule.” Lena says as she rubs her temples. 

“Anytime. I’m always happy to help. Love you both.” 

“Thanks again Kel. Love you.” 

---

As the school day went on, Lori was feeling more and more out of it. She felt guilty for being so short with her moms this morning and annoyed at herself for worrying them. Lori made it to lunch and was out behind the gym, when she realized the bell had already rung for next period. 

Despite already being late, Lori didn’t move. She stayed staring up at the sky wondering what it would be like to just disappear. She could do it. She could leave. She could get away from everything. So, Lori got up, feeling far removed from everything around her and started walking. Not back into the school, but out into the city. She walked a block without being stopped and then another and another. Before she knew it, she was across town and headed over the bridge. She couldn’t feel her legs and barely noticed her surroundings. She just kept walking. 

—

“Ma’am, the schools on the line for you,” Liz, Lena’s new assistant, called in. 

“Thank you, Liz, please patch them through.” Lena was already preparing to pack up, guessing that Lori finally took them up on the offer to stay home for the day. 

“This is Lena,” she answered in her typical business tone.

“Mrs. Luthor-Danvers, hello, this is Principal Higgins from National City Prep. I’m sorry to call you at work, but it seems Lori has not checked into her past two classes.” The message is far from what Lena anticipated and her heart rate starts to pick up. 

“She hasn’t checked in? Is her car in the lot?” Lena questions as Kara lands on her balcony having sensed the spike in heart rate. 

“Her car is still here at the school. Our security team has reviewed footage and she didn’t leave from either of the main school entrances. We’ll keep an eye out for her and call with any updates.”

“Thank you.” Lena says before hanging up the phone and grabbing onto Kara like her life depends on it and letting her tears fall. 

“We’re going to find her Lee, I promise.” Kara holds her wife.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[danversxluthor]

The Super Blues (Pt 1)

Lori was over it. She was over school and her friends and her family and her moms’ secrets and even herself. For over a month now, even before the beach trip, Lori had been slowly pulling away from life. She wasn’t angry or sad, just numb. 

She still went to school and kept up with her homework easily enough, despite not being a genius like her mom or sister, but she couldn’t stand being around her friends or the other students. The once socially active, bubbly teen was now the loner hanging out in the library or out behind the gym at lunch where no one could see her.

There was no rhyme or reason to it, and Lori tried the first few weeks to fake being happy and bubbly hoping she actually would become happy and bubbly again but it was too draining on the teen. She just wanted to disappear. 

Kara and Lena, who were already so busy with work and superheroing and El’s developing powers, chalked it up to Lori being a moody teen. El on the other hand noticed her sister’s changing disposition. When El saw that Lori wasn’t at her usual lunch table with the other volleyball players, she thought Lori must be catching up on a project for class, but when it happened every day for several weeks in a row, El’s curiosity got the better of her and she followed Lori only to find Lori curled up leaning against the back wall of the gym picking at her sandwich and staring blankly up at the sky. It didn’t seem like Lori wanted to be disturbed so El quietly crept back into the gym not knowing what to do next. 

On the car ride home, El handed Lori a small, folded note – Is everything ok? It was a benign thing to ask, but it made Lori’s eyes sting as she did her best to hold back tears she didn’t know were in her. 

“Yeah,” Lori softly said, willing her voice not to crack. She waited a bit longer with her keys in the ignition before giving a half truth, “I’m just tired.” Lori didn’t know what else she could say even if she wanted to. She simply didn’t have the words to explain how numb and empty and pointless everything seemed. 

—

“Kara, please hurry up! We’re going to be late to the parent teacher conference.” Lena calls up the stairs. 

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Kara says as she makes her way down the stairs and over to the kitchen island where El is finishing up her homework. 

“Alright kiddo, if you get hungry, we have pizza and chicken tenders in the freezer.” 

“And salad in the refrigerator.” Lena pipes in.

Kara rolls her eyes and kisses El on the head. “Please don’t burn down the house, and Lori… where’s Lori?” 

El points up.

“El.” Lena lifts an eyebrow to which El rolls her eyes. “We’ve talked about this. You won’t improve if you don’t practice.” 

“H-up,” El relents, feeling the words awkwardly leave her mouth, “star-s.” Lena gives her an approving smile. It's been difficult getting the young teen to use her voice instead of writing or motioning.

—-

On the drive to the school, Kara continually sighs and seems increasingly annoyed. 

“Want to share or are you going to continue to be grumpy?” Lena looks over.

“Do we have to go to the entire thing? I mean the girls are little geniuses. They’ve never had a disciplinary problem. Can we just split up, you take El and I’ll take Lori and we can get out of there sooner and get potstickers?” Kara begged. 

“The parent teacher conference is as much about making a good impression on the teachers about the girls’ home life as it is about hearing updates on their schooling. Not to mention, they’re in their teen years and you know…” Lena trailed off.

“Know what?” Kara said absentmindedly, knowing she lost the battle. 

“I was a… well a challenging teenager. I got involved with things and people I probably shouldn’t have and, as much as I hate to admit it, Lillian stepping in with some tough love likely saved me from myself.” 

“I’m sorry Lee. You’re right.” Kara squeezed her wife’s hand in support. “But for the record, our girls aren't going to make the same mistakes as us. They’ll make their own, hopefully less dangerous, mistakes.”

—

“Like I said before, Lori is an exceptional student. Her writing skills in particular go above and beyond the high school level and likely surpass many college freshmen as well.” Mrs. Bennet passes the two parents a sample of Lori’s writing for reference. As the last stop on their conference schedule, Kara and Lena are in no way surprised by the glowing statements about their daughter. 

“That's great to hear!” Kara beams. 

“Thank you so much Mrs. Bennet for all you do. English is Lori’s favorite class and I can see why.” Lena says as she and Kara begin packing up their things to leave. 

“Before you go,” Mrs. Bennet interrupts, “there is one thing I wanted to discuss with you.” Kara and Lena still, their previous relief at getting through yet another parent teacher conference issue free dissipating as concern creeps in. 

“Lori has been… not quite herself the past month or so now. She isn’t acting out or in trouble in any way. She’s usually so outgoing and social, but lately she’s been quiet and withdrawn.” Kara and Lena stay staring at Mrs. Bennet, not sure how to respond. 

“I hate to ask, but is there anything going on at home that might be causing this?” Kara immediately goes to the beach house and her Supergirl admission. Lena, sensing this, reaches out and squeezes her wife’s hand, shaking her head no subtly. 

“You said this has been going on for over a month?” Lena asks, pulling her hand away from Kara to take notes. 

“Yes, at the start of the semester.” Mrs. Bennet confirms.

“And is she socializing with students outside of class?” Lena follows up.

“Well from what I have seen, no, not really. I have lunchroom duty on Tuesdays and Thursdays and usually Lori sits with the other volleyball girls, but lately I don’t know where she goes.”

“Is there anything else we should be aware of? Any bullying or other concerning behaviors?” 

“Like I said, Lori is an excellent student. Whatever is going on with her hasn't affected her schoolwork yet. I’ll continue to keep an eye out.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Bennet.” Lena packs up her notes. “And please do reach out if you notice anything else.” 

—-

Kara and Lena drive home in silence, each reflecting on Mrs. Bennet’s report and running the last month through their minds trying to find any warnings signs they might have missed. 

“I’m so sorry Lee, this is all my fault. If we had only told them about Supergirl sooner…” 

“No darling” Lena interrupts, “this is not your fault at all. Didn’t you hear Mrs. Bennet, this has been going on for over a month.” Kara does the math in her head.

“Weeks before the beach house… gosh, then what is it? I mean I just thought she was being a moody teen. How did we miss this?” Kara rubs her forehead.

“This is on both of us. We should have been more attentive, but with everything being so busy…” Lena trails off.

“What do we do next? Do we talk to her? Call Kelly? See a therapist?” Kara started listing out options. 

“Let’s talk with Lori first, see what she has to say and then we can go from there.” They both agree as they park and try to brighten their moods before heading into the house.

“Hey kiddos, we’re home.” Kara says as she closes the door behind Lena. Getting no response, the pair walks into the kitchen to see a few slices of uneaten pizza left on the counter along with a bottle of honey mustard sauce and an empty bag of chicken fingers. 

Kara offers Lena a slice. To no surprise Lena reaches for the untouched salad instead. El walks in with an empty plate, gives a small wave and starts cleaning up the kitchen. 

“Hey Ellie,” Kara says softly, “thanks for cleaning up. Is Lori still up?” El shrugs.

“Words sweetheart.” Lena gently reminds El.

“I don-t know.” Lena and Kara give each other a quick look.

“Well has she come down for dinner?” Lena asks.

“No.” El confirms. 

“Thanks kiddo. Why don’t you go up and get ready for bed.” Kara kisses El on the head and sends her on her way.

“Now she’s skipping meals…” Lena runs her hand through her dark hair. 

“I know babe, I’m worried too. Let's finish up here and then we’ll talk to her.” 

—

Knock knock

“Lori, can we come in?” No answer. 

Knock knock 

“Kar, I hate to do this, but could you?” Lena looks guilty just for asking after they both agreed years ago never to be the parents to invade their children’s privacy. However, given the special circumstances, Kara was more than happy to lower her glasses and look through the room. To her relief she spots a breathing teen laying on her bed. Kara slowly opens the door a crack so Lena can also see their daughter fast asleep on her bed with homework strewn about. Lena goes in and clears the homework from the bed and covers Lori in a soft blanket before moving some of the teen’s golden blond hair out of her face to kiss her goodnight.  

TO BE CONTINUED….

[danversxluthor]

Glasses Pt 4 (rewrite)

Edited as of 10/29/22

----

El didn’t sleep well Sunday night into Monday morning. The young teen tossed and turned in her bed, constantly grabbing the spare pair of her Jeje’s glasses and putting them on before taking them off once again and setting them carefully on her bedside table. It's not that the world was particularly loud this evening, but rather that the phenomenon was strange and intriguing and a much welcome break from thinking about Monday. Her moms had explained to El that she wouldn’t be going to school with Lori but instead visiting the lab to have some tests done. El had been through so many tests already – they were always tedious and the people administering the tests always talked down to El as if she were a dimwitted child. But, this time it was different because Aunt Alex would be the one administering the tests. Were these new tests? What were they looking for? Does this have to do with Jeje? Will there be needles involved? El’s mind continued to spin through the unknown, until she heard the creak of her door opening. 

“Ellie? Are you awake?” Lori tiptoed further into the room seeing El (wearing the glasses once again) wiggle over to make room on the bed.

“Couldn’t sleep either, huh?” Lori said in an exasperated whisper. “This is crazy - I mean can you believe she lied to us for so long?”

El just shrugged. She could believe that Jeje lied because everyone lies – a fact El knows better than most people as she’s been so observant, like a fly on the wall for so many years. But, there was a difference to El between a good lie and a bad lie and the lies that fall somewhere in the middle. El didn’t think Jeje’s lie was good or bad, just somewhere in the middle. Jeje was still jeje and mom was still mom and Lori still Lori and El… well El wasn’t so sure anymore. 

“Fine. Think whatever you think but I still think it's a breach of trust.” Lori stared up at the ceiling for a while. “El… can I ask you something?” El nodded yes and turned her attention to her sister. 

“Do you… er…. If you can talk… then why don’t you… or haven't you in the past?”

El looked away from her sister. This was the question El knew everyone had on their minds, but it's not a simple yes or no. Even if El could properly pronounce all of the words to explain how it felt over the years – the physical pain, the overwhelming sensation of simply existing and worst of all the isolation. There was so much to say but El didn’t have the words for it, not yet at least. 

Lori, seeing El’s inner turmoil, decided not to push. Lena had joined Lori in her room before bed and talked to her about the revelations of the day - Jeje’s secret and El’s potential abilities. Lena explained that it was too early to set any expectations and that while El was figuring out her voice, it was best not to mention it to anyone one at school or outside the family. More secrets were just what Lori wanted in her life…

—

“Morning love.” Kara said as she wrapped her arm around her wife who was reading through the mountain of unanswered emails on her tablet. “Hmm,” Lena managed to grumble back, still somewhat distracted by the current email she was reading through on the upcoming board meeting. 

“Hey kiddo, ready for school?” Kara greated her eldest trying to gauge Lori’s mood toward her since the big reveal.

“Morning.” Lori said just before taking a big gulp of coffee. “It's whatever. When do El’s tests start?” This was Lori’s attempt at burying (temporarily) the hatchet. Sure Lori was still upset with Kara, especially since Lori and Kara were two peas in a pod. They got upset with each other often but that only made their bond stronger. Everyone always said Lori was a mini-Kara and Lori looked up to her Jeje even if she hated admitting it. But now Lori was hurt that she had been left out of something so profound. Despite the hurt, Lori knew her parents had bigger fish to fry right now and she always took her duty as a big sister to heart. 

“Your Aunt Alex is meeting us at the lab in another hour.” Kara had popped her head into El’s room earlier that morning to see her youngest with bags under her eyes working through a set of advanced physics problems. Ellie, like her mom, worked through her nerves by piling on work so Kara let her be for now. 

“She probably needs to have at least a little something to eat beforehand.” Kara said partially to herself as she reached for the cupboard filled with cereal.

“Not before the blood work.” Lena cut in. “She needs to be fasted for that or the results will be flawed.” Kara looked at Lena as if skipping breakfast were absolute torture. 

“She’ll be fine, I’ll make sure the lab has plenty of snacks.” Lena reassured as she packed her briefcase. “Son of a…” Lena stared down at her phone intently.

“Everything alright?” Lori said as she filled up her travel mug with more coffee. Kara and Lori wait for a growingly tense Lena to respond.

“Ugh… Kar, I’m so sorry but I need you to take Ellie on your own. I’ll try to get to the lab as soon as I resolve this situation with Wayne Enterprises.”

“It's fine babe. I’ve got this.” Kara reassured, besides Kara would be lying if she said she wasn’t somewhat happy to spend some one on one time with Ellie. 

“Thank you thank you thank you” Lena said as she grabbed her jacked and strode out towards the door. “And tell Ellie I love her and she’s going to do great with the tests. Lori! I love you too! Now come on, you're going to be late to school.” Lena never missed a beat. Lori just rolled her eyes, hugged her Jeje and headed out on Lena’s tail. 

Kara and El arrived at Lena’s private lab at L Corp with less than a minute to spare. El did everything she could to prolong the process of leaving the house including packing everything she could possibly need (and some things she definitely didn’t need) in her backpack - physics book, school tablet, power chord, headphones, spare pair of headphones, stress ball, fidget spinner, stuffed moose, extra shirt, sun glasses, and small bottle of glasses cleaner.  El was somewhat familiar with the L-Corp lab, though Lena made it very clear to both of her children that it wasn’t a playground and neither was allowed in the lab unsupervised. El had also been to the lab for medical check-ups with Aunt Alex, which usually involved being poked. El never thought it was that unusual that Aunt Alex did their check-ups or that they never went to a real doctor’s office or hospital, but Lori sure did. Lena had always explained that they were extremely privileged and having private medical care meant ensuring the girl’s privacy.  

El sat on a table in the lab and fiddled with one of her fidget toys while she and Kara waited for Alex to arrive. Given that Kara was on family business, not supergirl duty, she was in civilian clothes today. 

“Hey little one,” Kara spoke quietly out of habit and put her hand over El’s trying to provide some comfort. El looked up and gave a nervous smile. The teen still hadn’t said any new words since the beach house, which her parents assumed was out of habit and discomfort with her vocal chords, something Lena planned to enroll a speech pathologist to assist with. 

“It's ok to be nervous you know,” Kara was trying to get her youngest to open up. If El had powers then she would need someone there to support her through the ups and downs, something Kara herself lacked as a teen. “You know, I come here sometimes… like after my fight with Meta (the latest of the bad guys tormenting National City) and your mom and Aunt Alex put me right under these big sun lamps to make me better.” El only nodded solemnly. She wasn’t a superhero, not like her jeje. Just like she was smart like her mom, but would never be a CEO scientist like her mom. El always felt to her very core that she was broken in some way. No matter what she accomplished – the science awards and moving ahead in school – she was still herself, still different. And El figured that these powers, if that's what they are, are only going to lead her parents and everyone else to further disappointment. 

“Hey Ellie, Kara. El, I like those glasses. Very sharp kiddo.” Ellie pushed her glasses up her nose and Alex couldn't help but remember Kara at that age with very similar glasses. “Sorry I’m late by the way… some dumb college kid thought he could put a spaceship’s generator into a ‘47 mustang… idiot.” That got Ellie to smile ever so slightly. 

Alex took a few seconds to log onto the system and start pulling up El’s charts. “OK, so Ellie, did your moms tell you why you’re here today?” Alex was already very well aware of the entire beach house talking situation, but wanted to hear for herself. Ellie shook her head ‘yes’ and reluctantly passed her fidget toy to Kara as she pulled out her tablet and started writing. Once finished, Ellie turned the tablet and answered Alex - “tests”. Alex looked at Kara, trying to figure out why Ellie wasn’t speaking. 

“That's right. Your moms told me that you said something yesterday. Can you try to say it again for me?” Kara had warned Alex over the phone that El wasn’t speaking much at all, but Alex still needed to hear for medical reasons. El’s nerves were starting to get the best of her, the silence was caving in as Aunt Alex waited patiently. Kara could hear El’s heart beat pick up.

“Al…” Kara began. 

“N-” El tried but with her nerves her voice felt caught in her throat. She tried again, “n-no.” Ellie didn’t like the sound of it. It felt so foreign and sounded wrong - it was muddled and poorly pronounced just like at the beach house. 

Alex was in shock at hearing her niece’s voice for the first time. It took her a moment to finally responde. “Wow kiddo that was…” Alex paused for a moment, feeling there was no single word that could encompass this moment, “amazing Ellie. I know you’re still getting used to it and it will take some time but me, your moms, even Lori, we’re all here to help.”  El nodded but felt odd with all the attention on her so she simply looked down and continued fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

“OK, here’s what we’ll do. To start a full physical work up, which unfortunately means blood tests. Sorry Ellie.” Alex gave an apologetic smile to El who simply nodded, her moms had prepared her for the needles. “After that, we’ll start the powers work up we typically give your Jeje. Sound good?” Alex look from Ellie to Kara, both of whom nodded.

“Alright El, we’re going to start with the easy one. Pee in this cup and then leave it on the counter with the blue towel.” El jumped down from the table and made her way to the bathroom. 

“I can’t believe she can really talk. You and Lena must be so happy.” Alex squeezes her sister’s hand.

“We are!” Kara says giddily. “I mean we love El no matter what. But now… I mean now I might get to have a full conversation with my daughter Alex.” Kara had to stop herself from getting teary eyed as El came from the restroom.

Alex moved quickly through the rest of the tests, including blood work which El only slightly flinched at. It wasn’t until the MRI that things got interesting. The MRI was going to require the glasses to come off and the machine was going to be extremely loud, even for a person with normal hearing.

“Ellie, everything with metal has to come off. That means earrings, belt, watch, and glasses.” Alex explained as she started getting everything set up. El followed ever instruction but hesitated with the glasses.

“Come on Ellie.” Kara put out her hand, willing El to give in. “Please kiddo.” Kara had explained to El what the MRI would be like and why she had to take the glasses off for a little while, but El was having none of it. 

“What if we get ice cream after?” Kara tried to bribe, but El still wasn’t budging.

“What if I call Lena and have her come down here.” Alex threatened and El knew her aunt wasn't throwing an empty threat. 

“Cl- clo-” El spoke with a strained voice but Kara and Alex waited patiently for her to finish. “-sa.”

“You’ll give us the glasses when we get closer to the machine?” Kara confirmed. El gave a quick nod.

El stayed as still as possible as the thudding of the machine caused her head to pound. She tried to keep her breathing even but as the test went on her heart rate spiked and she couldn't do it any longer. Luckily Alex got what she needed. Kara immediately went to help El, who was now in the fetal position with tremors, her eyes closed tight and hands over her ears despite the machine being off. It broke Kara’s heart to see El like this. She really hoped whatever came next  wouldn't put any more strain on El.  

Kara did what she always did when El was having an episode. She picked her daughter up and held her tight to help ground El until she was ready to rejoin the situation. When El finally came to, she was still in her Jeje’s arms, with glasses back on, and feeling completely and utterly drained. This is exactly how Lena found them when she made her way to the lab with lunch in hand.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[danversxluthor]

Glasses Pt 3 (Rewrite)

Edited as of 10/29/22

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El talks for the first time and the family doesn’t know what to make of it. Where do they go from here? What does this mean for El? So many unanswered questions, but luckily I’ll be writing another three part series following up on Glasses. 

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The world was quiet, finally quiet. El always wondered how everyone else was able to stand the noises and bright movements and all the other stimuli happening at once without some form of protection. For years she assumed she was broken in some way, that something was fundamentally wrong with her. She can still remember the hushed conversations her moms would have about her when she was just a kid. They wondered why she hadn’t talked yet, why she had tantrums at the slightest change, and even why she didn’t seem to want to be around other people. 

The answers were all very simple to El, though her moms would never really understand. Once, when El had just started school, she tried speaking when no one was around. She didn't even get a word out before the sound reverberated in her head like a loud gong. It felt like her head was splitting open and the headphones were useless. Shortly thereafter Aunt Alex found her curled up in the fetal position shaking and called for Kara. Her Jeje swooped her up like so many times before and held her tightly, the constant pressure helped ground and calm her down. Everyone assumed El had simply had an “episode.” No one ever knew that she used her voice. 

Kara and Lena carted El from doctor to doctor. Kara accepted the diagnosis the first two doctors had given. She just wanted to know what they could do for El to make her as happy and fulfilled as she could be, disability or not. Lena on the other hand refused the diagnosis at first, but when El started school and accommodations were needed, Lena went along with it. Having a child diagnosed with non-verbal autism was not what Lena or Kara expected but they loved El all the same. 

Now, standing in her and Lori’s bedroom clutching lead lined glasses to her face, the world was finally quiet. She was in complete awe. 

“So quiet.” El said her first words. Her tongue and lips felt odd forming the words and her unused vocal chords sounded awkward, but Lori understood her nonetheless. 

“El, you… you talked.” Lori whispered in disbelief. Any anger Lori had over her Jeje was gone. She never thought she would hear her sister's voice, and now her 13 year old sister just spoke for the first time ever. This was a total miracle.  

“You, you did it Ellie.” Lori cracked a huge smile and pulled El into a hug. El quickly embraced her sister back. The pair didn’t hug or have any sort of physical contact usually. It wasn't that they weren’t close, it was entirely to do with the fact that Lori was protective of El and knew El didn’t like people touching her. 

The pair pulled back and stood in silence. After a minute though the silence started to hit El. All of the sudden it was too quiet, there wasn't enough noise to fill the space. The silence was empty. El started to panic and clutch the glasses on her face once again. She knew if she took them off the loud noises would be back. She didn’t want to go back. 

“Ellie, hey it's ok.” Lori tried to comfort but El was shaking and silent tears were falling down her face. El looked up to her sister with pleading eyes. She didn’t know what to do. Her breathing was picking up, and with everything else so quiet the sound of her breathing dominated, adding to her panic. Lori started getting worried, she had seen El freak out in plenty of situations but she didn’t know what was going on now. How did everything switch so quickly? 

“Hang on El. I’ll go get moms.” Lori rushed out the room and down the stairs. Her moms were still in the sunroom, Lena’s arms wrapped around Kara. The couple looked up when they saw Lori rush toward them in a panic, not a single sign of residual anger. 

“Its El--” Lori began breathlessly and immediately Kara supersped up the stairs. 

“What happened?” Lena asked as she ran word the stairs. 

“I don’t know, but…” Lori paused on the stairs and Lena stopped to look back, “she talked.” The words hit Lena like a shock wave, but the moment passed as she heard Kara’s voice trying to calm El. 

Kara found El sitting against the far wall, headphones off and new glasses on. It took Kara a second to realize El was in fact wearing her own glasses. 

“Hey Ellie, hey.” Kara knelt in front of her daughter. El looked at her Jeje not with her typical pained expression when something was too overwhelming but with pleading eyes. Hearing her jeje’s voice helped though. Kara was immediately concerned that the news of her identity had caused El’s episode. She didn’t know how to address that now with a hyperventilating teen in front of her, so she did what they always did when El was panicking, headphones first. 

“Where are your headphones Ellie?” Kara whispered gently stroking El’s dark hair from her face. El shook her head, which only confused Kara. The hero began looking around the room anyway for the headphones. She knew she’d have to pry El’s hands off the glasses just to get the headphones on. 

Lena immediately spotted the headphones on the chair as she walked quickly to her daughter and wife. El was now breathing more evenly, but the silence was so new and surprisingly a lot to take in. 

“Ellie, let's get your headphones on, huh?” Lena held the headphones up and waited for El to remove her hands from the glasses. 

“Come on baby, can you take your hands off Jeje’s glasses for me?” Kara went to put her hands on El’s to guide her down. El panicked at the movement, she couldn’t go back to the noise, not after what she knew life could be like. 

“No.” El said as she tightened her grip on the glasses. Kara’s hands froze and her jaw dropped at hearing her daughter’s voice for the first time. Lena gently set the headphones down and cupped Ellie’s face between her hands, tears welling up in her emerald eyes. 

“Did you just talk, Ellie?” El looked at her mom - the shock hitting her as much as her moms - and with a shy smile, nodded. Lena pulled El into a hug, Kara falling in soon after. El froze at the contact but eventually relaxed into the embrace.

El was distracted enough to start feeling more at ease with the low noise level, enough so that the three were able to go back downstairs. As El did her homework at the kitchen counter, with Kara nearby just in case El went into a panic again, Lori recounted to Lena what happened upstairs. As Lena and Lori walked back to the kitchen, Kara and Lena shared a silent look with each other, both having an idea of what exactly happened with El. 

Lena picked up El’s spare headphones and made her way over to the teen. 

“Ellie?” Lena interrupted El’s concentration. “Jeje’s going to need her glasses back when we leave.” El gave Lena a sad reluctant look as she brought her hands up to the glasses.

“It's ok. You can keep them on until we head out kiddo. We still have to pack up the car anyway.” Kara reassured her youngest. 

El nodded, clearly dreading having to go back to the way things were before. She still hadn’t said much. El didn’t like the way the words felt in her mouth and she was very well aware that she sounded funny compared to her sister and moms and everyone else, all of whom were far more practiced at speaking. 

While El and Lori packed their things into the car, Kara pulled Lena out on the porch which was still damp from the rain fall. 

“She really spoke.” Kara said in amazement. 

“I didn’t think it was possible.” Lena was in shock still

“Same. I mean, how?” Kara paused. “I always thought that if one of the girls was to get powers it would be Lori. And we ran all of those test when they were babies. It's just...”

“We should have known…” Lena’s guilt was building.

“Hey, Lee, don’t do that.” Kara pulled her wife into her arms.

“Do what?” Lena exhaled heavily. 

“Put this on yourself. You did everything, love. You never gave up, never accepted the diagnosis. I should have listened. I’m so sorry Lee.” 

“Kara, neither one of us is to blame. She has powers, or a power - we don’t know the extent yet.” Lena pulled away to look at her wife.

“We can take her to Alex for a full workup. I mean who knows Lee, she could end up with a completely normal life after all...well plus superpowers. It's kind of amazing.” Kara loves her kids just the way they are, but she couldn't deny that she worried about El out in the world, how the world would treat her because of her differences. 

“Absolutely not. If Alex is involved, then it happens at my labs.” Lena said definitively. Kara and Lena had discussed what would happen a child of thiers developed powers back when Lena was pregnant with Lori and after many hard conversations agreed that it was for the child to decide whether to get invovled with the government and until then things would be kept quiet. Sensing Kara’s silend understanding Lena proceeded. 

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves.” Lena tries to be as gentle as she can about the reality of the situation. “Kara, El may have some powers and still be autistic. I mean she isn’t exactly a chatter box yet. All of this is going to be new to her. Getting a handle on her powers alone won’t make her into Lori or some other kid her age.” Kara and Lena stayed in silence for several minutes, both having a multitude of thoughts rushing through their heads. 

“Oh Roa…” Kara suddenly broke the silence, worry etched in her face. “Lena what if you’re right. What if she panics or has some sort of episode and can’t control her powers?” 

“Hey, Kar.” Lena cupped Kara’s face and drew her wife’s worried expression down to meet her own. “This is new for all of us. We don’t need to come up with a solution today.” Kara nodded and took a deep breath. 

“But when I was pregnant with Lori, I may have designed something just in case one of our kids ended up with powers.” Lena smirked. “I’ll have to revisit it and make some tweak, but it should do the trick, at least until she develops some control.” 

“You’re the best.”

[danversxluthor]

Glasses Pt. 2

-----------------------------

Part 2 of the 3 part series. Lori’s anxious to hear Kara’s news, but is forced to wait until everyone in the household is conscious. Finally, Kara gets to share her secret identity. 

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The clouds came in, the wind picked up and Supergirl was called back to National City to deal with yet another emergency. Lena sat in her favorite reading chair looking out at the rough sea as she sipped her black coffee and reflected on the night before. She just couldn’t shake off what Lori had said about she and Kara getting divorced. The couple had a happy marriage, with the exception of a few years prior when, in all truth, Lena had contemplated whether it was all going to crumble, but they were fine now, more than fine in fact. Why would Lori think they were getting divorced? Before Lena could delve further into a hole of self doubt about the status of her marriage, she hears feet padding down the stairs. 

“Morning El--” Lena begins before she cuts herself off seeing that it's Lori, “well someone’s up early.” Lena says with a little smirk.

“Hey, ” Lori gives a big yawn before making a b-line for the coffee pot. The teen was exhausted, she barely slept the night before, tossing and turning as a million thoughts went through her head about what the big news her Jeje had. Was she dying? Did something happen to Grandma Eliza? Were they moving? Were they having another kid? Lori finally decided to give up on the prospect of sleep, figuring that the sooner she was up the sooner Jeje could spill the news and, most importantly, the sooner Lori could take a nice long Sunday nap. 

Lori pours herself a big mug and then joins Lena in the sitting room looking out at the ocean. Lena side eyed her daughter, noticing the tension in her shoulders and dark circles under her eyes. 

“So, do you want to tell me or do I have to guess?” Lena broke the silence. She had a sixth sense for reading when Lori was having an internal battle, probably because she herself struggled with so many throughout the years. 

“Where’s Jeje?” Lori asked in a quiet voice without looking up.

“She went out for a bit.” Lena was so used to making excuses for Kara’s absences, but today Lena decided not to give more than a vague excuse. Lori would know everything soon enough. 

“What...for a morning walk or something?” Lori looked at Lena suspiciously. “When there are gale force winds?” Lori paused listening to the pinging noises coming from the roof and windows, “And hale?” 

“I know, but you know how she loves her sunday donuts, and Ed’s has an excellent maple rolls.” Lena didn’t miss a beat. She quickly texted Kara to grab donuts on her way back. 

Lori accepts her mom’s answer and sits to sip at her coffee. As the pair sat in silence, Lena side eyed her daughter. She could tell Lori was holding something in by the tension in her shoulders and crinkle in her eyebrow. Lena learned over the years not to push Lori, she would open up when she was ready. 

“What was last night about?” Lori finally broke the silence. Lena looked over at Lori, who continued to look down at her coffee mug. “What was Jeje going to tell us?” Lena wanted nothing more than to tell Lori the truth, to be a family without secrets, but she couldn’t, not with this anyway. 

“That's for Jeje to share, but once Jeje’s back and your sister’s up, we can all talk, ok?” Lena assured but Lori’s tension was still present. “Lor, I promise it's nothing bad.” 

“Fine.” Lori hated waiting. She kept looking over at the door ready to pounce on Kara the moment she walks in donuts be damned. 

“Lor, can I ask you something?” Lena held her empty coffee cup nervously. Lori looked at her mother, sensing Lena’s discomfort. “Why did you think Jeje and I were getting a divorce?” The question made Lori look down quickly, slightly embarrassed and ashamed at having guessed something that she realizes now was probably harsh. 

“Its just that you never see each other.” Lori took a deep breath before continuing. “We used to do so much as a family--game nights and movie nights, and that all just stopped. You’re both so busy with work and I just… how can you not want to see each other?” It made sense to Lena now. Of course Lori thought that. The girls had no clue that Lena and Kara worked hand in hand on a daily basis dealing with threats to National City and the world at times nor could they know that the couple had daily lunch rendezvous on Lena’s office balcony. She knew she couldn’t tell Lori about Kara’s secret, but she could at least assure her their family was whole.

“Sweetheart,” Lena said with pity, “Lor, please look at me.” Lori had looked away, still slightly ashamed and also worried that perhaps her parents were having some issues. A number of Lori’s friends’ parents had gotten divorced in the past couple of years and she saw how it was, the fights, the stress, the loneliness. She didn’t want that for her family. Lori finally looked at her mom.

“Jeje and I see each other all the time, you just don’t see it.” Lori looked at Lena with a confused expression. “We have lunch dates almost daily,” Lena explains, “and…” Lena decides to take a dive into something that could be risky, hoping Lori won’t inquire further, “we work together often.”

“Oh… so, you and Jeje are fine?”

“Yes.”

“And, you still sleep in the same bed?” 

“Lori!” Lena is surprised by such a direct and intimate question.

“What?! Jenna’s parents stopped sleeping in the same bed and then a month later they completely stopped being married. It can happen mom. I’m just checking for warning signs.” Lori explains.

“Yes, we sleep in the same bed, and yes we have a perfectly healthy intimate romantic life.” Lori waves her hands in front of her face signaling Lena to stop and chuckle at her daughter’s antics. Lena’s relieved to see Lori getting back into her usual self. 

“Ok, ok, I believe you.” Lori stands picking up her empty coffee mug. “But as soon as Jeje gets back she better spill the beans, or I’m calling Aunt Alex to run a full interrogation.” 

“Who are we interrogating?” Kara walked in as if on queue, soaking wet and with a box of Ed’s finest donuts. Lena quickly took the box of donuts from Kara’s hands as the hero was bombarded with questions from a very eager Lori. To the teen’s annoyance, her parents made her wait until El got up. This was family news after all and a few more minutes wouldn’t change anything.

Kara got through two donuts before Lena saw the time. It was almost 9:30 am and El still hadn’t made an appearance. 

“Lor, was Ellie up when you came down?” 

“Um…” Lori and El shared a bedroom at the beach house, but Lori just got up and left the room, she hadn’t bothered to look at El. Now that she thought about it, it was weird that El wasn’t up and moving about. “I don’t think so?” 

“Ok, I’ll go check on her. Can you help Jeje with the dishes.” Lori sighed at having to do actual house work on Sunday. 

Lena was slightly concerned El wasn’t up yet. The youngster never sleeps in. El followed her schedule religiously, it always started with a 7am wake-up, unfortunately for the rest of the household that included holidays as well. The only times El hadn’t gotten up, she had been sick--once with the flu, a couple times with bad chest infections, and once with tonsillitis. 

The girls’ bedroom door was slightly open, but Lena knows lightly anyway so she doesn’t startle El.

“Ellie, are you up baby?” Lena opens the door wider and finds El curled up in bed. Lena makes her way over to the bed and places a hand on El’s shoulder, immediately noticing El’s shaking. El curls in on herself at Lena’s touch, but turns over to face her mom. The thirteen year old has a pained expression on her face, with scrunched up eyes and hands over her ears. 

Lena kicks herself for not realizing it sooner. Between the wind, hale and crashing waves outside, the noises are like scratches on a chalk board to the teen--painful and overwhelming all at once. Lena immediately finds El’s headphones on her dresser and brings them over. 

“Ellie,” Lena whispers quietly, “I’ve got your headphones, I’m going to put them on now.” El opens her eyes slightly to see her mom kneeling by her head, headphones in hand. “El, can you lift your head for me?” El lifts her head just enough for Lena to place them on her gently. 

It takes El a few minutes, but soon enough she is calming down. Even though the headphones help, El’s head is pounding from the overstimulation. She loosens up and opens her eyes to watch her mom, who looks at El with concern. 

“Hey baby,” Lena says quietly. El rubs her eyes and gives her mom a tired smile. “Ready to get up?” El nodded her head, which felt heavy with tiredness. 

Lena went back down stairs to warn Kara and Lori that El’s having a tough start to the day. 

“Should we wait to talk until she feels better?” Kara asked tentatively.

“Oh no you don't.” Lori cuts it, “not fair at all.” 

“Lor,” Lena warns, “your sister is having a rough day, you know how overwhelmed she gets.”

“Mom, I know. But, literally everything we do is so dependent on El and how El’s feeling. For once can we just not.” Lori didn’t often mind changing things to suit El’s needs, but every once and awhile she just wanted her moms to think of her needs too. And, right now, Lori was still anxious over whatever news her Jeje had. 

“Lori,” Kara said in a warning but quiet tone, she could hear El starting to come down the stairs. The group turned when they heard El quietly pad towards them. El looked at the group as if she knew what was being discussed and seemed slightly embarrassed as she fiddled with her sunglasses.

After Ellie ate her usual oatmeal and a few bites of a cinnamon sugar donut Kara had cut into small pieces for her, El seemed to be feeling more herself. Kara and Lena shared a few looks between them, deciding now was as good a time as ever to talk.

“Girls, could you come into the sunroom?” Lena asked. Lori was quick to jump on a chair and wait intently for the news. El was still moving a slower, fiddling with her headphones as a large gust of wind hit the side of the house causing it to creak. 

Once everyone was settled, El and Lena on the couch and Lori in the lounge chair, Kara began. 

“There's something I’ve, well your mom and I have been meaning to tell you both for some time now. And its ok to be upset or happy or anything really. Any emotion is valid.” Kara was feeling her nerves creep up on her. With Lori and El looking at her all bright eyed and innocent, Kara just didn’t want that to go away. She didn’t want this to be something that hurt them. Kara took at deep breath. First she took her glasses off and set them on the coffee table, then let her hair fall free from her bun, and finally she unzipped her hoodie to reveal the red S.

“I’m Supergirl.” She finally let out. She looked from Lori to El and back, waiting for a response. Lori looked at her Jeje like she was insane before looking over at her mom to see if this was all some joke.  

“Seriously?” Lori asked, somewhat annoyed that this was an elaborate and cruel prank. 

Kara allowed herself to float up a few inches as proof, “seriously.” Lori just looked at Kara stunned and silent. Kara noticed El had picked up her glasses and was analyzing them form different angles. “They’re lined with lead.” Kara explained. “That's why they’re heavier than normal glasses.” El gave Kara a very serious nod and continued to turn the glasses over in her hands.

“And you waited 16 years to tell me?” Lori said with disgust. 

“Lor, Jeje and I made this decision to protect you.” Lena cut in. The CEO knew first hand how Lori was probably feeling now. The betrayal, the lack of trust, Lena could see it all as clear as day in Lori’s eyes. 

“Protect me!” El flinched at the raised voices. “What ever happened to ‘we’re a family and we’re in this together’!?” Lena and Kara turned their full attention to Lori, trying to defend their decision to keep this a secret. But things were getting louder and louder and El was already trying to keep the sound of the wind and waves at bay. Without Lena or Kara noticing, El slipped out of the sunroom and back upstairs to her and Lori’s room. 

Once upstairs and away from the direct noise, El removed her headphones and sunglasses, cringing slightly as she did. She took her Jeje’s glasses in her hands and very carefully put them on. 

Back downstairs, Lori and Kara were going at it, with Lena doing her best to referee. 

“Look,” Lori pointed at El’s empty spot on the couch, “even El doesn't want anything to do with this and honestly either do I.” Lori stormed off up stairs to join El. 

When Kara heard Lori reach the top of the stairs she released the tears that had been building up in her eyes. Lena pulled her wife into a hug. 

“Give them time, love. Lori’ll come around, just like I did.” Kara held Lena tightly and looked over her wife’s shoulder at where El had been sitting. 

“And Ellie?” Kara asked. The couple figured Lori would be her usual dramatic self, but they didn’t know how El would take the news. She thrived on predictability and routine, what would the news do to her feelings of safety? Would she feel comfortable around her Jeje any more? 

Lori entered the bedroom to see El looking out the window, back facing the door and shoulders shuddering slightly as if she were crying.

“Ellie?” Lori said softly as she made her way over to her little sister. She noticed El’s headphones were off. “Hey,” Lori gently rubbed her sister's shoulder but El didn’t jerk away this time. El looked at Lori while still wearing Kara’s glasses which looked rather awkward and big on the young teen’s face. El had silent tears running down her face, not even bothering to whip them away. 

Lori, who could typically read her little sister like a book, found herself at a loss. She saw so many emotions cross El’s face. The blond didn’t know what to do, she didn’t know if El was ok, if she should break and get her moms to help El calm down. But then El did something even more confusing, she gave Lori the biggest smile Lori had ever seen. 

“Ellie?” Lori asked again, still concerned and confused about what was happening. 

“So quiet.” El said softly.

[danversxluthor]

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back  (Pt 2 of Seizing Life)

--------------------------------

As Loraine embraces her new freedom, her headaches get worse and new symptoms come to light. Lo wants her life to be normal but she can’t hide the obvious from her moms.

---------------------------------

Loraine enjoyed her new found freedom over the next few weeks. She was able to take the bus to school again and walk around the city on her own. She even got to spend her afternoons alone at home before her moms got home from work. It was a small thing, but it was the little pieces of freedom in her day to day life that she missed the most. 

Today Loraine was homework free, a rare occasion given she went to a school hell bent on keeping students busy in preparation for high profile careers in demanding fields. Even though Loraine was exhausted, she decided to take the opportunity to make a stop at L-Corp to see what her mom was up to in the lab. She loved visiting L-Corp and seeing and playing around with the prototypes.  

“Hi Mom!” Loraine greeted as she walked into the lab. Lena was focused and looking through a microscope. “Whatcha working on?” Loraine sat on one of the lab stools opposite Lena. The teen’s body had been feeling a bit achy lately, possibly a side effect of going out and being more active thanks to her new found freedom.  

“A new biologic…” Lena was still focused on the microscope. “Its part of the cancer research I was telling you about.” Lena finally looked up. 

“As much as it is always a wonderful surprise to see you Lo, shouldn’t you be at home finishing your homework?” Lena raised a warning eyebrow. She couldn’t really be made at Loraine for visiting, but she felt it was her parental duty to instill some boundaries. Lena also didn’t want Loraine staying up too late, she had noticed Loraine seemed tired a lot more lately. 

“Finished it during lunch.” Loraine beamed with triumph. “Plus I haven't visited in awhile and figured it was time to see what you're doing to my future empire.” Loraine often joked with Lena about taking over the company. 

“Your empire, huh? Nice try, but you’ll have to earn it first Loraine.” 

“I know, I know…. Just making a prediction”  

“Come here I want to show you something R&D just sent.” Loraine followed Lena over to another lab table where a small cellphone sized device was displayed along with a slew of other engineering tools. “It's a therma projection radar. It can scan a person and project health risks for vital signs.” Loraine picked up a calibration tool and was fiddling around with it as Lena explained the science. Aparatenly the prototype was under performing and Lena was going to make some updates to it herself before considering any further manufacturing options. 

Clang clang. The tool that had been in Loraine’s hand crashed to the floor. Lena immediately stopped and looked at Loraine. 

“Lo, you have to be more careful.” Loraine quickly picked up the tool and set it back down on the table gently. 

“Sorry” Loraine apologized to Lena, hoping the tool wasn't anything custom made.

“It's ok,” Lena looked at Loraine trying to see if there were any signs of a potential seizure. Loraine noticed Lena’s concerned gaze.

“Mom, I’m fine. Just a little clumsy.” Loraine reassured and sat back down on the lab stool trying to conceal a yawn.

“And tired.” Lena added. 

“Ok, clumsy and tired.” Loraine conceded and looked down. She hated when her mom got overly concerned about her. Even though she knew it was her mom’s job to be worried about her, Loraine couldn’t help feeling like a burden.

“Are you sleeping ok at night?” Lena asked as she started packing away her research. 

“Yeah, I get plenty of sleep. It’s just been a long week that’s all.” Loraine tried to brush it off.

“Just let us know if you aren’t feeling well sweetie.” 

“I’m fine.” Loraine rolled her eyes and gave a heavy sigh.

“Ok.” Lena raised her hands in surrender not wanting to push the teen too much.

The pair headed off home in Lena’s private car shortly after. Even though Lena had more work, she wanted to give Loraine the chance to relax and maybe take a nap before dinner. Lena even got an email from Loraine’s science teacher expressing concern over the fact that Loraine fell asleep during his class. 

The ride was relatively quiet. Lena went through emails on her phone and Loraine just stared out the window trying to stay awake. The teen had had a dully headache for the past several days and it was starting to turn into a pounding headache. When they were finally home and in the garage, Loraine moved rather slowly to exit the car, her headache making her feel off balance. Every movement felt like a lot of work given how tired and achy Loraine was. Lena was out of the car and already waiting for Loraine near the door, wondering what was taking so long. Loraine stood up from the car, but the ground felt strange and unsteady. Loraine braced herself on the car and squeezed her eyes shut, the unsteady feeling made her feel slightly nauseated. Loraine tried to take a step but stumbled forward and fell to her knees. The driver rushed over to help Loraine up as Lena did the same. 

“Lo, are you ok?” Lena asked holding Loraine’s shoulders.

Loraine nodded and gave a small embarrassed smile. “Thanks Felix. I’m fine, really.” Despite her words Loraine’s voice seemed a bit shaky. Felix made sure Lena and Loraine were safely inside before taking off. 

Loraine had minor scrapes on her knees with minimal blood and mere scratches on her hands, nothing to be concerned about. Loraine’s movement still felt awkward and slow which she blamed on being tired. 

“Let's take care of those scrapes.” Lena walked toward the bathroom and looked back to see if Loraine was coming too. She noticed that Loraine was moving slowly and with greater care, as if she were afraid of falling once more. The truth was, Loraine still felt unsteady with each step and she just wanted to make it from point A to point B without another fall. 

Lena had Loraine sit on the small chair in front of her vanity as she kneeled and cleaned and bandaged Loraine’s knees and hands. Loraine was too tired to react to the sting of the antiseptic cream. When Lena finished up, she remained on her knees looking into her tired daughter’s eyes and asked once more. 

“Sweetheart , are you sure you’re ok?” Lena waited for Loraine to respond, but the teen just looked away. “Its ok if you’re not. I just want to know so I can help.” Lena took Loraine’s hand in her own and noticed the teen’s hand was shaking. All Lena wanted was to comfort and reassure her daughter. When Loraine finally looked back it was with tears trickling down her face. 

“I’m just really tired.” Loraine admitted quietly. She didn't have the energy to explain how the ground felts funny and besides she didn't want her mom to have even more reason to worry. Lena whipped away Loraine’s tears. She was relieved Loraine was talking to her but also worried there might be more to it than exhaustion. 

“That’s alright sweetie. Why don’t we get you in bed, hm? You can rest and I’ll come wake you for dinner. How’s that?” Loraine nodded in agreement and let her mom help her up and to her room. Loraine didn't even protest at the assistance. She was too tired and unsteady to pull herself together enough to get there anyway. Lena was surprised at just how unsteady Loraine was. 

Loraine slept for a couple hours, but was still exhausted when Lena retrieved her for dinner. 

“Mm not hungry.” Loraine mumbled into her pillow. 

“Sweetheart you have to have a little something to eat with your meds.” Lena gently pulled back the covers and ran her hand up and down Loraine’s back, which always seemed to coax Loraine out of a deep slumber. Instead of leaving, Lena helped Loraine up and stayed beside her just in case Loraine needed the support. Lena was happy to see that sleep seemed to do Loraine some good as the teen made it down the stairs without a problem.  

“Grandma Eliza still wants to know if you want cinnamon rolls or blueberry muffins for Christmas breakfast Lo.” Kara looked to Loraine, waiting for the teen’s response. Loraine had been awfully quiet throughout dinner and barely touched her food. “Loraine?” Kara tried again. 

“Just weighing my options,” Loraine joked, “it's a big decision, but I’m leaning toward the muffins.” 

“Good choice, those muffins are legendary.” Kara had tried many times to bake Eliza’s recipe but it never turned out quite right.

Clank Loraine dropped her fork causing a loud reverberating noise. 

“Sorry!” Loraine quickly picked up her utensil from the floor and went to get another from the kitchen.

“That's alright sweetie. While you’re in the kitchen could you get me a glass of water?” Kara asked.

“Sure.” Loraine retrieved the water and clean fork and dinner went by as usual. Kara noticed Loraine’s hand shaking as she set the water down in front of her. She gave Lena a concerned look, but Lena was already watching her daughter’s every move. The parents silently agreed to discuss later. 

As dinner continued Loraine seemed more and more withdrawn. She altogether stopped moving and was staring blankly at her plate. Internally Loraine was entirely consumed by the throbbing of her head, so much so that she was oblivious to the conversation around her. Lena got up from her seat and went to kneel by Loraine so she was eye level with her daughter. 

“Lo, sweetie, what's going on?” Lena asked in a quiet voice. Lena knew from her extensive research on seizures that not all types of seizures involve convulsions, some can simply look like someone staring blankly and being unresponsive. 

“Hmm…” Loraine seemed to come to, “Wh… what?” Loraine was trying her hardest to focus on her surroundings now, which was still difficult with her headache.

“Are you feeling ok, Loraine?” Lena asked, still kneeling in front of Loraine. Kara was up and prepared to help in any way possible if Loraine was about to have a seizure. 

“Sorry,” Loraine looked down to her plate then back up, “I’m just a little out of it... I think I just want to lie down.” Lena looked at Loraine unconvinced. Kara made sure Loraine got into bed ok before joining Lena back downstairs. To her surprise Loraine didn't even protest at the help, the teen was too out of it to realize what was happening. 

“How is she?” Lena asked.

“She’s exhausted, maybe even coming down with the flu or something.” Kara was lost in thought and concern. “I’ve just never seen her like this. I mean sure it was bad last year, but this is different, isn't it?” Kara looks to her wife, who is on her phone typing. 

“Alex agreed to see her tomorrow to run some tests.” Lena looked up from her phone. “You’re right, this is different or…” Lena trailed off in thought but shook her head.

“What is it?” Kara asked.

“Its… what if Loraine doesn't have a seizure disorder. What if the seizures were just one symptom of something else.” Lena had done extensive research on pediatric seizure conditions as well as other conditions that caused seizures. There were a few conditions Lena was concerned may match Loraine’s current state.

[danversxluthor]

Independence (Pt. 1 of Seizing Life)

---------------------

Part one of a possibly five part series. Kara always thought her daughter would develop some variety of Kryptonian powers, but when Loraine ends up with a seizure disorder instead, life takes a new turn. 

----------------------

The first time it happened Loraine was at home in her bathroom getting ready for school. Her hand, which was holding her hair brush, simply fell to her side, the brush crashed to the floor followed by the teen’s convulsing body. When she opened her eyes again it was to see her mom kneeling on the floor beside her frantically talking into the phone. Loraine had no idea what was happening, she was groggy and disoriented. She couldn't even make out what her mom was saying. 

Its been over a year since Loraine’s first seizure and life in the Luthor-Danver’s household has changed drastically. Shortly after that morning in the bathroom, Loraine was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and despite receiving the best medical care and being on numerous medications, it took a while for her seizures to taper off. Today marked Loraine’s third seizure free month and the family decided to celebrate by ordering in pizza and potstickers and having a mini game night with Alex and Kelly. 

“Jenga or scrabble?” Loraine held up the two games to the group. 

“Hmm… scrabble.” Alex voted, which was quickly unanimously agreed upon. 

“So Lo, congratulations on a full three months” Kelly raised her glass to Loraine and the others followed. Three months was an arbitrary time period Lena and Kara agreed on as the point at which Loraine could gain back some independence. It was used as a kind of motivation to keep Loraine diligent on taking her medication, and it more than motivated Loraine, who was sick and tired of being babysat 24/7.

“Thanks Aunt Kelly!” Loraine beamed 

“So, does that mean you get to visit the DEO again?” Alex asked, looking to Kara and Lena out of the corner of her eye. Loraine looked to her parents hopefully. Kara and Lena had ruled the DEO off limits after the emergency flashing lights went off and triggered a particularly bad seizure. Luckily, Loraine was ok and the emergency was merely a minor incident, but it was enough to ban Loraine from the agency for the past six months. The family had previously discussed giving Loraine more freedom now that her seizures were under control, but never discussed the DEO specifically.

“We still have to keep an eye out, but as long as someone,” Lena raised her eyebrow to Loraine, “remembers to take her meds and wear her monitor, then I don’t see why not.” Lena had made a watch that monitored Loraine’s vitals and automatically timed any seizures. Loraine hated having to wear in but she would do anything if it meant getting her old life back.

When they were on the second round of the game, the first being won by Lena, to no one's surprise, Loraine started rubbing her left temple. It was only a minor headache and nothing the teen thought needed to be worried about. The group continued playing, but Loraine’s focus was waning and she was getting tired. 

“Loraine?” Alex asked. “Earth to Loraine. Kiddo it's your turn.” Alex prompted. Everyone was looking at the teen. Loraine put on the best smile she could and looked down at her tiles. Luckily she was able to pull out a simple three letter word. 

“Feeling ok sweetheart?” Lena leaned over and whispered in Loraine’s ear. After the past year from hell, Loraine wanted everything to just go back to normal. She wanted her moms’ to be able to go to CatCo and L-Corp in the morning without having to switch off days staying home with her or being on call just in case the school calls because she’s had yet another seizure. 

“Just tired.” Loraine gave her mom a small smile. Lucky for Loraine the game was over after only a few more rounds. The teen didn’t know if she could stay awake for much longer anyway. Loraine’s headache was still a dull ache. Even with the headache Loraine was relieved that things felt like they were finally getting back to normal. 

The family said a quick goodbye to Alex and Kelly before cleaning up. 

“Sweetheart, why don’t you get ready for bed, Jeju and I can take care of the rest.” Lena had been attuned to Loraine’s every physical queue, especially since her daughter had a knack for keeping her physical discomfort to herself. Loraine quickly complied, too tired to protest. 

“Do you think Loraine’s feeling ok?” Kara asked Lena in a concerned tone. “She was so quiet when we were playing.”

“She said she was just tired, but let's keep an eye on her just in case.” The couple continued cleaning up the kitchen.

“You really think letting her go back to the DEO is a good idea?” Kara was far more cautious with Loraine than Lena was. Being kryptonian and rarely getting ill made Kara extra nervous anytime anyone she loved was sick or hurt, especially Loraine. 

“It's been three months without seizures.” Lena looked at Kara and took her wife’s hands in her own, “the doctors said this was very treatable and that with the right medication she could go seizure free entirely. This might just be the right medication.” Lena knew Kara was nervous, but she also knew Loraine had to get back to living her life. 

“But, Lee…” Kara looked apologetically before whispering, “the DEO is no place for a sick kid.” Lena’s eyes went wide. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. At seeing Lena’s reaction, Kara quickly explained, still in a whispered tone. “Look it was one thing a year ago when we thought she’d develop powers and end up working with the DEO, but now…” Kara left the sentence hanging.

“Now what?” Lena raised a warning eyebrow at Kara, “Now, she’s just some sick kid?” Lena dropped Kara’s hands and walked away to their bedroom. Lena rarely walked away from a challenge, but at hearing Kara’s words she felt heartbroken, not for herself, but for Loraine. Lena would never forget the day she found Loraine on the bathroom floor. Originally she thought the teen had fainted. She kept Loraine home concerned that she may be coming down with the flu or some other illness, but then two days later when Loraine had a seizure and they knew something bigger was going on.

Loraine had been going to the DEO since she was a kid. Everyone there knew her and joked that she was a mini-super in training. That's what was so heartbreaking for Loraine and everyone around her. They all expected her to be invincible and protect the city, not to end up being a sick kid with a seizure disorder. Lena didn’t want anyone, especially Kara, tearing Loraine down or telling her she couldn’t do something because of her disorder. 

“Lee, can we talk?” Kara came into the bedroom looking apologetic. Lena looked up at her wife and waited.

“I’m sorry.” Kara took a deep breath and looked into her wife’s bright green eyes. “I know I haven't been great about all of this. I’m just scared. If Loraine comes to the DEO and there's an emergency again and I’m not around… she’d be all alone. I don’t want her to go through this alone.” Lena’s anger broke at seeing Kara’s watery blue eyes. 

“First off, you’re right to be scared. I am too. But we have to let her live her life. We can't keep her in a protective bubble even if she is sick.” Lena whipped at the tear trickling down Kara’s face. “And second, the DEO is probably safer than letting her walk to the park. I mean at least they have a full medical staff on hand.” Kara let out a small laugh.

“Now I might have to ban her from the park.” Kara joked. The couple continued to talk about their concerns and reservations, ultimately agreeing that Loraine was in a good place healthwise and needed her freedom back.

[danversxluthor]

Glasses (Pt. 1)

-------------------------------------

Part one of a possibly three part story. Kara finally decides to take the plunge and plans to tell Lori and El about her secret identity. Lena is fully supportive but worries about how the girls will handle the news. As Kara continues to delay the news, Lori comes to some troubling, yet wrong, assumptions about her parents. 

------------------------------------

Kara and Lena had avoided having this discussion with their girls for as long as possible. Originally, they had planned to sit Lori down when she was in middle school and have the talk, but that was pushed back once they realized Lori didn’t know how to keep a secret from El. Then, they decided to have the talk with Lori and El all at once, the old two birds with one stone rationale. But, then life got in the way. Lena was launching a new branch of L-Corp directed at humanitarian efforts, while Kara was busy with Supergirl duties in both National City and Metropolis ever since Clark and Lois moved off planet. Not to mention both Lori and El were busy being high schoolers. Lori was popular and well-liked by her school mates; so much so that her social calendar rivaled Lena’s work calendar at times. And, El, well, to everyone but Lena’s surprise, El was thriving in high school. Sure, she wasn’t like Lori with a million friends, but she found extracurriculars she enjoyed like chess club and mathletes. 

“We have to tell them.” Kara blurted out as she and Lena laid in bed. Lena knew something had been bothering her wife the past few days and clearly Kara was ready to spill. Lena carefully marked her page, set her book down, took her glasses off and shifted to give Kara her full attention.

“What's going on Kar? You’ve been tense the past few days. Talk to me, babe.” Lena placed her hand on Kara’s thigh, rubbing gentle soothing circles as she patiently waited for Kara to respond. 

“They’re both in high school now! And I mean, gosh, Lori’s already 16--she can drive Lee. And soon she’ll go off to college, and El, I mean she’s already becoming so independent, and--” Kara was rambling, a clear sign of worry.

“Kara, love.” Lena cut off. “Just breathe.” Lena took a deep breath encouraging her wife to do the same. Kara took a few seconds before continuing.

“We need to tell the girls who I am.” Kara finally said. “That… that I’m Supergirl.” Lena had been waiting for Kara to bring this up again. Even though she was extremely hurt when Kara finally told her about being Supergirl, Lena also respected that Supergirl was Kara’s secret to share. She never wanted to pressure Kara, even though she was concerned about how the girls might take the news. 

“I can’t have them live their entire lives without knowing me. They need to know who their parents are, Lee.” Kara looked at her wife with determination and apprehension. Lena could tell Kara had been holding onto some guilt about this.

“Kara, I love you and our girls love you. And you’re right, they deserve to know you and about where they come from.” Lena places a chaste kiss on her wife’s cheek, eliciting a small smile from the hero. “This is your choice, however you want to do this, I will stand by you.” 

--------------------------

“Lori! Come on, get a move on!” Kara yelled up the stairs. El cringed at the sound as she stood in the driveway. Despite having her noise cancelling headphones on, the sound still got through and rang in El’s head. 

Lena was just finishing packing up the car for their weekend trip to the beach house, when she saw El adjusting her headphones. 

“Ok, there Ellie?” Lena wanted everything to go smoothly today. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much she or Roa could do about Lori not being a morning person, especially on a Saturday. El gave a timid nod before clamping her hands on her headphones once more to the sound of a slamming door.

Out walked Kara carrying Lori fireman style over her shoulder. To Lori’s credit, she didn’t kick or scream or pout, she knew this was a losing battle and at least she could sleep in the car. 

El let go of her head phones and gave Lori a little wave good morning. Lori didn’t understand how El could manage to be so nice so early in the morning, especially with the noise. 

“Hey, weirdo.” Lori greeted El as Kara put her back on the ground. 

“Lori…” Kara warned. 

“Sorry…” Lori mumbled as she got settled in the back seat. 

The ride to the beach house was mostly uneventful. Lena drove well over the speed limit to Kara chagrin, but somehow never got pulled over. Lori slept most of the way, only waking when they stopped for breakfast. And, El kept her headphones on and sunglasses down as she looked out the window at the passing scenery.  

By the time they arrived at the beach house, Lori was finally awake and caffeinated enough to help Ellie unload and Kara and Lena opened the house up. Kara and Lena took the quiet moment away from the girls to relax on the back deck facing the ocean. They purchased the house back when Lena was pregnant with Lori and it always brought the couple back to the early years of their family, when life was far less complicated and their babies were still babies. 

The family enjoyed the rest of their day at the beach. Lori and Kara were able to go surfing while El and Lena stayed in the shallow water. Lena was still apprehensive about the ocean ever since her mother died. Even though El liked that her mom stayed with her in the shallow water where El could keep her headphones on she also looked longingly out at her sister as she rode a wave. It was amazing to El, how something as loud and vicious as the ocean could make a person seem like they were flying on air. 

“You know you can go out there with them if you want. I’m sure Jeje would love to teach you how to surf.” Lena pointed to Lori who just caught a wave. 

El shook her head and nervously pushed her sunglasses up her nose. The nervous fidgeting reminded Lena so much of Kara. As El had gotten older, Lena started noticing more and more of Kara in her. Sure, El had Lena’s black hair, emerald eyes, and intelligence but personality wise, she was all Kara. Lena marveled at how El, despite her challenges, could be so kind and empathetic to a world that often wasn’t kind to her. 

Lena put her arm around El, who only tensed for a moment before allowing her mom to pull her to her side. The pair watched as Kara and Lori laughed and splashed one another. It was a nice break from their usual yelling. 

That night Kara decided to build a fire in the firepit on the deck. It had been a good day, beyond what she could have dreamed, and now she just hoped the news wouldn’t ruin it all. Lena could tell Kara’s tension was building and decided to take the time while Lori and Ellie were finishing the dishes to check on her wife. 

“Hey, love.” Lena wrapped her arms around Kara’s waist from behind and rested her head on her wife’s shoulder. 

“It's been a good day.” Kara took a deep breath. “I love you babe.” The couple would’ve stayed like that longer, but their kids were promised s’mores and the fire was picking up. 

After everyone had had their fill of gooey chocolaty goodness, they all settled in. After a long lapse, Lori finally broke the silence.

“So, this has been fun and all, but why are we here?” Lori asked genuinely looking between Lena and Kara. 

“Well…” Kara started, she had played over and over again in her head exactly what she wanted to say but now it all felt wrong.

“Oh my god, are you and mom getting divorced?” Lori asked with panic in her voice. 

“Well…” Kara’s brain was still trying to figure out how to address the entire reason for the trip. Luckily Lena quickly jumped in.

“No darling, we’re not getting divorced.” Lena gives Kara a very annoyed side eye, signaling for her to pull herself together. “Your Jeje just has something she’d like to tell you.” Lena looked to Kara who took a deep breath.

“And, I think it’ll have to wait for tomorrow.” Kara nodded toward where El was sound asleep on the chair wrapped up like a little burrito with her headphones and sunglasses still on.

[danversxluthor]

Shoes

------------------------

One shot of a morning in the Danvers-Luthor household with Kara, Lena, Lori and El. El gets overwhelmed easily when her routine is disrupted but Lena is always prepared for the inevitable meltdowns.

-------------------------

The day started as any usual Monday morning in the Danvers-Luthor household. Lena was in the kitchen sipping at her second cup of coffee while reading through the materials for her first meeting of the day. Kara had just finished getting dressed and was making her way down the hall to check to make sure the kids were up and moving. Kara wasn’t surprised to find El already up, dressed, and bed made. 

“Ready to go little one.” Kara brushed her hand lightly through El’s long dark hair. El only flinched slightly at the contact but nodded her approval. The young girl gave her Jeje an apologetic smile before putting her noise cancelling headphones on and heading downstairs for breakfast. Even though Kara was used to El’s reaction to physical contact, it always hurt a little not to be able to hug and comfort her youngest child as she did Lori. 

Now for the most difficult part of the morning. Lori’s door was still shut and lights out. Kara already knew her 16 year old was still dead asleep. 

Knock knock. Kara pulled Lori’s door open and turns the lights on. Still no movement. She walks over to her daughter’s bed and sits down gently rubbing Lori’s back. 

“Come on Lor, it's time to get up bub.” Lori huffs and flips her blond hair to the side, dropping her head back to the pillow. It always made Kara laugh, how Lori had all of Lena’s stubborn attitude and then some. Lori was coming into her own more and more, especially now that she had the extra freedom of a driver's license. 

“Seriously though, get up bub.... Lori, you’re going to be late!” Kara tried. 

“Go away…” came a mumble for the sheets. Kara got up and walked toward the door; she learned there was only so much pushing would do when it came to Lori. But, she still had one card up her sleeve that always worked.

“Fine, but I dont think mom will be too happy if you’re late to school again. Oh wait, didn’t she say something about taking the car away?” Kara left and immediately heard Lori get up and start moving.

--------------

Lena’s head popped up from her papers when she heard the soft footsteps coming down the stairs. El gave Lena a small smile.

“Good morning Ellie.” Even with her headphones, El could understand. The doctors hypothesized that she was a master at lip reading. The teen gave her mom another small smile in return and started making herself a bowl of oatmeal. They learned early on that El didnt like crunchy foods--no toast, no cereal, nothing overly textured.

“Not gonna brag, but I got Lori up in under 5 minutes this time.” Kara announced with a self satisfied grin as she made her way to her wife. 

“And I should be impressed because?” Lena cocked an eyebrow, clearly not seeing the significance. 

“Because, it usually takes 8 minutes and some yelling!”  

“I do appreciate the absence of yelling, so I’ll give you that.” Lena leans over and gives her wife a congratulatory kiss.

“El, no headphones at the table.” Lena reminds her youngest who just sat down opposite her. El was so attached to her headphones ever since Lena had gotten them for her to help with El’s sound sensitivity. But now that El was in highschool, which was far less accommodating than her previous school, Lena and Kara made the decision to start mainstreaming El’s behavior as well. Even though El had her challenges, she was brilliant beyond comparison. El gave Lena a pleading look, without effect, before turning to Kara with her big puppy dog emerald eyes.

“Hey don’t look at me like that.” Kara jokingly scolded. “You know the rules little one.” 

El reluctantly takes her headphones off and Lena places them on the kitchen island. 

“They’ll be here when you get out of school El.” Lena reminds her daughter. El just nodded and returned to her breakfast.

“Lori, glad you could join us, love.” Lena greets her oldest who looks barely put together, blond hair left in a messy bun with her school bag thrown over her shoulder.

“Morning to you too mommy dearest.” Lori returns with sarcasm. Unlike her little sister, Lori is not a morning person. 

“Lori…” Kara warns with her stern mom voice. 

“Ugh, I know, sorry. It's too early. Need coffee.” Lori pours herself a large to go mug of black coffee before adding several large spoonfuls of sugar. 

“Almost ready Ellie?” Lori asks her little sister, who nods in return and places her bowl in the kitchen sink. “Good because we’re gonna get the good parking space today, so get your shoes on so we can book it out of here.” El makes her way to the coat closet for shoes.

“By book it out of here you better mean drive the speed limit and observe all the rules of the road young lady.” Kara warns. Lori just rolls her eyes and heads out to her car.

A few minutes later and Lori is back inside looking irritated.

“Where the heck is El!?” Lori practically yells. “We’re going to be late!”

“Lori, noise level please.” Lena warns. 

“Let me go see what’s going on. I’ll write you a note if you're late, ok?” Kara offered.

-------------

Kara walks over to the coat closet and is surprised to see what looks like a war zone of shoes thrown about the entire hallway and flustered El on the floor looking at shoe after shoe. 

“Ellie, sweetie, what's going on?” Kara asks gently on the floor next to El. El flinches at Kara’s words but looks up at her Jeje with red rimmed eyes and pulls out her pocket notebook and pen.

Shoes? El passes the note to Kara. 

“Oh, little one, we had to throw those out the other day. Remember they had holes in them?” El always wore the same shoes. A black pair of newbalance with white laces. El looked defeated and leaned up against the wall pulling her legs into her chest and proceeding to cry into her knees. Kara felt absolutely helpless in moments like these and she and Lena had plenty of moments with El like this. 

“Kar--” Lena cut herself off when she saw El crying on the floor with shoes strewn about. “Hey what's going?” Lena kneeled in front of El, whose black hair was covering her face entirely now. 

“It's about the shoes.” Kara whispered. Lena nodded knowingly and seemingly unsurprised. “I’ll tell Lori to head to school.” Kara got up and made her way back to Lori.

Lena got up and reached in the far back of the closet shelf and pulled out a shoe box. 

“Ellie?” Lena waited patiently as she knelt down to El once more. “El” Lena gently placed a finger under El’s chin and brought the young girl’s now red tear stained face up to meet her own. “I know you liked your shoes but they had holes. But, I got you these.” Lena pulled out a brand new pair of the same newbalance shoes. 

El was not happy with the new shoes and pulled out her pad of paper and wrote once more. 

Want MY shoes.

“Ellie your old shoes are gone and I know you’re upset but you have the same brand new shoes right here.” Lena tried to pass the shoes to El again. 

“El, I’m going to put them on you now ok?” El just stared at the ground as Lena pulled the shoes on El one at a time and tied them with double knots just the way El liked it. 

“Come on Ellie, let's give them a spin, see how they feel, huh? Lena offered her hand to El who still had a tear stained face but had calmed significantly. 

El took Lena’s hand and was pulled to her feet. Instead of testing the shoes, El immediately wrapped her arms around Lena in a big hug. El wasn't one for physical contact often but every once and awhile, especially after something overwhelming occurred, she just wanted to be held by her moms. Lena wrapped her arms tightly around El, pulling her daughter into her chest. 

This was how Kara found the pair. Even though her daughters could be difficult at times, these were the moments she lived for. Lena looked over El’s head to see her wife looking on and decided it was time to break the hug, even though she'd prefer it to go on forever. 

“Ok, Ellie, let's show Jeje your new shoes, huh?” El pulled back and inspected her feet, then took a few tentative steps before walking the rest of the way to Kara. 

“Look just like the old ones, minus the holes.” Kara said brightly and El shrugged. “Now let's get you to school.”