Chapter Text
It was a beautiful day in National City. The sun was shining down, it gave up a kind warmth that wasn’t too hot to bear. The waves crashed along the beach, the sound was calming. Laughter from children playing on the beach echoed, seemingly carried by the quiet winds.
Lena closed her eyes and took it all in. It wasn’t every day she was here in National City. It definitely had much better weather than Metropolis, so Lena intended to enjoy it while she was here.
Even her outfit expressed that. Rather than her usual office wear of suits or button-ups and pencil skirts, she had a pair of jeans and a simple green shirt on. Her hair was down instead of in a bun, which made her feel more relaxed. Even though Lena knew she was here for work reasons, she just had to get out the door and just take some time to herself before she’d be whisked away for more paperwork.
Lena paused on the sidewalk, faced the beach and just took in the scenery. She saw a cute family spending time together on the beach. Two little blonde girls squealing as they chased each other. They looked like twins and were probably no older than 3. Lena smiled, while most people wouldn’t think it, she had a soft spot for children. Sure, she didn’t really know how to handle the fact that they didn’t really seem to have any idea of what personal space meant, but after she got used to them it no longer became a big deal. She discovered that with one of her closest friend’s daughter Ruby. Sam had the girl a little while after college and had been raising her alone since. Ruby was now 1, and Lena felt very lucky to be her godmother.
There was also a young man, with dark hair who wore a plaid button-up underneath a simple grey cardigan. He had a very kind smile, Lena could quickly guess that he must be a wonderful father. She had never seen her own father with a smile like that. While he was always nice to her, Lionel had also been distant. Only Lex made her feel welcome in the family. Lex… Lena sighed, of course, that’s where her head went. She shook her head and decided to ignore those thoughts. She didn’t want to let it ruin this calm moment.
Lena spotted a young woman playing with the little girls as well, clearly their mother. She had bright blonde curly hair which those girls obviously inherited. Though Lena couldn’t see her face. For some reason Lena wanted to, for some reason, she felt some sense of familiarity.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Lena immediately pulled her phone out of her purse and saw that her assistant Jess was calling. Guess the nice moment was ruined anyways. Lena reluctantly turned away from the beach to leave and answered the call.
*****
“Caught you!” Kara said as she picked up her little girl with ease, and spun her around.
“Mommy!” Cassie laughed. “Mommy put me down!” She said giggling. Kara gently put her daughter down, as she did she noticed a dark-haired woman who was standing on the sidewalk. Kara thought she looked familiar for a second, but as Kara tried to get a better look, the woman had turned away to take a call. Oddly, Kara felt a pull that made her want to follow that woman.
“Kara!”
Kara turned to see her sister with Kelly, Brainy, and Nia walking over. Kara smiled and was about to head over to say hi, but of course, was beat to the hugs by her little girls running over to the rest of the group.
“They sure are fast. Like you.”
Kara rolled her eyes. “Don’t push it, Winn.”
“Hey, I’m just saying,” Winn said with his hands raised in surrender.
Kara knew that she couldn’t put it off forever. The fact that the twins may one day have powers just like her. She kind of hoped that they wouldn’t show any at all. But she remembered what Alex said. “Half Kryptonian and half-human.” It was very likely they’d inherit at least some of her powers. So Kara instead hoped that their human genes would be enough to prolong it until Kara was ready to handle two superhuman girls.
“Hey, Kara you good?” Nia asked. Kara nodded in response.
Soon enough they all set up a picnic. Brainy and Winn were figuring out how to set up the barbeque, Alex was rolling her eyes at them. Kelly and Nia were chilling on the blanket chatting about books.
It was a lot of ups and downs the past few years, but out of it came this odd group that somehow became family. After moving to National City to be with her sister, she felt absolutely lost in the big city. There was a lot of struggle finding a job, she finally managed to hold one at Noonan’s which was still her favorite coffee shop. Some of the employees that she had worked with there still gave her discounts. Kara and Alex then met Kelly Olsen one day when they were having a check up at the doctors when she was pregnant. Then Kelly started to become a more frequent person in Kara and Alex’s life, and later on a very important part to Alex’s. Kara then had the girls. It was rough, Kara believed that the only reason she managed to get through it was having Alex, Kelly, and her adoptive mother, Eliza’s help. Soon enough Kara needed a bigger salary to support the twins. She became Cat Grant’s assistant and that’s how she met her best friend Winn. The person she could rely on when she was overwhelmed with work and the girls other than Alex. By some miracle, Cat Grant ended up promoting her to a reporter, and after a year she became a mentor to Nia who was new to the field. Winn made a friend Brainy, (Querl actually, but he was such a nerd that became his nickname). Brainy and Nia met only about a month ago, but Kara was already shipping them. All these people made her life feel less alone and weighted with the task of being a single mother. Of course, Kara wouldn’t have it any other way, but she was still young. She was grateful to have people by her side to guide her through it.
“Come on Lori, it’s not that cold.”
Kara turned to see Cassie with her feet dipped in the water. Lori was still on the shore. Lori shook her head. Cassie frowned.
“Cassie, sweetie it’s alright if Lori doesn’t want to go in the water.”
Cassie looked at her as if she wanted to protest. But then she just frowned instead. “Fine.”
Lori walked over to her, Kara picked her up.
“Look, Lori, that’s a seaplane. It’s going to land on the water,” Kara said and pointed to it. Lori saw it and watched, her face animated with awe. Kara smiled.
Kara then saw as her daughter’s face switched from amazement to pain. “M- mom- it’s-” Lori covered her ears.
“Lori? What’s happening, sweetie?”
Lori buried her head into Kara’s shoulders. “It- it’s too loud.”
“What is?”
“The plane.”
Kara froze. She looked at the plane. It was too far for the noise to be very loud. But Kara knew if she activated her superhearing it would be.
Lori started crying. “It hurts mommy.”
Kara held Lori tight and rocked her to calm her down. “Shh, shh, I know sweetie, I know. Just listen to my voice okay.” Kara started humming quietly.
She saw Alex who seemed to have been headed their way and looked at Kara with worry. Kara looked back at her with urgency and Alex ran over to them.
*****
3 years later…
Lena smiled as she watched a lot of kids bustle around the convention. Lena had given a talk at a S.T.E.M event where plenty of schools around National city came to in hopes of encouraging the children's interest in the field. She loved seeing the kids who were clearly interested in everything that was happening. It reminded Lena of her curiosity and eagerness to learn when she was younger.
Currently, Lena was just wandering around, seeing what else had been put out. There were some teens demonstrating to younger kids their robotics projects. There were some young adults who were showing kids how to make a volcano. There was a booth where someone was showing a few of them a snake.
Lena then noticed a group of kids chattering amongst themselves, they pointed toward something. She saw that they were pointing to two adults who seemed crowded around someone. So Lena walked over.
“Is everything okay?” She asked. The two adults turned to her, faces creased with worry. On the ground was a little blonde girl, she had her ears covered, eyes shut tight in pain.
“I- She’s-”
“Having a panic attack,” Lena finished and immediately kneeled in front of the girl.
“Hey,” Lena said softly to not scare the girl. “Take in deep breaths. Can you do that for me, darling?”
The girl nodded. But as she tried to, the girl’s breath was uneven.
“Can you look at me?”
She opened her eyes and looked at Lena. Her eyes were crystal blue. They reminded her of someone. But Lena pushed away the thought because right now wasn’t the time for that.
“Watch me okay. In and out. Follow me.” Lena herself took in the deep breaths which the little girl followed.
Eventually, the cloud of fear faded from the child’s eyes.
"That's good, you've got it," Lena softly told the girl.
“Lori!”
A girl sat next to Lena. She looked identical to the one before her, Lori.
“I- are you-”
“Cassie,” Lori said and hugged her sister. The other girl- Cassie hugged her back.
“I- I will call their mother,” one of the adults who was trying to help Lori earlier said.
Lena stood up. “They- they can stay with me in the meantime,” Lena offered. “It’s probably best if she doesn’t stay here, for whatever may have triggered the panic attack could still affect her. I can take them to the waiting area outside. It will be quieter there.”
The adult looked at the guest badge she wore. Then back to the group of kids that awaited her. She sighed and nodded.
“Cassie, Lori, Miss Luthor can wait with you two for your mother at the front. Don’t give her any trouble okay?”
Cassie nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Levan.” Cassie helped her sister up and looked to Lena.
The three went out to the front of the convention area. Cassie and Lori sat on the chairs. Lena got some water at the vending machine nearby and gave it to Lori.
“Thank you,” Lori said.
“You’re welcome,” Lena smiled kindly at her.
“Sorry for causing trouble,” Lori apologized.
“You don’t need to say sorry for that. It’s not something that’s easy to control. It happens,” Lena reassured Lori.
Lena heard a stomach grumble. She looked to see Cassie blushing. Lena gave her a few bucks. “Here, grab something from the vending machine.”
Cassie shyly took it. “Thank you.” She headed over to get a snack.
“I’m still sorry. I always worry mom and Cassie with them. I don’t like having to worry more people.”
Lena’s heart broke with that confession from the little girl. “They worry about you because they are your family. I think that just shows that they really love you.”
“But I can’t have them worry about me for the rest of my life.”
“Well, you have the rest of your life for them to learn that you can also take care of yourself. For now, let them. Plus, you can also learn how to calm yourself down from them too.”
Lori looked at her fully. “How do you know?”
“I knew someone who had them. I sometimes had them too. Overtime it happened less.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you teach me?”
Lena laughed softly. “I’m not a therapist dear, but surely your parents could find one that can help you with that.”
“Then what do you do?”
“I’m a CEO.”
Lori frowned.
“What’s a CEO?” Cassie asked, having arrived with her mouth stuffed with food. Cassie sat next to her sister.
“Someone who runs a company.”
“Woah, like a whole company?” Cassie said.
Lena smiled. “Yes, a whole company. The entirety of one of those tall buildings in the city.”
“What does your company do?” Lori asked.
“We make advancements in technology and science.”
“Science?” Lori looked at her with excitement. “Like you know about the periodic table and all the elements and that stuff?”
“Uh.. well yes I do know that. But we focus on more advanced stuff and applications of science than simply learning the periodic table.”
“Applications? So scientists don’t memorize the periodic table?”
“I- no, I don’t believe I even have it memorized.”
“Oh.”
“Lori knows it though, by heart,” Cassie stated having finished her bag of chips.
“You do?” Lena asked. “How old are you?”
“Six. Turning seven.”
“Wow. You know the entire periodic table at the age of seven?”
“Yep. It’s hydrogen, helium, lithium, ber…”
Lena watched in awe as the 6-year-old listed off the elements with ease. Her twin next to her casually listened to her sister as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
Lena immediately knew she’d want this girl to work at her company once she was old enough. Not just because she was smart, and will probably grow up to be smarter than Lena. But because of the way her eyes lit up when Lena mentioned science. The questions formed out of pure curiosity. Lori reminded Lena of herself.
*****
Sweat was clearly not helping Kara’s situation in trying to get to the convention her girls had gone to for a field trip as fast as she could. It made it so much harder to grip the steering wheel and all the while her brain was racing with worry about Lori. She knew this was a bad idea. A convention? What was Kara thinking? There’d be too many people, so many noises that could lead to a panic attack. Even just getting Lori adjusted to the school environment was a challenge and took time. Lori wouldn’t be used to the environment at the S.T.E.M convention, of course this would happen. But Kara also knew why she had let Lori go in the end. It was the non-stop chatter about it. The excitement in her eyes as the days drew closer to the event. How could Kara have said no? Lori loved science. It reminded Kara of her time on Krypton when she herself awaited the days till she would become part of the science guild. The times she had snuck into her father’s lab. She knew if she was back on Krypton with the girls, everyone would say how much Lori had inherited the house of El genes. In a way, Lori reminded Kara of home.
Kara tried to calm herself, she knew that Cassie was there with her so Lori would be alright. Cassie knew how to watch over her sister. She always showed a clear sense of protectiveness over Lori. Kara sometimes wondered if it was because Cassie was older, sure it was by a few minutes, but still. Alex had always protected her, and it seems that Cassie had taken up that role with Lori. Despite that, Kara still didn’t want to put too much on Cassie. It, of course, wasn’t something Alex hated, to watch over Kara. But there came a moment where it almost became Alex’s entire life since there was a lot to take care of with having a little alien sister. She didn’t want that to happen with Cassie.
Kara finally calmed down as she parked at the convention. She was told on the phone by their teacher that the girls were with one of the guest speakers at the front waiting for her. Kara went there as fast as she could without running.
She opened the door, she saw a receptionist at the front desk and chairs around the main area. Then her girls turned around to see her.
“Mom!” Cassie said and ran over to hug her.
Kara laughed. “Slow down there kiddo.” Kara picked Cassie up. Kara still took every opportunity she could to carry the girls before they got too big. Of course, she’d still be able to carry them, but it would get looks from people.
She started to walk over to Lori who was still seated in her chair.
“Kara…”
Kara froze. She knew that voice. She looked at the person seated next to her daughter.
Kara’s eyes widened as she saw Lena Luthor.
“Mom?” Lori asked, which shook Kara out of her state of shock.
Kara went to Lori and hugged her after she put Cassie down.
“Hi, Lena.”
“Hi. It's um, it’s been a while hasn’t it?”
“Sure has.”
“You know Miss Luthor?” Lori asked.
“I- yes, I do,” Kara told Lori.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you knew a scientist mom?” Lori asked.
“Well, I haven’t seen Lena in quite a long time. I didn’t know that she became a scientist. But that doesn’t surprise me.”
“And she’s a CEO, isn’t that cool mom? She runs a company,” Cassie said.
Kara looked at Lena. “L-Corp?”
Lena nodded and looked down fiddling with her skirt.
“That’s wonderful Lena. You deserve it.”
Lena’s eyes snapped up to her. “I- Thank you. No one’s ever said that to me.”
“Well, you do.”
Lena smiled at her for a split second, but Kara still caught it.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Kara immediately took her phone out of her bag.
Cat Grant.
Kara picked it up. “Kara where are you?!” Cat Grant screeched on the other side of the phone.
“Sorry, sorry Miss. Grant, I had to pick up my girls.”
Cat sighed. “Alright, but get back quickly. Articles don’t write themselves.”
“I know. Don’t worry I’ll get the article to you by the end of the day,” Kara said.
“You better.” Then Cat Grant ended the call.
“I’ve got to get back to work,” Kara said to Lena.
“You work for Cat Grant?” Lena asked.
“Yes.”
“That must be interesting. She’s a feisty person. Can’t imagine how she’d be as a boss.”
“Well after a few years you get used to it.”
“You write articles?”
“Yeah, I’m a reporter.”
“That sounds great Kara. I know you’ve always wanted to do something that helps people,” Lena said.
“Thanks, Lena. I always make sure I find the truth.”
“I know, that sounds just like you,” Lena said. “Well, I better let you go off to work. It was very lovely meeting your daughters. You know, I think I now know why they looked familiar. They really take after you.”
“Thanks, Lena. Girls, say thank you.”
“Thank you, Miss. Luthor,” Cassie and Lori said at the same time.
“Bye Lena,” Kara said and she started to leave with the girls who waved goodbye to Lena. Lena waved goodbye back.
As they left the door, Kara turned back to see Lena still watching them leave.
They finally got to the car. Cassie had buckled in already, and Kara was on Lori’s side of the car watching Lori do the same.
“How are you feeling Lori?”
“I’m better now mom. I’m sorry I had to worry you and you had to leave work because of me.”
“It’s alright sweetie,” Kara said and she kissed Lori’s forehead. “Was it the noise again?”
“Yeah. But Miss. Luthor knew how to calm me down. Like how you and Cassie do.”
The scream of the guitar. The pounding of drums. Bass vibrating through the floor. Lights were all the colours you could name and moved around the place in flashes. And the people. There were so many people it was hard to move. Especially on the dance floor. Everyone was dancing. There were a few people at the bar. But most people wanted to enjoy the song that seemed to blast at more than the speakers' max volume.
Kara wasn’t used to this. Being at a club. It was her first time in one. She had never been sure if it was a good idea because of her powers. She would be too close to people and the noise might be too much.
“Here you go Kara,” Lena said, or more like shouted over the loud music. Kara took the drink that Lena offered.
“Thank you!” She shouted back.
Of course, Kara couldn’t say no when Lena suggested they go clubbing once Lena found out Kara had never gone. Lena proceeded to tell her how good the drinks were. And that was how Kara ended up here. She knew Alex would absolutely kill her if she found out. There would be a never-ending talk about how dangerous it would be.
But Alex wasn’t here. She was in National City, while Kara was in university in Metropolis.
Kara also would never tell Alex about this after. Plus Alex would probably laugh at her for letting herself get dragged to go clubbing by a pretty girl.
Lena was her friend, but it wasn’t fair that she was so gorgeous that Kara couldn’t help but develop a tiny crush on her friend.
Both Lena and Kara got along pretty well after Kara accidentally bumped into Lena, and spilled coffee on her in the process. Lena was 3 years younger but apparently was a genius who skipped a few grades and now was in her first year of university with Kara. They also discovered that they both lived in the same dorm. So soon enough they started having lunches, dinners together and study sessions, even if they were both taking very different courses from each other.
“I don’t get how you possibly go clubbing with an insane schedule like yours,” Kara said as she sipped her drink.
Lena shrugged. “I haven’t gone since uni started, but the schedule is something I’m used to.”
“Used to taking 8 courses? Lena, we’ve been in University for like 4 months.”
“I went to boarding school which was basically like being in school all day every day.”
“Wow, I’m sorry that must’ve sucked.”
“It sure did. But I’m here now, so 8 courses isn’t much of a difference.”
“Still, it’s university courses.”
“Come on,” Lena said and grabbed Kara’s arm. Lena brought her to the dance floor.
“Did a full one-eighty, crazy, thinking ‘bout the way I was. Did the heartbreak change me? Maybe. But look where I ended up.” The song rang out from the speakers once the live band finished performing.
Lena started dancing and Kara couldn’t help but watch. Lena looked so free, the opposite from her usual tense self Kara was used to seeing. Lena then looked at her, with those piercing green eyes and smirked.
Lena grabbed Kara’s hands. “Dance Kara.” So Kara did.
“Aren’t you the guy who, tried to, hurt me with the word ''goodbye”? Though it took some time to survive you, I’m be-”
Then it happened. There was sudden feedback from the speakers. Lots of people covered their ears including Kara. After a few moments it stopped. But not what already started to happen. Kara’s hearing focused in and out. She could hear the pouring of drinks as if she was next to a waterfall. The chatter of conversations like people were shouting. The music was even louder, it felt like it was going to burst Kara’s skull. Kara needed to get out. But she was surrounded by people. So many people, she felt locked in. Like she couldn’t escape. Kara felt as if she was back in her pod. Trapped. Alone. Only the stars shone amongst the blackness of nowhere.
Kara’s breathing became uneven. Her eyes searching for an escape.
“Kara?”
Kara looked to Lena. She couldn’t focus on Lena for some reason. Everything became dizzying. She needed to get out. She started walking, no idea where she was going. Then Kara found a wall and sank down, it was slightly away from the dance floor. Not enough air and space, but better than earlier.
Kara was still panicking.
“Kara,” Lena said softly as she knelt before her. “Hey, deep breaths. Just breathe okay?”
Kara listened to Lena’s voice. But she was still having trouble to calm herself.
“Kara, can you look at me?”
Kara’s eyes looked at Lena, but all she saw were the flashing lights behind her, reminding Kara of the stars when she was in her pod. Kara shut her eyes closed and shook her head.
She felt a hand touch hers. It guided her hand in an unknown direction until Kara felt skin and fabric. Kara felt a beating heart.
“Breathe with me okay?” Lena said softly, her voice, which had a cute tint of an Irish accent seemed to somehow drown the blaring music and any other noise in the room.
Kara felt Lena’s chest move up and down as Lena took a deep breath. Lena did it again. Kara then started to focus on that. On following Lena’s breathing.
After a while, Kara opened her eyes, her breathing was back to normal.
“Let’s get out of here, what’d you say?” Lena said smiling at her sweetly.
Once both of them were outside, Kara instantly relaxed.
“Sorry I ruined the night,” Kara said.
“You don’t have to be sorry Kara.”
“But you were so excited to bring me clubbing, we didn’t even get to finish the drinks.”
“Kara. It’s fine. There are other ways to have fun. I wish I had known that you sometimes get panic attacks though, then we may have avoided that all together,” Lena said as the two of them started walking back to campus.
“Yeah. I probably should have told you. I haven’t gotten one in a while so I just thought maybe I wouldn’t get it this time. I guess not though. It- it just happens sometimes, when noises are too loud, and I can get- get claustrophobic too,” Kara explained.
“Probably why you’ve never been clubbing before I presume?”
Kara nodded.
“Well, I’ll make note of that then. No small spaces or places with too much noise.”
Kara smiled softly at Lena. It was very sweet that Lena immediately took into account the things that may trigger Kara. Kara had been afraid that Lena would instead find it weird and look for another clubbing friend.
“So, have you seen the Titanic?”
“She helped you?”
Lori nodded.
“That’s good,” Kara said. Memories had begun to resurface. Kara wasn’t sure what to do. She hadn’t seen Lena in practically 7 years. But it seemed that time hadn’t made her better from surviving their past as Kara had believed at first. Kara needed to take Lena out of her mind, it was something to worry about later. “What do you girls say about ice cream?”
“Yes!” They both exclaimed.