Work Text:
Lean's been in Ireland for three weeks when the infamous call comes.
She left for her motherland right after getting Kara back from the Phantom Zone, because she was just too overwhelmed to stay in National City. It has been a year. Actually, scratch that, it had been a couple of very rough, intense years. So she figured she'd take a breather and find everything she can about her mom. She didn't expect to find out she's an actual, honest-to-god witch (wait, is that sacrilege? Never mind, she doesn't actually care), but that's not the craziest thing she's been put through in the past six months, so...
That's not to say she hasn't been in touch with her friend, the Super Friends, her family. She regularly messages Nia, exchanges ideas with Brainy, she even checks in with Alex. But it's with Kara that she keeps the most in touch. They seem to know where the other is at all times. Kara's taken to not making a sudden move without letting Lena know first. That is, if Lena doesn't check up on Kara first. Neither seems keen on letting the other out of their radar. Lena knows well why she is doing it; not only is she madly in love with Kara, but after losing her to such a tragic place for such a long time? You better bet Lena is not willing to miss a second of Kara's whereabouts. Lena's not sure if she'd survive if something like that were to ever happen again.
She's not so sure why Kara seems to be on the same page, though. For the way in which the Super Friend sometimes go to Lena to figure out where Kara is, it seems Kara is just as intent on keeping Lena in the loop and also checking on her, constantly. She's available to her, them 24/7, but she really needed this time to get away.
It's the fact that she's so accustomed to being in constant contact with them that she answers her phone at 1 am without checking the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Lena! How are you? How's Ireland?"
"Andrea?"
"What, don't tell me you have already forgotten all about me?" she teases, and Lena can perfectly picture her smirk across the ocean.
"How could I?" She teases back, out of habit.
"That's what I like to hear. So, are you doing well?"
"Yes. It's been... a revelation. But all is good. How about you? Can I help you with something?"
"Harsh. Can I be calling to check on you?" The incredulous silence that follows is enough to end the act. "Fine. I wanted to talk about our dear, Pulitzer winner journalist."
"Kara?" Now Lena's alert. "What about her?" She doesn't think Andrea will damage Kara, or Supergirl, in any way, of course. But It's still odd that she's calling Lena in the middle of her workday to talk about it.
"Oh, don't get defensive, I've kept my promise not to fire her or reprimand her, even though she did disappear right in the middle of one of National City's biggest crises. Ever. And came back empty-handed." Andrea makes a pointed pause here. And, truly, Lena can't fault her, so she doesn't comment. "However, it was Cat Grant's demand for me to ignore Kara's lack of work that got me, to be honest with you." Wait...
"What?"
"Oh, yes. When she complained about the gossipy direction the magazine was taking, she didn't even bother to email me directly. She had her minions do it. But apparently, one Kara Danvers can get you on the phone with the Queen of All Media. Who knew."
Lena's mind is reeling, but she knows she can't let Andrea know. So she tries to sound bored when she asks:
"I fail to see what you need me for, dear." And it's just because they know each other so well that Lena can sense the nervous energy in Andrea's next pause, which in turn makes Lena's heart race.
"I was just wondering, is it a thing for her? For Kara?"
"A thing?" Here, Andrea sighs dramatically, as if it's Lena being difficult.
"Does she have a thing for female CEOs?" When she's met with just silence, she insists: "Do I stand a chance with her, Lena?"
"You... Since when are you attracted to Kara?"
"Come on, are you kidding me?"
"You were at each other's throats not so long ago, Andi!"
"It's almost like you've never had sex with someone that gets on your nerves, love."
"Subtle."
"I'm just trying to be a good friend and ask you first, Lena. I'd like to see if she's interested, but I won't step on your toes." Lena bites down her knee-jerk denial of the implication that she and Kara were involved romantically. She's not sure why, but she probably has a perfectly rational explanation for it. However, she's falling short on reacting at all, which spurs Andrea on. "Unless you guys are trying again?"
"I... I'm not sure. Wait, did you just imply that Kara had a relationship with Cat?"
"Why else would Kara be so protective of Cat Grant's legacy? Why would the notoriously difficult Mrs. Grant personally interfere for Kara to not have any consequences for her lack of work ethic? I'm sure it can't be because she was an exceptional worker like her assistant, I mean, we've both been her boss, Lena. You know it can't be that."
"She was Cat's assistant for the longest time. Jess never stops talking about how legendary Kara is in that circle." Lena tries, weakly.
"Is that supposed to disprove my point?" And Lena sighs.
"I guess not."
"Listen, Lena, Kara is gorgeous and sweet, and surprisingly feisty. I'd really like to sink my teeth in that. But I honestly won't do it if it's something that will upset you. I know what you guys have is special, I won't mess that up."
"I honestly don't know, Andi." Lena says after a long pause. "I think I'd like to pursue it. But, I'm just a little overwhelmed right now. I'm..."
"Scared?" The fact that Andrea's voice is so soft is what breaks Lena.
"Yes."
"Oh, love. I don't think you have anything to be scared of. I'm pretty sure this girl would bend over backward for you." Lena's a little taken aback by this, even though she knows it to be true, instantly.
"Are you telling me this to make me realize something, or do you genuinely want to pursue a relationship with Kara?"
"Let's say a little bit of both. I would tap that, as the kids say, in an instant. But I also know you'd be reluctant after a fall-out, and she seems like the kind of girl who would die before even thinking about not respecting your boundaries. And, Lena, you left for Ireland. I'm pretty sure she got the message that you want time apart."
"I just don't know if a relationship would be wise after all we've been through."
"I understand that. I'm honestly not pushing you towards anything. I just wanted to know where I stand. Or, where you stand, so I can learn my place. If you're not sure, or not ready, then that's fine. Take the time you need. But if what's stopping you is the fear she won't feel the same? Then, honey, you're a genius, stop sabotaging yourself. Either way, I know she'll wait for as long as you need. Poor thing doesn't know how to keep William away."
Lena knows the last comment is not meant to push her buttons. But, oh how it does. She's frowning when the gentle knock on her window comes. She startles, of course, but instantly calms, only to have her heart racing wilder again at the sight of Kara, not Supergirl, floating just outside her room.
"Andi, I have to go. But... Thank you. I'm glad we were able to mend our friendship. I appreciate you."
"Oh! We'll, of course! I appreciate you too, love." And neither of them is going to acknowledge the way Andrea's voice cracks a little. Lena smiles and says her final goodbye, while crossing the distance and opening the window for Kara.
The alien enters in a stumbling rush. Looking apologetic and concerned. Eyes searching for potential danger, body close to Lena's, like a shield.
"I'm sorry. Sorry. I know you want your space, and your time to figure out everything you can about your mom. I'm not trying to disrespect that. But I texted you and you didn't answer. And I know you don't have to answer, but you always do. And before I remembered about the time zone difference, I was tuning into your heart. Big violation of privacy! So sorry! But I got worried, and then your heart was racing, and apparently you were not in danger. But you could have been! Better safe than sorry, right? So I had to come fast and make sure. Just in case... sorry."
"Kara." Lena is wearing her softest smile. She knows, because it's the one Kara always brings out. "Breathe, darling."
"Sorry." But she does as she's told and takes a deep breath. And now Lena full on laughs.
"Stop apologizing. You have no reason to."
"You're not in danger?"
"No, I'm not. But thank you for making my safety your priority."
"Always!" And there's that sunny smile that Lena has missed so, so much. "Uh... Should I, should I go? I should go, right? It's so late here! And you're fine, thank Rao!"
"Stay." It's so soft, Lena doubts Kara's heard her even with her enhanced hearing.
"Yeah? You, you want me to stay? Here?"
"Yes, darling. I'd like you to stay with me for a while. If you don't mind."
"I don't!... mind, I don't mind! Like, at all! I the opposite of mind! Uh..." Lena feels her cheeks hurting from smiling so hard. God, she's missed Kara's ramblings, too.
"Come on. I think we can order something for you to eat."
"Oh, that's great! I'm starving!"
"And... uh, maybe we could talk?"
"Talk?" She's frowning. The crinkle's there.
"No, don't worry. There's nothing wrong. I promise."
"Oh, ok! What did you want to talk about?"
"Us."
Kara smiles her megawatt smile. The one that can power a small city. And her eyes get so bright Lena'd be worried she accidentally triggered her heat vision, if she weren't feeling just as giddy and emotional. They order, and they (mostly Kara, though) eat, and they talk. Or at least the start the talk. They sort things out. They finally, finally, realize they both have feelings, romantic feelings, for each other, and they agree to keep talking, exploring and working on it. Kara wonders out loud if they are currently together or if they should wait, Lena teases her about William, but ultimately decides to make it official. Even if they do still need to work on the relationship, on themselves. Lena knows Kara needs to get back. She has to work tomorrow, and they don't want to keep pushing Andrea's buttons. Crush on Kara or not. However, Lena can't resist it, and when they're angling for a goodbye, it just slips from her mouth:
"Did you have a romance with Cat Grant?"
Kara get's so red, Lena would believe it if she was told the Kryptonian was about to combust. She splutters incomprehensibly for a couple of seconds and hastily flies away. Oh, well. It seems there's another item to add to the list of things they need to discuss and work on.