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"It's just one date. Come on, Lena, when was the last time you had a date?" Kara asks, pulling her best puppy look. Lena rolls her eyes playfully.
"Kara, I don't need to date. I'm a CEO with little to no free time, and nobody wants to jump on that train, especially with my baggage. Let's face it. I am a Luthor." Lena looks pensively off to the side. She can feel her heart-tugging. Maybe the next time she says it, it will feel less like poison in her mouth, but if the last 21 years as a Luthor have taught her anything, it is that the bitterness never truly goes away.
"Lena, you are not your family," Kara says, her face morphing into concern. "I will keep saying that until you believe me. I believe in you. Give me a chance. Let me set you up. You already know him. He knows you are a confident, strong woman, and he won't run from your last name because he already knows it."
"Kara, I refuse to date Winn. He is like a nerdy younger brother," Lena says, scowling.
"It's not Winn! Although I see your point there," Kara starts a tangent until Lena grabs Kara's arm.
"Kara, you know how I love when you ramble along aimlessly, darling, but can you please find your point,"
"It's James! You know James! Tall, confident, funny!" Kara's attempt at being a wingman elicits a laugh from Lena.
"Is he aware you are trying to play matchmaker?" Lena asks skeptically.
"It was his idea!" Kara's smile is intoxicating, and Lena can't resist making her happy.
"Okay, okay! One date, but I won't promise anything. Dating isn't my thing. I am better alone," Lena puts on her best smile to please Kara, but she knows it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
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As Lena sits on the floor of her walk-in closet, she regrets caving. What does she wear? Does she want to dress to kill like she usually would for a date? Her heart isn't in this one. Somewhere deep, very far deep inside, hidden within several boxes nestled within even more boxes, sits the reason. Kara. Sweet, caring Kara. She adds another box inside to be safe.
"She is my best friend. She is my best friend. She is my best friend," the phrase seems to be Lena's new mantra. "Now, what to wear."
The CEO tries on almost a dozen outfits before she realizes she needs a distraction from Kara and puts on one of her tighter black dresses that has a dipping V-neck that she knows accentuates her assets. If she doesn't get much from tonight, at least she can have a night that maybe washes away the longing for a person she can't have.
Lena pulls out her phone calling the second number on her favorites.
"What do you want?" The voice on the other line whines.
"Hello to you too, Sam. I wanted to get your opinion on my outfit, but it is clear you aren't available," Lena's tone clipped.
"Sorry, Lena, I am just kind of in the middle of something," Sam responds, and Lena swears she can hear someone else mumbling in the background.
"Oh, uh, that's fine. Don't worry about it. Enjoy whoever it is with you," Lena says, her face grimacing a little as she hangs up.
"Well, this will have to do," Lena says as she looks herself up and down in the mirror. She knows she is hot, but wearing the sexy CEO mask is exhausting. Lena wants to wear her NCU sweatshirt and snuggle up on the couch with Kara.
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"Lena, wow, you look incredible," James' eyes linger on the brunette's chest a little longer than considered acceptable on a first date, but Lena isn't one to complain tonight.
"You look very nice yourself, Mr. Olsen," Lena said, her voice taking on a seductive tone quickly. Her eyes take their time looking him up and down.
James clears his throat lightly, "I made a reservation for eight at Vertigo. We can take my car."
"Don't be silly. My driver is already downstairs waiting," Lena turns, shuts the door to her penthouse, and walks towards the elevator.
The drive to Vertigo is awkward at first. Neither of them was pretty sure of how to start up a conversation. Lena's knowledge of James is more limited than she realized. He works at CatCo and has his photographs in high-end galleries. Before Lex's madness, she had gone to one such gallery once upon a time, when she had time to spend the evening amongst high-end art. A piece of his is hanging on the wall at one of L-Corp's Metropolis labs.
"Careful, I am starting to see steam coming out of your ears," James jokes, tucking a stray hair behind Lena's ear.
"I was trying to find common ground we could talk about."
"And that causes your brain to short circuit? Don't you have like four degrees?" James asks with a smirk.
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"So, is Kara no longer off limits?" Lena startles out of a daze, unaware that Andrea has entered the office. Lena is two whiskeys in and was finally getting the blonde out of her head before Andrea rudely brought her up.
Jess rushes in with an apologetic look, and before she can even begin talking, Lena waves her off with a small smile.
"Not even a 'hi, hello, how are you," Lena deadpans. "And I never said she was off limits, Andrea. Kara can do whatever she pleases."
"How is CatCo treating you? now that you rule from the top?" Sam asks the new CEO.
"Oh, I've found a reporter I'd like to top," Andrea's lips turn up into a smirk. Lena's smile immediately drops.
"Reporter? Which reporter? You are the CEO; wouldn't it be irresponsible!" Lena thunders, causing some nearby patrons to pause their conversations and glance over.
The trio begins sipping their drinks until they are left alone with their conversation again.
"Lena, you are the CEO of L-Corp, and we still dated for a little bit," the CFO points out.
"That hardly counts. We have known each other long before L-Corp," Lena adds, frowning.
"So, is there a specific reporter that brings out this jealous side of you? Or have you gotten too high and mighty for your own good?" Andrea steals Lena's glass of whiskey and takes a long drink.
"My best friend is one of your reporters. Excuse me for caring about her well-being," Lena snaps, and Sam snorts, which causes her to start coughing on her drink immediately. Andrea tilts her head in question as Sam regains composure.
"Your best friend wouldn't happen to be a hot, tall blonde. Muscles hiding under some hideous sweaters," Andrea inquires, and Lena pales.
"Off limits. Off. Limits," Lena states with finality in her tone.
"Whatever you say, Lena, whatever you say," Andrea responds, locking eyes with a woman across the bar and giving a seductive wink. "Well, as fun as it is to have you bossing me around like we are in boarding school again. I see a hot piece of ass, and I will see you both later."
"Okay, maybe I did say 'off limits,'" Lena says with air quotes. "But I didn't mean it. You both are adults, do whatever you want, Andrea. It isn't as if you ever listened to me in the past." Lena rubs her temples, trying to push away the headache that is quickly setting in.
"Well, that answers all I needed to know. Maybe make your next drink water?" Andrea's eyes are trying to convey concern.
"Thanks, mom," Lena bites back half-heartedly. Andrea rolls her eyes and exits the office leaving Lena alone with her thoughts yet again.
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Andrea exits the elevator at Catco, hoping that a certain blonde hadn't already left for the evening. Kara hears the elevator ding down the hall and begins typing at a human pace in case someone notices.
Andrea struts into the office, "Kara, what are you still doing here?" Before Kara could answer, the CEO continued, "any employee that works this hard deserves a nice dinner. Why don't you join me?" Kara is stunned for a brief moment by the abrupt question.
"Well, uh. Uhm. I don't have any plans. I mean, this article isn't done, and Snapper would lose his mind if I didn't have it in before tomorrow's meeting... But I suppose everyone needs to eat. Food is an essential part of the day, and I certainly can't say no to a free meal," Kara rambles, and Andrea smiles.
"Well, then grab your things," Andrea states before turning on her heels and exiting the office. Kara pauses for a second before scrambling to grab her bag and other belongings. Andrea lingers by the elevator pressing the button as Kara is part way down the hallway towards her.
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"This is delicious," Kara practically moans, taking another large bite into her burger. The barbeque sauce drips out the corner of her mouth without her noticing. Andrea leans over, locking her eyes with Kara, and wipes the sauce with her finger. She brings her finger to her lips and sucks lightly.
Kara's eyes go wide at the seductive display as her brain starts malfunctioning, and she can't come up with a response or find any words. How can she speak over a dozen languages and be at a loss for words?
After a beat, Kara gently clears her throat, "How are you liking National City? I know you've been here before, but living here is different from just visiting."
"It is the right place for me at the moment. It is nice to be back in a city with friends and not alone in a den of wolves." Andrea says easily.
"Friends?" Kara quirks her head. Since Andrea took over, Kara can't remember anyone stopping by the office. With all the articles on L-Corp, Lena does stop by from time to time. Certainly, Lena would have said something to her about a new friend in town.
"Oh yes. I have an old friend from boarding school. A fellow CEO, you must know her, Lena Luthor. We go way back," Kara is once again at a loss for words. Andrea knows Lena. That is unexpected.
The waiter comes by with the check, and Andrea swoops in to grab it before Kara's brain catches up with what Andrea is doing.
"You can get it the next time," Andrea winks and turns to grab her things. The gears in Kara's head are still grinding as she sputters out an excuse so she can run off.
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"You know Ms. Rojas?" Kara asks while barging into Lena's office. The CEO's hand is already waving off the secretary, that trails angrily behind Kara.
"Jess, Kara is always welcome in my office. No need to try to stop the unstoppable force, but your effort is appreciated," Lena smirks at the Kryptonian as Jess grumbles while she closes the door.
"I do know, Andrea. We went to boarding school together. Did she say something to you?" Lena looks apprehensive as she finishes her question and fidgets with her fingers, taking a seat on the couch.
"Oh, we just had dinner together, and she mentioned her friends in town. I was just surprised to hear that you two knew each other." Kara tilts her head when Lena's heart stutters at the words dinner together.
"I told her off limits," Lena mutters to herself, but Kara catches the words anyway.
"Who is off limits?" Kara challenges, her eyes narrowing while Lena fidgets more under scrutiny.
"James and I... We don't work as a couple. He may have had some insight that I didn't want to hear, but in the end, he was right. I am in love with someone else," the CEO points her eyes at the floor, her voice getting fainter with each word. Kara settles on the couch next to Lena, inching closer.
"I didn't think you wanted someone else," Green eyes get lost in the depths of the blue in front of her.
"I've wanted you since I met you," Lena whispers, eyes looking down to the ground. The Kryptonian's fingers tilt Lena's chin so their eyes meet.
"Can I kiss you?" Kara's voice is nervous, but her eyes speak the words that her voice cannot. Lena throws her arms around Kara's neck and pulls her into a passionate kiss.
"I just want you, darling," Lena says as they rest their foreheads against each other, "Always."