Chapter 43

Everyone in the dining room looks up when Lena, Kara, Maggie, Alex, and Winn walk in. Any conversation stops and Lena pauses hesitantly from where she and Kara had been leading the group. Kara squeezes her hand comfortingly, but comes to a stop as well. It's silent until a man that Lena doesn't recognize speaks.

"I never thought I would see the day when Kara would be late to a meal." The man jokes.

The woman next to him gives him an amused look while Kara blushes.

"James! I'm only a minute and a half late!" Kara says.

Oh, so that's who that is. Lena puts his face along with the stories Kara has told her about him together in her mind.

"Usually you're five minutes early, Kiera." An older blonde woman drawls and Lena immediately recognizes her as Cat Grant, media mogul.

Lena fights the urge to look down at where Kara and her are still holding hands, not wanting to give it away in case Kara's not okay with everyone in the Kingdoms knowing that they're dating. Kara gives her a brief worried look, probably hearing how her heart rate increased.

"I didn't use super speed, that's why! I walked with everyone else." Kara explains, adjusting her glasses.

"You always use your superspeed, Kara. Especially when food is involved." Another woman says.

She has short brown hair, roughly the same length as Alex's. She's the one Lena suspects is dating James. Kara has mentioned her a few times... What did she say her name was? Oh, Lucy. Lucy Lane, the sister of the infamous Lois. She's Superman's sister-in-law.

And no, Kara didn't tell Lena that Clark Kent is Superman, but she's smart. Even if she weren't, her brother is Lex Luthor so of course she knows Superman's secret identity. Even if her girlfriend doesn't know that quite yet.

"She hasn't been able to hang out with her awesome sister for a while, that's why." Alex butts in before Lena can try to think of a good explanation.

Cat is just leaning on her elbows, squinting at the group still near the entrance with an intrigued expression. James and Lucy don't seem like they quite believe Alex's claim, but everyone else seems to have accepted it.

Kara tugs at Lena's hand gently so she doesn't alarm her, silently urging her to start moving again. When they do, all eyes are on Lena and it's only her years of training from the Luthor's that keeps her expression calm and keeps her body from betraying her nerves.

"And who are you?" Lucy asks.

Lena sits next to Kara's usual spot. Alex and Maggie sit on the other side of Kara while Winn sits next to Lena, which she's grateful for. She's not certain she would be able to stay as calm next to another person she doesn't know.

"I'm Lena Luthor, it's nice to meet you." She answers.

James' face darkens and Lena doesn't blame him at all. He's Superman's best friend, after all. Lucy nudges James and he cracks a forced grin.

"It's nice to meet you too. I'm James Olson, and this is Lucy Lane."

Lena nods politely and Kara squeezes her hand again. She relaxes slightly, knowing that despite her girlfriend's reassurances, her muscles will continue to be tense until this dinner is over.

Especially with the older black man that Lena's pretty sure is J'onn that has been watching her since she walked in. And he's a telepath, which worries Lena. She doesn't particularly have anything to hide except perhaps for some blueprints she keeps in her mind and some unsavory memories. He is Kara's space dad and Lena wants to make a good impression. But how can she do that with a telepath without revealing how nervous she is. Gods, he can probably hear her thoughts now... Lena pulls herself away from that train of thought.

"Welcome, Lena Luthor." Jeremiah greets. "I hope you had a good trip. We can discuss everything tomorrow. For now, lets all just relax and eat."

Kara's face brightens and Lena has to work very hard to keep the smitten expression off of her face. She's not entirely sure that she's successful, judging by the eyebrow raise that Cat Grant gives her.

Kara wiggles in her seat next to Lena as food is brought out, leaning over and whispering excitedly in her girlfriend's ear. "Just wait until you try Lyra's cooking, she's a miracle worker."

Lena smiles at Kara's enthusiasm, noting James' still-wary expression as he sizes her up, and Cat's unsettling smile, looking satisfied like she just figured some difficult puzzle out. She gives Lena a knowing look, glancing between her and Kara and she pretends not to notice.

Talking starts again, stilted in a way that Lena's used to seeing. The discussion mainly centers around Kara and her return. They ask how it was for her, what adventures she had, how many people she had kissed on her journey (courtesy of a winking Lucy).

It's all calm and nice until James speaks up for the first time. He's been silent throughout the exchange, watching Lena with an intense gaze that has actually succeeded in making her uncomfortable. Which is rather difficult to do.

"So what's going on between you and Kara, Luthor?" He spits out her last name like it's venom. Lena prides herself in the fact she only flinches slightly, having gotten used to it.

Lena looks over at Kara for her permission. Kara nods her consent and Lena opens her mouth to respond, but Cat Grant beats her to it.

"They're obviously dating." She says, leaning regally back in her chair.

Lucy throws her fist in the air. "Called it!"

Meanwhile, James looks shell-shocked and J'onn looks... amused? Lena can't tell, he has one of those faces where unless it's obvious, it's hard to tell what he's feeling.

"Kara..." James says finally, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the polished mahogany table. "Lex... He destroyed Cl-Kal."

Kara adjusts her glasses more forcefully than usual, pursing her lips angrily. Lena squeezes her hand and it calms her slightly but she still leans forward to talk to James in a low, dangerous tone that Lena would find sexy if she weren't in such a nerve-wracking situation.

"James. I'm not Kal, just like Lena isn't Lex. We're completely separate people. We aren't defined by our families. Alright? Lena-Lena's good. I would like you to respect my decisions and my relationship with her."

"I do, Kara. You know I do." James says, frowning. "But how do you know she won't turn on you? How do you know she's good? How do you know her family hasn't corrupted her? Kara, you can't read minds, you can't know for sure. I'm just trying to protect you."

"I don't need you to protect me. I need you to support me."

Deciding to forgo any attempt of hiding their relationship now that it's out there, Lena wraps an arm around Kara's shoulders and draws her close. Kara snuggles against her side and Lena ignores the surprised expressions from everyone else as she begins murmuring comforting words.

J'onn clears his throat, directing all attention to him instead of the almost uncharacteristic public display of affection initiated by Lena.

"James, you may not be able to read minds, but I can. First of all, Miss Luthor." Shockingly to Lena, her last name is not said in disgust in reverence but rather in a respectful manner and Lena can't express how much she appreciates it. "I can assure you that I did not invade your mind without your consent. You just think rather loud sometimes, similar to Alex. I trust Lena, I trust her with Kara. There is a true bond there."

Lena blinks in surprise at his words. A true bond? What does that mean?

"James," J'onn says gently, like a kind father teaching his kid a new life lesson. "You are a good man, but you are letting hatred and mistrust cloud your judgement. Not unlike Lex Luthor did. I know you will need time to process all of this, and I recommend talking to Lucy or myself or your friends. Okay?"

James nods. "I understand."

"Thank you, J'onn." Kara whispers, but the smile that lights up J'onn's face tells Lena he heard it anyway. She speaks up louder, trying to ease any lingering tension. "Can we have dessert now, please?"

Everyone bursts into laughter and Lena looks at her girlfriend with an adoring, affectionate gaze. Soon enough dessert arrives and Lena has to choke back a moan. The chefs at the Luthor Kingdom are spectacular, but Lyra's, this is... Out of this world. Lena rolls her eyes at herself at the pun. And her stifled moan isn't quite as quiet as she had hoped, what with Kara blushing so hard her ears are red. Lena ignores the sound of Maggie snickering at Kara's flushed face and Alex's groans and grumbles.

Next chapter, Danvers and co. cuddles! And then if we get to it the discussion on Lena's mother and Cadmus... And no worries, there will be more Sanvers coming up! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!