Seventeen Down

Deanlu

Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. I am writing weird shorts because I have been having trouble writing lately. Not to mention I am in stay at home once more for Covid19. Please leave comments. I could really use them right now.

DEO: "Supergirl, you are needed at the DEO. Weekly meeting. Please report within the next thirty minutes."

The text message said that was sent to her. She rolled her eyes as she finished the last bit of editing for her story. She moved the pictures around and sent it online making it active. The different poll questions which were embedded throughout her story would give the reader an active live element so the readers stayed longer on the website and perhaps they would click on some of the ads. A chat box popped up four or five minutes after the story went live from Ms. Rojas, her boss.

Ms. Rojas: Well done Ms. Danvers I love the interactive poll.

Danvers: Thank you.

Ms. Rojas: Please check over Jacobs work by the end of the day. He's not doing

well.

Danvers: I will. I have a contact to talk to in fifteen minutes. I'll check it when I return this afternoon.

Ms. Rojas: Thank you. Talk to you later this afternoon.

"I'll be back this afternoon after two Nia. Make sure you have that article on the Twenty Spring Fashion trends done. Make sure you send it by Natalie's desk and after she approves, upload it." Kara directed as she grabbed her purse and keys. Nia nodded as Kara pointed at one of the pictures to go with the article. "Have the art director look at that. The yellow is too bold. It needs to be softened."

"I had thought so too. I just wasn't sure." Nia made a notation and sent the picture over to the art department to be changed with a timestamp. "You are off to the meeting at the DEO?" Nia turned around in her chair as Kara nodded.

"Have faith in your what you think needs to be changed. You are smart. Give yourself some credit Nia." Kara said as she squeezed her friend's shoulder."Yep, I'm sure it will be another boring afternoon of listening and being talked down to by both Luthor's. But I have to be there."

"I'm sorry Kara. I wish there was something I could do to at least help with Lena."

"It is what it is. Talk with you in a little bit." Kara commented as she turned and left. Andrea Rojas had watched as Kara had given direction to Nia. She was proud of the reporter. She knew Kara didn't like the click bait type reporting, but after several months they had arrived at a happy compromise. Kara had shown she knew more about publishing than even William did. So Andrea had come to rely on her for major decisions. They bumped heads often, but both the physical and online copy of CATCO magazine were flourishing. Kara's advice three months after the Tribune started to tank on who should be brought in as main editor and department editors had helped save the paper. In fact, Andrea had fired two sales representatives based not only on their sales, but also Ms. Danvers recommendations for replacements. While Tribune wasn't doing great yet, it had finally turned a profit for the first month. She just wished she understood why Lena held such a grudge against the young woman. She shook her head and started reading the latest advances for Obsidian.

DEO Meeting…

"So, as you can see the New Genesis aliens are doing well and have yielded several advances to us to assist in the global climate change problem." One of the department scientists explained as Lex Luthor and Lena made some notations on their ipads. Alex, J'onn Jones, Braniac five, Susan Vasquez, multiple scientists, and a representative from Washington that Lex had been complaining about before they had started the meeting sat around the table. Kara did not have an ipad. She wasn't here to contribute beyond nodding and saying yes. That had been made clear to her the last few times she tried to contribute information four weeks ago. So she had her black book and pen in front of her. She was doing a crossword puzzle to keep herself amused. She had already mapped out six stories to write along with the in-depth story she was researching on leviathan. But no one needed to know about that yet..

"Alright, on to item seven on the agenda. Recently, Supergirl damaged a two block area of National City in her fight with a Braalian, named IDIS. Pam, how much did we have to pay out on this?" Lena sneered as she brought tthe item to the attention of the group. Kara got used to either Lex or Lena drawing attention to the damage her fights caused in these meetings. She had a new defense though. Pam from accounting looked over at Supergirl and began her report.

"Someone named Dark Petrichor paid for all the damage and the area is almost back to normal. Supergirl also has helped repair a great deal of the damage. Between Dark Petrichor and Supergirl the savings to LCORP/DEO is four hundred seventy five million dollars. Add this to a recent donation to the Supergirl Damage fund of two billion dollars. The fund is in a great state as is Supergirl's reputation in the community." Kara had been softly smirking as no one except her knew who Dark Petrichor was yet. They also didn't know who had donated the two billion dollars, but Kara did. She knew it perturbed Lex and Lena to no end.

'Hmmm, eight down. Fifty-fifty flip.' Kara kept minimal attention to what was being said as she worked the crossword puzzle. 'Yeah, coin toss.' Pam continued on as Supergirl paid only partial attention.

"So we are actually looking at a profit of over two billion dollars. Thank you Supergirl." Kara looked up and smiled nodding to Pam. Lex then asked a question.

"Are we any closer to discovering who this Dark Petrichor person is Pam? This isn't the first time they have donated to our Supergirl Damage fund." Lex inquired as he looked where Sueprgirl sat working on something. He knew she knew something about Dark Petrichor. He just hadn't been able to figure it out. He would though. He would not be outsmarted by a Super. Especially a girl Super.

'Hmmm sixteen across, region with many churches. Nine letters.' Supergirl wasn't even paying attention to Lex, though she had heard the question. 'Bible Belt.'

"No. We are trying to find out. But nothing we have done and searched has revealed who Dark Petrichor is. The only thing we know is they care about Supergirl and want to help with the damage from her fights." Lex and Lena gazed at Kara as Alex watched her sister across the table. But either Supergirl was oblivious or didn't care.

"Well as long as they keep sending us money, I'm happy." Lex joked as everyone chuckled around the table except Supergirl who was distracted. But then her two cents weren't asked for in the last five meetings. "Item eight, the new utility belts for DEO agents. Director Danvers." Lex confirmed looking toward the Director for more information.

"Yes, the utility belts arrived on Friday last week. We have distributed them and spent the last few days in training with them for the agents so they are familiar with each item on the belt including the kryptonite darts." Alex explained to the group gathered as she glanced at Supergirl. Supergirl didn't even flinch or look up. Everyone at the table looked toward her though waiting for an argument. Alex could tell Lena was ready for an altercation and Lex was smirking as he waited for the coming fight. It never happened. Kara continued to work on whatever was in the Leather bound book in front of her. So interestingly, the people in the room began to argue for her. Several scientists argued that the kryptonite was a betrayal to their key asset and agent. Other lead agents said they felt uncomfortable carrying the darks when they could only be used on the Supers who worked with them.

"Do you even have a cure in the utility belt for the kryptonite? Do you have something that will shield Supergirl in her suit?" Several agents and scientists argued. Kara sat and worked. She had given up on these arguments a long time ago. Lex and Lena had no desire to protect her. Lena felt that Supergirl overstated the danger. Plus she wanted her to feel her mortality. Lex, well Lex was the easiest on this. He didn't hide his loathing. He just wanted her dead. Kara could respect that. Lena. Kara shook her head.

'Twenty five across, many animated images...hmmm, four letters….GIFS. Yes!" Kara wrote in the word to her crossword. Suddenly, there was a loud growl from Supergirl's direction. Kara sighed as Pam and several others snickered. Kara pulled up her right hand and looked at the watch. There was a signal on it that blinked warning her she needed to eat even as the growling sound repeated. J'onn slid a wrapped protein bar across the conference table to the Super. The argument began anew about the kryptonite around the table. Kara shook her head as she grabbed the bar and held up her hand.

"Enough! I am sure that Lex, Lena, and the Director have safety measures in place and all will be fine. Lex and Lena have proven themselves repeatedly to be careful with whatever they do. Director Danvers has always trained her agents completely." Pam went to say something, but Kara cut her off. "It's good everyone. I believe item nine is more important. Lex has been concerned about this for months and we are no closer to finding it unless I am misinformed." Everyone looked shocked that she hadn't argued about the kryptonite darts including Lex and Lena. Alex shook her head while J'onn just smirked. Supergirl ate the super protein bar and Megan Sanchez, one of the scientists slid another over to her. Kara smiled at her and mouthed the words, 'Thank you.' The scientist nodded and turned her attention back to the discussion.

'Hmmm, twenty three down...most recent….starts with an L' Kara began writing out some words and then figured it out. 'Latest." She scrunched up her lips and brow as she wrote. One of the agents covered his mouth as he watched Supergirl stick out her tongue while she wrote into the book. She stopped working on the crossword when she noticed everyone was quiet. She looked up to see what was up. Lena was glaring at her while Alex and J'onn were snickering. Even Lex and Pam were snickering.

"What?" Kara asked as Lena spoke.

"I was wondering if you have anything to add on item nine." Lena inquired, trying to embarrass the Super.

"Well, I think that you haven't looked in the right area for the artifact." Lex looked up as surprised as Lena who's brow drew together in puzzlement. They had been searching where the map indicated the artifact would be buried. Their scientists, Lex, and Lena had spent months studying the language on the map only to conclude it was buried in Angola in Africa. They had narrowed it down to one of three areas and had spent millions searching for it so far.

"What are you suggesting Supergirl?" Lena growled as Lex placed a hand on her forearm and looked at her. Lena took a breath and looked up at the Super. Everyone turned to Sueprgirl now listening. Kara groaned out and reached down to the satchel on the floor. She set it on the table and reached inside. Kara pulled out a flashlight, a sticky elastic hand students played with, two apples that were golden in color, a swiss army knife, some play doh -purple color, and a weird looking key. Once all that was pulled she finally smiled when she found what she was looking for. There was interest, some giggling, and a great deal of curiosity around the table to the items Supergirl kept pulling out of the bag.

"Ah ha! I knew you were in here ya little bugger." Kara crowed as she pulled out a green box. Several of the agents hid their grins behind their hands as they shook their heads. They were used to the Supers antics, but they always came as a surprise when she did things like this. She got up from her place and walked to where Lex and Lena sat. Lex and Lena swung their chairs so they could look at her. Supergirl smiled as she sat the box in front of Lena and returned to her seat. Kara placed everything back in the bag except the purple play doh. She gazed at it for a minute, opened it, took out a small piece, ate it which caused several around the table to gag, and closed it. Once back in her bag she went back to her black notebook. Lena and Lex looked at her like she had lost her mind. Lena carefully opened the box to reveal a dark green emerald four inches in width and eight inches in length. Lex looked utterly flabbergasted. The Super had to know what it did. Yet she was handing it over without a worry.

"You found this?" Lena stated flatly as she looked at the emerald. What was Kara playing at? This was so dangerous to put in Lex's hands.

"Yep." Kara responded as she went back to her crossword. 'Twenty five down..Grand Hotel star Greta...oh, I love this film...Garbo. I really need to watch that movie again.' Kara thought as everyone looked back and forth between the Luthor and the Super.

"Where did you get it from?" Lena asked as she looked at the emerald. It was said to house the soul of a powerful sorceress. Kara looked up at Lex and Lena. She knew they couldn't use it even if they tried. The stone would only respond to her now after she had summoned the sorceress. The dark lady had been fun. Kara had explained that the Luthors were looking for the stone. The dark lady had said they wouldn't be able to use it anymore because she was not attached to Kara for the duration of the Super's life. So Kara was not worried about handing it over.

"Well, down in South America. It was kind of an accident because I was skinny dipping in a waterfall at the time. But yeah, there it was at the bottom of the waterfall area. It was mixed in with some rubies and diamonds at the bottom. And the nymph at the falls wasn't really happy about me grabbing it. She kind of tried to drown me. And like I told her that my friend needed it. But she was like ROWR and blah, blah, blah plot explanation...and whoosh...an attempted suffocation and drowning fight...some grimlows….ROWR… and bursting out of the water safe on the river bank…So yeah. Here it is." Kara looked up just as she figured out that everyone's mouths had dropped open except for Alex and J'onn who were laughing alongside Pam. Kara always found the drama.

"So you're telling me that after two years of searching for this artifact where Lex, the scientists, and I narrowed it down to Angola in Africa it was never in Africa." Lena yelled across the conference table literally seething at the Super. Kara looked down at her crossword wondering if she could figure out which succulent plant number fifty-four was before she looked up once more. Lena literally was clawing her fingers into the table in anger.

"So, like yes. But you have to remember that I wasn't looking for it. I had just remembered descriptions you all gave from the meetings. You also have to remember that languages are easier for me. So like, Jade." Kara pointed at one of the scientists that had been working on the project. "She had the map you all were looking at to help you on her monitor one day and I noticed that one of the symbols that you all interpreted as giving you Africa as the location actually was upside down and meant South America." Kara screwed up her face looking at the ceiling as she concentrated some more. "Hmmm, yep." Kara heard Lena swear under her breath.

"God damn it. Two years wasted." Lex leaned over at that point and whispered to Lena.

"We have the stone now. So we can enact part two of my plan. Just relax, she did us a favor." Lex leaned back even as J'onn spoke.

"Supergirl's ramblings are safe and sound once more. Alright, item ten on the agenda." J'onn directed them back even as those gathered gently laughed around the table. But Lena had a weird look on her face as the meeting continued. Kara drew a picture of Lena's face making sure to spend time on the eyes. She smiled at the drawing. Maybe she should do a larger drawing. Lena's birthday was soon. No, she probably wouldn't appreciate it. Kara went back to her crossword puzzle.

'Hmmmm,' Kara went back thinking about the puzzle. 'Forty-two across...dessert in a boat...Ba...oh, wait..banana split. Yes! I really need one. Rao, how much longer is this meeting going on…' Kara looked up to see her sister smirking at her. The meeting was winding down. 'Ohhh, seventeen down...noteworthy time period...starts with E...three letters...oh, ERA.'

"Alright, that's all. We will meet in two weeks once more. Let me know if there are issues with any of the projects you are working on. Have a great day people. Let's protect our city and planet." Lex finished off the briefing and left. People shuffled out including Alex and J'onn even as Kara sat at the table continuing to work on her crossword puzzle filling in words and just enjoying the quiet. She was the only one left as she reached into the bag and pulled a gold apple.

"You know giving her the emerald is kind of foolish." a dark woman appeared before the Super. Kara looked up to see her friend.

"Hesper, what are you doing here? You are meant to be guarding the tree." Supergirl looked at the beautiful woman.

"I felt the tug of the apple." Hesper said, glancing at what Kara held in her hand. Kara glanced at the apple and placed it back in the bag. "Not ready to use it yet." Kara shook her head even as she glanced out toward the central area for the DEO area. Lena looked to be arguing with J'onn and Alex and pointing toward where Kara was still in the conference room. "Or the other one?" Hesper looked down below into the control room where Lena stood and back at Kara. "You know Aegle and Erythia think that the reward of the two apples was too much. They believe you only have earned the right to one of the apples of immortality." Hesper thought it might be fun to play with the Super. Maybe she could persuade her to eat the apple now and return the other. Hesper's presence had not gone unnoticed by the DEO.

"Agent Danvers, someone is with Supergirl. They are not cleared to be here." Agent Vasquez stated as she listened to the conversation that was taking place in the conference room.

"Keep it quiet. No alerts." Alex said as the Director, Lena, and J'onn headed toward the conference room. Hopefully whoever it was would not be a danger. The question was how they got into the DEO. They had measures to prevent this type of entry. Hesper moved closer to Supergirl running her fingers along the conference table.

"You know there is a great deal to be said about living forever with a goddess as the goddesses champion." Hesper whispered as she closed the distance between her and the Super. "Or warrior." Hesper softly touched the Supers face leaving soft kisses on Kara's cheek. "Or lover." She kissed the Super softly on the lips sipping her like fine wine. Kara chased her lips missing the touch of love and warmth of another after all these months of anger between Lena and her. When she broke from the kiss, Kara wore a beautiful Greek warrior chiton of deep blue, with deep brown linothorax leathers over top. Her blood red cape was anchored to her shoulders with a sword strapped to Kara's side. Grieves and sandals replaced the boots while in her right hand she held a shield with her House of El Symbol. She cut a striking figure with her hair braided as her helmet appeared on the table. "All you need to do is eat the apple Supergirl. Then no one, not one in this world will ever be able to destroy you. You will exist by my side and my sisters for centuries to come. Until the sun goes dark and this earth passes." Herspers hand rose as one of the apples within Kara's bag appeared within Hespers hand. "One bite. One swallow. No more worries of death or injury." Hespers words serenaded and enticed Supergirl. Kara looked at the apple very much considering the offer before being spun away from Hesper.

"Mine." Kara heard a clear shout as she was grabbed by lithe, strong hands and swung around to connect with hot, sweet lips that claimed hers. She recognized the lavender perfume Lena wore as the CEO engulfed her body drawing her in deeply. The apple disappeared from Hespers hand returning to the satchel. Kara stepped forward pulling Lena in as the shield dropped to the floor and Kara's right hand wrapped around her love's waist. Lena attempted to break the kiss, but Kara would not release her even as she demanded entrance into the Luthor's mouth. Lena resisted at first, but then opened her mouth only to be fully dominated by the Super as she nipped, licked, and sucked the very essence of Lena. The kiss finally came to an end as Kara rested her forehead against Lena's forehead even as her mind tried to catch up.

"So you choose her still Kryptonian." Hesper said with quite a bit of sorrow in her voice and features. Kara looked into Lena's eyes seeing the verdant green she loved so much. The Kryptonian leaned forward causing Lena's eyes to flutter shut as she kissed the CEO's eyelids softly. Alex stood near with her weapon drawn and pointed at the goddess. She knew it would probably have done nothing, but it was subtle assurance to her.

"I will always choose Lena, Hesper. She is my Alpha and Omega." Kara declared as she looked at the Goddess. Hesper looked at the two. Supergirl's regular suit had returned to her, though she had struck a beautiful figure dressed as a warrior of Greece.

"Very well, but know this Supergirl...If Lena Luthor should reject you...turn on you...I will return for you with my sisters. We will take you and the world of man will know you no more and mourn that day as their downfall." Hesper announced as she glared at the Luthor. She turned to look J'onn and Alex in the eye. Then she faded into nothing. "I promise." Hespers whisper echoed in the room. Kara closed her eyes as she moved back to release the woman who held her heart only to have Lena turn to leave.

"Lena?" Kara protested as the Luthor went to leave. Lena hesitated as she looked back at Supergirl. She saw the love and longing she had sought after for so long.

"I need time Kara." Lena's voice trembled as she felt the lingering warmth of her love's lips. "I...need time. I'm still mad...but...please just give me time."

"I love you Lena. You have all the time in the world." Kara asserted as she watched Lena nod and leave. Alex and J'onn came forward as Kara's shoulders fell and her head dropped.

"You okay?" Alex asked as she pulled her sister into a hug. Once she stepped back J'onn pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly. Her world righted some and she felt more balanced than she had in a long time.

"Yeah. I wasn't expecting that." Kara said as she looked up to her family.

"You seem to be keeping company with Greek gods and goddesses lately. Is there something you need to tell us?" J'onn asked as Kara reached down and grabbed her satchel. She checked to make sure the two apples were still in the bag. Yep, nothing to worry about.

"I blame Wonder Woman and Sara Lance." Kara explained as they walked out of the conference room together. Kara looked to where Lena hurried from the DEO. The haunting feel of the woman's arms and lips still clinging to her. Lena had claimed her so there was nothing Kara could do now. She would remain Lena's until the day she died. She shook her head when Alex touched her forearm. "The last mission I went on with them was all sorts of Greek hell and pleasure." Kara chuckled even as she explained what had happened to J'onn and Alex. When they arrived behind Vasquez at the communication center they were all chuckling softly.

"Well, it's good to know. I'll add the Greek gods and goddesses to the database. By the way, did you have to eat the play doh in the meeting? Gross Kara." Alex grimaced as she saw the picture of her sister eating the play doh come to mind. Kara started laughing heartily.

"It wasn't play doh. It's purple fondet Alex. I just store it in rolled balls in the play doh container." Kara kept laughing as Susan smiled and shook her head. There was laughter all around as Kara glanced to where Lena had disappeared.

"So what are you going to do about the biweekly meetings at the DEO now that Lena kissed you?" Alex asked her as J'onn excused himself and left.

"What I do every meeting. Sit quietly, say nothing, and solve my crossword puzzles." Supergirl sighed as she looked at her sister. "Seventeen down, a measure of time, three letters."

"Era." Susan and Alex said at the same time. Kara nodded as she wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulder. They stood watching the monitors together for a few minutes before Supergirl excused herself. She had editing to do with Jacob's story back at CATCO. Inside she carried the warmth of Lena's lips and arms knowing that she would wait. Even if it took an Era to get back to each other. A measure of time always brought change.