Chapter Text
“Ponytail” Kara jerked to attention, “Lena Luthor will be in National City for her Presidency Campaign. You’re covering it.”
“What?”
“Did I stutter?”
Kara adjusted her glasses shaking her head. Snapper had never given her anything so high profile before, it was just a shock. “Great. Don’t screw it up.”
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“Sorry. Excuse me. I’m sorry.” Kara shuffled sideways through the row towards an empty seat in the middle. Clutching her purse to her side trying not to hit anyone in the face. Slipping into the seat, Kara dropped her purse between her feet rummaging for her notepad and pen.
Kara looked around the room as a man at the mic thanked everyone for attending and made Lena’s introduction. It was a small venue, a bit bigger than a school gymnasium, but not by much. There was press scattered throughout the room, but mostly it was women and young adults that filled the seats. A few held hand made signs of support, calling people to vote for Lena as president.
The clicking of heels on the stage brought Kara’s attention back to the stage. She was well versed on Lena’s platform, she had been paying attention to the poles, and the interviews, and generally staying informed, but she had never seen the woman in person. The cameras certainly didn’t do her justice.
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Lena crossed the stage, as she had done a hundred times before. Ignoring the flashes of cameras and the random shouting Lena smiled into the crowd, thanking everyone once again for coming. The floor was immediately opened to questions from the public. Not all were relevant or profound but Lena answered each one as they were the most important question. Finally at her time signal, she opened the floor to the press.
The first to jump up from her seat was a tall blonde. Hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing a yellow sundress, and thick rimmed glasses.
“Hi Ms. Luthor, Kara Danvers from CatCo magazine.” Lena gave a smile of support as the young woman stumbled over her question. She was not the typical image of the female reporter Lena saw on the campaign trail. She was the exact opposite. Most women of the press she saw took on the same serious hard looks as the men. Kara Danvers however, stood among the sea of black like a ray of sunshine.
A snicker brought Lena’s attention back. She could tell Kara was nervous but she had still asked a relevant and important question. How did she plan to support (financially or otherwise) her initiative to keep more young girls interested in STEM throughout their academics? As a woman that had built most of her career off a background in science, it was a cause dear to her heart. As she spoke she noticed the woman’s brows furrowing as she scribbled. Without realizing it Lena had started to move up on her toes, as if the motion would somehow let her see what was being written down so frantically.
As Lena made her way through the rest of the questions her eyes kept drifting to the reporter. Watching her as Kara watched other reporters ask their questions before scribbling down Lena’s answers. As the time slot came to an end, Lena gracefully made her exit, listening to her closer tell the audience that Ms. Luthor would be back on the floor in a minute to mingle and introduce herself. After a quick drink of water to prepare herself for the next hour of chatting Lena went back out to say more personal hello’s to those who came to show their support.
Immediately pulled in by a group of young women looking to get a photo, Lena looked away from Kara to smile at the camera. When she looked back at the chairs they were empty. Determined not to be bothered by the quick exit Lena continued making her rounds, nodding politely at suggestions offered, smiling for photos, and answering questions that didn’t have the opportunity to be heard when she was on stage. Catching a glimpse of yellow Lena turned mid photo.
“I’m sorry.” Lena smiled again for the camera before placing her hand on the person’s back. “If you’ll excuse me.” Lena departed before she heard groans of disappointment. Her eyes narrowing in on the reporter that was currently talking to a young man that had come out to hear her talk.
“Hello” Lena smiled at the young man before turning slightly to Kara. “Sorry, I interrupted… please continue.”
“No no Ms. Luthor, Eli here just finished answering my question on why he believes you have so many young people here today.” Kara smiled brightly as the young man took his cue to leave.
“I hope you won’t be using that as your code for LGBT” Lena’s lifted her eyebrow as she saw the realization flash across Kara’s face as she quickly took in the group again, suddenly seeing all the Pride paraphernalia she had missed before. “Apparently everyone here but you already knows my little secret.”
“I didn’t-“
“It’s ok, I came out of the closet long before I ever thought of running for president. But it would make a nice touch don’t you think? First lesbian president.”
“Yes it would!” Feeling like she poked enough fun at Kara, Lena decided to switch topics.“You didn’t seem impressed by my answers today Ms. Danvers.”
“I’m not sure if I was.” Lena was used to the doubt. She had been stuck with it ever since she was adopted and took on the Luthor name.
“Why is that exactly?”
“Your views. They are wonderful. But I feel that you are optimistic. That you will not be able to make them happen as easily as you think they will.”
“One thing I have learned Ms.Danvers-“
“Kara, please.”
“One thing I have learned, Kara” Lena smiled as the name rolled off her tongue. “Is that things rarely come easy.”
Crossing her arms Lena continued when she saw Kara’s eyes soften. “I just want to make a difference, you understand that?”
“Yeah…”
Lena finally broke eye contact as she saw Jess motioning off to the side. “I do have a question for you though Ms. Luthor-“
“Lena.”
“Lena.”
“Unfortunately Kara. I have to keep making rounds. But…how about I take you out to dinner?” Lena smirked, lightly biting down her bottom lip. “And you can ask me anything you want.” Lena signalled Jess to approach.
“Jess, can you give Kara my card? And write my personal number on it please.” Lena mouth twitched as she watched Kara’s lips fall open slightly in surprise. “I hope this isn’t the last time we talk.”
Kara took the card from Jess was she watched Lena walk away smiling to a couple she moved towards. “I hope not either.”