Collaboration at Imagination Station

by Ketsia

Summary:

Lena, unfortunately, has been pulled out of her lab after Lex is injured. At the insistence of Lilian, she’s taking on all of Lex’s projects. This includes overseeing Imagination Station in National City. Lena also isn't thrilled with the constant questioning by local reporter Kara Danvers…who also might be stalking her? Lena will figure that one out after she figures out why Lex is so interested in a children’s museum.

Notes:

Here's another short, silly story. Let's pray for Lena's sanity, y'all.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

1.

Lena Luthor to become Interim CEO of LuthorCorp

Clark Kent

 

Lena Luthor is set to takeover LuthorCorp after an incident involving her brother last week in Metropolis. The eldest Luthor was one of five victims in a car bomb explosion planted by a disgruntled ex-LuthorCorp employee. Mr. Luthor remains in recovery at St. John’s Hospital.

Ms. Luthor will take over all of LuthorCorp starting this Monday as the company’s Interim CEO. This includes the company’s most recent acquisition, Imagination Station. A controversial purchase that many have criticized. LuthorCorps’ ability to educate and its future influence on young minds has been called into question.

We are all curious if Ms. Luthor will be able to handle the revamp of Imagination Station, as well as other criticisms launched at the integrity of her family’s legacy in recent years.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Notes:

Edited, but there still may be some typos. Enjoy!

2.

“I’m bald, bored, and broken.”

Lena offers a half smile, a full eye roll, and a near chuckle at Lex’s words.

Her older brother, always so dramatic.

But, Lena must admit, Lex does look helpless in the hospital bed covered in wires. He almost looks paler than Lena and his frame seems softer, smaller in the navy gown he’s wearing. The beeps from Lex’s EKG nearly make Lena flinch; they come slow and steady.

“Hmm,” Lena hums back as she finally crosses the doorway into the room. She stands a few feet from Lex’s bed. “Nice corner room you have here. Lots of light.”

“Well, I’m a Luthor. Only the very best.” Lex smiles smugly as he nods towards the windows that go from ceiling to floor.

Lena quirks a brow, head cocked slightly. “A private chef though?”

Lex’s smile grows. “That was mother’s idea.”

She’s not surprised. Anything for Lillian’s precious boy.

“So, interim CEO, how are you feeling?”

“Kent at the Daily Planet seems to be calling into question my ability to lead.”

Lena can honestly say she was not feeling so happy about the subtle, but public call out.

Lex scoffs. His gray eyes seem to darken as he glares at the wall in front of him.

“Forget Kent. You’re a Luthor. It’ll be fine.”

“A Luthor, huh?”

“Yes, a Luthor.”

Lex’s eyes burned into her now. Lena, despite her lack of confidence, did not break his stare.

“He seems concerned about LuthorCorps’ acquisition of Imagination Station.”

Another scoff, a slight hand wave. Lena is annoyed.

“What about it?”

“A children’s museum? Really?”

Lena is missing something. She just doesn’t get it.

Again, Lex offers a smug smile.

“Use your imagination.”

***

48 hours later, Lena arrives in National City.

She hates leaving Jess and Sam behind, but she needs a few competent people to keep Metropolis intact.

But really, she hates this next part.

“Lena! What took you so long?”

Lillian. Somehow, she’s been roped into dinner with her mother. Unsurprisingly, at a traditional French restaurant. Lena will take pleasure in the wine and a desert.

“Hello mother,” Lena greets through gritted teeth. “It’s very lovely to see you too.”

She avoids mentioning that her flight just landed 2 hours ago and that Lillian picked a restuarant nearly the same amount of time away from the airport.

Lena takes her seat, starts glancing through the menu. Very aware that Lillian is staring as she does so.

“How was Lex?”

“He seemed well but bored.”

“And are you ready for tomorrow?”

Lena eyes a slice of gateau St-Honore with a glass of Rose Cabernet d’Anjou. She's going to need it.

“As ready as I can be.”

“What about the press? There will be lots of reporters to deal with.”

Lena places the menu in front her and signals for a waiter. When her order is placed (she takes a small amount of joy at Lillian’s dismay), Lena finally meets her mother’s gaze.

“It will be fine.”

Lillian nods.

“You’re a Luthor, of course it will be.”

Lena wonders if it pains Lillian to admit it. Oh well.

“Yes, of course.”

***

LuthorCorp’s media team prepped Lena, she’s a Luthor, but she definitely was not ready for Kara Danvers.

“Are you going to keep the Harbor theme at Imagination Station?”

The question came from the blonde, blue-eyed reporter in a rush. Her eyes were bright and she had a bounce in her step. A young reporter representing CatCo.

Lena blinks twice. She expected questions about Lex. About her takeover. Probably a bit about her personal life. Of course, Imagination Station. And this is about Imagination Station. But…not quite in the direction that Lena was expecting.

Of course, someone of Cat Grant’s would throw her off.

“The Harbor theme. Are you going to keep it?”

Lena produces her best Luthor smile. Warm, alluring but offering no true insight.

“We’ll see.”

The rest of the press conference goes as expected. Questions about her interim CEO position, inquiries about Lex, more on target Imagination Station questions, and a few attempts to pry into other LuthorCorp acquisitions and projects.

There’s only one question about her personal life.

“What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?”

Lena is not surprised that it comes from Kara Danvers.

The question still throws her. When was the last time she had ice cream?

Her eyes close involuntarily and her lips curl into a soft smile as she’s caught in a memory.

She answers, “Aran Donn”, before she can even stop herself.

Lena knows that her mother will complain about the wisp of an Irish accent that shines through, despite the years of trying to speech lesson it out of her.

When she opens her eyes, Lena sees Kara Danvers smiling brightly back at her.

She ends the press conference and makes a quick exit.

Lena’s return to the office an hour later is met with a cup of Murphy’s Aran Donn on her desk. She almost has a heart attack before her first official board meeting.

She kind of wishes she did when the meeting runs over, and the shareholders drive her crazy.

***

Lena Luthor Makes Her Depute as Interim CEO of LuthorCorp

Kara Danvers

 

Ms. Luthor, the newly minted Interim CEO of LuthorCorp, is not as boisterous or extroverted as her older brother Lex. She stepped to the podium with a quiet grace that silenced a crowd of clamoring reporters. She answered each question slowly and carefully, but with the clear confidence that only a Luthor could possess.

Lena Luthor has a smile that draws you in. Her vast knowledge about Engineering and Biomedical technology, keep you there with her.

She likes Aran Donn. She says the name with her eyes closed and an Irish lilt.

It’s caramelized Irish Brown Bread mixed into sweet and creamy vanilla ice cream. The brown bread adds texture. Leaves just a little hint of magic on the ice cream it touches.

I am certain Ms. Luthor is preparing to do the same.

 

 

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

3.

“I’m tired. I don’t know how you do this.”

Lena does not even care that this desperate confession is being admitted to a hospital bound Lex at 2am.

A week in National City has absolutely drained her.

“There, there little sister.” Lex replies with a soft chuckle. Lena can almost see his gray eyes sparkling with amusement; the way his lips would curve at the corners just a bit.

She hated it.

“Really. I just want to fly back to Metropolis, sleep for a day, and then bury myself deep in a lab.”

“Well, sometimes we must get out of our comfort zone a bit.”

Lex sounds a bit drained now himself. Lena almost feels bad for calling him so late. Almost.

“Why Imagination Station?” 

“Where are you at right now?”

Lena rolls her eyes at the abrupt subject change.

“Sitting on the floor of my makeshift office with my back against a desk. Miles of paperwork that’s starting to look mighty shreddable before me.”

And she isn’t lying. The ends of a stack of paper tickle her feet, her heels long abandoned, and either side of her is covered with similar piles. It’s endless projects, data, investments, acquisitions, on and on.

“Sounds about right.”

Lena hears something in Lex’s voice that she can’t quite catch. A little twinge of worry starts to build in the back of her mind.

“Are you okay there? That private chef still dishing out all of your favorites?”

“I had him make me a grilled cheese for lunch today.” His laughter comes out soft and slow. Lena’s eyes close and she smiles at the sound. “He looked so indignant.”

“He is a 5 star chef. I doubt his work has ever included grilled cheese.”

“I do too. Worst sandwich I ever had.”

***

Lena finally takes the plunge on her second Monday in National City.

L: I’m headed to 2674 Market Place at Noon

Frank (Daytime Driver): Ah, Imagination Station

L: The very one.

At 12, Frank is ready with the town car and few jokes. It does nothing to calm Lena’s nerves.

When Lena arrives, it’s nothing like anything she could have ever imagined. She’s seen the building’s blueprints and structure map, but stepping through the entrance and the start of the museum, is far beyond the 2D images on black and white pages.

The center of the great room is a no-shoe zone covered in a sea of blue carpet. There are foam pits, netted climbing structures, and slides of various sizes sprinkled throughout. Hovering near the area is the deck, forward, and bow of a blue and red ship. Lena can make out machinery of all kinds in the hollowed-out ship. Children clamoring to “steer” and loading colorful bricks onto moving belts. Other children running around with buckets to catch brink falling off belts and down chutes.

Imagination Station is chaotic mess of young kids, tired parents, and moving parts.

In one room, Lena sees tumbling babies and toddlers on sensory mats. In another there are children moving through a large pretend grocery store area with carts, highly realistic play food, and cash registers.

There’s an art room on the second floor where a sculpting class is going on. Paint being thrown on a splash pad.

A puppet theatre beside that.

Somewhere between the 2^nd and 3^rd floor, is an Egyptian Crypt to be explored.

The animation studio rests above the “sea floor” of foam and slides and gives a great view of the ship deck.

Lena is nearly in awe at the civil engineering room where bridges and other structures are being built and tested.

The downstairs chemistry labs provide her a view of slime making, landform designs, and candy making.

 The robotics center is full of mechanical spiders. The sight fills Lena with a giddiness she can’t remember having since before she joined the Luthor household.

She nearly laughs at the basketball court where children are testing out bouncy shoes.

The mechanic station, filled with kids pumping gas and fixing tires, brings a wide smile to her face.

“It’s magical, isn’t it?”

Lena turns to find Kara Danvers eyeing her. Blonde hair tied back, blue eyes framed in black glasses; a ball of sunshine contained in a light blue cardigan.

“Ms. Danvers.” Lena eyes her warily. “What brings you here?”

Kara looked and gestured with her chin towards a black Toyota to the right of them. Lena followed her gaze. Two little girls, both with auburn hair, were fighting over the proper way to replace a tire.

Lena could hear the older looking of the two grumbling from the several feet away she and Kara stood.

“Yours?” She asked when her eyes fell on Kara’s again.

Kara shook her head.

“My nieces.”

“Ah, babysitting.” Lena eyed the girls again. The two were finally settling on a tire changing method.

“Are you going to change this place?”

She didn’t bother looking back at Kara. Instead, Lena took a glance all around. Imagination Station was lively, even on a Monday afternoon.

“Don’t know. Not my job to.”

“Not your job?”

Now, Lena did look at Kara. She noticed the other woman visibly shrink when her hard gaze settled and didn’t waiver.

“Are we off the record, Ms. Danvers?”

Kara put her hands up in mock surrender. “Of course! Babysitting, remember?”

“A Luthor can never be too careful.”

The ray of sunshine reporter’s brow crinkles. She looks a bit hurt and Lena feels guilty. Kara’s article about her was far from scathing. It had definitely improved Lena’s mood after the article Kent published in the Daily Planet the week before.

“I’m only interim CEO. Whatever Lex decides to do with this place is his business.”

“But,” Kara tries.

“You’re right though Ms. Danvers, it is a bit magical.”

“Auntie Kara,” A little voice yells. “I need to go potty!”

“Duty calls?”

“It seems so. Very nice talking with you Ms. Luthor.”

“Likewise.”

Before Kara turns and sprints off, she asks, “Did you enjoy the Aran Donn?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

4.

Lena spends the rest of her week obsessing over 2 things:

1. Imagination Station
2. Kara Danvers

 

Imagination Station is easier for Lena to process. She has years of fiscal reports, curriculum/station models, and marketing plans.

Lena has years’ worth of information that lets her know that Imagination Station is a failing enterprise.

It’s been in the red since the very first week it opened.

Kara Danvers can wait. For a little while.

“Ticket and membership prices don’t even come close to meeting the museum’s weekly operational costs.”

Lena waits for Lex to respond. She knows the man is still in the hospital, but this was crazy!

“Hello to you too little sister.” Lex finally greets after a breath.

She nearly growls. “Lex, this place is a financial mess. The only thing keeping it afloat is your purchase and a stimulus boast for LuthorCorp every month.”

“I’m aware.”

If she could reach through the phone and strangle him.

“Then you’re aware that the board the shareholders are going to be pissed when the quarterly report comes out.”

“We fund the children’s hospital just fine.”

“The children’s hospital employs some of the best doctors in the word and has led to the creation of several new innovative medical interventions and medicines. In other words, it pays for itself.”

Lena hears some whispering and immediately recognizes her mother’s hushed tone. She pinches the bridge of her nose and further sinks down on the floor in front of her desk. The sea of papers from her last conversation with Lex still surrounding her.

This is quickly becoming her “favorite” position in the dreary, temporary office.

“Congrats,” Lex finally replies. “Mother seems to agree with you.”

“Well, Lena isn’t wrong.” Lillian speaks up, Lex having put on the phone on speaker.

Again, Lena wonders if it pains her mother to admit she might actually have some worth.

“Why can’t we just fund Imagination Station?” Lex finally asks what Lena’s suspected that he wanted all along.

But why?

Lena groans and further sinks into the floor. “At this rate, we’re going to have to.”

“Why can’t we just sell it?” Lillian asks. She’s confused about something that Lena has already stated a clear answer to.

Lex responds for her.

“Because it’s always been in the red. You either need a ton of money or an investor.” Lex releases a deep sigh and Lena nearly feels guilty for troubling her brother so much.

“No one would touch the place with a 10-foot pole.” Lena finishes for him.

“You said the ticket and membership prices were not enough?”

“That’s the case.” Lena already knows where her mother is headed.

“Then raise them to what will keep LuthorCorp from acting as the monetary equivalent of a blood donor.” Lillian demands.

“We’d be the devil.” Lena states at the same time Lex proclaims, “It costs LuthorCorp almost nothing.”

Their mother actually surrenders. “Fine.”

“Imagination Station is…innovative in its own way.” This is the closest way Lena will ever admit to her family that Kara Danvers is right; it’s a magical place.

“I know.” Lex answers back.

Their call ends not long after and Lena almost immediately finds herself digging through the paperwork on the children’s museum. 

Only one question was on Lena’s mind: Who created Imagination Station?

***

Lena’s avoided Kara Danvers question answers itself, when she ventures in Noonan’s for a Friday night treat and runs into the other woman.

It’s a cute little side place that Lena discovered on her first few days in National City. It was walking distance from Lex’s penthouse and she found that it provided her with the perfect lemon ginger tea and blueberry muffin snack.

“Ms. Luthor!” Her name is called before can even order.

Lena takes a deep breath before turning. Her anxiety spikes just a little but it doesn’t affect her too much since she recognizes the voice almost immediately.

“Ms. Danvers.”

Blue eyes light up and lips curve into a wide, dimpled smile. She’s in a baby blue cardigan this time and Lena suddenly wonders if her closet is filled with them. They make her arms look good.

No, Lena, hell no. Not the reporter.

“Are you okay?” Kara asks softly.

“A little frazzled.” Lena confesses. “Definitely not the first time today someone’s called my name. Not as friendly as you though.” Her accompanying chuckle falls flat.

“What?” It’s not worry that crosses over the young reporter’s face, something steely rests in those sweet blues.

Lena waves her off. “Nothing serious. Some man just followed me for a few blocks, shouting at me.”

It’s nothing new for her. She's been chased and shouted at since her arrival at the Luthor Manor when she was 4 years old. She’ll even admit that sometimes it was justified.

Kara’s eyes widen in shock. “What?” she questions even more alarmed. Her high pitched, near-shouting causes a few heads in Noonan to turn.

“It’s fine.” Lena tries to give her most reassuring smile, does her best to calm Kara down. “Really.”

Kara relaxes a little, but definitely has not let the situation go.

Lena does only what a Luthor can do.

“The Aran donn? You did that?”

She watches as Kara ducks her head and rubs the back of her neck sheepishly.

“Yes. The receptionist on your floor probably needs a little more training.”

Lena agrees. But, that’s not the point right now.

“Thank you.” Kara breathes. “Where did you get it from?”

Lena can see the wheels turning in Kara’s head. But she could recognize that cup from anywhere. Murphy’s. Definitely from Ireland.

“There’s a really neat Irish pub and creamery not too far from here.” Kara bounces on her heels nervously and Lena decides not to press the issue.

Instead she smiles, which seems to ease Kara's nerves a bit.

“We should go sometime.” Lena doesn't know why she says it.

But Kara's eyes light up again. “Yes, I would love that!”

This is how Lena finds herself agreeing to join Kara at a pub on Saturday night. She’s so deep in her thoughts on her walk home that she hardly notices yet another man shouting at her…or his subsequent disappearance after she crosses the street.

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Notes:

I was not prepared for the school year. Please enjoy this unedited mess *tears*

5.

Lena finds herself in her tiny temporary office on Saturday afternoon, hours of paperwork spread out before her.

She’s known since the morning that she’d probably have to cancel on Kara. She reluctantly decides that it would be best to call the other woman and let her know.

“Hi! It’s Kara Danvers, reporter for CatCo Media World Wide. May I ask who’s calling?”

Lena hates that she instantly wants to smile at how cheerful Kara sounds.

“Hello Kara, it’s Lena Luthor.”

She’s definitely much less cheery than Kara. But doesn’t not deter the other woman.

“Oh my goodness, Lena! I can’t wait to see you tonight”

“About that..”

“Wait, how did you get my number?”

Lena doesn’t even blink.

“I hacked into CatCo’s computer system and found your employee info form.”

Kara begins to cough, choking on absolutely nothing. Lena laughs softly.

“Really?” Is what she finally manages to squeak out.

“Yes. I have hobbies, hacking is all of them.”

“Well, uh, that’s cool!”

Lena laughs again but sobers up pretty quickly when she remembers what she’s called about.

“About tonight, I going to have to cancel. I have a lot of paperwork to go over and I doubt it’s getting done before tonight.”

“Ugh, on the weekend?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Once upon a time, Lena did have quiet weekends. Reading, trips abroad, hacking into major government agencies, knitting turtles. All lost now.

“Would you like a work buddy?”

It’s said so giddy and convincingly, Lena can’t help but reply, “Yes.”

“Awesome! I’ll bring some treats and annoy you while you work! Give me 30 to 45 minutes and I’ll be at your office.”

***

That time Lena freaked out for 30 minutes.

“Holy S$&#, she’s coming to my office!!!”

The Freak Out’s Companion: Self-Deprecating Nonsense for 10 Minutes.

“You’re a terrible, awful Luthor and the cute, probably an alien, reporter is crazy for trying to befriend you.”

And finally, the art of pretending to be a normal human being.

“Okay, Lena you can do this. You got this!”

“You got what?”

Lena, who had been facing her desk mid-office pacing, turned to see Kara standing in her door way.

The blonde reporter was dressed in red sweatpants and a blue National City University t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun and she carried several bags of the snacks she’d mentioned earlier. Big Belly Burger, Krispy Kreme, and a bag Lena recognized as Murphy’s ice cream.

“You look like Superman on vacation.” Kara was definitely dressed differently than the dresses and cardigan’s Lena had gotten used to.

Kara’s eyes bugged out momentarily, before she offered a strangled chuckle. “Superman. Sssppp, never!”

Lena’s eyebrow raised slightly but she decided to drop the subject entirely.

“Welcome to my comfy little office.” Lena waved around the office dramatically. “I see you’re already dressed for sweatpants and college t-shirt day.”

“Yours is more impressive though.” Kara gestured with the Big Belly bag at Lena’s black MIT t-shirt. “And your sweatpants look way more comfy.”

“I have to admit that they are.” Lena was not going to admit how long she’d been wearing the loose, gray sweatpants.

Then Kara’s looking around awkwardly. It really is a tiny office. Maybe the size of a mud or laundry room. No windows and just wooden, box desk towards the back wall. Of course, all the paperwork spread out in the space before the desk.

Lena gesture to the empty spot that she previously occupied at the back of the desk and the pacing trail she had made around the paperwork.

She offers a small smile to Kara. “Some not so normal stuff happens here.”

Kara offers her brightest smile back. “That happens sometimes.”

That’s how they end up eating burgers, doughnuts, and ice cream on the floor, backs against Lena’s desk while she vents about Imagination Station.

“It makes absolutely nothing and I have to convince the board that it’s not dead weight.”

Lena cradles the Aron Donn in her hand, sucks on the spoon just a little while Kara watches mesmerized.

“There’s nothing they can really do though. Getting rid of it would hurt LuthorCorps’ already crap image.”

Kara grinned a little, eating some of her honeycomb ice cream. “LuthoCorp’s image?”

“After the Alien Amnesty Act opposition from Lillian and Lex making a long speech about Superman’s untrustworthiness, LuthorCorp is having some publicity issues.”

“You’re a good face for the company.” Kara replies with a soft smile, still watching Lena quietly.

Lena doesn’t even hear her, just continues with her frustrated rant.

“There was also the crazy rumor that LuthorCorp was making and supplying weaponry to a secret government agency that worked exclusively with aliens.”

Lena again misses the look Kara throws in her direction.

“Thanks for the ice cream…again.”

Kara smiles fully, despite some worry glimmering in her blue eyes.

“So, how did you get it?”

Lena decides it’s about time they address this bit of deception.

“How’d I get it?”

Kara visibly gulps.

“You know, did you fly or run?”

 

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Notes:

Finally back to this!

6.

“Uh, w-what?” Comes out in a more than nervous stutter as Kara’s face becomes the perfect picture of fear and panic.

Lena winces. Maybe she could have approached this in a different way. Okay, in any way but the way they’re discussing things now.

“Kara it’s-“

Kara freezes for a second, hyper focused somewhere else, and Lena’s head cocks to the side as she watches her carefully. She can tell that Kara is listening to something far off.

When Kara stands, Lena knows that this is the end of their day together.

“I have to go.”

Kara has gathered her things and is gone less than 5 minutes later.

Lena sighs heavily as she sinks further into the floor. “Well I guess cute, definitely alien reporters are not going to be giving me the time of day.”

***

“Hey you! Luthor!”

Lena doesn’t spare the man a glance as she hurries down the sidewalk towards Noonan’s. She knows better than to turn and give him attention and she knows better than to think that any of the bystanders on the road will be giving her a hand.

No one helped a Luthor. No one cared about Luthors.

“Hey!” Came out lower, like a growl before Lena felt a larger calloused hand grasp her shoulder and squeeze.

Lena yelped as she felt her body yanked in the opposite direction. She came face to face with a man nearly a foot taller than her with a frame twice as wide. He had large round face, covered in a black scraggly beard and his cheeks were bright red from anger and irritation. Dark eyes were narrowed and glaring down at Lena.

“Hey bitch, I was talking to you!”

It was the last thing he said before both he and Lena felt a gush of wind. Within seconds the man was on the ground, eye closed and knocked out cold.

Lena looked from the man’s body to…Kara Danvers. The sunny blonde was in a strappy green sundress and flats. Blue eyes looking over Lena with concern.

“Lena!” Kara finally cried out. The reporter pulled her in for a quick hug before letting go and staring at the other woman with even more concern than Lena thought possible. “Are you okay? I can’t believe he grabbed you!”

Lena waved her off and offered her best smile (which was probably more of a grimace).

“It’s not the first time. But you…”

Kara had appeared out of thin air. The man was still on the ground unconscious.

Lena gestured towards the man. “He’s probably the one you should be concerned about.”

“It’s not the first time?” Lena takes a step back at how enraged Kara sounds. She gulps when fiery blue eyes stare straight at her. “People do this to you all the time?”

Lena only nods.

“Not anymore.”

Kara grabs Lena’s hand and starts dragging her towards Noonan’s, grumbling the who way about “the nerve of some people”.

Lena can only focus on the warm, weight of Kara’s hand in her own and thinks:

Maybe someone cared about a Luthor.

***

Lena spends the next couple of days trying to figure out how to fully handle the Imagination Station situation. The place is still flat lining and Lex has been no help.

Plus, who actually owned that place before Lex made his foolish purchase?

“From my research, Imagination Station has been in National City for nearly a decade. There was an article about it’s grand opening in 2012.” Jess offers the next time Lena calls to rant about it. “A science teacher with terminal cancer came up with the idea.”

Lena blinks as she listens to Jess. “What?”

“A science teacher. A woman named Lizzie Richmond. She came up with the idea and the plans. Apparently, she taught STEM as a special at National City K-5 Prep for a few years. She was only 31 years old.”

“How in the world did an elementary science teacher manage to start a large-scale children’s STEM museum? Did they use a trust or her life insurance?”

Lena can hear the rustle of Jess’s head shake, probably against the paperwork from the massive amount of research she’s been doing. She did not pay this woman nearly enough.

“No, she died a year after the Station’s opening.”

“Then how?”

“An investor.”

Suddenly, it sinks in for Lena.

“A single investor?”

“Ms. Luthor, please stop insulting yourself.”

“Lex.”

“Yes. Originally, Lex was a hands off investor and Ms. Richmond’s family took care of everything after her death. Her life insurance did cover a quite a bit of the operational costs. She had a multi-million dollar life insurance policy plus a few other inheritances. The money ran out and the family sold it-“

“Back to Lex.”

“Yes. Mr. Luthor was hiding this in some paperwork that I…discovered.”

“Thank you, Jess.”

Lena was going to kill him.

***

Before Lena could chew out Lex, the idiot was back in surgery to repair an internal bleed. Lena also found herself at another dinner with Lillian. Another French restaurant and another grimace from Lillian as Lena picked every desert and sweet wine off the menu.

“The surgeon says that he’s fine and most of his injury are pretty minor after a bombing but I’m thinking about changing hospitals.”

Lillian droned on and on as Lena only thought about how she was going to ream her brother as soon as he felt a little better.

“The chef quit. He was tired of Lex’s unusual meal choices. He was incredibly unreasonable and unprofessional.”

At this, Lena actually chuckles. Lillian raises a brow.

“He asked a 5 Star chef who’s worked under Ramsey for a grilled cheese and you’re calling him unreasonable.” Lena continues to laugh.

“Lena!” Is shouted at her in half-whisper. “You’re embarrassing us.”

Now, it’s Lena’s turn to raise a brow as she looks around the sleepy little French restaurant. Everyone is engrossed in their own meals and conversations. Not a soul cares about the two Luthor women.

Except, blue-eyes staring at their table from the corner of the dining room. Lena recognizes them instantly and squints suspiciously as they disappear behind a menu when their owner realizes she’s spotted.

“Kara!”

Now, all eyes are on the table that the Luthors share. Blues still hidden behind the menu.

Lillian is completely horrified and whines out, “Lena” in another whisper.

Lena only rolls her eyes and starts towards Kara’s. When she reaches the table, she pulls the menu down to reveal the nervous, red-faced blond.

“Hiya, Ms. Luthor. Lovely seeing you here!” It’s a tense, high-pitched chirp. It completely turns Lena on.

Wait, what? No Lena, hell no.

“What are you doing here?”

Kara gulps at the harshness of Lena’s question.

“Your, uh waiter was being a little weird.”

It dawns on Lena that the waiter who served their drinks was not the same one who took and returned with their food order.

“Weird how?”

“He was planning to spit in your food.”

Lena’s face scrunches up in disgust, Kara nods in silent agreement.

She glances back at her horrified mother before deciding to take a seat at Kara’s table.

“What are you having?”

Kara smiles nervously. “I can’t read French and this place is definitely out of my budget.”

“Don’t worry about it, dinner is on me.” Lena shrugs like it's just a regular Tuesday. "I'll read the French too."

Chapter 7

Notes:

I finally finished writing this story and Polaroid over spring break! I will update weekly until all chapter are up.

7.

“Who was Lizzie Richmond?”

Lena sits on the floor of her tiny office space, back against her desk. Her original plan was to hop on the next flight to Metropolis and confront Lex in person.

But, Lex did just get out of surgery and Lena did want him to actually talk.

“I’m hoping that a phone call will give you the space you need to speak.” Lena continues. “I’m not above asking Lewis to get the jet ready.”

Lena hears Lex clear his throat. Again, she waits. It takes nearly 10 minutes.

“National City Prep had a field trip to one of the engineering labs. I had flown out from Metropolis.” Lena doesn’t see it, but she’s sure Lex shrugs as he makes his next statement. “Media said it would be a great photo op. Kids and all.”

“Mmmhmm.” She hums in response. There were plenty of times the cameras just “randomly” showed up when she went to visit the children’s hospital.

“She was there with a group of 2^nd graders and one of her students ran right into me.”

Lena cannot see the moment when Lex closes his eyes, how his face relaxes into the memory. She does hear the hint of wistfulness in his voice as he speaks. Feels something as he talks that she hasn’t heard since their father died.

“The kid had a prosthetic. It was one of LuthorCorp’s. He told me, ‘I can feel it’ and Lizzie…Lizzie…”

The name, only 2 syllables, fell from his mouth near reverent. It sounded like the first time he had said the name in a long time.

Lena truly got it then. She remembered every little touch of Imagination Station. The pretend grocery store, the toddler room, the robotics lab, the Egyptian adventure. Bouncy shoes on a basketball court and the laughter of jumping, and sometimes falling, children.

It wasn’t like the cold strategy of LuthorCorp. A facility made into the perfect product meant to please.

Every part had a human touch and truly made children and their families happy.

Every part was a piece of Lizzie Richmond.

Lena knows before Lex even speaks that he loved her. That maybe Lizzie Richmond loved him too.

“She looked at me like people look at Superman.”

---

Kara watched as Lena paced around her tiny office. A lunch consisting of kale salads and Big Belly Burgers long finished.

“I have to find a way to make this decision to keep Imagination Station open more appealing to the board.”

Lena practically pulling her hair out. Kara was just impressed that Lena has managed to carve out a place to pace in the incredibly small office. Even more impressed each time the other woman manages to step over her legs without tripping.

“For once Lex’s intentions are actually sort of good.” Lena states as she passes by Kara once more. “I mean, he actually loved this woman and is trying to unselfishly keep her memory alive. In a place that is honestly innovative and magical.”

Lena stops her pace right in front of Kara. Her eyes close as she lets out a hard sigh and her shoulders slump slightly. She surprised when the other woman’s strong arms wrap around her and pull her into a hug.

“It’s okay, Lena.” Kara pats her back gently as she slowly relaxes into the hug. “We’ll figure it out.”

They stay this way for a good minute (Lena would’ve stayed this way forever) before an alert starts going off on Lena’s phone.

Kara eyed her curiously as she fished out her buzzing phone and rolled her eyes.

“Apparently, someone tried to access the building. Screaming about needing to rid the city of another Luthor.”

Lena rolled her eyes again, not even noticing Kara’s begin to grow wide at her words.

“What?”

“A failed intruder.” Lena notices Kara’s alarm. Attempts to sound reassuring. “Failed. Meaning everything is okay."

Kara’s eyes narrow and Lena is certain that this is not the end of her intruder situation.

“Where is he now?”

“Uh,” Lena is not sure she should answer. But Kara’s gaze is unwavering and Lena can’t help but give an answer. “Downstairs with my security team.”

Kara looks ready to make a move; her eyes have left Lena’s and are focused on the door now.

“Hey,” Lena reaches for Kara’s arm and is pleasantly shocked when she feels a tight muscle flex against her fingertips. “It’s okay. I’m good and you don’t need to do…”

What does Kara-probably an alien-do?

Lena has had some peaceful walks to Noonan’s recently. More quiet and free of random men trying to harass her on the street.

Kara visibly took a breath in and out.

“Er, so Imagination Station? Maybe LuthorCorp can just be life support. Maybe even end the ticketing and replace it with reservations for the buildings capacity for the day or half days.”

Lena accepts the subject change and begins to the pace again, thinking about the idea. Kara slides back onto the floor, watching Lena again.

“It’s definitely something I can talk to Lex and the board about in a few days. Maybe flesh out the idea a bit and present a proposal.”

Lena’s excitement for the idea is visible in the smile throws Kara’s way.

“It’s getting kind of late and I need to run some lab diagnostics for a project I’m working on.” She hates having to send Kara away but duty calls. Annoyingly does it call.

Kara gathers her things, pulls Lena into a hug before she leaves.

“Let me know how everything goes, okay?”

Lena nods against her shoulder, squeezes Kara back just a bit. Then she’s gone and Lena wishes she’d invited her to dinner instead.

Before Lena leaves the office that night, she gets a message from her security team about the intruder they apprehended going missing.

Lena starts to wonder if maybe she should’ve let Kara handle the problem until she gets another message from her security team at close to midnight.

They find LuthorCorp’s failed intruder tied to a light post in downtown National City.

She texts Kara:

L: Thank you

Chapter 8

8.

 Fate of Imagination Station in the Hands of LuthorCorp Board

Kara Danvers

 

Lena Luthor, Interim CEO of LuthorCorp, and LuthorCorp shareholders will meet today to discuss the future of Imagination Station.

For the last several weeks, I have watched Ms. Luthor fight for Imagination Station’s funding. She has described the children’s museum as, “Innovative”, “Well-planned”, and my personal favorite, “Deliriously fun".

Ms. Luthor is fighting for Lizzie Richmond’s vision. The late STEM teacher who believed in providing science education and experiences for families. A woman who truly believed that children were the future and giving them the right tools could help them build that future. It’s the vision that Lex Luthor invested in when he gave Ms. Richmond the funds to create Imagination Station. A vision he wished to continue when he took ownership of the museum.

Imagination Station is a treasured attraction in National City, providing something more for our youngest citizens. It’s legacy is long lasting. We hope that the LuthorCorp board sees it that way as well.

---

“What the hell is this?”

Lena tries not to smirk as her mother presses a copy of CatCo magazine into her chest, opened right on the page hosting the blub that Kara had published that morning.

“Mother, language.” Then Lena did smirk when Lillians’s eyebrows rose so high they disappeared in her hairline. “You might embarrass yourself out here.”

Lena gesture around at the near empty hallway their were standing in front of outside of the conference room, a space bordered by a glass door and walls. There were already some board members and shareholders gathered in the room.

Lillian was completely unimpressed by Lena’s antics.

“What is this?” Lillian still pressed the magazine firmly into Lena’s chest.

Lena’s only response was to take hold of the magazine in her own hands and push Lillian’s away from her. She pretended to read the blub that she’d already memorized with a blank expression on her face.

“Looks like a mini-article by Kara Danvers.” Was all she stated when she met Lillian’s gaze again.

“Lena.” Her mother looked like she wanted to spit. “Have you been talking to that reporter?”

Lena doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“Why?” Comes out in a hiss, Lillian has definitely lost her patience now.

“Because someone needs to do the right thing here. You don’t want to and Lex is in no condition to fight for what he really wants.”

Lillian narrows her eyes, scoffs. “And of course you know what Lex really wants.”

“He wants to make the woman he loves proud.”

Lena watches as her mother shakes her head and rubs a hand down her face in exasperation. Lillian genuinely looks pained.

“I thought that this infatuation would end when she died.”

For a moment, Lena thought about her mother. The one who raised her in Ireland until she was 4. Who loved her and hugged her and sang her songs.

“Just because someone dies doesn’t mean your love for them does.” Lena answers back quietly.

Lillian considers her for just a moment. Lena thinks that she might see a flash of recognition before her mother’s steely gaze falls right back into place.

“Right. Well, lets get to it shall we?”

They enter the conference room and Lena barely finishes presenting her proposal when she’s bombarded with questions.

“You expect LuthorCorp to just pay for the museum to run?”

“We can’t just act as life support for a failing attraction you’re poorly managing.”

“No ticket prices? Children don’t deserve everything for free.”

It goes on and on.

Lena highly suspects that the conversation would be less accusatory if Lex were standing in her place.

Lillian just stands in the corner of the room, returning Lena’s earlier smirk and taking too much joy in watching Lena fail at getting any of the men to listen. Because yes, it’s all men aside from Lena and Lillian.

“Gentlemen.” Lillian finally intervenes after 10 more minutes of the men’s jeering at Lena.

“Mrs. Luthor are you supporting this madness?’ John Hairston, one of the senior board members asked with clear disbelief.

“No, John. I think Imagination Station should be gutted rather than a waste of our resources that could be redirected to the children’s hospital or any of our other more philanthropic endeavors.”

Many of the men around the room were nodding in agreement.

Lena wished she had the sway of Lillian as she captured the board members attention and respect.

“But Lena is my daughter after all.”

John Hairston and a few other men actually chuckled much to Lena’s surprise and anger.

“I say we give her another week to write a new proposal, one that doesn’t insist that LuthorCorp be Imagination Station’s full financial support. An actual budget and strategic financial plan.”

Lillian never broke eye contact with Lena as she spoke, a challenge being issued to her daughter.

Michael Anders, the board chair stood. “We meet next Thursday, same time?”

“Excellent.” Lillian responded with a bright smile that made Lena want to hit something. The other board members nodded or gave verbal confirmation.

“Great, I’ll have my secretary send out another meeting invite.” He looked at Lena, offering her a warm smile. “Good luck, Ms. Luthor. My kids love Imagination Station.”

It was the most encouragement Lena had received outside of Kara and Lex.

---

Lena had her head laid down on a table at Noonan’s, not caring about how clean it may or may not be.

Kara reached across their table and squeezed her shoulder.

“I’m sure you did fine.”

Lena mumbled something against the table before lifting her head and taking in the very, reassuring smile Kara was giving her.

“It was awful. They were talking over me, barely let me finish, and gave more respect to my mother. They blamed me for Imagination Station’s current financial problem.”

Kara gave her shoulder another gentle squeeze.

“It was your first board meeting.”

“My first and my worst.” Lena was pouting. She knew she probably sounded like a brat but did not care. “It probably lasted less than 20 minutes.”

Kara shook her head, kind eyes still on Lena.

“That’s still fine.”

Lena is in awe. This is not the Luthor way.

“Did you learn anything during that less than 20 minutes? Maybe there’s something there that can help.”

Lena thought.

“They definitely do not want to function as life support and are extremely against getting rid of ticket prices.” Lena grumbled.

Then it hit her and green eyes lit up instantly.

“My mother implied that LuthorCorp could offer some financial support. The board chair’s kids also love Imagination Station.”

Kara was smiling brightly back at her, Lena could see their plan forming. “I think we can work with this.”

Chapter 9

Notes:

Well, my Monday promise has died aka I have been helping the drama teacher with a Suessical play since Friday and today is the last night. Thank goodness. I did have a few minutes, so here we are! No Kara in this one though, but I promise much more of her next chapter. If you read Polaroid, I am going to edit that monster of a chapter tonight and have it posted tomorrow afternoon!

As always, probably needs edits!

9.

“Why in the world is there a press conference planned with Mayor Henderson?”

Lena was amazed that it took 3 hours after the announcement for Lillian to come barging into her tiny office.

“Must have taken a lot of restraint for you to wait to confront me. Brava Mother.”

Lena knew she shouldn’t needle her mother like this. But it would’ve been a waste to pass up the opportunity.

Lillian was dressed in a white power suit with a pink blouse. Hands across her chest and a fierce glare directed at Lena. She’d look like image of strength if there were not a frown marring her features.

“I just found out.” Was admitted reluctantly.

Lena couldn’t help the eyebrow raise. “Really? I guess I might have some luck this time around.”

Her mother put a hand to her brow and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Why have you done this?”

Lena stood from her tiny desk, smirk fully in place now.

“I did what you wanted. LuthorCorp no longer needs to be concerned with Imagination Station.”

“Is that the game you’re playing? Malicious compliance?”

Sometimes Lena just did not get her mother.

“This is exactly what you wanted. And I delivered.”

“You gave away an LuthorCorp owned museum to the city and then promised a hefty, yearly donation.” Lillian growled back. “That’s not what I wanted! What do you think you’re doing?”

Lena had to resist the instinct to flinch at her mother’s shouts.

“Mo-.” She starts but is quickly interrupted.

“She’s doing what I wanted.” Comes the familiar voice from the doorway. It’s a little stilted. Not as deep as before.

Both Lena and Lillian turn to see Lex. He looks pale and a bit out of breath. His facial hair is overgrown, and he’s very dressed down in light gray sweatpants and a white, LuthorCorp sweatshirt. The cane in his left hand, reminds Lena that he’s not quite recovered from his accident.

“Lex!” Lillian immediately begins fussing over her son. “Why are you here? You should be at the hospital!”

Lex waves Lillian off as she draws nearer, offering unwanted assistance. Instead, he enters the tiny office and leans against Lena’s desk for support.

Lena gives a Lex a soft smile at the pained look he gives her.

“I needed to be here mother.”

“No, you don’t. I’m going to send you back to Metropolis and correct your sister’s mistake.”

Lena has never seen Lillian this flustered or bothered. She should have known her mother would become a bit hysterical over her brother’s questionable choices.

Lex scoffs. “What mistake? You and the board just want to gut the place and turn it into a for-profit entertainment zone.”

The glare he gave their mother was unrelenting and hard.

“I’m staying here mother. I have to…”

He falters but Lena gets it.

“Lex will be the one to officially gift the museum to National City in Ms. Richmond’s honor.”

Their mother looks like she’s ready to explode. But the head nod and smile Lena receives from Lex is enough to keep her confident.

“What is it about this woman?” Lillian can’t help but ask.

Lex shrugs awkwardly, still leaning against the desk. But, again, Lena understands.

“Mother, just accept that he loved her, and that Imagination Station is the last piece of that love for her.”

Lillian huffs, a sour look taking over her features. Lena knows that it must suck. A husband and then son always finding women they love more than her.  Putting their interests, even in death, above her.

“Okay.” She finally states.

Just like that Lena has won.

---

Imagination Station Gifted to National City

Kara Danvers

 

This afternoon, a press conference to announce the gifting of Imagination Station to National City was held by LuthorCorp and Mayor Henderson and Team. Lex Luthor, still recovering from the car bombing that made his sister interim CEO, made a surprise visit to National City. The children’s museum is the largest piece of property ever gifted to the city by a major corporation. LuthorCorp has also promised a non-expiring donation of 2 million US dollars every fiscal year to maintain the museum and do renovations as necessary.

Imagination Station will move to a reservation system based on the occupancy of its current location. Allowing for a morning session, break/cleaning, and then an afternoon session with a new set of visitors. Admission is now free. Patrons can choose to buy memberships for discounts on concessions, parking, special events and helping with the running of the museum.

On May 13^th, what would have been Lizzie Richmond’s 41^st birthday, Lex Luthor invites the children of National City to write a letter about their favorite STEM teacher. LuthorCorp will be offering STEM donations to the schools of those teachers.

Lizzie Richmond’s family would also like to thank Lex and Lena Luthor for keeping the later teacher’s dream alive through Imagination Station. May Ms. Richmond’s dream continue to thrive.

 

 

 

Chapter 10

Notes:

A short and sweet ending!

10.

 

Lex Luthor Returns as CEO

Clark Kent

 

Lex Luthor returned to his position as CEO of LuthorCorp this week after nearly 3 months recovering from a car bombing incident. While Lex was away, Lena Luthor took over as interim CEO. During her time as CEO, Ms. Luthor managed to solve the Imagination Station question. Handing the museum over to the control of National City with a hefty donation from LuthorCorp. Mr. Luthor was incredibly supportive of this decision.

Now that Mr. Luthor is back, what’s in store for LuthorCorp? A new project in biomedical engineering suggests…

---

Lena sighed a breath of relief as she placed the article on the table she was seated at in Noonan’s. She was incredibly happy that Lex had finally returned to running LuthorCorp and to be headed back to her lab.

“Hiya!” Came a familiar, cheerful voice.

She smiled up at Kara and gestured at the empty seat on the other side of her table.

“Hi Kara.” Lena greeted as the sunny blonde took the offered seat.

Then Lena looked around, curious if Kara’s sudden presence meant someone around her was up to something. The random men trying to make her into what they perceived as an easy target, had mostly diminished over the last month. She highly suspected that was Kara’s doing. Nobody liked a Luthor…well, except.

“You okay, Lena?” Kara head was cocked as she eyed Lena curiously.

Lena just smiled and shook her head. “I’m good.” Then added. “It’s really nice to see you.”

Kara’s cheeks pinked, as she ducked her head bashfully.

“I’m sorry, I haven’t been around much. Things really got a bit crazy at CatCo after that bombing downtown a couple week ago and Supergirl was injured.”

Lena nodded. She also highly suspected that by Supergirl being injured and barely available that Kara meant herself.

They’d talk about that someday. Lena was very determined about that one.

“No worries. I appreciated all your silly texts, the pictures of kittens, and the poor man dropping off lunch to me. Winn, I believe?”

Kara laughed; Lena can feel her smile grow at the sound. “Yes, Winn. He was a bit grumpy about that, but he owed me one.”

“So,” Lena starts.

“Uh, are you going back to Metropolis soon? You know? Since Lex is CEO again and you don’t really…I mean you only came here because of his…”

Lena reaches their shared table and covers Kara’s hand with her own. Effectively ending the other woman’s red-faced babbling.

“I thought about that. But, despite some crazy men, I really like National City.” She catches Kara’s eyes, holds her gaze and smiles. “Or some of the people here at least.”

“Oh!” Kara squeaks when it occurs to her that Lena might be flirting. “Does that mean you’re staying?”

“I asked Lex about leading and overseeing a few projects in the labs here and even signed a lease on a penthouse near the lab I’ll be working at.”

Kara’s face is still red, but now a huge grin is taking over her features. “Did you get a bigger office?”

Lena can’t stop the giggle that comes from Kara’s statement. “The biggest.”

At the same time, they both ask:

“Want to go on a date with me?”