Virtual Vengeance

Chapter 1

It's another sunny day in National City. One puffy little cloud drifts lazily across an otherwise perfectly blue sky, a soft white thing that promises it can't spread a drop of rain even if it wants to, and of course, it doesn't want to. Birds chirp happily in the trees as buzzing bees gather pollen. It's the kind of day where nothing can go wrong. It's the perfect day for a press conference.

"Maybe you should cancel," Kara warns for the third... fourth...? time and wrings her hands in a familiar nervous gesture. "These things don't usually work out well for you."

"Pish-posh. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Did you really say that out loud?"

Lena laughs, full and throaty as she reaches over and pulls Kara's fidgety hands apart so she can apply a gentle and reassuring squeeze. "I do like to take chances."

"I've noticed," Kara murmurs and, when Lena has released her hands, pushes her glasses the millimeter back up her nose again that they had slid down. "You could just do a print press release."

"That wouldn't get nearly as much publicity. Like it or not, more people watch the news than read the paper."

"I don't like it."

"You're a print reporter. Of course, you don't like it." She stops to study Kara, a little smile pulling at one corner of her mouth and revealing a rarely seen single dimple as the blonde squirms under the studious inspection. "Why are you so worried? Supergirl will be there, won't she? You said that you spoke to her."

"Well I... Yeah, yeah, she will. I spoke to Supergirl, and she promised she'd be nearby even if you couldn't see her. She said she'd keep an eye on you."

"Did she mention any other body parts?" Lena winks as she turns her back on Kara to gather up her notes and a box from the desk. The box is a cube, about as far around in every dimension as a shoebox is wide. It's made from a dull gray metal that fails to reflect the light, and on top of it is the L-Corp insignia, silver set against a bright blue background. Lena places it in the crook of her elbow and presses it against her torso before patting it gently and taking her notes in the hand of the same arm.

Kara blushes hotly as she stares down at her feet but has managed to regain her composure when Lena turns back with notes in hand. "Any chance I can get an early scoop on what's inside that box?"

Lena tsks. "That would be showing favoritism, darling, and we can't do that."

"Maybe I could just take a peek at the newest invention?"

Lena pulls the box a touch closer to her chest, a protective movement even as she smiles and waggles a finger. "No peeking but don't worry, you won't have to wait long. Today is a day for revelations, and you, Kara Danvers, will have a front-row seat for this one."

At least the conference area Lena has chosen for today is covered and less easily attacked than her preferred open-air venues. Still, this seems to offer a nervous Kara Danvers little comfort as her gaze sweeps the crowd before she pulls her glasses down to the tip of her nose and studies the stage.

"Kara, relax. You act like you're part of my security staff."

"Sorry." Kara ducks her head as she pushes her glasses back up her nose. "I'm just a worrier."

"Then stay close to me." Lena offers up that crooked smile again as she tilts her head forward and raises her brows. Her bright-red lipstick stands out against pale skin, further drawing the eyes to the sultry curve of her lips. Green eyes twinkle as with some secret only she knows. "Yeah?"