Wanted: Supergirl
For @ekingston’s flash fiction challenge. Genre: Western Premise: trapped by a storm Trope: Secret identity Subject: an apology Words: exactly 1,000
———————————————————————————
Lena Luthor is ready to get out of National City, so naturally, the worst storm of the summer rolls through just as she’s trying to leave town.
Lena glances over at the wanted poster pinned on the wall of the saloon she’s taken shelter in. Its faded edges roll in slightly at the corner, but the words are clear: $500 reward for the capture, dead or alive, of SUPERGIRL. Known as a criminal principally in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Wanted for a string of train robberies from Luthor Industries.
There’s no picture. So far, despite dozens of train robberies throughout the Rockies, no one had managed to capture and photograph the elusive Supergirl.
The corners of Lena’s cherry-red lips turn upwards as she cradles her mug in her gloved hands. Lex hadn’t been happy about the latest robbery in his last letter. Despite his every effort to foil Supergirl’s plans, she had managed to get away with thousands of dollars worth of gold. On top of that, Lex was apparently having difficulty keeping enough miners to produce the output his investors expected. Perhaps the two aren’t unrelated, Lena thinks with a smirk.
Lena is dreading her return to Metropolis, but seeing her brother’s troubles so evident along her journey brings her immense pleasure. She takes a delicate sip of her ale and chuckles to herself. If only Lex could see her now.
The doors of the saloon suddenly bang open as thunder rumbles in the distance, and it seems like every head in the bar turns to look at the disturbance. A blonde woman, drenched from head to toe, stands dripping in the doorway. Lena doesn’t need the flash of lightning from the open door illuminating the woman’s face to know her identity.
Lena quickly turns her head, gripping her mug tighter. If she just keeps her head down, keeps to herself, she’ll be fine. She just needs to wait out the storm without being seen before she can fetch her horse from the stables and move along.
Thick, heavy heels of cowboy boots clink across the wooden floor behind her. Lena tips her posh velvet hat so the mesh veil covers her face further. She hopes it’s enough.
“The usual, M’gann, thank you.” Despite the buzz of the packed saloon, she can still pick out the husky timbre of the blonde’s voice from further down the bar, and it’s not the cold that causes her to shiver.
“Right away, sheriff,” the bartender replies. Lena hears the sounds of a glass on the table and liquid pouring from a tap as she considers her situation. Moving to a table in the back would be the smartest way to avoid Sheriff Danvers, but it could catch the woman’s attention.
Lena takes a breath, then as casually as she can muster, she glances to her left.
Kara is already staring directly at her. Lena’s head snaps back, but it’s too late.
“Lena!” Kara says, striding towards the barstool where she’s perched. “I mean, Miss Luthor. A surprise to see you here of all places, ma’am.”
Lena forces a honey-sweet smile on her face before turning towards Kara. “I got caught in the storm on my way to Metropolis and stopped in the first place that looked promising,” she replies.
Kara takes a brief look around the dingy bar, her blue eyes squinting skeptically. “This isn’t the safest place for a woman of your stature. Why don’t you stick with me until the storm passes, ma’am.” She tips her hat, and before Lena has time to protest, Kara has called to the bartender for another drink and catches it as it slides towards them.
“Follow me,” Kara says with a wink. “There’s a room in the back M’gann lets me use. It’ll be much safer there, ma’am. With a hardened criminal like Supergirl out there, it’s always best to be careful.” Lena’s smile is thin-lipped as she begrudgingly follows the sheriff to the back room.
Once the door has creaked closed behind them, Kara deposits the drinks on a barrel and removes her hat, running a hand through her damp blonde hair. It’s an instinct Lena can’t resist, crossing the room to weave her hands in Kara’s long locks. The situation was always going to be dire, Lena says to herself. Kissing leaves little room for small talk, after all.
The small moan that Kara lets out as Lena’s gloved fingertips brush her cheek is all Lena needs to solidify her resolve. With slow, purposeful steps, she walks forward until Kara’s back hits the door, and she leans in to capture Kara’s lips with hers.
Kara responds ravenously, eagerly, clutching at Lena’s waist and slipping her tongue into Lena’s mouth. “God, I’ve missed you Lena. You have no idea how happy I am to see you.” Lena’s heart pinches with guilt as Kara pulls back, a dopey grin on her face. She dives back in, hands wandering, and Lena lets her explore, each tender stroke and each press of Kara’s lips making Lena’s brain go fuzzy.
Kara grabs Lena’s forearms to spin them around and press her into the door, and Lena’s lets out a pained hiss before she realizes her mistake.
“Oh Lena, I’m sorry, what happened? I…” Kara trails off as she removes Lena’s glove and pushes up the sleeve of her dress to reveal her bandaged arm.
The wound from Kara’s own gun.
The train had been unloaded, and Jack and Andrea had already ridden off when Sheriff Kara Danvers had entered the scene. Lena hadn’t been quick enough on the draw. Kara’s bullet had just grazed Lena’s forearm as she reached for her own gun, but Lena had been able to make a quick getaway despite the injury.
“It’s you,” Kara whispers, her piercing blue eyes shining with hurt. “You’re her. Supergirl.”
Lena sighs. She reaches beneath her skirts for the pistol she strapped to her thigh, and cocks it as she points it at Kara.
“I am.”
