Chapter Two: The Lawyer, The Engineer, and A Man Named Joe

Kara Danvers stared at her computer screen so long her eyes crossed. She exhaled sharply and let out a deep guttural sound. She was clearly exhausted and frustrated, not that there was anyone around to notice or care.

She removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes. Kara worked as a civil engineer for the prestigious Metropolis firm Kleiner, Shaw & O'Riley. Being the youngest of all the engineers working on the new Airport project meant that she was tasked with checking and rechecking the specifications and calculations submitted by the senior engineers.

That meant that Kara would be working around the clock until after the New Year checking everyone's work as well as her own. Her contribution was small in the grand scheme of things, but her portion of the bridge leading to the airport was a critical component and she was proud of her work.

She was proud of all of her work because she cared about her job and she cared about all of her projects. It hadn't escaped her that that the more senior engineers working on the project were often hypercritical with her, and more often than not, without cause. They hazed her like they were in some kind of fraternity but Kara knew, one day, she would be a senior engineer. When she was seasoned, she would treat the younger engineers with kindness and respect.

She wouldn't let her knowledge and experience dull her emotions and sharpen her tongue. Kara sat for a moment and seriously contemplated unscrewing most of the screws from the senior engineers desks. She loved the idea of them coming in after the holiday and having their desks falling around them like the war torn turrets of a castle. It was a pleasant image, but only a fantasy.

"If only there was some beautiful woman out there that thought engineers were sexy. Fat chance Kara. That's some Christmas wish. Ugh. I am talking to myself way too much these days."

Kara pulled her hair back into a low point tail and put her glasses back on.

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)", by Mariah Carey played low in the background.

https://open.spotify.com/track/3PIDciSFdrQxSQSihim3hN?si=pUJ5i4yoRWmIQ7GCz8abCA

Kara looked out the window at the falling snow. Her heart ached to be with her family. She had spent the last week preemptively apologizing to her mother and her sister for missing Christmas and New Years Eve. They were kind and understanding, which made Kara feel even worse for being away from them during the holidays.

"Enough Kara! Stop feeling sorry for yourself."

Kara turned up the volume on the music and tapped her foot. She stood up and began to shake her hips and dance to the music. She was intent on finding what little joy she could on this lonely Christmas Eve.

She twirled around her desk and pushed her chair away. She closed her eyes and started singing along to the lyrics loudly. She sang so loud she could barely hear her phone ringing. The clock read five minutes to eleven. She hit pause on the music and picked up her phone.

"Kleiner Shaw", she said more like a question. She was sure the caller had to be a wrong number, calling so late on Christmas Eve.

"Is this building operations?", a woman's voice asked shakily. Kara could hear the panic in her voice.

"This is Kleiner, Shaw & O'Riley Engineering", Kara said confused but concerned for the panicked woman. "I think you might have dialed the wrong number."

"Please don't hang up! I'm stuck in this elevator and it's Christmas Eve. I am totally freaking out, my cell phone has no bars and is getting no signal of any kind. Fucking Metropolis skyscrapers. My girlfriend just dumped me and I am a fucking mess. All I wanted to do was go home, strip this suit off and drink until the pain goes away. I haven't eaten since breakfast and I really should have peed before I stepped onto this death trap. This horrible error message keeps playing, it's almost completely pitch black in here and I think I might be slipping into shock. All I do is work all the time, I have no life, and I am so thirsty I could scream", the woman shouted into the phone.

Kara paused for a beat. She felt heartbroken for the trapped woman but she couldn't help but be a little amused at her transparency. She smiled and sat down in her chair.

"I won't hang up. I promise. Just do me a favor and take a long deep breath. I don't know what I can do for you from here but I will stay with you until we figure this out."

Kara spoke calmly and quietly. She didn't know the woman on the other side of the line but somehow, she knew that the woman needed every bit of her kindness and patience.

The woman was silent for a long beat.

"Are you still there?", Kara asked, more concerned.

Kara could hear the soft, labored breath of the other woman coming through the phone.

"Thank you for not hanging up. I am so sorry I freaked out there for a minute", the woman said with a calmer, more level tone of voice. "I understand how absurd it was for me to say that I felt like screaming, whilst I was actively screaming." The woman let out the tiniest chuckle and Kara felt like she could breathe a little easier.

"I believe anyone in your position would be freaking out but it sounds like you're breathing, so you're in a better place. Listen, we can figure this out. What building are you in?"

"I'm in the Tyson Building. I'm stuck between the 24th and 25th floors."

"Okay. I'm going to look up the building office number and call from my cell phone. Let me see I can get a hold of someone for you", Kara said already typing the search into her cell phone.

"Thank you. Thank you so much. Please don't be long. I don't want to be alone. I think the darkness and this stupid message are getting to me. Shit. That was an insanely unreasonable request. Take as much time as you need. Ignore the basket case in the elevator", the woman said with a sad laugh.

"I'm right here. I'll call but I'll put it on speaker phone and try and say everything loud enough for you to hear. That way you won't feel alone. Everything will be okay. I just need to know you're still breathing."

"I'm breathing. I can stay calm as long as I hear your voice."

Kara smiled. She didn't know why she smiled. Maybe it was because she was glad to have a distraction from her life. Maybe she was happy to help someone else. Maybe it was more than that. Maybe the vulnerability of this woman made Kara want to help her for a different reason.

Kara found the number for the Tyson building security office and called the number. The phone rang and rang without an answer. She ended the call and took a breath.

I can't go back to her and tell her I failed.

Kara continued to try and look up the numbers. She found another number for the Tyson building. She called the number.

The woman on the other end of the line was silent but she could hear her breathing heavier and heavier as Kara's calls continued to result in nothing but ringing and no answers.

"Still with me?", Kara asked as cheerfully as she could."

"I am. Thank you", the woman said over the continuing error message.

Kara dialed the first number again. They both waited with baited breath as the phone rang and rang. Suddenly the phone clicked and they heard the gruff sound of a man's voice.

"Tyson Building. This is Joe."

"Hi. There is a young woman trapped in the elevator in your building. She is stuck between the 24th and 25th floors. She hit the call button, but it called my office line 6 blocks away. What the hell is going on?"

"Listen lady, I'm not in the Tyson building. No one is. I'm across town in the building management office. You've got a skeleton crew over there and no one that can get anyone out of an elevator. The call forwarder has to be manually set. I'm sure one of the security guards fat-fingered the number and it is calling you instead of us. Bottom line, no one is there.

Kara fumbled with her phone and quickly switched it off of speaker phone. She held the office phone away from her cell phone and whisper-yelled at Joe-the-grinch.

"Listen very carefully Joe, the woman who is trapped in your broken elevator is very frightened. There is an alarm blaring in her ears that is making her feel even more horrible. She is sitting there in the dark terrified. You get someone down there now and stop making excuses or I'll come and find you at your building management office and make you regret you ever answered the phone. Do you understand me?"

"Okay. Listen, I'll make some calls. It's probably going to be a few hours but I'll get someone down there."

"Good. Thank you. Please remember this is urgent. Try and get someone down there as soon as you can. Do you have any idea how to shut off the error message or turn on the lights?"

"No lady. Not a clue. You'll just have to wait for the elevator guys to show up. Someone will be there in a couple of hours."

The line went dead and her heart dropped. How was she going to tell that woman it was going to be a few more hours? Did she hear everything.

"Did you hear all of that?" Kara asked.

"No. What happened? You went quiet for a long time. What did he say?"

"They will get there as soon as they can but I'm going to stay on the line with you until they get you out.

"I feel terrible. You must want to get home to your family."

"What about you? They must be terribly worried."

"No one is waiting at home for me. Like I said, my girlfriend of two years decided her assistant would make a better date for Thanksgiving, so no girlfriend and I have no real family to speak of. I was just planning on going home and drinking in my pajamas. Really, if I didn't have to pee so bad, this might actually be less pathetic than me trying to drink away my broken heart, all by myself on Christmas Eve. Christ! I can't believe I just said all of that. Is it because we're not face to face that I feel like confessing every embarrassing thing about myself to you? I am so sorry. Ignore the pathetic pile of in the corner of the elevator. She just has a broken heart and has come down with a case of the babbles."

Kara chuckled.

"Okay, first of all, your honesty is refreshing. In my day to day life I come across maybe one person who tells me the truth. Everyone else just tells you what they think you want to hear. You ask 'How are you today?' They respond 'Fine. How are you', when what they really mean to say is 'Shitty. I got no sleep again, my job stresses me out and I hate the way I look in hats."

"The way they look in hats?" Lena asked laughing hysterically. "Wow. I haven't laughed in so long I didn't recognize the sound. You're funny, you know that?"

"Just telling it like it is. So, you're broken hearted, might have a slight drinking problem that should be addressed after the New Year...", Kara started before Lena interrupted.

"That's what I said! Lena, seek help after the New Year!"

"So, your name is Lena?"

"Yes. Great. There goes my anonymity."

"I'm Kara. Kara Danvers."

"You know more about me than my priest. Maybe I'll just stick with my first name for now. Seeing as I can't keep my mouth shut with you for some reason."

"Lena, you don't have to self-edit with me. It's okay. You're human."

"I have to pee so bad", Lena said laughing.

"See, honesty. So rare."

Lena and Kara laughed loudly. No one was around to hear them but the noise echoed through their empty spaces.

"Stop making me laugh or I really will pee."

"Just pee. Go into a corner and let it go like Elsa from Frozen", Kara said with a little laugh.

"Not helpful Kara", Lena said chuckling back. "Lawyers don't pee in the corner of elevators. I think I might die of shame."

"Come on. Who would know? Just you, me, and the elevator repair guy."

"I'm wearing a two-thousand dollar suit. You don't pee in in a two-thousand dollar suit."

"I'm wearing khakis and a button down from Target. Clearly we live in different worlds."

"What's Target?"

"Oh Lena. You make me smile."

"You make me smile too Kara. I didn't think that would be possible with the situation at hand."

"So, really no family? No siblings? No parents?"

"My mother and father died when I was young and I am estranged from my brother and stepmother. It's just me. You can understand why this holiday is really shaping up to be the worst ever. I felt pretty low when I stepped onto the elevator and then when my ass got knocked down to the ground, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe I was a Nazi or something in a previous life. I must have been a terrible person. Maybe I'm a terrible person now and this is karma coming to bite me in the ass."

Kara put her hand to her heart and smiled. This woman was so brutally honest, but there was something she really liked about her.

"I'm pretty sure you weren't a Nazi in a previous life. I'm pretty sure you are experiencing what my mother refers to as 'the shittiest of times', but she always says no matter how bad things look now, there's a light at the end of the road."

"Why aren't you with your mom tonight? Why are you at work?"

"I have a project that is due by the first of the year and, as it is, it will take me every minute of every day to complete it."

"I shouldn't be taking up your time. You have already been too kind. I understand if you need to get back to work."

"I'm fine. I'm not leaving you alone. The work will get done. It always does."

"You are really sweet. Thank you", Lena said with a relieved sigh. "What kind of project are you working on?"

"A new airport. We are the engineering firm in charge of the project. There is a team of twenty engineers working on the project. I'm working on a bridge that leads into the airport. It sounds mundane but I'm feeling pretty good about my work."

"You're an engineer? That's hot. Brains are sexy and engineers have the best brains."

"Stop, you're making me blush. You can't possibly think engineers are hot. I was literally just saying it would be great if there was a beautiful woman out there that thought this job was hot. Shit, I'm dreaming. God, that sucks."

"You're not dreaming silly. Engineers make something great out of nothing but an idea. I'm sure you're brilliant."

"Yeah. So brilliant that all of the senior engineers went home to their families and dumped their work on me to check before it is submitted. If it was just my work, I would be at home with my Mom and sister Alex celebrating but instead, I'm here by myself. I mean, it's kind of been worth it being able to help you and talk to you so I guess there is a silver lining."

"Now you're just being nice. How could this possibly be a silver lining? I'm just a broken woman without a filter."

"I know this situation isn't ideal, but you're not hard to talk to."

"I'll take that as a compliment", Lena said with a brighter tone.

"Please do. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself earlier."

"Ha! At least you can pee if you need to."

"True. Hey, you said you're a lawyer right?"

"Yeah. I work at Goodman, Duff & McCleary."

"What kind of law do you practice?"

"Corporate. Mostly Mergers and Acquisitions. So I basically come in and ruin people's lives. I don't contribute to society the way you do."

"Oh please. The world needs good lawyers."

"Thank you for saying that. It may not be one hundred percent true but I'll take it."

The error message continued to play loudly in the background.

"Hey, can you do me a favor?" Kara asked.

"Of course. I owe you so much already."

"Tell me what kind of elevator you're in. Is there a brand name or a model number anywhere? Maybe on the inspection tag?"

Lena stood up and brushed herself off. The light was dim but she grabbed her cell phone and turned on the flashlight.

"It's a Powell elevator. It says the model is JX7000."

Kara typed in the information Lena provided into the computer and performed a search. She brought up engineering specs on the elevator from their database. Powell just happened to be a client. Kara couldn't help but feel like fate might be playing a part.

"I think I can help with that stupid error message. Do you have a nail file or something you can jimmy the bottom panel open with?

"Will a Swiss Army knife work?"

"Sure. I'm impressed."

"My dad was a boy scout. He insisted I carry a Swiss Amy knife everywhere. It doesn't matter how high end my purse is, I always have a Swiss Army knife."

"See if you can open the panel."

Lena grabbed her bag and quickly found her knife. She found the flat head screwdriver and popped open the panel.

"Okay. All set. What next?"

"There should be a small keypad."

"There is, Lena said a little more cheerful.

"Type 2214759."

"Where are you getting this from?"

"It's a secret. No really, my firm works with Powell and we just happened to have the specs in the computer.

"Lena typed in the code and the error message stopped playing immediately."

"Oh MY GOD. You are my hero Kara Danvers. I don't know what a Civil Engineer does but I think you might be a fucking magician."

"We build things and occasionally stop to help pretty girls out of elevators."

"Seriously, I don't know how to thank you for all of this. I'll have to send you flowers."

"That sounds romantic", Kara said suggestively.

Lena paused for a long moment.

"Shit, that made you uncomfortable. I was just kidding. I'm sorry."

"I'm good. Really. Don't be sorry."

"Try this. Type in the code 9982379."

"What does that do?"

"Just type it."

Lena typed in the code and suddenly the elevator car was filled with bright light again. Lena grinned from ear to ear.

"Are you serious right now? I could kiss you! Thank you so much.

"I wouldn't say no to a kiss, Kara said flirtatiously. "Shit. I did it again. What the hell is wrong with me? I am so sorry. I think I'm delirious from sleep deprivation."

"No. It's okay. I'm just feeling a little raw from my breakup. It's nothing against you. You're wonderful. I just can't think about romance right now, but you're sweet."

"Are you okay? I mean in the elevator? Are you feeling better?"

"The lights are on and the message stopped. I am doing so much better now. Thank you Kara."

"I'm glad. So, you sound pretty amazing. What the hell was this girlfriend of yours thinking?'

"So far, I have taken up your whole evening, distracted you from your important project, admitted every disturbing detail of my pathetic life, had a mini nervous breakdown and threatened to kiss you. What part of that sounds amazing?"

"That right there. You don't even have to try to be cute."

"The lights are on and the walls of this god awful elevator are mirrored. Don't make me blush. "

Lena leaned against the wall and slid down to the ground again. She propped up her things behind her back and made a little seat. She kicked off her heels and settled in.

"Do you work late often?" Kara asked.

She turned the Christmas music back on.

"Santa Claus Is Back In Town", by Elvis Preseley played softly in the background.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5b1jXYUOgAX5QAHXPVHdld?si=OzO914gESY-fj0xmz4uMrQ

"Every day. I'll work tomorrow. I work every day. I guess that's what happens when you have no family and no life. Jesus, why do I keep saying things like that. You must think I'm the most tragic person on the planet."

"You're not tragic or pathetic. I'll be working tomorrow too. I guess we are doomed to be married to our jobs, even on Christmas Day."

"Is it weird that I feel a little better knowing someone else will be at work?"

Kara laughed out loud.

"Not at all. I suppose I feel the same way. Misery loves company. Not that this part is miserable. It's nice."

"Is that Christmas music in the background?"

"Oh yeah. I turned it back on. I thought it would help us pass the time. I can turn it off if you prefer."

"No. It's actually kind of soothing. It almost makes me forget that I'm trapped in an elevator."

"How's that pee situation?"

"Thanks for reminding me", Lena said, laughing heartily.

Her laugh was infectious. Kara joined in.

"Sorry. I'm a jerk."

"No you are not."

"You want to know a secret?"

"Sure", Lena said still chuckling.

"Before you called I was dancing around my desk to Christmas music like a crazy person."

"I love it. Self-soothing?"

"I was feeling sorry for myself. I looked around and realized there is no one around. Why not act completely insane? I guess working the long hours doesn't really bother me. I love my family to death but this project needs to be completed. The office is dead quiet, I can play my music and dance around and talk to you, Lena Elevator."

"Lena Elevator?"

"You won't tell me your last name."

"I would rather just...I don't know."

"I get it. Still feeling raw?" Kara asked.

"That and you sound completely batshit crazy", Lena said, laughing hysterically.

Kara was silent for a brief moment and then exploded into laughter.

"So true. Protect yourself. I am batshit crazy."

"You're sweet", Lena said with the softest, most sincere tone Kara had ever heard. "You're my hero."

"I'd probably be your hero if I could get someone down there. I feel like I've failed you. Let me call him again."

"Merry Christmas Baby", by Otis Redding played in the background.

https://open.spotify.com/track/2dbfjsBbi3nt0a173iUumA?si=zI_9l3ujQ2uKlWwehNvYrw

"It's okay. I can wait a little longer. Call him at the top of the hour if someone doesn't come by then."

"Merry Christmas, get you're ass over here now!", Kara said with a hearty chuckle.

"Exactly!"

"Are you really doing okay?"

"I am. I'm feeling pretty zen right now actually. If my bladder doesn't explode, I should be good."

"You sound a lot better than you did at the beginning of our call."

"Thanks to you."

"I didn't do anything. I made a call."

"What about the lights and the error message? You're a genius! Well, you're an engineer, so of course you're a genius."

"You give me way too much credit. You're the fancy lawyer."

"There's nothing fancy about what I do, but work is what has been getting me through these days.

"I'm sorry that things have been so hard on you. Do you enjoy your work?"

"I do. I joke but I love my job. It's exhausting, but I do myself no favors working the hours I do. I would dial it back but these days I need to keep my hands and my brain busy."

"I know what that's like. I wish these hours were my choice. I haven't taken a vacation in two years. I would give anything in the world to spend one week solid, laying naked, wrapped in a beautiful woman's arms somewhere hot and exotic. I'm so sick of the cold and snow. I want the sun and the heat on my face."

"I want that for both of us. I think we both deserve a break."

"Come with me. Come with me and let's find the sun."

Lena was silent for a long pause.

"I...I...thank you for the offer", she said with a shaky voice.

Kara thought for a moment about how it all must have sounded.

"I'm sorry. I did it again. You need to heal and feel safe. You don't need me coming onto you every five seconds."

"Kara, you are sweet and you have made me smile and laugh for the first time in a long time. I just feel shaken and vulnerable right now. I feel helpless and weak and I swear I am not usually that person. Please understand, I am deeply indebted to you for everything you have done. I am so thankful that you stayed with me."

"But...?"

"I can't even entertain anything romantic right now. I need to clear my head and my heart."

"Lena, I'm not asking for anything. I just want to be here for you. I'm here to support you as a friend."

"Friendship I can do. Friendship works for me."

Kara's cell phone rang.

"Hold on a second Lena. My cell is ringing. I think it Joe."

Kara picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi ma'am. My guy just arrived. He's trying to get through to the trapped woman. Are you still on the line with her?"

"Yes!" Kara said excited. "I have her on the line."

"Tell her that he is resetting the elevator now. The lights will probably go off and on and she will probably feel a jolt before the elevator begins to move. It might feel a little jarring but she should be out of there in no time. Tell her it should take 10 minutes and then everything will reset."

"Great Joe. I'll give the heads up. Thanks for your help."

"It's not often a woman threatens to come down and teach me a lesson. I respect that. Merry Christmas ma'am."

"Marry Christmas Joe."

Kara looked down at her watch. Ten minutes meant Lena would be free at the stroke of Midnight. A Christmas miracle of sorts.

Kara ended the call with Joe and returned to Lena.

"Lena, in nine minutes the system will reset. The lights will go off, you'll feel a jolt but everything should start moving again. The call will probably drop too."

"Right at midnight on Christmas Day?"

"I guess it is."

"Hey, before I lose you. Thank you for all of your help. I really appreciate it."

"Is there any chance we could meet for a drink? Your building is six blocks from my building."

"I don't think so Kara. You have been so kind and so patient but I really need to clear my head right now. I have really enjoyed our conversation but I need to work on myself and heal right now."

"I guess I understand that."

"You are lovely. It's just me and I hope you can understand that."

"I do. Really. Listen, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. I really enjoyed our conversation."

"Me too. I just need some time really but thank you again."

"It's almost time Lena. Only two minutes to go. Merry Christmas Lena and Happy New Year. I hope this next year treats you with more kindness and you find your own sunny beach and beautiful woman."

"Merry Christmas Kara. I hope you find your beach as well. You've been so kind. I feel kind of silly not telling you my last name. I'm Lena Lu...", Lena said before the line went dead.

"Lena Lu? Is that her whole name? Was she cut off? Shit. I hope she's okay."

Kara hung up her office phone and turned up the music. She didn't know Lena. She didn't know her face or even her hair color. She had no idea whether she was short and fat or tall and skinny. She didn't know what she daydreamed about or what her favorite food was.

They had never met before and there was no reason for her to feel sad saying goodbye, but she did feel sad. Lena was in pain and she wished she had the power to make that pain go away. Every bit of empathy in Kara's heart seemed to hold onto the image of the mysterious woman, sprawled out on the floor, trying desperately to stay calm. She was vulnerable and suffering but Kara enjoyed talking to her.

She knew in her heart the best thing for Lena was to take the time she needed to heal, but that didn't stop her from wanting to get to know her better. She knew in her heart that Lena wasn't ready for anything, maybe not even friendship but she had to at least try and see if she could find the mysterious woman.

She opened a search window and typed in 'Lena Lu Metropolis attorney'. This search returned 1,500 results. Evidently, Lu was a pretty common name in Metropolis.

"She told me the name of her firm. What was the name again? Damnit Kara! Think. I think it started with a G or maybe a J. Why didn't I listen more. Shit."

Kara tried searching Metropolis attorneys named Lena who did Mergers and Acquisitions. The list narrowed slightly but there were eight Lena Lus that practiced law and four who did Mergers and Acquisitions. Kara closed her eyes and stopped. She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes.

"Stop this Kara. Enough. She said it herself, she needs to heal. Let it go. She needs time and she knows where you are. Fuck. This is so inconvenient. Get a grip and get back to work."

Kara took in a deep breath and let it out. She couldn't stop her mind from drifting back to Lena.

"I hope you got out of that elevator safely Lena. I hope you're on your way home to your whiskey and pajamas. Merry Christmas", Kara whispered softly. Somehow, she felt sillier speaking out loud to Lena than dancing like a fool only a few hours before.

"White Christmas", by Otis Redding played in the background.

https://open.spotify.com/track/3PD9zS9RFsRFuPel4CsmXe?si=P1Hk_aZaRAWX0MZFMH8qNA