Chapter Text
It had been six weeks since Cat Grant had exited Kara’s life.
Kara had known she would miss her, but she had woefully underestimated how much. While she could have used Cat’s advice on any number of problems plaguing her, it was the simpler things she longed for. Her strut out of the elevator. Her huff of exasperation when an employee left her frustrated. The dramatic eye rolls when a member of the board called. The way Cat looked beneath the stars and city lights when they lingered after work to talk on the balcony.
Most of all, Kara missed Cat’s smile.
Physically aching over its absence, Kara knew she was dangerously distracted lately as Supergirl, and adrift in a sea of change as Kara Danvers. Cat leaving had wrecked her, more than Kara would have thought possible.
Only Alex seemed to notice, though, suggesting Kara was getting better at hiding her feelings. Alex had been stopping by more regularly. There’d been more sister nights. More shared gallons of ice cream. More cuddles on the couch. Alex had kept her sane these past several weeks, never pushing, just being there while Kara mourned what she’d lost.
What she’d never had.
Kara had almost kissed Cat that last night, and it haunted her that she’d let the moment pass. She’d been a coward, too terrified that expressing her feelings might send Cat running away from her for good. It was one thing to wait until Cat came back to her, quite another to possibly lose her forever.
Sighing, Kara closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to focus on the job at hand. She leaned back in the leather armchair in the lobby of L-Corp, listening as footsteps echoed on the marble floors, the murmur of voices swirling around her.
“Ms. Danvers?” Lena Luthor’s secretary appeared, a woman a few inches shorter and a few years older than Kara. “Ms. Luthor will see you now.”
Kara smiled tightly and followed. She owed Lena a debt of gratitude. Lena favored her for some reason over other reporters Snapper often sent her way, and she’d finally told Kara’s boss she would only talk to Kara. Some days Kara was pretty sure that was the only reason she still had a job.
“Kara,” Lena greeted, standing up from her desk as the secretary left them alone. “My week wasn’t feeling complete without a visit from you.”
Chuckling slightly, Kara shrugged. “You’ll have to do something to make news sooner next time.”
Lena grinned and motioned at the chair on the other side of her desk. “So what have I done to make news this week? Or is this visit about my brother’s failed attempt to escape from prison?”
Kara winced. Lex Luthor had made his fifth attempt in as many months, but this time a guard had paid the price so it was making more news. “I’m not going to lie. I’m here to interview you about the STEM program you’re launching here, but my boss might kill me if I don’t come back with a quote about your brother.”
Linking her fingers, Lena set her hands on her desk. “I don’t like your boss.”
“Join the club.” Kara smiled. “But he is an excellent writer and investigator. Ms. Grant wouldn’t have hired him otherwise.”
Lena watched her curiously. “How is CatCo fairing without their queen bee?”
Swallowing, Kara drew in a shallow breath. “Mr. Olsen is doing a great job in her stead.”
“But it’s not the same. Working for a woman like that… powerful, savvy, beautiful.” Lena lifted one eyebrow and Kara got the strange feeling she was being challenged. “I imagine you must miss her very much.”
Suspicion began to creep along Kara’s spine but she kept her features neutral. “Have you been asking around about me, Ms. Luthor?”
“Lena, Kara, please. And yes. I’ve made some polite inquiries about you.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
Kara shifted slightly in her seat. “Have I done something to…”
“No, no, no. You just piqued my curiosity, I suppose. I had to know if this refreshingly honest young woman you present yourself to be was legitimately who you are.”
“And are you satisfied?” Kara heard the note of steel that entered her voice, wary of the woman in a way she hadn’t been since their first meeting.
Lena noticed, her lips pursing together to contain a grin. “Very. Seems you were Cat Grant’s most trusted employee.”
“I was her assistant.”
“The only one who lasted longer than two weeks. You made it two years. Quite extraordinary really. Cat must have liked you very much.”
Kara tried not to think of that last hug, how amazing it had felt. “I liked her. Ms. Grant has been a… mentor to me while I’ve been at CatCo. I’ve learned a lot from her.”
Lena smiled again, but something in the gesture set off alarm bells in Kara’s head. “So, ask me your questions while I try to think of a scathing quote for you regarding my dear brother.”
Unnerved and not sure why, Kara opened her reporter’s notebook and slipped out her pen. The interview only took about ten minutes, and Lena did give her a quote about Lex that would leave Snapper giddy, but Kara found herself strangely eager to leave. Usually she lingered, rather enjoying Lena’s company, but today she felt the urge to flee.
“I’ve upset you,” Lena murmured as Kara gathered her things. She stood, moving around the desk to stand before Kara, effectively blocking her path. “That wasn’t my intent.”
“I’m fine.” Kara drew herself up straighter.
“I have to be careful who I let get… close.”
The excuse was plausible and more than likely accurate, but Kara was still cautious. “I understand. I’m sure someone in your position can’t be too careful.”
“Exactly right.” Lena inched closer. “But I think I can trust you, can’t I?”
“I would hope so,” Kara said sincerely.
“Because I do like you, Kara. Very much in fact.”
Kara hesitated, nerves stirring slightly. She could be clueless about a lot of things, but she was pretty sure she was being hit on. “Oh,” she breathed out in surprise, flattered and even a little intrigued. “I…”
“Is there someone else?” Lena asked, her gaze narrowing.
Kara adjusted her glasses, the memory of Cat’s heat pressed against her side still fresh and confusing in her mind. She’d come so close to crossing a line that night that she’d practically run when she realized she was teetering on the edge of it. Cat had been so warm with her, so open, so beautiful as they’d shared one last sunset together. Kara had wanted to kiss her so badly, and that desire hadn’t faded in the weeks since.
“Not… not exactly,” Kara admitted.
“Not exactly,” Lena repeated, a slow, knowing smile on her lips. “That’s promising.”
“Promising?” Kara’s voice broke mid-word and she blushed. Surely she was imagining that this successful, brilliant woman was flirting with her, eyeing her like Kara would eye a box of potstickers. She took a step back, bumping into Lena’s desk.
Lena reached out, adjusting Kara’s collar before tugging on it slightly. Kara reluctantly stepped forward, pretending the pull was strong enough to move her, her heart suddenly racing. “Um… Ms. Luthor…”
“Lena, Kara. Call me Lena.”
“L-Lena, um… I…”
“Am I making you nervous?”
Swallowing hard when the CEO stepped into her, their bodies brushing, Kara finally accepted that Lena was putting the moves on her, quite forcefully in fact. “Honestly? A little.”
“Just a little? Then I need to try harder.” Lena’s hand wound around Kara’s neck as she leaned in and kissed her.
For a moment, Kara froze, not sure what to do. Lena’s mouth was soft against her own, and Kara had to admit the contact felt nice, causing a pleasant fluttering deep in her stomach. When Lena adjusted her angle, kissing her with greater intention, Kara slowly relented, kissing her back, the need for connection making her forget herself in the heat and feel of this woman.
Lena’s hand brushed Kara’s hip, slowly sliding upward, and Kara helplessly thought of Cat, of the tiny tease of Cat’s forefinger sliding along Kara’s side as they’d stood on the balcony. Kara pulled away, confused.
“You okay?” Lena murmured.
“I…” Kara swallowed, hesitantly meeting Lena’s eyes. They were a beautiful shade of green, but they weren’t the color Kara longed to see. “I need to go.”
“Kara…” Lena’s tone modulated, sounding regretful and apologetic.
“It’s okay,” Kara promised with a tremulous smile. “It… it was nice. I just…”
Lena tilted her head, watching Kara knowingly. “Perhaps you aren’t as available as I’d hoped.” She smiled, though. “If you should change your mind...”
“I don’t think I will.” Kara itched with the sudden need to go find Cat, to finally confess what she’d been too afraid to before. “But I’m very flattered.”
Slowly, Lena stepped back, giving Kara space to leave. “Tell Catherine I said hello.”
Kara hesitated, thrown, half wondering if Lena could read her mind.
“You’re drawn to powerful women, Kara. It doesn't take a genius to know which one has captivated you in your orbit, especially since it’s sadly not me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I still got the kiss I wanted.” Lena winked before moving away and settling behind her desk. “Until next time, Ms. Danvers.”
Kara had a feeling this, whatever this was, wasn’t over, and she didn’t know how she felt about that. With a nod and a weak smile, she left, resisting the urge to fly to Cat’s penthouse and grabbing a taxi instead.
She wasn’t sure how Cat would react to what she needed to say, but Kara could no longer hold the words back, not when she knew everyone else would pale in comparison to what she felt for the other woman. She needed Cat to return her feelings or let her go. Kara just hoped Cat would be there.
****
Lena watched the cab pull away, whisking Kara Danvers to an untouchable distance. She frowned, not used to being denied what she wanted.
Tangling with Cat Grant over this girl might be risky, but Lena had always enjoyed a bit of risk. Cat might prove quite the worthy adversary if she was willing to fight for what she owned.
Settling back at her desk, Lena steepled her fingers and brought them to her lips. She’d been hungry for a distraction since coming to National City. She suspected she’d just found one.