A/N: Okay guys, many of you know that I love writing these two, as evidenced by my earlier stories, but those pieces could be considered partially-AU. In light of the recent news that James will now be a vigilante hiding his identity, my head exploded with a head canon. It struck me that they could be similar to 'The Blur/Lois Lane' or 'The Streak/Iris West.' You know me; I'm always hopeful. I know I'm grasping at straws, but I do hope you enjoy this. Read on!

~o~o~

Things That Never Die

A few days later, after Kara's decision:

At his apartment, standing by the window, James had some decisions to make, whether to just give up on their rather unique and special relationship, accept Ms. Grant's incredible job offer, or he truly didn't know what to do.

He still cared about Kara deeply. At times, he had to pinch himself to think that she may care about him in the same way, but it appeared that he had been wrong.

Startled by the knock at the door, he opened it; it was Clark. "Hey, I thought you had left," James said, happy to see him.

"I couldn't leave without saying goodbye." Clark blinked, startled by his haggard and unkempt appearance, with stubble on his chin, but his eyes is what told the tale. Maybe he hadn't been sleeping well.

After entering his apartment, he also took note of his place: it wasn't exactly tidy, not like him at all. It was definitely apparent that James needed him; probably as much as Kara did. "Maybe I should stay for a little while longer?" Clark asked, worried about him.

Embarrassed by what he could see, James said, "I'm sorry; I'll clean this up." He quickly gathered up the dirty clothes and took them into his bedroom, then he went into the kitchen to clean up the mess.

"James, you don't have to do that now. Sit down and talk to me." Once they were seated, he thought about it. "Is this about Kara?"

He sighed. "I guess she told you that she wanted to remain friends?"

"No, she didn't," Clark replied, saddened by the news.

"She didn't tell you?" He shook his head. "I'm not surprised; she's been different these past few days, but I never imagined that she didn't really care about me."

"Of course, she does, but she's got a lot going on."

"I know that and I understand; I do, but it just hurts; that's all." He hung his head.

Clark touched his shoulder. "Are you thinking of leaving CatCo?"

"I'm thinking about it," he replied distracted by thoughts of never seeing Kara again, at least not in the way he wanted.

"I can see you're mulling it over." Clark sighed. "I feel bad, because it was my idea that you come here to help her and now look what happened."

"Please don't blame yourself. If it was meant to be, then it will happen … or it won't."

Clark picked up on something. "You still want her; don't you."

"You have no idea how much," he replied. Agitated, he stood up. "It's as if the past year didn't happen. Did I imagine it? I thought it was real; I truly did."

Clark frowned and then he understood. "Kara was interested in you; wasn't she."

"Yes, she was; I truly thought we had something special." Then he remembered all of it. "We confided in each other; we trusted each other; we kissed multiple times; we hugged all the time; we danced; she even saved me a few times; I thought she needed me, but I guess we hadn't really gotten there; you know?"

After hearing all of that, he asked, "Do you think she still cares about you?" Then Clark had a thought. "Are you thinking about pursuing her?" James was silent. "No James, that's not a good idea. As I said, Kara has a lot going on and it could backfire on you."

"No, I won't pursue her, at least not in the way you may think."

Clark was worried now, not understanding what was truly going on with him. "What does that mean?"

James knew he was taking a risk by telling him then he decided to show him. He went into the bedroom and came back with drawings he'd been working on for months and showed them to him.

"What in the world is that?" Clark asked pointing to the drawings, but he had to admit he was definitely intrigued.

"It's a superhero costume made for me," he replied.

"Do I want to hear this?" Clark asked as he stared at the designs.

"I'm not going rogue; not breaking the law; or anything like that." He pointed to the drawings. "Winn and I have," he began.

"Hold on, Winn, as in Winn at the DEO; what is going on with you two?"

"He helped me build the suit; he's a friend and I trust him, same as you, well, maybe not exactly the same," he replied and ducked his head.

"Alright tell me," Clark said and waited.

"First of all, the suit is lead-lined, meaning Kara won't know it's me, and," he started.

Clark knew where this was headed. "I see, so you want to keep this from her." It was a statement.

"You're not pleased; I can tell," James said, but he wasn't surprised.

"You know how I feel about secrets, James. She will find out and it won't help the situation, especially if you're trying to stay close to her or even protect her in some way."

He rolled up the drawings. "I shouldn't have told you." Then he returned them to his bedroom.

Clark sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. When he came back, Clark had more to say. "James, I understand why you're doing this. I guess if I wanted someone to take notice of me or even look at me differently, it may be something I would consider, but know this; it's deceitful no matter how you look at it."

"I don't see it that way." Clark frowned, not believing he actually said that.

James continued, "Look, Kara has made it clear that she's not ready to be in a relationship with anyone. This is my way of staying close to her and not be forgotten. I can't let her forget about me; I can't." He hated the desperate tone in his voice.

Clark understood now. "You still love her and you want her back; but it's not that simple, James, and you know it."

He turned from him and went to stand by the window. "I hear you and I understand, but it's worth a shot; isn't it?" He turned to his friend hoping he would understand.

Clark didn't know if the relationship was one-sided or not. Kara never said she was in love only that she wasn't ready. In James' mind, maybe it wasn't over. He just didn't know the whole picture and to question her now about her decision; it didn't feel right.

But he couldn't discourage him. "Yes, it's worth a shot." He paused. "But remember, it could go either way; she may hate you for lying to her or she could change her mind, but whatever her decision, you have to honor it. Is that clear?"

He nodded his head. "It's clear."

"Good, now clean up this place." He smiled at his friend.

"I will, and thanks Clark. Say hi to Lois for me. I miss you guys."

"We miss you too." He held out his hand. "None of that." He gave him a hug.

"Bye, Clark."

"Bye, Jimmy, oh, sorry, James."

He chuckled. "Jimmy is fine." He smiled and escorted him out.

~o~o~

Meanwhile at CatCo, in the war room upstairs:

Standing by the window, thinking of James and how she had left things between them, Kara tried to be strong about her decision not to pursue a relationship with him, but considering he hadn't been in the office for several days, she needed to see him to make sure he was alright.

"So Superman left to go back to Metropolis?" Winn pouted; he was going to miss him.

She chuckled. "Yes, he's gone," Kara replied, still distracted.

"You'll probably miss him," Winn said, then, "Or is it someone else you're missing?" He raised his eyebrows. She didn't respond. "So you dumped him same as me?"

"Winn, I," she couldn't finish.

He bowed his head. "I'm sorry; that was uncalled for." He watched her face; she did look unhappy. "Listen, if your heart isn't in it, you did the right thing."

Before she could speak on that, James walked in. "I'm glad you guys are here. I wanted to explain a few things about my new position."

"What new position?" Kara asked a little stunned to see him looking so well, she gathered her wits. "Are you leaving the company because of," she hesitated.

"No, I'm not leaving, in fact, Ms. Grant offered me her job, and I accepted."

Stunned to hear this, but she really was happy for him. "That's great news; I'm happy for you." She wanted to give him a hug but they certainly couldn't do that anymore.

"Thanks, Kara, but as you know, the job is very demanding, and I don't see us doing this anymore."

Kara and Winn stared at each other. "Yeah, Kara and I were talking about that earlier," Winn stated only partially true.

Sad about it, Kara asked, "So this is the last meeting of our team?"

"Yeah, I suppose it is," James replied and tried not to stare at her. "But I'll always be available, especially if my 'friends' need me for anything." He let that hang for a second.

Winn turned back to the computer.

"Yes, of course, we need you; always," she managed to reply.

"That's good to know," he said heart pounding staring at her lovely face.

Suddenly a police warning came over the computer. "That's interesting," Winn said.

They both came closer. "What is it?" Kara asked.

"A silent alarm at a jewelry store; you would think people would learn that Supergirl isn't going anywhere." Winn shook his head at idiot thieves.

"Yeah, you would think that; wouldn't you," James said and tried to smile.

"One last time." Then, "I'm on it," Kara said, then she was gone.

Winn made sure she was at the store before speaking. "She's gone; you can cut the act."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Was it that bad?"

"Yeah, pretty bad," Winn replied. "So your time off didn't help?"

"No, it didn't," he replied then told him the truth. "Before Superman left, I told him our plans; he didn't approve."

Surprised he would tell him at all, he said, "Seriously, you told him?" James nodded, but he understood; they were friends. "Well, it's not like you're going to rob a bank or kill anyone."

James chuckled. "No, I'm not, but he said it was deceitful not to tell Kara."

"I don't think it is," Winn said.

"I told him that, but he had another perspective. When or if she finds out, she may not forgive either of us for lying to her."

Winn straightened his spine. "We're not lying; we're just trying to help her; that's all."

"I hope she sees it that way."

A few moments later, Kara, out of costume, walked in; and wondered what they were talking about. She didn't hear them specifically, but it did sound important.

"What's going on? Was there another alert?" She asked and came closer and checked the computer.

"Nothing at the moment," Winn replied. "I guess I'll turn this off for the last time," he said sad about it.

She sighed. "Alright, turn it off."

"See you at the office in the morning?" James asked staring at her.

"Yeah, I'll see you," Kara said and watched as Winn logged off and followed James.

After they had left, Kara slowly looked around and thought of the past year. Sad about leaving, tears sprang into her eyes. Everything is changing and I can't stop it, she thought. Then she thought of the past few days with her cousin, and she loved every minute of it, but there is something missing. But instead of pondering and worrying about the future and what could have been, she left the war room, turned off the lights and locked the door.

~o~o~

Later that night at the DEO:

Kara entered the facility, in costume and went to greet her sister. Alex and J'onn had returned from their mission to find her Father, if he was still alive or not. They hadn't had a chance to catch up. In Alex's new office, Kara took note of the space.

"This is really nice. I would love an office too."

"Why do you need an office?" Alex asked.

"The war room at CatCo is no more, now that Winn is here and James has a new position; he's my boss by the way, it's difficult seeing them, especially James. They must think I'm a flighty female who doesn't know what she wants, or even who she wants."

"Kara, they're your friends; they understand."

She sat down. "I don't think they do. I want to continue being friends with them; but it's hard; you know."

"Well, it will take time." Alex watched her for a minute. "Your decision about James, do you want to talk about it?"

Agitated, she stood up and paced for a minute. "I don't want to lose him," she said, but when Alex raised her eyebrows, she continued "As a friend," she quickly replied. "I truly don't know why I made the decision not to pursue a relationship with him, but I took a long look at my life and where I'm headed, and he didn't fit into it. I know it's a lame excuse, but it didn't feel as if we fit. Sorry, I'm repeating myself, but that's how I feel."

"I see what you mean, but are you sure?" Alex asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Kara answered her honestly.

"Well, as I said, it will take time for them to adjust but I think they will."

"I hope so." Kara wasn't enthusiastic about that.

Alex changed the subject. "About Dad, J'onn and I didn't have any luck."

"Oh, no, really; nothing at all?"

"We did find the facility but I couldn't go in, but J'onn can make himself invisible, so he entered the facility."

"I didn't know he could do that; that's incredible. So, what did he find?"

Alex stood up hating to tell her about this. "Dad wasn't there, but J'onn did see experiments on meta-humans and it made us sick to think about those poor people at their mercy."

"But is there any way to stop those experiments?"

"It was too well-guarded for us to do anything ourselves and it is run by the government, so," she replied and let that hang.

"The government is behind the experiments?" Kara felt sick about that.

"Yes, J'onn was sure of it."

Kara shook her head and paced again. "We have to do something. Maybe Dad was still there and he couldn't find him. He has to go back, and," Kara said but Alex interrupted her.

"No, Kara, he searched the entire building and he's not there."

"But where could he be?" At Alex's sad expression, she asked, "You think he's dead?" At her crestfallen expression, she walked over to her, "Please say you aren't giving up hope?"

"I'm sorry, Kara, but yes, we are."

"So, it's over?" Kara started to cry and so did she. They hugged each other tightly for a few minutes. "We had such hopes of seeing him again."

Alex pulled away. "I know we did."

Suddenly, there's an alert. "I have to go."

"Alright, I'll see you later!" Alex said and watched her streak away.

~o~o~

Meanwhile, at James' apartment:

In full costume, James stood before his friend. "How do I look?"

"Like a boss," Winn replied. "How does it feel?" He checked a few things.

"It's a bit tight, but I can get used to it."

Suddenly an alert came over the computer. "Well, do you want to try it out?"

"Now, right now? But how do I get there?" Kara had super speed; no way could they arrive before her.

"I hadn't thought of that," Winn replied. "I'll drive you to the site, only leave you a few blocks away."

"That could work; let's try that."

"Awesome!" Winn said.

Once inside his car, James tried out the voice modulator. He spoke to his friend. "It's a good thing your windows are tinted," he said and watched his face to see his reaction.

"Awesome!" He said it again.

~o~o~

After receiving the same alert, Kara headed to the site of a three-alarm fire.

Guardian, or James, arrived at the scene and headed inside. Kara, meanwhile, was hovering above the apartment building, ready to blow out the fire. James had listened to the neighbors and a few people could possibly be inside. His costume was fire-proof, so he didn't wait for firemen or the fire crews but headed inside ready to save someone. He did hear screams.

Kara also heard the screams, but watched this person head inside. "Who in the world is that, and what is he doing?"

Winn watched from a safe distance; enjoying every second of it, except the fire of course.

The fire was out in minutes, then Kara headed inside. The person in the costume walked towards her carrying a child. He was very tall; it must be a man.

Kara asked to help. He handed the child to her, then he went back inside. The child screamed. "Mommy!"

"Wait!" Kara screamed to the man but he ignored her.

Kara handed the child to the firemen, who had just arrived at the scene.

Once back inside, she followed sounds of screams, but then she saw him again, carrying a woman.

She stepped aside then followed them outside. Mother and child were reunited, both crying and truly grateful.

He stood there and watched the scene. Kara walked over to him. "Who are you?"

"A friend," he replied and smiled underneath the mask.

Then he ran down the street and turned a corner.

Before she could follow him, someone touched her shoulder. It was the woman who was rescued. "He saved us; I wanted to thank him."

Kara smiled still watching the spot where the man had disappeared. "He knows." Suddenly, thinking of the fire and this new vigilante, she needed a story, so she asked the woman to tell her everything.

TBC!?

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: What About Now? Daughtry.

A/N: Should I continue this? I truly have no idea what the writers have planned for James. Yes, he Kara's boss; yes, he's a superhero; and yes, Guardian is actually in the comics. So, maybe they can still work things out, and maybe they can find that chemistry that must have happened at some point during the hiring process. *My hopeful shipper heart remembers* Let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for reading.