Christmas in Midvale

"I love Christmas," Supergirl stated happily from her position hovering near the ceiling. She was taping decorations there to bring some festive cheer to the DEO.

Below her, at ground level, her sister crossed her arms and gazed up at her. "You do realize that this is a secret government organization, right? We're way too badass for streamers."

"These are not streamers!" Kara replied, indignantly. "They're snowflakes."

"I see," Alex replied, stifling a grin as Director J'Onzz approached, his eyes on the decorating superhero. "Sir."

"Agent Danvers," he replied stopping with his arms crossed too. "What are you doing, Supergirl?"

"Jeez," Kara muttered. "They're like carbon copies of each other." She smiled then. "Just trying to bring a little Christmas spirit to the DEO, Sir!" Her tone was way too cheerful.

"I see," the tall man replied. He shook his head but let a small smile touch both his lips and eyes. "Carry on, Supergirl."

A few moments later, Kara landed next to her sister and joined her on her walk to her lab. "So how are things with you and Maggie?"

A genuine smile graced Alex's face. "Yeah, really good," she replied. "We're both really glad we decided to try this."

"That's great," Kara grinned. "So have you two… um…" She made an action with her hands that made Alex roll her eyes.

"You know it's actually ok to say the word sex, Kara."

The hero laughed. "I know that but I didn't want to overstep."

The brunette agent chuckled. "And asking me in the first place wasn't overstepping?"

"Sorry," Kara frowned.

"Sweetie, I'm kidding," Alex laughed. "Of course it's ok to ask me. I want us to be able to talk about everything. And yes, we have slept together."

"Ooohhh! Your first time with a woman!" Kara skipped along excitedly. "What was it like?"

"Try it," Alex replied teasingly. "You'll love it."

"That good, huh?" The hero replied, punching her sister's shoulder gently. "I'm so happy for you but I'm also so jealous."

"Hell yeah, you are!" The agent winked as she led Kara into her lab. There was a small Christmas tree in the corner, no doubt placed there by her super-speed-decorating sister. "Hey, that's pretty. Thanks, Kara."

"You're welcome. So… is Maggie coming to Eliza's with us this year?"

Alex stilled for a moment, her back to Kara. "Would it be ok if she was?"

The hero scoffed as she picked up a medical instrument and played with it in her fingers. "Of course it would. Why wouldn't it be?"

Turning slowly, the agent shrugged, taking the scalpel out of her sister's hand and placing it back on its tray. "You don't have a plus one, Kara. I just… I wouldn't want you to feel like I was rubbing your nose in it by bringing Maggie."

Kara's face broke out into a smile. "Thank you for thinking about me but please… if you want Maggie to be there, I'd be thrilled to have her and so would Eliza. We know how you feel about her, Alex."

Alex just looked at her sister for a long moment, gratitude written all over her face. "I think I'm nervous about Mom meeting her actually," she finally stated. "I really don't want her to crack out the baby pictures."

Supergirl laughed then. "Don't worry, I've got your back. I'll distract her by telling her Mon-El kissed me."

Alex chuckled but then suddenly stopped. 'Wait… did Mon-El actually kiss you?" Kara just sauntered out of the room, giving her sister a meaningful look over her shoulder. "Kara? Kara!"

..

It was the day before Christmas Eve and Kara was seated at the desk Snapper had finally given her as a reward for meeting her ten story goal. She was casually dressed in jeans and a blue button up and her hair was up in a messy bun, held in place with a pencil. Another pencil was between her teeth and was barely surviving her absent gnawing as she typed. "How do you spell mit-a-gated?" she muttered around the number 2 as spell check returned a red underline. But a familiar voice suddenly spoke up from the doorway.

"M-I-T-I-G-A-T-E-D."

For a second, Kara froze. Then she looked up and a huge smile spread across her face as she took the pencil out of her mouth and dropped it on her desk. Cat Grant was leaning against the door frame, her feet crossed at the ankles and looking gorgeous in black pants, a white shirt and a fitted leather jacket. Their eyes met for a long moment but neither said anything. Then Cat straightened and opened her arms with a smile and, faster than should have been humanly possible, Kara was across the room and hugging her. "Miss Grant! I had no clue you were coming back!"

The CEO chuckled and just squeezed harder. "I wanted to surprise… everyone."

"Well this is an awesome surprise,' the reporter replied, easing back and holding the older woman by the hands. "Merry Christmas to us! Who else have you seen so far?"

"No one yet," Cat replied. "I came to see you first. I've missed you a lot, Kara."

"I've missed you too," Kara replied. "So has Supergirl. It-It hasn't been the same without you. For either of us."

Cat quirked an eyebrow. "You talk to her regularly, I take it?"

"Yes, very regularly," Kara deadpanned. She was pretty sure that Cat knew her secret but she wanted to see what the CEO's reply would be.

"Thank God for mirrors," Cat replied just as seriously, making Kara break out into a laugh.

"You've known all along."

"In fairness," Cat shrugged. "It wasn't hard to figure out when I saw your family around you during Myriad. Alex's presence I could have overlooked since she's an FBI agent but Eliza? It was the only logical reason why she would be there." The CEO smiled as she watched her newest reporter's demeanor change. Her shoulders were squared now and her chin was just the tiniest bit higher, her natural confidence overriding her previous behavior. Cat reached out to caress Kara's cheek and then take her glasses off. "She looks good on you, Kara."

And there it was. Kara had almost forgotten what it felt like to have that fluttering feeling of butterflies in her stomach. Cat's hand fell to her shoulder then and squeezed gently. "Thank you," the younger woman replied, her words almost a whisper. She cleared her throat then. "So what are your plans for Christmas this year?"

The CEO chuckled and moved to take a seat in one of Kara's guest chairs. The hero joined her, turning the chair to face her. "Oh I think I'll be working. Carter is going to his father's and my mother is on a cruise somewhere or other."

Kara shook her head and dropped all formalities. "Cat, there's no way on this planet that I'm going to let you work on Christmas Day."

"Bu…"

"No. I mean it." The hero's face was set stubbornly. "You're spending Christmas with me in Midvale."

"Kara," Cat said, her tone soft. "I appreciate the invitation but I wouldn't want to intrude on your family time."

Kara's face gentled then. "Cat, you're very important to me. Besides, Alex's girlfriend is coming too."

"But I'm not your girlfriend," the CEO replied with a raised eyebrow, which quirked even higher as the reporter blushed a bit.

"Sorry, that's not what I meant… I just meant… um…" Kara stopped talking for a moment, her teeth clicking closed. "You're teasing me."

Cat winked. "Blatantly," she chuckled. "Alright, Kara. Thank you. I'd love to come." She paused and tilted her head a little. "Girlfriend or not."

And there were those damn butterflies again. The hero grinned. "Cool. Well, we'll be leaving at about one tomorrow. Eliza expects us for dinner. We'll stay a couple of nights and then head back."

Cat nodded. "Sounds wonderful." She took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Ok, I guess I should go terrorize the others," she stated, getting up and tugging efficiently at her shirt as she walked to the door.

"Cat?"

"Hmmm?"

Kara's feet carried her closer to her friend again. "Are you ok? You seem…"

"I think…" Cat shrugged her slim shoulders. "I think I stayed away too long."

Kara's voice was gentle. "Was it worth it?"

Green eyes met blue steadily. "Definitely."

"Hey, Eliza." Kara flopped down onto her couch, holding her phone against her ear with her shoulder as she juggled a drink and a large portion of pot stickers in a foil container. "How are you?"

"I'm great, Sweetie. Can't wait to see you all tomorrow. I got out Alex's baby pictures."

Kara grimaced. "That's actually why I'm calling, Eliza. I'd like to bring a friend tomorrow and I wanted to make sure it was ok with you. And also, please don't embarrass Alex by showing her new girlfriend the naked or bath ones?"

A wicked chuckle sounded down the phone line, making Kara swallow. "Me? Embarrass Alex? Never! And of course it's ok with me if you bring a friend. The more the merrier. Who is it?"

A smile rose unbidden to the hero's face. "Cat's back in National City and she was going to be spending Christmas alone. I couldn't let that happen."

"No one should be alone at Christmas. She's more than welcome here, Sweetheart."

"Thanks, Eliza. I appreciate it. See you tomorrow. I love you."

"Love you too, Kara. Bye."

Kara's next call was to her sister who was actually glad that Kara was bringing a friend.

"You do remember that Mom only has two spare rooms, right? So you'll have to share with Cat."

The hero's jaw dropped. "Oh gosh… I never even… oh boy. I'd better text her to ask her if it's ok."

"Breathe, Kara," Alex laughed. "You're both grown ups. I'm pretty sure you can both handle a couple of nights in the same bed."

Kara swallowed. Damn butterflies. "Y-yeah… you're right. I just want to do her the curtesy of letting her back out if she wants to."

"Fair enough. Text me later and let me know if I need to add her to the route. We'll take one of the DEO Suburbans."

"Ok, thanks, Alex."

Kara hung up and stared at her iPhone screen for a moment. Then she took a breath and opened a new message.

Hey Cat. So, Alex reminded me that, since her girlfriend is coming with us, she'll be sharing with her. That leaves my old bedroom. I hope that sharing with me is ok? It's a queen-sized bed. Kara typed a winking emoji but quickly erased it when she realized how suggestive it might seem. Let me know if you're ok with that?

The hero hit send and then sat the phone on her knee as she used her heat vision to warm up her dinner. She was halfway through the latest episode of The Exorcist when her phone buzzed, drawing her attention. She picked it up and immediately laughed when she read Cat's reply.

Well, if Alex is sharing with her girlfriend, I guess it's ok that I share with mine. The winking emoji was the icing on the cake.

Kara thought for a moment. LOL! Awesome, I'll make sure to bring pajamas.

Cat's reply came back almost immediately and Kara shook her head in disbelief and… something else... Or not ;-)

For a moment, the hero just let the excited feeling roll over her. "Ok," she murmured. "There is no way that Cat Grant is flirting with me. She's just joking around."

But still, Kara tapped out a reply. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. We'll pick you up at the penthouse at about one-fifteen.

See you then.

After sending her sister one last text to confirm that Cat was still coming, Kara settled down to watch the end of her show but her mind kept drifting to Cat's texts and she found herself re-reading them… and she couldn't stop smiling.

..

Cat sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Ok, Grant, where the hell did that come from?" she murmured. "I thought we were going for the subtle, let's-feel-things-out play, not the let's-get-naked-in-your-childhood-bed one!" She poured herself a measure of whiskey and knocked it back before getting up and wandering to her closet to choose a couple of outfits for her stay with the Danvers family. She wondered if Alex's girlfriend knew Kara's secret and made a mental note to ask the hero in private the next day. The last thing Cat wanted to do was accidentally out her friend as Supergirl.

After packing her small Louis Vuitton suitcase and adding her travel bag of toiletries, she grabbed her phone and re-read her texts with Kara. While the younger woman hadn't really flirted back, she hadn't seemed to be at all offended either. Cat breathed a deep sigh of relief but she jumped and almost dropped it when her phone rang.

"Kara? Is everything ok?"

"Sure. I was hoping you could open your balcony door?"

Cat spun and looked through the large windowed doors to see a flying woman in a red cape waving at her. She trotted across the room and unlocked them, impatiently beckoning to Supergirl. "Get in here before someone sees you and you blow your cover!"

Kara touched down gently on one foot and slowly walked inside looking around Cat's bedroom with a smile as she tucked her phone somewhere under her cape. "Incredible… exactly like I knew it would be."

"Thank you, Supergirl, but… why are you here?"

The hero shrugged. "I was patrolling and, since I was nearby, I just…" She took a breath. "Actually. I just wanted to see you. I've missed you so much and the time at the office today just wasn't enough. It's hard knowing you're here in National City and wanting…" She stopped then. "But I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just… I'll see you tomorrow, Cat." She turned and stepped back out onto the balcony but Cat followed her.

"Supergirl?" The hero stopped and looked back over her shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow. Be careful out there."

And with a final bright smile, Supergirl shot away into the night sky.

..

The Danvers sister were arguing over who was going to drive. It went back and forward until Kara hit a home run. "Are you seriously telling me that you would rather drive than sit in the back and make out with your girlfriend?"

Alex blinked as Maggie punched her lightly in the shoulder. "You'd better get the answer to that question right, Danvers," she warned.

The agent wrapped her arm around the detective's neck and pulled her close, kissing her temple. "Kara, you're driving."

"Yes, Ma'am," the hero replied with a salute. They finished loading their bags into the black Suburban and climbed inside. Kara started the engine and quickly texted Cat that they were on their way. Then she carefully pulled out into traffic and headed for the Grant penthouse. Traffic was a little worse than they'd expected so it was almost one-thirty by the time they arrived and found a parking spot. To Kara's surprise, Cat was waiting for them in the lobby, a big smile on her face when the hero came to meet her. They shared a hug and Cat whispered into Kara's ear.

"Merry Christmas, Kara."

"Merry Christmas, Cat," the younger woman replied, running her hand down her friend's back and pulling her just a little closer. "I'm so glad you're coming with us."

They released each other and Kara picked up the CEO's suitcase. "Be careful. That's heavy," Cat teased, making the younger blonde chuckle. "Oh, by the way, before we get to the car, I wanted to ask you…" She glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot. "Does Alex's girlfriend know about… you?"

The hero shook her head. "No, but I think this will be the perfect day to share it with her. She loves Alex and my sister trusts her so I should too. Besides, her being the only one there who doesn't know would be very unfair, not to mention hard on Eliza."

Before Cat realized what she was doing, she reached out and cupped Kara's cheek, stroking it gently with her thumb. "You're such a kind person," she murmured as their eyes met and held. The hero was drawn closer and she covered Cat's hand with her own.

"Hey, are you two com…" Alex stopped when she took in the scene in front of her.

The two blondes immediately dropped their hands and Kara cleared her throat. "Sorry, yes, we're coming. Time to hit the road." She smiled at Cat and led her to the car waiting outside. Alex followed, a little grin on her face.

When they reached the car, Cat hopped into the passenger seat next to Kara and looked back at the Latina woman with the dark hair and soulful brown eyes. "Hello. I'm Cat."

"Sawyer… er… Maggie," the detective replied. "Good to finally meet you. Kara talks about you a lot."

"Yeah, all the time," Alex added, meaningfully.

"Time to go!" Kara proclaimed, a little too loudly which thankfully quieted down the peanut gallery as they headed out towards the highway.

..

The drive to Midvale went faster than they'd expected and at just before six, Kara maneuvered the large SUV into Eliza's driveway and turned off the engine. Maggie and Alex hopped out but Kara sighed and tilted her head back against the headrest. "Tired?" Cat asked. "Do you actually get tired?"

"Sometimes," Kara replied with a smile. "But I was just thinking that I could have flown you all and this SUV here in a tenth of the time."

"Yes," the CEO agreed. "But it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun. I had no idea you had such an amazing voice."

"That's for the shower and car trips," the hero replied, seriously but with a little wink. She glanced towards the house and saw Eliza trotting down the driveway, her arms open for a hug as Alex rushed to meet her. Maggie was trailing a little behind with a smile on her face. "Come on. I think Maggie needs some backup."

They hopped out of the truck just in time to hear Alex introduce the detective to her mother. "Mom, this is Maggie. Maggie this is Eliza."

Eliza rushed forward to hug Maggie close. "It's so wonderful to meet you! I pulled out all of Alex's old pictures to show you!"

Alex's face crumpled into panic as Maggie laughed and Kara moved forward to rub her arm sympathetically. Then she took Cat's hand and tugged her a little closer. "Eliza, you remember Cat, right?"

The two older woman exchanged a hug. "Good to see you under happier circumstances," Cat smiled.

"Indeed," Eliza nodded. "Well come on, come inside. Alex, Kara, grab the bags and let's get in out of the chilly weather."

Exchanging glances, Kara and Alex went to the trunk of the Suburban to grab the cases while Eliza led Maggie and Cat toward the house. "Oh my God," Alex groaned. "She got out the pictures."

"Alex?" Kara said gently, ignoring her sister's panic. "I'm going to tell Maggie, ok? It's not fair that she's the only one who doesn't know."

The agent's mouth dropped open. "Kara, are you sure?"

The hero nodded adamantly. "You trust her so I trust her. I'm going to tell her when we get inside."

Alex hugged her sister hard. "Thank you, Kara. Thank you. I've been trying to convince her that Supergirl and I are just friends but she's been a bit jealous."

"Really?" Kara laughed. "Well then I definitely have to tell her now!"

They headed for the house with Kara carrying most of the luggage and smiling at Alex's happy smile.