Author's Note: There are no words for how much I love these characters, and yet, funny enough, I wrote this fic. I've been working on it for a few months, falling more in love with this pairing all the while. It is set after Season One, though I have taken a few liberties with when certain things happen and how much they matter, and didn't deal with that mystery pod at all. I'm also not a scientist, but I did do enough research to hopefully make it somewhat believable in the comic book realm. All that said, I truly hope you enjoy this, SuperCat fandom. If you do, please let me know in the comments. Thanks so much to my beautiful wife for helping me as always, and thank you, dear readers. Enjoy!
Kara was doing her best not to panic. Alex had warned her she would burn out trying to be everything to everyone, and it felt like that day had finally come.
Six weeks ago, she was on top of the world when Cat promoted her and said she could basically choose whatever job at CatCo her little heart desired. After a week of thinking about it, she decided event coordinator was right up her alley. Journalist felt like too much of a leap and a little too risky, at least for now. Besides, she loved throwing a party, everything from picking decorations to choosing playlists to, most importantly, getting to sample food from caterers. But with only minutes until her first big assignment, she felt like she'd bitten off way more than she could chew.
"Kiera, stop eating those," Cat scolded as she met up with Kara at one of the display tables.
"Sorry!" Kara chewed, covering her mouth as she embarrassingly scarfed down her third mini fruit tart.
Cat had surprised her by using her actual name when she promoted her, but Kara wasn't the least bit shocked when the familiar nickname quickly returned, and she'd stopped correcting her long ago.
"I know you're nervous—I would be too if I were you—but really, do you think you can save some food for our guests?"
"Yes, Ms. Grant," Kara wiped her mouth with an American flag napkin and tossed it away quickly. "There's...I ordered more than enough for…"
"Of course you did," Cat smirked. "But here's a question: why are there no gardenias in the red, white and blue flower bouquets?"
Kara swallowed.
"I...well, I know they're your favorite, but I also know that your mother can't stand them and claims she's allergic, and she'll be here tonight, so I thought it was best to go with anemones instead. Plus, they're blue and white! Two birds, one...flower."
She felt sweat forming at her temples, wishing one of the light fixtures would fall to save her from her own awkwardness. Thankfully, Cat only stared at her blankly for another moment or two before she began to smirk.
"Very good, Kiera," she breathed. "That was a test. Some people would have been so eager to please me they would have chosen my favorite above all else, but you understand the greater purpose of meeting our guests' needs and avoiding mother's dramatics. Well done."
"Thank you," Kara sighed.
"Now, lighten up," Cat ordered, taking a sip from her martini. "I wouldn't have given you a job I didn't think you could handle."
"I appreciate that, Ms. Grant," Kara smiled. "I won't let you down."
"I don't expect you will," Cat continued, casually perusing Kara's crimson, silk sundress. "You certainly clean up nicely."
"I...thank you," she blushed a little, looking down to make sure it wasn't a sarcastic remark, checking that she hadn't spilled any tart on her herself.
"I'm sure James will approve," Cat noted, taking one of the olives from her drink between her teeth.
"Oh, um...actually, James and I...we're not...anything..." Kara trailed off, looking around to make sure he wasn't nearby.
"Really?" Cat was taken aback. "What happened? I thought you two were finally on the same page."
"Well, we were," Kara felt herself growing redder by the second, trying not to turn the same color as her dress. "We tried. But it just...wasn't good. The opposite of good, really. It just wasn't...right."
She tried not to let her mind wander to just how not good it had been. She really had liked James, thought she loved him even. He was handsome, smart, and cared about her more than most people she knew. He was even a decent kisser. But when it came down to trying to seal the deal, something just didn't click. They'd gone through with it once, just to be sure, neither of them feeling entirely satisfied with the outcome, though James had at least gotten off. Kara, on the other hand, didn't feel like herself. Being topped, dominated, even subtly, by this man who she thought she wanted so badly felt anticlimactic and truthfully, boring. She thought maybe she'd grow to enjoy it, but after a few more times of trying, they both decided they'd made a mistake and would try their best to just be friends again.
"I see," Cat swallowed a little, trying to pretend she wasn't interested in the details. "And I assume he's being a perfect gentlemen about this. Correct?"
"Oh, yeah, definitely," Kara assured. "It was totally mutual. I mean...sort of. I think, in time, it'll get better."
"Good," Cat breathed. "I'd hate to have to fire him."
"I don't think that'll be necessary," Kara smiled softly. "But thanks."
"Excuse me, I think I hear Jennifer Lawrence's cackle coming down the hall. Better get ready."
She walked away, preparing to greet their VIPs as they began filing onto the roof deck.
"I gotta say, dude, I feel worse for you than I do for me," Winn shook his head, putting a consoling hand on James's shoulder as he yelled over the booming music. "I never had a chance to begin with. But you? I thought for sure…"
"It just didn't work out," James sniffed proudly. "No hard feelings. That's just the way it goes sometimes."
"Yeah...or every time in my case."
"Look, you know better than anybody. I'd rather have Kara in my life as a friend than not at all. So, I'm learning to accept that."
"Can't argue there," Winn agreed. "In the meantime, let's numb our pain. Cheers."
They clinked bottles before taking a long swig and heading back out on the dance floor, which was packed with A-listers, media moguls, and even some politicians that refused to take themselves too seriously. The crowd throbbed to a steady beat of hits spun by Calvin Harris as steam rolled across a sea of hands thrust into the air. Lights played against glistening, tanned shoulders moving together under the stars, all waiting for National City's fireworks display to start.
Kara finally started to relax once she realized everyone was having a good time, for the most part. She'd averted a few crises and leant her ear to the complaints of Cat's mother, Katherine, who couldn't appreciate the literal direction Kara had taken with the Fourth of July decorations, hoping for something more streamlined and esoteric. But Kara had gone with her instincts on this one, thinking people would enjoy popsicles, hot dogs, and the nostalgia that went along with backyard BBQs. Those were some of the first things that made her feel human as a child, running around with other kids, catching fireflies and playing with sparklers. Something about the pyrotechnics of the holiday seemed to make everyone a bit magical, making her feel less alone.
"You know, the hostess should be seen enjoying herself."
Kara jumped at Cat's voice, turning to face her boss, who was on her third martini of the evening. She laughed softly as she gawked at Kara's expression over the rim of her glass.
"I am enjoying myself!" Kara insisted. "I just have to make sure…"
"Everything is excellent, Kiera," Cat commended, stepping an inch closer. "You should get yourself a cocktail, stop fidgeting, and find someone to dance with, or I might just be forced to drag you out there myself."
Kara's cheeks burned as she laughed, shaking her head a little.
"I think you've got someone already waiting for you," she said, nodding in the direction of the tall man standing a few feet behind them, eyes fixed on Cat's tight navy dress and the way it hugged her collarbone, leaving her delicate neck and shoulders exposed.
"Maxwell," Cat sighed as she turned to face him. "Can't stay away from an open bar, can you?"
"Oh, come now, Cat. You know I don't need any handouts," he gleamed, looking her up and down. "I'm only here for the company."
She rolled her eyes, allowing herself to be pulled away from Kara, who did in fact grab a Rocket's Red Glare—the signature drink she'd chosen—off the bar before downing it quickly.
"Whoa, slow down, Danvers," Winn joked as he sidled up next to her. "Why the sour puss?"
"I don't get what anyone sees in that guy," she grumbled, watching as Max twirled Cat before pulling her tight against him. "First Alex, now Ms. Grant. He's not even a good dancer. Who dips someone to Flo Rida?"
"Hey, he did help save all of us from our brains becoming mush, remember?"
"Barely! And I had to convince him not to murder thousands of people in the process."
"At least they're dancing," Winn continued. "Which is more than either of us can say. Come on, let's go!"
Kara only sulked for another second as she let Winn pull her into the crowd. She was glad to have him there, both to mask how terrible her own dance moves were and to run interference with James, who had successfully avoided her and slipped out early. Finally, she let her hair down, giggling at Winn's ridiculous attempts to do the sprinkler and the worm while she bobbed along to the remixed version of some Bruno Mars song. As she looked around at everyone's happy, tipsy faces lit up by the skyline, she gave herself a mental pat on the back and continued swaying to the beat.
"Aw, you can do better than that!" Winn chided, taking her hands in a mock-formal manner, twirling her before dipping her just like Max had done with Cat.
Kara couldn't help but snort at how silly it was, amping up her own moves as Rihanna's "Work" came on. Just as she was starting to feel a little more confident in her skills, her eyes darted across the floor and accidentally locked on Cat, who was staring right at her.
Max slowly led them in a circle, Cat's wrists draped behind his neck. Kara swallowed hard, stiffening a bit, trying not to lose her tempo. The older woman continued to stare as the light flickered across her face, green eyes glowing with the moon, the corners of her mouth just barely curling up as she nodded approvingly in her former assistant's direction. Kara let out a deep breath before smiling back, throwing her arms around Winn as he swooped in for another crazy dip. She laughed as he let her back up, keeping her eyes on Cat, who was still watching.
The sound of a loud bang broke through the moment as red, blue and gold glittered through the air above. The crowd cheered wildly while the fireworks began to pound away, so close it almost felt unsafe, but Kara knew there was nothing to worry about. Not tonight. Everything had gone just as…
Suddenly, an explosion louder than the rest rocked the entire building, knocking several people off their feet, spilling drinks and shattering glassware. The music stopped.
"What was that?" Winn gulped.
"A small earthquake?" Kara said hopefully.
"I don't think so…" Winn trailed off as a dark cloud rolled over the building, obscuring the fireworks with its own thunder. Flashes of lightning began crackling through the air, sending bolts down onto the roof deck. People screamed, dashing for cover, abandoning paper plates and champagne flutes as they fled.
"Evacuation procedures are in effect," a security guard yelled. "This way! Careful!"
As guests scrambled inside, Kara stopped breathing momentarily as she watched the cloud begin to take shape into a nebulous but still vaguely humanoid form. Bringing itself closer to the ground, it stopped in front of Max and Ms. Grant, sending a shockwave between them that flung Max into a nearby wall and knocked Cat to the floor. The entity crept closer and closer to Cat, it's putrid, dark body filling the air with a stench more horrid than anything Kara could fathom and a screech loud enough to burst eardrums.
"Winn, go!" she instructed her friend.
"I can't just leave…"
"Please! Call Alex and Hank."
Hesitant, but realizing he couldn't do anything but follow her orders, he quickly ran for help.
Kara turned back to Cat, who sat on the ground as the entity hovered above her, a low groan emanating from its presence as it continued to reek of what could only be described as misery. It grew darker and more malodorous by the second as it's arms began to take a clear shape, spinning and shifting into sharp, taloned hands oozing forward toward Cat's neck. The small-framed woman appeared dazed as she stared up at it, eyes watering from the stench along with the deafening shriek of dread that poured forth from its howling, wretched mouth.
Kara disappeared behind the bar, ripping her dress from her body and donning her Supergirl uniform faster than she had ever changed before, appearing next to Cat mere seconds later. The entity shifted its focus momentarily to Supergirl, bringing one hand close to her throat while keeping the other fixed on Cat. It began gathering electricity within its frame, preparing to unleash it on either or both of them, continually growing darker and more grotesque, wailing as it lunged.
Max threw his body in front of Cat and was caught by the being mid-air.
"Max, no!" Cat shouted, frozen as she watched the force bring both its hands to the CEO's throat, squeezing the air from his lungs before twisting his head unnaturally toward the back of his body, instantly breaking his neck.
All the life drained from his eyes as they faced Cat, before the entity flung his body off the roof.
"Oh my god," Cat cried, bringing her hand to her mouth as she bit back a scream.
Supergirl, stunned and unable to process everything that just happened, gave in fully to instinct as she snatched Cat from the ground and whisked her down several flights and into her office, gently placing her down once they were safely inside. Cat faltered, unsteady on her feet, pale and threatening to faint, no doubt stricken with grief and guilt. Kara caught her before she could fall, balancing her on one shoulder as she headed towards the elevators, away from the windows.
"Alex!" she yelled, activating her earpiece. "Are you there?"
"I'm here, Supergirl," Alex responded, trying to remain calm.
"What the hell was that!?" Kara growled through her teeth, tears threatening to break free as she continued holding Cat upright. "Max is…"
"I know," Alex swallowed. "We were approaching in the chopper but...couldn't get there in time."
"I can't believe I didn't stop it," Kara cried. "I'm so…"
"There was nothing you could do. It had a lock on you and Ms. Grant and it moved way too fast for..."
"I should have been faster!" Kara screamed.
"Supergirl," Alex said forcefully, careful not to use her sister's name in case Cat could hear. "You need to focus. We don't know what this is. It doesn't match any of the profiles we have on Fort Rozz prisoners. Our scans couldn't even classify it as alien."
"Where is it now?" Kara sniffed, trying to set her emotions aside.
"Circling the building, looking for a way in. Stay there for now until we…"
The sound of glass shattering made them both jump. Cat gripped harder onto Supergirl's shoulder, trying not to lose consciousness. Kara held her tight as she moved into a nearby office, watching the creature creep down the hall out of the corner of her eye.
"It's inside," Kara shuddered, whispering. "Alex, it nearly paralyzed me. I don't think I can..."
"You have to get out of there," Alex commanded.
"I have Ms. Grant with me. It was after her too. Where can I…"
"You have to get someplace safe until we can figure this out," Alex sighed. "The DEO has nothing. You know what you have to do."
Kara took a deep breath, fighting against every fear and doubt she had about taking Ms. Grant with her, but knowing she had no other choice.
"I'll let you know if I learn anything," Kara trembled before shaking it off, deactivating the earpiece, and looking down at Cat. The older woman stared up at her, eyes darting, clearly trying to stay strong.
"Hold on tight, Ms. Grant," Kara sighed.
Cat did as instructed, locking both arms around her neck as Kara lifted her into the air and took off through the broken window towards the Fortress of Solitude.