A/N: I don't own anything Supergirl…I just love her story…please review and make suggestions if you have them.
Chapter 2: What Now?
"Kara," Cat Grant began, "We need to talk, now, in my office, chop chop!" Cat had poked her head into Kara's new office, ordering her to follow the Queen of all Media back to hers. This day just keeps getting better and better. I wonder what I did wrong this time? Kara's mind raced back over the past couple of days since the events of Myriad had occurred, nothing really jumped to her mind excepting the fact that Cat had promoted her, sort of, and had finally started pronouncing her name correctly. Sighing heavily, Kara rose from her desk and shuffled off after her boss, ready to face whatever barrage was about to come her way.
"Close the doors and have a seat, please." Cat ordered when Kara entered the doorway to Cat's office. Obediently Kara turned and closed the glass doors and made her way to take a seat on one of Cat's plush sofas. Cat in turn took a seat on a sofa opposite from Kara, removing her glasses and leaning forward as she crossed one leg over the other, "Just who do you think you're fooling?" Cat inquired of Kara.
"I, I don't know what you mean Ms. Grant," replied Kara. "Oh yes you do," Cat asserted, "You're Supergirl and I know it, so before you start protesting, stop." Kara hung her head, her heart was pounding; her mind was racing for what to say or do next. There was no point in denying it any longer, especially after the events surrounding Myriad. "Kara look at me," Cat continued, "I'm not angry at you, I'm just confused as to why you felt you could continue to think that you could fool me into believing that you're not Supergirl after all we'd been through in the past few weeks?" Kara still hadn't lifted her head to look at Cat. "Kara, I told you to look at me," Cat's tone was now softer and more pleading, "I understand why you need to keep your real identity a secret; I just wish you could've trusted me with it."
Kara finally lifted her head and looking Cat straight in the face, "Really!" She shouted at her boss, "The last time you thought I was Supergirl you fired me so I could go and spend all of my time saving this ungrateful city, instead of having a job so I could pay my rent, buy food and have some sort of a life! Yes, I'm Supergirl, so now what, are you going to fire me again?"
Cat leaned back into the sofa, and just looked at the angry face of her usually bright and cheery former assistant. "Kara, what's happened?" Cat finally broke her silence after what seemed like an eternity, "The last time you were this angry you were under the influence of the Red Kryptonite stuff, but I know you're not on it now, so tell me, what has happened for you to call the people of National City 'ungrateful'?"
Kara rose from the sofa, hands clenched in fists at her sides as she turned to go out onto the balcony, trying to create a little space to deal with all of her overwhelming emotions. Cat watched her with a deepening sense of concern coming over her face, wondering just what had transpired to make someone whose normal disposition was bright and sunny, be so visibly angry. She let Kara stand at the railing on her balcony for a moment or two before she rose from her seat and went out to be with her.
"I'm so sorry for that Ms. Grant," Kara began, "You didn't deserve that." Cat took a deep breath as she took a seat, "You always seem to be apologizing to me on this balcony for something." Cat smiled when she made the statement, "I think maybe I need to make this space an apology free zone or I'm never going to want to come out here and use it, too depressing." Cat waited for Kara to respond in some fashion, but she didn't move. "Kara," Cat said softly, "Come and sit with me, please."
Slowly Kara turned from her place on the railing to find a seat across from Cat. "No," Cat said as she patted the cushion next to her, "I want you to come and sit here beside me, please." Kara hesitated for a brief moment but when she saw the look on Cat's face she decided that denying the request would only make matters worse. She took a seat next to Cat and let out a long, slow sigh. Cat took her chin in her right hand; she lifted Kara's face and turned it so that they were finally looking at each other. "What has happened?" Cat's tone was soft and even safe it seemed to Kara.
"I don't even know where to begin," Kara finally responded to Cat's query. Cat released her chin, "Ok, how about we start with why you called the people of this city 'ungrateful'?" Tears immediately began to well up in Kara's eyes, "Someone started a petition to ban me from National City and have submitted it to the City for its approval." Cat sat quietly for a moment while she listened to Kara. "I know I really scared everyone when I was under the influence of the Red K, but I thought with me sacrificing myself to protect them from Banshee and Livewire and then risking my life to save not only this city but the entire planet, they would've forgiven me and realized that I'm not a threat to them. I guess not."
Kara turned her head from Cat, folding her arms across her chest she began to sob quietly. "I really love this city, but if they don't want me here, I'll leave and never come back." She rose from the seat, about to fly away when Cat jumped up and grabbed hold of the wounded hero and hugged her tightly. Kara melted into tears as Cat just held her and let her cry, not offering platitudes or answers to the problem at hand, she just let Kara let go of the hurt she had bottled up inside.
A few moments later they sat back down, "Did everyone in the city sign the petition?" Cat asked Kara. "I know I didn't, I hadn't even heard of it until now. It's a big city, Kara, and I think that there are way more people here who love you, know you and trust you than have signed some stupid petition." Cat waited for a moment for that truth to settle into Kara. "So, what's really going on?"
"I don't know," Kara began slowly, "I just don't know. I feel so lost and alone sometimes." Cat thought for a moment, "Kara, you're the most amazing person I've ever met, but you have shouldered some huge responsibilities and endured some really tragic losses, may I suggest that you might want to talk to a counsellor to help you deal with all that has been happening?" Kara turned to look at Cat for a moment, stunned at the suggestion, "I'm not crazy, Ms. Grant!" "I never suggested that you were," Cat replied, "but I do think that you have a lot to process and maybe someone whose job it is to help people with that processing might be in order right now."
Kara lowered her eyes while she thought about the suggestion. "I can't, I'd have to reveal who I really am; it's just too risky for them and for me." Cat smiled at her young hero, "I understand that, but they do have a professional obligation to be completely confidential regarding their clients, your secrets would be safe I think. Doesn't that secret government agency you work for as Supergirl have someone to help the agents' process when they need to?" Kara thought about it for a moment, "Yes, they do have a few counsellors and therapists on site for the agents, especially after something traumatic happens in the field. But they don't know my identity and I don't want them to find it out. Thanks for trying Ms. Grant, really, but I guess I just have to figure it out on my own."
"I disagree Kara," Cat argued, "You need to talk to someone; you can't and shouldn't try to carry all that has happened by yourself." Kara sat quietly for a moment before speaking, "Ms. Grant," she began, "would you be willing to help me?" Cat sat stunned for a moment, "Kara, I'm no counsellor or therapist, although I've spent enough time in their offices in my life I should be one, but I'm not, and besides that I'm your boss." Kara turned and smiled at Cat, "I know, I know, but you're the one person in my life who's always been objective and honest with me. You listen really well before you say anything, you speak the truth, even if you know it might sting a bit, and you never judge me. On top of all that, you already know me and now you know my secret. You're right, I need someone to talk to. Will you help me?"
"What about your sister, Alex?" Cat asked, "I thought you guys had a close relationship and could talk about anything? Why don't you do this with her?" Kara just hung her head and looked away, saying nothing. "Unless some of what you need to talk about has to do with her…does it?" Kara turned and looked at Cat, nodding slowly with tears running down her face.
Cat looked out over the balcony for a few moments while she considered Kara's request. She knew she wasn't even remotely qualified to do what Kara had asked of her, but she also knew that Kara had no one else to turn to right now. "Ok, I'll do it, with a few conditions. First, we never do it during work hours, we keep work and 'helping' separate. Second, you call me Cat when we're talking and sharing and Ms. Grant while at work, that will help with the separation of the two. Third, and this is the biggie, if I feel that you need more help than I can give you, you'll see someone I recommend, no questions, no fighting, ho hesitation, deal?" Kara gave a small smile, "Deal, and thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Cat replied, "You might end up needing major therapy after talking with me." Cat winked at her with a small grin on her face. "Why don't I come by your apartment tonight after work," Cat suggested, "we can have dinner and talk, say 7pm?" "Sure," Kara replied, "is Chinese food okay?" "It's your choice, Kara."
Kara looked out over the balcony railing into the clear blue sky and let out the heaviest sigh Cat had ever heard. "Kara," Cat spoke with authority this time, "I think it's time we go back on the horse and get to work. Let's go deal with that bullshit petition, find out who's behind it, expose their sorry ass to the entire city and shame them into backing off. I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised at just how many people in this city love, respect and admire you, Supergirl."