Gideon looked in the mirror a smile on her lips as she studied herself. Alex's reflection appeared over her shoulder.
"What do you think?" she asked with a grin.
Gideon let out a soft laugh, "I look different but still like me."
"The make-up has just enhanced your natural beauty," Alex told her, "And you really suit your hair like this."
At the compliment Gideon twirled laughing at the way her dress spun out, "I love this so much."
Alex chuckled before she spun as well, "Me too."
"Thank you for helping me get ready," Gideon told her, "This is the first time I have ever been invited to a party of any kind."
"It had occurred to me," Alex teased before she checked her watch, "We'll have to get going in a few minutes."
Gideon turned to her friend, "He will be on time. It is a point of pride with him."
"I'm sure," Alex shrugged while she fixed her purse.
"Rip is a good man," Gideon stated adding wistfully, "You don't get to see how kind and caring he is, how funny he can be when he wants to be. I wish you could see him that way, the way I do."
Alex took Gideon's hands in hers, "You love him. I know that. We both love you but that doesn't mean we have to like each other. Rip and I have an understanding. Okay?"
A knock came on the door stopping Gideon's reply and Alex patted her arm before she headed to answer it.
x
The only reason Rip was going to the ridiculous evening was because Gideon had asked him to come with her to the first real party she'd ever been invited to. The shy request and hope in her eyes meant he'd agreed before he even thought about it which was why he was dressed in a rented tuxedo and standing outside Alex's apartment.
The door opened and when Rip stepped inside he stalled seeing Gideon standing before him. She was wearing a long red dress with gold threading, her hair was curled loosely piled up onto her head with a rose set in the curls and a ruby pendant on a gold chain sat around her neck.
"Wow," Rip breathed as he stared at her, "You look absolutely stunning."
A blush covered Gideon's cheeks, "Thank you."
Rip nodded, glancing to the woman wearing a similar dress in green with silver he added, "You look lovely also, Alex."
Alex chuckled, "Thanks Rip. Are we ready?"
Rip lifted Gideon's shawl from the chair gently resting it around her shoulders before offering his arm. Gideon took it allowing him to lead her down the stairs where the car was waiting for them.
"Are we picking up Kara?" Rip asked.
Alex shook her head, "She'll meet us there."
At the look Alex had Rip nodded understanding that Supergirl was doing something heroic before the party.
"I am looking forward to the Gala," Gideon told them with a bright smile, "Winn told me there will be dancing. I have never danced."
Alex nodded, sharing an amused smile with Rip at Gideon's enthusiasm, "There's usually dancing at these things and the food will also be fabulous. Cat Grant always makes sure these galas have everything possible. Apparently James got about fifty emails a day from her to make sure this years' is perfect."
Rip listened to Alex tell a few stories about previous Galas as their car made its way to the National City Concert Hall. He couldn't stop his smile at Gideon's exclamation of amazement when they reached their destination and she saw the brightly lit decorations set up around the entrance. Rip slid out the car first, offering his hand to help Gideon out he then turned back to offer Alex the same assistance, surprised that she took it.
"You try getting in and out of a car in this dress with these heels," she murmured at him.
Turning back to where Gideon was waiting Rip saw J'onn walk towards them. The Martian offered Alex his arm who took it with a smile before he led them inside.
x
Gideon stalled at the entrance to the ballroom staring in wonder at the scene before her. The lights had been set up to make the room look like the solar system complete with sun, planets and stars.
"You're blocking the door," Rip murmured in her ear, starting her walking again.
Gideon laughed softly, "It is so beautiful."
Rip smiled at her, "Come on, we should take our seats."
Allowing him to move her Gideon continued to look around the large ballroom marvelling at the decorations, the beautiful dresses the women wore and the fancy suits the men were in.
"Hi," Kara appeared, dressed all in yellow looking a little flustered, "Am I late?"
"We just got here," Alex told her.
"Good, the fire took a little bit longer than expected," Kara grinned at Winn when he placed the drink on the table he'd brought for her, "Has Miss Grant made her appearance yet?"
Winn laughed taking his seat on Gideon's left side, "Not yet. But you know her it'll be when it's the most dramatic."
Gideon laughed hearing Rip chuckle slightly on her other side.
"Good," Kara sighed in relief, "She'd never forgive me if I missed her entrance."
Dinner was delicious.
Gideon loved trying new things but she especially liked trying different kinds of food. Rip did his best to find new restaurants or takeout places for her to try as often as possible. When everything was all cleared away the lights dimmed slightly and Cat Grant appeared on the big screen, unable to make it in person this year, and gave a speech praising several people yet all about her.
After her speech the band began to play.
Rip offered his hand to Gideon, "Do you want to try dancing now?"
Gideon looked at his hand before looking at the couples already on the floor, "No."
"Come on," Rip encouraged, "You've been looking forward to this all week."
"I don't know what to do," Gideon whispered.
Rip took her hand, "I'll show you."
Tugging her off her seat Rip walked Gideon onto the dance floor. Wrapping his arm around her waist Rip drew his best friend close and moved her with a few easy steps.
"See, not so bad," he said softly.
Gideon smiled back before closing her eyes and resting her head against Rip allowing him to continue to move her around the floor. When the music stopped she looked up at him and Rip saw the bright smile lighting up Gideon's face.
"Well, what do you think?" Rip asked, "Are you a dancer?"
She laughed hugging him, "I don't think I was very good but that was wonderful."
"Well I think someone else thought you were good," Rip noted as J'onn appeared beside them.
"Would you like to dance, Gideon?" J'onn asked offering his hand.
With a shy smile Gideon took his hand allowing J'onn to move her away from her Captain.
x
Alex sat at the table remembering the year before when Maggie had been with her and how they'd spent the entire night laughing. She watched Kara dancing with Winn while James was chatting with some of the other Cat Co employees. She saw Gideon dancing with J'onn smiling at seeing Gideon so relaxed and happy.
"Dance with me," Rip appeared suddenly at her shoulder.
Alex frowned confused at the demand, "I don't really feel like dancing."
"Just..." he let out an annoyed huff, "Come with me."
Confused Alex allowed him to take her onto the dance-floor, his arm wrapping around her waist Rip moved them into the centre of the room.
"Left hand corner next to the stage," Rip said softly in her ear turning her so she could see, "Those waiters aren't part of this event."
Alex frowned a little, "And you're sure of this?"
"The waiters waistcoats were specifically made and are well tailored," Rip noted, "Those six waistcoats are cheap knockoffs and the badges are poor copies."
Impressed Alex stared at him, "Anything else."
"Isn't that enough?" Rip asked before grimacing, "And now I see weapons."
Annoyance flickered through Alex, everyone had been enjoying the evening, "You know this was a really expensive dress, don't you?"
Rip nodded, "I do. I'll get Gideon to safety and let J'onn know what's happening."
"I'll get Kara," Alex replied.
x
The attack was sudden.
Three men all holding automatic weapons came from behind the band stopping the music, while another three came from the main doors firing into the air to get everyone's attention. They began to push everyone into the centre of the room, one shoving Gideon forward with their muzzle of their gun and J'onn had to grab Rip's arm to stop him attacking the man.
"Everyone take off all your lovely expensive jewellery," the leader yelled over the cries of the guests, "And put them in the baskets being passed around."
"Wow," Kara's voice rang through the room as she floated down from the ceiling in full Supergirl outfit, "Did you guys pick the wrong party to crash."
The leader laughed at her, "You can't stop all of us at once. We will spray this room with bullets if you even make a move."
"Oh, I'm not doing anything," Kara chuckled pointing down to Alex and the people she had warned, "But they are."
The invaders looked a little confused so were taken by surprise when the DEO agents, along with James attacked. All six were disarmed and handcuffed, or unconscious, within seconds.
Kara smiled down at the crowd, "Looks like I wasn't needed at all."
x
Alex glanced over to where Rip was checking Gideon was alright while the police arrested the potential robbers. Her eyes scanned the room and she frowned when she spotted something sitting in the corner where the fake waiters had been setting up.
"Not good," she mused moving closer and realising that someone had been recording.
Pulling out her phone she quickly called J'onn, even though he was only at the other side of the room, she didn't want to leave the equipment just in case.
"What's wrong?" J'onn asked when he arrived with Gideon and Rip.
Alex motioned to the equipment, "I think this was a set up to see what was going to happen?"
J'onn frowned, "It looks like the party hasn't ended for us yet. Let's get these back to the DEO. Gideon, I need you and Winn to study this tonight."
"Of course," Gideon said softly turning to the man at her side, "Rip..."
"I will head home," he told her.
At the grimace that touched Gideon's face J'onn and Alex swapped a frown.
"Captain," Gideon said softly, "You would be able to assist."
"And I'm just a civilian," Rip reminded her softly, "I don't work for the DEO, remember?" Before she could answer Rip pressed a kiss to her temple, "I'll see you when you get home."
"Thank you for bringing me home, Winn," Gideon said when he stopped the van in front of the building, "I could have waited for Alex."
Winn waved her away, "Knowing Alex you wouldn't have got to bed until tomorrow night."
Gideon laughed slightly, checking she had her keys and her dress that she'd changed out of when they got to the DEO. Sliding out the van she waved goodbye to Winn before turning to head upstairs to go to bed.
A hand clamped over Gideon's mouth as another arm wrapped around her waist pulling her backwards. Gideon tried to scream for help but couldn't get any sound out. Twisting Gideon tried to pull away from her abductor but whoever he was he was too strong. Something jabbed her arm and everything began to spin before the world went black around her.
