The dinner flew by nicely. Sara stayed on her best behavior, spending the entire time racking her brain about Ava's award, while Ava was in the middle of an inner war regarding the stupid kiss not kiss situation and what that meant for them moving forward. Ava wasn't stupid, she knew that after tonight, everything would go back to normal between them. She knew that Sara would go back to hooking up with women and men all around the world and timeline, but there was a little part of her that wished that this was real, that Sara wasn't just helping her out because of how pathetic she must have looked and then there were her own thoughts about their arrangement. Did she want it to last? Could she see herself actually enjoying the time spent with the blonde?
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Agents and Directors." Ava was quickly pulled back to the world, as Rip's English accent filled the banquet hall. "Welcome everyone to our Annual Awards Ceremony. As you know, this is an evening is used to celebrate the bravest, the brightest and the most dedicated Agents of the last year." The English man paused for the loud onset of applause that followed.
"He forgot most stuck up…annoying…oddly sexy," Sara whispered directly into Ava's ear, sending jolts of pleasure mixed with hatred throughout her body.
"Shut it, Lance!" Ava hissed back, bumping her away with her shoulder for added effect, even though that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to grab her smug face and kiss the smirk away, she wanted to drag her into the bathroom and show her just how sexy she could be. But she couldn't! She couldn't let herself be drawn into Sara's web.
"Each of our awards is chosen by myself and our fantastic board of Directors. Some of which, are founding members of our organization." Rip added as he signaled to the front table that seated Pam Sharpe, Wilbur Bennett, and Rip when he wasn't on stage. "But also, let's not forget the group of individuals that made this Bureau possible."
"I think he's talking about my sweet ass!" Sara purred into Ava's ear, before placing a small kiss just below her earlobe, thoroughly enjoying the effects that her teasing was having on the blonde agent.
"I'm pretty sure he doesn't mean it as a compliment…and for future reference, there's a little spot just in the crook of my neck, that really gets things going..." Ava teased right back, not letting Sara be the only one who gets to have fun at the expense of the other.
"You're a tease." The blonde winked, leaning in to try and find the special spot Ava had been talking about, thanking whatever God that was listening, for the darkness of the room. Ava let out a shaky breath, as the blondes, soft lips brushed against her neck, just above the collar. She knew that this was all part of the game, that she was only doing it to stick it to everyone that had ever bad mouthed Ava for being single, but Sara loved every moment of it regardless.
"This year, however, we are honored to have the Captain of our this group of individuals. A big round of applause for Captain Sara Lance." A sudden spotlight lit up on the blonde, forcing her to quickly pull away from the agent's neck as if it was on fire. Giving a small wave to the crowd, Sara could feel her cheeks redden as the applause echoed through the large room. "But, enough from me. Let's get on with the reason we are here." Rip sent a small glare Sara way, having caught a glimpse of what had been going on before she pulled away. When he had heard that Sara was coming as Ava's date, he almost didn't believe it, considering how much the two seemed to dislike each other but after seeing that rather public display of pure lust, he happily stood corrected.
"I have never been so embarrassed in my life!" Ava hissed quietly at the equally mortified blonde.
"How was I supposed to know that a big ass spotlight was heading my way!" Sara argued back as she sank into her seat, ignoring the looking of amusement coming from the agents seated next to them. "On the bright side...at least people know now." The blonde Captain shrugged, earning a scowl from Ava. But it was quickly washed away with a deep seeded look of relief, Sara did have a point...for once. They didn't have to worry about anybody not buying their sudden relationship status, everyone had seen them and from the looks, Ava was getting from her fellow Agents, they actually believed they were a couple or were at least hooking up. This was Ava's chance to break free of the tower of professionalism she herself had built up, even if just for one night. She could laugh, she could have fun. She didn't have to be the stuck up, rule-following daughter of Director Pam Sharpe, she could just be Ava.
"Let the fun begin!" Ava winked, lifting her glass to clink it with Sara's before the two women downed the last of alcohol.
Throughout most of the awards ceremony, Ava and Sara didn't pay much attention to what was happening on stage, they clapped whenever others did and stood quietly during the in memoriam section, but most of the ceremony flew over their heads. They instead spent the time drinking, flirting and longing to do more than touch the small amount of exposed skin. It wasn't until Ava's Mother stood to present the last award of the evening, that Ava immediately regretted her decision to get extremely intoxicated with the blonde.
"Our last award of the evening is for a special Agent, who had proven to be an extremely determined, an extremely talented and an extremely loyal Agent." Pam smiled proudly as she read from her prepared speech. She knew that she was hard on Ava at times, especially when it came to work, but when it came down to it, she really was proud of her and after meeting Sara, she was happy for her too. "For her work and studies on The Legends, I'm delighted to present our Exceptional Studies Award to Agent Ava Sharpe." Sara's jaw hit the floor when she finally heard what Ava's award was for, she couldn't tell if she was more smug or hurt but it was definitely a mixture of both. She buried those feelings deep down, deciding to deal with them at a different time, and instead, she stood along with Ava and hugged the blonde tightly, playing her role as the supportive girlfriend to perfection.
Ava quickly walked up to the small stage, trying her best not to let the room see how drunk she really was. She hugged her Mother tightly, mumbling a small thank you, she nodded at Rip, the man who had been a loving mentor to her and smirked at Wilbur Bennett. Ava had always despised that man and the feeling was mutual. Bennett thought that she didn't deserve to be at the Bureau because of who her Mother is, and Ava had vowed to prove him wrong, this award was a step in the right direction for her.
"Thanks…" Ava smiled brightly at the clapping crowd, stalling for a moment as she tried to think back to the speech she had spent the week drafting, but she was coming up empty. "I am so honored and blessed to have been even considered for this award, and it still amazes me that I actually won!" The blonde smiled shyly as her eyes met Sara's, she felt a strong heat rise in her. It finally felt like she had someone real in her corner, but at the same time, this small victory felt wrong to her. She had won something because of Sara and her team, she hadn't done any of the real work. She wasn't there, she didn't save the world twice. "I know you're supposed to thank the people you love and who inspire you, and while I am thankful to have them in my life. This award is dedicated to Sara Lance...without her and her team of Legends, I wouldn't be standing here…this one's for you, Sara." Ava nodded weakly in the blonde's direction, as the room erupted in a wave of applause, most of which Ava knew was put on because of who her Mother was. But Ava didn't care, there was only one pair of clapping hands she cared about, and they happened to be the loudest and fastest in the crowd.
Armed with the rather large glass trophy, Ava made her way off the stage and back towards her seat, receiving small statements of congratulations and praise as she passed by some of the older agents, followed by looks of revulsion and jealousy from the ones closer to her own age, the ones who agreed with Bennett and thought she hadn't earned that award or her place at the Bureau.
"That was quite the speech Agent Sharpe…" Sara winked as Ava finally reached their table and reclaimed her seat. "I've always dreamt of being someone's muse someday." The blonde joked as she lifted the heavy trophy, her muscles flexing as she did so, making Ava's mouth water at the sight.
"I should have told you when you invited yourself as my date…sorry," Ava mumbled in reply, once she finally stopped drooling over Sara's perfectly shaped arms.
"I'm sure we can find some way for you to make it up to me…" The smaller blonde coed, as her fingers, danced their way up to her collar, pulling at it slightly as they shuffled towards each other. Ava's world was spinning. All her colleges, her family, her mentor, all of them disappeared and all that was left was just her and Sara. Their breath mixed together, the smell of vodka and whiskey blending in a delicious concoction that filled their noses as their faces neared. Ava didn't know if it was the thrill of being with Sara or the amount of alcohol she had consumed over the last few hours, that had her head reeling, but she was enjoying every minute of it. Thin pale fingers threaded through Ava's bun, playing with the loose strands, twirling and tugging the blonde hair with her fingers. It was as if the world was moving in slow motion, Ava was completely consumed by the blonde, and Sara was loving every minute of it. Leaning in closer, the agent shivered as Sara hot breath intensified, closer and closer their lips moved. Ava wanted this, she knew that now. "Dance with me…" Sara whispered with a wicked smile painted on her face, as their lips were about to brush against each other, pulling Ava from the hypnosis she had been put under momentarily.
"You're evil." Ava breathed out, her face flushed and her head banging. She couldn't believe that Sara had already gained this kind of control over her, she had never felt like this before and this wasn't even a real relationship.
"If memory serves me correctly, you're the one who didn't want a kiss earlier." The blonde winked as she stood and held a hand out to the taller woman. "Dance with me, Agent Sharpe." Sara purred as Ava's hand slid perfectly into hers.
Swaying slightly, the two women made their way to the small dance floor that already had a few older couples on it. The music was slow and peaceful, not that either woman noticed, they were too absorbed in each other. Sara took the lead as she wrapped her arm around Ava's slim waist, pinching her hip gently before resting her hand on the small of her back. Their fingers laced together, as Ava draped her arm over the smaller woman's shoulder and around her neck, playing with her hair as they swayed to the music.
"I never pegged you for the dancing type." Ava joked as their joint hands moved to lay on Sara's chest, bringing them closer together.
"Before The Gambit sank, I may have starred in a few musicals here and there." Sara reluctantly admitted, a soft pink dancing across her cheeks as she spoke.
"Seriously?" Ava's eyes lit up, ready to turn the tables on the Captain and subject her to the constant teasing for once.
"Looks like there's still some things you don't know about me and my team." The blonde shot back, outdoing Ava on the teasing before she even had a chance to speak. "Maybe I'll have to take that award back to the Waverider until you brush up on your Legends knowledge."
"I am sorry." The Agent ducked her head in shame, she could tell that Sara was annoyed even if she tried to hide it.
"I know." The shorter woman mumbled as she released her grip on the taller blonde's hips, and brought her hand up to cup her face, forcing Ava to meet her gaze. "Agent Sharpe…Ava."
"Yes, Miss Lance?" Ava replied dreamily, as Sara's gorgeous blue eyes melted her insides.
"If I try to kiss you...will you push me away again?" Sara whispered so quietly Ava hardly even heard her.
"No…" Ava whispered back, prompting Sara to lean closer, closing the gap between them at last. Soft lips brushed together, dancing as one. Ava was the one who deepened the kiss, starting the playful fight for control, that Sara obviously won. As the air around them thicken and breathing became an issue, the two blondes reluctantly pulled apart, resting their foreheads together, while they gasped to catch their breath.
"Wow…" Was all Sara could muster as they continued to sway along with the soft music. When Sara left the Waverider earlier that night, she had never imagined that this would be how her night would unfold. She thought she would have been counting down the hours until she could leave, but instead, she was swaying in Ava's arms, kissing the Agent with so much passion and lust, she could hardly contain herself.
"Agreed." Ava chuckled, hiding her head slightly in Sara's shoulder.
"See, dating me does have perks." The blonde teased as she pinched Ava's hip playfully, trying to make her mark on the tall woman.
"Oh shut it, Lance." Ava pulled back with a smug smirk on her lips. "I've surprisingly had fun tonight...thank you, Sara."
"It's what Legends do." Sara shrugged, earning a soft nudge from Ava. "It was worth it just to see you like this."
"Slightly intoxicated?" The blonde laughed nervously, as the pace of the music picked up.
"Relaxed! Fun…" Sara paused as she spun Ava out, twirling her around a few times before pulling her in close. "Wrapped in my arms…" She purred directly into Ava's ear, thanking her heels for the height bump.
"Maybe we should be wrapped up in my sheets instead." Ava shocked herself as the words fell from her mouth. She had no intention of sleeping with Sara before tonight, but now that the cat was out of the bag, her whole body was buzzing with excitement and arousal at the mere thought of a night with the infuriating Captain.
"Agent Sharpe, are you trying to seduce me into coming home with you." Sara smiled innocently pulling away a few inches, only to be brought right back by Ava's strong hands.
"Is it working?" The Agent smirked.
"Maybe…" Sara whispered as she moved to close the distance between them once again, only to be interrupted by the sudden sound of Pam Sharpe's voice.
"Ava, Sara!" She called out, waving them over to her once they finally looked over. Hesitantly the two walked over hand in hand, faces flushed and bodies buzzing with the possibility of spending a glorious night together.
"Mother." Ava nodded nervously as she reached the older blonde.
"I'm afraid it's well past my bedtime, so I'll have to say my goodbyes." Pam smiled brightly as she looked down at their joint hands and goofy smiles. She had seen what everyone else had, she knew they were happy and fresh, stuck in the honeymoon period of their relationship and she was beaming with happiness for them.
"Goodnight, Director Sharpe." Sara held out her free hand to the older blonde, hoping that she would except it this time.
"Call me Pam! And goodnight my dear, it's been so lovely to finally meet the woman my daughter can't stop talking about!" Director Sharpe bypassed her hand and instead wrapped her arms around her.
"Mom!" Ava moaned, as her hand was snatched away from Sara's.
"Oh hush you!" Pam winked, pulling Ava in to join the uncomfortable embrace. "I'll see you at the picnic next weekend, right?"
"I forgot all about that…of course, I'll be there. " The Agent smiled apologetically.
"What picnic?" Sara smiled mischief, as she reclaimed Ava's hand.
"Ava didn't tell you? It's little Poppy's birthday and we're having a small get together. You're more than welcome to join us, and it would give you a chance to meet Annie and Bill, and Paul my husband and of course Little Poppy." Pam gushed, as quickly pulled out her phone to show the blonde a picture of a cute little brunette child. "My first granddaughter!"
"Aww, she's adorable! I'd love to come if that's okay with you honey." Sara smiled shyly at Ava, who couldn't believe this was happening again. She had been with fine with this being a one night only event, but this was different. Did Sara seriously think that it would be okay for her to put on this show for her whole family? Her Mother and Brother had been too much already, but for some reason, she felt compelled to nod wearily at the two blondes.
"Perfect! I'll see you two love birds on Saturday then!" Pam clapped excitedly before finally leaving the two blondes alone again. Ava couldn't speak, she wanted to, she wanted to scream and shout no, no you won't see us on Saturday! This wasn't supposed to happen! She wasn't supposed to enjoy tonight, she wasn't supposed to kiss Sara or invite her back to her home and she most certainly wasn't supposed to extend this arrangement of theirs any further.
"Hey." Sara touched Ava's arm lovingly, when she noticed how spaced out the taller blonde looked. "You sure you're okay with me coming on Saturday?"
"No...but it's too late now." Ava shook her head, her face was stern and her body stiff. Ava had left it and in its place was Agent Sharpe and she wasn't happy. "I think it's time we ended our evening." She whispered before letting their hands fall and walking back towards their table and her award. Grabbing the glass trophy roughly, she power walked out of the banquet hall, straight through the bar - waving at her Daniel as she passed - and out to the front steps of the hotel.
"Ava...I couldn't just say no to her!" Sara shouted, having followed her swiftly through the hotel.
"You just couldn't help yourself, could you Miss Lance?" Agent Sharpe snapped, catching the Captain off guard.
"Oh, so we're back to Miss Lance again are we?" Sara snapped right back, not going to show the blonde Agent any sign of weakness. She knew that Ava didn't want anything real with her, but she didn't think that she hated her that much to go off on one like she was doing.
"Look, let's just get Saturday out of the way and then forget all about this nightmare!" Ava shouted, but regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. She had really enjoyed herself with Sara, and while most of it had been down to the alcohol, she couldn't deny that Sara's company had been rather pleasant. But she had gone too far, she had put her in a horrible position, one that Ava didn't know how to get out of without looking like the biggest loser to ever walk the earth. "Goodbye Miss Lance." She said quickly as she hailed a cab, and turned her back on the hurt blonde.
"Goodnight Agent Sharpe…" Sara mumbled before walking away, feeling like her heart had just been ripped out and threw into a fire.