Drowning Chapter Seven
A/N: Cat and Kara get to know each other a little better.
"What's your take on what happened? Why were those men released without charge?" Cat asked as she refilled hers and Kara's glasses again. They had switched to water, knowing they had to drive.
"I think the detectives were paid to downplay the whole thing and to let my rapists go... maybe so the story wouldn't leak to the media and their careers wouldn't be ruined. But there's no way I could prove any of that. Even if there WAS evidence, it's probably destroyed by now." Kara sighed and leaned against Cat's shoulder. "I've tried so hard to not feel like a victim, Cat, but every day is a struggle."
"I can understand why," the CEO replied softly. Their fingers were still entwined and she stroked the back of Kara's hand with her thumb, mindful of her injury. "Have you talked to someone?"
"Yeah," Kara nodded. "I have a therapist. She's helped me to the point where I'm not cringing at every little noise and I can look at my scars in a mirror without crying. I was a mess, Cat, and even Alex couldn't help me. She has so much guilt of her own. I thought she was getting over it but she told me on the phone a couple of days ago that she still feels like it was her fault for leaving me alone in the room."
"Maybe Alex needs to talk to a therapist," the CEO suggested. "Is she the type of person who takes care of everyone except herself?"
The younger blonde nodded. "Yeah, she is. I'd love for you to meet her when she gets back from England."
"It would be my pleasure," Cat smiled. "I wonder if she'll approve of me?"
"Alex approves of anyone who makes me happy," Kara stated with a smile. "So, yeah, she'll approve of you."
"I make you happy?" Cat asked softly.
The instructor nodded. "Yes, being with you makes me happy."
Cat kissed Kara's temple impulsively, smiling as the younger woman blushed and looked down. "Want to take a walk with me? I know a place with really good ducks."
Xx
"Awww… look at those babies," Kara pointed. "They're so tiny and fluffy."
"See the one with brown on its head?" Cat replied.
"Yeah, I see it."
"It really likes croissants. I almost lost a finger this morning when it stole half my breakfast."
Kara laughed. "I don't believe that for a second. I think you felt sorry for them and voluntarily gave them half your breakfast."
Cat shrugged. "They looked hungry and, ok, yes, I gave them a croissant but I DID almost lose a finger." She held up the injured digit and Kara saw a tiny red mark, no doubt made by a tiny duck beak. "See?"
"Horrific," Kara teased but she pulled the finger closer and kissed it. "There, all better."
"Thank you kindly," the older woman replied. She took Kara's hand again and they strolled on. "So how did you get into swimming?"
"Alex," Kara replied. "We grew up together a little up the coast from here, in Midvale. Alex surfed every day and she was really good at it. She taught me to swim and I fell in love with it completely. I swam every day, before school and after. I started competing locally, and then at the state and national levels and by the time I was thirteen, my times and age qualified me for the Olympics. I barely made it though, so I was super-surprised to win a bronze. Truth be told, I only won it because the girl in third place got a really bad leg cramp and had to withdraw, so I beat her into the slot."
"Ahh," Cat chuckled.
"But after that," Kara went on. "I just worked harder. I was determined to properly earn my place. And I guess I did."
"I suppose you didn't get a lot of time to date," the older woman said as she spotted an ice cream truck and guided Kara toward it.
"No, I didn't get much time to do anything other than swimming and working out at the gym. I used to be able to bench press my own weight but I don't think I could do that now."
"What about your first kiss?"
Kara chuckled lightly. "I was somewhat of a late bloomer. I was seventeen before I had my first kiss. It was with this guy who was… I guess you'd call him a groupie?"
"Ice-cream?" Cat asked.
"Mint choc please."
The older woman handed over Kara's cone and then took her own as she paid the ice cream guy. "Thanks." She turned back to Kara then and they walked on. "I didn't know that athletes had groupies."
Kara laughed. "You'd be surprised. I had fans that followed me around all my competitions to the point where I started recognizing their faces, and this one guy in particular was really cute. I bumped into him one night and we talked and…" She shrugged. "He kissed me."
"And how did you react?" the CEO asked curiously.
"I kissed him back and then freaked out and ran away," Kara laughed. "I was a complete dork back then."
"And how about now?" Cat asked with a little smile. "What would you do if someone kissed you now?"
"It would depend on who's doing the kissing," Kara replied with a teasing grin. "I still have the potential for being a dork."
"What if it was me?" Cat let the question hang in the air before looking at Kara, whose cheeks were tinted pink.
"I might freak out but I wouldn't run away," the instructor replied softly.
They had reached a shaded, more secluded part of the trail. It was quiet and peaceful, with only the singing of birds to break the stillness. Cat stopped walking and tugged a little on Kara's hand, bringing her closer, all the while admiring the play of light and shadow in her beautiful eyes.
"God, you're stunning," she whispered and reached up to push Kara's hair back behind one ear. The younger woman's hands moved to Cat's waist as she moved even closer.
"I was thinking the same thing about you," Kara replied.
It was a perfect moment when Cat's hand moved to cup Kara's cheek and draw her face closer and, when their lips met for the first time, they both felt a spark of energy pass between them that spurred them on to deepen the contact. Eyes closed, breaths mingling, tongues reaching out, seeking more and, when they finally eased back, Kara could hardly catch her breath. She kissed Cat's forehead and hugged her close.
"Are you freaking out?" Cat asked with a soft smile.
"No… um… well... Maybe?" Kara replied. "But it felt great."
"Yes. It did," Cat agreed as she closed her eyes and relaxed against her friend. The stillness was broken then by the ringing of Cat's phone and she sighed softly. "Sorry, I'm expecting a call from my son."
"Go ahead," Kara replied, not making any effort to let the older woman go so Cat just pulled the device out of her pocket and brought it to her ear.
"Hi Honey, how are you?"
Excellent, Mom! Dad just got me a new bike. It has tons of gears and a cycle computer!
"That sounds really cool," Cat replied, smiling as Kara chuckled. "Are you still having a good time with your Dad and Melanie?"
Carter sounded exasperated. It's Melissa, Mom.
"Right! Sorry... Melissa."
But yeah, it's been so much fun. I miss you though. A lot.
Kara tightened her arms around Cat as the older woman's breathing hitched. "I miss you too, Honey, but you only have a week left with your Dad so make the most of it."
I will. Is the CatCo jet picking me up or...?
Cat nodded to herself. "Yes. I've already made the arrangements with your Dad. He knows where to take you and I'll be waiting for you on the tarmac when you get back to National City."
Ok, Mom. I'd better go. I love you.
"I love you too, Carter. Talk to you soon. Bye."
Kara eased back to smile at Cat as she slipped her phone back into her pocket. "He sounds like a great kid."
"He is," the older woman replied with a proud grin. "He's smart and sweet."
"Sounds just like his Mom." Kara kissed Cat gently on the lips and then released her so they could continue walking. "So, what do you like to do in your spare time?"
Cat snorted a laugh. "I forgot that you've only ever seen me on vacation. I normally don't have any spare time. But I do like playing board games with Carter and watching movies with him. How about you?"
"I don't have a lot of free time either but I like movies too and food and wine tastings. And when I can find time, I love to read."
They walked on in companionable silence for a while until Kara took a breath. "You have a jet?"
Cat laughed. "Well, my company has a jet but, yeah, I'd guess you could say that it's mine."
Blue eyes widened. "I never even... Cat, you're pretty rich, aren't you?"
The older woman shrugged. "Yes. I've done well for myself over the years. But money doesn't make me happy, Kara. Don't get me wrong, it helps, but it's not everything. The people you love are everything."
The instructor nodded. "I've done pretty well for myself too but you're right. If it weren't for Winn and Alex, I'd be alone."
"But you meet so many people every day at Breathe," Kat replied. "You've never met anyone you'd want to be friends with or date?"
"Sure, I have acquaintances there but I have a strict no-dating-clients policy," Kara replied with a shrug.
Cat looked down at herself and then up at Kara. "So, you're making an exception for me?"
Again, Kara shrugged. "I had no choice," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. "You seem to sneak past all of my defenses."
"Kara, how do you feel about this? Us, I mean. Is this ok? I know we only met a couple of days ago..." Cat sighed. "Some might think it's moving too fast."
The younger blonde nodded. "Do you feel that way? Are we moving too fast?"
"No," Cat chuckled. "I would have kissed you yesterday if I could have."
"Me too," Kara grinned. "So, no, I don't feel like we're moving too fast." She paused then. "But moving forward is going to mean baby steps for me, ok? I haven't been in a relationship with anyone for a long time and I'm still gun-shy."
"I understand completely, Darling," Cat replied. "We'll take this as slowly as you need to, I promise."
Kara wrapped her arm around Cat's shoulders and pulled her in close against her, bumping hips with her as they walked. "Thank you."
Then Cat's phone rang again and she fished it back out of her pocket. It was CatCo and she frowned at Kara as she answered it. "This is Cat Grant." She listened for a moment and then stopped walking, easing away from Kara and rubbing her forehead worriedly. "Was anyone hurt?" Kara watched her begin pacing. "How much damage?" The older woman ran a hand through her hair. "Shit. Ok... I'll be there as quickly as I can. James, make sure the people who got hurt get the best medical care, no expenses spared."
"What is it?" Kara asked worriedly.
"A gas leak caused a small explosion and a fire on one of the lower floors of my building. I need to get over there."
"Of course," Kara replied as they quickly headed back toward the parking lot where they'd parked. "Do you want me to drop you to your car or just bring you straight to CatCo?"
Cat weighed the question in her mind for a moment. "Can you bring me straight to CatCo please? I can take a cab back to my car later."
"Don't be silly, Cat," Kara interjected. "I'll wait for you and take you back later. It's the least I can do after everything you did for me yesterday."
Cat just nodded. "Thank you, Kara."
