Wow! I'm so sorry for the late update! Final's will be the death of me! There's a small Ally McBeal reference here but you don't need to know it for this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Supergirl or any of its characters.
~S
Kara tentatively made her way out of the CatCo. elevator with Cat's breakfast and latte in hand when Winn went up to her.
"Hey uh quick warning, but, um, when you missed work yesterday, Miss Grant had me do all of her assistant-ly duty and honestly its just a miracle I'm not fired yet." Winn said, clasping his hands in front of his chest. Kara looked at him apologetically and remembered that she has to tell him and James about the new revelation she and Cat had the previous night.
"I'm sorry, Winn. I had to take the day off. I think if i hadnt, I would've exerted my powers." Kara placed the food and drink on her desk. "Also, um I need to talk to you and James about-"
"Kiera so nice to have you back." Cat sneered out as she stepped out of her private elevator and saw her chatting away with the lovesick IT freak. "Back to chatting it away rather than doing your work it seems." She walked right into her office with Kara quickly running behind her.
Kara internally cursed at herself for not hearing the private elevator coming up. Something tells her that if her work performance today is less than sublime then she will suffer more than just the consequences, even if their conversation last night 'never happened'.
"Your latte, Miss Grant." Kara said, reminding herself to keep her tone neutral. Completely professional. Kara thought
Cat took the latte and placed it on her desk. She sat down on her chair and opened up her laptop. "Your hobbit friend failed to do many of the simple tasks I instructed him to do. Fix them. He'll tell you what they are. And don't come in here unless it's an emergency." Cat said, not looking up at the girl.
"Yes, Miss Grant." Kara said as she walked out of the office. She went up to Winns desk. "What did you wrong?" Kara asked with a small smile. She felt bad for leaving Winn to do her work, but she doesn't regret sleeping in.
"Uhh, here." Winn said as she took a post-it from his computer. "I wrote everything she asked down. Kara read the note and was surprised.
"Thats it? That's all she asked you to do?" Kara asked. The only thing that she needed to check up on is the confirmation on attending the National City Museum Gala.
"I guess she saw my incompetence as an assistant." Winn chuckled out. "Wh-what was that thing you needed to talk to me and James about?"
"Meet me in our room in two hours and I'll explain everything. For now, I need to do my day job." Kara said with a sigh as she walked back to her desk. She called Adelie Mona and confirmed Cat's presence at the gala before resuming her work.
One grueling hour passes and not a single "Kiera" has been heard. Kara internally groans and puts her head in her hands. She knows their relationship is now strictly professional, as it always should've been, but for some reason Kara can't help but count the seconds that pass by without Cat calling her. She stood up and began walking towards James's office, hoping he could help her out of this..rut.
Just as she entered his office, she heard the one sound she's been nearly craving.
"KIERA"
Kara quickly ran back to her desk, leaving a confused James in her wake, grabbed her notepad and pen and walked into Cat's office.
"Yes, Miss Grant?" Kara said keeping her tone neutral as if she hadn't been wanting to be called since Cat walked in this morning.
Cat threw the layouts for next weeks issue on her desk. "Take these back to Todd or Tim or whatever that incompetent fools name is and tell him to redo the entire thing. And stay there until he's done." Cat said, not bothering to look up at the young girl.
"Y-yes, Miss Grant." Kara said as she hesitantly walked over to the desk and picked up the layouts. She stood there for just half a second longer before turning on her heel and walking out of the office.
Kara walked to the elevator and pressed the down button. She sighed as she took a look at the layouts Cat oh so graciously handed to her. Her script all over the page in bright red ink. Oh she is so not happy. Kara got into the elevator and silently greeted the other fellow workers as they stuffed themselves into the small five by four box. Please, please let me be called out on some heroic duty.
Her prayers were answered fifteen minutes later when she saw a text from Alex.
We need you. Come to the base.
"Hey Tyler, I'm so sorry but I-uh-have to go. Just cover for me ok?" Kara said as she made her way through the door. The editor just huffed out a puff of air as he placed his head in his hands, reviewing Cat's notes.
Jesna woke up to the sound of her door opening. She doesn't sleep much, but when she does, it was very lightly. Years of being in Fort Rozz and then a new planet will do that to you. Instill the fear of your survival being on the line. Jesna was never afraid of death, she knew it would come one day, that it was inevitable. But that doesn't mean she didn't want to be unprepared for it.
"Fearing the inevitable will just make the inevitable happen faster. And there ain't nothin' you can do about it."
Her father had told her that when she was around eight years old. What was he thinking when he decided to lecture an eight year old on inevitability, she'll never know.
In came through the door was Arnil, his yellow skin nearly glowing in the dark room. Jesna squinted her eyes, preparing herself for when he turned on the fluorescent lights but was surprised when she found them to be very dimmed.
"I know you don't like the light." Arnil said.
"How nice of you." Jesna said as she sat up on her cot, feet over the edge. She took this quick chance to observe the alien in front of her. "Is it time to go?"
"Yes, the General and Lieutenant are waiting by the entrance. You know, the one where most of us enter the facility."
Jesna let out a small laugh as she got up from the bed and put on her coat. "Was I ever one to follow the status quo?"
"Good point." Arnil said with a chuckle. He allowed her to pass first and locked the door.
"You certainly look different." Jesna said giving him a once over as they walked. "Sturdier, bigger and you hair," she said pointing to his bald head. "Looks wonderful. Not the scrawny Arnil I remember."
"Yes well look at you. I nearly couldn't recognize you because you've..developed, very well."
"What do you-OH." Jesna blushed when she realized what he said. "Yes for a second there I forgot that I was imprisoned before finishing puberty."
"Well its clear we've both changed physically, how about mentally?" Arnil said with a teasing smirk.
"Hey! I was I perfectly sane my entire time here. It's others that were clearly not in their right minds."
"Yes, because mentally stable people just go around beating down on others for no apparent reason."
"They started it! You know what? I don't even need to explain myself to you anymore." Jesna said walking a bit faster through the hallway. She heard Arnil laugh when she said Astra and Non standing with a bunch of, who she presumed to be, scientists next to a bunch of machines. "Astra, hi." Jesna said with a smile. "Non." she gave a small nod.
"Jesna, good, you're here. These are the scientists that are going to help monitor your body's activity throughout the procedure." Astra said. One of the scientists came up to Jesna with a syringe.
"We're just going to need to take a few blood samples before we start so we can compare the results." One scientist said. Jesna looked at him and he looks human for the most part, if you don't count his hand having ten fingers each.
"And what are we going to do when we are done with these tests?" Jesna asked as she took off her coat and extending her arm to the scientist.
"We're going to leave you outside for as long as possible. The sun is already out and is reaching its zenith." Astra said.
Jesna suddenly grew pale, fear of the incoming pain already washing over her. "I-I don't think th-thats a good idea, Astra. I feel a tinge when the sun just begins to rise. For me to be outside at its zenith? I've done that before and blacked out."
"We'll be putting these monitors on you to keep up with your heart and breathing rate. Should it get to dangerous levels, we'll pull you back in." Astra explained holding up different white patches that Jesna has no doubt will be covering her body.
"Pull me back? How?"
"Glorder, come here." Astra called out. A second later, in came in the pinkest, slimiest creature Jesna has set eyes on. The thing is literally oozing with slime and it's arms are so long that it has to coil them to prevent them from touching the ground. Jesna looked behind it and saw a trail of slime following it. Is this..a male..or a female…glob?
She saw Non give a disgusted look at the thing before them. "Glorder here will wrap her tentacles around your waist so should something happen, you're instantly pulled back." Astra explained. Jesna raised her eyebrows.
"General, we are done taking blood and tissue samples." the scientist told her.
"Well then, shall we? You'll just run out as far as Glorders arms can get you and stay outside for as long as you can." Astra said with a smile as she placed several monitors all over Jesnas body; under her shirt, on her forehead, temples, and pulse points.
"You've been awfully quiet about this, Non." Jesna said.
"I like to observe new findings with silence." He said with his stoic face.
"I'm sure.." Jesna muttered. "Astra I really don't know about this." she said, twiddling with her hands, a nervous habit she's had since she can remember. Astra her hands on her shoulders.
"I won't let it get too far, I promise." Jesna recognized that tone. It's the tone she'd always here when Astra would reassure her that she's safe whenever she'd have a nightmare. Jesna nodded and turned towards the door. She felt Glorder wrap her tentacles around her waist.
Sunlight began to creep in as the doors slowly began to open. Jesnas nerves were getting the better of her. Just do it.
Once the doors were halfway open, Jesna shot out using her super speed and stopped when she felt a slight tug on her waist, indicating that she's reached her distance limit. It took about two seconds after she stopped for her to start feeling the pain. Her breathing started to increase and she did all she could to not scream out right away. She felt as though she was being burned alive. With her fists tightly clenched and arms rigid, she fell onto her knees with a scream. She did everything she could to think of anything else to distract herself from the pain; Krypton, friends she made at Fort Rozz, new planet, Denz, Kara. Kara, she let out a jagged breath. The fact that it's a scorcher outside doesn't help Jesna in the least.
She doesn't know how much time has passed when she felt herself flying backwards into the base, landing on the floor. The burning feeling coursing through her body is not going away as she struggles to get up from the floor. Her vision is blurry and her hearing is muffled. It seems as though all her senses have been dulled from the excruciating pain.
"Get her to the medical ward!" Was the last thing Jesna heard before she blacked out.
Cat watched Supergirl fight her newest enemy on her many screens. She carefully observed each screen that offered a different angle. Pretty sure I told her to stay put in Timmy's office.
You can't stop a hero from doing their job.
I can stop one of the jobs.
You won't do that, you need her.
To do what?
To trust you.
Cat flinched when she saw the silver spike ball Kara was fighting land a hit square onto her jaw, making the young hero fly several feet back.
It's clear that she doesn't and that she won't.
You're the one that keeps pushing her away.
So that no one gets hurt.
So that you won't get hurt.
And why would I get hurt?
Because you-
Cat was brought out from her little thought battle with the sound of her phone ringing. She barely heard what that editor buffoon was saying, still caught up in her thoughts, her stupid thoughts brought on by her stupid mind. She hung up the phone and yelled at Winn to go and get the layouts. She turned back around to face the televisions only to see that the fight is over and Supergirl had one. Obviously. Which means she wont be back for another hour, at least. And before her mind had anything else to say, she dove into her work.
"Alex I just don't know what to do." Kara sighed as she laid down on the sun bed.
"I still can't believe you told her."
"I didn't. She found out another way. Jesna said she didn't say anything. Do you think it was her friend?" Kara asked.
"Kara I wouldn't know who that is, I wasn't with you." Alex said pointedly.
"Right.."
"Listen, Kara," Alex began. Kara looked up at from the sun bed, her sisters hesitant tone catching her attention. "I have Jesna's Fort Rozz file. I can show to you, if you want." Kara laid silent for a moment, deciding whether or not she should.
"Jesna said she was going to tell me, so i'll wait for her." Kara decided.
"How long will that be?"
"She has 59 hours left before I go in myself."
"You mean with a team of highly specialized agents that were trained for something like this, right?"
"Alex please let me do this alo-"
"Nope." Alex said as she turned on the sun bed and headed towards the door. "End of discussion." And Alex closed the door shut, leaving Kara to heal.
Kara returns to work later that afternoon, hurrying to her desk. She was out longer than she expected. It was one thing to be made out of steel, it's another to fight someone made out of spiked steel.
"Kiera!" Kara heard Cat call her just as she got to her desk. Quickly grabbing her pad and pen, she walked into the glass office.
"Yes, Miss Grant?" Kara asked. Cat looked up at her and Kara felt her breath hitch. She always knew Cat's eyes were green, but now she realized how she never really appreciated them. This is the first time Cat has looked at her all day and its refreshing to see her eyes on hers again. She saw Cat's eyes go up and down her body, clearly noticing how rumpled her shirt was. Kara rushed from the DEO to get here as soon as possible, clearly realizing she extended her "lunch break" a little too long.
A long silent moment passes.
"Mi-Miss Grant?" Kara asked again. Cat's eyes snap back up and she sighed.
"Call Doctor Ullman and tell her that I'm scheduling a visit in two hours."
"Oh o-okay. Did your mother call?" Kara asked, knowing Cat only goes to her therapist when her mother makes unexpected calls or visits.
"Chop. Chop." Cat said, throwing a glare at Kara.
"Yes, Miss Grant." Kara said, returning her to her desk.
After scheduling the appointment, Kara walked over to Winn and motioned him to follow her. She sent out a text to James saying to meet them in their room.
"Kara, is everything alright?" James asked. He noticed Kara's weird mood and couldn't help but worry.
"Yea you said you had something to tell us?" Winn asked nervously.
Kara looked at their concerned faces and took in a deep breath.
"Cat knows I'm Supergirl." Kara said, wringing her hands together.
"What?" Both men asked as they took in the information.
"Cat knows..I'm Supergirl?" Kara said with a nervous laugh.
"How? How did that happen? Didn't that DEO guy take care of things?" Winn asked, his nerves getting the better of him. James was silent.
Kara explained everything that happened in the last two days. How Jesna took Cat, made a deal with her, and finally, the conversation between herself and Cat. Both Winn and James rubbed their heads at the new information.
"So what now?" Winn asked
"Now, I don't know guys. Half the reason I didn't tell her the truth was because I didn't want her to get hurt but it looks like I somehow ended up hurting her anyways." Kara said.
"But are you sure she won't publish this?" James asked.
"I trust her." Kara said firmly. She was confident that Cat wouldn't say anything.
"Well if you trust her, then I guess we'll just have to also." James said, patting Kara on the shoulder with a smile.
"Yea. So is that why she was ignoring you the entire day?" Winn asked.
"Yes she's apparently mad at me that I broke her trust. I really don't want to talk about it. I actually missed a lot of work, being gone longer than expected so I'm just going to get back to it. I just wanted to make sure you guys knew." Kara said smiling on her way out of the door. James and Winn looked at each other with worried eyes before following her out the door.
Kara sat back at her desk and began typing away any emails that needed to be sent. Sighing, she wondered when's the next time Cat would call her.
Most likely tomorrow Kara realized, because two hours later, Cat walked out of her office, bag in hand, and pressed the down button on her private elevator.
"So what you're trying to tell me, is that you're upset because your assistant..lied to you." Cat's therapist said.
"Yes, Tracey. Is that all you got from my rant?" Cat gritted out. She just explained to her therapist what Kara did (obviously leaving out the big secret).
"And you're upset about this?"
"No, I couldn't be happier." Cat spat out.
"Cathy, peo-dont give me that look. People lie. Did you know that?" Tracey said, crossing her legs.
"Not her."
"Clearly she does. Why are you so bothered that your assistant lied to you about whatever she lied about. Which if you tell me, it'll make things a lot easier."
"She's not supposed to lie to me!" Cat yelled out. "And I can't tell you, it's not my secret to tell. And don't call me Cathy." she added.
"Oh so it was a secret? You're mad because she told you one of her secrets?"
"She didn't tell me. I found out from someone else, a secret I already knew but she somehow managed to pull a stunt equivalent to a party trick and managed to get me to doubt myself. And I hate being made wrong when not."
"You say it's a party trick yet it fooled you." Cat glared at the other woman. "People are entitled to their secrets Cat."
"I wanted her to trust me! I want her to trust me!" Cat yelled out standing up. She began pacing the room. "Do you have any idea what it's like for the one person that controls your daily activities not trust you?" Tracey pulled out her remote and pressed a button that made the couch move forward and make Cat sit back down on it.
"Cathy you and I both know that it is you that controls everything at the end of the day so don't give me that." Tracey said writing down notes in her book.
"Still! And today! Don't get me started on the today. She barely even tried to make conversation."
"You're the one who just told me you said to keep things professional and not mention the conversation you two had. And knowing you Cat, you probably kicked her out of your office! What is she supposed to do? Not listen to her boss? Get fired?"
"I wouldn't fire her." Cat muttered out.
"Tell me about her." Tracey said.
"What?"
"Tell me about your assistant. The only time you've mentioned her was two years ago when you said this one surprised you by saying she's not special. I assume this is the same assistant? You haven't mentioned of firing any other ones since then." Tracey said, looking back at her notes.
Cat's lips quirked upwards a bit at the memory. "Yes, yes, this is that same 10:15, Kara Danvers."
"Tell me about her." Tracey said, putting her pen down so she can observe Cat more.
"She's..bubbly?" Cat said, unsure.
"Are you asking me or telling me? I don't know her Cat, you do. Come on."
"She's always happy, has a smile that can light up a room, easily. She gets along with everyone at the workplace. It's an odd juxtaposition, when we're with each other. She's the office sweetheart and I'm the Ice Queen. I'm pretty sure some of her friends call her 'Sunny Danvers' because that's what she is, sunny, bright, and an excellent assistant." Cat said all of this looking down at her hands, with a small smile playing on her hands. "She has shown moments of brazenness, which is always surprising whenever it happens because when you think of Kara Danvers, the first image to pop in your head is anything warm and fuzzy."
"Like a..cat?" Tracey said with a laugh. "I'm sorry, won't happen again." They both knew that was a lie.
Cat threw Tracey the strongest glare she could muster at the moment because she was caught saying how wonderful her assistant was as a person. Which she is, you can't deny that.
"Continue, please." Tracey said motioning to Cat with her hand.
"And when she's sad," Cat said while still glaring at her therapist for interrupting. She looks back down at her hands. "And when she's sad, it's as if the room saddens with her. She never shows her emotions at work, but I can see the way her eyes can sometimes be glazed over, looking dull rather than their usual bright self."
Tracey looked at her for a moment, mouth hanging a bit open and her eyebrows scrunched. "Cathy do you have fe-"
"And what's worst, is that she thought she couldn't tell me because I'd out her secret so clearly there hasn't been any trust from the very beginning and now I just don't know what to do." Cat said standing up again, placing her hands on her hips.
Tracey was writing down in her notebook and looked up at Cat. "Yes you do. You're just too stubborn to do it."
"Excuse me?" Cat said turning around to face the woman.
"You heard me. You're too damn stubborn. Now, while I believe people have a right to keep their own secrets to themselves or to whomever they wish to share it to, if the secret is out and one of the party's affected, they should talk it out."
"We did talk about it and look what good it did."
"I have half a mind to believe you were drunk during that conversation."
"I was on my second glass of bourbon. Barely tipsy."
"Don't be tipsy at all next time! I think I should meet this Kara Danvers." Tracey said.
"You most certainly will not meet her!" Cat said glaring for the umpteenth time that session.
"You say that now, but I will. Now here's your homework, you will talk to that assistant of yours, and get everything sorted out. Got it?"
"Yes because it's just that easy." Cat muttered.
"You're absolutely right, it is. Now, how's your theme song going?"
Cat sighed and covered her forehead with her hand.
This isn't beta'd so any and all mistakes are mine. Let me know what you guys think!
~S