Late last night, media mogul Cat Grant issued a statement regarding rumors that she was abducted yesterday morning on her way to work. According to her statement she was not abducted, the stunt was actually an elaborate prank played on her by her friends from the Daily Planet to commemorate her twentieth year in the Media Industry.
Many people do not realize that Cat Grant began her journalism career at the Daily Planet as Perry White's girl friday...
Cat mutes the tv, not wishing to relive that time of her life. Pausing a moment, she watches the photo montage that James put together, it isn't too bad considering that it's been less than ten hours since she decided to issue the statement and she only decided to release the photos a few hours ago. Shaking her head and laughing softly, James told her that it was a waste of money to have an IT expert remove every photo of her from the internet. For once he was right, but how could Cat possibly know that only a few months later, she would need to release them herself, just to save the world. Well that is a tad dramatic, she thinks to herself. But still covering up the abduction with this ridiculous prank story; Cat still can't believe that Lois agreed to help her without any deep details on what she was covering up. Of course, knowing Lois, she also knows that the woman can smell a Pulitzer Prize story at inception.
Cat's phone buzzes to indicate a text message.
Lane: Interview with Anderson went well. Played up our feud. You'll love it.
Cat: I think you're enjoying this.
Lane: I am. It's been a slow news month, we don't have rogue aliens abducting people here.
Cat: Don't be so dramatic, it wasn't what you think.
Lane: I want to know who rescued you and what does he/she look like?
Cat: You read too many trashy romance novels Lois.
Cat smirks at the last comment, she loves to remind Lois that she knows that beneath her crusty cynical reporter shell, there lies the heart of a true romantic. They actually have that in common, though Cat would never be caught dead reading anything that is not on the New York Times bestseller list.
Lane: Hey do you need anything?
Cat: You don't even know where I am?
Lois sends a photo from one of their early beach getaways after Cat bought the beach house.
Cat sighs, despite their frenemy exterior, she has to admit that Lois is one of the few people who she can trust to be able to hold her own if the need arises.
Cat: I'll send a list, but make sure you're not followed.
Lane: I've won a Pulitzer Prize for reporting undercover, Kitty. I've got this.
Cat: Let me know when you're close and I'll send you a security code for the gate.
"She is in a safe location. I reworked her security feed to report to my phone, your programing languages are primative by the way," Kara remarks to the DEO team around the table.
"You hacked into her security feed and programed it to go to your DEO provided secure link phone?" Alex blurts out glancing over at Vasquez.
"Making sure that she didn't break the security protocol, Ma'm" Vasquez replies to Alex as she begins pecking hard on her keyboard.
"I didn't breach your security features, I've enhanced them," Kara smirks waiting to see if the agent can get into her phone data.
"Ma'am, I can't get into her phone," Vasquez says after trying several times. Then turning to Kara she says, "You have to show me how you did that."
"Later, right now we need to focus on how to stop an army of Kryptonians from taking over Earth," Hank grumbles at them.
"I've got an idea for that too," Kara says holding up her hand.
Everyone around the table looks at her and she lowers her hand. "What? Isn't that your thing?" She asks.
"Kara, you're the best authority on Kryptonians in the room, you don't need to ask to speak, just tell us what you're thinking," Alex remarks, laughing softly, only Kara would be thoughtful and courteous in a meeting to save the world.
"I am going to switch my Kryptonian link over to their frequency and contact them..." she begins.
"Too risky, once they know you have it, they'll stop using it or they will be able to listen in on your conversations with your cousin, although they could already be doing that," Hank points out.
"No, if Mother knew we had them then she would have confiscated the device from Kal-El and she would have contacted me by now," Kara counters.
"Kara, it doesn't really matter because we are way past the whole talking it out point. They have started a war and we have to defend ourselves," Alex replies.
"No. I refuse to accept that my people will take this planet by force. Give me some time to work this out with them, I know that I can reach them. I know that I can find a compromise," Kara argues.
"You have twenty-four hours," Hank replies standing up to end the meeting.
"Explain to me why I drove two hours to meet you in a grocery store parking lot in Calabasas?" Lucy complains as she approaches her sister.
"What you suddenly don't like to go the beach for the weekend?" Lois quips.
"Lois, there's no beach in Calabasas," Lucy points out, wondering if her sister has finally lost it.
"Relax, we're just stocking up. Now, you're sure that you weren't followed?" Lois asks looking around the parking lot.
"No, I wasn't followed," Lucy snaps. "I worked covert ops in Afghanistan," she reminds her sister, but looks around just the same. Her eyes stopping when she sees Lois pick up a pair of binoculars and combs the sky above them.
"Who exactly do you think would follow me?" She asks now a bit worried.
"No one in particular, but I'm involved in a big story and we're going to meet one of my contacts at a secluded beach house, you're the muscle," Lois confesses.
"I'm the muscle? Lois, that's not how this works. You don't invite me to the beach and then tell me that I'm on security detail. I'm not prepared," Lucy replies angrily.
"Don't worry sis, I brought some things for you," Lois says adding a cheeky smile, "but first let's grab supplies."
"Just how long are we planning to stay at this location?" Lucy asks watching Lois load the cart up with enough food to last a month. "I have a job, it's not like I can just call my boss and tell her that I need a month off for your latest crisis."
"I have a feeling that your boss won't care if you take a month off for this particular crisis," Lois quips.
"Wait, she's the crisis? I knew it!" Lucy exclaims. "I didn't believe that prank story, you're not that good at pranks for one thing."
"Hey, I'm excellent at pranks, but let's not talk here. We can talk on the way," Lois points out looking around quickly to make sure no one's listening to them.
By the time they arrive at the private entrance to Cat's beach house, Lois and Lucy have put their heads together and figured out a few different scenarios that could have triggered Cat Grant to hide at her beach house, because she has never been one to hide from a fight.
Lois pulls up to the gate and enters the code that was provided. The gates slide open rather quickly and begin to close, just barely letting her pass through. Lucy is impressed that Cat would have such high level security gates.
Pulling up to the back of the house, they notice a garage door opening so Lois drives the car into the bay and before she can turn the car off the door is closed behind them.
"Uh, I've entered US Embassies that aren't this secure," Lucy remarks as she climbs out of the vehicle.
"Well, this is Cat Grant were talking about. Don't forget that she has been abducted before. She takes her personal security seriously," Lois remarks as they move around to the back of the small SUV.
"Here, this is for you," she adds grabbing the strap of what appears to be military-style go bag.
"Where the hell did you get a go bag?" Lucy asks.
"Lu, I know people. Now if there's something else that you need, just let me know and I can get it delivered," Lois smirks.
Unzipping the bag, Lucy can't help but gasp at the weaponry available to her.
"I trust that you're familiar with all of that?" Lois inquires.
"Yeah, but what the hell are we expecting? War of the Worlds?" Lucy quips.
"Something like that," Cat says leaning in the doorway that leads into the house.
"Kitty," Lois says going over to look at the horrible bruise on her neck. "No wonder you've retreated," she exclaims.
"Hmm, this is nothing. Do I need to remind you that I was shot while undercover and still got the story," Cat quips.
"Yes, yes, you were shot in the leg," Lois says, turning to her sister. "GI Jane here will need to be filled in on what she's up against. I'm sure that you'll want to have that discussion without me, so I'll unload the supplies," she says waving them both out of the garage.
"I take it that this is related to the alien prison ship story?" Lucy asks as she follows Cat into the house.
"Yes. They have taken umbrage with the SuperGirl coverage and expressed it yesterday morning by abducting me," Cat replies.
"You realize that you're still not safe from them and it doesn't matter how many guns I have. Those aliens are bulletproof and pretty much invincible," Lucy points out.
"Yes, I know that. It would seem that Lois doesn't," Cat admits nervously. "I-I really just wanted company and she offered to come out. I didn't realize that she had contacted you, but since you are here, there is a lot that we can work on," Cat admits as they enter the living room.
"Do you want to start with why they abducted you? Was it to get Kara Zor-El's attention?" Lucy asks bluntly.
"Well, you're more like your sister than I had previously given you credit for," Cat replies, as she opens the patio door and gestures for Lucy to step out first.
"Is that why they took you?" Lucy repeats the question.
"Y-yes. They wanted her attention. But it's not.., we're not involved exactly. It is true that she has visited me a few times at the office. They must have been following her," Cat explains her voice devoid of emotion, but there's slight panic in her eyes.
"You kissed her or she kissed you?" Lucy asks suddenly as they walk over to the edge of the patio and look out at the ocean.
Cat glares sullenly at the small brunette, refusing to answer.
Lucy decides to wait her out. Crossing her arms, she leans against the railing that surrounds the pool area.
"What difference would it make, if we did?" Cat snaps. "It hasn't happened again, so I don't think it meant anything, okay?"
"Hmm, you kissed her," Lucy says noting how off balance Cat looks discussing this with her.
"Why does that matter?" Cat asks angrily.
"It matters because I need to know if her feelings for you are clouding her judgement. Since she was able to convince you to come out here, it would appear that she is thinking clearly and protecting her mission, so I'll trust her judgement and follow her lead," Lucy replies matter of factly.
"What the hell?" Lucy shouts as Kara lands abruptly in front of her causing her to pull her weapon in surprise as the hero lands in front of her, cape billowing behind her.
"Who are you?" Kara yells back glaring suspiciously. When the gate alarm sounded, Kara bolted for the beach house without thinking. As she approached the house, she realized that Cat wasn't in danger, but she doesn't know who this person is lurking outside with weapons.
"Lucy, stand down," Cat says rushing out the patio door when she heard the shouting.
"Cat, you can't just invite people to visit, I'm trying to keep you safe!" Kara exclaims incredulously.
"Kara, it's fine. Lucy Lane is my attorney and a highly decorated Army Major," Cat replies, then to conclude the introduction, she adds, "Lucy, Kara Zor-El my friend from Krypton."
"Kara Zor-El, of course," Lucy says as she reholsters her weapon.
"Cat do you have any idea how fast I flew here when the gate alarm sounded," Kara says angrily following her into the kitchen to where Lois is standing in awe of the woman in cape and skirt.
Cat looks at Lois and realizes that she has no idea who Kara is. "Lois, Kara. Kara this is Lois Lane, she's an old friend who is helping me cover up the abduction and she brought me supplies," Cat explains. "And they used a code, the gate alarm shouldn't have been triggered."
"I reprogrammed it to alert me when it opens," Kara replies quickly, her eyes raking over the sight of Cat dressed casually in linen capris and sleeveless blouse.
Cat rolls her eyes dramatically, hoping to distract Lois.
Kara then looks from one slight brunette to the other as Lucy enters the room, "You are sisters," she remarks.
"Yeah, and you're what... an alien?" Lois asks perplexed that the woman standing in front of them isn't human.
"She's Supergirl. Lois, you know, the alien who has been helping people," Lucy exclaims. "I am a big fan of that, by the way," she adds extending her hand. "Sorry about earlier, you, uh, caught me off guard."
"Uh thanks," Kara replies shaking the small strong hand carefully, noting that Lucy Lane reminds her a lot of Alex.
"Maybe you should get me up to speed on what I'm looking out for here," Lucy says taking Kara's elbow and leading her out of the kitchen.
Lois watches her little sister and Kara walk out of the kitchen talking logistics and strategy. Still struggling to comprehend that Kara is an alien, she stammers, "She. Is. A-an alien?"
Cat turns to her friend and beams a smile, then picks up her phone and snaps a photo.
"What the hell?" Lois blurts out.
"Oh I just wanted proof. Lois Lane speechless. No one will believe me without proof," Cat teases.
"T-there's no way that she is an alien, Cat," Lois finally stammers. "I would sooner believe that she's an Amazon princess than an alien from outer space."
"Lois, no one says alien any longer, and it is time that we stop thinking that we're the only humanoids in the universe," Cat quips. "Kara Zor-El is from Krypton. She is the Editor in Chief of the Argo City Gazette," she adds going over to the counter to retrieve her glass of wine.
"She's an alien and a journalist," Lois repeats as if still trying to process the words.
Cat frowns at the word alien. "She a Kryptonian, Lane. An author too. She's written several books, which she's also illustrated," Cat adds proudly.
Lois smirks and goes over to pick up her own glass of wine. "Wow, I understand everything now," she quips, before taking a sip.
"Lois, it's not what you think," Cat replies.
"Hmm, have you seen the way she looks at you?" Lois asks.
"Lois, this isn't the time or place for this discussion. Besides, you don't know what you're talking about. She's half my age and doesn't even live on this planet," Cat reminds her.
"Lucy used to be obsessed with space travel as a child. Cat did you know that her first choice was Intergalactic Law?" Lois points out.
"What does either of those things have to do with anything?" Cat asks impatiently.
"If I remember correctly, Krypton has a small red sun. Their days are shorter and their time passes more quickly, my point is that Kara Zor-El could actually be our age or older," Lois explains smugly.
"You're smiling again and I'm not saying anything funny," Lucy points out as she and Kara walk out to the edge of the property. The intention was to finish their earlier strategy session.
"Sorry, on Krypton, our warrior tribe were the largest beings on the planet. On Earth your warriors come in all sizes, I find it interesting that someone so small perceives themselves as threatening," Kara explains.
Offended, Lucy steps back. "When this is over, we should spar. I'd love to show you how threatening I can really be," she snaps a bit.
"No, I've learned that lesson from Alex, no thanks," Kara replies putting up her hands to surrender.
"Wait, is Alex. Alex Danvers?" Lucy asks.
"Yes, do you know her?" Kara asks.
"No, but I've followed her work. I even read her dissertation on Krypton. Wow, so that was all about you and your family on Krypton," Lucy exclaims, suddenly allowing her mind to put it all together.
"Yeah, it was. I helped her write it, but don't tell anyone," Kara jokes.
"You know, I still can't believe that I'm standing here on Earth talking with a Kryptonian. You know that I almost went on that Krypton trip?" Lucy remarks.
"You'd love Argo City, it's beautiful," Kara says wistfully. "But now I'm curious, why didn't you go?"
"James and I had just broken up and Cat didn't think that we could put it behind us," Lucy admits.
"You and James, oh right, I actually haven't met him yet," Kara replies with a knowing nod.
"He was just a photographer when we first met, then he moved to National City to work for CATCO as Director of Photography. Then I finished my tour with the Army and Cat offered me the job of general council, I accepted it immediately, because who wouldn't want to work for CATCO, the top woman owned media empire in the world!" Lucy exclaims.
"I think you mean galaxy, she does have satellite offices on three different planets in two different solar systems," Kara points out. "Is that why you two broke up? Working together didn't work out?"
"Not exactly, but it was part of it. James' ambition and decision to be a corporate executive was the other part of it. I fell in love with James the photographer, this corporate drone, just isn't the same man," Lucy explains.
"I understand," Kara replies thinking of Mala and how much she changed when she took over the news desk. "My ex and I worked together on Krypton," she adds.
"So you had your own little media empire on Krypton?" Lucy asks.
"Uh, not really an empire," Kara replies embarrassed. "I ran the news corporation that my grandfather created."
"Well, Cat and James were quite impressed with it," Lucy remarks.
"It's gone now. My mother took it over and shut it down," Kara points out. "Not to mention, Krypton isn't stable and needs to be evacuated."
"Well, you could always stay here and work with Cat," Lucy counters brightly. Since they've already discussed the impending demise of Krypton, she wants to steer the conversation away from that.
"Maybe," Kara admits, although the thought of living on Earth and having a normal life doesn't seem possible right now.
"Have you met either of her sons yet?" Lucy asks.
Kara shakes her head no. Damn, all this time and she hadn't thought about Cat's family at all, only Cat.
"Excuse me, I need to check in," Kara says stepping away and slowly floating upward and out towards the water.
"Kara?" Alex says as soon as she hears the wind in her comslink.
"Yeah, I'm here. Have we sent anyone out to check on Cat's family?" Kara asks.
"I have a surveillance team out there now, why has something happened?" Alex questions.
"No, it's just I forgot that she had a family," Kara admits.
"Hey, it's okay. I took care of it," Alex replies. "Everything is going okay there?" She asks.
"Yes, it's fine," Kara says, before taking a deep breath and adding, "I'm almost done here, I'll see you in an hour or so." She ends the link and then takes a short flight around the property. Landing in front of Cat, who has replaced Lucy on the beach.
"Hey," Kara says nervously.
"You're still here?" Cat exclaims relieved.
"I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye," Kara says coming closer to her.
"But you are leaving," Cat replies looking away, resigned to the fact that Kara has to leave to finish this.
"This will all be over soon," Kara remarks softly before wrapping her arms around her.
