That night, Cat had insisted for Kara to come to diner. The young woman had refused at first, still feeling down. But when her boss had threatened to fire her, which she was pretty sure was illegal, Kara had said yes. So here she was, standing in front of the familiar door of the penthouse, a white orchid in her hand. She couldn't get herself to knock. Kara had been standing there for at least two minutes when she finally found the courage to make her presence known. It surprised her how quick Adam was to open. The young man welcomed her with a quick peck on the lips. Behind him, in the open kitchen, Cat was busy arranging the appetizers. Or she seemed busy because when Kara walked past Adam and entered further into the penthouse, the Queen of all Media made a comment without even looking up.
"Finally! I was thinking Medusa had transformed you into a statue or something."
"How did you-" Kara stammered
"Unlike your building, my house has security and cameras." Cat started, checking the oven. "Thanks for the orchid by the way. It's beautiful."
Kara felt silly with her plant in her hands. Cat hadn't even looked at her. Adam's chuckle brought her back to reality and she put it on the kitchen counter with a slight pout.
"Kara!" Carter exclaimed with joy as he ran down the stairs.
A smile immediately formed on the kryptonian's face. How could she not smile when this boy entered a room? What surprised her however, was the strength and speed Carter put in the hug he initiated.
"Wow, hey buddy." Kara said, wrapping her arms around him
"I'm so glad you're back. Adam told me how sick you were."
"He did? Well, yes I was... very sick." Kara half lied, pulling out of the hug
"I'm so happy to see you! I knew the cure would work." Carter cheered, earning intrigued looks
"It was just the flu, you know." Kara fully lied
"Carter, why don't we let Adam and Kiera bring the drinks to the balcony." Cat suggested, guiding gently her son on the side.
Cat glanced to check if Kara was too distracted with Adam to eavesdrop. Indeed she was, taking glasses from a closet as Adam kissed her cheek.
"Do you have something to tell me?" she started, scaring Carter just a little
"Um...What do you think it is?" the boy asked back, not wanting to tell his mom he had a girlfriend.
He had finally decided to ask Olivia out under the advice of his brother.
"Oh I don't know. About a certain blonde flying around the city maybe?" Cat pressed. "Carter, you told me once you didn't like when I lie to you, well it works both ways."
"I know you know Supergirl. Personnaly I mean." Carter started, hesitating. "Well I...I think I figured a little while ago that I know her too." he added, glancing at Kara.
Cat sighed but also gave him a smile.
"My smart boy." she said softly, putting a hand on his cheek.
Carter looked at his mother, wondering what was coming next. Since he had figured it out, he had been afraid of the consequences if someone ever discovered.
"Come." Cat said after a moment. "Kiera." she called, gaining the young woman's attention. "I think Carter has something to say to you."
Kara looked at both of them, waiting and curious. She was even more confused when Carter pulled her in a hug, with a lot less strength than before.
"I know you're Supergirl." the boy said, looking at her sheepishly.
Kara didn't know what to say. She didn't even know if she should bother deny it.
"I figured three weeks ago." he added, looking at his feet.
But when a strong grip pulled him forward, Carter looked up and found himself back in Kara's arms. Carter loved her. Carter loved her and knew she was Supergirl. Carter loved her and knew all the atrocities she had done. Kara fought to retain tears. This meant so much to her.
"Thanks for saving me on the train."
"No need to." Kara started, breaking the embrace. "It was a job for Supergirl." she joked
"I can't believe you just said that." Adam chuckled
"Alright, stop fooling around. We have a dinner to eat." Cat stated with a smile, not as sharp as she used to be
"And video games to play!" Carter added
SSSSSSSSSS
After a very complete dinner, everyone had gathered on the couch. Kara was even almost full herself and had congratulated Cat many times for the wonderful dinner. But now wasn't the time for kindness. The four of them were in a very serious competition of Mario Kart. Even Cat was lost in the game. Kara, herself, was too preoccupied to really notice but it was fun to see this other side of her boss. At first, dating Adam seemed crazy. She had seen the consequences first hand when it had gone bad but then, then she was just afraid to discover more of Cat. Kara knew absolutely everything about her boss. Everything execpt how she was at home. She was afraid that what she might discover might disturb the harmony of their professional relationship. Turned out, it didn't. They both knew how to seperate the two sides of their lifes and rarely crossed the line.
And after a victory of Kara's team, which consisted in herself and Cat since the boys wanted to play the battle of sexs card, the line was crossed. Not a second after crossing the finish line, Kara faced Cat with all the joy and glory of the world on her face.
"Woo! Give it up!" Kara cheered, lifting her arm for a high five.
The look she earned froze her in place. And the look of panic she made, her hand still in the air, made the boys erupt in a laughing fit. Soon after, Cat started to laugh too. Not as hard as her sons but still, it was a genuine laugh. Kara didn't relax for all of that.
"Quit that terrified look on your face, Kara. I'm messing with you." Cat said, putting a hand on her assistant's back
"Really? Ha, yes that was very funny. Very convincing." Kara laughed awkwardly, making Adam and Carter laugh again
"Just don't do it at work." Cat said suddenly serious
"Yes Miss Grant."
The rest of the evening went smoothly. It was late but no one cared. After all, tomorrow was Sunday. After an other game, Carter insisted on watching "The fifth Element". Kara snuggled with Adam and Carter sat between Kara and Cat. Just as the last scene played on the screen Adam yawned and Cat tried to get up. But she found Carter rather heavy and looked at him with tenderness. The boy had fallen asleep against her shoulder.
"I think someone took a serious advance on us." Adam joked
"He passed out a little while after the multipass scene." Kara stated
"How would you know?" Cat asked, curious and impressed
"Super-hearing." Kara said, pointing her ears
"You're monitering us?" Adam questionned, slightly upset but mostly curious
"No." Kara stated quickly, blushing lightly. "It's just that when I'm relaxed I think less about controling my powers and the hearing is usually the first to slip." she apologized
"It's alright." Cat reassured. "If I wasn't your boss I would actually tell you it's cute that our heartbeats comfort you; but I am your boss. Is that clear?" Cat asked, her little bossy act not fooling anyone
"Very clear, Miss Grant." Kara said with a smile. "Uh, maybe I could..." she started pointing hesitantly at Carter. "That way we don't wake him up."
Cat simply nodded and Adam smiled. Kara stood up and carefully slipped one arm under Carter's legs and the other under his back. The young woman carried the sleeping boy upstairs and in his room. Thankfully for her, Carter was barefoot and wore only a T-shirt and large pants. Kara put him gently to bed and tucked the cover to his chin.
"Good night, Carter." she wispered before turning to leave
"Good night, Supergirl." the boy replied, stopping her in her motion
"You were awake?" Kara said, crossing her arms with smirk
"Only after the stairs." Carter answered before snuggling further under the cover.
Kara laughed a little before joining Adam and Cat downstairs.
"What makes you smile like that?" Adam grinned
"It's just...Carter is so sweet." Kara said with a wave of hand
"That's not new." Cat said. "I hope you're not to upset by the fact that he knows."
"No, not at all." Kara shrugged. "It's good now that everyone knows. I hate keeping secrets."
"But he has to be careful now." Adam reminded, going on the balcony to retrive the bottles and glasses
"He will. I'll make sure of that." Cat promised, cleaning the table. "A team of reporters called me in a hurry today. Telling me that Supergirl was helping cleaning the streets."
"I thought it would be a good start. You know, apologize." Kara explained, not very sure about what Cat was thinking of her initiative, as she started to help
"It was. I can tell you that it will be the front page of tomorrow's paper. I guess having the Queen of all Media as a boss and being a hero does help with your image." Cat shrugged, playing the aloof card
"Thank you again for inviting me tonight." Kara started. "It was really nice." she added, meaning more than what she said
"I figured you would need it. That we all... needed it." Cat smiled, earning a smile in return.
SSSSSSSSS
Susan Vasquez was an agent trained like a soldier and expert in communication. She was the one to give the alert should she find an alien threat or 911 calls that required Supergirl's attention. She was also the one coordinating the search of alien presence on the planet. So her role in the DEO was pretty important. A lot of agents were relying on her, weather they knew it or not. But in just one day, her importance in the agency had grown exponentially. Vasquez was now apart of the very closed circle of people who knew who Hank Henshaw really was. She would not reveal his identity. She was upset of being dupped, yes. But she was also loyal to the man and couldn't deny all the goods he had done to this agency. Susan hadn't known the real Hank Henshaw. But given what she had heard in the DEO hallways, she was pretty happy to actually serve under the 2.0 version. Still, all that happened, the fight with Supergirl gone bad, the reveal of her boss being an actual martian... All of it had left her frustrated and restless.
So that was why, on a Sunday morning, she was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Susan glanced at the clock. It was barely 6am. With a sigh, the agent kicked the covers and got off the bed. She had to talk to someone about it or it was going to eat her from the inside. Sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in hand, Susan thought about her options. Her choices were more than limited. She wouldn't talk to Supergirl for sure. She knew her real name and her connection to agent Danvers but she would never talk to her about it. Susan didn't know how much agents at the DEO knew this secret. The two sisters weren't making much of an effort to hide it, especially when one of them was hurt. And since Alex had seemed so close to the hero from the start, no need to be a genius to figure that the two women were somehow related.
Susan couldn't talk to a shrink. DEO or not. Despite the secrecy a doctor was bound to, certain things had to be kept between a very restricted number of people. So that left her with only one option. Susan had to talk to Alex Danvers. At least that way she could officially make her entrance in this VIP circle.
Vasquez shrugged before sipping more of her coffee. Alex was a good agent. Not the most obedient but it could also be a quality in certain circonstances. She was Henshaw right hand; which wasn't very surprising now she thought. And despite knowing how good she was and the rank she occupied, Alex had always treated other agents as equals. Something some higher ranked people in the DEO didn't seem to consider. Always here to help, caring for all her team. Alex was a good person.
And that was all the reasons why, around ten in the morning, Vasquez was standing at the door of Alex's apartment. Susan hesitated a moment but after a heavy sigh, she finally gathered her courage and knocked. The response wasn't long to arrive.
"Vasquez?" Alex annonced, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to talk." Susan said as Alex stepped away from the door to let her guest enter.
Vasquez walk further into the apartment and stared a moment at the couch, a bit astonished.
"What is General Astra doing here?" she finally asked after Alex had closed the door
"Director Henshaw sent me here this morning so I could use the sun to get my powers back. And he placed me under the guard of agent Danvers." the kryptonian explained, wiping her nose with a tissue
"I told you to call me Alex even when we're with other agents." Alex sighed. "Did you drink the sirup I gave you?"
"No. It smells bad." Astra said with a disgusted face
"How could you tell? You can't even breathe with you nose." Alex countered, exasperated. "Can you believe kryptonians are such bad patients?" she said to Vasquez, who was observing the scene, speechless and wide-eyed
"Take it." Alex pushed as she handed the sirup and a spoon to Astra.
The general groaned and reluctantly drank the liquid. She couldn't help make a face as soon as the sirup touched her tongue.
"This beverage is horrible."
"Yeah, good thing we only use it when we're sick." Alex said before going back next to Vasquez. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Uh-Nothing. I'll just go." she said awkwardly.
Alex raised an eyebrow and followed her collegue to the door. She stopped her before she could step further.
"Vasquez, what is it? You seem... not yourself." Alex stated with a frown, making the woman turn with a sigh
"Could we talk? But somewhere else." she finally said, glancing at the sick alien
"Sure. How about coffee? There's one just across the street." Alex proposed, determined to know what was wrong.
Susan only nodded and waited for a minute for Alex to come back with a jacket on her shoulder.
SSSSSSSSS
"So...What is it?" Alex asked a few minutes later.
The two women were at a table of the half empty cafe, each having a cup in front of them.
"Sorry to bother you on a Sunday, ma'am." Susan said, looking at her cup
"Vasquez, what did we say with Hamiton when we're not at work? We said no 'agent' or 'doctor' or 'ma'am'."
"Sorry, Danvers." she started, before looking up. "It's about Director Henshaw. I know who he is." Susan finally admitted.
The revelation struck Alex. And if she hadn't been a trained agent she would've let her surprise show.
"What are you talking about?" she still asked with a curious look.
Vasquez didn't let her confidance fade away and continued on a very serious and determined tone.
"It's ok, he knows I know." the agent started, noticing the immediate change in the other woman's posture.
Alex had given up her lying face and opted for more relaxed features, even if leaning in the chair and folding her arms were indicating a defense posture.
"What do you know exactely?" she asked, not wanting to give any detail away that shoud've stayed hidden
"That little green guys are actually very tall. And that the real Henshaw died. That's all, he didn't say more."
"I'm guessing that you won't say anything?" Alex said, still with a slightly hard look
"Do you seriously think that you need to threaten me? I would never put our work in danger, or Henshaw." Susan said sharply, leaning forward on the table
"I know. But Henshaw is special to me and I'm sure you can understand why I had to ask." Alex said with a smirk, causing the other woman to relax slightly
"Since when?"
"Since the earthquake." Alex answered. "I had my suspiscion and I forced him to tell the truth."
The answer seemed to have some effect on the other agent. So Danvers wasn't Henshaw's right hand just for knowing his secret after all. A short silence settled. The two women gazzed at each other. Susan was still a bit upset and distrusful. But she couldn't stay like that for long with her friend. Especially when Alex was smirking like that.
"Thank you." she started. "For listening to me."
"What? Trouble sleeping, Vasquez?" Alex teased
"You have no idea." Susan chuckled. "How is Supergirl?" she asked more serious
"You know-no, never mind." Alex started, thinking she could call Kara by her name for once. "She's good. Pretty shaken up and deep in the guilt but she manages. Like all of us I guess."
"Good. Tell her I say hi." Susan said with a smile as she stood up.
"Will do." Alex smiled back, remaining sitted.
Vasquez put some cash on the table before leaving. Alex frowned and detailed the money. There was enough to pay for both of their drinks.
"Vasquez!" the agent called.
She was almost out but stopped in her way, smiling slightly but never facing Alex. Then, she just walked out. She had stopped long enough for Alex to notice and if Susan had turned around, her face would've filled with delight at the confusion on the agent's face.
AN: Sorry for the delay
So there was a little fun in this chapter. What do you think of Carter knowing Kara's secret? And most important of all: Vasquez speaking to Alex? Review or send me a PM and I will respond.
Next chapter is pure fun and fluff. But don't worry it's just this one. I wouldn't to let the angst go too far ;)
Anyway I have to tell you that I finished writing this story and it will end with chapter 14. Just have to edit it.
