Chapter 21
Kara was walking to her job with a latte in a to-go cup in her hand the next morning, filling her friend James in on what was going on with the rest of the superheroes. She had a terrible headache from last night, despite her Kryptonian healing. She and Barry had really hit it off –with Mon-El's help- and Kara was sure she was glad she couldn't remember most of the night. She was certain that whatever the duo of superhero friends did was mostly embarrassing and therefore felt glad she didn't have the memories to blush about. She was definitely kicking her boyfriend's ass when she saw him again for getting her this drunk.
"Wow! This is...really something else." James shook his head trying to wrap his mind around the new reality Kara lived in.
Kara offered him an apologetic smile as they entered the elevator. "So, what have you been doing while I was away?" she asked cheerfully.
"Well, the Guardian and Mon-El stopped a hostage situation at NCPD."
The blonde opened her blue eyes wide. "Wow! You and Mon-El teaming up?!" she exclaimed amazed. "There's surely something different with the world."
"Hey!" James chuckled. "We can work together when the situation requires it."
Kara chuckled and punched his arm playfully. "I'm glad National City can rely on you and Mon-El when I'm not around to help." She smiled at him and the two walked out of the elevator.
"KIERA!" Cat Grant's deafening scream almost caused an earthquake.
Kara and James looked at each other. "I guess you're being summoned."
"She does realize that I'm not her assistant any more right?" she whispered annoyed.
James just shrugged his shoulders. "You better go see what she wants, before she alerts the whole floor."
"Right." Kara sighed.
The two friends parted ways as James headed to the photography room and Kara towards Cat Grand's office. The woman was shining like all the times Kara had seen her, with her blonde hair perfectly curled, expensive branded clothes and the familiar frown that only the queen of all media wore.
"Miss Grant, you are back? You asked to see me?" Kara stopped quirky in front of Cat's desk.
Cat looked up to her with a half annoyed half stolid look on her face. Kara swallowed hard and fixed awkwardly her glasses on the bridge of her nose. "I told you, I will be gone for a few days only, Kiera, to settle my responsibilities, before I came back to the office officially. And I'm glad I did." She looked around the office cringing her nose. "Olsen had turned my office into a gym annex. Why didn't you reason with him?"
"It wasn't my place, Miss Grant."
But Cat Grant didn't hear her, as usual. Instead, she waved her hand dismissively and sighed, before composing herself. "It's not why I called you here, though. Kiera, I'm very disappointed with you. I'm disappointed with all my employees. I thought that I had left my business in capable hands, but I see that I was wrong. I'm so glad I returned before things got worse."
Kara frowned looking more confused than ever. She had no idea what the woman was talking about. In her absence, Kara, herself and many other reporters of CatCo had delivered many breakthrough stories to the public. Cat had no reason to be disappointed.
"I don't understand, Miss Grant."
Cat Grant fixed her elegant glasses on her nose and glared at Kara obnoxiously. "A team of supervillains was stopped by a team of superheroes in Coast City and nobody has written anything about it. Tell me what is wrong with this picture. This is the story of the century. It can change the lives of everyone on this planet and instead of being broadcasted on every media out there, it's hidden and buried. And I had to find out about it form a YouTube video Carter showed me." Cat took a breath from her unforgiving monologue, looking Kara with imperious eyes full of judgment. "Kiera, I thought your friendship with Supergirl, not to mention that red-leathered boy-scout Allen, was close. Have either said anything to you about it?"
After Cat's bomb blew on Kara's face, the only thing the Kryptonian could think of was There is a video on the internet?! How could Winn or Cisco or Felicity not pick out that there was a video with them fighting Cadmus' metahuman Suicide Squad? Kara's silence seemed to irritate Cat Grant.
"Well? Have they? I don't have all day to sit here and watch you opening and closing your mouth like a fish out of the water trying to find your words."
For all the powers that she had, Kara simply couldn't make herself unfreeze. Cat Grant had the power to make the Girl of Steel powerless. "I-uh- Miss Grant- I-"
"I'll take that answer as a no." she sighed. Cat took off her glasses and looked at the younger girl again. "Kiera your boyfriend may find your stumbling-on-your-words problem cute, but I assure you that it's not. For God's sake, you are a freaking reporter, you can't let anyone intimidate you. Now, I want you to get me an exclusive with Supergirl and Zippy and the other leather costumed superheroes. I want to know if this was a one-time thing, or if they are forming a team, a group, a league - whatever. What happened in Coast City, who the villains were and what they were after? Were they acting on their own or as a hit team for a higher mastermind? I don't care how you contact them, by phone, by mail, by pigeons or with smoke signals, I want you to set a date and hour for my interview with them. I'm going to bring this story out there, Kiera. And I'm positive that there's going to be a juicy one." Kara could only watch her boss with huge, frightened eyes, as Cat smiled in self-satisfaction. "Chop-chop now. You have a superhero meeting to arrange."
Kara nearly jumped out of her skin and she ran out of Miss Grant's office as fast as she could without alerting every one of her superspeed. Kara gritted her teeth as panic started to settle in her chest. In one word, they were screwed. She entered the elevator and took her cell phone out of her purse. Pick up, pick up, pick up, she thought trying not to crush her phone with her grip. Finally, he picked up.
"Barry, we have a problem."
#
Iris West was working late at home. Her article was not going as great as she liked. She sighed in frustration, pushing her laptop away from her. It was at this point that her cell phone rang. Iris smiled as she saw Barry's silly face flash on the screen.
"Hey, babe." She greeted cheerfully.
Her fiancée's answer was twice as cheerful. "Heeey, Iriiisssss. Howwww are you?"
Iris looked frowning at her phone and then put it back on her ear. "Barry. Allen. Are you drunk?" she asked in amusement.
Barry giggled. He actually giggled. "I am!"
Iris' eyebrows shot so far up that almost disappeared into her hair. How in the world did that happen? But then Barry provided her with the answer.
"Kara took me to this alien bar in National City that Mon-El works and he made me this- this blue drink that can make me drunk." He giggled again.
Iris smiled. It has been a while since her best friend was so carefree. "Well, I'm glad you and Kara are having fun."
"We are having the BEST fan. Unfortunately, the- No Kara you can't fly around the bar and dance in the air." She heard him lecture the blonde Kryptonian.
Iris heard a feminine voice – who she assumed it was Kara- laugh. "Is that Iris?" Yep, definitely Kara.
"No, don't-"
"Iris, you should come here." Kara yelled on the phone.
"Kara give me back my phone."
"But I'm not done talking to Iris." She groaned and Iris could imagine her pouting. Then there was a distinguish sound and Barry was back on the phone.
"I'm coming over."
Before Iris could forbid him from running in super speed while drunk he had hung up on her. Five minutes later a whoosh arrived at her apartment and Barry appeared with a cheeky smile. Iris put her hands on her waist and frowned at him.
"I'm drunk." he stated happily.
"I can see that. You really shouldn't use your speed in this condition."
Barry frowned for a moment before regaining his smile. "Of course I can. And I wanted to see you. At first, Kara wanted to have a match, see who can find the most lost puppies. Then, she wanted to play strip poker shots with Mon-El and I soooo wasn't up for that. So I came as soon as possible. I mean, there were some buildings in my way while I was running. I didn't know building could do that. They really shouldn't get in people way when they are running." He said seriously.
Iris could barely hold herself from cracking up. Barry pulled her into his arms, his smile never leaving his face. "The effects of the drink last only thirty minutes and I have ten left before I go back to normal."
"Good to know."
"While I'm still drunk I want to do something that I never thought I would have the chance to fo after I got my powers."
Iris raised an eyebrow. "And what's that."
Barry smirked. "Drunk sex."
"Barry. Are you sure?"
He frowned. "Of course I'm sure. Except if you're not Iris. You look like Iris, are you not?" he asked confused. And Iris couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.
When they both woke up the next morning, Barry didn't have a hungover due to his super healing and no regrets. But they both had a great time.
#
Lois Lane was a fearless journalist –one of the best. It didn't have anything to do with dating a superhero, but it was perhaps the reason she and Clark had such an amazing chemistry. Lois was used to dive into danger not thinking of the consequences of her actions, but only to get the story to the public. Which was actually the only reason she and Clark argued occasionally. When he accused her of being reckless, she would argue back saying that he was also on the line of fire, putting his life at risk. And then, of course, he would say that he was the one that was bulletproof. All their fights went exactly like this. Lois, of course, knew that Clark was basically a God walking among men, but she also knew that there were things (as few as they were) that could kill him. So naturally, every time he suited up as Superman to go save the day, she would worry about him. She would think if this was the day when Lex Luther or whoever the villain of the week was would take the upper hand. But as many times as he left, Clark would always come back to her. And that was a truth –a reality- that Lois Lane truly believed in her heart.
Unfortunately, as strong as her hope was and as fearless as the journalist would like to think she was, missing your fiancé for almost a month had started to take a toll on her. Being alone in a big city like Metropolis and no one to confide in her worries, her fears, the nightmares that kept her awake at night... Lois felt like she was drowning in a bottomless sea of darkness and... sorrow? Loneliness? Maybe even terror for what might her fiancé be experiencing.
This is why Lois took a few personal days off from her job at the Daily Planet and rented a hotel room in Central City. She figured that she would feel better in the city that accommodates most superheroes. Lois eyed skeptically the number, one of her sources had found for her. She chewed her lip, her back pressing on the open window of her room, that viewed the Central City park. Finally, making up her mind, Lois dialed the number and held her breath until the person on the other side of the line picked up
"Iris West." The woman answered the phone.
"Hello, Iris. This is Lois Lane, I hope you remember me?" Lois sounded unsure, but yet sweet and polite.
The answer came almost immediately. "Yes, of course, I remember. How are you?"
"I was actually hoping to talk to you about that. I'm staying at the 'Gem Cities' hotel in Central City for a few days and I would like it if we could meet when you are free."
Lois could hear some noise from Iris' workplace. It was a characteristic noise she was pretty familiar with from her own work at the Daily Planet. Iris mumbled to someone to wait a second and that she'd be right there, before excusing herself and returning her focus on Lois.
"Sorry about that." She apologized.
Lois chuckled. "It's fine. I know I'm interrupting your work."
If Lois could see Iris, she would see her shake her head. "No, you're not interrupting anything. That was just my boss being silly and a pain in my ass. He has been difficult since I refused to go on a date with him, but he can't exactly fire me because I'm the only one with ties to the Flash."
Both women laughed. Iris' situation reminded Lois of her own ties with Superman and how similar the lives of the two journalists were.
"Look, Lois, I have a lunch break in two hours. We can meet at Jitters if you like."
Lois smiled. "That's great, thank you, Iris."
"It's nothing, really. Do you know where the place is?"
"I'm sure I can find it. I have my day free, so I was thinking of exploring the City."
"That sounds nice." Iris answered with a smile in her voice. "Enjoy your day, Lois, and I'll see you later."
Two hours later Iris West walked into Jitters and spotted Lois Lane just as the woman was ordering her coffee. Iris waved at her and smiled brightly, before walking the rest of the distance between them.
"Hi, Iris. Can I buy you a drink?"
Iris smiled but shook her head. "You don't have to."
"Hey, Iris. You want your regular?" the waitress asked as she gave Lois her coffee and change.
"Yes, Tracy. Thank you." She thanked her former coworker.
The two journalists walked through the crowded tables and up the stairs to the upper level. A young couple sat beside them, though it didn't seem like they were going to stay a couple for long, as the girl screamed curses at her to be ex-boyfriend for sleeping with one of her friends. Iris watched amused the exchange with an arched eyebrow. Though, she felt bad, for the girl had lost a boyfriend and a friend at a single day. Lois had the same expression on her face, but she didn't try to hide the amusement like Iris. She almost choked laughing when the girl threw her tee on him.
"Well, I didn't think she had it in her." Iris laughed, shamefully pleased with the event's progress.
"He damn well deserved it." Lois remarked turning her attention back to the black woman she was here with. "I didn't think it could get so interesting in this city." She admitted.
"Well, Central might not be as big of a city as Metropolis, but I assure you that it's never boring."
"I'll remember that." Lois chuckled.
"So, how do you like Central so far?"
Smalltalk. It was a good technique to start a conversation, especially one like Iris suspected to be. Lois realized immediately what the other woman was doing. But there was no way to ease the conversation to this specific topic. Despite knowing that, Lois answered the question happily.
"Very bright and friendly."
Iris bit her lip. She too, like Lois, knew that this conversation was going nowhere, so they might as well cut to the chase. She sighed and nibbled her turkey sandwich.
"To be honest, I'm surprised that you called me. Out of all the people, I thought that Kara would be the person you would turn to considering."
"You're right and truthfully I gave it a thought, but...Kara couldn't possibly relate to what I'm going through. At first, I thought that with them being relatives Kara's presence would make me feel better, that Clark was still somehow with me."
"But it's not the same." Iris finished Lois' line of thought.
The other woman sighed, staring at her coffee still scorching. "No." she admitted in a small whisper. "But then I started following up on the other heroes, seeming they are connected to Clark and I came across one of your articles." Lois paused for two moments and looked Iris straight in the eyes. "You lost him too."
Iris bit her lip at the exclamation. Lois held herself from reaching out and touching the woman's hand in comfort. It seemed that although Iris had Barry back for some time now, the months that he was lost still haunted the young journalist.
"I did." She said finally. "He was gone for six months, sacrificed himself so that the speedforce wouldn't rip the entire Earth apart. He was selfless that way – always was. Putting everybody's wellbeing over his own. My superhero fiancée." she chuckled laughlessly, shaking her head. "He didn't even ask me if I was ok with his decision, he just did what he knew was for the best for everyone else."
"How did you cope with it?" Lois heard herself ask.
Iris shrugged. "I was angry with him at first. I mean, I knew that what he did was the right thing to do, but still... We didn't have five minutes to relax and enjoy our engagement and all hell broke loose. For how amazing it is to be a hero, your life is filled with loss."
"I know what you mean. Clark is almost never around, always having to rush to save someone's life or a burning building or stopping Lex Luthor's latest genius evil plan... Sometimes, he would have to go away to fight some alien from another galaxy that wants to conquer the Earth and built his race over our ashes. I would watch on the news his fight on the atmosphere and he would reach into space and I would safer panic attacks that this will be the time he won't return, that he'll leave me alone. I guess we both have superhero fiancées."
"Cisco could always vibe him if you want to see how he is doing." Iris offered.
Lois felt joy fill her at her words. It was quickly replaced with quilt though. "You guys have a lot of things to do. I don't want to be that woman."
But Iris shook her head. "I don't think that Cisco would mind. Besides, maybe he can take you with him in his vibe. Seeing Clark will do you good."
Her heart fluttered in Lois' chest. A wide smile spread across her face and looked a the woman in front of her like at any minute she would take her words back. She just wouldn't believe it. She would get to see Clark?
"Cisco can really do that?" she asked almost afraid that iris would laugh at her face.
But the woman nodded eagerly instead. "Of course."
Lois breathed out a sigh of relief. She felt like she could breathe again. "Thank you."
"So," Iris stated with a playful glint in her eyes. "Did he tell you early about him?"
Lois snorted. "God no! if it was up to him he would still be keeping it a secret. But you see, I'm not one of the best investigating reporters for nothing and I don't mean to offend you or anything."
"No offense taken." Iris laughed reassuringly. "I mean, you've won the Pulitzer. I'm actually jealous, any tips?"
"Just follow your instincts." Lois shrugged. "Your articles are actually very good from what I've read. You're still new to the business though. Give it some time and you'll be putting your Pulitzer in the front row seat at your house."
Iris would be red if her chocolate brown skin allowed her to blush. She smiled shyly and flattered though. "Wow. Thanks."
"Just saying the truth." Lois brushed it away like nothing.
"You know, would you like to have dinner with me and Barry tonight? Or maybe just me, he could be called on duty, this job has no time limit."
"I wouldn't want to intrude..."
"No, it isn't a problem at all." Iris reassured her. "I already cook more than normal because nothing can suffice Barry's appetite and we could exchange stories like women dating Superheroes."
Lois thought about it. Sighing, she smiled at the woman. The two of them had similar lives and Lois really needed someone to talk to about what she was going through. And with a secret as big as the one she was carrying, a therapist was out of the question.
"I'd like that very much, Iris."
#
Kara flew to the D.E.O. and searched for her sister. Alex was walking towards her and nodded with her head to follow her in a more secure location. Eager to learn what her sister had learned Kara run like an impatient kid.
"So? Did you get my message? What did my mother say?"
Alex was looking at her little sister with a serious, yet knowing look. "Your mother's hologram didn't say anything. But there's definitely something fishy going on."
"What do you mean?"
"As soon as I asked about the Worldkillers the system shut down."
Both women's eyes glinted with understanding. "So whoever the Worldkillers are, they definitely have something to do with Krypton." Kara concluded.
Alex nodded silently.
"I think I'm going to make that trip to the Fortress of Solitude after all."
"Are you going right away?"
Kara nodded. "The sooner I get there the sooner I'll come back. And I have to inform Barry and the others."
"Did something else happen today?" Alex asked concerned.
"Cat Grant wants to interview our team of superheroes." Kara exclaimed widening her eyes and throwing her hands in the air.
Alex groaned. "So much for keeping this team a secret."