Conversations on a Balcony

33


It was still dark when Cat's buzzing phone woke her. She grabbed it off the nightstand and answered it quickly, trying to not wake her sleeping lover. Then she unlocked the doors and carried the device out onto the balcony, pressing it against her ear as she stood at the railing and gazed out over the city lights.

"Not that I don't appreciate the rare call, but did you forget the time zone difference again?"

"Uhhh… Hi, I'm sorry. Is this Cat Grant?"

Cat straightened, surprised at the strange voice coming from her mother's number.

"Yes, who's this?"

"Cat, this is Marlene Sozo. I'm a close friend of your mother's."

"Ms. Sozo, I remember you," Cat replied, swallowing hard as her body began to tremble. Warm arms suddenly slid around her, and Kara's tall body pressed supportively against her back. The older woman's hand clamped down on the hero's forearm. "Is my mother… dead?" Both women held their breath.

"No, Sweetie, but she's had a very serious heart attack and I think you should come to Metropolis. Her doctors aren't sure if she's going to make it. She's on life support right now."

"I'll be there as soon as I can. Which hospital?" Cat asked.

"Metropolis Pres," Marlene replied. "Call this number when you get into the airport and I'll give you the rest of the details."

"I'll come into a local airfield in a private jet," Cat replied. "I don't want to wait for a commercial flight." Cat felt Kara slip away. "I'll call when I land," she added. "Thank you, Ms. Sozo."

"I'm so sorry to have to give you this news, Honey. See you soon. Goodnight."

Kara was back then, her own phone pressed to her ear, and Cat turned into her arms for a long hug as the former assistant spoke to the CatCo jet's on call pilot in quiet tones. "Jack, it's Kara Danvers. Miss Grant has a family emergency and she needs to get to Metropolis Presbyterian Hospital as soon as possible. We need the jet ready to go for the nearest airfield." She listened a moment and then nodded. "Cool. Thanks, Jack. We'll be there in ninety minutes." She hung up and squeezed her lover tightly. "I'm so sorry, Honey."

"She's over eighty. I've been thinking about this possibility for a while now," the older blonde replied.

The Kryptonian nodded with a purse of her lips. Then she dialed another number and waited for it to be answered. "James, sorry to call so early. Mrs. Grant is ill, and Cat and I are leaving for Metropolis. Can you hold down the fort for a while? Great thanks. I'll call you when I know more." She hung up and dialed another number. "Hi, this is Kara Danvers calling for Cat Grant. There's been a family emergency and Carter Grant won't be in school for the next few days. I'll call back when I have more details. Thanks." Then she kissed Cat's forehead. "Why don't you get started on packing the essentials while I wake Carter. He'll probably want to call Anna too. Then I'll be back to help you."

"Kara…" Cat whispered, face distraught as her breathing came in shallow pants. "All of the things I said about her… what if…"

"Cat… Breathe, Baby," the hero said softly, cupping her girlfriend's cheeks between her hands and kissing her gently on the lips. "One step at a time. Let's just get there first, ok?"

"Ok," Cat replied. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You won't ever have to find out," Kara replied with a gentle smile. "Now, c'mon, get packing."