The next day, as Kara stood in front of the mirror examining her outfit, she found herself feeling an odd burst of anxiety that was distant but familiar. After changing her outfit twice and redoing her hair once, she called Alex and prayed the woman would answer to calm her nerves. Luckily, her sister did take the call.

After explaining that she was meeting a colleague for dinner and that she felt strangely anxious, Kara heard a long, uncomfortable pause on the other end of the line.

"Kara…" Alex suddenly blurted, just when the blonde was finally about to break the silence. "Is this a date?"

"What? No! Of course not! I just—"

"Then why are you nervous?"

"I'm not nervous," Kara hissed. "I'm anxious. It's different. I don't like—"

"Kara… I'm pretty sure—"

"I just don't want to look stupid in front of the intern, okay?!"

Alex had to laugh at this. She couldn't hold it in. Her sister was actually nervous about going out with a woman.

"You haven't been this nervous since—" she started to say, but Kara immediately cut her off.

"Don't, Alex. Don't say it."

"But—"

"It's not a date!" the hero screamed, nearly throwing her phone.

"Okay, okay!" her sister cried, exacerbated. "I got it! Not at a date. Jesus. So why the call?" Realizing that this sounded rather rude, Alex quickly added, "How can I help?"

"I don't know," Kara sighed, hanging her head. "I guess I just needed to hear my sister's voice is all. I feel stupid. I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay, Kar. You can always call me. I'm just a little confused is all. I'm glad you called. Always here for you, buddy. I love you. It's gonna be okay. Just… be chill, you know? Be you."

"I'm not chill. I'm a stupid klutz that—"

"Hey. Don't say that. You're great. Anyone would be lucky to be… uh… hanging out with someone like you."

"Thanks, Alex. I appreciate you saying that," the hero responded, not picking up on the insinuation.

The hero could hear the smile in her sister's voice as she said, "Of course, hun. Love you."

"Love you too. Oh, shit! It's late. I gotta go."

"Wear the pink button up," Alex said quickly.

Silence.

"Why?" Kara said suddenly, after a long, awkward pause.

"No reason…" Alex lied.

But they both knew why.

~!~!~

"Kara! Hi!" Nia cried, upon seeing the reporter step through the door of the restaurant.

Unable to stop the smile that quickly spread over her lips, Kara approached, but as soon as she was within arm's reach, the intern hugged her tightly and bounced on her heels upon pulling away.

Slightly in shock, Kara opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

"I'm so glad you made it!" the younger woman exclaimed with a grin.

"Why wouldn't I make it?" the hero asked, confused.

"Oh, I dunno…" Nia mumbled, dropping her gaze and suddenly looking shy. "I just thought… maybe you said you'd come to humor me, but didn't really plan on coming?"

Kara's eyes widened, as this expression was far from Nia's usual, as she absent-mindedly pushed up her glasses.

"Nia," the blonde said softly. "I'm not that kind of person. I'm genuine. I'd like to think you know that by now."

"I do," Nia agreed, lifting her gaze to meet her companion's. "I guess I'm just self-conscious around you."

"Why would you be self-conscious around me?" Kara questioned as she gestured for Nia to sit back down at the table.

Once she was seated, the intern replied, "I just care what you think of me, I guess. I just feel less confident around you."

"Am I intimidating?" the hero asked, looking absolutely horrified.

"No! No, not at all. I'm just… still a little star-struck and surprised that you tolerate my annoying presence."

"Nia… You're wonderful. Sweet, smart, funny—" Kara started, but found the words falling off as she heard herself speaking.

Was she flirting? Certainly, she was being sincere. Still, what in the world was she saying? It was all true, but at the same time… why was it actually coming out of her mouth?

"Don't say that," Nia whispered, lowering her gaze when she heard Kara trailing off.

"Why not?"

"Because it's not true."

"Nia, why would you say that?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Come on. I'm serious—"

"We should probably talk about something else," Nia said softly.

"Okay…" Kara reluctantly agreed. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Anything, with you."

"Except how sweet you are?"

"Yes," the intern confirmed. "Except that."

"What if—"

"Kara, please."

Huffing with frustration but choosing to drop the issue, Kara waved down the waiter and ordered their meal and drinks.

"Thank you for tonight," Nia told her with a warm smile. "I really appreciate you coming out with me."

"Of course! I'm super glad to be here, and like I said, I enjoy your company."

Then, Kara was nearly sure she saw her companion blush.

"I'm glad," the younger woman finally managed. "I enjoy yours too."

The two spent the rest of the night sharing stories, telling jokes, and laughing over pizza. As it got later, the hero found herself feeling more and more comfortable around her new friend.

"Karaoke!" Nia suddenly shouted, startling the Kryptonian as her eyes shot up to follow where the woman was pointing. "Let's do it!"

"No way," Kara asserted. "Absolutely not!"

"Whyyy?" Nia whined in protest. "C'mon, Kara! It'll be fun!"

"I can't sing."

"I bet you can!"

"Nia, no."

"Nia yes," the young woman said with a grin, grabbing her companion's hand as she tugged her towards the front of the room where the first person had already gotten on stage and started to sing.

"Nia!" Kara cried. "I can't!"

"Sing with me," Nia pleaded. "Please."

"I—"

"Anything you want that I know, I'll sing."

Sighing heavily as she saw the look of adorable desperation in Nia's eyes, Kara huffed, "Okay. Fine. But—"

"SWEET! Let's go!"

"What are we even singing?"

"I dunno. What do you want to sing?"

"I don't know either," Kara protested. "Can't we just—"

"Nope. No backing out now!" Nia laughed, wrapping and arm around Kara's waist as she hauled her the rest of the way towards the small stage.

"Then what are we singing?" the Kryptonian fussed. "I've never—"

After a long, thoughtful pause, Nia suddenly blurted, "Oh, my God! I know exactly what we should sing!"

"Okay…" Kara sighed, looking incredibly apprehensive. "What?"

"Tainted Love by Soft Cell!"

The reporter had to laugh at this.

"Okay, that's… kind of brilliant," she chuckled. "I'm in, I guess."

"AWESOME!"

Kara was once again shocked when Nia hugged her tightly out of excitement and stood dumbfounded as the woman let go.

"You okay?" the intern asked. When Kara nodded, she observed with a smile, "You're nervous."

Kara nodded again.

"It'll be okay," Nia promised. "I've got your back! It's gonna be great."

By the time it was their turn to get up on the stage, Kara's Kryptonian heart was slamming around in her chest like a caged animal. What if she made a fool of herself? What if—

"Our turn!" Nia exclaimed, tugging the reporter up on the stage.

Kara's voice shook as she sang her verse – Nia had, of course, gone first – but slowly, she built confidence, and by the end of her part, she was feeling relaxed and comfortable. When she thought about why, she realized that Nia's look of excitement was comforting and had made her heart swell at least three sizes. It was sweet to see the woman bubbling over with glee, and her smile was infectious. When it was Kara's turn again, her voice gained confidence and stability. Nia took a tiny step back, enough to watch Kara's face as her smile grew into a grin, amazed by the power in her voice.

Soon, they were in a rhythm together, and to Kara's immense shock and surprise, the small crowd in the restaurant was cheering for them.

When the song was finished, Kara was out of breath and in awe of the reaction to her performance.

"Wow," she whispered to her vocal partner as they stepped off the stage. "Just… wow."

"You were amazing," Nia breathed. "Absolutely amazing."

"Oh, my God, stop!" Kara laughed, a bright blush rising to her cheeks. "That was all you."

"Bullshit," the woman laughed. "You did great."

"Thanks, Nia."

The two decided to end the night there, given that it was getting late. Of course, Kara escorted her companion home, to make sure she was safe walking at night, and Nia couldn't have been more appreciative.

"Thank you, Kara," Nia told the hero. "You really didn't have to walk me home. I would've been fine."

"I know… I just worry is all." Then, after a thoughtful pause, Kara added, "I worry a lot, about everything, actually."

Nia chuckled at this and smiled at her new friend, saying, "Well, I appreciate it. I hope you have a really good night, hun."

Hun, Kara repeated silently. What the—

Then, realizing she had gotten lost in her head, the reporter quickly replied, "You too, Nia. Goodnight."

But as Kara made a move to turn around, the intern gently grabbed her hand, causing her to turn back around with a look of concern on her face.

"Wait… Kara… I'd really like to do something like this again sometime. Would… Would you like that?"

Hesitating as she realized that this had, in fact, very likely been a date, Kara began to blush as she answered, "Yeah… Yeah, I'd like that."

Nia couldn't hide her broad, infectious smile that spread over Kara's lips as well when she stated, "Can't wait. See you tomorrow, Kara."

"See ya tomorrow."

As Kara turned around, she felt a sudden shock electrify her nerves. All the way back to her apartment, she found herself fighting off thoughts of Lena, and an uncomfortable sense of guilt around how enjoyable her evening had been.