Kara felt like leaping over tall buildings. Which, though tempting, would be problematic with keeping the whole alter ego thing under wraps. So she added a skip in her step instead and dodged a kid who darted in her way on the sidewalk and if she had a hat to tip to the lady walking out of the pharmacy with a crying baby in one arm, while another swung low in her other arm nestled safely in its carrier… well she would've tipped the tippiest point of her hat. But, alas, she wasn't a hat wearing kind of person, so she settled for a wide smile and was promptly met with a withering glare and a low growl. No matter, she was happy and nothing could ruin this day.
Lena talked to her last night. Full on, long conversation, meaningful, glorious, one on one talk. That was more than she had received in almost three full weeks now and the sheer relief of it flooded her brain with so many endorphins she was practically on the verge of singing. Like full cast, musical number worthy kind of singing, that would inspire the younger generation to want to pursue the magical art of musical theater.
She swung open the doors and whistled the same familiar chime that rang true upon each visit to this charmingly quaint coffee shop. She sighed happily and didn't mind one tiny iota that she had to wait in a line that practically met her at the entrance. She smiled and waved at a toddler who was staring at her while his mother was preoccupied with the vast menu displayed above the counter and tucked her hands in the pockets of her coat as she waited her turn.
The door chimed behind her and she did her best to push forward without invading the space of the mother and son duo ahead of her. "Oh perfect." Kara turned around to find Andrea standing behind her. Andrea gave a tight lipped smile and huffed out a sigh of contempt.
"Oh, good morning, Andrea. Yeah I know the line's a tad long today huh?"
"Right, the line…" Andrea muttered.
Kara easily sensed Andrea was annoyed with her presence, but shrugged it off. Andrea wasn't usually a morning person and coffee tended to do wonders for her disposition so at least she was in close proximity to a remedy.
"Rough morning?" Kara asked, trying to make light small talk.
"No, but it's getting there." Andrea said dryly as she removed her gloves and shoved them into the pocket of her coat.
"Why don't I get your coffee? My treat, what's your poison?" Kara offered happily. She had noticed Andrea had been more moody around her than usual and she wasn't sure why, but it didn't hurt to be friendly and what better way to make amends than acts of kindness?
"I don't need your charity Kara, I'm perfectly capable of buying my own drink." Andrea replied.
Kara's smile faltered, "I wasn't trying to imply anything, just offering."
"Well then, let me be clear; no thank you." Andrea reiterated. She readjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder as her eyes went from Kara's to the menu ahead effectively ending the conversation.
"Ok." Kara turned to face forward again. What was Andrea's problem? She didn't have time to really dwell on the question long enough, because she was finally at the counter. "Large Vanilla Bean Frappuccino extra caramel sauce please." She ignored the light scoff of disgust from behind her and paid the barista.
"Two large coffees, one black, one with cream." Andrea ordered.
The bell chimed again and Kara smiled widely. "Lena?"
Lena stepped in through the doorway and looked up when she heard her name being called. "Kara. What a nice surprise." She smiled and walked over to where Kara stood waiting for her order. Kara pulled her into a hug the moment she was within arms length causing Lena to grunt in surprise before laughing lightly. "Well good morning to you too."
"Oh sorry. It's so good to see you!" Kara exclaimed, releasing her hold but not making an effort to move away. She was practically willing herself to not bounce on the balls of her feet. Lena's smile continued to grow as she watched the girl in front of her explode with giddiness. It was incredibly endearing and extremely distracting. "I mean I know we talked last night, but after that conversation all I could think about the rest of the night was doing that," Kara waved at Lena whose eyebrows raised and Kara's eyes went wide "—that being the hug, obviously. Not to confuse with my horrendous hand gestures to suggest you, doing you. Oh god, please stop me now." Kara said as she stepped back, allowing Lena some space, who was squinting her eyes and trying very hard not to laugh at the horrified Kryptonian standing in front of her, whose cheeks flamed up with embarrassment at the small confession. "You look great! I was just –"
"Hey sweetie." Andrea stepped in between Kara and Lena breaking Lena's line of sight with blue eyes to meet brown ones as she leaned forward kissing Lena on the lips. Kara's head instantly fell to look at the floor as she took another small step backward not wanting to intrude on the couple's moment.
"Good morning Andrea." Lena said. "I was just catching up with Kara." Kara lifted her head up to meet Lena's eyes and they shared a soft smile between them.
"Well that's nice." Andrea said tenderly as she shifted to Lena's side hooking her arm into Lena's while throwing her own gaze towards Kara. "So, Kara, what brings you here, isn't this place a little far from Catco to be getting coffee at?" She looked at her watch. "You know how I feel about tardiness." Kara smiled sweetly back at Andrea.
"It's the best place to get coffee…plus, I know an excellent shortcut." Kara winked at Lena as they exchanged a knowing look and Lena couldn't help the smirk that pulled involuntarily at her lips.
"Order for Kara!"
"Yep, that's me." She turned to grab her drink and with it in hand turned back around to face the couple. She suddenly felt like she was out of reasons to loiter and tapped the side of her cup with her index finger before lifting her shoulders high and chuckled. "Well I guess I better get going. Let's get together soon, yeah?" Kara took a step forward. Lena was about to take her own step forward in Kara's direction when Andrea's arm locked her in place and Kara felt, for a moment, frustrated at the intentional block. "Actually, you know I think that's a great idea. Me, Lena, you and Diana." She squeezed Lena's arm forcing her attention back on her. "What do you think? Tomorrow night?"
Lena broke her gaze away from Kara's. "Huh? Oh. Tomorrow… The Fundraiser Gala is that night." Lena said, somewhat distracted.
"Even better, we can see each other then. Catch up and stuff." Andrea said with an overly sweet smile pointed at Kara.
"Will you be there?" Lena asked Kara, a hopeful glint in her eye that had Kara transfixed and why was it that when Lena looked at her like that all other noise seemed to fall away?
"I wouldn't miss it." Kara confirmed softly.
"I guess that's settled then. Kara, tell Diana we are looking forward to seeing her." Andrea said. "I'm sure you have things to get to, we wouldn't want to keep you any longer." She smiled.
"Order for Andrea!"
"That's us. So long Kara." Andrea placed her hand at the small of Lena's back and guided her away to grab the drinks.
"Bye, Lena." Kara said tenderly, hating that every moment they seemed to get these days was congruent with an overly attached and frankly clingy girlfriend. She tried not to be too upset by it, afterall she probably wasn't any better when she started dating Diana.
As they crossed paths Lena reached out and touched Kara's arm stopping Andrea from pushing her further forward. "I'll see you tomorrow?" Kara nodded happily and Lena smiled at the shy expression. "Good." Lena squeezed Kara's arm lightly before she released it, her fingers trailing softly before Andrea's guided movements and distance forced the connection to break.
Kara spent the better part of the morning catching up on her work. With Andrea breathing down her neck lately she wanted to make sure everything that needed to be taken care of today had been. It was well into the afternoon now and she was ahead of the game with two extra articles she hadn't planned to be ready until the end of next week and all her others were already submitted for review. She'd like to see Andrea find any fault with her work at this point. She leaned back in her chair and wiped her hand over her face exhaling slowly. She really needed to talk with Andrea about what was wrong. They had always challenged each other, never really having seen eye to eye, but there was something different going on now that made Andrea's already lack of patience with her run thinner.
"You look stressed, how about a break?"
Kara smiled and looked up to find Diana standing across from her desk. "I think I have time for one of those." She rose from her chair and gave Diana a peck on the lips and a hug.
Diana smiled and closed her arms around her and for a brief moment Kara's mind went back to the quick embrace she had shared with Lena earlier that morning and she shook her head to clear away those thoughts. "Hi." Diana said softly.
Kara smiled, focusing back on the present and Diana. "Hey."
"I know it's only been two days, but I missed you."
"Yeah?" Kara smiled, feeling happy that someone like Diana was thinking about her.
"Crazy concept I know." Diana chuckled.
"No, I just like hearing you say it." Kara replied playfully.
"Well, how about we get out of here, enjoy some lunch together? Maybe get some ice cream before you have to be back?"
"That sounds–"
"Well look who we have here." Andrea came around the corner and Kara felt dread boil up in her gut.
"Good Afternoon Andrea." Diana turned to the side to face her, still holding Kara by the waist.
"You know," Andrea said as she turned her attention to Kara. "It truly is surprising to me that you seem to attract so many people above your own status. I mean it makes me wonder what your secret is that you do it so effortlessly."
There was a dig in there somewhere, and Kara felt her face heat up in anger at the idea that she was being mocked so openly. "Excuse me?"
Andrea smiled and looked between them. "Oh don't misunderstand, I'm just applauding your talent. I mean friends with a CEO–"
"Best friends." Kara corrected and didn't miss the narrowing of Andrea's eyes.
"-and girlfriend to a woman who, let's be honest, could do a whole lot better than you." Andrea gestured to Diana whose head tilted to the side with an unreadable glare in her eyes.
Kara was dumbfounded and bordered on humiliated at Andrea's bold words.
"I think you need to choose your next words carefully, Andrea." Diana said in a tone that gave no room for argument.
"What? I'm complimenting her, am I not?" Andrea asked innocently.
"That is the most backhanded compliment, I've ever heard, and if you don't show Kara the respect she deserves–"
"Diana." Kara spoke softly and placed a hand on her shoulder. Diana was fuming, she looked at Kara and then back at Andrea and clenched her fists before taking a controlled breath and unclenched them slowly. "Let me speak to Andrea privately, how about I meet you outside after ok?"
Diana looked like she was about to argue against it, her mouth opening to protest her point, but she shut it and nodded, her face softening as she brought a hand up to Kara's face and kissed her cheek. "If you think that's best. I'll wait for you outside." She heard Andrea huff in annoyance, but ignored it.
"Thank you."
She waited until Diana had disappeared through the elevator before turning her attention on Andrea. "Look I don't know what your problem is with me. Or why. Really, I'm not sure I care, but I will not be belittled and emotionally and verbally abused by you. So if you have a problem with me, let me know what it is now."
"I don't like you." Andrea stated simply. "Never have. Ever since I moved to National City, all I seem to hear is Kara this and Kara that. 'Oh she is the most amazing person! If you could just meet her, you'd understand.' blah blah blah! Do you know how infuriating it is to try and outshine the sun in someone's eyes when that's all they see when they look at you?" Andrea's eyes welled up with tears. "Well it's impossible! Yet somehow I managed to eclipse the sun. Somehow I managed to do the impossible, and I'll be damned if you take it away from me."
"Andrea, what are you talking about?" Kara asked, dumbstruck with how vulnerable Andrea all of a sudden looked. She watched as the anguish and turmoil of all that Andrea had unleashed warred within her eyes and that's when she felt her own stomach drop as realization struck. "Who are you talking about Andrea?" Kara whispered, knowing, but disbelieving. Andrea was frozen in place as the anguish turned to fear and tears began marking a trail down her cheeks as she realized what she had just confessed. Her head shook minutely before her body shuddered with a sob before she turned around and retreated to her office without speaking another word.