The next day, as Kara goes about her business, everything all of a sudden seems better and brighter. People seem nicer, food tastes better, places in National City she'd walked past a thousand times before and hardly noticed suddenly seem hauntingly beautiful. Flying into the DEO that morning to be briefed on an assignment, Kara is struck by how hard-working and noble all the agents seem. With a spring in her step, Kara walks up to the big white round table, cheerfully greeting the DEO agents she sees along the way.
"Morning, Vasquez. Morning Brainy."
During the briefing, Kara listens attentively to J'onn's description of the fugitive alien they're trying to catch and the strategies most likely to prove effective in re-apprehending him.
"Any questions?" J'onn asks.
"No. I'm on it," Kara says chirpily, hands on her hips, head held high.
The meeting over, she heads back out, her mind already on the mission. She's about to fly off when she hears Alex call out her name, "Kara, wait up!"
Her sister runs over to her. "You seem very joyful today," she remarks.
Kara shrugs. "I'm just having a good day I guess."
"Does it have anything to do with Lena?", Alex ventures.
"Not everything has to do with Lena," Kara snaps.
"Of course not," Alex says apologetically. "What then?"
Kara hesitates for a moment and then blurts out, "Okay, maybe it does have something to do with Lena."
Knowing better than to laugh and risk antagonizing her sister, Alex stays quiet so Kara can explain.
"She came over last night," Kara says, "and we talked and it just feels like we'll work things out."
Alex's face lights up. "Kara, I'm so happy for you. That's really great."
Kara gives her a big smile and flies off.
Feeling much more confident their friendship will survive and hoping to give Lena a renewed sense of control over what happens in their friendship, Kara decides to hold off on contacting her. She'll let Lena reach out when she's ready.
A week and a half later, however, when there's still no word from Lena, Kara starts to wonder whether she made the wrong call. But then, on her way out of Catco after work that evening, her phone rings.
"Lena," Kara says warmly.
"Hi."
"What's up?"
Lena sounds slightly nervous as she says, "So this Saturday there's a fundraiser for this charity I'm involved with. They'll be auctioning a few Luthor heirlooms and I should really make an appearance. I worry it's going to be dreadfully dull however, so I thought perhaps you'd like to join me."
"Because of my fondness for dreadfully dull charity events?"
Lena laughs.
"Will you come?", she says.
"Of course. I'd love to."
Kara hears Lena heave a sigh of relief.
"Good. I'll have them put you on the guest list and I'll send you the details."
That Saturday afternoon Kara is looking through her dresses, trying to decide what to wear, when someone knocks on her door. "Alex," she says, as she opens the door. "What brings you here?"
"I just wanted to see how my little sister is doing."
"Well, your little sister is trying to pick a dress for tonight. Maybe you can help me decide."
"Okay, but you'll have to give me some information. First of all, what's the event?"
"A charity fundraiser."
"Okay. Who are you going with?"
"Lena?", Kara says sheepishly.
"Lena?"
She nods. "Yep."
"That's good!", Alex says enthusiastically.
"Yeah it is."
"So when you said it went well when she came over the other night, it really did go well."
"Seems like it."
Alex gives her a big smile.
"So, what are we going for then?", she asks. "Cute dress? Sexy dress?"
Kara feels herself blush.
"Kara Danvers, are you blushing?"
"No!"
"Okay, so sexy dress then."
Kara shoots daggers at her sister.
Alex takes out a tight green dress. You haven't worn this in ages, but you look beautiful in it.
"You think so?", Kara asks uncertainly.
"Yes!"
Alex hands her the dress and gives her a big hug.
That night, Kara arrives at the charity event early. She's waiting outside while the man guarding the door checks the guest list for her name, when she hears a familiar voice behind her. "She's with me," the voice says.
Kara turns around. "Lena!" She's wearing a tight, low-cut black dress and looks stunning. Lena gives her a hug.
"You look beautiful," Kara says.
"So do you."
For the second time today, Kara feels herself blush.
"Welcome, Ms Luthor," the man says and lets them both in.
"Thank you so much for coming," Lena says as they make their way inside.
As soon as they've entered the large ballroom where all the wealthy people of National City are gathered, a middle-aged man walks up to Lena.
"Ms Luthor, I was hoping to run into you here. Would you mind if I briefly discussed a business idea with you?"
Lena glances over at Kara. Then she says in a friendly but firm tone, "Mr Stone, it's good to see you. I'll be happy to discuss your idea sometime next week. If you call my assistant in the morning, we'll set up a meeting."
Kara can tell from the look on Mr Stone's face that Lena's response was not what he had expected. He nevertheless remains polite and promises Lena that he will.
When he's out of earshot, Kara says, "Lena, you can discuss business if you want to. I can wander around for a bit, devour some hors d'oeuvres …. I'll be fine."
"Don't be silly," Lena says as she grabs hold of Kara's arm and directs her to the bar. For the rest of the evening, Lena doesn't leave Kara's side. She introduces Kara to a few people who are all, without exception, kind and courteous to her.
At one point, as an older woman with a haughty air walks over to them, Lena quickly grabs hold of Kara's hand and with a "Let's get some air," leads her outside.
Once they're out on the sidewalk, Kara looks at Lena and asks cheekily, "Lena, are you only introducing me to the nice people?"
Lena gives her a look pretending to have no idea what Kara is talking about.
"Lena, I can handle entitled, obnoxious rich people. I'm a reporter!"
"I know you can. I just want you to have a good night."
Kara smiles. "I am."
"Good."
They move further away from the door and the bouncers. The air is crisp and chilly. Kara looks at Lena. "Aren't you cold?"
"I'm okay. It's nice to get some fresh air."
They continue to walk. All of a sudden the peaceful quiet of the near-empty street is interrupted by gunfire on the other side of the large building. Kara looks at Lena.
"Go," Lena urges her.
Kara quickly heads into an alleyway to change and flies to the place where the shots were fired. An armed security guard is standing there with a few other people working the event around him.
"What happened?", Kara asks.
A woman in a white blouse and black pants answers her. "One of our waiting staff saw a man walk out of the room in which we keep the auction pieces. The door was supposed to be locked. Our waiter asked him what he was doing there, and the man punched him in the face. When he ran outside Ray here," the woman points at the security guard, "tried to stop him, but he got away."
"In what direction was he heading?" Kara asks the security guard.
The man points down the street. "That way."
"What did he look like?"
"Maybe 6"2, pretty lean build, blue jeans, black shirt, red hair. He was carrying a large duffel bag."
"Okay, thanks."
Kara quickly flies off in the direction the security guard had indicated. She scans the entire neighborhood. She sees or hears nothing out of the ordinary. No one is running or acting suspiciously. She sees only two men on their own, both are in suits and carrying briefcases. No man she sees matches the description the security guard gave her. Checking the area one more time, she finally decides to give up. She returns to the back entrance of the building. The people she had talked to earlier are still there.
"No sign of him," Kara says. "You'd better call the police."
"They've been called; they're on their way," the woman says.
"Good."
Kara flies back into the alleyway and changes back into her dress. When she doesn't see Lena anywhere outside, she heads back into the building.
When she walks into the ballroom, Lena immediately comes up to her.
"My auction pieces were stolen," she says, sounding more surprised than upset.
"What?"
"Yeah, and you know the weird thing? They didn't take any of the pieces other people contributed. There are at least thirty other families who donated. The thief could've picked up these invaluable first editions, all these rare and expensive pieces of jewelry and just shoved them into his duffel bag. Why leave with a half-empty bag?"
"Perhaps he was in a rush to get out?"
Lena doesn't look convinced. "If he was in a rush, why take the time to identify the pieces I brought?"
Kara thinks for a moment. "So you don't think the motive was financial?"
Lena shrugs. "I don't know."
"What else could it have been?", Kara wonders out loud.
"You know what, when I was selecting the pieces I kept thinking how pissed off Lex would be if he were still alive."
"That you were giving away these pieces to a good cause?"
"Yes. And that I was picking the things that reminded me of him, that he had been attached to."
"So what then?", Kara asks. "Someone loyal to him? Someone with connections to your mother?"
"I doubt she'd waste her time on something like this."
"We'll have to let the police investigate. Perhaps they will dig up something."
"I hope so."
"I'm sorry your donation is gone now," Kara says sympathetically.
Lena shrugs. "That's okay. I'll just write them a check."
Lena looks around and realizing that despite the theft the party is still in full swing, she points at the bar and says, "More wine?"
Kara laughs. "Sure."
At the end of the night, Kara and Lena walk out together.
"Do you want a ride home?", Lena asks.
"Oh, I can fly," Kara says.
Lena frowns and shakes her head. "I still forget sometimes," she says.
"I'm sorry," Kara says, feeling a bit deflated all of a sudden.
Lena looks at her for a moment and then she says, not unkindly, "You know what, I think you've apologized enough."
"Lena …."
"No, seriously. I'm kind of sick of hearing it."
Kara looks at her uncomfortably.
"Kara, listen." Lena's tone is warm now. She looks Kara in the eye and says, "I know you're sorry. You don't have to keep saying it."
Scrutinizing Lena's face to make sure she means it, Kara finally nods. "Okay."
"So, is that a yes to the ride or a no?"
"Yes." Kara gives her a warm smile.
In the chauffeur-driven car on their way to drop Kara off at her apartment, Kara and Lena take in the quiet after the bustle of the ballroom. Kara looks out the window.
It must have recently rained as the sidewalks are still wet. A few raindrops fall from the trees. How peaceful the city looks on a rainy night, Kara thinks. Hardly any people are about. Everything looking so fresh. Kara takes in a deep breath and closes her eyes.
All of a sudden, as she sits there with her eyes closed, Kara is overcome by an awareness of Lena's physical presence next to her. Her heart starts to beat a faster. Slightly unnerved by the sensation, Kara slowly opens her eyes. She glances over at Lena who's staring at the road ahead. Every couple of seconds, a street light illuminates her face. She looks so beautiful.
Kara looks down at the empty space between them. Lena's right hand is resting on the leather middle seat. With her heart beating in her throat, yet feeling oddly serene at the same time, Kara reaches out her hand and ever so softly grazes the back of Lena's hand with the back of her fingers. Kara closes her eyes and inhales. The physical contact has startled Lena however. With a jerk she draws back her hand. Kara quickly draws back her own and puts it in her lap. She shouldn't have done that. She feels Lena's eyes on her. She's about to apologize, when she feels Lena's hand on her arm. Kara looks at her. Lena's eyes are dark and serious. Lena moves the outside of her hand along Kara's bare lower arm. There are goose bumps all over Kara's body. Kara closes her eyes. All she feels now is the softness of Lena's skin against her own. It's intoxicating. She feels completely and utterly present in the moment. Up and down Lena moves her hand, slowly and deliberately. When Lena finally lifts her hand off Kara's arm, Kara opens her eyes. Slowly she turns to look at Lena. Their eyes lock. Kara so desperately wants to kiss her. Is it too soon? It probably is. Suddenly the car comes to a halt.
"Ms Danvers, we've arrived," the chauffeur says.
Kara breaks eye contact with Lena.
"Right," she says. "Thank you." Seeing that the chauffeur is about to get out of the car to open her door, Kara quickly says, "Please, there's no need."
Kara turns to Lena. "Thank you so much."
Lena gives her a warm smile and nods. Kara quickly picks up the purse lying next to her feet, opens the door, and gets out. A cold wind is blowing and it has started to rain again.
Kara's making her way to the entrance of her apartment building when she hears a car door open. Kara looks over her shoulder. It's Lena. Kara stops and waits for Lena to catch up with her.
When Lena's standing right in front of her, she suddenly looks up into the sky as if she's only now noticed the rain. For a brief moment Lena closes her eyes as she lets the raindrops fall onto her face.
When she looks at Kara again, her eyes are serious.
"I just wanted to say …" Lena says, but then stops.
Kara looks at her, puzzled, wondering what's to come.
Lena is silent for a long moment. Kara can hear the rain fall on the concrete slabs around them.
"I've never had a friend like you before," Lena finally says. "And then with what happened recently." She takes a breath. "I really think we shouldn't rush things."
Kara nods solemnly. "I agree," she says.
Lena looks at her with her piercing green eyes. "But I do want this," she adds, her voice low and soft.
Kara nods again, not taking her eyes off Lena. "I do too."
A tiny smile appears on Lena's lips. "Okay then."
"Okay."
Lena puts a hand to the side of Kara's face and softly kisses her lips. "Goodnight," she says as she draws back.
Kara watches Lena as she walks back to the car. She watches the car drive off. Long after the car has disappeared into the night, Kara is still standing there, in the rain, staring into the distance.
