Kara was always the first to arrive, sitting at their table in their favourite café in National City, eyes on the window as she watched for Lena. Once she'd spotted her, Kara would place the drinks order with the waitress. Lena always had the same drink while Kara enjoyed trying the new or seasonal flavours. In summer she tried milkshakes, smoothies and iced coffees, in winter she alternated between hot chocolates and whatever coffee flavour reminded her most of Christmas, the sweeter the syrup the better in her opinion.
Today Lena rushed in, trailing drops of water from a black umbrella, taking her seat without paying any attention to the world around her.
"Everything okay?" Kara asked.
Lena looked up at her, managing a small smile, "back-to-back meetings all morning."
Kara groaned in sympathy, "ouch."
A waitress brought over their drinks and Lena reached for her coffee, warming her hands on the cup, inhaling the aroma and daring to take a sip even though she knew it would be too hot.
"Just think, one day you'll retire and won't have to deal with meetings ever again."
"I'm counting down the days."
"What will you do then? Without LCorp to fill the hours."
"First chance I get I'm heading to a deserted island and spending at least a month just lying on a beach, not thinking about anything other than re-applying sunscreen."
Kara laughed, "that sounds wonderful."
"Oh, well you can join me of course."
"I can? What about your peace and quiet?"
Lena waved the question off, "that's different, you're my best friend, of course you're welcome."
"Hmm, I'll have to make sure I put in for retirement at the same time. Does this island have potstickers?"
"I'll make sure I hire a chef who can cook them."
"Oh, so we won't be alone on this island? I thought you said it was deserted?"
Lena thought about it, then shook her head, "you're right. He'll have to live on a neighbouring island and you can fly over and collect the food."
"And top up the suncream supplies?"
"Oh I'll stock up on everything before I go, they'll be a few rooms on ground level, and the whole basement level will be filled with supplies to last a couple of months at least," Lena smiled and looked over at Kara, "or maybe just a few weeks."
"Hey, if it's too much trouble I can just come by for a flying visit instead?"
"Don't be silly, I'd love to have you there. You deserve a break as much as anyone. More so, considering..." Lena looked around, checking that they weren't overheard.
Kara smiled, "now I really wish it was time for me to retire. Tell me more."
So Lena forgot about the rain, and LCorp, as she laid out her plans for retirement. Happily adapting to some of Kara's suggestions and laughing at others.
"I'm not sure Alex will appreciate staying in a treehouse if we're living in a mini-mansion," Kara pointed out.
"It's up in the trees but it won't be some poky little treehouse for kids, it will have all the basic necessities."
"Still..."
"I like my privacy, and I've agreed she can come once we've been there a month."
"Fair enough."
The waitress passing their table smiled. They were regular customers and over the years she'd heard them make dozens of plans for the future, each more elaborate than the last. She could see from the looks in their eyes that they meant every word, that when the time came they would retire together, whether it was to some deserted island or taking a spaceship to worlds unknown.
They only ever spoke of each other in terms of friendship, but she suspected each was harbouring a wish for something a little more. It would be a shame if they were still coming in here with greying hair and wrinkles, missing out on something truly special.
It took another few visits before she got up the courage to say something. Perhaps it was because it was St Valentines Day, but she found the courage when handing over their drinks to say what a lovely couple and how lucky they were. They both blushed and stammered out words along the lines of 'just friends', but she could see she'd given them something new to talk about now.
When the blonde's hand moved across the table, mid-conversation, after she had retreated across the room, she smiled. When the brunette turned her hand, palm up, to accept, the waitress had to turn away to hide her grin.
