CH5 Building a New Normal

After having their injuries attended to by the DEO medical staff, Kara and Barry went home on their own power. Arriving at the same time in their apartment they automatically fell into an embrace. Holding each other, Barry said, "I've buried a lot of people. People I loved and who were my best friends." Shaking his head, he added, "It never gets any easier."

She wrapped her arms about his waist, laying her head on his chest, "Thank you for the song."

He nodded, "Joe sang it when Iris was killed. It seemed appropriate. Later, I sang it for Caitlin and Oliver."

From his chest, he heard her say, "I should be starved, but I don't think I could eat at all. I haven't been this tired in a long time."

He nodded before kissing the top of her head. "Let's get cleaned up and go to bed. I'm exhausted and you must be, too." Tilting her face up to him, he kissed her gently, "You can have the shower first."

Later, as they lay in bed, she draped herself across him while he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Neither spoke. It took a long time for sleep to claim them.

.oOo.

"I don't wanna go to work," she groaned. Reaching out blindly, she poked her boyfriend in the side. "Go win the lottery and feed us."

Snorting his laughter, Barry rolled out his side of the bed. "I have the first meeting with the lawyers to get the patents going for S.T.A.R. Labs. This is going to be a painful day for me." Rubbing has face, he added, "All day with lawyers. Yuck."

The turned to look at her watching him with a dopey smile on her face. "What?"

"You're the best. I love you."

He smiled, goofily, "Love you too."

"Now go win the lottery so I don't have to go to work to feed us."

He laughed, "That's why I'm inflicting lawyers on myself all day. We'll get these patents going, get an income stream and then realize the S.T.A.R. Labs idea."

"Without the crazy guy imposter, right?"

"Yeah. Thanks for bringing that up. Awesome," as he tossed a pillow at his girlfriend.

She sighed loudly. "You're welcome. If I must get out of bed, I guess I have to. I shall sally forth to earn bread for our keep." She tromped to the bathroom while Barry chuckled.

They'd gone shopping the night before and purchased a suit for him to wear to his appointment. After laying out his clothes, he headed to the kitchen to start cooking a Barry and Kara sized meal. "And he cooks," Kara grinned as she danced through the kitchen wearing her fuzzy pink bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head. Four pieces of bacon later, she was heading back to the bedroom.

He set the bacon on the old newspaper to drain before heading to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Kara had her back to him as she snapped her bra closed. Tugging her blouse over her shoulders, he stopped to watch her finish dressing. Turning around, she started, "Were you watching me?" she asked with humorous indignation.

"This is great."

She looked at him quizzically. He read the question easily, "The other day we were aligned with some of the most powerful beings in the galaxy in a fight for our lives. Today, we're going about our lives. Work, breakfast, dressing in normal clothes and not uniforms." Her smile was nearly blinding, "I am so very glad I came here." Grinning, he added, "Sweetheart."

She laughed joyously, "C'mere, you."

Kissing him soundly, she murmured, "Don't make any plans for tonight."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Alright then," he told her. One last kiss and he headed to the bathroom for his meeting was in a half hour. "Food's on the counter."

"I love you, Barry."

The seriousness of her tone caused him to turn back. Her expression, body language and everything about her seemed to try to convey the depth of her love for her best friend and soon to be lover. Softly smiling, Barry replied, "As I love you, Kara."

She smiled with her whole being. "I'll see you tonight?"

"Have a good day." She kissed him one more time before dancing out of their apartment.

Smiling at his good fortune, Barry Allen prepared for a day that would change the world.

.oOo.

"Kara! Hey!"

Setting her bag on her chair, Kara placed Ms. Grant's drink on the desk before she turned to greet Winn. "Are you ok?" he asked her

"Hunh? Oh, yeah." Faking a cough, she replied, "I'm much better." Leaning in she gave him a knowing look. "I had a Flash fever that kept me out."

His eyes rounded. Looking around to see if anyone was listening, he whispered, "Barry is back?"

She smiled as she nodded. He grinned at her. "Looks like Miss Danvers is quite happy at the development."

"Oh yeah."

"Oh really." He bantered.

"Really."

Now Winn laughed, "I'm glad for you. You two really seemed to click the time he was here. Where's he staying?"

Responding in a defiant tone, she said, "My place is now our place. Barry's and mine, that is."

"Wow, it's serious then."

She nodded, "Very."

He deliberately glanced at her left hand. "Not that serious."

She snorted a laugh, "Oh, you. That's not happening soon."

"But it is happening."

Rolling her eyes, she shucked off her jacket. "What's been happening here?"

"Same old. Olsen has been in a snit for the past week. Leave him alone if you know what's good for you. Ms. Grant's all bent about Supergirl being not seen for a few days. She went to some spa in France to recuperate," he looked at her meaningfully.

Now it was her turn to look around. "Henshaw decided it was time to take the fight to its source. We got a team together and…well, we took care of it."

"Barry?"

"And others," she really didn't want to talk about the Battle of Fort Rozz. The heroes had done what they had to do. There was no glory in doing their duty. Hanging up her coat she turned back to see Winn squirming. Chuckling, she asked, "Winn, do you have to go potty?"

"C'mon Kara. You gotta let me fanboy. Who else was there?"

"Well, my cousin was there."

"Of course."

"And Barry."

"Yeah, you already told me that." He waved his hand in a 'hurry up' motion causing Kara to laugh. Winn was part of a hero's inner circle but still a fanboy.

"Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl."

"Omigod. Did you get their autographs? They are so cool!"

"No, but we exchanged phone numbers."

"I think I may faint," he murmured as he moved to sit in his chair. "You have Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl in your Contacts."

Following up with the kill, she added, "Captain Marvel and two Green Lanterns." Mentioning Hal Jordan, even in passing, still caused a twinge of grief for the fallen hero. Mentally saluting him and his memory, she moved on.

Winn groaned as he leaned on his desk while knee deep in superhero overload. Kara laughed at him as she moved back to her own desk.

.oOo.

Barry trudged up the steps to their apartment. It had been a very very long day. While fully capable of physically taking the steps in less than a second, he was mentally tired. Opening the door, he smelled Kara cooking their dinner. Sniffing, he said, "Italian?"

"Veal Parmesan," she replied. As the front door clicked shut, his reason for existing flew into his arms. Literally.

After their kiss broke, he murmured, "Hey you."

"Hey," Kara replied softly. Taking in his tired expression, she asked, "Hard day?"

"Long."

"Well, come in and take a break. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. You got home just in time, mister."

He laughed as he flopped on to the couch. "The lawyers had all the incorporation papers, the bank papers, the patent application papers…I lost track of what else. I think there will be a paper shortage next week after all the forms I read and signed today."

She laughed musically, "I had a great day."

"Ms. Grant is out of town, isn't she?"

Popping her head around the corner, she giggled, "Yes, she is."

He laughed while relaxing. This was great. After the Zoom War and the recent battle, just living life was precious to him. Unbidden, a thought occurred to him. He was speaking before he knew it, "You would have loved Cisco and Caitlin."

This time when she popped around the corner, she was serious with a concerned curl to her brow. Coming up behind him as he relaxed on the couch, she waited while gently massaging his shoulders.

"They've been on my mind the whole day. I'm standing on the shoulders of giants with the new S.T.A.R. Labs. Giants who were my friends." Sighing, he added, "I don't feel guilty for using their inventions to help people here. It's what he wanted. And people here will live better lives. I just…" he tailed off.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. In his ear, she said softly, but with confidence, "You feel guilty for surviving when they all died."

Silence.

"Yeah."

"I understand. Really, I do."

His hand found hers. With a tug, he pulled her over the back of the couch, landing crosswise on his lap. He tucked his head into her neck, breathing deeply of her scent. Holding her for a minute, he finally gave her a squeeze. "I know you do. Thanks."

"Any time."

.oOo.

"Holy crap," Barry groaned. Rolling to his side, he drew his blonde lover to him. Both sweating from their exertions, he held her close as she snuggled into him.

"We are doing this every night," she told him after catching her breath.

"If I die, what a way to go."

She snorted. "You didn't just say that."

"Sure did. Hey, did we break the bed?"

She wiggled, "Nope, no weird broken noises."

He laughed. Kissing her, he pulled her on top of him. She sat up, a lusty grin on her face.

"Again?" he asked with his own grin matching hers.

"Oh yeah, Crimson Comet."

"Let's see if you can keep up, Woman of Steel."

.oOo.

"Breakfast on the table," he told her as she stumbled into the kitchen.

"Coffee," she mumbled.

"Coffee has no effect on you."

"Shut up, Barry."

.oOo.

"Did you know that your eyebrows do this thing when you're mad at me…?"

Silence.

"Yeah. That. Right there."

Silence.

"I'm sorry."

.oOo.

"I'll be patrolling the south side tonight. You take north?"

"Sure," he replied. Tapping his ear, he said, "Comm check."

She nodded. "Call if you need me."

"You too, sweetheart."

.oOo.

"Kiera! In here now!"

At first, Kara hated when Ms. Grant mispronounced her name. Now it was with almost fondness when she heard her boss bellowing her name (for there was no other word to use than 'bellow').

Rounding her desk, she stopped. Barry was in the elevator coming up. She would never mistake his heartbeat for anyone else.

"Kiera!"

Rolling her eyes, she scuttled into her boss' office. "Yes, Ms. Grant?"

"Yes, I want to know what is going on with you. Now." Kara had been in a death match against five hundred powerful beings, but for some reason Ms. Grant's glare still unsettled her.

"Er, nothing is going on, Ms. Grant."

"That is patently not true. Evidently, your friend, Mr. Allen, did not go home as you said. He and Supergirl are saving the day all over the City. I want you to…" she tailed off as the Blur himself made an appearance just outside her office.

Kara heard him ask, "Hey, Winn. Is Kara around?" She didn't hear anything else, so she assumed that Winn merely pointed toward the front office. "Oh."

"Yeah, 'oh', loverboy," she muttered to herself.

"Go get him. I want to have words with Mr. Allen."

"Yes, Ms. Grant."

Hurrying out of the office to where Barry waited for her with a wide smile on his face, she hissed, "Why are you here?"

His smile melted into confusion. "Er, good news about S.T.A.R. Labs…?" he trailed off. "What's wrong?" he asked as he pitched his voice low.

She sighed. Her secret identity probably wasn't as secret as she hoped. Dragging Barry into Ms. Grant's office, she shut the door behind them.

Barry half waved to Cat, as he glanced back and forth between the two women. "Hey, Ms. Grant."

"Hello, yourself Mr. Allen." She narrowed her eyes at the two. "I cannot believe how stupid the vast majority of the world is to not recognize the two of you." She deliberately looked past them to the shut doors, "You two are young, beautiful and are carbon copies of Supergirl and the Flash." She looked away, "Though I still think the Blur is a better name."

"Yeah, just no," Barry began before Kara kicked him in the foot.

"Ow!" he said as he glared at his girlfriend.

"Anyway. I want the news. I want an exclusive. The both of you, together and by together, I mean that you two are together."

Kara's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. Before she could formulate a response, Barry injected himself smoothly, "We appreciate your candor, as well as, your keeping our secrets. If you want the Flash and Supergirl to speak to the press as superhero partners, that is something we can talk about. If you want us to speak to the press as romantic partners, that won't be possible."

The narrow-eyed glare was back. "And why not?"

He glanced over his shoulder to insure no one was paying attention. Glancing at Kara, she caught his meaning, "No one is listening, nor is anyone nearby."

Nodding, he turned back to Cat, "We are already hated by the criminal element of this city and…other segments of society. If it were known that we were together romantically, it would make us higher priority targets because if you hurt one, you hurt the other."

Kara gathered her wits. Ms. Grant had an uncanny ability to rattle her. "I have no problem with a joint interview as hero partners, just not romantic partners. I agree with Barry. We can take care of each other, but if the criminal element makes a concerted effort to come after us, we would have to leave National City, establishing new identities elsewhere."

Cat, sighed, "It's rather inconvenient, but I suppose that I understand that reasoning."

"I have a better story for you, though, Ms. Grant," Barry announced with a smile.

Kara broke into a grin. "Did you…?" He nodded while smiling. "Oh Barry! I'm so happy for you!" Jumping into his arms, he swung her around before they were interrupted by a clearing throat.

Barry set Kara down who kept an arm around her boyfriend while beaming broadly. Cat wore a small – very small - smile. "And this momentous news?"

"S.T.A.R. Laboratories has patented a cure for many types of cancer and we are negotiating with the major pharmaceutical manufacturers and digital engineering companies for mass production and distribution."

Kara was so excited; she was nearly vibrating. Cat Grant's mouth dropped open. For a grand total of three seconds. "That is a story, Mr. Allen. I'm assuming you're offering the exclusive to CATCO?"

He nodded, his grin matching Kara's. "A friends and family discount."

She grinned. Gesturing to the couch for the young heroes, she grabbed her phone. "Get up here with a camera crew. You have three minutes."

"I'm so proud of you, Barry," Kara whispered to him.

"Pfizer and Merck have already called." He blinked as he shook his head. "Pfizer offered one hundred million dollars and five percent of net profits."

Kara stilled. "That's a lot of money."

"Merck and Wayne Industries working together offered two hundred million and seven percent.

"Rao."

"Yeah." He took a deep breath as Cat made another call, "With this capital investment, I can really kick the Lab off. Taking what I…you know, 'brought' and going further."

She laughed softly, "You just want a new suit."

"That's it; you found me out. Provide a cure for cancer so I can have a new suit."

Cat replaced the phone on the cradle as the camera crew bustled in to set up their equipment.

Kara started to rise, but he held her in place. "Stay?"

She could deny him nothing. Of course, she stayed.

"Now, tell me about S.T.A.R. Laboratories, Mr. Allen."

"Well, Ms. Grant, S.T.A.R. Labs has a diverse mission. We are pushing new frontiers in material sciences, nano technology, and theoretical physics to name a few areas we study." He faced the camera, "and we're looking to hire the best and brightest to further our vision…."

.oOo.

A/N

1. I own nothing.

2. It is so much fun writing Cat Grant. And Callista Flockhart was awesome in the role.