"Be careful tonight and call Hank if you get into trouble. Kara is celebrating her birthday and I don't want Supergirl called out," Alex cautions Winn before he leaves work.
"Who is Kara going out with tonight?" Winn asks. "I-I asked her but we just ended up talking about Mon-El."
"Not for me to say," Alex replies.
"If it's not Mon-El, who could it be? Do you know?" Winn questions.
Alex doesn't answer but she does smirk at the question.
"Fine, I'll just ask her the next time I see her," he retorts.
"Just be careful tonight," Alex repeats before turning to walk away.
"Have fun at the concert," Winn calls after her.
Cat is waiting for her arrival, holding two glasses of champagne. Kara is surprised to see that she is dressed casually in slacks and a blouse, oddly enough, she is wearing ballet flats.
"Happy birthday Kara," Cat says handing her a glass of champagne.
"T-thank you Ms Grant," Kara replies stammering a little, but taking the glass and following her inside.
"You look very nice tonight, that dress is quite becoming on you," Cat remarks pausing to let her pass before closing the door behind her.
Kara enters slowly. Uncomfortably realizing that she is towering over the other woman. "Uh, should I take these off?" She asks gesturing at her heels.
"Only if you are uncomfortable," Cat retorts.
"It's not that," Kara replies standing there awkwardly. "It's just that you are wearing flats and I'm not," she says trying to explain.
Cat laughs softly and looks down at her own feet. "Kara, I realize that I have made this an issue in the past, but you are no longer my assistant and we're not out in public. But if you prefer, I could change into heels," she offers playfully.
"No. No more change, I can adjust," Kara replies as she begins slipping her shoes off.
"So twenty-six," Cat remarks before taking another sip of champagne as they stand out on the balcony watching the end of the sunset.
"Twenty-six?" Kara repeats with a confused look.
"Your birthday. It is your twenty-sixth birthday," Cat repeats curiously. What an odd thing for Kara not to connect, she thinks.
"Oh right. Yes. Twenty-six t-today," Kara stammers unconvincingly, before turning back to the sight of the sun sinking into the ocean, "Ms Grant, that," she says haltingly. "It's so beautiful."
"It's Cat." Cat replies. "I think that we have moved past the need for formality, Kara. And yes, I bought this in part for the view, not that I am home to see if from here."
"Cat," Kara says immediately, testing out the name in her mouth and nodding in agreement. "The whole thing about calling me Kiera was just a power thing, wasn't it?"
Now it is Cat's turn to be uncomfortable. "Something like that, Perry White called me Kitty the whole time that I was his assistant. It infuriated me, but it also motivated me. You didn't seem to care like I did, probably why I kept it up for so long," she admits.
"Oh it did bother me, I just didn't want you to know. I thought if I didn't react to it, you would stop doing it," Kara explains. "Then after awhile, I really didn't care. Although it did make the few times you called my name correctly more special."
"Earth to Alex," Maggie says squeezing her hand to get her girlfriend's attention.
"Sorry, I'm just a little distracted by something Kara told me earlier today," Alex replies leaning over and giving her girlfriend a light kiss.
"Wanna talk about it?" Maggie asks.
"I do, but not here and not now," Alex says glancing around the small restaurant. "Tell me Sawyer, how is it that someone who professes to hate romance, knows about this place?"
"Maybe you bring out the romantic in me," Maggie replies playfully. A dangerously sexy smile on her face.
"Smooth Sawyer," Alex says breathlessly, leaning in for another kiss.
Maggie leans into the kiss this time, making it a bit more than the earlier peck.
"Mmm," Alex murmurs as it ends.
"Promise that we'll talk about whatever this is later?" Maggie requests softly.
"Yes, but it's something with Kara. She's who I really need to talk to," Alex admits biting her lip nervously.
"You want to call her before the concert?" Maggie asks.
"No, she's out having dinner. It can wait until tomorrow. But thank you," Alex answers.
"Kara has a date on her birthday?"
"Uh, not a date. I mean, I would know if Kara was dating someone, especially if it was Cat Grant," Alex jokes.
"Kara's having dinner with Cat Grant? The Cat Grant?" Maggie asks excitedly.
"Maggie, shhh, not so loud. And Kara was her assistant before she became a reporter," Alex replies softly, worried that people will overhear their conversation.
"You Danvers sisters are just full of surprises. How long did Kara last as her assistant?" Maggie asks.
"Almost three years before she was promoted," Alex replies softly.
"Oh my god, three years," Maggie exclaims. "Wait, does Grant know about Kara? I mean she has to, she is the Queen of all Media. There's no way a ponytail and a pair of glasses would fool her."
"Well, if she knows then she is keeping it to herself. But I agree, she has to know. Especially since Livewire tried to kill them both twice and the third time she kidnapped Cat and used her as bait," Alex explains.
"Ha! Cat Grant is Supergirl's Lois Lane!" Maggie exclaims softly but then bursting into laughter.
"Wait, what?" Alex blurts out confused for a moment, then realizing what Maggie means. "Oh no, no Maggie it's not like that, Kara's not. Cat Grant isn't either," she stammers.
"Alex, all of that bad blood and rivalry between Grant and Lane has nothing to do with Superman. They're ex-girlfriends." Maggie retorts.
"No!" Alex replies. "How would you even know that?" She challenges.
"I am a detective," Maggie teases. "Okay, I know about it because I used to have a big crush on Cat Grant. And also because my cousin has teased me about her ever since I moved to National City."
"Well that doesn't mean it's true. How would he even know that?" Alex challenges again and Maggie just smiles and shrugs.
"I think we'll know soon enough, especially if Kara is on a date with her tonight.," Maggie jokes.
"Is there anything that I can do to help?" Kara asks glancing around the kitchen.
Cat is about to politely decline her offer, but Kara is already opening the cabinet and pulling down plates.
"Thank you," Cat says setting the dish down on top of the stove. "The salad is in the refrigerator," she adds.
Kara smiles and turns around to retrieve the bowl. "Oh, this is my favorite," she exclaims.
"I think that is the only salad that I have ever seen you eat," Cat teases over her shoulder as she plates their dinner.
"Yeah, I don't know how you eat it so often," Kara retorts playfully.
"Well, I don't know how you manage to look like that eating mostly pizza and potstickers," Cat remarks casting a long glance at her.
"I work out," Kara replies with shrug.
"Hmm," Cat murmurs, barely suppressing a remark about alien metabolisms.
"Did Kara tell you who she's having dinner with tonight?" Winn asks James as casually as possible.
"I don't get what she sees in Mon-El, but if he makes her happy..." James retorts.
"He doesn't and that's not who she is seeing tonight," Winn informs him.
"If it's not him, then who else could it be," James guesses.
"I asked Alex, but she wouldn't tell me," Winn replies. "I bet that she doesn't even know."
"Alex always knows. How did she respond though?" He asks.
"She said 'not mine to tell'... wait, aren't those the same words that Hank used the other night, about knowing that Alex was dating Maggie," Winn points out.
"Do you think that Kara is dating a woman?" James blurts out.
"Well, according to Mon-El, they don't judge sexuality on Daxom like we do and Krypton is probably the same way," Winn points out.
The two women sit opposite each other in the small nook off the kitchen. There is a beautiful bouquet on the table and candles, the intimate setting is oddly comforting to Kara and she can't help but smile as she takes it all in.
"I hope you don't mind, since it's just the two of us, I thought this would be more conducive to conversation if we dined here," Cat remarks returning the smile. Even though she had told her caterer that it was dinner for a friend's birthday, Cat didn't expect her to set the table with flowers and candles. But since Cat doesn't entertain guests very often in her home, Denise must have assumed that it was someone special.
"It's perfect. Thank you Cat," Kara replies with a brilliant smile. "No one's ever done something like this for my birthday before," she adds and Cat can detect just a hint of sadness there.
"You are quite welcome, but all I did was call the caterer," Cat scoffs playfully.
They dine in silence for a moment. Kara can't help wondering if she would have even met Cat Grant if her pod had arrived on time.
Cat hoping that she can get the girl to open up and share whatever it is that is weighing her down.
Across the table, Cat clears her throat softly before speaking.
"I was able to visit Adam on his birthday this year, he didn't want to go out, so we cooked dinner together at his apartment," Cat offers conversationally.
Kara hides her surprise at Cat mentioning Adam. And it proves that Alex was wrong about the dinner being about work. "How is Adam?" She asks politely.
"He is back at Cornell and on track to finish his master's," Cat answers. She realizes that she brought him up, but she really doesn't want to discuss Adam with Kara, especially not tonight. "What are the birthday traditions in the Danvers' family?"
"The usual stuff, when Alex and I lived at home, Eliza would make dinner and a cake. But now since neither of us really cook, we usually treat the other to something that we know they like," Kara explains.
Cat nods. Thankfully, Kara has met her mother and doesn't ask after Cat's own birthdays at home.
"How was Washington? I saw that you attended a State dinner at the White House, that must have been quite interesting," Kara remarks looking up from her plate.
"Yes, State dinners can be quite interesting, and I have attended many over the years. They are always different, there weren't as many international leaders at this one, probably a bit of backlash from the Alien Amnesty Act, but I was happy to go and publicly show my support," Cat replies. "I did mention to the President, that she should have invited Supergirl."
Kara almost chokes on her food at the remark, quickly covering her mouth with her napkin to hide her reaction. The President did actually invite Supergirl to the State dinner. But Alex and Hank decided that it was too high profile of an event. Kara only found out after the fact that Cat was also attending, had she known that she may have decided to go. But she can't say any of this to Cat, so instead she just smiles politely.
Cat smiles. It's only been a few months, but she can tell that Kara has changed in her absence. She seems a bit more poised and confident. Gone is her nervous giggling and awkward comments. And today in her meeting with the editorial staff, Snapper was less critical than usual, apparently the girl is slowly winning him over. Cat suspected that it was only a matter of time before Kara proved herself to him. And today, she was pleased that Lucas took one look at the Guardian pitch and assigned it to the young reporter. Now with everything going well at work, Cat can't help but wonder about what is causing Kara's undercurrent of sadness.
Kara takes a sip of wine and clears her throat lightly. "How was your first day back?"
"Busy, I thought that the meetings would never end. And apparently at some point in the last month, James really began slacking off. There is quite a bit to catch up on before the quarter ends," Cat remarks with just a trace of annoyance.
"I could help you..." Kara begins but stops herself. "I know that I am not your assistant, but I do know those reports inside and out," she reminds her.
"Yes, yes you do. But you also trained Ms Teschmacher quite well and she's organized them and has worked out a plan of attack for us to get through them," Cat says appreciatively.
Across the table, a satisfied smile breaks across Kara's face. "I am just so glad that you are back," she exclaims her voice tinged with emotion.
"Hmm, well it is good to be back," Cat replies, noticing the underlying sadness in Kara's tone. "I missed you too," she adds softly.
Kara stops eating, did Cat really just admit that she missed her.
"It is okay to admit that you missed me. Kara, after working side by side for three years, it would be unusual not to, unless of course, you didn't," Cat teases.
"I did Ms Grant, I did miss you. And it wasn't just because of everything with James and Mr Carr," Kara remarks realizing that she used her title again. "Cat, I hope that this, tonight, means that we are friends. Because I could really use you, as a friend," she adds, trying not to worry about how this will affect their Supergirl/Cat relationship.
Silently, Cat nods. Kara has always been the exception. Not only has she been the only assistant to last longer than a few months, she is also the only employee that Cat has truly mentored. Deciding to leave CATCO was more about giving Kara room to grow out from under Cat's shadow, than Cat needing to dive into something new. Although after ten years of building the company, taking a few months off was just what she needed to get a new perspective.
"Kara, there are very few people in my life that I consider friends, and you know that I prefer to maintain professional relationships with my subordinates," Cat begins.
Cat watches the disappointment cross Kara's face. She barely refrains from reaching out to reassure her, instead she quickly continues explaining herself. "As you know, I have rules for workplace relationships and behavior, yet you have consistently managed to be the exception to almost every one of them."
It takes Kara a moment to process, but then she smiles. "I'm the exception?" She asks.
"Yes, an exceptional exception," Cat replies playfully. "Which you already knew since I do not entertain employees in my home, only friends and family."
"Well I considered that, but since Carter is gone right now, I thought that you may have changed your mind," Kara remarks. "And I thought maybe you just wanted to talk about CATCO privately." She adds.
"Kara, I wanted to talk to you privately to find out how you are doing. I've followed your bylines and I can tell that you're on your way to becoming an excellent reporter," Cat replies.
"You've followed my bylines?" Kara inquires.
"Of course, I have. You're the closest thing to a protege that I have. I am invested in you and your success, why else would I lure Lucas Carr away from The Daily Planet to take over as Editor and Chief to train you?"
"But you hired him before I decided to be a reporter," Kara points out.
"I hired him because I knew that you would choose reporting and I wanted you to learn from the best. Even if I can't stand being in the same room with him for longer than 3 minutes, Snapper has won multiple Pulitzer's for reporting," Cat explains.
"Oh," Kara replies pausing a moment to consider Cat's remark. "Snapper...H-he was so horrible to me at first and then you left me alone with him. I-I thought that I had made a huge mistake," she mumbles.
"Kara, I knew that you were having a difficult time, but I left because if you continued to run to me every time he upset you, it was only going to make things harder for you. You needed to fight your own battles and stop running to me to help you. Reporting takes an incredible amount of perseverance. And I knew that you had what it takes from the way you handled yourself in your interview with me," Cat reminds her.
"You knew then that I would be a reporter? How?" Kara asks.
"Instinct mostly, but I could see a bit of myself in you. Then as we began working together, I could tell that you have the integrity to right wrongs and see justice done," Cat admits with a smile.
The words have the intended effect on Kara, washing over the girl and brightening her whole being. Cat hesitates a moment before continuing.
"You inspire me Kara. I can see the hero within you."
Kara freezes. "Ms Grant..." she begins to protest.
"Don't Ms Grant me," Cat snaps. "And I am talking about you, Kara. You inspire me and you are every bit the hero that Supergirl is."
"Cat, I'm not a hero," Kara replies, intent to argue the point.
"Perhaps, we should agree to disagree," Cat proposes.
Kara shrugs reluctantly agreeing to it.
"And for the record, I have met and interviewed my share of heroes and one thing that they all had in common was that they don't think that they are heroes," Cat adds smugly.