"Kiera," the name is barely out of her mouth when her assistant enters the office. Narrowing her eyes, Cat looks at her shrewdly, "How do you do that?" she asks.
"Do what Ms Grant?" Kara questions innocently. "I'm just coming in to clear your tray," she adds.
"I was calling you in here to ask you to do something for me this weekend," Cat replies.
Kara looks up curiously at her. "You, uh, need me to watch Carter?" she asks.
"No. The National City Local is this weekend and now that I've fired Steve, I've decided to cover it myself. I'll need your assistance and since we're working late tonight anyway, I made a call to have some dresses sent over. Now that I know your size, we'll see what we can do to improve your wardrobe. Your poor fashion sense reflects on me, so we're going to raise it up a notch Kiera," Cat says as if procuring designer clothes for her assistant is something she does every day.
Kara stands with her mouth open in shock.
"Is there a problem?" Cat asks, setting her pen down and crossing her hands on her desk before looking up.
"Uh, no. There is definitely not a problem. But Ms Grant, I didn't... this isn't... I mean, wow. Is this normal? Do fashion editors usually get free clothes? I didn't know that was a thing?" she asks.
"Fashion editors do not usually get free clothes, because it isn't common that the people who cover fashion can wear fashion. We will be the exception," Cat replies proudly. "Oh and what is your shoe size? We'll need to get shoes to go with your dress," she points out.
"What?" Kara asks after she finds Ms Grant staring at her for the third time.
"You have an eye for this," she remarks taking her glasses off and sitting back thoughtfully.
"I've learned a lot from you Ms Grant," Kara says deflecting the subtle praise from her boss.
"I'm positive that is true. However, the fact remains that you have an eye for fashion, yet your typical appearance is devoid of even basic fashion sense," Cat retorts. "Tell me why that is Kara?" she questions.
Kara smiles slightly at hearing her name used by her boss. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's usually on nights that they work late.
"Uh, well. I guess that I was never much into clothes and my sister is smaller than I am, so I just wore hand me downs from my foster mother and she is a scientist and not really into fashion," Kara explains.
"Your foster mother? I didn't realize that you grew up in a foster home," Cat answers, now completely focused on her assistant.
"Uh, well my parents died in a fire when I was young and the Danvers, Jeremiah and Eliza took me in when I was 13," Kara says softly.
"So the sister that you speak of is your foster sister?" Cat questions.
"Yes," Kara replies, nervously licking her lips.
"I see. But you are close with her and the parents still?" Cat asks following up.
"Yes, Alex is the best and her mom, Eliza is great too. But her dad, Jeremiah was killed on a trip to South America when I was in high school," Kara explains. "I didn't know him that long, but he was a wonderful man," she adds tearfully.
"Hmm, your close, but you call them by their formal names," Cat notes.
"Yes, but it's not disrespectful. It's just, I have parents. I mean, I had parents," Kara remarks softly.
"Of course," Cat replies watching her closely before going over to sit beside her on the other couch.
"It's late and we've gotten a lot done. Why don't we call it a night and finish this first thing tomorrow morning," Cat suggests resting a hand on her arm.
Looking down at the hand that is resting casually on her arm and then back up to Ms Grant looking at her softly, Kara suddenly feels flustered and she nervously reaches up for her glasses.
Noticing the girl's nervousness, Cat sighs, "Kara, I'm sorry that you've been my assistant for this long and I'm just now getting to know these things about you."
"Well, I don't talk about this with many people," Kara replies, "But it was nice that you asked," she adds with a smile.
Cat returns the smile and then reaches over to squeeze Kara's hand. And then they sit quietly for a moment like that but before it can get awkward, Cat pulls her hand back and changes the subject.
"Now, I'll have the dress steamed and delivered to your apartment for this weekend," she adds standing up to return to her couch and pull her things together, she adds, "it's too late for you to go home alone. Come with me and I'll have the driver drop you off after he takes me home," she suggests.
"Oh that's not necessary," Kara replies. "I can just call my sister to come pick me up."
"I insist. Now get your things together," Cat replies.
"What is that?" Lucy gasps rushing over to the dress hanging on Kara's bedroom door. Thursday night is their traditional game night and James just started bringing Lucy over.
"Uh, that's my dress for Saturday's event that I'm covering for CATCO with Ms Grant," Kara explains.
"This is an Amico, you're wearing an Amico to what event exactly?" Lucy asks.
"Uh, the National City Local at the Grand Plaza," Kara replies.
"Wow, Kara. Ms Grant is covering that event herself and she's taking you! That's awesome. And you have to try it on for us," Lucy says excitedly.
"No, you guys are here for game night and Alex and Winn will be here soon," she points out.
"We're here," Alex says entering the loft with Winn behind her. "Is that the dress?" Alex asks setting down her purse and going over to look at it.
"Yes and she should try it on for us before we start game night," Lucy remarks again.
"Definitely, Kara put it on. I want to see how you look," Alex directs her.
Glaring at Lucy, Kara snatches the dress off the door and disappears into her room.
"Did you get shoes?" Alex calls out, before pushing her way into the bedroom.
"Yes. Ms Grant picked them out for me too," she replies slipping the dress on and turning around so Alex can zip it for her.
"Wow, you look fantastic," Alex remarks. "I'm surprised that these shoes have such a low heel though," she adds curiously.
"Well, Ms Grant said that I was too Amazonian in the others," Kara says laughing.
"I can totally relate to that feeling," Alex admits. "So what's going on with you and Ms Grant. Why is she taking a sudden interest in you?"
"Well, last night she said that since I've been her assistant for over two years, she should get to know me better," Kara replies. "But it was late and we'd spent a lot of time together. Her guard was down, I'm sure that she didn't mean it."
"Uh, Kara. From everything that you told me this week, I disagree. She's finally noticed you, I think this is good. I mean, it could be good or she could get drunk and make a pass at you this weekend like every other CEO with a hot young assistant," Alex jokes.
"Alex! Don't even joke about that, Ms Grant's not like that and she is straight," Kara informs her sister.
"Well, we all are until we are not," Alex replies playfully.
"It was one time, Alex. I was in college and she was my roommate," Kara says giving Alex a shove.
"Uh, what about Maxima last weekend?" Alex quips.
"I was compelled, she had control of my mind," Kara reminds her.
"Only because you let her kiss you!" Alex counters.
"Hey, I'm coming in. I want to see this dress!" Lucy says before opening up the door.
"Oh sorry, we were talking," Kara says her face flushed by Alex's last remark.
"It fits you perfectly," Lucy notes as she walks around Kara. "This color is perfect for you too."
"Ms Grant picked it out," Kara replies nervously.
"Wait, Cat dressed you for this event?" Lucy questions before glancing over at Alex, who shrugs in response.
"She fired the fashion guy and she decided to cover the event herself and she wanted me there and dressed appropriately," Kara explains.
"Hmm, I see," Lucy says still smiling broadly. "Did she get a suite at the hotel for the two of you too?" She teases.
"Stop it! Sheesh, you're as bad as Alex!" Kara says storming out of the bedroom and into the living room to get away from them.
James and Winn look up from the couch and James almost chokes on his drink. "Kara, wow. You look fantastic," he replies.
"You can't wear a pony tail though. Let's talk hair," Lucy says entering the room.
"Uh, Ms Grant wants me to get ready with her at the hotel before the event," Kara replies sheepishly knowing that Alex and Lucy will make a big deal out of it.
"Interesting," Alex replies, not wanting to say anything further in front of James and Winn.
"Wait she does have a suite at the hotel for you two, this is starting to sound like a date," Lucy blurts out. "An awesome date!"
"Gah! Not you too!" Kara exclaims rushing back to her bedroom to change out of the dress.
"I-I'm sure that Ms Grant is just worried about their appearance, since it's a fashion event," Winn stammers.
"Totally, you're off base Lucy. Ms Grant is just wants to make sure that she and her assistant make the right impression at this event. You know how image conscious she is," James points out.
"Or she got a look at Kara the other night at the launch party and liked what she saw," Lucy counters, looking over at Alex for support.
Alex keeps her face neutral as she grabs a beer and takes a long sip.
"Change the subject or I'm not coming out for game night," Kara yells from her bedroom.
"Gonna hide in your closet all night?" Alex can't resist replying..
"Not funny Alex!" Kara retorts entering the room and grabbing a pizza box.
"Hey, that's my pizza," Alex says, "You don't even like artichokes," she complains as Kara takes a big slice and starts eating.
"Maybe I should try new things," she remarks playfully as Alex pouts.
"I want her hair down and I don't suppose we can lose those hideous glasses tonight?" Cat asks watching her stylist running her fingers through Kara's hair.
"Uh, I've told you before that I don't have contacts Ms Grant, I have astigmatism..." Kara begins to retort.
"Okay, okay, so the glasses stay," Cat relents with a sigh.
"Her neck is gorgeous though Cat, I have something in mind that you'll really like. The glasses are good, nerdy girl chic is all the rage," the stylist adds winking at Kara.
A short while later Cat returns to check on their progress and almost drops her drink when she sees Kara. Embarrassed and trying to play it cool, Cat looks down at the floor mumbling something about her heel catching on the rug.
Kara looks up worried, but the stylist looks into the mirror and smiles at her, "That's a good sign," she replies playfully.
Cat finally enters the room and begins walking around the chair admiring the hair and makeup. "Excellent Maura. Chic and tasteful. And you were right, this accents her beautiful neck and shoulders," Cat replies pleased. Then touching Kara's shoulder she asks, "Kara, do you need assistance getting into the dress?"
"I'll stay and help her," Maura, the stylist replies when she notices Kara's sharp intake of breath.
"Fine, then join me on the veranda for a cocktail, when you're ready," Cat replies slowly leaving the room.
"Thank you, she makes me so nervous. I've never been to an event like this, is this normal? Does she usually have you do her hair and makeup at the hotel?" Kara asks.
"Not often, but for events, award shows, the random premiere. She is nervous tonight though, I haven't seen her this nervous since she was dating John Stamos," Maura replies.
"I thought she was joking about dating him," Kara remarks as she slips on the dress.
"Well, it was just a publicity thing. They never really dated," Maura points out. "Now turn around so I can zip you up."
Kara complies and Maura runs her hands over the back of the dress. "It's almost like this dress was made for you, my dear," she remarks.
"It sort of was, the designer's assistant brought some dresses over to the office the other night and Cat picked this one out and had them alter it for me," Kara explains. "I'm so nervous," she adds.
"Kara, you've been Cat's assistant for what two years now. I'm happy that she's finally promoting you to Fashion editor?" Maura questions.
"Oh no, she's not. At least she hasn't said that she is. Do you think that's what all this is about?," Kara asks confused.