A/N: For the purpose of this story, I've decided that the media will have reception areas and have set appointments with the bigger design houses and the others would just seek out the media to garner publicity at the reception tables. And I'm assuming that CATCO Magazine would have video blog on their website and Cat being Cat would want to do video interviews with as many designers as possible.
"Kate and Laura Mulleavy from Rodarte are first," Kara says running down the meet and greet schedule. "Rachael Zoe, Skaist-Taylor, Trina Turk and Scott Sternberg from Band of Outsiders will be the last one."
"What happened to Monique LHuillier?" Cat asks.
"She declined our request," Kara replies, "Her assistant pointed out that she does have the biggest line in the show," she adds.
Cat scoffs at the excuse, "All the more reason for her to make time for Cat Grant," Cat points out impatiently.
"We should get to our reception area, our first interview is in 15 minutes," Kara says as Cat begins nodding and greeting people, stopping a few times to talk with familiar faces along the way. Finally, Kara places her hand at the small of Ms Grant's back to more firmly guide her over to the CATCO Magazine reception area.
Once they reach the reception area, Kara sets their bag down and pulls out her tablet. The camera is already set up and Kara tests the mic before reaching out to get Cat's attention.
Cat is on the phone trying to convince Monique's team to send her over for 5 minutes now, when she feels a hand on her arm. She looks down sharply until she realizes it's Kara trying to get her attention.
"Ms Grant, sorry, I didn't want to interrupt your call," she explains quickly. "But we need to frame you for the video interviews and test the mic," Kara says apologizing for touching her arm.
"It's fine Kara," Cat says handing her the cell phone. "Monique will be here any minute so let's set this up quickly," she adds looking over at the videographer.
Kara motions for the camera guy that they're ready and as soon as he has Cat framed in, the designer shows up.
"Cat, what happened to Steve?" Monique asks curiously.
"He wasn't available, so I decided to cover this event myself. Thank you for making time for me," Cat says leaning in to give her a light hug.
"Which is Cat Grant code for I fired him," she laughs. "Now explain to me why you are wearing Cristine Amico," Monique notes surprised. "And who is this Cat?" she asks admiring Kara.
"My assistant Kara Danvers, Monique LHuillier," Cat introduces them quickly.
"Kara, it's a pleasure to meet you," the designer says extending her hand for Kara to shake.
"We are wearing Amico because I wanted to feature an up and coming designer and she responded with enthusiasm when I called her," Cat replies subtly digging at Monique for declining the first interview request.
"Now Cat, you know that we all respond when you call," Monique points out with a warm smile.
Cat returns it pleased with her response and then they begin the interview.
"Now Cat, I have to run but promise me that the next time you and your lovely assistant need formals, you call me," Monique says before rushing off.
"Did you find Cristine Amico yet?" Cat asks when Kara hands her a glass of water.
"I found her and she's making her way to us now," Kara replies distracted by something that she's reading on the tablet.
"What are you looking at now?" Cat asks impatiently.
"The event Twitter feed," Kara replies. "It looks like we were the only media to talk with LHuillier today," she points out and steps in closer to show Cat. Cat's foot hits one of the power cords and she almost loses her balance, but Kara slips an arm around her to steady her before she falls.
"You two look lovely together," a woman's voice remarks loudly.
Cat's head whips up at the sound of Gayle Anderson's voice, her former talk show rival and long time frenemy.
"Don't be ridiculous Gayle, this is my assistant, Kara, whom you met at the correspondents dinner earlier this year," Cat snaps.
"She didn't look like this at that dinner Cat," Gayle remarks openly admiring Kara, until the young woman blushes.
"Well, I have decided to promote her to junior fashion editor," Cat points out. Kara tries not to react to this news, even though it's the first that she's heard of any promotion.
"She's perfect for it," Gayle counters. "Now are you both wearing Amico?" she asks.
"Wait are you actually interviewing me?" Cat asks abruptly.
"Well, yes. The CATCO Fashion Team is all everyone is talking about," Gayle remarks.
"Of course they are," Cat replies smugly. Then spotting the designer in question she greets her and pulls her into the frame, "Oh Cristine, we were just talking about you and these lovely gowns of yours," Cat says reaching back for Kara's hand and pulling her forward so the designer can discuss the two gowns for Gayle's segment.
Gayle looks down noting the two women holding hands and smugly smiles to herself.
Kara turns slightly to signal to their videographer to begin taping and then she subtly pulls Cat over into the frame until the camera guy gives her a thumbs up.
The duel interview between Gayle and Cat is a bit tense and a little awkward, but somehow it works out. Probably since they know each other so well, Kara notes as she thanks the designer again and reminds her of the feature story.
Finally Gayle leaves and Cat begins lolling her neck to release the tension.
"Kara," Cat calls out and then smiles when Kara wordlessly hands her two Advil and a glass of water.
"Ms Grant, CATCO and Cat Grant are trending on Twitter right now," Kara says showing her the tablet again.
"Hmm, I suppose that Gayle Anderson is to thank for that?" Cat questions.
"Well, actually I've been live Tweeting your interviews and our retweet ratio is off the charts," Kara explains.
"We did not discuss live Tweeting Kara," Cat says frowning at her.
"I'm sorry, I just assumed that we would promote on social media," Kara replies.
"No apology needed Kara," Cat snaps. "You have good instincts, which is why you're being promoted to junior fashion editor" she adds admiringly.
"Oh thank you Ms Grant," Kara replies pleased that she's actually being promoted. "Should we run through the main reception before taking our seats for the runway show?"
"Yes, I suppose. Just please try to keep us away from Gayle and if Liz is here, we should avoid her as well. I'm not inclined to do any more impromptu interviews," Cat informs her.
"Yes Ms Grant," Kara replies following the smaller woman into the crowd.
"Kara, let's get back to the suite and review the video and notes, I'd like to file this story tonight so it's online first thing in the morning" Cat says as soon as the show ends.
"Ms Grant, you need to at least walk through the afterparty and make an appearance, CATCO is still trending on Twitter and a few more photos won't hurt," Kara points out.
Cat sighs and looks down at her shoes. She took them off during the show and now she's not looking forward to putting them back on.
Kara looks down and realizes the problem. Smiling, she turns in her chair and reaches down for Cat's foot. "My sister also insists on wearing heels so that I don't tower over her and then by the end of the night, she can barely walk," Kara explains softly as she gently massages both of Cat's feet.
"Thank you Kara," Cat replies sincerely. "Please remind me not to wear 4 inch heels to one of these events again," she adds.
"Yes Ms Grant," Kara replies.
Cat leans forward and slips the heels back on and then she reaches out to steady herself as she stands up. Kara protectively slips her arm around Cat and they walk out together arm in arm as Cat outlines her strategy for getting through the afterparty quickly. Neither of them noticing that they are being photographed.
"The next fashion event will be in three months, hopefully we'll have replaced Steve by then," Cat points out as they ride up to their suite in the elevator.
"Thanks again for promoting me to junior editor," Kara replies excitedly," I won't disappoint you," she adds confidently.
"Yes, now Kara, we will run the main story with a joint byline, but your feature panel on Cristine Amico will be your byline only," Cat reminds her as the elevator opens.
Entering the suite, Cat quickly removes her shoes and Kara goes over to the mini bar and pours Cat a drink.
"You're not joining me?" Cat asks curiously as she turns on her laptop.
Kara walks back over to the bar and fixes herself a drink before returning to where Cat is sitting, but she stops in her tracks when she sees the photo on the screen of herself and Cat walking arm in arm after the show. The headline suggesting that they are far more than boss and assistant.
"This is interesting," Cat says turning the screen to show it to Kara.
"Uh, Ms Grant, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize people were photographing us," Kara apologizes nervously.
"Oh Kara, relax. It's not the first time that I've been the subject of gossip like this," Cat replies casually. "First time it wasn't true though," she adds laughing softly to herself.
Kara slips her phone out of her clutch to check her own messages and no surprise, Alex and Lucy have blown up her phone with commentary of the press coverage of her and Cat Grant. Shaking her head, Kara reaches for her glass and quickly drains her scotch.
Cat watches her curiously, "Problem Kara?"
"Uh, no just a few messages from my sister. It's nothing," Kara says setting the phone down.
"Nothing? Your sister has nothing to say about rumors that you are sleeping with your boss?" Cat says playfully.
"Um, well she knows it's not true. But she did comment on it," Kara replies honestly. "I"ll get us another drink," she adds without noticing that Cat's barely touched hers.
Kara returns with the two fresh drinks and then realizes Cat hasn't finished her first one, so she pours them together and sits down.
Cat sits amused. She's not seen Kara this flustered and certainly never seen her drink scotch like this.
Deciding to let it go, Cat watches as Kara sets up the interview links on the TV for them to edit.
Kara sits in the chair at first before realizing that she needs to be on the couch with Cat for the remote to work properly.
Cat frowns when she realizes how reluctant Kara is to be near her now.
"You know, before we get started let's change out of these dresses and change into something more comfortable," Cat suggests hoping it will help Kara to relax a bit.
A few minutes later Kara returns to their work area in yoga pants and a sweatshirt and is surprised to see Cat similarly dressed.
Cat smiles at her. "You transcribe the interviews, so we have accurate quotes. And I'll start writing the article," Cat says taking another sip of her drink.
Kara returns the smile and sits down beside Cat on the small sofa, tucking one leg under her she picks up the remote and hits play. They work side by side on the story, quickly falling into their usual routine of writing and editing. An hour flies by and Cat suddenly becomes aware of Kara's arm around her shoulder as she leans over to read what Cat is writing.
Kara reaches over to point at a particular line to suggest an edit when Cat leans back and turns to her to discuss it. Their faces are inches apart, practically breathing the same air, when Kara pulls back quickly, flushing with embarrassment at having just found herself wrapped around her boss.
Before she can apologize, Cat smiles at her. "I didn't mind," she says clearly. "And despite my cool demeanor, I am a warm person Kara. And I think that you know that, at least I would hope that you do, since you managed to have hands on me all evening," Cat nods at the tv frozen on a photo of the two of them.
Flinching at what she assumed would be a rebuke, Kara suddenly realizes what Cat has actually said.
Nervously she tries to explain, "Ms Grant, I tend to be protective of people that I care about and you're small like my sister, so in that crowd I was just trying to be helpful. I didn't mean to overstep and if I made you uncomfortable..." she begins to apologize.
"You did not overstep. Your attentiveness was and is appreciated. Actually, it's one of the reasons that I've been reluctant to promote you," Cat admits. "But now I have no choice, keeping you as my assistant isn't fair to you or even to CATCO, it's time for you to take the next step. I hadn't really considered you for the fashion department, but the last several days have made me realize that you are well suited for it... and the way you handled yourself tonight only reinforced that you are ready," she adds.
"Thank you Ms Grant," Kara says beaming a smile at her.
"Of course, I'll never find another assistant of your caliber," Cat remarks under her breath.
"I'm sure I can whip one into shape for you," Kara says confidently.
"I ordered coffee first thing, but I wasn't sure what you wanted for breakfast so I just ordered a fruit plate and fresh greek yogurt," Kara says when Cat appears at the open door to the veranda.
"Thank you," Cat replies stepping out to sit beside her assistant.
"I believe that tucking me into bed is above and beyond, Kara," Cat says slightly flushed and embarrassed to have her assistant carry her and put her to bed..
"It was a long day Ms Grant," Kara replies dismissing the comment and reaching over to pour Cat a cup of coffee.
"You are too kind," Cat answers. "I've already checked the website and the story looks great, the video links are working, you did an excellent job finishing it," she adds.
"I'm glad that you approve, I only made a few changes on the final edit, so I was confident that you did not need to look at it again," Kara remarks watching her curiously since she has yet to say anything mean or snarky.
"Now I've been thinking that we should put out a press release regarding your promotion, in order to squelch out the idle speculation surrounding us," Cat points out. "I don't want people thinking that your promotion is result of anything besides your hard work and editing skills."
"How else would I get promoted?" Kara asks innocently.
"Have you not read the headlines today Kara?" Cat asks, showing her the front page of the National City Examiner.
"Cat Grant Has Her Own SuperGirl" the headline reads and it features a photo of Kara holding a arm out to hold back a small group of photographers so Cat can pass through them easily.
"Oh God!" Kara says almost choking on her coffee.