A/N: OMG Season 2 is all set. 22 episodes plus Calista too!
Alex takes a deep breath before heading into the restaurant to meet Max. Glancing up she nods to her sister who is hovering discreetly above street level. She would never admit to feeling nervous, but she does feel naked without a gun. Although after talking with Cat Grant, Alex does feel a bit more secure in her approach to this evening. "He's quite proficient at the interview method that I like to call 'death by a thousand cuts'," Cat had explained to her. Alex smiles at the thought. She's rather proficient at the technique herself, though she hadn't really considered that he would employ such tactics.
"Well, well," Max says rising to his feet as she approaches. "Mata Hari is stunning in Dior," he adds leaning in to kiss her cheek and waving off the Maitre d, so that he can seat her himself.
"You look rather dashing, but then Armani can do that for anyone," she counters playfully.
Max feigns pain, "You wound me with your words Dr Danvers," he replies.
"Alex is fine, or Mata Hari, if you prefer," she adds playfully.
"I was a bit intrigued by your call, Alex," he says waving the waiter over. "Champagne?" Max asks her.
"Yes," she says with a small smile. Cat told her to be as agreeable as possible to throw him off.
"A bottle of Moet, 2002, if it's still available," he adds.
"Why wouldn't I want to know you better Max, you own one of the top private labs in the nation. You have the best and brightest minds in biomedical and biochemistry working for you," she replies.
"Hmm," he says sampling the Champagne and nodding to the waiter to pour it.
Watching the waiter leave, Alex picks up her glass and holds it waiting for Max to do the same. "Here's to new friendships," she proposes. He smiles back and they each take a sip.
"I still regret not recruiting you when I had the chance," Max remarks, noting her reserve and poise. She either doesn't realize how expensive this bottle of Champagne is or she's much better trained than I gave her credit for, he thinks to himself.
"It's difficult to believe that I was even on your radar, Max," Alex retorts.
"Some academics stand out more than others," he answers. "Aliens and Language: How Are Aliens Able To Understand The Many Languages on Earth. I believe that was your thesis title?"
"Wow, you know the title to my thesis?" She asks feigning surprise, but Cat warned her that he would research her.
"I've read your thesis a few times. It almost seems like you had intimate knowledge of the alien mind," he remarks.
"Well, an interest in aliens runs in my family. I'm sure that you've done a background on me and know that my mother is a scientist," she replies.
"Ah, yes. Eliza Danvers, one of the leading minds in biochemistry. Who exactly does she work for again?" he asks.
Alex frowns slightly at the mention of her mother. "You probably know more about her work and who she works for than I do Max," she answers carefully.
Max considers her response and decides to take another tack. "Well your father was a man of science as well, which explains your genetic predisposition to science, yet your sister studied art and journalism in college," he points out.
"My sister is making her own way," she counters.
"Interesting that you haven't corrected me... she is your foster sister; your parents took her in twelve years ago. Now what was that story again? I remember it was rather interesting but some what light on the details," he inquires.
"Max, I love my family, but that doesn't mean that I want to talk about them all night," she says sweetly. "Now your parents were scientists as well, right?"
"Uh, they were. But we've already had this conversation about my parents. Alex, why don't you tell me what happened to you in college that caused you to walk away for six months?" He asks.
"After eight years of intense study, I experienced a brief burnout that delayed the defense of my thesis," Alex admits, carefully taking another sip of the most expensive Champagne she's ever had.
"Is that what you call it, a momentary burnout?" He asks.
"Yes, it happens to many people, I'm hardly unique in that aspect," Alex points out.
"I disagree, I find you unique in many ways," Max says charmingly.
"Lucy, she's fine," Kara says sitting on top of a nearby building where she can still monitor the date.
"How is it going? Has she found out anything?" Lucy asks.
"I'm not sure, but she is leading him into another conversation about alien anatomy and genome mapping," Kara replies.
"Has she asked anything about meta-human testing?" Lucy questions.
"No, she has mostly talked about her own work, but she has asked him for his advice on a few things," Kara answers.
"Well, it sounds like she knows how to appeal to the male ego," Lucy remarks.
"Are you still at the DEO?" Kara asks.
"No, I'm on my way to my apartment. Let me know when she leaves, I'm supposed to meet her later to debrief," Lucy replies.
"May I drop you off?" Max asks as they exit the restaurant.
"Thank you, but that is not necessary," she says with a smile.
"Alex, I'm a gentleman. Please allow me to end our date properly by escorting you home," he replies chivalrously.
"Okay," she says glancing up slightly not wanting to draw attention to Supergirl hovering above them.
She gives the driver her address, realizing that Max probably already knows where she lives.
"I really enjoyed this evening. It's not very often that I can talk science over dinner," she replies coyly.
"Yes, I agree," Max says turning to face her. "I have to admit, this wasn't what I expected from tonight," he confesses.
"What did you expect?" She asks curiously.
"Our past encounters haven't been this relaxed or social," he points out.
"Ah, well perhaps we're beginning a new chapter," she counters.
"Hmm," he considers. Her body language says kiss me, but his brain reminds him that this is the same woman who slammed his head into a desk a few months ago.
The car slows in front of her townhouse, so she turns to him. "Thank you for a lovely evening," she says leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek.
He brings up his hand to catch her chin and lightly stops her from turning away, then he leans in and kisses her. She returns the kiss, but doesn't let it go too far.
"Hmm, I have a really early day tomorrow. But maybe we could do this again.. soon," she suggests.
"Alex, what the hell was that?" Kara says landing lightly on the balcony and storming into the room.
"It was a kiss good night, customary after a date," Alex replies sarcastically. "Look, it's not a big deal. It didn't mean anything and I'd appreciate it if you don't tell Lucy," she adds.
"You're sure that it didn't mean anything?" Kara asks confused because it certainly looked meaningful.
"I'm positive. It was just part of the game. I'll explain it when Lucy gets here," Alex retorts.
"Are you going to tell her that you suggested another date?" Kara questions.
"Kara, that was me, but undercover. I'm not interested in dating Max Lord, but letting him think that I was got him to lower his guard a little. And with any luck tomorrow when General Lane shows up to pull the project, Max won't suspect a thing," she explains.
A knock on the door indicates Lucy's arrival. Kara rushes to open the door for her and Alex prepares herself to face her girlfriend.
"Uh, wow. You look amazing," Lucy says admiring her girlfriend's dress. "And you own a pair of Louboutins? You've definitely been holding out on me Danvers," she says hesitantly.
"For the record, I'd rather be punched by Supergirl every day than wear these damn shoes again," Alex remarks glaring at the offending footwear. "Hey, I was just about to change into something more comfortable, you want to help me?" She asks Lucy.
"Ew, maybe I'll take a lap around the city... I'll be back in fifteen minutes for the debriefing," Kara says heading out to the balcony.
"Give us twenty!" Lucy jokes calling out after her.
"How did it go?" Cat asks when Supergirl lands on the balcony at CATCO.
"She says that it went well. Thanks for helping her Cat," Kara says crossing over to hug the media mogul.
"Of course, so she got what she wanted from him?" Cat asks pulling back a bit so she can see the hero's face.
"I don't know yet. We haven't done the official debriefing, when Lucy got there they wanted a moment," Kara explains, not wanting to give away her concerns.
Cat notes the concern on Kara's face, but knows her well enough by now not to press her to talk until she's ready. So instead she deflects and changes the topic.
"Hmm, speaking of moments, we haven't had a moment with you in the suit in a while," Cat says running her hands over Kara's arms, before leaning in for a kiss.
"Your date ended early?" Martine says acting surprised to see Max back in the office.
"Why are you still here?" He asks concerned that she's working late without him.
"I wanted to finish up those reports for you," she explains, not exactly the truth, since she was also monitoring the car service activity, curious as to how the date with the agent would end. "How was your evening?" she asks.
"It was good, pleasant actually. She talked quite a bit about a project that she's working on, which surprised me," he remarks.
"So she didn't ask anything about your projects?" Martine questions.
"No, she didn't," he replies. "It's almost like she actually just wanted to spend time with me," he replies, confusion evident on his face.