"Mom!" Carter ran across the restaurant, throwing his arms around her waist, hugging her like he'd never let her go again. Cat squeezed him tight, burying her face in his hair, kissing the top of his head, holding back tears as best she could, even though they had secured the back room at one of her favorite little cafes in National City.
"God," she breathed, clutching him harder to her chest. "How could you possibly grow so much in a week and a half? You must be two inches taller."
"Nah," he shied away. "You just missed me. That's all."
He turned to Kara next, giving her a hug almost as generous as the one he gave his mom.
"Hi Carter," she smiled.
Cat looked at the two of them, unable to stop the soft grin from making it's way across her cheeks.
"What are you doing here?" he asked excitedly. "Where's Supergirl?"
"Oh she's watching," Kara informed him, looking out the window towards the sky. "Patrolling the city from above, making sure nothing goes wrong."
"It must suck not being able to just eat lunch like a regular person," he frowned.
"Yeah…" Kara sighed. "I'm sure it does. But hey, I'll eat enough for both of us. Besides, I'm happy to see you!"
"I'm happy to see you too," he smiled, taking a seat next to his mom.
"So, what have you been up to?" Cat asked as she spread her napkin across her lap. "How's school? I hope your father hasn't been letting you slack on homework."
"School's fine," Carter reported. "I've been working on a robotics project based on some of Maxwell Lord's final research."
Cat and Kara both froze. They hadn't thought about Max in the past few days, and both felt a bit guilty for it, though Cat had been in touch with some of his board members about setting up a memorial fund or monument downtown in his honor.
"That's great," Cat swallowed, taking a sip of her water. "I know he inspired you. I'm sure it's not easy…"
"Yeah," Carter sighed. "I feel really bad about it. What's gonna happen now? With his company? Who's going to take over?"
"It hasn't been decided," Cat said. "But who knows. Maybe one day, you will."
"I don't know," Carter shook his head. "I'd have to get into a really good college first."
"Why wouldn't you?" Kara chimed in. "You're super smart! Anything's possible."
"We'll see," he smiled, blushing a little.
They continued to talk about school and Carter's extra curriculars as they ate. He was majorly impressed with how many pancakes Kara could put away.
"Does every meal have to be a contest with you?" Cat scolded, taking another bite of her nicoise salad, eyeing Kara across the table.
"Not every meal," Kara continued to chew, eyes narrowing, careful not to be too playful, knowing Carter was very perceptive.
"What have you been up to, mom?" he finally asked. "What's living with Supergirl like?"
Cat tried not to choke on her water, dabbing her mouth with her napkin before turning back to her plate.
"Fine," she smiled. "Nothing unusual, really, other than the obvious."
"Does she live in a cave?"
"Why does everyone always think that?" Kara blurted. "I mean...she's just a normal girl, like anyone else, except for her powers."
"And being an alien," Carter reminded. "And I'm sure she has all kinds of cool gadgets and weapons in case she needs them."
"Not really," Kara shook her head. "She's pretty much got all she needs in these."
She held up her hands, then dropped them down against the table, forgetting herself, realizing she needed to play it much, much cooler.
"How do you know so much about her?" Carter asked curiously. "I mean...I know you've met her, but…"
"She's friends with your mom," Kara answered. "And...any friend of your mom is...a friend of mine."
Cat glanced at her sharply, kicking her a little under the table. Kara scrunched up her nose, pressing down her squeak, before going back to her pancakes.
"That's cool," Carter smiled. "I know she doesn't need that much help with extra tech. That's why I like her."
"Yeah?" Kara asked, a little too excitedly.
"Yeah," Carter nodded. "I mean...that and...she's really nice. And pretty."
Cat sighed, smirking at Kara, shaking her head as she took another bite.
After lunch, they waited outside for Carter's ride to show up, his father sending a town car for him, per usual, rather than facing his ex-wife. Cat couldn't blame him.
"When can I come home?" Carter asked, hugging his mother again as the car pulled up to the curb.
"Soon, sweetie," she sighed, rubbing his back. "I have to buy us a new home first. And fill it with some of the things we lost."
"As long as you're there, I don't care what else we have," Carter squeezed tighter.
Cat couldn't stop the tears now. She quickly wiped them away, wanting to stay strong for his sake.
"Soon," she told him again. "Why don't you look through the real estate listings, send me some ideas?"
"Okay," he breathed, letting go, turning to Kara.
"I'll tell Supergirl you said hi," she smiled. "I'm sure it'll make her day to know how much you like her."
"Don't make it weird," he shook his head.
Kara laughed hard at that, hearing some of Cat in his tone for the first time.
"I won't make it weird," she scoffed. "I promise."
"Thanks," he smiled, hugging her again before pulling away. "And don't worry. I like you too, you know."
Kara beamed back at him, heart spilling over with how sweet and smart and kind he was.
"Love you, mom!" he waved as he got into the car.
"Love you," she sniffed.
As the driver pulled away, she threw on her sunglasses, digging through her purse as they waited for their own car to pull up on the side of the building, away from the more heavily populated sidewalk.
"He's such a great kid," Kara continued to shine as she looked at Cat. "And you're an amazing mom."
"Thanks," Cat sighed. "It doesn't feel like it right now. And I'm afraid that's two sons of mine with crushes on you."
"Oh god," Kara shook her head. "Let's just hope he grows out of it."
Cat smirked a little as they continued to watch for their car, but Kara could tell something else was bothering her. She hoped it was just missing Carter, worrying about him, but as the silence continued on their ride back to the apartment, she started to get more concerned. She knew Carter's crush on her wasn't a huge deal, nor was Adam's for that matter. They'd deal with all of that when the time came. But Cat appeared to be more troubled by the second.
When they walked through the door, she dropped her purse on a stool before going straight to the kitchen, pouring herself a shot of whiskey, downing it, before pouring another full glass, sipping this time, keeping her eyes planted on the counter.
"Cat," Kara finally spoke, playing a little with the belt buckle on her dress as she approached. "What's..."
"What?" Cat looked up, broken from her reverie, taking another sip as she spun around to the table.
"What's wrong?" Kara swallowed.
"Nothing," she insisted, taking another long sip, rubbing her neck as she stretched. "I just...felt like a drink. I miss the decanter in my office."
"Maybe…" Kara began again. "We can go back...to the office. Soon."
"Well," Cat sighed, tracing her hand across the wooden butcher block. "Considering the board continues sending emails asking when the cut off is for selecting an interim CEO, not to mention editor-in-chief, I should hope so. I've done all I can to keep things running, and James...has been a big help, but I can only stave them off for so long."
Kara bit her lip, resting her fingertips against the table, tracing the pattern of the wood.
"It will all be okay," she tried to assure. "Just...give it a few more days, then...I'm sure we'll…"
"What?" Cat looked up at her, eyes still full to the brim. "What will we do, Kara?"
"I don't…" she faltered. "I don't know...what do you mean?"
"You really think we can keep going like this?" she breathed. "I have a son. I have to find us a place to live, together. Then...what? Do you come over every so often, steal in through the window at night after he's gone to sleep, so we can...keep the world from falling apart?"
"I know you have a son," Kara told her, steadily. "I adore your son. I would like to be there for him too, as much as I…"
"How are you going to be there?" Cat shrugged. "Do I explain to him that his mother's sleeping with one of her employees, or do I tell him I'm dating the elusive superhero he's obsessed with? How does any of this..."
"I don't know!" Kara finally yelled. "I didn't...I didn't think about how everything would work when…"
"That's right. You didn't," Cat sighed, eyes burning as she held on to her whiskey, pacing. "Neither did I. And now here we are, charged with saving the world again, only this time, it's not a quick and easy solution. It's not just something we do once, even twice, and everything's solved. It's more than that, a whole...life...potentially...of me pleasing you and you pleasing me, not just for each other, but for everyone else. It's life or death, for us and every living thing connected to us."
"I'm sorry," Kara shook her head. "No...you know what? I'm not sorry! I won't apologize for how I feel, not anymore. I wanted this. I wanted you, and I would have wanted you even if there wasn't some crazy, larger purpose to it. That I didn't ask for. That's just part of who I am, of who we are, the sad, twisted paradox that is my life!"
Cat remained silent, face red as she listened.
"All I've ever wanted was to be normal," Kara swallowed. "To find a job I felt passionate about. Be with someone who made me feel like I do right now. I know that might sound ridiculous, or cliche, but it's true. I didn't want to be a hero, but that's who I am, and some days I love it and some days I wish I was still back on Krypton, where I didn't have the burden of being so strong. But the past few days...I've missed Krypton less than I ever have, because I finally feel like maybe, just maybe, I can have all the things I wanted. I can have that normal, fulfilling life that everyone talks about but not everyone gets to have. And I won't run away from it."
"In what fantasy world could I possibly be your chance at 'normal?'" Cat balked. "You're twenty four years old. I'm over fifty. I have a son, two sons, technically, and I've got the whole world watching, waiting to seize whatever details they can about my personal life and use them to tear me down, like they do with any successful woman, waiting for me to fall. What do you think they'd do with this, huh? What will they do when they find out I'm an empath, or that I've somehow fooled myself into thinking I can do my job, raise my son, and moonlight as some kind of supernatural sex muse? How is any of that even close to 'normal?'"
"Because," Kara breathed, tears falling down her cheeks. "All of those things, every one of them, that you mentioned...are exactly the reasons why I love you."
Kara's breath caught at her own words, chest pounding, shoulders freezing up as she realized what she'd said.
Cat stood very still, jaw clenched, lips pressed together, breathing through her nose, eyes set afire as she stared back.
"You love me?" Cat whispered, swallowing as she continued to stand firm, hands on hips, holding her drink so tight that the ice cubes rattled against the glass.
"Yes," Kara breathed. "I love you. I have loved you...before I even knew I had a chance. Before I knew I loved you like I do now, back when you were just my boss, and I was just your assistant. I love the way you've fought, so hard, to be the person you are today, even though you had so many people telling you you couldn't. I love...your heart...how it shines through even when you're not wanting it to. I love your strength, your conviction, the way...you arrange your food on your plate before you eat it. How you play with your glasses and walk into a room like you know everyone's watching, and...the way you call people out for being sexist. How much you care. And how much you love Carter. How you save all the articles you've written, the ones you like most, to a special folder on your computer, and…"
She took a breath as Cat stepped closer, putting her drink on the table, pacing forward, one foot before the other, until she was standing so close.
"That folder...isn't just for things...that I wrote…" she whispered. "It has other coverage, photos...mostly of you."
Kara exhaled, looking down at her feet, then back into Cat's eyes, as she took a step closer.
"I wasn't going to mention that."
"Well," Cat swallowed. "You should. Because I look at that folder whenever I need a break from the rest of the news, when I need to feel like the world isn't actually crumbling. I look at that...and I look up, at you. Or at least I did, before I moved you to your new office, which, by the way, was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do…but I did it. Because I wanted what's best for you, and because...because I love you too."
Kara sighed, tears streaming as she inched ever closer, bringing her forehead to Cat's, leaning in, as she reached for her hands.
"And that...more than anything...terrifies me," Cat shook her head. "Because it feels impossible, and because...I don't want to fuck it up. I've never been successful...in relationships...but I've also never felt like this. And I'm just so, so scared...of fucking it up. Not just because if we do, the world might end tomorrow...but because...I do love you...like I've never loved anyone."
Kara ran her fingers over her cheek, brushing against the bone, tracing her smile lines, bringing her other hand to her face, thumbing against her lips as they parted. She leaned forward, meeting her lips as she kissed her, feeling Cat's hands against the small of her back, pressing against her as their lips did the work, sweeping and lapping and folding together, over and over, as their noses met and their tongues searched and slipped.
Kara wrapped her arms around Cat's waist, pulling her closer, as if it were even possible. Cat breathed her in, soaking up the truth, the warm, tantalizing veracity of Kara's love, shaking as she allowed herself to really feel it, to know it as fact, something she couldn't rationalize or hide from or explain away. It was all there, in every kiss, every heartbeat.
Kara drove them back through the living room, stumbling against the coffee table, over the rug, against the couch, pushing Cat down until she was seated and straddled. She refused to let up from her mouth, tracing her lips with her tongue, running her hands through her gold waves. She trembled at the way Cat shook in her arms, opening her eyes between kisses, green, glowing orbs sparkling up at her, filled with gratitude and certainty, languishing as Kara worked at the buttons on her navy blouse, undoing the latches before sliding the silk open.
She dove in with her hands, taking a handful of breast and lace, holding it like it was the most precious thing in the world, because it was. She moved her lips to Cat's neck, licking and teasing her way down to her collarbones, continuing to undo each button all the way to her stomach, before tracing her fingers over soft, tense abs.
Cat gasped, digging her nails into Kara's back.
"I'm...relieved...this isn't just sex..." she breathed. "But...even if it was...I'd take it…"
Kara laughed against her neck, biting down on her skin, just enough to feel how soft it was, sending shivers through Cat's body, into her clenching sex, into her knees and her calves and her toes. She took Cat's hands, looking at them closely, her knuckles, her rings, the way her pinkies bent a little from writing so much, kissing them gently, reverently.
"No one's ever looked at me like that…" Cat whispered. "The way you do."
Kara smiled broadly, kissing her fingers again, bringing them to her lips, before taking off her glasses, slowly sliding off her lap and onto the floor, kneeling before her, looking up from below.
"I want you to feel...worshipped," she breathed, reaching for the zipper at Cat's side, sliding it down her leg. "I want you to feel...how much...I love you...with all your senses…"
Cat closed her eyes, seeing red, feeling Kara's love and lust and admiration swimming before her, penetrating her skin like ultraviolet light, filling her up with joy and desire, as Kara slid her tan skirt down her legs.
"I want you...to tell me," Kara kissed her knees, resting her head against them before pushing them apart, running her fingers down to her heels, sliding them off, tossing them out of the way. "Tell me everything you feel...emotionally...and…"
She ran her tongue from the inside of her knee, up across her thigh, towards her panties, stopping there, hovering, hot breath dampening the lace, see-through fabric. Cat's head fell back against the sofa, fingers tangling in Kara's hair, pulling a little against her roots.
Kara grabbed onto the lace. Cat raised her hips, swallowing as she became exposed, as she watched Kara watching her, keeping her eyes glued to her as she continued sliding it down her legs, pulling it off over her feet, planting her lips there, causing Cat to laugh again.
"So ticklish," Kara smirked, tracing her fingernails back up her legs, spreading them apart, pulling Cat's hips towards the edge of the couch.
"Just...my feet," Cat insisted, barely able to make out the words as Kara brought her nose to the hair between her legs, rubbing it there gently, finding another spot, proving a point.
"You smell...so good," Kara closed her eyes, just barely letting her lips run over the patch.
"What…" Cat's mouth hung open as she rolled her neck. "What do I...smell like…"
"Like you," Kara whispered. "But more of you…"
"And that's..." Cat asked. "Good?"
Kara answered by darting out her tongue, running it across her slit. Cat's feet rose off the ground, wrapping around Kara's back as she closed her eyes again, gripping onto the sage green cushions. Kara dove in deeper, licking her tight folds, sending her tongue into her core.
"Aaaaaaangggh," Cat rolled her hips, fingers digging into Kara's long, luscious locks. "Ohgod…"
Kara pressed further inside, tasting her fully, using her hands to keep her steady and spread. She kept her eyes open, watching the way Cat's face contorted as she licked her, the way she shivered.
"You taste…" she breathed between licks. "Even better…"
"Like…" Cat could only get out one syllable that time.
"Like..." Kara whispered against her skin. "...I knew you would. Like the earth..."
She ran her tongue up over her taut, slippery flesh, teasing.
"Tell me what you feel," she murmured against her pink, delicate lips, licking up and up, until she landed on her clit.
"Unnngghh," Cat moaned as she squirmed. "I fee...I feel...all of you…"
"Yeah?" Kara pressed deeper, closing her lips around her throbbing, drenched skin as she sucked in, circling her nub, lapping it up.
"Yes," Cat swallowed, taking in as much breath as she could, while she could. "Ahhhhnngg…"
Kara began to lick furiously, hungrily, as Cat relaxed into it, knowing she was on the verge, knowing she could come so quickly, so easily, but wanting to enjoy it for as long as she could.
Kara's tongue went faster, faster, edging towards a level no human could have provided. Cat's legs spread wider, heels digging against Kara's shoulder blades.
"Ohggggoooddd," she sighed sharply. "Yesss...unnngh…."
Kara fed her all the things she wanted to say through her tongue, speeding up as she tasted her heat, salty, heavenly, until Cat's legs were shaking, head thrashing against the back of the couch, hands gripping until she was practically screaming.
"Uuuuunnnnggh!" she finally burst as she came, body convulsing forward, hands falling into Kara's hair as she continued to lick a few moments longer, slowing down, until she stopped.
She wiped her mouth against the back of her hand before standing, smoothing out her yellow dress, climbing back into Cat's lap. She held her closely, pushing some sweaty locks behind her ear, before kissing her again.
"Hmmm," Cat murmured against her lips. "I do taste good. Not as good as you, of course, but...I'm only human."
Kara laughed, nuzzling her cheek, her neck, before returning to her lips. She kept kissing her, unable to get enough, moving her hands into her hair again.
"If this is how we have to save the world," Kara panted in her ear. "I don't think we'll have a problem."
"No," Cat shook her head. "But I'm afraid we may need to hire a gardener for your apartment."
Kara laughed, looking up to witness what they'd created. It was less than before, though ivy still covered most of the windows and a rose bush broke through the floorboards between the kitchen and the dining room table.
"Maybe it's getting more focused," Kara pondered. "I mean...the rainforests need it more than we do."
"That would be something," Cat stroked her cheek.
"Anyway, I'm not that attached to this apartment," she sighed. "I mean...I love it, don't get me wrong, but...I could be persuaded to give it up...one day."
"I see," Cat breathed. "Well, you'd better hold onto it for now. At least until I can find something more suitable."
"A penthouse?" Kara suggested. "Overlooking the bay?"
"Really?" Cat smirked. "You're going to be picky?"
"About some things," Kara teased her ear with her tongue. "But honestly...I can do this...anywhere…"
Cat's eyelids fluttered. She reached up into Kara's hair again, relishing the feeling of long, blonde curls against her fingers, falling through, tickling her collarbones. Kara opened the rest of her blouse as Cat allowed her to slide it down her arms, before turning to the buckle on Kara's belt, undoing it hastily, sending it to the floor.
She pushed them both up off the couch, locking her arms around the younger woman, kissing hungrily as she guided them towards the bedroom. Kara backed her up against the brick wall, feet getting caught in the curtains, kissing her deeply, tongue greedy and tortured, taking all she could. She held Cat's face, panting against her skin, digging fingers into her hair, before trailing them back down between her legs, cupping, squeezing, sending Cat's head back against the brick, eyes closed.
She exhaled sharply, pushing them off the wall, sending Kara back against the bench at the foot of her bed. She fell onto it as Cat reached for the hem of her dress, pulling it up and over her head, arms stretched through the yellow cotton, until it was gone, and she was left in her gray cotton bra and panties, leaning back against the bed, scooting up as she let Cat peruse her long legs and sculpted waist, the swell of her breasts, hair loose and full and spread against the comforter.
Cat sauntered towards her, biting her lip as she climbed onto the bed.
"Off," she whispered, eyeing Kara's underwear, voice so commanding in that way even the Girl of Steel could never refuse.
Kara pushed the cotton down her hips and kicked them off with her feet, letting Cat climb up her body, dragging her hands up her thighs, her stomach, her chest, until she reached her face, kissing her lips as Kara wrapped her arms behind neck.
"Please…" Kara whispered, smirking against Cat's ear. "Ms. Grant...I…
Cat couldn't help but smile wickedly at Kara's teasing.
"Yes?" she breathed. "What is it? Tell me what you…"
"I need you..." Kara pulled her closer, grabbing her shoulders, trailing her lips up over her mouth without kissing her fully. "...to fuck me…"
Cat swallowed, diving back in, kissing her intently, as she smoothed her hands over Kara's stomach, down between already spread legs, gasping at just how soaking wet she was.
She teased her fingers through Kara's skin until she found her opening, and then with eyes firmly locked onto hers, pushed inside with two fingers.
"Aaaahh," Kara breathed, hugging her against her chest.
"Is that too much?" Cat whispered.
"Nooo," Kara panted. "Please…"
Cat began pumping her fingers in and out, amazed at how warm and wet and perfect Kara felt around her, just like she'd imagined, only better. She found her pace, speeding up to a rhythm Kara responded to by thrusting back against her hand, making soft, desperate noises as she sat up, keeping Cat's fingers inside, kneeling onto the bed as Cat pushed up into her from below.
Cat knelt as well, allowing Kara to slide her own hand underneath her, reciprocating the motion, filling her up with one hand while holding on firmly with the other. The two continued to pummel inside each other's open, weeping caverns, breath heavy and labored as they kissed and licked each other's lips. Cat's eyes closed, neck arching back as she allowed Kara to move within her, as she continued slipping and curling her fingers, finally pushing her back down against the pillows.
"You're such a top," Cat sighed as she laughed. "I...don't mind it...but…"
"You can top me…" Kara breathed. "Please...I just...need to keep...touching…"
She reached up and grabbed her breasts, her waist, holding on tight as Cat continued to thrust, very, very slowly, leaning down to her ear.
"Turn around," she whispered.
Kara's breath caught. Cat felt her tighten around her fingers, responding to her brazenness, nipples going harder against her flesh beneath her bra.
"Is that…" Cat swallowed. "If you...you want to…"
Kara sat up, kissing her harder, grabbing her hair and her neck and her cheeks, blue eyes penetrating Cat's green stare before pulling back, out of breath and smirking as she slowly turned onto her side, then up on all fours, keeping contact with Cat's hand the entire time, until she was facing the headboard, hands buried in the pillows, back arched, ass up like an offering. She had never done this before, with anyone else, but with Cat, she felt strength in letting go, power in surrender.
Cat's mouth fell open. She ran her free hand down the length of Kara's spine, feeling every vertebra, marveling at every muscle moving beneath her tan skin. She pushed her fingers deeper within her dripping, quavering center, sliding in, licking her own lips at how good it felt, at every ridge and swollen, pulsing inch she could feel as Kara rode her hand, pushing back against it. Cat stretched up on her knees, gripping one of Kara's tight, rounded cheeks, taking a handful, squeezing hard as she dipped in and out, the smacking, slippery sound making her head spin.
"Oh god…" Kara moaned as she took her in. "Cat...aaangh…"
Cat leaned forward again, feeling up beneath Kara's body, squeezing her breasts, feeling her heart, before trailing her fingers up to her mouth, allowing her to suck them in, licking, before she dragged them down again to her chest, keeping hold of her, letting her know she had her, as she sped up the pace. She felt Kara tense around her until her fingers were practically forced out, back arching, voice straining. Finally, she brought her other hand to her clit, flicking it just barely.
"Aaaaannnngghh," Kara breathed, thrusting her hips back a few more times, until she fell against the pillows.
Cat collapsed against her back, sliding up along her body, face against cheek, kissing her gently, again and again, before Kara flipped them over, eyes still hungry and pleading. Cat continued to rub her, bringing her fingers back to her plump, swollen folds, massaging her thumb against her pulsing node until Kara was squeezing her shoulders, body shaking, breath rising, voice high and deep, until she came again, dousing Cat's hand with a small burst of liquid, as the tremors began to reside.
Kara shot up, looking down at the wet sheets, at Cat's hand, throwing her arm over her eyes.
"Oh god…" she groaned. "I'm...sorry...I…"
"Are you kidding?" Cat huffed, falling next to her, still catching her breath as she wiped her hand against the blanket and rolled over onto her side, tracing fingernails across Kara's stomach. "Don't you dare apologize. That was brilliant."
"I…" Kara swallowed. "At least it wasn't as much as...the first time…"
Cat's eyes narrowed a little, grimacing as she propped herself up on an elbow.
"And who...or...nevermind, don't tell me, it's none of my…"
"No one," Kara shook her head. "I mean...I have slept with other people, but...no one's ever made me come, except you. And myself...thinking about you. When I did it, the first time, last week, I...let's just say, I'm glad I didn't drown you."
Cat snorted, bringing her hand to her mouth.
"Well…" she breathed. "That's flattering. If I could do that, I don't think I'd do anything else."
"Yes you would," Kara smirked, taking her hand, bringing it to her mouth.
"Okay, there are some things I'd still do," Cat breathed. "Take that, James Olson."
Kara threw her hands over her face again, turning pink, before rolling onto her side, taking Cat in her arms, smiling at her with eyes as deep as the ocean.
"God," Kara shook her head. "Don't bring that up."
"It doesn't bother me, really," Cat clarified. "I mean...clearly, I'm here, with you, and he's...not."
"Yeah," Kara sighed as she smiled. "You are here. With me."
She kissed Cat's pouty lips, stroking her hair, feeling her small frame within her arms again, thanking whatever forces made this possible.
"Oh god," she bit her lip. "Winn's not gonna know what to do with himself when he finds out."
Cat's face fell a bit, turning more serious.
"I don't think..." she began. "...we should tell...anyone else...just yet."
"Oh," Kara frowned, taken aback a bit before realizing the assumption she'd made. "Right. I guess...there is a lot to think about."
"There is," Cat swallowed.
"So…" Kara sighed. "You think we should keep this...our...relationship...a secret?"
"For now, at least," Cat nodded. "There's a lot to consider. How to keep it from the press, keep your identity from not becoming compromised, continue working...together...without it being a distraction, for us and other employees. Not to mention the board..."
"I get it," Kara breathed. "I guess...I was just so happy...I got caught up in the moment. But you're right. Reality is definitely more complicated."
"I'm not saying never," Cat sighed. "God knows I'd love to walk into the next Siegel Awards with you on my arm, but...to open you up, to all the questions, the digging into who you are...I'm afraid…"
"But Winn would never tell anyone," Kara shook her head. "And James…"
"Kara," Cat looked at her softly. "I know. Trust me, I'm not ashamed, I just...I've taken a huge leap, already, and I'm not sure I'm prepared, yet, to be so...exposed...in front of the people I'm supposed to lead. I know you're not just an employee, not only my former assistant, but...these things may still a scandal make. I want to be ready, in case there's fallout. I wouldn't want any of it coming down on you, and I'd like to minimize the damage to CatCo as much as I can. Does that make sense?"
"Yes," Kara sighed. "It does."
"Thank you," Cat whispered, kissing her forehead while continuing to trace her nails against her arm.
"You can't blame me though," Kara smiled, caressing her cheek. "Can you?"
"No," Cat smirked, burying her fingers in her hair.
"I don't know how people do it," Kara rolled onto her back, musing up at the ceiling. "Celebrities I mean. All the cameras, the attention, constantly sticking their lenses into people's personal lives. Not to mention the rumors, the lies. I mean, I know you get some of it, and so do I...but...I'm thankful for my life as Kara, the moments when people don't care who I am as much."
"It's not humanity's best side," Cat huffed. "Of course, I made a career out of it. Really, it's no different from me sending James out to take photos of Supergirl doing...whatever I can get my hands on."
"At least James knows when to practice discretion," Kara added. "He's never gone after Clark when he and Lois were on a date."
"Why would anyone care what Lois Lane and Clark Kent do when they're not saturating the papers with mediocre…"
Cat froze, eyes wide as she was hit with yet another truth. She sat up a little, thinking, before looking quizzically at Kara, who had her hand over her mouth, shaking her head, realizing what she'd done.
"Clark Kent..." Cat breathed. "...is Superman?"
"Cat, I shouldn't have said anything."
"He is," she nodded. "Wow. That makes...no sense and total sense, I suppose."
"Please," Kara bit her lip, sitting up. "I...we can't expose him."
"Why would I ever expose him?" Cat offered. "I wouldn't expose you, so why would I do it to him? I know anonymity is part of what helps you keep our cities safe. I wouldn't jeopardize that. But this is the juiciest break I've had in some time. Unfortunately, I'm cursed with a conscience, so no, I won't reveal him to the world. Your secrets, and your cousins, are safe with me. And besides...it would be pretty shitty of me to use information I gained from you in bed. Not that that's stopped me with people in the past, but, clearly...you're different."
"Thank you," Kara exhaled relief, falling back against the sheets, grabbing Cat's hand, pulling her down into her nook.
"But…" Cat's wheels continued to turn. "Maybe there's still a way to use your inside scoop to our advantage."
"You already have dibs on anything that's safe for the public eye," Kara assured. "That hasn't changed."
"I would hope not," Cat smirked. "But I'm not talking about reporting this time. We need to give you a platform."
"Like…a blog or something? As Supergirl?"
"Or a column," Cat pondered. "I'll consider it. That is, if you're interested."
"I think I would be," Kara nodded. "Alex would hate it, but…"
"What is the deal with Alex?" Cat huffed. "I understand she's your sister, but she really needs to lighten up."
"She can be light!" Kara defended. "I know she's protective, but...I think it's because her dad...our dad, told her to watch out for me as a kid, as we grew up, and then…"
She held her breath for a minute, thinking through whether she should tell Cat the truth about Jeremiah, figuring there wasn't any harm. If this was going to work, they would have to be completely honest with each other.
"He…" Kara continued. "Jeremiah Danvers...we thought he was killed, during a mission for the DEO, but...it turns out he's still alive."
"How do you know this?" Cat shook her head.
"Hank," Kara went on. "He…"
She began to realize just how many secrets there still were between them.
"What?"
Kara sighed, turning towards her again.
"If I tell you…" she breathed. "I need to know...my immunity from the press extends to those closest to me."
Cat rolled her eyes, pulling away a little.
"Honestly, Kara," she sighed. "If you don't know that already, I..."
"No. You're right...I do," Kara nodded. "So, in that case...Hank...well, he's…"
"Not from Earth?" Cat smirked.
"Mars actually," Kara scowled. "How did you…"
"I picked up on something when he was examining me at the DEO," she smiled. "I didn't know what exactly. He just seemed...other worldly. He had a way of seeing into me that most people don't."
"That makes sense," Kara exhaled. "You're an empath, and he can read minds."
"Really?" Cat looked excited. "Fascinating."
"Yeah," Kara said. "He saw a flash of my father alive, in a place called Project Cadmus, a secret government lab. But we still don't know where it is or why they would keep him there all these years."
"I see," Cat swallowed. "Well, if I can put any of my investigative reporters on it, let me know."
"I hadn't thought about that," Kara mused. "Thanks."
"I can't promise anything," Cat clarified. "But...if there's something there...I'd like to help find it. Maybe that will get me into Alex's good graces."
"Don't worry about Alex," Kara smiled, shaking her head. "She'll warm up to you. I know she will."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Cat breathed. "I know I'm not everyone's proverbial cup of tea. I've accepted that."
"Trust me," Kara held her. "Once she realizes this...is real...how sweet you really are...she won't be able to resist. No one can."
"Great," Cat rolled her eyes, smirking. "You're determined to ruin my reputation for pain and punishment, aren't you?"
"Hmmm," Kara buzzed, swiping her fingers across Cat's skin, playing with the soft spot between her arm and breast. "Pain and punishment...doesn't sound...that bad."
Cat's breath caught as she shifted under Kara's touch, letting her hands wrap around her back.
"Well," Cat sighed. "Someone's got a penchant for kink I wasn't expecting."
"I didn't say that," Kara gawked, appearing scandalized. "I was just being playful."
"It's alright," Cat breathed, feeling for the latch on Kara's bra, snapping it open. "Pain...and pleasure...tend to go together quite nicely."
"True," Kara whispered, pulling the straps of Cat's bra down her arms, peeling it back, taking a nipple between her fingers, pinching, pulling the taut, wound bud. Cat hissed, closing her eyes as she rolled her neck and sunk a little deeper into the mattress.
"God," Cat gasped pleasantly. "What have I gotten myself into?"
She pressed Kara down against the bed, straddling her again, proving she could keep up as she bent down, flinging the lingerie away, sucking her breasts, teasing a nipple with her teeth.
"I think..." Kara exhaled, arching her back. "...you like it."
"That's an understatement," Cat breathed against her skin, allowing herself to be flipped, Kara licking and sucking her breasts as she writhed.
She pulled up moments later, mouth wet and red, panting as she ran her thumb against Cat's cheek.
"You know…" Kara sighed. "We really should...take some time to just...talk. I mean...there's still so much to say, so much...I don't know...about where you come from. I...I want to know..."
"There's plenty of time for that," Cat smiled. "Right now...this is what the world needs."
Kara bit her lip, grinning broadly, before kissing her again, diving head first, letting their bodies sync together, like they were made to do.