They were still out on the balcony when the real FBI showed up. She had become so used to dealing with the DEO pretending to be the FBI, it felt strange to actually be treated like an ordinary citizen. She hated it. They took Winn away to a secluded room where she couldn't follow. She had hoped to listen in, but her own thoughts distracted her.
Before she was Supergirl, she had dreams of exposing injustice and making a difference. There had been a daydream or two of dangerous assignments where she would undercover secrets that could save the world without her having to come out as an alien.
Becoming Supergirl changed her whole future. Supergirl had started to feel inevitable, she wondered what it would eventually cost her. Now that she had come out there was no way she could walk away. She didn't want to just give up on her career either.
When she had decided to pursue journalism and media, she hadn't been privy to the secrets of the world. She had been surprisingly sheltered for an alien from another planet. She knew things now that she knew shouldn't be exposed, but as a journalist it was her responsibility to expose them. Wasn't it? Her journalism professors would say it was.
How much truth could the world really handle though? What was safe for them to know? Was it her place to decide? She wasn't even technically a human. It was a fine line. The people deserved the truth and the chance to protect themselves, but would they just get in the way of law enforcement? Should the people really just rely on Supergirl and law enforcement?
The ethics were shaky and children were in danger, but would it be better to tell the parents or to avoid the panic? The FBI would be sure to demand their silence about the details, but she couldn't imagine they wouldn't at least warn the city of the danger they faced.
She would do her best, but wouldn't it be safer if school was canceled? How long before he struck or they found him? They couldn't just cancel school and demand everyone stay inside until he was caught.
Cat waved her over and she looked through the door to see Winn with his head in his hands. She hated this so much. She wasn't sure what to tell Cat so she skirted around the questions to her boss' immense displeasure.
A glance at Cat had her thinking about Carter. Her heart started pounding in her chest. He was about the age Winn had been when his father was caught.
"Kiera?"
"Where's Carter?"
"Did his school call?"
"No. I just uh…"
"Spit it out."
"Nothing. Nothing," Kara said, shaking her head. Cat would be the worse person to spill government secrets to. She was the Queen of All Media and she took the responsibility seriously.
Cat stood and removed her glasses. "You can't just bring up my son and not expect to explain why." Her eyes narrowed. "Especially after discussing a mass murderer with his son. Is he in danger?"
Kara shook her head and Cat stalked over to her. "Is my son in danger?" she asked, leaning into Kara personal space with a dangerous look in her eyes.
"I don't know," Kara mumbled.
"Call his school. Then call my ex. Explain that he needs to take him for his safety. He's an idiot, but he'll do it. Then I expect you back in here explaining to me what is going on."
Kara scurried out of the office to make the calls. When she had finished, Winn and the agents came out of the interview room they had been using. He looked terrified. Cat appeared at her door to watch and when they signaled for Kara to come with them, she marched over.
"Do not sign anything, Kara."
"This is a matter of national security, ma'am. She will do what is best for her country."
"A mass murderer terrorizing OUR city doesn't seem to be a matter of concern for the government, but the people of National City. They have a right to know if they are in danger." Her eyes flashed. "Or if their children are." The woman in charge stood up straighter and glared at Cat.
"I think that is for us to decide not an ambitious journalist looking to win another award," she said, glaring at Cat. The agent's look softened a little. "The city will be informed of the danger. We just don't need anyone going off half cocked," she said, looking over at Kara.
"Fine, but I'm joining you. I won't have you railroad my assistant."
"You'll be signing the NDA as well then."
"As long as it's reasonable."
"Of course, Miss Grant. We love to make accommodations for the media."
Cat's smile turned vicious and Kara knew what was coming.
"Someone get Lucy Lane," Cat barked out and someone scurried out to find her. Cat's smile never faded. "My lawyer will let us know exactly the kind of accommodations you can make."
The agent grimaced. "Fine."
"Thank you," Car murmured as they entered her office.
"For?"
"Allowing me to get Carter to safety before all of that."
"Of course, Miss Grant. If something happened to Carter…" she trailed off remembering the train. Lord had said that train would be the key to discovering her secret identity. If she were to get involved with Cat, it certainly would.
"I understand the need to avoid panic, but my son is the most important thing."
"I know," Kara said, looking at the floor. "I had a lot of fun last night." Cat turned to her. "At game night."
Cat smiled. "Don't tell Carter, but you might be my first choice for partner next time."
"Next time?"
"You just said you had fun," Cat said, settling in at her desk and putting her glasses on.
"I did."
"Carter enjoyed himself as well."
"Did you?" Kara asked.
Cat took a deep breath and leaned back, placing her hands palm down on her desk, contemplating the girl in front of her. "Close the door."
Kara blinked for a second before hurrying to shut the door. Cat had removed her glasses and was playing with her candy jar.
"Miss Grant?" Kiera said softly.
Cat looked up at her with an unreadable look. "Yes. I had fun." Cat winced at the grin that spread across Kara's lips. "But that doesn't mean anything about you know what."
"I understand, Miss Grant."
"Do you really?" Cat said, standing and coming around her desk. "Because I don't think you have any idea what you are doing."
"What do you mean?" Kara asked, tilting her head.
Cat looked out through the glass windows at the busy news floor. She usually liked seeing her employees working, but now they felt like spectators. "Follow me," she demanded as she moved toward the balcony. Kara followed like a trained puppy.
"You asked me for drinks and you are flirting," Cat said, turning on her as soon as they were through the door. Kara's mouth dropped open. "Now you are asking if I had fun. With you. I am your boss. This can't happen. Do you have any idea what this could do to your credibility? Or mine? Have you thought about any of that at all during your little daydreams? You said you needed this job. Does all of that no longer matter?"
Kara's pout made Cat soften momentarily. She gestured toward the seats and sat beside the younger woman. "I won't deny I find you attractive. We're both attractive women. This kind of tension develops sometimes, but we need to think realistically here."
"I have been."
"Really?" Cat asked. "Were you intending to stay my assistant if something were to happen between us?"
"I was hoping to take this one step at a time. See if we even worked." Kara looked at her hands. "Honestly, I thought it was a hopeless crush. I never thought it had a chance of actually happening."
"Why would it be hopeless?"
"I am your assistant and I know you think I am completely naive."
"You lack experience," Cat said, with a wave of her hand. "Is that all you thought would hold me back?"
"No," Kara stumbled over the simple word.
"I have less to hold me back than you do," Cat said simply.
"I don't think that's true."
"You are focusing too much on me and not enough on yourself." Cat leaned forward. "What you want is important, but you need to think about the consequences of getting it. Are you suddenly ready to leave CatCo?"
Kara shifted uncomfortably in her seat. If she was with Cat she wouldn't be able to hide Supergirl from her. She wouldn't be able to work with Winn and James.
"This job is important to me and I meant what I said before, but I came to realize that it was you that made me feel normal, not the job. When you were going to fire me, it was you I didn't want to lose. A job is a job, but there is only one Cat Grant." Cat preened at the compliment.
"I'm glad to hear you weren't counting on me to smooth the way for you."
"Of course not. I wouldn't do that."
"I know," Cat said, standing up and moving to the railing. "What would you even do?"
Kara stood up and joined her, looking out at the city. "You're right. I haven't thought about it in depth, but I have options. I was offered a job that day actually." Cat's head snapped in her direction. "I obviously didn't take it. It's still waiting for me if I want it." Kara focused on the city in front of her. "I don't think I would though."
"Why not?" Cat asked.
"It wouldn't make me feel normal," she said, quietly. She could feel Cat studying her face. She turned and leaned against the railing. She wondered if Cat would still make her feel normal if she knew the truth about Supergirl or if the woman would still push her to spend her life saving the day.
"Why is feeling normal so important to you?" Cat asked, just as quietly as Kara.
Kara smiled. "That would be a question I'd answer if you weren't just my boss."
Cat's eyes narrowed and a pout formed on her lips. "Would you really?" she asked.
Kara tilted her head and looked at her boss. "I would."
Cat hummed to herself. "Well, I did say I thought I should get to know you better."
"You did," Kara said. "Do you think your maybe could be a yes now?" Kara asked, taking a step closer. Cat took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
Before she could utter a word, Kara's head snapped to the left and Cat followed her just in time to watch a floor explode in a building across from them. The shock wave hit them a second later and Kara steadied her with a strong grip on her arm.
The look Kara gave her was full of panic and desperation. "Go," Cat said simply. "I had my suspicions still and this just confirms them. So just go."
"Cat. I…"
"Kara. Honestly," Cat said, rolling her eyes. Kara nodded and made for the door, but Cat grabbed her arm and she stopped.
"Cat—" Cat leant up and pressed her lips to Kara's. Kara didn't even have a chance to reciprocate before it was over.
"Be safe, Supergirl." Kara pressed her fingers to her lips and Cat pushed her lightly. "Go."
Kara rushed off and Cat looked out to the sky as she made some phone calls, waiting for the first appearance of her favorite hero.
"Look for any connection to the escapees. I'd like to blame Superman for this as much as we can. I want to show Supergirl cleaning up his messes to shut up all those asshats that think we got the second-rate hero," she said into the phone, as James rushed out onto her balcony with his camera just in time for to catch Supergirl darting by to save the day.