Chapter 3 – Strange Friends.

CatCo. 10 days later

Out of Cat's private elevator steps attorney Cynthia Marlowe. To the average human eye the beautiful dark skinned woman with shoulder length curly black hair looks perfectly human. But Kara can tell the difference - she can smell the difference. Walking past Kara Cynthia wrinkles her nose, and says in a tone only Kara can hear "Keep your Kryptonian hide in your office - I'll take care of this." Kara grits her teeth and glares at Cynthia.

Cynthia stops at Eve's desk and gives her a dazzling smile. Eve blushes, and stammers "Hello Ms. Marlowe, Ms. Grant is expecting you." Cynthia pulls out a beautifully wrapped box from her purse, and places it in front of Eve. Eve looks at the box with wide eyes. Cynthia, amused by Eve's reaction, says "Are we still on for tonight?" Eve looks at her adoringly, and says "Of course!" Cynthia smiles at her warmly. "Enjoy your prize" Cynthia says huskily, her French accent coming to the surface briefly.

Walking into Cat's office she finds Cat behind her desk typing furiously. "Hello dear!" Cynthia says cheerily. "Darling!" Cat says smiling warmly up at Cynthia. Kara now at Eve's desk listens intently to their conversation.

Kara can only hear static when Cynthia is speaking, but she manages to catch a few of Cat's words: Managing... loud... petty things. Frustrated Kara is about to walk away when she sees Cynthia take Cat's hand. Kara's hand instinctively forms into a fist while her breathing becomes rapid and shallow. As Cynthia bows her head Kara steps towards the door. "Hey sis - ready for lunch?" comes Alex's voice from behind her. Kara, clinches her jaw, and turns around to smile gently at her sister. "Yes" is all she says.

Inside Cat's Office.

"So how are the symptoms?" Cynthia asks quietly. "I'm managing. Everything feels so loud. I'm tense all the time and the rage... at the most petty things!" Cat says with disgust. Cynthia leans forward and takes Cat's hand. She slips a red bracelet that looks like it's made of human hair on Cats left wrist. Cynthia then bends her head slightly and blows on the bracelet. Cat feels a slight burning then the bracelet disappears. She looks down at her wrist and smiles at the freckled pattern. She can feel a steadiness wash over her body...

CatCo. A week ago Tuesday.

Eve looks at her watch: 7 pm. She finishes off a few emails to be sent the next day, and begins shutting down her computer. Looking up she can sense someone in the shadows. Standing she peers into the darkness to find a pair of glowing yellow eyes. She blinks twice to see a beautiful dark face emerging from the shadows. "Did I startle you?" A warm and inviting voice says.

The face is now integrated into the body of the most stunning woman Eve has ever seen. Eve blushes and finds her words slowly. "No?" She blinks rapidly again. Are her eyes yellow? And what is that smell – cinnamon? Is she floating? Eve thinks to herself. "Sorry for staring but you're just so - " The intercom suddenly interrupts her. "Stop harassing my guest Ms. Teschmacher and send her in!" Shaking herself out of her trance, Eve responds "Right away Ms. Grant!"

Cynthia smiles and extends her hand. "It was a pleasure meeting you Eve. Please call me Marlowe, Cynthia Marlowe." Eve grasps her hand nervously. Cynthia's hand is warm with medium length glass like nails. "Were did you get your nails done?" Eve asks in awe, Cynthia chuckles. "Have a good night Eve" she says letting go of the blonde's hand. As Cynthia glides into Cat's office she throws a seductive glance over her shoulder - Eve catches it, and falls limply back into her chair.