"Ms Grant, Carter." Kara smiled as she entered Cat's lounge where Cat and Carter were sitting on a couch, Carter snuggled against his mother's side.
"Kara!" Carter beamed as he looked over at the door.
"If this is a bad time I can come back." Kara offered.
"It's fine." Cat said before looking at Carter and suggesting. "Carter, why don't you do your homework?" Cat suggested.
"Okay." He answered clearly disappointed about having to leave. As he walked to the door he stopped by Kara and asked. "You won't leave without saying goodbye will you?"
"Of course not." She smiled.
"Good. See you later then." He added, shutting the door as he left.
"How are you feeling?" Kara asked Cat as she sat down.
"Angry."
"I am so sorry I didn't work out something was wrong earlier." Kara immediately started to apologise.
"Why would you have done? I told you I needed time away, I went away. Besides you have had your hands full here. Especially with your A-list social network. I hear you now have two new b. , Lena Luthor and Supergirl. It is interesting how you never mentioned a connection with Supergirl all the times I was after an exclusive and whenever I asked to meet her you always said it was James who arranged the meetings."
"It's a recent thing."
"I don't think so. From what I hear it is as if you two have been connected since birth." Cat said pinning Kara with a silent stare for a few seconds before adding. "I also find it interesting, with your connection to Supergirl, that you can balance a friendship with a Luthor."
"She's not her brother."
"Her brother isn't the only bad Luthor." Cat warned. "But maybe your faith will pay off, just be careful."
"I will." Kara said before asking. "Is there anything I can get you?"
"Your job is not to look after me, although your continual rescuing me is useful." Cat said, not giving Kara a chance to react she added. "Your job right now is to write an article about my captivity for CatCo."
"It is?"
"Of course. You don't think I would give my story to any of Snapper's hacks do you?
"Does Snapper know that?" Kara asked.
"Kara I have heard that you have managed to win an occasional battle against Snapper, as has Olsen, so why are you in any doubt that my word will not be anything other than a commandment?"
"Technically you are not his boss currently."
"But no doubt I will be again."
"Does that mean you are coming back?" Kara asked hopefully.
"Not yet. My leave of absence was cut short and although it offered me plenty of time to contemplate, it did not provide any answers." Cat said. "But that brings us to the reason you are here. The interview. So let's see what you have."
"What happened?" Kara asked.
"I was in Paris enjoying an evening with old friends. I was heading back into my room, there were two of us in the elevator. I was too busy texting Carter to notice what the other occupant was doing. Next thing I know I am being held and something was injected into me. Next thing I know I was in a small room, bound and gagged. It wasn't for several hours that Dirk actually revealed himself."
"What did he want?"
"To destroy me. To prove he was the alpha male."
"Out of revenge?"
"No. I don't think so, not entirely. It was about power. After a few hours two of his men who looked like bouncers came in and untied me and I was left in peace in my mini-suite. That was until wanted something."
"How do you mean?"
"If I wanted food or water I had to gag myself and cuff myself to the chair. He would bring in the food and water, show me the headlines and how no one had noticed I was gone. Explained how he was slowly taking over CatCo. He'd leave me like that for a couple of hours before sending his men back in who once again released me and the cycle started again."
"Did he, or they, hurt you?" Kara asked her eyes swirling with guilt and concern.
"No." Cat assured her. "As I said he was concerned with power and maybe later revenge. He wanted to watch me watch as I lost everything. Fortunately, once again he misjudged my friends, he misjudged you. Although based on the pace of this interview, I think I may have misjudged you. You are meant to be an investigative reporter, so act like it."
"Do you regret antagonising Dirk Armstrong by describing him as a walking personification of white male privilege?" Kara asked.
"On reflection, yes." Cat said.
"Really? You do?" Kara asked unable to conceal her surprise.
"Yes, having spent many weeks with the man I believe I was incorrect when I used that phrase. I now believe a better description would be a walking personification of narcissism and misogyny as well as white male privilege." The comment bringing a small smile to Kara's face before asking. "Do you think your hostile personality may have invited Dirk's dislike of you?"
"Of course. He can't stand anyone other than him being the alpha male, especially when the new alpha in town is in fact a woman."
"Are you worried others will come after you?"
"Worried? No. Coming after me is a natural part of business. Going after my family is unforgivable and I will do everything in my power to destroy anyone who threatens my family." Cat said menacingly as she stood and walked round the room.
"So you're not coming back?" Kara asked.
"Not yet. I'm still figuring out where I belong." Cat confessed.
"I kind of thought you may have got bored by now." Kara smiled.
"Not yet." Cat said.
"Well, I really am happy you are back, even if it is only temporary."
"You don't need me Kara." Cat reminded her.
"Oh, I really do." Kara said sadly.
"Kara, listen to me. You have within you the power to do anything. You can soar above everyone in this city. You just have to have belief in yourself." Cat said before Kara stood and hugged her.
"I missed you." Kara said before looking over Cat's shoulder and seeing a familiar figure in the doorway.
"I'm glad you are safe and I'm sorry it took so long to get help." Kara said pulling away. "But I should go. You have a more important visitor." Kara said walking to the door and giving Adam a smile before leaving.
"Adam? What are you doing here?" Cat asked seeing her son.
"Where else would I be?" Adam said approaching Cat and hugging her.
-00-
"Hey Danvers." Maggie smiled as Alex approached the pool table that evening. "I was starting to think you'd be a no show."
"Have to give you a chance to win your money back sometime." Alex said trying to smile and sound natural. "Drink?"
"Sure." Maggie replied as Alex disappeared to the bar. When Alex finally returned she handed a bottle to Maggie and said.
"So thank you."
"For what?"
"Helping Kara find Cat. She didn't tell me she had asked you to get involved. You didn't have to."
"It's fine. Kara is your family and friends help family out." Maggie smiled. "Besides she was really concerned. I didn't actually know anyone liked Cat Grant until Kara started talking."
"Yeah, Kara sees the best in people, especially Cat. Maybe it's Stockholm Syndrome." Alex said sipping her beer.
"Oh by the way I discovered Supergirl's secret today." Maggie casually said causing Alex to nearly choke on her beer. "She's sold out to Apple. You guys should really give a better comms device."
"You're talking about her phone?" Alex asked trying to keep up.
"Yeah, there was I thinking you'd have some sub cranial implant or something, but it is just a cell phone. Weird thing happened though." Maggie went on as she got ready to start the game. Supergirl left Cat's house nose down typing a message which she sent. Crazy thing was I immediately received a message and I thought that was weird as Supergirl doesn't have my number. Turned out to be from your sister though."
"Crazy coincidence." Alex said trying to sound casual, unsure if Maggie was toying with her.
"That's what I thought, then the same thing happened in reverse. I sent Kara a text and Supergirl's phone buzzed."
"I imagine Supergirl's phone is always buzzing." Alex said as Kara walked up to them.
"Hey." Kara smiled. "Thank you so much for today."
"You're welcome." Maggie said smiling back. "You want to join us? We were just discussing Supergirl's secret."
"Supergirl's secret? She has a secret?" Kara asked shooting a panicked look to Alex.
"Well, yes, but obviously I don't need to tell you that as you already know." Maggie smiled.
"I do?" Kara asked looking to Alex for support.
"Maggie is anti Apple and discovered today Supergirl has an iPhone. She's disappointed Supergirl sold out to Apple rather than having some gadget inserted in her." Alex said.
"Oh, the phone. Right." Kara said laughing nervously.
"You okay? You look a little stressed." Maggie said to Kara.
"I'm fine, just a long day." Kara said and Maggie's phone rang.
"Another coincidence?" Alex asked.
"Only if my boss has changed his name." Maggie said looking at the caller ID. "I'll be back in a moment."
"Oh my god I thought she knew." Kara said when Maggie was out of earshot.
"Not convinced she doesn't. Go get out of here before you break."
"I can't leave you. I came to give you an emergency exit."
"Kara, I'm fine. Go." Alex said.
-00-
"I hear you're leaving again." Supergirl said as she landed on Cat's balcony.
"You are so up to date with information perhaps you should consider a career in journalism. You have the right traits for it."
"I have my hands full with this." Supergirl said waving at her costume.
"Maybe. But I'm sure you are not Supergirl all the time. When you take that costume off I'm sure you do something to pay the bills and I'm sure you do it with the same sense of integrity to right wrongs and see justice done. In the same way I'm sure you use a different name."
"Still not telling you my name." Supergirl smiled.
"You have taught me to have faith in people. I hope one day you have the same faith in me as I do in you." Cat said. "If you won't answer those questions though perhaps you can answer something simpler."
"Like what?"
"I was hidden in Dirk's lead lined panic room."
"I know."
"It was lead lined." Cat repeated. "So there was no way you could have seen me in there. Yet the Detective told me you found me and if it weren't for you I wouldn't have been rescued. According to the detective you specifically said you could see me behind the door."
"I may have embellished." Supergirl admitted. "When I saw there was a hidden area surrounded with lead it seemed the most logical place to keep you. Dirk Armstrong seemed arrogant enough to keep you in his home."
"It is the one time I am actually pleased Dirk is so arrogant."
"I am really sorry it took so long to find you. But perhaps you should consider sending updates so I know you are safe?"
"Are you asking me to check in?" Cat asked amused.
"Well not everyday. But you know it wouldn't hurt once a week." Supergirl smiled.
"Just give me your phone number and I will." Cat said. "Or would you prefer me to tell your new sidekick and just let her tell you."
"I don't have a sidekick." Supergirl said confused.
"Well I suppose sidekick is not the appropriate label for Kara, second self perhaps? Soul mate? Alter ego? Counterpart? Confidant?"
"I'm not sure what you are insinuating." Supergirl said trying to look innocent.
"Of course you don't. But this is normally the time when you get called to an emergency to avoid answering any questions." Cat said. "And it is late and I am meant to be resting, so I will say goodnight and goodbye." She added.
"Goodbye." Supergirl said hugging her.
-00-
"Hey." Alex said as she opened her apartment door the following evening and let Kara in.
"Hey." Kara smiled before saying. "I thought you said you were busy tonight."
"Last minute change of plans." Alex lied. "If you thought I was busy why are you here?"
"Because I knew you were lying and I thought it was time to confront you about it. I bring ice cream." She added handing Alex a bag with a couple of cartons.
"Kara, I'm fine."
"No you're not. I so desperately want you to be fine that I have just been accepting what you say. But taking things at face value is bad."
"You came through for Cat, she was found because of you." Alex reminded her.
"I should have looked earlier. I'm not making that mistake with you."
"I'm not lost."
"Yeah, you are." Kara said. "But I'm going to help you find your way back to your path."
"Kara, I'm not lost. Just a little misguided and a whole lot humiliated." Alex confessed as Kara hugged her. "But I managed pool last night."
"Yes you did. And how did that feel?"
"Apart from the constant reminders of humiliation, great."
"I know you are my big sister and are meant to be the voice of experience. But when it comes to dealing with humiliation I have so much more experience than you. I also have so much more experience with the shame that follows humiliation, like Junior Prom, Senior Prom, Grant Philips, Chris Eyre, Peter Fletcher, Brad Robinson, Aaron Ramsey, Sarah Harris's birthday party, I could literally go on all night. But the point is I know how it feels to not want to leave your bed ever again, the deep need to not interact with anyone, the constant churning of your stomach, the feeling of nausea. The wanting to hide and runaway. But none of that helps. The only thing that helps is a friend...or a sister. Someone to talk to and share the pain with."
"When did you get so wise?" Alex asked.
"Well, I have an amazing big sister who has taught me well." Kara smiled as she hugged Alex.
-The End