Chapter 18 - So Much Velvet

When they entered Cat's home office, Kara had to smile at the bountiful books lining the shelves on the walls, with small knickknacks, pictures of Carter, and awards aesthetically placed among them.

Centered on the far wall was an impressive ocean-scape that hung over a gas fireplace. A sturdy, mahogany desk stood proudly on one side. Its edges, rounded by human touch, and random dents hinted of its significant age. On its large surface, only a few items rested, a computer screen, keyboard, mouse, a Montblanc fountain pen on a fresh pad of paper, and a land-line phone.

On the other side of the room was a large sofa, which actually looked comfortable, Kara considered, somewhat appeased that she wasn't causing Cathrine too much discomfort.

"My office," Cat announced grandly, waving her hand in presentation. "Satisfied?" she asked, glancing at Kara pointedly.

"Is this where I worked with you?" Kara asked curiously, unable to resist carefully grabbing one of Cathrine's many books off a shelf, eager to learn what treasure she'd find within its covers.

"Oh no. I have a company building downtown where we work during the day," Cat said, curiously watching Kara quickly turn the pages.

"Is it like this office?" Kara asked, continuing to flip through the pages as she read.

"No. This space is more personal and comfortable. That's not to say the office building is uncomfortable but . . . well, you'll see it eventually."

"Tomorrow?" Kara asked hopefully, finished with the book.

"Ah . . . we'll need to discuss the timing with your family and Director J'onzz," Cat said diplomatically. "Did you just read that book?" she had to ask as Kara carefully returned Edna Ferber's Pulitzer winner, So Big, to the shelf.

Kara nodded. "I find Selina a compelling character. And the advice her father gave her resonates with me," she said thoughtfully and recited the key passage. "The more kinds of people you see, and the more things you do, and the more things that happen to you, the richer you are. Even if they're not pleasant things. That's living. Remember, no matter what happens, good or bad, it's just so much...just so much velvet."

Of course an optimistic theme would resonate with Kara, Cat smiled, amazed she could recite a passage from a book she just read in mere seconds. This was the first time she truly wished for one of her super powers. Sure, never having to worry about tepid coffee or opening pickle jars had its advantages. But being able to absorb and comprehend information so rapidly? That would have made for far shorter days over her career, giving her time to focus on a private life and possibly avoid the painful string of personal failures. She let out a small laugh, realizing that according to Ms. Ferber, her divorces made her richer. Clearly, Edna had not talked with her accountant.

"Though, I do not understand what 'so much velvet' means," Kara admitted.

"Oh. Well, the term is an archaic gambling reference for unexpected and extra winnings."

Kara nodded. "That makes sense. Thank you."

Cat had wondered if she was the walking embodiment of insanity with repeated marriages. In spite of her over-paid psychiatrist's opinion, she had begun to conclude that she was just better off alone. Then Kara came. And even before her surprising pedigree was discovered, Kara had undermined her somber conclusion with an insidious thing — hope. Hope that if there was someone like Kara, who could put up with her egregious idiosyncrasies and still want to be friends, then there might be others. Others that even might want more than friendship. Then that hope shifted the bolder Kara became. She didn't want others.

Watching Kara, who was reverently tracing her fingers over the spines of the books, not unlike she would do when deciding what to read, Cat knew her hope had shifted again, into fear. Fear of another inevitable failure.

"Do you have a favorite book?" Kara asked, motioning to the many volumes around them. "Other than the ones you wrote, that is," she added with a smile.

"My books are not of Edna Ferber's caliber . . . nor of the other author's on my shelves," Cat immediately countered, causing a frown.

"I think I should read them for myself to make that determination," Kara countered reasonably.

Cat shook her head. "Trust me, you'll be disappointed."

"I can trust you and still disagree, Catherine. But . . . if you do not wish me to read your books, I shall not," Kara said magnanimously, pleased when Cat shook her head with exasperation and grabbed a book from her desk drawer with a heavy sigh and marched towards her.

"Here," Cat said flatly, holding out a book. "It was the most popular and got me an interview with Oprah."

Kara smiled, looking at her curiously.

"Never mind," Cat said dismissively, then sucked in a slight, surprised breath when Kara's warm hand lingered over her's before taking the offering.

"Thank you," Kara said, glancing at the title, The Lighthouse Technique. "Shine your light and let him come to you," she read.

Clearing her throat, Cat stepped back from Kara's personal space and leaned against her desk, at a much safer distance, as Kara opened the book and quickly flipped through the pages. "Yes, well, that was published during a less enlightened time. I probably should revise the title and some passages to be less heteronormative," Cat said with a slight smile. "It was advertised as a book on how to find love. Though, thinking about it, that was false advertising; it only advised on how to get a someone to notice you and become interested, which is the easy part. No book can prescribe steps on how to actually find love."

"I disagree," Kara said.

"Of course you do," Cat said flatly. "And I suppose you finished reading that too?" She asked, looking at the book as Kara closed it.

Kara nodded. "The imagery used, a lighthouse, is perfect," she offered with a warm smile. "The light represents a person's spirit, the essence of who they are. Your book provides a strategy, using valid psychological principles, to cultivate interest and ultimately connections that could lead to deep affection and love. It doesn't guarantee love would be found. It doesn't claim to be the only way. But it does provide guidance to create something crucial to finding love. Opportunity."

Cat shook her head believing Kara was giving her, and her book, far too much credence.

"Contrary to what you predicted, I was not disappointed by your book, Cathrine. Far from it. Helping others is a noble endeavor," Kara said approvingly.

"I'm afraid you have too high an opinion of me," Cat scoffed with a hollow laugh, knowing she cashed in on her fame to grow her empire, all while stroking her needy ego with the publicity that came with being a famous, best-selling author on a topic which the already twice-divorced media personality had no right to be considered an authority. Love.

Kara looked at her sadly. "I'm afraid you do not have a high enough opinion of yourself," she countered with concern.

"That's not what my . . . ," Cat automatically said, then stopped with a heavy sigh, not wanting to talk about her mother.

Seeing Cat's frustration, Kara nodded and changed the subject, much to Cat's relief.

"I love the feel of books," Kara offered, tracing her fingers over Cat's book. "But books were uncommon in Kryptonian homes. There were far more efficient means for relaying information. Most houses thought it odd that the House of El maintained so many," Kara said with amusement, shaking her head that they did not understand their value. "My grandfather, Sig-El, let me wander our family library and pick out books to read. Then we would discuss what I read with my grandmother," she said, then added conspiratorially, "who gave us treats."

Cat had to chuckle. Of course there was food involved, she considered, pleased Kara was sharing such an important memory with her. And one she could relate to, she smiled, glancing to the mahogany desk, warmly recalling her own happy times in her father's library.

"In addition to classic fables and notable history, our library contained hundreds of volumes documenting our family lineage, which was needed; the noble House of El has existed for thousands of years," Kara said with pride. "Of course, the complete lineage could be downloaded and read from a single data crystal but . . . there was just something about holding one of those volumes, touching the pages written by the hands of my ancestors. It gave the information more . . . gravitas," she said with reverence.

Cat's warm smile faded as she watched Kara's face transform as cherished memories became suffocated by great loss.

"Well my House does not have any volumes on our family's pedigree," Cat announced, successfully jarring Kara from her mournful thoughts. "Which is probably for the best. I wouldn't want actual proof of my connection to the Salem witches," she said dryly, prompting a look of confusion. "But whatever books I do have, you are certainly welcome to," she said warmly and watched Kara look at the book in her hand, then eye her questioningly. "Fine! Even the rest of what I wrote," she said, rolling her eyes, making Kara smile.

"Nahkluv," Kara said softly.

"Like you and your grandfather," Cat offered, "I would spend time in my father's library and read with him," she shared with a wistful smile, her hand absently caressing the smooth edge of his mahogany desk. She looked to Kara with a sly smile as she added conspiratorially, "there may have been butterscotch candy involved."

Kara chuckled, pleased Cat shared similar, happy experiences.

"He taught me my appreciation of books. After a stressful day . . . or just because . . . I like to curl up with a book and get lost in its pages," she said glancing to her couch and fireplace, then Kara with a slight smile.

Seeing Kara's dangerously fond gaze, Cat cleared her throat. "Oddly enough, I can't seem to find the same comfort with a computer, no matter how small or convenient it is," she said, then shrugged. "I guess I'm too old and set in my ways."

Kara sighed in frustration. "You keep saying these things . . . disparaging things, about yourself," she said, clearly troubled.

"Kara, I'm not saying anything that isn't true," Cat said tiredly with a sigh. "I am old and very set in my ways," she warned.

"I wish . . . you could see yourself as I see you," Kara said, stepping closer to Cat, who blinked, knowing Kara's close proximity was not conducive to good judgment. Her effort to step back and give herself more breathing room was thwarted by her father's desk behind her.

"Yes, well, I . . . I'm not sure I should trust the opinion of someone with brain damage,"

Cat tossed out dismissively.

Kara just chuckled as she slowly leaned towards Cat, who sucked in a startled breath and held it . . . until she realized Kara was just carefully placing the book on her desk. While Cat was trying to decide whether to be monumentally relieved or disappointed, Kara gently took her hands and looked into her eyes.

"Do you want to know what I see, Catherine?" Kara asked softly.

"I . . . I suppose you are going to tell me," Cat said, feigning irritation to mask her nerves, which were on high alert as Kara's thumbs slowly caressed the backs of her hands.

"Someone once told me a good hostess talks with her guests," Kara teased, causing Cat to roll eyes.

"Fine, Lady Kara, what do you see?" She huffed.

"A captivatingly complex woman . . . whose light shines so brightly, it brings me . . . so much velvet," Kara said with a pleased smile.

"Oh," Cat exhaled weakly, mesmerized by Kara's heartfelt words and the adoration in her eyes which, God help her, nearly made her swoon.

"I would very much like to kiss you. May I?"

Proving the theory that Kara's proximity was indeed, inversely proportional to her good judgment, Cat finally succumbed to Kara's inescapable magnetism and helplessly whispered, "zhi."

SGSG

Alex looked at the final score on the large screen in disbelief, having suffered yet another devastating Mario Kart defeat at the hands of Carter Grant.

As Carter lifted his arms in victory and cheered, Eliza had to smile and tease her competitive daughter. "I thought you said you took offensive and defensive driving courses, sweetie," she said innocently.

Carter laughed. "Oh burn!"

"Aren't you supposed to be on my side?" Alex complained, glaring at her mother.

"Well, her driving was offensive," Carter snickered, prompting Eliza's laughter and a slight shove and "hey!" from an indignant Alex, who just made them laugh harder.

All laughing and teasing stopped when they heard Cat shout, "ALEX!"

SGSG

Rushing into the office, Alex blurted "What's . . . !?" then abruptly halted and blinked.

Eliza said "Oh," and bit her lip worriedly.

Carter said, "Cool!" and eagerly watched the spectacle of Kara floating, her arms and legs flailing as she drifted along the ceiling.

"Do something!" Cat demanded, startling Alex into action.

"I've got you, Kara," Alex said with forced confidence, taking an uncertain step. "Just . . . relax," she added, causing both Cat and Eliza look at Alex incredulously, wondering how Kara could possibly relax.

Eliza immediately felt bad for her daughter, who had only dealt with a sleeping, floating Kara growing up, when all she had to do was wake her up and gravity would thankfully take effect.

As Alex contemplated the best way to safely get her sister back down, Kara and the unfortunate chandelier she grabbed onto came crashing down.