Chapter 2
The next day, Kara came into the office unusually down. Cat couldn’t understand. The day before she’d saved the city, and ultimately, the world. She should be relieved, and happy to be alive, shouldn’t she? She supposed Kara was exhausted after the last few days, but she tried to give her some perspective on what they’d been through together. She called her into her office to ask her to get her some Moon Juice that Gwyneth had been raving about. The corners of Cat’s mouth turned up slightly when Kara mentioned that Cat hated Chinese herbs, and Gwyneth. Kara knew her so well. Cat set her pen back down and looked up at Kara.
“We have been through hell in the last few days. We survived. Lesson: don’t ever take life for granted. Always take good care of yourself. Reject the latte and drink the green juice. Carpe diem.” Cat told Kara, as she picked her pen back up and continued to work.
About to leave her office, Kara turned around and addressed her. “Miss Grant, I just want you to know that working for you is a true honor. You are my role model and you lead this city with just strength and grace and underneath that prickly exterior,” Kara cleared her throat. “You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. Just… I’m just trying to say thank you for being an amazing mentor and friend.”
Cat set down her glasses and pen and looked at Kara. “Okay, so, that was either my eulogy or your dictated suicide note, is there something you need to tell me?”
“No, no. I’m just taking your advice. Carpe diem.” Kara smiled at her boss.
“Okay. Okay.” Cat shrugged, unable to look Kara in the eyes for her next sentence. “Well, you’ve made quiet the impression on me too, Kiera. Now, go fetch me that juice, chop chop.” Kara left her office and Cat closed her eyes, wincing and rubbing her forehead. She’d had a headache all day, but she assumed it was from the events that had happened in the last few days. She hoped Kara would arrive back soon with her green juice.
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A couple of hours went by, and the ringing in her head got worse. It seemed, however, that she was not the only one. All of the sudden, the ringing was so high-pitched and intense that Cat almost collapsed on the floor holding her head. She could see her employees in the bullpen also holding their heads and wincing.
And then, as soon as Cat was sure her head was going to explode from the pressure, it stopped. She ran to her balcony to look for Supergirl. While she didn’t see her in the sky, she had no doubt that Non and his minions had almost just destroyed National City, the country, or perhaps even the entire human race (yet again). And she had even fewer doubts that Supergirl had saved them all, once again.
Standing on her balcony searching the skies for Kara, Cat realized something important. She wanted Kara to trust her, not just Supergirl. She wanted Kara to know that she wouldn’t run a story on who she was, or do anything that would hurt her.
Ever since Kara had hugged her the day before, Cat couldn’t stop thinking about how good it felt to be in her strong arms, how warm her body was, how amazing she smelled. More than anything, she couldn’t forget the feeling of safety she had felt in Kara’s arms. That was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a very, very long time, if she’d ever felt it at all. She knew, then, for sure, that she wanted to stop playing this game. She wanted Kara to trust her, to be honest with her, and to want to confide in her.
Mostly, she just wanted Kara. All of her. Both her assistant and National City’s hero; Kara Danvers and Supergirl. But she couldn’t have that, not as long as Kara was still her assistant. She knew what she had to do, if she ever hoped for Kara to trust her.
Cat understood that Kara needed CatCo to keep her secret identity, and to remain some feelings of normalcy. She was going to promote Kara so she was no longer her assistant, and give her the very-much-deserved next step up in her career. She would begin calling her by her real name, too. She would continue to mentor both Supergirl and Kara, and do as much as possible to show the younger woman how she felt, and wait as patiently as possible for Kara to open up. From her speech earlier, she knew Kara already considered Cat a friend. And while Cat didn’t think Kara would ever return her feelings, she hoped that she was least let her into her circle.
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The next day at work, she brought a box to Kara’s desk and started packing up her stuff. She walked her to the office that she had cleared out for her. “This is your new office.” Cat offered.
“Wait, so you’re not firing me?” Kara seemed floored; she’d been stuttering the entire walk over here, sure she’d done something wrong.
“Oh, no, no, no. I’m promoting you. Kiera, for the last two years, you have done nothing but arrange my travel perfectly and manage my schedule flawlessly. You have become the best assistant I have ever had. And that is why I have to give you up.” Cat was going to miss Kara terribly. She knew Kara deserved so much more than being Cat’s assistant, and that she would be a great journalist someday. Cat had been holding her back, and she wanted to set her free – to let the girl shine as Kara Danvers in the same way she’d helped her shine as Supergirl.
She asked Kara to first find her a new assistant, and then take a few days to think about what she wants. Cat would consider about what she might have to offer, and then they would talk.
“This is a step up for you, Kiera. This is your end of Working Girl moment. And if you take advantage of it, I really believe that you can change the world.” Cat smiled before she turned and began to walk away. She had chosen her words carefully, recalling the similar phrase she’d said to Supergirl and hoped the meaning wasn’t lost on Kara.
“Miss Grant?” Cat turned around swiftly and touched her necklace. “The end of Working Girl always makes me cry.” Kara’s eyes shone with unshed tears. She had truly enjoyed being Cat’s assistant, and would miss seeing her everyday, but was beyond thankful for this incredible opportunity. Her heart swelled with emotion and affection for Cat.
“Um, me too.” Cat sighed heavily but happily. “If you work hard, there might be a window in your future, Kara. “ The older woman held Kara’s gaze with intensity before turning around and leaving Kara in her new office.