Vigilante

It was raining in National City tonight. It was a hard rain. It made the air heavy. Things were happening all over the city. It was a Sunday night. Couples were out for a night on the town, despite the rain. Families were playing board games and getting ready to start the school week. There was a new exhibit opening at the art museum. There was a fundraiser gala downtown.

But in the abandoned quarters of the warehouse district, something more sinister was happening. Several cars were parked outside of one of the ramshackle buildings. A faint light could be seen coming from a few of the windows on the bottom floor.

Inside, about twenty men were working furiously. Some of them were breaking open a few large wooden crates and sifting through the packing material to find the desired contents. They took the bricks and set them on a table where others took the them and cut them down into more easily packaged and less detectable amounts.

It took a long time. Cutting, measuring, packaging, and distributing. By the end of the night everyone there would be high simply from hours of handling the stuff. There were a few bosses, walking around and keeping everything in check.

They made sure the cuts were clean and that none of the fine powder was wasted by rough lines that made the bricks crumble. They made sure the measurements were right so that every smaller bag had the same amount. Otherwise, they would catch shit from their distributors. Finally, they made sure the orders were filled correctly. This many kilos set aside for this buyer, that many bags set aside for that buyer, etcetera.

Some of the orders had to be filled tonight. The bosses did that too. They took these larger orders and personally delivered them to the buyers, who would distribute the product down the chain. The guy who seemed to be in charge called out across the room to another boss.

“Hey, Nicko. This order for the South end is ready. You wanna take it now?”

Nicko looked around. Things were running smoothly and they were almost done. He nodded back and replied, “Yeah, I’ll take it now. I need to be getting home. My wife will be wondering where I am.”

He walked to the other end of the large open warehouse area where they would hold the bigger orders until they could move them safely or until they were picked up. The order for the South end was the smallest and they always wanted to move these large amounts as soon as possible. That’s why this part of the job happened on Sunday when the police presence was down on the street after a busy weekend.

Nicko picked up two large duffel bags and walked outside into the rain. It wasn’t coming down as hard now. He opened the trunk of his car and set the bags down. When he closed the trunk, he looked around. It felt like someone was watching. Paranoia was your friend in this business. This area of the warehouse district was always dark. That’s why they came here, but it made him nervous anyway.

He walked around to the driver’s side and got inside and started the car. Once he was inside the car, he looked around again, stealing glances at all the alley ways. When he was confident no one had seen him, he pulled into the street and began driving to the South end.

What Nicko hadn’t seen was the masked figure in a car one block over. As he began driving, the figure in the car slowly pulled out as well, leaving their lights off and tailing Nicko…

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“I hope someone has brought something in here to dazzle me. This weather is beginning to affect my mood.”

Cat Grant sat behind her desk as all of CatCo’s department heads stood in her office, ready to pitch the story ideas that they thought were winners. Kara stood off to the side, taking minutes on her tablet of the meeting. She would take an occasional look in Cat’s direction, admiring her.

One guy from Politics started with, “Well, there’s something new with Donald Trump-,”

“Isn’t there always,” Cat interrupted. She rolled her eyes. “Unfortunately, whatever it is will sell. Write it.”

Next, a woman from Human Interest asked, “I had an idea to go back and revisit some of Supergirl's biggest rescues. Re interview some people and see how their encounter with Supergirl changed their lives.”

Cat’s mouth quirked up in a small smile. She was open to publishing anything that shed National City's hero in a positive light. “I like it,” she affirmed, nodding. She looked around the room and questioned with raised eye brows, a little annoyed, “What else?”

The head of the Crime department spoke up, “Ms. Grant, the police caught Nicholas ‘Nicko' Copelli last night. He’s the third major drug kingpin that’s been hand delivered to NCPD in the last two months. They have to be related. Now, I know I brought this up before, but there’s a story in how the cops are getting their hands on these guys.”

Cat stayed quiet. He knew her silence was an indication to continue. “Someone is out there taking these guys down and turning them in to the police. Even the cops don’t know who it is. They haven’t even taken credit for the busts because they’re hoping their accomplice will come forward.”

Cat shook her head. “I’ll say the same thing I said last time you brought this. There isn’t enough to print anything worth reading. All you can write are theories and we print facts. Which we don’t have any of, in this case. Get me facts.”

He sighed and nodded. Cat dismissed everyone with a simple wave of her hand. As everyone filtered out of the office, Kara came to stand in front of Cat’s desk. She secretly felt privileged that she was the one that got to stay after everyone else had to leave.

She’d always looked up to Cat. She had always respected her no nonsense attitude and her confidence. She loved that Cat took the high ground whenever confronted with a moral crossroad. She was smart, she was brave, and she was beautiful.

Over time, Kara knew that her admiration had grown into something more. She had tried to tell herself a hundred times that the attraction she felt to Cat was just infatuation. But she couldn’t deny how her heart skipped a beat whenever Cat was close to her. She’d decided a long time ago that there was no outrunning her feelings for Cat Grant. Though she also knew there was no chance of them being reciprocated. So she simply dealt with them.

But when Cat would give her an occasional smile, she longed for so much more. Some days the torture was so great that she would consider quitting. But then Cat would give Kara one of her veiled compliments and she was lured back in.

More than anything, though, she wanted to keep Cat safe. Too many times, Kara had seen Cat threatened. Whether from inside CatCo’s own ranks or from a villain with a vendetta, Kara would be there to protect her. If she couldn’t have Cat, at least she could keep her safe for the rest of the world. Even if Cat never knew Kara was Supergirl.

So here she stood. Watching Cat sit behind her desk, waiting. Cat was checking her mobile devices for breaking news. Without looking up, she told Kara, “Kiera, order up lunch for both of us. I need your help with some editing.”

“Of course, Ms. Grant. Any preferences?”

“I trust your judgement,” she replied, again without looking up. Kara recognized it as one of those veiled compliments. Cat wasn’t just talking about lunch. With one last look, she turned to leave the office and order.

She didn’t see Cat look up, watching her as she walked away. Cat glanced up from her device, considering Kara. She didn’t really need Kara’s help with the editing. She did, however, appreciate Kara’s input. The younger woman’s intuition for what made a good story and a good layout had matured drastically. And she also enjoyed Kara’s company.

She would never admit it to anyone, but she’d become fond of Kara. Maybe too fond. She thought about her far too often for being a simple assistant. But there was nothing simple about Kara. Cat knew that underneath the sunny, optimistic personality ran a deep river of emotion. Kara was much more than meets the eye.

The truth was that Kara had deserved a promotion a long time ago, but Cat didn’t want to let her go. She was fantastic at her job. But more than that, she was the solace that kept Cat’s heart light in the inevitable chaos that came with her job.

A short time later, Kara came back into the office and wordlessly set up two trays with lunch for each of them. She let Cat work until she had lunch ready.

She got Cat’s attention with a simple, “Ms. Grant.”

When Cat looked up, she saw Kara already sitting on the sofa, waiting for her. She gave Kara a small smile and slipped her glasses off, setting them on the desk. She stood and walked around to the sofa. She made sure not to sit too close to Kara. She always made sure she sat a little farther away than what seemed appropriate. That way she was sure that she was, in fact, being appropriate.

Cat had hard copies of the articles she wanted she and Kara to take a look at sitting on the coffee table. Kara had already taken one off the top and was carefully reading. Cat moved to pick up the next one. Kara’s voice stopped her.

“You should relax for a minute, Ms. Grant. You’ve been going without a break for over six hours.”

Cat looked at her and offered her the small smile again. She didn’t protest. Setting the paper clipped article back down, she turned to her lunch. They sat like that for a while. Cat eating. Kara eating and reading, setting her food down occasionally to make a note. They didn’t mind the silence.

After a while, Cat quietly asked Kara, “Do you think I’m holding you back?”

“Ms. Grant?” Kara smiled that confused, goofy smile that she used when she didn’t understand what Cat was getting at.

“Professionally. Do you think I’m holding you back professionally? You’ve been my assistant for over two years,” Cat started. “No one expects to be an assistant that long in this business. Everyone expects more when they do a good job. And you’ve done an amazing job.”

Kara’s expression became more confused. “Do you not want me to be your assistant anymore?”

Cat smiled again, then looked away for a moment, like she knew she was smiling too much. “Of course I do. But I also want you to understand that you are appreciated here. You deserve a promotion if you want one.”

Kara answered immediately, shaking her head. “I don’t want one.” After a pointed look at Cat to let her know she was serious, she turned back to her work.

Cat sighed, trying not to show her relief. She picked up the next article and went to work. For another two hours, they sat there going through articles. Kara would show Cat her edits for Cat’s approval. Cat looked them over and nodded. Kara was getting good at this.

Next were layouts. Kara brought the proofs from the Art Department for them to look over. She set them on the table and they both leaned over to grab one. Upon reaching for the same one, they froze as their fingers over lapped on the plastic covering. They looked at each other, fingers still touching. Kara saw something in Cat’s eyes. She was afraid to name it, but she swore it looked like longing. But Kara also knew by the expression she felt on her own face that she had given too much away. She wasn’t as practiced as Cat at control.

Kara pulled her hand away without a word and Cat simply took the page, offering Kara a reprieve by choosing not to say anything.

Kara cursed herself inwardly. There’s no way her feelings hadn’t come through on her face. She should’ve taken that promotion, she thought. Suddenly Cat’s proximity seemed too close. She discreetly scooted a little farther away, feeling nervous. She tried to shake off the anxiety.

The rest of day went by quickly. As Cat was getting ready to leave the office, she called out, “Kiera.”

Kara stepped in a second later. “Yes, Ms. Grant?”

“Can you print out the itineraries for the board meeting tomorrow morning and go ahead and set up the board room?”

Kara flashed her a smile. “Of course.”

Cat smiled back and paused. They looked at each other. “Thank you,” Cat finally said. Kara just nodded and turned to leave the room. It had been another veiled compliment. Kara could always tell by the tone in her voice.

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That evening at the Grant’s residence, Cat made dinner for her and Carter. Shortly after they sat down to eat, Cat asked him, “How was school? Are things getting better?”

Carter shrugged. He’d been through a lot lately. “I guess,” was all he said. Cat’s heart had been hurting for her son.

“I know you miss her, sweetheart.”

He nodded. Kari had been his first girlfriend. Or at least as much of a boyfriend and girlfriend you can be before you’re in high school. Carter was a sweet boy and he felt things deeply. It had been hard for him to open up to a girl in the first place, and then to lose her. Especially the way he did.

Cat tried to think of something comforting to say. Nothing came to mind so she slipped her hand across the table and squeezed Carter’s hand. He looked up and gave her a weak smile.

“I promise it will get easier,” she told him.

They finished their dinner and Carter cleared the table for his mom. “Hey, you want to watch a movie,” Cat offered.

“No,” he responded. “But you can play a video game with me.” This time he gave her a genuine smile.

Cat gave him a full smile, happy see a positive response. She pointed at him, narrowed her eyes, and said, “You’re on.”

For the next two hours mother and son were glued to the couch, Carter laughing as Cat tried to simply master the controls and Cat playfully punching his arm when he made fun of her. Finally, Cat couldn’t take it anymore. “Okay, okay. I concede.” She held up her hands.

“There’s no shame in admitting defeat, mom. As long as you tried your best.” He was patronizing her. She didn’t mind. At least he seemed happier.

She smiled at him and put a hand on his cheek. “I love you, Carter.”

He smiled back. “Love you, too, mom.” With that, he left to head up stairs and get to bed. Cat sighed deeply. She was relieved she’d been able to comfort him, even if it was temporary.

With Carter in bed, it was time for her to get some more work done. She went into her home office and sat down at the computer. With every key stroke she became laser focused on the task at hand. Combing through police interviews, news articles, and footage. She was searching for something. Her eyes narrowed as she watched a piece of security footage she’d seen over a dozen times. But she spotted something new.

She sat back, considering what to do. She needed to gather more information. She leaned forward and watched the video clip again. It definitely wasn’t her imagination. This was the connection she had been looking for.

Cat rose from the chair at her desk. She walked back into the kitchen and reached up into a cabinet, pulling down a bottle of amber liquid. She filled a glass with two fingers of bourbon and took a sip. Then she grabbed a note pad and scribbled a note to Carter in case he woke up, telling him she had to go into the office at CatCo.

She walked through the house and upstairs, quietly slipping into her bedroom and closing the door. She took another sip, looking toward her walk-in closet.

She walked over and opened the door. When she entered the closet, she closed the door behind her. Taking another sip, she set the glass down on a shelf. Cat went across the closet and pushed aside some hanging clothes, revealing a wall safe. She punched the combination into the keypad and then pressed her small palm to the scanner. The latches on the safe released.

Cat opened the safe and pulled out its contents. She looked at them and sighed, closing her eyes. She felt so tired, but she pushed the feeling aside. She opened her eyes and exhaled, setting her jaw. She began to undress and change clothes. She shed her slacks, blouse, and blazer and pulled on the clothes that came from the safe.

They were all black. She slipped on the tight black leather pants. Then she grabbed a black shirt. Next the pulled on the black leather boots. They were simple and the leather was supple. She zipped them up. The black leather jacket was next. She pulled it over her shoulders and zipped the diagonal zipper all the way up from her hip to the opposite side of her neck. She turned back to the shelf where she had left her glass. She picked it up and tossed her head back, downing the rest in one big gulp. She pressed her eyes tight together for just a second.

Cat looked to the pile of items she had pulled from the safe. Just a few things left. She took a black utility belt and buckled it around her hips. There was a small case among the items. She opened it to reveal ten matching black cuff bracelets. They were the third most important items she wore. She slipped one on each wrist.

Next, she reached back into the safe, pulling out the second most important items. Two battle staves. They were made of a strong poly alloy, hollow on the inside, making them extra light. They were two feet long, but extended out to four. She could attach them, making one long eight foot pole when she needed to. She clipped them to the belt. Then she put on a pair of leather gloves.

Finally, she reached up to pull out the last item. The most important item she wore. A black Venetian style mask to cover the top half of her face. It was made of an adhesive material that bonded to her skin. She only had to press it to her face to make it stay in place and it easily peeled off.

With her ensemble complete, she opened the door to the small balcony attached to her bedroom. She lightly stepped on to the edge. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the cool air. Then, with a smooth jump, Cat Grant stole into the night.