Chapter Text
Cats POV
Cat Grant is the Queen of all Media, she is in control of not only her own destiny but over the years she has had a hand in helping others find theirs. Working her way up from that infernal society gossip page, she finally managed to get people to take her seriously, she collected favours, secrets and information from all the encounters with the high flyers through those years. Having to undertake such degrading assignments under Perry White paid off. Mainly because Cat, although at the time, underestimated, was destined to force her way through the middle aged white men. Men who mistakenly felt they had more legitimacy than here because of a very tiny brain between their legs. A brain that Cat learned how to manipulate to her own needs and desires, she was able to use seduction to get what she needed and always left them wanting more.
That was one of her talents, giving up very little herself while they followed her and begged her, gave her everything that she needed to get ahead. She was known for being cold, calculating and brilliant as much as she was for her ability to bend men to her will. She had even been married a few times, taken young male lovers and was able to do it all with their being little backlash on her, that was her trick, she was able to control the dialectic about herself, and noone who could have published anything would dare cross Cat Grant. The other thing was that Cat prefers the company of women, although that was something that she kept entirely out of the media after all, how can she bend men, if they know that she isn't interested.
As much as she could make a person she could break them too, Cat Grant's approval or disapproval in almost all areas of life were as powerful as Anna Wintour in fashion, she worked hard and expected much from the people in her employ. The day the blonde entered her office, she had scribbled Reporter across her resume, and placed it in her draw. She had impressed her, she was bumbling and shy, stuttering and was clearly intimidated by Cat, which showed she wasn't completely devoid of brain cells. She chose to give her a chance, she could see something in her, Cat wasn't sure at first what it was, a quiet unassuming confidence, a strength yet to be discovered. Cat would work it out, and she did when she branded the newest superhero in the national city. The CATCO brand was important to her and she played along for the most part allowing it to appear that the terrified assistant had pulled the wool over her eyes, she had not.
Cat had devoted a lot of time and energy to the young blonde, in both her persona’s, so much that she had been entirely focused on ensuring that Kara flourished as her assistant to the point she could take on another position, that Supergirl managed to get her selt ontrack not just once but twice, the Red K episode was interesting. Between her heavy focus on both parts of the younger blonde and the near constant threats in the city, Aliens, army robots, Livewire and Myriad being the main points of distraction. All in all it left Cat quite shocked when she realised that she had fallen for the bubbly ray of sunshine, she had not expected it, she most definitely had not planned for it. Not now not ever, that kind of thing was not ever on her agenda. Cat realised two things in quick succession after realising that she was in love with her, first that the blonde had a elongated lifespan and her on age suggested her life span wouldn't give them much time together, and two that even thinking such things showed her that she was in to deep and needed to move on.
Cat never thought about leaving CATCO, she had made the company and her fortune working hard to build it up, it was her brand, her legacy, she was hoping to pass it over to her son but that wasn't going to be the case. Neither Adam or Carter had any interest in taking over, they were not interested in Media, News or any kind of magazine work. Cat was in a position she had not expected, she decided that she needed distance and time to re-evaluate her life. She had just finished her last move with Kara, helped her to realise what potential she had and helped to direct it, there was no more that she was needed for and as such it was the perfect opportunity to go.
“Dive. You’re standing on the shore afraid to dive into the new waters. And you’re afraid because you don’t want to say goodbye to the mild mannered, love-lorn Kara Danvers; the sweet and dutiful assistant to Cat Grant. You are standing there looking out at your options- the icy blue water, the fast flowing river, and the choppy sea and they all look very appealing to you, because you're dying to go for a swim. But you know that water is going to be cold, and the journey is going to be hard. And when you reach the other side you will have become a new person. And you’re scared to meet that new version of yourself. Now we all get used to our own personas, and we’re used to our own comfort zones, but trust me, in order to live we must keep daring, keep diving”
(direct quote from season 2 ep1)
The last bit of information shared, the last bit of advice, and she had decided to take it, the next day she decided she was going to leave and that meant saying goodby to Kara and her alter ego. On her last day before she left, she told Kara to go and show that Snapper what she was made of, and when Supergirl came back to see her she told her she was too big to swim in this pond, Kara clearly was finding it hard to let her go, she thought that the only impact she had on the beautiful blonde was terrorising her and guiding her towards where she deserved to be, but it appeared that she was also fond of Cat. That made it harder for a moment, but she was more resolute, after all she was older, she wouldn't make Kara mourn her, not as a boss, as a mentor, a friend and definitely not as a lover. Cat was not running away, she was not giving up, she was most definitely not scared of the implications of falling for Kara. She could never love her back that was for sure, after all in the process of tearing her down so she could be built stronger and more confident wouldn't have been endearing, and she was so much older than her, but the main thing was that Kara was the epitome of a cute straight country girl.
Cat dove, she headed off, Cater in boarding school, she dove she left National City, headed for the hymalaian mountains. She was here taking time out, looking inside herself, finding out who she was, learning what she wanted. She was not hiding, not running, she was not avoiding anything, oh good god she was sitting in a fucking Yert. even the hymalaian mountains didn't stop her checking every single post every article, if there was a post written by the blonde she read it, not to mention every article post and video of her other persona. Supergirl had been busy,as had Kara there was more and more of her super confidence in her writing in her choice of articles. She had more and more substance to her words. Cat revealed in every one of them, around her she could see that they were all singing, dancing, chanting, any excuse for a celebration. They celebrated life, the happiness connection they celebrated love. In the splendor of the idyllic countryside the simplicity of life, the one thing that Cat had run from, yes she was admitting it to herself she had run from Kara.
She allowed herself a few more days, time to get herself together, she would return to CATCO after all she had not sold it, she had put James in her position temporarily she could return, in fact with James’s leadership subscriptions were down and the brand was suffering, it was not like there wasn't a perfectly rational explanation for her to return. She knew that if she went back that it was a lot less to do with the company and a lot more to do with the young blond. Could she do it, the people in the area had taught her that connections were the most important thing, she was sure that Kara would never love her, but the terminally single reporter would be there. Even if there was a chance she couldn't do that to her, she couldn't saddle that beautiful woman with an aging control freak like her. She could however be in her presence, and that would be better than this stalking her from afar.
Cat arrived in Washington DC she was planning to catch the next flight out to the national city that was until a friend of hers called her unexpectedly.
“Oliva, yes I have just landed, tell me when did I end up on the watch list, I have literally just moved into the cell area, you clearly have your call timed down to the millisecond. I thought that I was the one that saw all”
Cat listened to the reply as she wandered towards her connecting flight people moving out of her way as she strode purposefully through the terminal, after all she was not going to be deterred from her goal, if Cat Grant set her mind to something it happened there was no two ways about it. She was set on going back to her company and reviving her brand, and now there was a real journalist she could cover more pressing matters.
“Ah Olivia as I said to Harrison Ford, as intriguing as that sounds, how wonderful an opportunity, and no matter how short a time it will take, I just don't have time for that right now.”
Cat once again laughed at her friend, she was of course talking in jest there was nothing intriguing about Harison and no opportunity to sleep with him or be his wife no matter how short the triss would interest her. Even if she did have to remind him of that on multiple occasions. Listening to her she suddenly stopped the young man with her bags almost careering into the back of her.
“I see, well now that is a different situation entirely, I will have to get a car, I will delay my plan, but only because your my sister of course, and I don't mean a real one, my family wouldn't be able to change my mind, but the sorority is for life.”
Cat spun on her heel and she looked at the boy, motioning for her to follow, raising a brow and pursing her lips as he was fumbling with her bags. There was a car already waiting and she smiled a little before returning to her call.
“Always so sure of yourself, Olivia one of these days I will not come running and you will be surprised, I am Cat Grant, I am spectacular and I can tell you that I am most definitely not predictable.”
Cat walked towards the exit and the car that would be waiting for her, she was laughing at something that the other woman said when she suddenly got a mischievous look on her face.
“Oh really now, I will have you know that not only am I planning on going back to CATCO it not exactly for the business opportunity”
Cat laughed at the stuttering coming from the other side of the phone, she was pleased that after over thirty years of friendship Olivia was still shocked by her and her retorts.
“I will be with you as soon as your car can get there, I would most definitely prefer not to be seen by the hyenas in the bullpen, maybe an alternative entrance?”
She closed the phone and put it in her purse as she stepped outside looking at the presidential car awaiting her, two agents waiting for her, taking the bags from the boy and escorting Cat to the car opening the door for Cat to slide in, she placed her sunglasses on her face and smiling as they closed the door. The driver pulled out into traffic and made his way to the Whitehouse. Sweeping through the traffic and the security checks heading to the rear entrance where Cat was escorted into the Oval office.
Cat looked at Olivia and smiled at her sorority sister and RA sitting in the big chair behind the presidential seal, she had come a long way and Cat was proud of her, she had pushed through some amazing things, the Alien Amnesty act she had been out lining being Cat’s favorite thing for obvious reasons. She smiled as she entered the room and approached the woman, she walked right around the desk and opened her arms. Olivia immediately stood and pulled her into a hug, most people wouldn't have been able to get that close to the president of the united states so effortlessly but this was Cat, no one had questioned it, not a single security guard. Cat wasn't sure if she should be flattered or concerned for her friends safety.
“I must say security around here is more inattentive than my last husband, and we both know that we had been divorced two months before he even noticed that I was gone”
“Cat so good to see you, They were all expecting you and had express instructions to just let you through, although i have a feeling you may have liked the strip search by agent Drake, twenty two, athletic, swimmer type, bronzed, perfectly seasoned, and already quite accustomed to taking direction exquisitely, unless of course that the other reason for the return to CATCO happens to be a favoured meal, although i have never seen you play with your food Cat”
Cat smiled, there isn't anyone in the world that would know the things that Olivia said when she was around Cat, both women had a razor whitt and a unabashed openness that they had come to admire and respect each other for, but in the public Olivia had learned to temper her tongue and managed to become the president, where Cat was known for hers which is what took her to the position of Media Queen. In private however there was no holding back and she couldn't help the grin that crossed her face, Olivia had known Cat too long to be fooled by the way she had branded herself, so all pretences were dropped.
“That's just it, I haven't had the chance to even take a bite. As ridiculous as it might sound I was so focused on other matters that I had no idea I was slowly and surely falling for the woman, you know me Olivia, my love of the fairer sex is something that is not shared publically, as such I never enter into relationships, it is always brief encounters, short flings and delightful flirtations. I dropped the ball, the woman that sees everything missed the obvious.”
Cat's tone had taken on a more reserved and reminiscent tone as she spoke to her friend, she had not planned on seeing her but maybe a good old fashioned girl's chat would be helpful, maybe she could give her some clarity. She looked at the way Olivia’s eyes widened as she spoke, the woman still striking in her almost Amazonian stature and beauty, chiseled features and dark hair, long strong athletic arms and legs reminiscent of some kind of greek god in human form, was dumb struck by Cat’s admission.
“Well, I take it back Cat clearly you can still surprise me, and well yourself too it would appear. We will have time to discuss this on the jet, I have some other things to discuss too but as you are longing to get back to National City and I am on my way there now, perhaps this conversation can take place as we both head to our destination?”
Cat grinned and nodded at the woman before replacing her unimpressed facade, sunglasses and pursed lips, standing back into her normal Cat brand as she moved with Olivia out to the waiting Car, heading to Air Force one. Once comfortably on the jet and out of the range of anyone over hearing Cat watched as Olivia closed the door and took a seat. She wasn't sure exactly what it was that she wanted, she had lured her in with the information about the Alien ship, needing help to manage the information and the story before there was panic, that there was no one else that could pull it off. Flattery was always a weakness of Cat’s and Olivia knew that, she had played the game well.
“I wanted to bring you in, when you left CATCO, although it did take me a moment or two to track you, then when you were in a yurt somewhere I thought you had either lost your mind, or the alternative was that your Mother was in town. I wanted to bring you in as the press secretary, and have you help me get the real information out to the people, for us to work together to change the dialogue in this country about Aliens and inclusion. However you are going back, something never heard of from Cat Grant I can only assume that this woman is indeed special, who is she”
Cat smiled as she listened, that would indeed be a good opportunity, she was already at the top of the tree when it came to Media but this could give her the opportunity to branch out so to speak. But that wasn't what was in her heart and she knew that moving to DC would mean selling CATCO and losing all legitimate reason to be around her beautiful Blonde. How that cardigan wearing ray of sunshine had managed to have Cat so hopelessly in love with her was still a mystery, but then isn't that always the case with love, it is the greatest mystery of all, that's why there are songs and sonnets, films and plays dedicated the the full range of human love and affection.
“You are probably not going to believe me when I tell you I mean the whole thing is absurd, as much as I play with my toy boys and relish in their youthful exuberance and need to prove themselves, women have always been closer to my on age, I had no time for the antics of the millennial women their constant need for adoration and praise, it bored me, however this one, Kara Danvers, my old assistant has somehow managed to have me pining after her like a school girl its a very uncomfortable position to say the least, leaving my quite off balance”
Cat registered the look on her friend's face and smirked. She was clearly new about the reporter and her alter ego too, She guessed Kara signing on with the government's secret organisation the DEO, had kept her secret as well as the CIA’s interrogation tapes that were leaked, not destroyed. She shouldn’t be that surprised though after all she had managed to squash a large number of stories that would have outed the beautiful super, she wasn’t all that sneaky.
“Well now that makes sense, it was always going to take someone extraordinary to capture your heart Cat, and Kara is one of a kind, Quite literally”
Cat had smiled and looked at her. She wasn't sure that she was right for the woman, that she deserved to be loved by such a unique creature but she knew that her heart belonged to the blonde, that it had not been dampened by the time away, the distance or even her stubborn mind.
“I would have reservations with any woman, yet alone one so young, she is going to have a long life, I wouldn't want to take her years, she would never leave, she is too loyal, not that I think that she would have any interest but in the possible scenario where she was….. Wel she deserves better than to have her partner age rapidly and decay in front of her, another loss for her to bear. I wouldn't ask that of her.”
“Well we are on a day of firsts it would appear Cat, not only are you making a epic and dramatic change to your self professed brand by going back, you have fallen in love, with a woman, a younger one to boot. Not only that but you are allowing your fear to stop you trying. She will have many lives, many loves, and you have made the choice for her as to if she would be able to have your love, that is fear talking, you can be nothing, or you can be one of the lucky few that gets to love that amazing woman, to give her a taste of why this world is worth saving.”
Cat looked at her, she couldn't deny that there was some truth in Olivia’s statement there was, and she couldn't say that this was an unusual event having Olivia call her out, it wasn't. She was a little annoyed that Oliva was able to pinpoint the issue so easily especially after it had taken so long to come around to the understanding that she was running, and it was through fear.
“She is straight, and whereas I have never had an issue with changing the preferences of beautiful straight women over the years, to do that knowing what I know about her, her life and the pain that it would cause to lose someone she loved would be entirely selfish on my part. I am a cold hearted bitch by brand, but not by heart, I love her, I wouldn't do that to her”
“You will never know what she feels, or what she wants if you do not ever show her the option, as for being straight I think that you will find that were Kara grew up did not run with our normal conventions, Love was Love i think that you will find she doesn't see the normal human conventions when it comes to romantic entanglements. To remove the option, to decide for her, that is unfair to her, think about it Cat”
The unspoken knowledge drifting between the old friends had Cat smiling, she knew that Kara was not human clearly, she also knew something of where Kara grew up. She scanned her memory but couldn't remember any interviews that mentioned relationships or any conventions around partnerships on Krypton, she would have to ask the super one day about that. They were already heading towards National City and she was suddenly excited to see her old home. They spoke about the Alien ship and how currently it was not posing a threat, however on the flight that changed, many more ships appeared and there was a woman talking to the citizens of New Daxam, Cat raised her brow and stared at the live stream, there seemed to be a invasion happening, well that was the best time to arrive she supposed it was at least in true Cat fashion, she had made some comment about brokering deals and Kanye and Taylor before entering the fray that was happening, after all Olivia was getting nowhere with this woman.
“Ladies, if I wanted to listen to this adolescent macho-posturing, I would have stayed in D.C. Is this really who you want to be? Testosterone-driven windbags boasting about your big guns? Surely we don't need to measure anything. We're women.”
(season 2 ep 21)
Cat cut into the feed and was taking her moment to speak to the women, this Rhea was definitely not what she expected, she was attractive in a way, the strength and conviction, but she was arrogant and entitled, Cat didn't like that one bit, she had become the Queen of all Media through hard work her stature was earned, she always detested people who had everything handed to them and thought that made them better. This may have not been the best time to have her patience tested. The woman's severe face showed no sign of empathy or love, even the smile on her face was mocking and sardonic, a look that few could pull off without looking crazed and she was failing miserably. The hair and the over elaborate costume that she was wearing was just another attempt to show that she was better than others, it was quite frankly hideous, there was one word for this woman, overrated. She was annoyed that the woman had no idea who she was and enlightened her.
“I am Cat grant but on earth they call me The Queen of all Media”
The ping pong back and forth between the women Cat getting more and more annoyed by the nonchalance that she was displaying like the people of earth would just roll over and allow this woman to take over, was ended rather abruptly with a rocket of some description blowing a whole in the side of Air Force one. The moment that this happened Cat was sucked out of the plane. That was an undignified way to die, splattered across the floor after falling from a plane shot out of the sky by a poorly dressed entitled alien woman with no manners and even less appeal. Then there was a moment where she realised she wouldn't even get to see Kara again, once more look was now out of the question after she had decided that she was going to see what happened. Take Olivia’s advice and actually consider changing a habit of a lifetime and following her heart. She screamed out more in frustration than fear as she felt the strong arms looping around her and holding her close. Kara had come to save her, she smiled and then the plane exploded. Kara should have saved Olivia, but she was so happy to be in her arms she didn't question it.
Cat was engulfed by the scent of Kara, the brief hugs she had shared with both persona’s flitted through her mind. The strong but soft hold on her frame, the waft of fresh crisp rose and vanilla, something sweet she could never put her finger on. She briefly closed her eyes and inhaled the scent her memory was not doing justice. As they floated down to the wreckage an alien came from out of the mess throwing a door off her and slowly morphing into her friend. Cat couldn't say that she wasn't a little surprised but still that was something that she had not been expecting. The vague drug induced memories of ET in the shower made her cuckle. Kara had taken them to a place where they would find Alex, the resistance in a dive bar well that was an interesting choice.
“So this is where National cities finest are making their stand, I have to say Alex I am disappointed by the lack of young buff men in black but at least I can get a drink”
There was surprise and then shock when Olivia revealed herself and then there was the phone call that pulled Cat’s attention away from the room she had stood outside and with nowhere to sit she ended up sitting on the dumpster, undignified maybe but she was feeling the need to take a little pressure off and just catch her breath for a moment. She had wanted to make an entrance and see how Kara felt to have a chance to speak to her and see if there was anything there, anything at all that was coming from the other side. When she looked up to see a very annoyed and upset Super in her area she smiled softly. There was something almost familiar, almost calming about dealing with Kara like this, slipping into her mentor role, talking of love and the importance of it. Giving Kara the courage and determination to follow her heart, which was currently leading her away from Cat which she didnt want but she had people to save, she would always have people to save. It was one of the things that she loved about her, her unrelenting heart.
“That's still so cool”
Cat whispered to herself as she watched the super take off. There were plans, ideas, possibilities of crossed double crosses and convoluted ideas about managing this current crisis, but they needed a distraction and that was Cat’s speciality, she was more than capable of promoting the kind of distraction they would need, it was decided she would be back on air. She took Winslow with her and they made their way to CATCO. She was going to rile everyone up and get them fighting, for god’s sake National City had enough alien life to put up more resistance than this they just needed a push, it was time for a Cat Grant motivational speech. Once everything was up and running she stood in her old office, the distinct stench of testosterone filling her senses, the weights showing that James had made himself at home, she was more offended by the sweaty male smell clinging to her clothes and the cheap cologne that he wore than his way of trying to slip his feet under her desk. Raising her brow and pursing her lip did that boy just suggest that she was not ready.
“Good evening, National City, it's Cat Grant. Yes, I've been away for awhile, but I'm back. Now I can imagine that you're feeling afraid and feeling like your world is spinning out of control. But believe me, you have a power. And right now, you have a job to do. Resist. Resist these invaders with everything you've got. They come with empty promises and closed fists. They promise to make our world great again, and yet they know nothing about the people who make this world great.”
(season 2 ep 21)
She didn't get the whole speech out as they were under attack there were aliens everywhere she knew that Kara was busy and had almost resigned herself to her fate, she had thought that this would be a one way mission, a last broadcast when she undertook the plan. After all, all of the heavy hitters were busy with other parts of the plan. Then James came in and saved them. He tried to keep up pretences but Cat shut that down, she may allow the beautiful blonde to continue to pretend, but that was the love she had for her, James was not getting away with that. There was the eventual relenting admission and he removed his helmet, and Cat smiled; it would appear that some of her nine lives were still available to her. Eventually Cat got what she wanted time with Kara, although it wasn't quite what she was hoping for. Kara, Cat finished her drink and shared a conversation with her, finding out what she already knew deep down Kara was taken. She sighed and as much as it hurt she couldn't bring herself to be unhappy for her, quite the contrary she was glad that Kara had someone to make her happy and she hoped that this man did.
There was time with Clark, also known as superman and then she learned of Kara’s deal with Rhea that was not something that she wanted to see, Kara would be alone and she didn't trust that woman not as far as she could throw her, and considering the Daxamites were somewhat akin to Kryptonians, she assumed moving them would be just as hard. Soft conversations with Kara, before the fight about women having the courage to be vulnerable, about Cat putting all her money on Supergirl. They were all over too soon, she left with a fire in her eyes and Cat resigned herself to the knowledge that Kara was happy, she slipped out of National City and back to washington to take Olivia up on her offer. She couldn't go back. She could see that, her awareness of how she felt, how much she wanted Kara, the way she had fallen back into this mentor relationship made her think that there could be no more not now not ever. She kept track of the fight; she wasn't sure exactly how it went but Supergirl won and the Daxamites left. Sitting on the plane she smiled at the knowledge that Kara was safe, happy, had friends, family and love.