This story is canon compliant-ish. I ignored a lot of season 4 and 5. It's easy enough to follow along. Thanks for reading!

Part One: Mountain Tops

It wasn't at all affiliated with the Luthor name, which made it one of the most successful businesses Lena currently owned, in her opinion. She had gone back and forth on whether or not she should, in fact, tack her surname onto the ski resort. Ultimately, she decided against it because of her undying love for all things winter; it was just hers, therefore, not tainted.

Lena was grateful that she had decided to call it the Metropolis Mountain Lodge and Ski Resort and keep her silent ownership just that. It meant that she could slip off to the lodge and no one would be expecting her. A slip-off was in order: it's what one does after finding out that your best friend has been lying to you - that the woman you secretly love has been lying.

Just the thought made Lena's eyes water. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing the tears to dissipate as the town car drove smoothly down the highway. Her company would run in her stead, and she'd work from the lodge when it was needed, but Lena really just required time off to reboot and immerse herself in her first love: fresh cold mountain air, miles of snow, and the warmth that comes with it. National City had zapped so much of her time that Lena had put the lodge on the backburner. Well, no more - for however long she'd be staying at the lodge, she'd make an effort.

Fortified for the moment, she started a quick email to her heads of advertising and marketing. Lena would woo her (not so quaint, but homey) lodge once more, and actually enjoy herself and the work, she convinced herself with a nod. She had flown out of National City late two nights before, restless and haunted by that look on Kara's face. That guilty look and the way she had struggled to string more than a series of apologies out over and over…

Lena's eyes slipped closed against the pain before looking back out of the car's window, angry that she allowed her thoughts to return to Kara without her permission. The previous day in Metropolis had been particularly bad. She had spent the day and night in a very expensive hotel suite, drinking her feelings as she stared out at the cityscape, heart breaking, while Otis Redding quavered in the background.

When she had awoken in the morning, Lena promised herself that it would be the last time she'd cry over Kara. Instead, she would put the woman out of her mind.

Lena had told Kara weeks ago that she didn't want to speak. That she needed time. However, it wasn't until landing in Metropolis that Lena let herself feel. And now she would throw herself into work at the lodge. It was something she so desperately, desperately desired as she fought off tears and the thick, overwhelming sadness that felt like it was about to suffocate her.

Was this really the final straw? The thing that finally felt like she was beaten emotionally? Or maybe it had been compounded with the Lex stuff, as well?

No, even as Lena thought it she dismissed it. Yes, Lex's betrayals never stopped hurting, but it was far from surprising. People rarely surprised Lena. Kara, though, had sneaked in and shocked the hell out of her time and time again, until Lena had felt like her heart had been repairing itself. Like she could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Light that had apparently been blinding.

More tears rose to the surface. Lena fought them again, remembering her promise to herself.

Luckily at that moment, the town car turned off the highway and onto the interstate that would take her to her lodge. She'd stop thinking about Kara and all the lying and betrayal and feelings and throw herself into the lodge.

With that in mind, Lena wrapped up her email and opened to start a new one. It was time to close off that part of herself.

Rolling down her window slightly, Lena took a deep breath of mountain air.

Across the globe a few weeks later, Cat Grant sat in her temporary penthouse study, silently listening on an expensive couch as her youngest son gave a stunningly persuasive presentation on the reasons it was time to return to the states. Carter Grant, while enjoying seeing the world, wanted more time with his mother. Cat had conquered yet another feat and had jump-started school programs for young women in underdeveloped countries. She had dove, and had scored straight tens on her style, technique, and creativity: even the German judges were wowed.

Carter summarized, softly pleading to his mother to take a break from diving in order to just enjoy her newest successes. Honestly, he needn't work so hard to convince Cat: she was just so proud that his research was well thought out and thorough, and would've given in even if it hadn't. Not only because she loved giving her son what he wanted, but because the thought of some time off sounded a bit brilliant. Work hadn't been doing what it had done in the past. It used to be that she'd wake up, in pain on the ground - or whatever the boys in Washington considered "comfortable accommodation." She would change the world all day long, and then fall asleep exhausted, only to do it all again the next day.

But lately, the dreams had begun again and her mind was wandering during tasks. Maybe a vacation would shake the thoughts? Stop all that before it got bad again. After all, what was the point of leaving National City if that old behavior came roaring back?

Cat bit her lip as her son continued to chatter on proudly. She covered her mouth with her fist to hide the behavior before Carter saw, knowing he'd catch the tell and grow concerned. He had no reason to be concerned. She was just tired. She had been working hard on and off for a while now, all over - the press secretary for a time, and back to kicking ass around the world. Cat fancied a few cocktails, a hot tub, non yurt-like or government living conditions, and obsessively not thinking about what she told herself she wouldn't think about.

But what if a vacation led to more time to think about…

...No! Cat promised herself. Carter asked for so little, Cat would easily agree.

"I'm going to require a hot tub and cocktails," Cat voiced, as she moved to get up off the far too smooshy couch - thank god she was in such great shape or she would've needed Carter's help getting up.

"I know just the place!" Carter announced, a pleased note in his voice as he clicked on the next slide. Cat found herself again sinking into the disaster of white leather as she slipped her glasses back on to read:

"Metropolis Mountain Lodge and Ski Resort," she said out loud, her nose wrinkling slightly - not exactly what she had in mind. Behind the font-happy emboldened name may as well have been a stock photo of any mountain ski lodge ever made. Carter was already onto the next slide.

The photos of the inside, however, were slightly less stock. "You said hot tub and cocktails and this place has both!" Carter swore before clicking onto the next impressive slide.

It was upscale. Cat-Grant-upscale. With a bit of Carter-Grant-downscale mixed in. Carter's presentation, which Cat had previously thought had run its course, seemed to only hit its midway point. She was pretty sure she should've been allowed a bathroom break, but he seemed so excited and earnest as he clicked through more slides with more pictures of amenities for him, and luxurious touches for her.

He could ski while she wrote and worked in the very VIP-like accommodations. He could play games in the game room while she indulged at the five-star spa. Meals would be exquisite and fit all their dietary needs. And the name: Metropolis Lodge and Ski Resort really was clever, because it was both lodge and resort, depending on your tastes. You didn't need to go offsite to get what you desired, so they could stay in their bubble for as long as they wanted - a swim? A movie? Solitude? It would be tentative, of course. Maybe a week or two, depending upon whether or not Cat's mind started to wonder.

It all looked really nice. Lovely even. And while it wasn't a beach somewhere, Cat could allow this compromise easily. There was just one thing: "So, I'll be at the spa, and writing in the lounge, and you'll be playing games and skiing…" Cat knew she was onto something when she saw the delicate blush blooming across her son's cheeks and his gaze swung to the opposite side of the room. She slid her glasses off and smirked. "Sounds like a lot of wonderful mother/son bonding."

Carter gave a huff and looked back guiltily. "Henry and Hannah are going," he mumbled nervously.

Cat smirked and adjusted herself on the couch to ensure she wouldn't be swallowed alive by some designer-wannabes terrible life choice. "Henry and Hannah?"

Carter gave another sigh. "They're the Martin twins. The ones I did tennis with two summers ago. We've stayed in touch because of our graphic novel club. Their mom got an advertisement email about the lodge and it's supposed to be this really fancy place. They're having a family vacation there and they Zoomed me about it and said…"

Cat sat forward, with some difficulty, and cupped her cheek as she saw the vulnerability in her son's eyes. "Said what, Carter?" she asked softly.

"They said I should come! It sounded fun and I thought we could get a chance to be together. But I'm not crazy - you're still going to want to work. This way we can do both!"

Cat smiled because this she fully believed. Her growing son still wanted to spend time with her - but he also had friends now. He wanted to see those friends, not just travel the world and live out of hotel rooms and yurts and have "experiences." He wanted normal vacations, too.

Cat's smile retracted back into a smirk as she let him wiggle on the line for a moment. His presentation seemed to have another twenty or so slides - god help her, what had she created - and the current slide was on the lodge's karaoke bar. The transition had actually dissolved from a swanky outdoor suite with a private balcony, complete with a small pool and hot tub, to an exuberant crowd cheering on a quartet. Probably a bachelorette party, Cat thought with an eye roll. Why her son had thought karaoke was a positive to include in his presentation, she would make sure she'd know and make him see the error of his ways. But the view that had went along with that pool/hot tub balcony…

And Carter would have friends?

It really was a no-brainer.

There was just one small issue, and Cat opened her mouth to tell her beautiful son, but before she could, he pulled a smirk of his own and clicked on the next slide. "I've already thought about that!"

Cat stared at the next picture and felt the wind get knocked out of her and rushed back in all at once.

"Shit," she whispered as she gazed up at a slide with a smiling picture of Kara Danvers.

Kara was sitting on her feet on her living room couch, staring at the television without really seeing it. Next to her, Alex watched her baby sister continue to stare without seeing, not noticing the show they were watching - the same show they had been watching for hours.

She had been like this for weeks.

Her sister had finally told her best friend she is Supergirl, and that's when it all shattered. When Lena shattered. When Kara shattered.

She hadn't told Alex everything, but what Kara had managed to get out was that Lena had already known. She couldn't make sense of much more of what her sister had told her. And since then, Kara hadn't said much about the situation. Lena needed time and Kara wouldn't betray her further - she had done enough to hurt her.

Alex knew Kara did fly-bys to check on Lena as discreetly as possible. That both seemed to help and hurt. Alex always knew the nights when Lena was crying, because those were the nights Kara cried. At least Kara could have eyes on Lena to know she was okay physically. And then suddenly, Lena was gone and no one knew where she went - despite Kara and the DEO's best efforts. Ever since then, her sister's mood had gone from bad to worse.

"Getting hungry?" Alex asked again. She had asked ten minutes prior, but her sister had either ignored her or hadn't heard.

Softly, Kara shook her head. "No," she whispered back. Her appetite was gone. Her powers were fritzing like crazy. She wasn't sleeping. Alex's eyes swept to the newspaper that had sat on the coffee table for weeks, the front page with a picture of Cat Grant with the headline declaring her resignation as press secretary, and a question mark on her next moves.

Sometimes she'd catch her sister looking at the cover, not really seeing, and more emptiness seemed to eclipse the blue of her eyes.

"I'm getting tired, Alex," Kara said after an hour of more silence. Alex nodded and pulled the blanket back, getting ready to stand. "I just keep losing people and I'm just so…" Alex froze and subtly got back under the covers - shocked that it seemed Kara was actually going to talk. "I think I'm going to go away for a little."

That surprised Alex more than anything.

"What?" She turned away from the TV to stare at Kara and saw that her sister's unseeing eyes were in the direction of the newspaper.

Kara nodded wordlessly for a moment. "That seems to work...for some people. Going away."

But not her sister. Never. Kara always said that she wouldn't run. Even when it was hard that she had to be there. "My powers aren't even working properly, Alex. It's probably safer if I do go away. Just a little time. Maybe see Clark?"

Suddenly, Alex was nervous. "And CatCo?"

Kara's gaze sharpened and she hastily looked away from the newspaper and then at the TV screen. "I've already spoken to them."

Alex didn't like the sound of that. "And this new CEO is just okay with -"

"It's fine, Alex," Kara said, still not looking at her.

Softly, Alex tapped her foot against her sister's and gave her a small, sympathetic smile. "Well, I think it's a great idea."

Kara hesitated for a moment, the line in between her brow sharpening. "You do?"

Alex's smile grew, almost playful. "Yeah. I think it sounds great. You haven't had a vacation in a while. I'm jealous I can't take one, too. I'm just a little too important to go," she said lightly, looking away and back at the TV. It got the desired response, though.

Kara scoffed. "I'm important!" Alex uh huh-ed like she was placating her. "I'm Supergirl and I won a Pulitzer!"

Alex's gaze was back on her, suddenly serious. "Hell yes you are, and you bet your ass you did! So if anyone deserves a vacation it's you. You should take time off, have some fun, and come back here to cover the lunch shift."

Kara threw a pillow at her none too softly - for the sneaky peptalk and also for the small tease; because everyone was a little nervous by the fact that Kara's powers were acting up - all the yellow sunlight in the world didn't seem to make any difference. But Alex would take the pillow shot and a million more to finally get a smile on her sister's face.

But for all her vacation talk, the subject seemed to drop after that night. Alex would bring it up periodically and Kara would change the subject or make weak excuses.

Her mood soured again as well.

Alex didn't like to talk about Kara behind her back, but she was talking to everyone about what her thoughts were on the subject. What they thought Alex should do to help her sister. Kara was still going to work. Still going to the D.E.O. Still attending game nights. But sleep walking.

Alex had had enough. She and Kelly had talked it over and while Kelly didn't necessarily think beating her sister into happiness was going to work, Alex was sure that it was at least the first step.

So the sisters stepped into the kryptonite-treated training room, Alex fixing the tape on her hand and contemplating Kara with narrowed, focused eyes. Her sister thought they were just sparring. Since her powers were fritzing, maybe getting back to the basics was the right move - or that's what Alex had suggested.

"Ready?" Alex asked as they squared off, her fists raised and face determined. Kara looked as disinterested as she typically did these days. "Okay," Alex whispered in her own head, ready to really hand it to Kara.

Kara moved a little, eyes on her sister, fists barely raised.

"I've been thinking," Alex began, they were circling each other. Kara didn't respond. "I think you should plan that trip today. Like we talked about. Not tomorrow, not-" Alex swung out her fist.

But Kara's phone rang the instant before. Kara had looked towards the sound a moment before Alex's punch, causing her fist to swing wide, the momentum of her epic miss pulling her feet off-balance and causing her to stumble slightly.

"This may be work, hold on," Kara said, already moving towards her bag, completely unaware that her sister had almost pulled something in her attempt to "beat the happiness into her."

Alex's arms dropped impotently to her sides and she looked around the room, subtly rubbing at her shoulder and making sure no one had witnessed her swing and a miss. Then she heard the gasp. Her head swung around to find Kara's eyes comically wide and her lips almost smiling. "Is it Lena?" Alex asked, moving closer.

Kara's head slowly shook, but her eager expression didn't change. At that, Alex was at a loss. There weren't many people who could get that look on her sister's face, even when she was a happy ball of sunshine.

Her phone was still ringing.

"Well who is it?" Alex asked in exasperation.

"It's Miss Grant," Kara breathed reverently.

Alex's eyebrows shot up in amusement. And there was possibly the only other person that could make Kara act like that. "Are you going to answer?" she asked with a laugh.

"I-I don't know? Should I? What do you think she wants? Do you think she's in trouble or needs something or-"

Alex grabbed the phone from her sister's hands and answered before jabbing it to Kara's ear.

"Hello?" Kara squeaked, nervous and caught off guard.

"Hi, Kara!"

Kara laughed lightly and covered her red face with her hand. "Carter...hi!" Alex frowned, but moved back and crossed her arms to watch how her sister's entire disposition changed quite suddenly with just a phone call and the Grant name.

"I'm calling to say hi, and also ask you about that nanny service thing that we used a few years ago? Do you remember? Cause no one else does, of course, but mom knew you'd remember, so we thought we'd call you! We're going on this awesome trip to this really cool lodge and I wanted to have you come, but mom said I can't just presume -"

"Let her breathe, Carter!"

Cat.

Or - Miss Grant, rather.

Kara felt goosebumps and her eyes briefly closed as she bit her lip. Even now it still gave her a thrill to hear the woman's voice. She had no idea where the Grants were, but in that moment, she felt close to Cat. Her smile expanded and she found herself sinking to the floor to sit cross-legged and really listen to whatever Carter was going on about - and of course, to listen to Cat.

"Sorry, Kara, I'm a little excited."

"It's quite all right, Carter. How can I help?"

"My mom and I are going on a vacation together at this ski lodge just outside of Metropolis. My mom, of course, is insisting on a nanny service - even though I'm a way better skier than I was last time and no longer need a babysitter to watch me ski!" he mentioned, obviously more for his mother's benefit than Kara's. "So anyway, since you worked so hard vetting the agency, I wanted to check with you about which one we used." Carter said.

Kara smiled widely. "Your mom just wants you to be safe, you know that. Especially since she wouldn't step foot out on the slopes."

"I'm a teenager, Kara, I hardly need a babysitter. It's ridiculous!" Alex watched as Kara suddenly went very still, and then jumped off the mats on the floor, full of jittery nerves and excitement. "...My friends are going to be there, but mom said 'they're not good enough and I need a responsible adult who can keep me from breaking my neck'."

Kara laughed freely, picturing Cat giving that very speech before she found herself cutting Carter's monologue off with a beaming smile. "Carter! Your mom may not want to presume, but I was actually planning on taking a small vacation myself! What if I did come with you, and that way we could go skiing together and your mom wouldn't have to worry?"

"Really?" Carter asked, sounding almost as excited as Kara.

"Are you planning on going soon?"

"Next week! Kara, that would be so awesome!"

"What's got you so excited, young man?" Kara heard Cat say from the background. By the sound of it, she had just reentered the room. There was some light shuffling on the other end of the phone and the distant sounds of Carter whooping, before Kara heard a low, "Hello, Kara." Kara instantly felt her stomach warm and tighten and then swoop.

Alex watched as her sister's smile grew tenfold as she blindly dropped back down onto the mat.

"Hello, Miss Grant," Kara responded breathily.

"What has my son over the moon so suddenly?" she asked, the smile as clear as her question.

"I just…I, um…" Alex's eyebrows shot up again at the giddy nervousness that was radiating off of Kara. She watched her sister take a deep breath before continuing. "I was just telling Carter that if you need a nanny for him, I offer up my services. I could be there as soon as Wednesday night!"

There was a long pause on the other line and Kara checked to make sure the call hadn't gotten dropped. Kara was up off the floor again, pacing, again.

"Is that so?" Cat eventually responded carefully.

"Well, I mean, if you're okay with it, of course! It's just that I was planning on taking some time to get away and with the holiday and everything coming up...and this would be a really good opportunity to have some fun and plus I didn't have anyone to go on my vacation with and I would've probably have gotten super bored if I went anywhere by myself and-"

"That would be…," Cat began, her words weighted, and Kara held her breath as she counted the beats, "acceptable," she finally finished.

Kara froze as everything finally caught up to her. "Really?" Cat didn't sound like it was "acceptable." She actually sounded like it was painful for her to agree. Kara thought that the days of Cat not letting her watch Carter were over. Maybe not? "Are you sure? Because I still have all the information for the nanny agency. I think I even still have it on my phone, so it wouldn't be-"

"No. No, Kara...If. If you're sure we're not...keeping you from anything or... I…would of course pay you-"

"Oh!" Kara interrupted, shaking her off as her butt slammed back to the mat. She was relieved that Cat seemed to really be okay with her accompanying them. "No need, honestly. You would be doing me a favor and-"

"Then I will be paying for the room and the equipment and meals and I don't want to hear another word about it, Kara Danvers."

Kara grinned widely. "I wouldn't dream of it, Miss Grant."

Cat cleared her throat. "Yes, well." There was another long pause that had Kara checking her phone. Cat cleared her throat again. "Should I have a car waiting for you Wednesday to take you to the airport or will you…make your own travel arrangements?"

Kara's whole body went rigid as she sucked in a breath. "Uh…I, um…guess I'll make my own plans?" she said, feeling caught.

"Mmhm," Cat hummed, "I see."

"But I can be there Wednesday night and we can play it by ear for how long I can stay? At least the long weekend - I have the time off for that much. Is that enough for Carter, or would you need someone after that because maybe I could see if-"

"We look forward to seeing you, Kara." She quickly gave Kara the resort information and specifics. "Safe…flight." And the line went dead. Kara dropped her phone, feeling like a changed woman already.

Without a word to Alex - because, frankly, Kara had forgotten she was even there - she got off her butt for the last time and left the room in a daze. Was she dreaming?

For her part, Alex stood in the DEO's training room alone, confused, but at least victorious. She didn't even have to throw one punch - she wouldn't be telling anyone about the only punch she had thrown - to convince her sister to get out of town. And even better, Kara actually seemed excited.

She quickly left the room to catch up with Kara and found her slowly making her way down the D.E.O's halls, as though she were lost. "So…I guess you're going away with the Grants?" Alex asked, trying not to smirk too widely.

"Skiing. Yeah. I guess so," Kara answered in a daze, and then halted before turning to Alex, a slow smile spreading. "Wow. Oh!" Kara squealed as she jumped slightly. "I have to shop! I have to pack! Maybe I'll ask Lena if -"

There it was. She had forgotten.

Seeing Cat's name and hearing her voice had made Kara forget for a moment. She couldn't call Lena to ask about skiing equipment. Because her best friend was nowhere to be found. And even if she was safe at home, she wanted nothing to do with Kara.

Alex's own smile dropped as she watched the fresh excitement crumble from her sister's face.

"Maybe I should-"

"No!" Alex interrupted, and then grabbed her sister's arm to drag her into an empty room. Her face was stern, arms crossed, as she beared down on Kara. "No, Kara, you're not canceling on the Grants. You are going and that's final!" she said with a pointed finger, expression steely.

Kara bit her lip, "Alex…" she drawled out, like she was all ready to roll out her excuses, but Alex was holding up her hand.

"You hurt your friend. You made mistakes. Hell, I made mistakes with Lena, too! She's been hurt. And I'm not going to lie to you, Kara, she may never get over this." Kara's eyes began to well with tears. "But you can't go on like this! Someone very important to you called and asked you to spend time away, skiing and...and" Alex said, grappling for the right word, "having fun! Fun, no drama. Just get away for a little while. Get caught up with Cat and Carter. Take a long weekend! At least a few days. That's an order! And after that, maybe you'll have some clarity."

Kara wiped a tear away. "I just hurt her so badly, Alex"

"I know," she agreed, then her tone softened. "I know. But you can't do anything else right now except respect her wishes. Go skiing with the Grants. Maybe you can stay an extra few days if you can convince CatCo it's a working trip: you can wrangle an interview out of Cat," Alex said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Kara laughed lightly. "I'm not sure the hotel's bar has enough alcohol to facilitate that. But it's worth a shot."

Alex's face got serious when she saw her sister's expression. "At the very least, Kara, you need to get your powers in check."

"I know!" Kara said, choking back tears before leaning in to hug her sister. Alex gave her sister a soft smile and then squeezed her closer, all the while begging that this trip would be the answer Kara so desperately needed.

Carter Grant didn't want to waste any time in Metropolis not at the resort. So only two days after locking down Kara, he was packed and waiting for Cat at the door to their hotel.

"You do understand there will be no skiing until Kara arrives?" Carter rolled his eyes and nodded. "Then let us away," Cat intoned, suddenly more excited for the trip than she had been previously. She really wanted to spend time with Carter, obviously. But the idea of relaxing, of sitting in front of the gorgeous wintery view with a warm mug of hot chocolate, in her comfiest sweater, made Cat feel nostalgic and at home.

And then there was Kara.

She did want to see Kara. Very much so. And that went in the pro and con category for this trip.

Hours later, "Miss Grant, right this way," the concierge at the Metropolis Mountain Lodge and Ski Resort smiled, gesturing for both Grants to follow the bellhop to their room. As always, Carter was caught up in everything around him, taking note of the warm, rustic nods of the modern resort, and the many amenities it had to offer. Nevermind the breathtaking view; there were windows everywhere, showing off.

"On the ground floor you will find the game room, our casual dining restaurant, and the bar," the bellhop explained to the Grants as they took the elevator to the resort's modest eighth floor penthouse. "The gym, pool, spa, and ski rentals are all located on the lower ground floor. And our more upscale restaurant is located on the roof terrace. That closes at ten sharp and requires reservations."

Cat smiled mildly at the young woman as she pushed the cart weighted down with their luggage. The penthouse suite was luxurious with its three bedroom, two baths, full living area, and balcony hot tub - no pool on this balcony, Cat noted with a pout.

"If there is nothing else, Miss Grant?" the young woman asked after depositing the luggage in the appropriate rooms.

Cat smiled and offered a tip before turning to the breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows. She could just make out skiers in the distance and immediately felt the stress roll away. "I think we have all we need, thank you," she said, dismissing the bellhop.

Cat didn't get much time to relax before Carter was urging her out the door and downstairs to the game room. Whether it was video games, old school arcade games, skeeball, air hockey, or a pool table, the Metropolis Mountain Lodge had it all.

Cat ordered her long-awaited hot chocolate and sat back in a comfy leather chair while Carter moved from game to game in the near-empty room. Cat's gaze drifted to another floor-to-ceiling view of the slopes, content to watch skiers zip down and ride the lift back up - rinse and repeat. While she had absolutely zero desire to be out there amongst them, she loved to watch. In that moment she was annoyed at herself for not originally even considering a setting like this. Why a tropical island?

Maybe because this really did feel like home, and lately Cat has needed to feel out of sorts - out of her element, all in order to not fall back into bad habits. Well, Cat thought wryly, no matter, now that Kara would be joining them. She was so immersed in her thoughts and the view, she wasn't even aware she was being watched.

When Lena had gotten the call that Cat Grant had checked in, she decided it was time for a break from her seemingly nonstop work. Over the last few weeks when she wasn't checking in with LCorp, Lena had been throwing herself into the lodge - spamming the rich and powerful all over the country to lure them to her tiny lodge. However, Cat Grant's appearance gave Lena the first real reason to move out from behind her desk.

Typically if there was a VIP guest, Lena would make herself scarce, no matter the guest in question. However, Cat Grant was more than just a legend to Lena, and went beyond an inspiration; Cat Grant was that mythical unicorn that Lena wanted in her orbit. For so many reasons, truth be told, and not just because Kara spoke so highly of the woman, although that was certainly a very, very large reason that -

Kara.

Lena shook her head to clear her friend from her thoughts and considered, instead, the woman before her. Cat looked relaxed, Lena was pleased to see. The petite woman was in the squishiest, most comfortable brown leather chair, her heels kicked off and her stockinged feet tucked underneath her legs. The cream sweater she wore over her leggings dwarfed her frame, making her appear right at home in the lodge. For now, Cat just seemed at peace gazing at the white landscape and out into the distance. Lena could practically hear the excitement coming from the skiers, and wondered if Cat could as well, hence her soft smile.

"Excuse me," a voice asked softly. Cat didn't stir, so Lena flicked her gaze from the woman to glance at the boy in front of her who was almost eye level. He was offering a wary smile, his eyes going from her to the floor and back again nervously. "Do you work here, ma'am?"

Lena liked him immediately. He was so obviously Carter Grant, but she saw a great deal of herself in his social behaviors that her heart warmed. Always being in the public eye as a child, but hating every minute of it made being a Luthor challenging. It still made it challenging, of course. And clearly Carter felt the same dread at new interactions. The difference between she and Carter, was that Lillian had forced Lena to put on a bright smile despite her discomfort. Carter, it seemed, wasn't put through the same uncomfortable paces. Cat let him be himself. It also warmed Lena to the woman.

"I do work here," she smiled, happy to fib. "Are you finding everything?" she asked, sweeping her arm out to indicate the room at large before folding them behind her back. Cat was still entranced by the outside world, so Lena decided Carter would be her main focus.

She watched his brow furrow thoughtfully before turning to one arcade game in particular. "I'm not really sure how that one works," he mumbled.

"Ah," Lena smiled wider, taking the short walk to the game that looked more like a large metal box standing up on its side, with a very small, 1980's-style screen and controllers on its front. "That's because it's a one-of-a-kind, homemade arcade game," Lena informed the boy, and watched his expression turn awed. Her smile broadened. "It takes a certain kind of person to be able to play."

"No way!" he breathed, his excitement contagious. Lena laughed and started the game, very aware that every second Carter was getting closer, his focus mirrored his mother's. "Did you build this?" Carter asked, eyes riveted as the formulas, numbers, and shapes that appeared on the screen.

Lena nodded. "I was around your age when I started programming," she explained, already knowing that Carter would be one of the rare few at the lodge who would enjoy playing, and perhaps, best her game. "My brother had the concept, and I spent most of my childhood building this in between my studies."

"That's so cool," Carter gushed.

Lena laughed and gave up the reins happily to the boy. "I like taking things apart and putting them back together," she whispered conspiratorially.

He matched her grin, eyes shining. "Me too!" he eagerly agreed, already getting the hang of the complexities of the space-inspired game that required mathematical formulas to advance. "I got in trouble when I took apart my mom's hair dryer."

Lena smirked and nodded. "Imagine taking apart your father's Porsche."

Carter looked away from the game to gape at Lena. "You must have been grounded for forever!"

Lena chuckled. "If he were alive, I'm sure I'd still be grounded."

"I wonder what he'd think of you taking apart his company as you have," Cat said, smirking slightly as she wrapped a protective arm around her son's shoulders.

Lena was slightly taken aback by Cat's sudden entrance, but was pleasantly surprised by how unflappable the woman seemed. She gave Cat a wide, shy smile and bowed her head in silent acknowledgement that Cat Grant, of course, knew exactly who Lena was, despite the fact that Lena's face was free of her usual makeup and tailored outfits.

Carter glanced up between the two women, noticing that his mother was suddenly wearing her Reporter Face, and that his new friend looked slightly bashful. "Do you know each other?"

Lena smiled down at him before giving Cat a slightly predatory smirk. "Your mother and I have never been formally introduced, although it has always been a hope of mine that our paths would cross, eventually. I actually bought CatCo after your mom-"

"And then turned around and sold it to trash," Cat cutoff, still looking playful, probably for her son's benefit more than Lena's, she thought, with an internal sigh. Her head really must be in a blender if this exchange hadn't even occurred to her.

Again, Lena acknowledged Cat's words with a slight nod of her head. "Don't worry, I put all the necessary legal jargon in place to secure it. I just needed to step away, and required a good placeholder. When I'm ready, I'll either take it back or make sure it passes to the right hands." Lena's chin jutted forward confidently as her stare remained locked with Cat's.

After a moment of Cat's careful examination, she hmmed as though she didn't buy a word of it, or maybe she did, but didn't approve, or thought Lena weak for her methods. Owning CatCo right now couldn't be helped, though. Lena would not make the right decisions. She gave it to someone who didn't read the fine print, who had jumped at the chance to buy it, who would amp sales - for better or worse - and get bored easily when Lena was ready to get it back. They were old friends, and while no longer as close as they used to be, Lena felt comfortable asking Andrea for this favor. And when Lena was able to make a rational decision where Kara Danvers was concerned...

The telltale signs of Lena's game ending sounded, and Carter's full attention was back to both women. "I'm Carter Grant," he said, not picking up on the tension. Lena forced herself to put her previous thoughts into a box and turn to the young man.

After all, she was charmed. He was this perfect little Cat Grant - only, the one Cat didn't often show people, Lena surmised. She gave him an involuntary beaming smile. "Carter, it's lovely to meet your acquaintance. Lena Luthor." She could tell he recognized the name, and his expression grew impressed. No sign of judgement. She then turned to his mother and offered Cat her hand. "Miss Grant."

Cat observed her for a moment before smirking, not bothering with the proffered hand. "This is quite the surprise, Miss Luthor; I would've brought my dictaphone if I had ever considered the Metropolis Mountain Lodge and Ski Resort's infamous silent partner was also the games coordinator. And please, call me Cat. I insist," she hissed, as though being called "Miss Grant" was unacceptable. Which was strange, Lena thought, because Kara has called her "Miss Grant" fairly regularly.

Lena nodded, though, and let her hand fall with another twitch of her lips - she wasn't even sure why she bothered trying to shake Cat's hand, maybe she just wanted to touch some part of the woman to make sure she was real? Human? But she was still a germaphobe. "I'll call you Cat when you call me Lena."

Cat only smirked in reply. It caused Lena's eyebrow to quirk, because that smirk was almost flirty, as was the once over she was currently giving Lena.

Interesting. Unexpected. Welcome. Something in Lena stirred like a deep longing.

Lena was hardly surprised Cat Grant knew of her silent partnership - Lena had done her research and knew not much escaped the woman's keen focus. But having a battle of wits was not a game Lena was interested in playing; and she was fairly sure she'd come out the lessor - not that it wouldn't be fun. She just wasn't in fighting shape at that very moment. Later, though. That thought excited Lena, much like the potential for flirting and more.

Instead of trading jabs, Lena directed her next words to Carter. "I'm glad you're enjoying the game, Carter. If you ever wanted to lose spectacularly, I'd be happy to play you."

Carter's face lit up in reply, obviously liking the challenge. "Cat, I have zero interest in giving an interview - in fact, I'd very much appreciate it if no one knew that I was here and that this is my lodge. But I would be delighted if you'd join me for dinner during your stay. That is," Lena gave Carter another glance, "if your very handsome date would allow."

Cat obviously appreciated the effort Lena was making with Carter, and Carter, Lena could tell, was comfortable with her. So Lena was hoping that she could actually share some time with Cat, picking her brain, finding out everything the woman had been up to lately.

"Well-" Cat began, but Carter was already jumping in.

"Sure! My friends will be here later today so you can do that while we hang out. Or," Carter said, turning to his mother, "You can wait until Kara gets here."

At the name, both women seemed to freeze.

"Kara?" Lena asked, the smile melting right off her face. She could not believe it was that complicated and all that simple. She suddenly felt trapped.

Carter was jumping in again, "Yeah, Kara Danvers. She's my friend," Carter mentioned, pride evident in his tone, before his attention waned and he turned back to Lena's game.

As Lena tried to control her breathing, Cat found herself biting her lip and reconsidering yet again - she had been doing that ever since Kara had made the offer of her services.

Could Cat really do this? Be around Kara? And for fucks sake, what has made Cat listen to her son and not get Kara her own hotel room? "It will be fine, mom, we're getting a suite! She can stay with us!"

What the hell did he know?

Although…

Now that Lena Luthor was around, it wasn't like she and Kara had to spend time with one another. During the day Kara would be with Carter. And when she wasn't zipping around doing whatever it was that Kara didn't want Cat to know she did, she could spend her time with her friend Lena. Perfectly hot and brilliant and rich and sexy and well-traveled and talented Lena. Lena I'm-So-Hot Luthor that I make people flirt with me even when they don't mean to.

Of course Cat knew Kara and Lena were friendly.

Okay, Cat thought with a huff and an eyeroll, they were more than friendly. They were friends. From Cat's digging - it didn't require any extensive digging, however, which made Cat's lip curl even further - it appeared Lena Luthor was a regular visitor of both Kara Danvers and Supergirl's routine. Hackles rising slightly, Cat offered a bland smile, suddenly knowing that a dinner would be an excellently bad idea, as attractive and fascinating as the woman may be.

But, as Cat's jealousy fog started to clear and she actually took in the woman across from her, Lena seemed to be leveled by the news of Kara's impending arrival.

Leveled.

Cat watched Lena's face and the woman seemed almost unsteady on her feet like they would simply slip out from underneath her at any moment.

"Carter, darling?" Cat asked, her son already absorbed back into Lena's homemade game.

"Hmm?" he asked, distractedly.

"Miss Luthor and I are going to have a quick chat over there if you need us." Without waiting for a response from anyone - which was a good thing, because none was forthcoming - Cat took the sleeve of Lena's off-the-shoulder soft blue, woolen sweater and dragged her over to where she had been sitting when she had caught sight of the CEO speaking to her son.

Before both women were even sitting, a helpful woman in an apron was at their side with a tray and a smile. "Would you care for another hot chocolate, Miss Grant?"

"Two, please," Cat asked before turning to look over the landscape. She was suddenly reminded of that fateful day in her yurt in the middle of nowhere when the yearning for current events and news of the outside world - read: Kara - became so great that Cat snuck into the yurt of one of the doctors on location to borrow - some would call it stealing, but it's not if you give it back, eventually - his tablet.

More than a feature, it was like a diptych of beauty on CatCo's media page, both pictures of Lena: the first had Kara in conversation with the woman, the pair in long gowns and warm, secret smiles. The other picture was of Supergirl with Lena, the superhero's arms around Lena, in the middle of saving her life, Lena's eyes gazing up at the hero reverently while Supergirl peered down, looking relieved and enamoured. Innocent coverage of an event, that was devastating to Cat.

It became a sort of sweet torture, but Cat smuggled in her own electronics to keep track. It became very apparent that in her absence, Kara had found another business mogul to idolize and Supergirl another lightningrod to protect.

And damnitall, Cat currently thought as she sat next to the woman, she could completely understand because Lena Luthor was every bit as alluring and enrapturing as she had been millions of miles away in a canvas yurt in the middle of nowhere. Who casually wears black leather pants at a freaking mountain lodge and manages to make it look effortless? Her dark hair was pulled back in a sloppy ponytail that somehow looked sophisticated. Her makeup was almost nonexistent. She looked far too sexy and Cat felt her focus slipping.

She took a long, deep breath - because really, she was sure there had to be something to hate about the woman - and turned. "Carter's friends arrive in an hour or so, and their parents so generously offered to keep all three children occupied this evening. Clearly mummy and daddy have a good herbalist." No answer came, not that Cat was surprised. "Dinner would be lovely this evening."

The waitress arrived just then with their hot chocolate - even faster than she had the first time, probably a perk of being with the owner, which is ridiculous: doesn't she know who Cat is?

Cat just drank her hot chocolate and watched the skiers in the distance. Not long after, her peaceful silence was interrupted by the sound of sputtering. She looked over to see Lena wiping at her mouth and the woman who had brought the hot chocolate rushing to clean up the area.

"Jesus, Cat, a little warning there was alcohol in this!" Lena said, waving away the young waitress, but taking the towel to clean up her chair and pants.

Cat just shrugged. "I thought that's what a hot chocolate was."

Cat wasn't the only one having second thoughts about dinner. Lena was very aware of how she had behaved earlier, and knew Cat understood that it had everything to do with Kara. And then there was Kara's impending presence. Should Lena just take the first flight out immediately? Yes, yes she should.

In the safety of her office, Lena was making plans to not only leave the lodge, but Metropolis. She had a feeling that it would be too tempting for Kara to not track her down in Metropolis when she was so close. So even though she wasn't mentally prepared to fly, she made the arrangements. Her crew would be ready first thing in the morning.

The morning, which would give her plenty of time to have dinner with Cat.

Lena sighed as she set her phone down and spun slightly in her chair. She turned fully to face the picturesque view of the slopes. It was much darker, but there were still people trying to make the most of what little light was left to them with the help of the floodlights.

It wasn't really a choice, was it? Cat Grant, the Cat Grant was asking her to dinner and Lena had the opportunity to sit with the woman one on one.

And…

There was this sick little voice in her head that didn't make her feel very good, but it was there nonetheless - Kara would know. She'd find out that Lena had been there, spent time with Cat, and then left.

Lena bit her lip and spun back towards her desk, already angry with herself. She didn't want Kara to hurt like Lena hurt. Carter, she was sure, would say something to Kara if Cat didn't. Should Lena lie to him to spare Kara's feelings? She could tell him she had suddenly been called away, back to LCorp…

It wouldn't work. Kara would absolutely see through that, of course.

Rubbing her eyes before slowly getting to her feet, Lena considered her options: leave and hurt Kara or stay and hurt herself?

Like that was ever really a question. But to be safe, she'd sleep on it: her crew wouldn't mind the sudden cancelation if that was her ultimate plan.

Hours later, Lena was taking her private elevator to the roof of the lodge to the fancier of the two restaurants on location. Kara would love them both, Lena thought, and also the food carts and kiosks…

Why did the woman's approaching arrival feel like both a nightmare and a dream come true?

Cat was already waiting in the restaurant, at a secluded table. The restaurant would be closed in an hour, but not for them. Even so, Lena had arrived twenty minutes earlier than they had suggested. Cat was almost done with her whiskey and her sharp golden eyes swept up once Lena was through the elegant glass doors of the room - those eyes, Lena noted, were very appealing. Cat was very appealing. She had dressed up for the occasion, not as casual as she had been earlier, wearing a soft yellow dress that looked form-fitting from behind the table where the whole look escaped Lena.

Even from across the room, Lena could see how the dress brought out different flecks in Cat's eyes, hair slightly curly, makeup understated - with the exception of the attention to her mouth: yeesh, Lena thought with arousal. Lena was reminded of Cat's earlier flirting, and felt her own gait stutter slightly with anticipation.

That flirting was the reason Lena had also wanted to make an effort - despite everything. It was Cat Grant, afterall, but instead of her usual plan to intimidate or prove herself, Lena felt the need to continue with what she had started earlier. Her makeup was still lightly applied, hair down and flowing as to be more approachable, and her dress less severe than usual. Sexy, of course. And expensive. But Lena had dressed with the idea of Cat's eyes on her. Just as they were in that moment.

As their gaze held, Cat looked surprised for a moment, then impressed as Lena approached. Cat snapped her fingers and a server appeared carrying a whiskey for Lena as well. Lena accepted it and thanked the server by name before giving the glass an appreciative sniff as she took her seat at the table across from the woman. Cat Grant certainly did her homework.

"You're surprised to see me," Lena concluded by way of greeting, giving the woman a knowing smile over the tumbler.

Cat only smirked back and finished her drink before taking the new one the server was handing her. "I've seen that haunted look before," she commented once the server had vanished.

"In the mirror?" Lena asked without thinking.

Cat's smirk grew, pleased that this time Lena appeared to be in the mood to spar. "I have been married four times."

Lena's face took on a look of complete surprise.

"Oh, don't look so shocked. A woman my age can try on many new things."

Lena shook her head. "No, no," she began, placing her drink down and picking up a menu that she had hand-selected, and therefore, didn't require beyond a prop, "The marriages I knew about. Having feelings was the news," Lena finished and directed her attention to the entrees section of the limited menu, knowing the punch landed.

And god that felt good. It must be what Kara feels like when she spars with her cousin. Because she didn't want to hurt Cat, but Lena had been nice for a very long time, and right now she didn't feel like being nice. Yes, sparring sounded like a good idea.

Cat chuckled and folded her arms, enjoying Lena even more than she thought she would. She wanted to keep the playful, yet, sharp tone going. "My. You are nervous for her to come, aren't you? What has happened to make sweet Kiera so very mad at the only good Luthor?" Cat smirked over her drink, feeling like each moment of this exchange was foreplay.

Lena had known the fishing expedition was coming and she tried so very hard to school her features, but she couldn't help how her face twitched slightly.

"Ahhh," Cat cooed, eyes bright, elbows suddenly on the table and her eyebrows arching high above her signature glasses, her own menu now lay forgotten. "Little Miss Perfect has wounded the Big Bad Wolf?"

Lena forced herself to remain calm. How had Kara dealt with this woman for as long as she had? Sweet, sensitive Kara. And Lena was an equal! Well - did Cat Grant view anyone as her equal? Lena could only imagine what barbs Cat had hurled on a daily basis - the insights she had had plus that silver tongue? However, Lena was raised to absorb hits like these, and could tell that, while they certainly hit personally, Cat was trying to get answers about earlier without the heart-to-heart neither of them wanted.

"Yes," Lena managed, seeing a different tactic; one that she knew would steer Cat clear of her current questioning. Lena lightly tossed her menu onto the table and folded her arms as she appraised Cat, leaning back in her chair to show the woman her words were serious. "Kara hurt me very badly, and I do not wish to return the favor. So, in the interest of respecting Kara, let's both drop it."

Cat's elbows slid off the table the moment her eyes rolled as her lips pursed. "Spoilsport," she mumbled and then picked up her menu again, even more intrigued than before. Not just because she wanted information on Kara. How had Lena Luthor been hurt by Kara? Sweet Kara Danvers?

Cat's mind started to whirl with the possibilities. And, grudgingly, she had to admit, she was growing even more impressed with Lena: protecting Kara was, in Cat's opinion, a personality trait. She respected it as much as the direct answer she had received telling her to butt out. Especially how Lena's green eyes had flashed and that jaw had tightened in such a way that Cat's eyes couldn't stray for long. Even if her pout lingered.

Lena took in Cat's petulant features and trapped a smile as she saw, in her mind's eye, Kara's own fond smile as she dealt with yet another one of Cat Grant's child-like tantrums.

But the fact that she was so willing to let the topic go, for Kara, warmed her to Lena even further. On paper, there were many things Lena quite liked about Cat Grant. She would use this dinner to discover more.

After the server came and went with their dinner orders and refills, both women held their drinks and studied one another.

Lena began.

"May I ask what you've been up to since tendering your resignation with the White House?"

The question seemed to bore Cat, but to Lena's surprise, she answered. "Soon to be announced, but my school project will be launched in the upcoming months. I'm sure you remember?"

Lena's face lit up. "That's something you were getting funding for originally, correct? Before President Marsdin asked you to be press secretary?"

"Hmmm," Cat confirmed with a hum, taking a sip of her drink and eyeing her. "You received my thank you note for your donation?"

Lena laughed and leaned back in her seat. "I seem to recall it saying something about not destroying your city, your hero, and your assistant. I don't really remember much of a 'thank you,' however."

"Then I suppose it was really just a note," Cat shrugged, unconcerned. "But it's the thought that counts," Cat said, eyes twinkling.

Lena's smile only grew, and she couldn't help but laugh again, getting more comfortable in Cat's playful stratosphere. "I'm just glad that the Luthor money could do some good. As I'm sure you're aware, STEM programs are my passion, and seeing opportunities world-wide and in underprivileged locations gives-"

"Well, I see why you and she are friends: Keanu just developed a cavity listening to that rant," Cat drolled. Internally, however, Cat felt her stomach squirm at the similarities she was seeing between Kara and Lena. It was annoyingly attractive. Lena was good. Her tone was so sincere. You could practically feel her repentance for her family's atrocities. The way the green of her eyes seemed to shine with passion. The sharp intelligence. The ruby red of her lips.

Normally, a statement like that would annoy Lena - on Kara's behalf and her own. But, Cat was, after all, the person who worked her ass off begging for money all over of the world, researching endlessly about the needs of the undereducated in each country, locations with the greatest needs, and the endless scope and magnitude...and to top it all off, stayed on site, in a freaking yurt, to see the projects through. Cat was hardly a one-percenter.

Lena couldn't know the whole story, but between the press and Kara, she could tell that Cat's passion project hadn't been easy or smooth-sailing. Here Cat was telling Lena she had achieved her goal. Therefore, Cat Grant could act like what she had accomplished was much ado about nothing, but Lena saw through that bullshit. And through her bored demeanor.

She waved her hand impatiently at Cat and offered her a smirk to show that she didn't believe her humility. "You talk about her a lot, you know?" Lena said conversationally, but looked away as she considered, "but you don't say her name." Cat dug her knuckles into her temples and glanced around the emptying restaurant with another hum. Lena smirked at the hit. "Would you prefer we didn't talk about Kara? That's surprising. Isn't she due to be your guest here in two days' time?"

"She's the help," Cat offered casually, hands dropping to her sides, but the emphasis seemed more of a reminder for herself than anything else. Her respect for Lena Luthor grew. How annoying, Cat thought. "She'll be here for Carter and nothing more."

"Yes, a Pulitzer Prize winning babysitter. Does that give her an additional dollar an hour from Cat Grant, or will she go back to the poverty line as she did when she was your assistant?" Lena asked, enjoying the smirks that would twitch at Cat's lips each time she fought.

Cat leaned back and tossed her hair, "Please, I think one year I offered Kara more money and she may have even talked me out of it?" Cat asked, genuinely sounding baffled now. "I don't know, there was a lot of blushing and stuttering."

Lena couldn't help it, she laughed at that, because she really could picture it. "I sincerely hope you paid her regardless."

Cat shrugged and looked around the room, trying to ignore the memory of Kara's cuteness, and the way Lena's laugh made her feel: it all suddenly felt tied up together.

Lena could tell that the woman did not want to talk about Kara, but had been called on it, so she would. Now that Lena had challenged her, she couldn't not talk about Kara, either, even though it was partly killing her -

- partly healing…she didn't really have anyone in her life these days. Jess would find it a little strange if Lena just started talking to her about Kara.

"She's told me a great deal about you," Lena went on, sipping her drink, thinking back fondly. It was impossible not to have a crush on Cat Grant from afar, but Kara had made that respect more three dimensional. And it also had made Lena hate Cat a little: Kara had been slightly too complimentary, sometimes. All warranted, turns out.

Cat rolled her eyes and dangled her own drink before taking a small sip, perhaps, like Lena, cautious of drinking too much before dinner had yet to arrive. "Did she tell you how much CatCo means to me and how excited I am that some two-bit trash now owns it?"

Lena smirked, "I told you, it's protected."

"But you couldn't own it right now?" Cat asked suspiciously, and with a great deal of sarcasm.

"That's right," Lena confirmed, smelling a trap. But that smirk. It was hard to pass up stepping into the land mine when the bait was so very appealing.

"Hmmm. Too much responsibility suddenly?"

"Something like that," Lena offered back.

"Before, when you were still in the middle of rebranding your company and half your family was trying to kill you, then was the perfect time to own a media conglomerate, but now, far too busy?" she asked, palm against her cheek as she batted her eyelashes.

Lena sucked her teeth to hide her own smile. Cat was good. Time to volley. "Half my family is always trying to kill me. Besides, you didn't seem to care who was going to buy it when Morgan Edge was the buyer. Or were you hoping to make it marriage number five with the likes of him?"

Just then, dinner appeared and Cat sat back in her chair to allow the servers room to crowd their table - both women holding eye contact with each other all the while, a ghost of a smile on their lips.

Once they were alone, the atmosphere thick - thick with what, was the question - Cat unrolled her silverware. "I see," she smirked, glancing at her lap as she covered her skin-tight knee-length dress with her cloth napkin. "You sold the company out of payback." Cat was starting to piece together what had happened with Lena and Kara.

Lena scoffed, even though it felt too close to the truth. "Payback? For what? From whom?"

Cat acted busy with her meal, her tone casual. "You found out about Kara," Cat stressed the name to prove she could say it, "she didn't tell you her secret, and your feelings are hurt. So you had to sell the company she worked at as payback."

Everything stopped for Lena.

She felt lightheaded and sick like that time she had been held up by her throat.

Her mouth was dry and she saw black spots.

While the restaurant barely housed a dozen other diners - none seated anywhere close to their private VIP section - the rushing sound of every noise bombarded Lena's ears as she felt pinpricks stab at her eyes.

Cat's lips twitched, this time in shame. It had been a stab in the dark. She had assumed, considering the years of friendship and how close they were, that Lena had known about Supergirl. There were only so many ways that Kara could hurt someone. Considering that Lena gave Kara's Pulizer introduction, it couldn't be the Lex stuff. Really...there could only be the one thing that would bruise their friendship.

Cat dropped her knife and fork onto the heavy China before leaning forward earnestly, her words rushed and hissed. "Well she didn't tell me either! In fact she actively lied to me! So, get in line, lady!" Cat said, her tone tough-love but her eyes were soft, knowing she took the game too many steps too far. Like usual.

Lena swallowed down another lump of grief with the help of a gulp of scotch and watched as Cat literally shooed away a server.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lena eventually answered, trying her very best to pull herself together. There was only one thing Cat could be alluding to. While she was hurt, she couldn't do that to Kara. She was new to the secret, and she wouldn't be the one that gave it up and jeopardize Kara or Supergirl.

"Oh come off it, Lena," Cat said, digging into her meal again, slightly aggressively now. She was still hurt, after all this time, that Kara never confided in her, irrational as it may be. "I've known for awhile. And I would never expose her as Supergirl."

There it was: the confirmation. Lena sucked in a gasp, how casually Cat had said it, and stared at the woman.

Cat continued. "I would never endanger her. And let's be honest," Cat went on, catching Lena's troubled gaze, then, "Exposing Supergirl puts us all at risk. But I wouldn't do that to her. Not her. And it's obvious you found out. What else could split up your friendship?" Cat shrugged and went back to her duck, now taking small, careful bites.

Lena had yet to touch her kale and beet risotto. "What -" Was all Lena could manage to say.

"For the love of…" Again, Cat dropped her fork and addressed Lena. "Is this really why you're not talking to her? You found out and you're mad she didn't tell you?" Lena could only shake her head, hoping she could shake away this entire exchange, night, meeting - everything.

Cat sighed and placed her napkin onto the table before pushing away, the wheels of the comfortable chair easily sliding across the dark hardwoods. Lena watched as Cat moved around the table and took the chair next to her, scooting in closely on the heels of her shoes - she had been right, the yellow dress was skin-tight and looked far too good. It was enough of a shock - the sudden desire Lena felt - to help her collect herself a little. When she glanced around the restaurant, no one seemed to be paying attention to them.

"It was only a matter of time before you found out about her. You were too close to one another." Lena just looked back, searching Cat's eyes for a way to deny this or ignore it, but she couldn't find a way to be convincing right now. "Did you find out before she told you?" Cat asked, her face very serious as she took the woman in and saw how much this was costing her. Lena's eyes closed painfully at that, she swallowed with difficulty and looked away, forcing back the tears.

Cat took her hand in her own without thinking. While she had had a very different relationship with Kara than Lena, the betrayal was still there. It felt too costly to mention that she understood the hurt, especially since it would expose Cat and her feelings - how for her, Kara was more than a protege. More than a superhero.

Cat's kindness was unexpected. As was her ability to see all. Was Cat Grant a superhero? Her power: the ability to puzzle out everything? Lena startled slightly as Cat gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go. It felt so long since someone had shown Lena kindness and affection. Their knees were touching - both in dresses, neither having bothered with stockings. Lena took a deep breath, understanding that she was going to go crazy if she didn't pick a side in the next five seconds.

She couldn't lie right now, she felt too raw and exposed. All she could do was search Cat's eyes for any sign that the woman was up to something. Was her cellphone recording right now? Lena's gaze went to where Cat's phone lay abandoned on the table, her glasses sitting on top. Cat followed her gaze and frowned at what she saw, a look of brief puzzlement on her face before she was snapping her fingers again, getting a server to race over to the table.

"Take that," Cat gestured at her cellphone, "and store it so safely Tucker Carlson's bowtie collection would be jealous of its protection detail, capice?"

The server nodded stoically before taking off out of sight.

"What did you do to my staff, Cat?" Lena laughed a little, terrified on their behalf.

Cat only shrugged. "You tell them upfront what you're going to tip them and explain your expectations. Every expectation not met means money lost."

They sat for a moment in silence. "When did you figure it out?" Lena asked Cat, suddenly.

It took a moment for her to realize what Lena was talking about before she sat back with a wry smile and shook her hair out a little, almost preening. "Basically the very beginning." Lena looked shocked. "Oh, it wasn't too hard considering she would leave in the middle of work," Cat then emphasized with disdain, "only to come back right after the danger had been contained. It didn't help that my job was to cover each and every Supergirl event. And I'm also incredibly perceptive," Cat said, this time as though she were humble. This, however, Lena couldn't argue with. "There were," Cat paused, her eyes far away, "other little things as well…" she trailed off. Lena wondered if Cat also thought about how Kara's touches felt as safe as Supergirl's.

"Does Kara know you know?"

Cat smirked, "Oh, I'm quite sure. She'll pretend otherwise, however. It's our fun little game. But, yes, she knows I know. She'll just never admit it." Lena could see the barely-there hurt that statement caused the woman before it cleared, and Lena nodded slowly. "She knows you know?" Cat asked carefully. Lena looked down at her lap as she nodded. "You...confronted her?" she asked, with even more care.

Lena bit her lip. "I...found out -" Lena swallowed with difficulty. "Then...then she told me on her own."

There was a long silence before Lena's head darted up at the sound of snapping. A server was hastily making their way over to them again. "Two refills," Cat directed at the empty tumblers on the table, "Chop, chop!" and they hurried off. When Cat looked back, pain back in her eyes. "She told you, go on…" Cat motioned impatiently, but her voice caught.

Lena shrugged. "And then a couple a weeks ago I couldn't take it anymore - I had to make her understand how much she hurt me. I had to tell her that when she told me the truth, I had already known. All the lying, Cat. We were best friends and there was so much lying. She never trusted me, no matter how many times she said - it was all a lie..."

"And then there was a huge emotional fallout," Cat concluded. There was more silence until Cat finally looked back to Lena. "So I suppose you're leaving before she arrives?"

Despite everything, Lena managed a small smirk. "I think it's for the best," she said, like she had already made up her mind instead of sleeping on it. Like she hadn't already planned to grin and bear Kara's presence so as not to hurt her by leaving. Talking about everything with Cat made the hurt fresh. It made the idea of meeting Kara's wounded gaze painful.

Cat waited a beat. "Well that's hardly fair: she hurts you, you come here to get away, and now she chases you off? In fact, I'm sure there's a ski instructor that can personally watch Carter while we're here so her attendance wouldn't even be necessary."

Lena's brow furrowed and her lips stretched as she took in Cat. "You'd do that for me? We've only just met today, and you're so quick to ensure my comfort?"

"Well," Cat began off-handedly, "if I can recall, your donation to my school project was impressively seven-figures, while hers actually had figures after the decimal point, so…" she finished, fluttering her hand in the air as though that explained it. But Cat had meant what she said, and it wasn't just because seeing Kara would trigger Cat's own heartache. For whatever reason, Cat found herself suddenly very protective of Lena Luthor.

"Despite the fact that your son is excited to see Kara?" Lena asked and Cat winced at that. Lena's brow furrowed deeper. "Unless…?" Cat really didn't seem to want to talk about Kara earlier. And she had only said her name once Lena had pointed out that she wasn't saying it. Taking Lena's side now? Kara had worked for her for so long. She had been Kara's mentor. They still spoke even to this day. Kara knew Cat knew her secret. Their relationship was more than just boss/assistant, that was obvious. More intimate than her relationship with Jess, that was for sure.

More intimate…

"Oh, Cat," Lena breathed out, looking away as her eyes slipped closed.

When her eyes opened again, Cat Grant was looking at her with a slightly icy gaze. "Yes?" she hissed back.

"You're just looking for a reason not to invite her," Lena mumbled, more to herself. Which she understood all too well. In the beginning, she was constantly looking for a reason not to have Kara around. She was too busy, way too busy, but saying no to Kara was like not buying a plate at a children's charity. And after a while, she didn't want to say no, couldn't say no. "But I'm guessing you aren't strong enough to say no yourself?" Lena finished on a laugh, also understanding that all too well.

"What are you babbling on about?" Cat asked, her tone even colder now.

"Did you leave CatCo because of her, too, or did you really want to 'dive,' as you put it to the press?" Lena asked, trying to keep her tone as kind as possible.

"Well, I now see why Kara opted not to tell you her secret: you're crazy," Cat ground out, getting up to move back to her chair. She finished off another drink and pushed away her plate.

Lovely - so they'd both had way too much to drink and between them, they've had maybe three bites of duck.

She had too much to drink, and not nearly enough, Lena thought as she ran a hand through her hair. She felt emotionally drained - but that was something she had felt pretty consistently for the last month. But here, with Cat Grant, it felt like she was looking into a mirror. And she didn't feel so alone.

And god was it dangerously easy to talk to Cat Grant. No wonder she was such a big deal in the journalism world.

In this scenario, however, there was no equal for her: she was uniquely qualified to sit here and have this conversation with Lena. And her company was ever so pleasant.

It's probably why the next words slipped out so easily, "I've probably been in love with her since the first month of knowing her." Cat's eyes flew open wide at Lena's admission. Lena didn't notice, and continued with a laugh. "And I only just found out that she also risks her life to save the planet pretty regularly," she said before tossing back the rest of her drink. "So I can't imagine what it must have been like for you - her trying so hard to impress you. Knowing who she was. Watching her become who she is now."

There was only one more table occupied at the restaurant, Lena observed. A couple who were finishing up their wine, smiling, taking their time.

When Lena looked back at Cat, she was drinking again - gulping, really.

Well, that was a confirmation.

"But you're not the kind of boss - woman - to date her assistant. Not because it would jeopardize everything you worked hard for, no," Lena thought. "You wouldn't want to hurt her. You were her mentor, and wouldn't want to take advantage," Lena went on. She wasn't really aware of what she was saying, but it all felt true. "I knew the very first time she mentioned your name that she had a crush on you, you must have seen it. Even if she hadn't," Lena continued, while Cat just stared at the table, her finger tapping on the table cloth like the last insistent note on a piano.

There was some weird understanding happening between them, and neither woman knew how to feel about that.

"Well, you got far enough away from her. And yet, here you are, the glutton asking for punishment. And I did check - just the one suite, Cat? I can't say I blame you, though. I can't say I blame you at all. As someone who has been in the position to be very close to her without having to worry about the optics...if only I thought for one second that she was even aware of her feelings for me…" Lena trailed off again and glanced back to the table where the couple no longer sat. The staff had already descended, cleaning the table and eager to go home.

"So she does have feelings for you?" Cat couldn't help but ask, her narrowed eyes locked on Lena's.

Lena stared back, understanding the almost hopeless look in Cat's gaze. She offered a sad smile and said: "The woman I love, who swears to trust me, calls me her best friend, keeps the biggest secret from me. Not just about the other half of who she is, but the proof of her trust…and everyone around us knows. Everyone else she trusts." Lena crunched down the half-melted ice in her glass and jutted her chin at one of their servers.

The woman rushed over. "Yes, Ms. Luthor?"

"Sylvia, can you have our meals packed to go, please? And bill my room, thank you," she smiled at the girl as she collected the plates and followed orders. The staff would stay later for them, but Lena didn't revel in her staff watch her emotionally come undone at the seams. Cat was still watching her, so Lena offered her best unaffected shrug. "If she does have feelings for me - or for you, for that matter - she's never realized it."

Cat snorted. "Unless it sneaks up and bites her on the cape..." she said, getting Lena's lips to twitch, albeit sadly.

Once Cat had her phone back from the server, she slipped her glasses on and fired off a text. "Carter will be staying at his friends' tonight."

Lena was surprised that Cat wanted to continue talking. She felt the sudden need to break the tension and smirked. "Not sure I'm up for that tonight, Cat."

To her surprise, Cat laughed as she laid down several one hundred dollar bills, "We'll see. I think it's best that we take our meal up to one of our rooms, actually eat this time, maybe have a glass of water or five before having more scotch, and finish this conversation."

"There's nothing else to say about Kara," Lena shrugged like she meant it, like all hope was lost and she didn't have a care in the world.

Cat shrugged right back, "Like I said," this time she showed all of her teeth when she smiled, "we'll see."

Cat was in the room for only three steps before she was pouting. "Your suite is bigger than mine."

Lena laughed, somewhere much deeper in the suite, preparing their setup for their meal. "I do own the place."

Cat followed behind, still disgruntled. "Isn't it customary as a hostess to ensure your guests are well accommodated? It certainly seems like poor etiquette that the owner gets more space than the guests," Cat grumbled.

Lena could only laugh as she opened two bottles of water and poured them scotch. She wondered if Cat was purposefully trying to lighten the mood considering how tense dinner had gotten. Well, Lena could play along. "I'm sorry, Cat, I'll see to it that the twelve square feet that you're missing out on is added before you return to your room."

Cat smirked. "Now, was that so hard?" Lena could only grin at the woman from under her eyelashes as she sat at the island, their meals unpacked and finally ready to be devoured. "You don't act your age," Cat observed as she took the high-top stool opposite of Lena.

Lena scoffed out a laugh, "Nor do you!" she accused, thinking of the pouting and tantrums.

"Aren't we having fun, though?" Cat asked, flirtation so heavy in her throaty voice that Lena stopped eating to appraise the woman. Lena chuckled as she nodded. Cat cupped her cheek and propped her elbow onto the island as she stared at Lena. "We could continue to have fun," she finished, her tone heavy.

Lena took a long drink from her glass of water as she watched Cat before answering, "I'd be happy with whatever it is you're offering," Lena said, finding herself flirting back, her gaze fixed on Cat's smirking mouth.

At that, Cat's eyebrow shot up, understanding instantly that Lena was not only interested, but willing. She felt the clench in response and kept Lena's gaze for a smoldering moment. Now that she had confirmation, Cat went back to her duck, satisfied.

Neither woman spoke for a while, both intent on eating.

Cat was surprised with how great the food was. Earlier, she had been slightly annoyed they weren't going to the other resort's restaurant - the one that offered a double bacon cheeseburger with fried onions, mushrooms, and at least two or three sauces, topped with onion rings. That had been her indecision talking, though - to cancel on Kara or not…

Even now, in Lena Luthor's extravagantly-sized and decorated hotel suite, Cat still lacked an answer.

She was almost positive she was going to sleep with Lena Luthor. And it was going to be spectacular, that was for sure. Even so, Cat still wanted to see Kara, like a pathetic sunflower - looking so despondent on a cloudy day. That was Cat Grant. And it appeared to be Lena Luthor as well.

"What would you have done?" Cat asked eventually. She had been finished with her meal some time ago, content to watch Lena's fork chase after kale and never catch it as she sipped her scotch.

"Mmm?" Lena responded after a moment, then looked up, her gorgeous eyes and sinfully full red lips far too distracting. Cat made a mental note to ask the woman her brand of lipstick. She wondered idly how long she'd have to kiss her to finally find Lena's true hue.

Cat pushed her plate away and folded her hands on top of the island. She could feel under the tips of her fingers that it was porcelain and not marble, like she had originally thought. For as big as the living room was, and the long kitchen, it still felt intimate, like a vacation home, even. It made the conversation feel private. It was yet another reason to respect Lena Luthor: her resort was as advertised.

"Put yourself in her shoes: You're Supergirl. When do you break the news to your best friend, Kara Danvers, the only good Danvers?"

Lena stared back for a long moment before she looked away to her left, out to where the floor-to-ceiling windows were. There wasn't much to see, dark now that it was close to eleven, but with the floodlights still illuminating the sky it gave off the effect of magic.

When Lena finally looked back, her jaw was locked and her eyes were steel. "So you think I'm wrong?"

Cat scoffed. "I've known her for seven years and I haven't even known you for seven hours, Lena: I can't honestly say if she fucked up or not. If she is giving you space, though, she believes she did. She probably feels terrible. She's probably beating herself up over it. She probably cries herself to sleep on her unicorn pillow as she clutches her vast stuffed animal collection. My guess is that if she told you at all, she wanted you to know."

The silence settled between them for far too long before Cat tried again. "Did she cry?"

Lena was immediately agitated by the question, shifting restlessly in her chair, folding and unfolding her hands, before she was up and cleaning away the remnants of their dinner.

As she washed the dishes, Cat finished her drink and poured herself another, making sure to water it down in an effort to stay somewhat with it. After taking several sips, she slipped out of her stool and brought Lena's drink over to where the woman was cleaning a plate like it had personally offended her.

Cat placed the glass on the countertop and reached around behind Lena to turn off the water. She didn't move her hand right away, just stood there practically wrapped around Lena, close to her, knowing her breath was washing over the woman's long neck where her black dress dipped below her shoulder blades. She couldn't help but follow the zipper with her eyes - from the middle of Lena's back all the way down to the hem.

Cat wasn't sure why she was defending Kara. Especially now of all times - the invitation to move the evening into more intimate areas had been accepted. So why was Cat souring the mood? That was easy, though: it was hard not to defend Kara. The fact that Lena wanted so badly to be reassured was obvious. She wanted someone to hold her and tell her that she was worth it. Cat found herself wanting to fix it.

"So...she cried," Cat whispered before taking another sip, no longer feeling the burn of it on her swallow. "And you cried," she went on, her free hand slipping from the countertop to Lena's waist, and then down to her hand. She squeezed once and said softly, "Grab you scotch and join me on the couch." She turned, grabbed the bottle off the island, and followed her own instructions.

Lena seemed to collect herself for a moment. She took a deep breath before doing as told, and grabbed a bottle of Pellegrino to mix with their scotch. The living room had a large couch with a chaise, a loveseat, and a chair, and Cat didn't want Lena to shut down, so she patted the space close to her on the larger couch. Again, Lena seemed to collect herself before smoothing her dress beneath her and taking the seat. She finished her drink quickly and Cat was plucking it from her hand to refill it. "You didn't answer my question," Cat said, tone soft.

Lena could only shrug - she was usually so much more contained than this, much more put together. Was it because Cat seemed to know all? An omniscient being dead-set on setting Lena on fire.

"I don't know, Cat," Lena finally said, annoyed, knowing Cat was asking when she thought Kara should have told her. "Maybe when she declared us best friends? I don't know."

Cat thought about that for a moment. "Yes," she finally said. "That's when she should have done it. So why didn't she?" she asked, sitting back against the leather of the couch. Nice leather, though, Cat thought. Nothing like the nightmare of a white leather couch..

Lena glanced over and was surprised to see that Cat's eyes weren't on her, but looking off like she was trying to solve a riddle.

"Because she doesn't actually trust me."

At that, Cat scoffed, "Please," and then she turned to face Lena more fully. "So you think Supergirl was lying - that she didn't actually see you as her best friend?" she asked doubtfully, like the idea of Kara lying was preposterous.

"Cat, how the hell am I supposed to know?"

"Well that's just my point! When I confronted her about being Supergirl I fired her."

Lena frowned. "Wait, you what?"

"Yes, I fired her!" Cat went on, sitting up. "I didn't think Supergirl being an assistant by day was exactly beneficial to anyone. So I fired her. After that she created an elaborate ruse in order to deceive me all to get her lousy job back! Can you believe that?"

Lena shook her head slightly. "But she loved being your assistant. And I'm sure she loved not being Supergirl for a little, turning it off."

There was silence, and Lena finally looked over at Cat to see the woman was already staring at her, her gaze meaningful. "There's always a reason with her, Lena. And I can guarantee nowhere on the list was to hurt you or because she didn't trust you. But that's not to say you can't be angry. Just be angry at the right person. Not yourself," she finished, then tossed her drink back. She refilled it quickly and was up off the couch and examining the built-in bookcase across from them. It was stocked with books on either side of the large fireplace and flatscreen with classics, new and old. Cat ran her finger across the spines, taking small sips of her drink. She observed a non-fiction book she wrote the introduction for some ten years prior on one of the shelves.

Lena was lost in her thoughts, hating Cat a little - she felt unsettled and didn't know why.

Eventually, the couch dipped next to her and Cat's sharp eyes were appraising her again. "You're upset because she made you doubt yourself. And you shouldn't. She has had to worry about her secret for years now - who knows, who should know, who can't know, why they can't know… You're mad because her not telling you made you feel like you weren't worthy of knowing the secret. And I'm sure that's not true. Take it from the woman who spent far too many Himalayan nights staring at picture after picture of the two of you in the gossip rags: you are very special to her - more special than even she knows, maybe. Telling you was more profound than your average IT hobbit."

Lena was shaking her head, hoping to be done with this whole conversation, at least for the night. She did appreciate what Cat was trying to convey, and it did make her feel better. The confidence Cat spoke with helped. The fact that she knew Kara and had always been critical of Supergirl's actions gave the argument more credence. Kara had hurt Cat too by keeping Supergirl a secret.

Eventually, when Lena needed the mood to shift, she asked: "How many pictures, Cat?" she smirked, getting more comfortable on the couch and watching the woman over her glass, her eyes playful.

Cat mirrored her, "Many, many pictures," she answered, surprised that she wasn't embarrassed by the admission. How Lena Luthor so quickly guessed her feelings for Kara, Cat determined it was because she saw herself in the woman - how Kara had taken root in both of them and left them empty without her. How Kara managed to fill you with so much light, even in the darkest of people, was perhaps her greatest power, and it had nothing to do with Supergirl.

"And this... picture research," Lena went on, using the feel of the alcohol to deflect the other pains.

Cat's smirk grew. "Yes," she drew out, playfully.

Lena narrowed her eyes, "Just research. Just checking up to make sure your protege was in good hands?"

Cat's eyebrows hitched. "I think you understand that that was what I was most afraid of, to be sure."

"My good hands?" Lena whispered, her eyebrow quirked.

"Hmm," Cat hummed her reply, slowly licking scotch off her bottom lip. She was pleased that Lena tracked the motion.

"Did it give you a lot to think about?" Lena asked as she pulled her gaze away from Cat's lips to her darkened eyes, her confidence building.

The question made Cat look pleased. "Not at first. At first it made me want to leave my soul-searching and fly back to National City to lock away Supergirl."

Lena chuckled as she traced the rim of the glass against her lip before taking another sip. "And after that?" she asked, looking at Cat from beneath her eyelashes.

Cat considered that, seeming to roll the idea around even though Lena knew what the woman was likely going to say. "After that," Cat began, eyes back on Lena. "After that I imagined Supergirl very busy keeping two billionaire CEO's happy at the same time. I assume the super-speed would be highly effective."

She couldn't help it, Lena moaned softly, startled when she realized she had allowed her eyes to slip shut at the mental image. The image was far too captivating. God, it was going to haunt her.

When she opened her eyes, Cat was closer than before, looking even more affected by Lena's response. "Thought about that a lot, have you?" Lena asked as she blindly sat her scotch down on the glass table in front of them, her breathing short and eyes intently on Cat's mouth.

Cat finished her scotch and did the same before answering quickly. "Something tells me that it will pretty much be the only thing I think about moving forward."

Lena's hands were grabbing Cat's waist while Cat was pulling Lena's neck closer - and they were kissing. Both groaning at the first touch. It was slow, like each touch needed to be processed and weighed. As hungry as both women felt for sexual contact, nether seemed to be in a rush. Their lips slid and danced over and over as their hands gripped tighter, acknowledging that this was more than just a meaningless tryst. And not just because it felt so good.

Which it did, something their nearly non-stop moaning made very clear.

The hand not cradling Lena's neck was scratching down where Lena's dress exposed her back. It made Lena feel desperate and stir-crazy. She clenched Cat's waist once before she was pulling the woman onto her lap, never breaking their kisses - still so deep. Cat answered the new contact with a hoarse cry, tangling her hands into Lena's hair as her tongue languidly moved against Lena's.

"Shit," Lena muttered, unnerved by her own actions and how she had no plans to slow this down. Her dress was ruched up by her thighs, giving Cat plenty of room to roll her hips against hers. She could no longer stop her body from reacting to Cat's. She dropped one hand from Cat's waist to her bare thigh, stroking it back and forth as unhurriedly as the rest of their measures.

Cat Grant was like a raging inferno everywhere else. Here, it seemed to Lena, she was being much more attentive. Even though Lena had pulled her onto her lap, Cat was setting this delicious pace of just getting started - like they had all the time in the world to just explore and ache and build this tension until Lena saw herself snapping and ripping Cat's dress off.

As though she was aware of Lena's dangerous thoughts, Cat chuckled and pulled away from Lena's lips was a self-satisfied moan. Her eyes were a gorgeous swirling caramel and she hovered over Lena with a wide smile. It may have had something to do with the fact that Lena hadn't even noticed that one hand was high up on Cat's thigh while the other was cupping her ass, encouraging Cat's hips.

"You feel even better than I thought possible," Cat whispered down at Lena's ear. She couldn't help herself and started to nibble at her ear and then down the long expanse of her neck. Cat had been surprised when she had shown up for dinner with her hair down, always having theorized that "hair up, business on" was something Lena likely said before a meeting or when she wanted to hide behind her cool demeanor. Seeing her with her hair down, looking devastatingly capable dismantled Cat in a way.

She had hated Lena. Had tried to hate this woman upon meeting her, but even though she was a Luthor, she hid her emotions outside the boardroom about as well as Kara did, and that endeared her to Cat so quickly that she felt almost protective. Even now, god, Cat wanted to get off - hard and fast and explosively, all things she felt certain Lena was skilled at employing, if the strength in her hands was any sign. But she did feel protective of Lena, and wanted to somehow erase that look in the woman's eyes from earlier. Wanted to reach inside her and pull out more than pleasure.

So as she nibbled on her neck, hearing the answering groans and breathy whimpers, Cat brought her lips back up to her ear to whisper, "Unzip me?" They both froze for a moment before Lena's hands seemed to be everywhere - grazing over Cat's legs, up her back, racing down to clench her ass - before one was slowly dragging the side zipper down to her waist, while the other hand brought Cat's chin back down so that they were kissing again.

Their pace didn't change, which Cat hated and loved. Their tongues continued to tease the other's as firm hands massaged and dug in and savored. Lena took one yellow strap down Cat's shoulder and enjoyed the feel of running her hand down Cat's neck, to the exposed shoulder, down her arm, and back again. Over and over as Cat's hips rolled and met Lena's.

"This okay?" Cat asked, even though it had been Lena's hand pushing up the yellow dress until it was around Cat's waist and exposing her black lace panties. Their eyes met, and up close Cat could really see the rich green colors of Lena's eyes - see how dark they could get, how hungry she looked as she breathed heavily and nodded back. Lena seemed like a woman possessed, not at all in control of her heart rate and where her hands traveled next.

Cat's lips were back down to Lena's ear. "What would make you feel better?" she asked on a moan, ducking her head to Lena's shoulder briefly as another strong wave of arousal shot through her at the feel of their hips meeting and how Lena's hand was getting closer and closer to her breasts. "My tongue deep inside you?" Cat asked, swallowing down arousal at Lena's gasp, "or your fingers tight inside me?"

The breath stuttered in Lena and she felt she went blind for a moment before Cat's gaze swam in front of her. Only a moment passed before the hand not gripping Cat's ribs slid down the woman's stomach. They were kissing again, even deeper now, all tongues as Lena's finger swiped the lace to the side and swallowed Cat's groan as she sunk down on Lena's finger.

Like everything else up to that point, their pace remained on a knife's edge - their eyes locked as they gasped breathily, their lips almost touching, as Cat glided up and down, squeezing Lena's finger with each pass. It was almost too much for Lena, wishing she could've had requested a counteroffer to Cat's earlier question. She felt dizzy with desire, almost lightheaded, and forced herself to blow out a steadying breath when Cat demanded, "Another."

She waited for Lena to comprehend, and then another finger was slid home. Cat's nails bore down on Lean's back, and Cat whispered out an apology and kissed Lena's jaw as she sank down. Her teeth nipped at her chin before their mouths connected - and she was so close that she lost her head all together and started frantically finding places to leave her mouth. Her moans were indecent and she knew that she was chanting her yeses while clawing at the vintage black Prada dress she suddenly absolutely despised and needed to be gone.

It then occurred to Cat that her heels were still dangling from her feet, that her dress was still on - roughly speaking. That she was barreling towards an orgasm on top of someone that she suddenly cared for, quite strongly. She barely knew Lena Luthor, and yet, she felt an intimacy for her she hadn't felt for someone in a very long time. She could tell by how wet she was, how easily Lena's fingers were sliding into her. Was it because Kara trusted her? Kara cared for her? That Lena was so important to Kara? That Kara was so important to Lena?

Kara.

Her neck snapped back as she felt her the pleasure surging. Lena's lips were at her neck, down to her collarbones, and then teeth were sinking in at the top of her breast - and that's all it took. She was coming and buried her cries into the crook of Lena's neck, gripping her hair and back until she froze momentarily, feeling the pleasure zigzag through her.

They were both breathing heavily, wrapped up in each other, trying to recover. Lena still wasn't sure how any of this had happened, but she felt like she was going to burst soon if Cat didn't touch her. That didn't mean she wanted to remove her fingers, though. Cat Grant felt like the perfect fit around her fingers, oh so wet and still fluttering. She groaned as she allowed herself to sink into the feel. Without meaning to, she grazed her thumb over Cat's clit and received a dark chuckle in response.

"Don't you dare be that evil," Cat intoned as though she were on the brink of sleep.

Lena smirked. "I am a Luthor," she responded, but carefully pulled her fingers from Cat and rubbed her back to sooth her.

Even if Cat never reciprocated, Lena would still walk away satisfied. Walking would be difficult, to be sure, but the feel of Cat had been something Lena wasn't even aware she had needed and desperately desired. Just having the woman still on top of her - her soft weight - gave her a warm feeling.

"Just give me one more moment," Cat said, finally sounding more like herself as she nuzzled Lena's neck.

Lena chuckled, "It's okay if you're done for the night," she said, even as she hated herself for saying it, "maybe another time?"

Cat pulled back and swiftly lifted her dress up and over her head before smirking down at a very surprised and even more aroused Lena. "The time is now, Luthor." Lena didn't know where to look now - the gorgeous face where Cat's eyes were blazing, the black lace bra that matched the La Perla thong, or what appeared to be miles and miles of skin that Lena's hands were begging to discover.

Lena's eyes snapped to Cat's when Cat's hand gripped her chin, directing her attention back. "Now take me to a bed, because my knees won't take this hardwood."

Cat may have demanded Lena take her to bed, but she was too frozen to do much else but watch Cat slide off her lap, step out of her heels, and saunter towards one of the bedrooms on her tiptoes. "Come on, sweetheart, or I'm finishing without you."

Lena's shaking hands quickly grasped for the bottle of scotch, poured out a heavy splash, and downed it before she too slipped out of her heels and made her way towards the bedroom. She paused to stare at the overwhelming sight of Cat Grant laid out on her bed, bra and panties still on, beckoning her with one finger and a daring eyebrow. "Lose the dress first," she said, her voice sounding desperate.

Lena walked into the room and traced her finger up the length of Cat's leg before she was showing the woman her back. "Your turn," she said, asking for Cat to unzip her.

"Oh, you have no idea," Cat muttered as she raced to her knees to finally drag that flirtatious zipper all the way down, hungrily sucking on creamy shoulders, then peppering the middle of Lena's back with kisses - pausing briefly to undo the red lace bra - and pulled away to admire the fact that the woman wasn't wearing underwear. "Dinner would've been over a lot sooner had I known that," Cat said to herself before she was dragging the dress down Lena's arms, her mouth on that long neck that she was growing very familiar with.

Then Lena was facing her and they were back to kissing. With her hand on Lena's neck, Cat pulled her onto the bed and Lena went willingly onto her back. She watched with wide-eyes as Cat fumbled to remove her own panties and bra, and then she was sliding up against Lena so she could sink her tongue into her mouth, back to the pace they already set of deep and deliberate and she couldn't remember the last time, if ever, sex with anyone felt quite so dangerous, and yet safe.

She couldn't help but let her hands run down Cat's bare back, leaving scratches. Cat only chuckled darkly in replay. "Ah Ah," she tutted. "Remember?" she asked as she leaned down to pull off Lena's bra and very deliberately lick one of her nipples, gaze on Lena the whole time. "My turn."

Lena was nodding at that and she had no idea why. But she very much so needed more of Cat on her, needed her to be everywhere at once.

All of this was so unlike her. She generally made it a rule to not let her emotions run away from her. She planned and planned and planned some more. Acting spontaneously was something she couldn't afford to do. What superpowers did Cat Grant possess? Besides a very talented tongue.

Lena was gasping and gripping the blanket under her hands tightly, trying to keep her body from flailing in her aroused state. Cat was enjoying herself, thoroughly. Her tongue was skimming over skin and her mouth and teeth would only savor until it seemed it would drive Lena over some invisible edge - not coming, but maybe climbing the walls.

The room felt sweltering to Lena, her whole body was on fire with each brush of Cat's body, tease of her fingers, and taste of her mouth. She thought she had a pretty good read on the woman, though, and asking for more - asking when Cat was having too much fun playing - wouldn't yield the results Lena so desperately craved. So she just continued to tangle her fingers into the blanket neither one of them had thought to turn down as her body bowed and arched into Cat's hands and lips.

"You're doing so well, darling," Cat murmured against her breast. Lena clenched her jaw at the encouragement to trap the groan. A second later Cat was sliding up her body and hovering her lips over Lena's. "You'll want to watch this next part," she said before covering Lena's mouth with her own.

It felt like permission, so Lena released the blanket and encircled Cat's naked body in her arms, touching everywhere she could, letting their bodies roll and slide, chasing the friction, before Cat was ripping her mouth away, darkly chuckling. "You're far too good at that," she said, then pressed her lips once more to Lena's before moving down to spend time nipping at her jaw and neck. "We may have to do this a few more times," Cat finally said with a groan, and then shifted until her mouth was tracing down Lena's body, squeezing and sucking her breasts, and down until she was nuzzling between her legs.

Lena's legs easily fell open and Cat couldn't take the pace she herself had set any longer. With a toss of her hair, she was diving in to lick between Lena's lips with the flat of her tongue, trying not to miss a single thing as she repeated the motion again and again.

She felt drunk on Lena - how she felt against Cat, her scent, her piquancy, the noises she made, and the sight of this gorgeous woman practically thrashing as Cat fucked her. There wasn't enough time for Cat. She would need much more time to explore Lena, time they didn't have tonight.

She'd be up early the next day with Carter and had promised to take him and his friends to breakfast and supervise them at the pool. She had agreed earlier because she hadn't thought they'd get to this point, that Cat would want more time. Now she hated herself for ever saying yes to an early day. It was late, and she wanted more time.

Cat was groaning into Lena as she slid a finger inside, aware of the desperate sounds that came as a result. She was being sucked inside deeper, and Cat's tongue gave consistent pressure to Lena's clit to encourage her. Their eyes met and held, then, and Cat was pleased to note that Lena was biting down hard on her bare lips - lipstick gone and probably all over Cat. The thought made her moan and she added another finger and sucked continuously on Lena's clit and felt the spasms answer back.

Cat was rarely surprised, but the loud moans that erupted from Lena were exactly the inspiration she needed to know that a repeat performance was a necessity. She really was a fucking masterpiece in motion in that moment and Cat cursed again that the repeat wouldn't be soon enough.

When Lena finally collapsed back down on the bed, she blindly grabbed Cat's hair, gently guiding her up to her mouth. They traded soft and sloppy kisses, both out of breath and exhausted. Cat surrendered her weight as she lay heavily on top of Lena, aware that the tips of the woman's fingers were making a slow trail up and down the skin of her back to her ass and up again.

With a grunt, Cat rolled off of her to give herself distance before she demanded more - more of everything. "You can't touch me now," Cat panted, her arm going over her eyes. "Or we'll end up pulling an all-nighter and I'll be a bad parent tomorrow."

Lena gave a tired laugh in reply. "I wouldn't want that," she answered, her voice so raspy Cat needed to double her efforts not to attack. "Did you want water? Anything else?"

Cat felt the uncontrollable laughter bubble up. "So, so much," she complained painfully, before uncovering her eyes to see Lena smirking at her from the other side of the bed. "Water would be lovely," she said, lips quirking.

She had to bite down hard on her bottom lip as she watched a very naked Lena Luthor elegantly get out of bed and pad out the room towards the kitchen. She was back a moment later with a chilled bottle of Veen and Cat was pleased even more.

Lena slid back into bed and sat up on her elbow, hand palming her cheek as she watched the muscles in Cat's neck swallow down half the bottle.

"Plans for tomorrow?" Cat asked, passing the water over to Lena, who took it thankfully. It was Cat's turn to stare, transfixed.

"A few teleconferences in the morning," she said after finishing the water. She turned back towards Cat and the two women studied one another for a moment. "Then nothing for the rest of the day."

Cat smiled. "Feel free to find me, then." Lena smiled back, both agreeing in that moment that there would be a repeat performance. "Not leaving, then?"

Lena's brows dipped before she looked back at Cat. "I had the option to fly out tomorrow morning but now…" Lena shrugged with another smile. "Maybe I can stay another day. Unless…"

"Unless?" Cat asked, brow arched.

Lena smiled again. "No second thoughts on canceling on Kara?"

Cat blew out a breath and rolled onto her back. "Should I?" she asked, her question serious as she stared at the ceiling.

Lena mirrored her position. "...No," she finally said after a long moment. "No, you shouldn't cancel on her. I'm sure she's looking forward to seeing you both."

Then Cat was scooting closer, her hand running across the pale skin of Lena's stomach. "But I don't want you to scurry off, Miss Luthor."

Lena laughed and eyed Cat. "I don't think I can go," she whispered back.

Cat preened playfully. "Thoroughly devoted to me already?"

Lena could only shake her head with a smile. "Perhaps," she said. And then her smile was chased away with thoughts of Kara. "And maybe…" her gaze went unseeing as she arranged her thoughts. "Maybe I've punished her for long enough," she sighed out sadly.

Cat's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure you're not just going from punishing her to punishing yourself?"

Lena licked her lips and tasted Cat's lips and herself, and glanced back at the woman beside her. What a sight. "I heard what you said, Cat," Lena whispered. "I'm still hurt, but…"

After a moment, Cat finished for her. "But you miss her."

"Mmm," Lena agreed.

"I know the feeling. Torturous as it may be," Cat said, and they shared a laugh. "This makes it slightly more bearable, though."

The playful look was back in Cat's eye, and Lena shook her head again, now fully understanding how Cat had Kara under her spell for so long. "Very true," she said, and turned to her side to meet Cat's lips softly for a few brief kisses. It was then Lena decided, resolutely, that she wouldn't be leaving the lodge, Metropolis, Cat Grant, or Kara.

"Now I have to go even though I'm fairly certain my legs will only just support me."

"Shall I escort you back to your suite to be sure?" Lena asked, trying and failing to keep the suggestive tone from her voice.

Cat could only groan into her pillow. "That doesn't sound like it would work very well, but perhaps tomorrow at some point? I know Carter has plans with his friends."

"I'll hold you to that," Lena replied.

They stared for a moment longer before Cat rolled out of the bed and immediately held up a finger to forestall Lena from following. "Don't make this harder."

Lena held up her hands in surrender. "I won't move a muscle."

Cat let out a sigh full of longing as her eyes scanned Lena from head to toe. "Not like it will make much difference - I've been in life or death situations less painful than walking away is right now," she muttered to herself.

And then she was out of the room, dressing quickly, and getting the rest of her things. "Tomorrow?" she called out at the door.

"Tomorrow." Lena agreed. A moment later the door shut and Lena scrubbed her smiling face until the smile slid away.

Why did she suddenly feel like she had just cheated on Kara?

After her shower, when Cat was finally in her own bed, the same thought crossed her mind. She shook it away and swallowed down two sleeping pills to quiet her racing mind.

"I'm only going to think about one millennial for the night," she promised herself with a sigh.

Neither woman slept much.

Carter was bubbly, chatty, and full of energy the next day.

Cat wore sunglasses to breakfast.

At least Henry and Hannah were polite, well behaved, and as excited as Carter. She enjoyed listening to their voices overlap each other over breakfast, all too enthusiastic to allow Cat's head a moment of peace. It was sweet, really, despite the lack of sleep and slight hangover.

She ate her egg white omelet slowly, trying to quiet her mind of all its racing thoughts and just soak up the sight of her smiling son. The longer she was awake though, the more Cat thought about the night before, the promise of more, and the impending wrench in the works - Kara. While it was hardly the first time Cat had thought of Kara as a wrench, this time felt different: without a doubt, Cat knew that Kara would not be pleased to discover her mentor and best friend fucking.

That thought sat negatively on her chest. She had gone out of her way over the years to ensure that Kara didn't think for one second that she ever had a chance with Cat. She could conjure many examples, different ways she had discouraged the bubbly blonde, and somehow, Cat felt like it would all be undone the moment Kara laid eyes on her - that Cat wouldn't be able to fight it any longer.

Speaking and sleeping with Lena had opened the gates for Cat. Talking about Kara released the flood, and now it felt like there wouldn't be a way to close it all down in time for her arrival. It would only get worse by seeing Lena again, and Cat didn't want to not see Lena. In fact, she felt impatient to see her. She wanted to make sure the woman was okay, no regrets, and understood that Cat felt similarly. According to her time on her cellphone, however, Lena was still likely in meetings. They had never exchanged numbers, and although Cat could call someone and have the woman's phone number in minutes, this felt like something to keep off the books for now - that went double for asking the resort's staff.

Cat was shaken from her musings as Henry and Hannah's parents - the Martins - arrived at the restaurant, smiling happily and waving. Rolling her eyes, Cat blew out a breath before removing her sunglasses to smile back at the couple.

They were planning on a day at the spa while Cat watched the kids. The problem was, all three of the kids wanted to ski. Cat shot her son a disapproving look to remind him of their deal.

"Sorry, guys," Carter said with a shrug, "I can't go until a friend of the family gets here," he told them with only a trace of a pout. She appreciated that he wasn't putting her in an awkward position by completely throwing her under the bus.

"She'll be here tomorrow, so it's just one more day without skiing," she gave them a smile. They all seemed to understand, although their crestfallen expressions weren't fooling anyone.

Just then, a hand was on Cat's shoulder and a voice said smoothly, "I'd be more than happy to take them myself, if you're all amenable."

Cat started and turned to see Lena just over her shoulder, looking refreshed in a white button down shirt, tailored navy pants, and hair up in a classic chignon bun. She was smiling at all three children, up to the Martins in a greeting, and then down at Cat with a look that made Cat's eyebrow raise slowly, surprised at the intensity.

Something began to thrum deep in Cat's stomach at the sight of the woman. She had missed her, somehow. Seeing her felt like a huge confirmation that the previous night had not been a mistake. That moving forward, it would happen again. That Lena had enjoyed herself just as much.

"I think that would be just fine with us," Henry Senior said after Lena made introductions. The kids were immediately excited and oh so thankful. Carter's expression may have mirrored Cat's as they both gazed up at Lena as though a new superhero was in town.

Lena's hand was still on Cat's shoulder, and Cat took the hand and turned in her chair to stare up at the woman. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, wanting to say so many other things.

Lena's lips twitched and took the seat next to Cat. "It's embarrassing to admit: I haven't been on the slopes since I arrived and, well, I'm quite looking forward to it. It's nice to have a reason."

Cat warmed at the admission, that Lena would do this at all. "No more meetings?" Cat asked suspiciously - almost positive Lena mentioned meetings all morning.

With a shrug, Lena explained, "When you're the boss, you can do whatever you want."

Cat bit her lip to stifle something, she wasn't quite sure what. "And what is it that you want?" she said softly, aware that although the kids and the Martins were all preoccupied with talking, she didn't exactly want to scar her son quite this early in his life by having him overhear - scar him this way, at any rate.

Lena's eyes appraised Cat playfully, her jaw flexing like she was also holding herself back. "It seemed like it would be a tad more entertaining down here than in my office. And I was right."

Cat pushed everything aside - mainly her libido - to get serious for a moment. "Are you sure, Lena? You don't have to do this, they were planning on going swimming and-"

"Would you like to see my skiing CV, Cat?" she asked, no longer holding back but smiling blindingly at Cat. "Is that what this is really about? Because I can assure you, I could've been an Olympian if my mother hadn't thought it was a waste of time."

Cat's head tilted at this new information. "Oh?"

Lena smirked back. "Stop it," she said firmly and then laughed when Cat tried to appear innocent. "I'm very familiar with that look you're giving me right now, and I stand by my lack of desire for an interview!"

Cat rolled her eyes before smirking back. "It would be completely off the record." She eyed Lena meaningfully and was thrilled to see Lena's jaw clench again, catching on easily that the exclusive she was seeking wasn't the run-of-the-mill interview.

"After skiing, then," she promised back and got to her feet.

Everyone agreed to meet back in the lobby so Lena could take the kids down, which meant that Cat's morning was suddenly a lot freer. While the Martins took their kids off to get ready, Carter had run ahead, which left Cat to slowly make her way to the penthouse.

She was in a lot of trouble.

The Martins had offered to have Cat join them at the spa, but wisely, Cat knew a nap would be the smartest idea: Lena was going to be thanked a lot and Cat needed all the energy she could to keep up her appreciation.

It had been an easy decision for Lena to blow off her morning meetings. And while it had a lot to do with wanting to see Cat again, to make sure that they were still on the same page, Lena had other motivations.

Kara would be arriving the next evening, and Lena was still unsure as to what she'd do. There was no way that she'd let Cat cancel on Kara - she wouldn't do that to Kara, Cat, or Carter. And, if Lena really let herself think about it, she was desperate to see the woman now. She had missed Kara. Despite her hurt and anger, she wanted to look at her gorgeous blue eyes and really talk to her about all of it. If after, Lena still felt like it was too hard to be around her, then she'd make her next step.

It was yet another reason to be around Cat - to both quiet her mind and pick her brain. She had listened to Cat the previous night. Maybe it was having someone else who knew Kara, and her flaws, that made it a little easier. She saw Kara, and Lena felt a little less of a fool - a silly, lovesick fool who was blinded by so much as to miss what was right in front of her.

Cat made her feel better about everything. The force of the woman was so very different from anyone Lena had ever met. The friends she'd had as a Luthor were far too entitled, amongst other traits that reminded her of Lillian - like Andrea. Her friends outside of her tax bracket never seemed to fully understand - like Sam. Cat Grant, however, was this perfect blend. Lena couldn't be sure if Cat actually cared about her, or if that was just a performance, but it felt so effortlessly easy. Lena wanted more.

Which made what happened after so strange - she wanted to be with Cat, yet she had volunteered to take Carter and his friends skiing. She had walked into the restaurant and overheard their disappointment and found herself speaking up, smiling brighter seeing both Carter and Cat's pleasure. Why had that made her decision that much simpler?

All three teenagers had been fairly good skiers. They were sweet and included her in their competitions, conversations, and excitement. When they broke for lunch, they had been almost giddy when the staff rolled out the red carpet - enjoying knowing the owner and all the perks.

After a long day of skiing, Lena only felt invigorated by their company. It had been so rewarding, all three teenagers - especially Carter - wouldn't and couldn't stop thanking her. By the time she checked her phone, at almost five in the evening, she had several sweet texts from Cat that had become more and more suggestive as the day went on.

Had that been why she had volunteered? To win brownie points? But that was just silly - neither she nor Cat were interested in something that outlived the lodge. Right? She was still nursing her broken heart - maybe they both were - and dating one another when they both clearly loved Kara…

No, neither were in the market for more. So why had Lena agreed?

Either way, she would've done it again, without hesitation. Not like she would need to. Tomorrow evening Kara would be there to take the kids skiing moving forward. Kara would be arriving and she had no idea that Lena was there, too.

Lena knocked on the suite door lightly, her long hair draped where the moss-colored sweater exposed the round of each shoulder. It felt silly wearing clothes at all, she had thought, as she examined the dark jeans that she had paired with the sweater. She and Cat had discussed ordering room service and enjoying one another all night. But she could hardly show up in a lodge bathrobe, so Lena put thought into what she was wearing, and what she was wearing underneath.

Cat answered the door and Lena openly laughed - because Cat seemed to have zero qualms with forgoing the façade, and answered the door with nothing but a white lace negligee.

"Well, I feel overdressed," Lena said, not bothering to enter the room just yet; the nearest penthouse suite was a convenient distance that allowed Lena to just prop herself up against the doorframe and take in the lovely view.

Cat smirked as she watched Lena's gaze rake over her body again and again. Not bothering to play coy, Cat placed a hand on her hip and allowed her voice to drop. "You are overdressed. That can easily be changed." She yanked Lena inside, and they were kissing. Cat cupped Lena's face as Lena's hands ran every which way to touch Cat everywhere she could.

They found themselves, like the night before, on the leather couch with Cat on top of Lena. Again, like the night before, Cat's mouth was at Lena's ear. "How did you want me to show my appreciation for what you did today?" she asked, nuzzling the skin underneath Lena's ear as her hands ran down the front of the cable knit sweater and back to the woman's jaw.

Lena was smiling and shaking her head. "No thanks necessary, it was my pleasure." Cat tsked and rolled her eyes. "I'm being completely sincere," Lena protested, taking Cat's hands in her own. "I had so much fun and it was a welcomed break. I can't believe I hadn't been out there since my return. If anything, I should be thanking you for allowing me such a lovely day, and trusting me with someone so important to you."

Cat stared at her for only a moment before she was tipping her head back and groaning. Lena frowned before Cat's eyes were back on hers. "You have spent far too long with her - did she give you some sort of script you're following?" Cat asked, throwing up her hands.

Lena shook her head as she smiled. "I suppose she has rubbed off on me, slightly. But I still meant what I said."

Cat side-eyed her for a moment before she was shrugging. "Fine, then: so you don't want to pick what happens next? I was going to give you a list of options: me fucking you first, or you fucking me first? How we'd fuck each and every time," Cat casually ticked off. "But since you don't want to be thanked-"

Lena changed her mind, and soon enough, Cat was showing her appreciation by throwing her legs over Lena's shoulders and letting Lena eat her out thoroughly through multiple orgasms.

Once they were in bed and Cat had returned the favor - and then Lena returned that favor - they picked at dinner and then were quietly lying naked beside one another.

The night was far from over, but they were both allowing their body time to rest and digest their meals.

"I've been thinking," Lena began hesitantly, eyes on the ceiling. Cat frowned and turned on her side to examine the woman's profile. She remained quiet as she waited. "I think...I think I should call Kara tomorrow to let her know that I'm here. And...if you're agreeable, I would like an opportunity to talk with her upon her arrival."

Cat's frown deepened. "If I'm agreeable? Oh, Lena, you don't need my permission to talk with her."

Lena smiled and turned on her side to meet Cat's gaze. "Is she not coming here as your employee?" she asked, a hint of sarcasm - Cat had insisted before that Kara was the "help."

Cat rolled her eyes. "No, she's coming as a friend. She was the one that volunteered, saying that she wanted to take a vacation and this was her opportunity."

Now it was Lena's turn to frown. "Kara wanted to take a vacation?" she asked, completely thrown.

Cat shrugged, "I thought it was strange as well, but surely even Supergirl should take time off."

"And how long is this vacation going to last?" she asked, sitting up.

Now that she thought about it, Cat was also surprised. "I...I didn't even think about it," she said, scrubbing her face as she felt her cheeks warm. "I was just excited to see her. I didn't even stop to think about how strange it was. She said at least a long weekend, Lena, with the possibility of more." Cat was shaking her head at her own stupidity: Supergirl was going to take an extended vacation? A reporter was going to take that much time off? It was out of character and then some.

"This is my fault," Lena said sadly, angry with herself all over again.

Instantly, Cat was closer and wrapping her arm around her. "Lena, she's probably dealing with a lot. It's out of character, but that doesn't mean this is a bad thing. I'll just make sure not to keep her too long. Or, I'll make sure she has plenty of time to fly back to do her superhero duties as well as maybe work."

Lena sighed deeply before she blew out a long breath. "All the more reason to call her and tell her I'm here. I don't want to blindside her."

"That sounds like a good idea," Cat agreed, stroking her hand up and down Lena's arm soothingly.

"I don't even know what to say," Lena admitted anxiously.

Cat pressed a kiss to the round of her shoulder. "What do you want to say?"

Lena shrugged and shook her head. "That I'm angry."

"And hurt," Cat added softly.

Lena looked at her, then, watching as Cat placed careful kisses on her shoulder. "And you're all right with me meeting with her?"

Cat looked up then, brows furrowed. "Lena, you want to make things right with your friend. Of course it's fine. You should do it right away - take her to dinner after she...lands," Cat said, waving away her word choice that hardly summed up what Kara would be doing.

Cat looked away then, everything radiating off of her suggesting that there was more to what Cat was saying. And if Lena had to guess, it had everything to do with jealousy.

"I'm getting leftovers," Cat said abruptly, sliding out of bed and heading to the kitchen, very naked, and not meeting Lena's gaze.

"Well...this isn't complicated," Lena said dryly to herself before following after the woman.

At first, she just watched as Cat moved around the room, reheating what was left of her burger and fries, her back to Lena - even though it was obvious Cat knew she was standing there - and pouring herself a glass of red wine.

Instead of moving closer to the woman, not wanting to crowd her, Lena finally asked: "You'll still want to see me, right? When Kara's here?" It was the only way she could think of that would appease Cat - show her that just because Kara would be arriving, it didn't mean Lena wouldn't want to see her.

Back still to Lena, Cat finished her meal and washed off her hands. "I'm sure there won't be much time. You'll be busy working during the day, then hanging out with her at night - catching up."

She was jealous! Lena couldn't believe it: Cat Grant was jealous - of Kara or of Lena, was the question. Lena hoped Cat wasn't just jealous of the idea that Lena would get to spend time with Kara.

Lena remained calm and moved into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine. She stood next to Cat, just as naked, and then turned to the woman. "You're going to eventually start saying her name, right? I'm fairly certain addressing her as 'Supergirl' in the lodge's lobby would turn heads."

Cat scoffed. "I can say her name," she said petulantly.

Lena moved to the high-top table and pushed out the stool across from her with her foot, indicating that Cat should sit. "So why don't you?"

Cat rolled her eyes but took the proffered chair, wine in hand. "I have-"

"No idea what I'm talking about," Lena said as Cat voiced the very same. "I know. But humor me. Because I think we're both past bullshitting about this."

Growling once, Cat sat back in her chair, drink aloft and eyes skyward, and tried to explain. "I find that employees act a certain way when you call them by the wrong name."

Lena smirked but let Cat go on.

"With Kara," Cat enunciated purposefully, eyes on Lena to prove a point, "it was especially true. But it had a dual motivation: one, it kept her on her toes, and two, it prevented her from growing too familiar."

Lena hummed her understanding, hand on her cheek as she listened intently. "Names have power," Lena agreed.

Nodding Cat went on. "It also…" Cat twirled her hand as though she were trying to fill in a blank.

"...Kept you from being too familiar," Lena concluded. Cat's eyebrows quirked in answer and then she sipped her wine.

"It's better this way," she said. "If I don't say it too often, it's not a habit, and then I won't slip."

"But," Lena said, sipping her own wine as she watched Cat meaningfully over her glass, "she doesn't work for you anymore, Cat. You're no longer her boss, you no longer own CatCo-"

"Thanks for the reminder," Cat said with an eye roll.

Lena smirked. "And," she continued, "while you'll always be a mentor-type, you're no longer in a place of power. She's not only Supergirl, but a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. What's to stop you now?"

Cat's response was to heavily drink her wine until the glass was empty. This garnered a laugh from Lena, before she was up and refilling Cat's glass.

"I suppose I could ask you the same," she finally said once the glass was back in her hand. "You also said that she has feelings for you. What's to stop you now that you know she's Supergirl, you're ready to move past your hurt, and you no longer own the company I put my blood, sweat, and tears into?"

Lena ignored the dig with a smirk before her expression morphed into one of confusion. "Cat, I'm sure you're aware that Kara has no - if you'll pardon the pun - earthly clue of her own feelings. And I'm not sure that I have it in me to put myself out there, especially with everything that has transpired, to handhold her every step of the way."

Cat took time to think about that before her head cocked in understanding. "I can see that."

"So," Lena said with a shrug. "tomorrow night, I'll let her off the hook, declare ourselves friends on probation, and rebuild, I suppose."

Cat watched as Lena slid off the stool and went over to where a fire was still softly crackling, sipping her wine and staring as though not seeing anything. After a moment, Cat followed, but sat her wine on top of the bookcase to watch the woman.

It was another night of Lena with her hair down - literally and figuratively. She had been nothing if not open with Cat, and she wanted to repay the favor, but it was so difficult to admit more. "If…" Lena's head jerked up to look at Cat, almost surprised she was standing there. Cat took a deep breath and continued: "If you still wanted to sleep together, while she…" Cat paused and rolled her eyes. "While Kara is here," she amended. "I wouldn't be opposed."

Cat watched as Lena gave a soft smile. "I don't want to put you out, Cat," she said, humor evident. Cat sighed and rolled her eyes again, but her lips twitched as she sipped her wine. Lena got serious, then, her expression almost somber. "It will be nice to have your company, and not just because I enjoy talking with you and sleeping with you."

Cat's eyebrow quirked. "Oh?" Lena nodded, looking back to the fire. "It will be...hard and confusing with her here, I'm sure," Cat said slowly, then smirked. "A gorgeous, intelligent, sexy, fascinating distraction will surely help."

Lena met her gaze with a genuine smile. "You're clearly the woman for the job," Lena agreed. "But just how were you planning on distracting me?" she asked, acting innocent.

Cat turned to where the entertainment system sat, snug in between the bookcases, and busied herself shuffling through the state-of-the-art tablet until her song choice started playing through the room's surround sound.

Lena recognized the older song and laughed, licking her lips and shaking her head at Cat's playful behavior. Then, when Cat started to move her body to the music, clearly ready to put on a show for Lena, the smile evolved as her eyes followed the woman's every move.

A lap dance from a naked Cat Grant wasn't just a distraction. There had to be a more powerful word for it. But soon, she was on Lena's lap asking: "'When you're all alone, in your lonely room, and there's nothing but the smell of her perfume. Doncha feel like crying?'"

Not long after, Lena did cry for her - Cat's name, over and over.