Chapter Text
“Kara,” she says, giving the young woman a thorough once over, “it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Cat, Cat Grant.” She holds her hand out much like her mother did just the night before, palm facing down, as though the delicate bones of her hand are waiting for a welcoming kiss. Kara takes it softly between her fingers with a tilt of her head.
“Grant? Are you related to the woman who lives upstairs? Katherine?”
Cat does her best to reign in her frown, settling on a disinterested hum instead. “Hmm. Yes, Katherine is my mother. I hope she didn’t give you any trouble, she’s a bit…pushy.” She smirks when she hears the haughty scoff from behind her, causing Kara to startle a bit when she realizes Cat is not alone.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your breakfast.”
“Oh, that’s quite alright darling. I believe I may have what you’re looking for, if you’ll wait just a moment.” Cat disappears behind the flowing curtain which separates her store from the rest of her home, but is back just a moment later with Kara’s phone in her hand. “Someone dropped this by this morning. Is it yours?” she asks innocently.
“Oh, thank god,” she says as she reaches for the phone. “I can’t thank you enough. I don’t have all my contacts backed up.”
Cat smiles softly and comes to rest behind the counter, runs her fingers down Carter’s back, causing him to purr and flick his tail excitedly. She takes another moment to assess her visitor while Kara is slipping her phone in her bag. Her mother was right about something. Kara Danvers is absolutely gorgeous. Cat inwardly scolds herself for ogling the young woman before replying, “You’re very welcome. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee? I have a feeling today is going to be quite boring for Carter and I, what with the holiday and all.”
“Oh. I’d love to, but I have an appointment…” Kara trails off, her eyes drawn to the shocking blue eyes of the Siamese cat sitting atop the wooden counter. It’s almost as though he’s looking straight through her and she can’t break his gaze. A tilt of his head brings her back to the present and she glances quickly back to the sparkling hazel eyes of her host. “He’s beautiful. Um, maybe just one cup?”
“Excellent,” Cat replies in a purr of her own. “Make yourself comfortable, Kara. I’ll just be a moment.” She’s gone behind that flowing curtain again before Kara can blink and she’s left staring at the empty counter top where the intriguing cat just sat.
“Where did he go?” she murmurs to herself, glancing around the store. It’s filled with beautiful antique shelving and end tables, filled with even more gorgeous books of every sort and size imaginable. Hauntingly dark paintings adorn the walls and she imagines this might be the most wonderful and romantic place on earth to spend your days curled up with a well-worn book in your hands. She settles on the soft, leather couch in the front window. The streets are completely empty at this time of morning on a warm Christmas Eve and she almost hates that she has to venture away from her comfy apartment and this wonderful store just to try and track down some contact info on a source that she should’ve already had.
Before she even realizes she’s not alone, Cat is setting down two cups of steaming coffee on the low table in front of her. Kara looks up to thank her host, freezing when the streams of sunlight coming through the window illuminate her slim figure. She’s dressed in all black, but the sparkling gems on the choker around her neck and the bare feet give her an ethereal appearance which Kara thinks may haunt her for days. She’s saved from her stupor when Carter jumps into her lap, purring loudly when she scratches between his ears. He rubs his head against her chest in adoration and she chuckles.
Cat smiles and settles into the plush, red velvet chair beside the couch. It’s oversized for a woman of her stature, but Cat has always loved the way it envelopes her, makes her feel safe and at home no matter what her mood. “He likes you,” she says in amazement. She’s never seen her familiar warm up to anyone, much less so quickly. With a few final snuggles to his new best friend and a quick hop, Carter is settled upon the plush surface beside Cat and she lifts her hand to welcome him back.
“I guess he does,” Kara chuckles. “Cat, your store…it’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to spend some time here browsing what you have.” Kara reaches for her cup, lifts it to her lips to take a sip. She can’t tear her eyes away from the older woman. She’s such a startling vision, curled into that plush red chair, her bare feet tucked underneath her.
“I can’t wait either,” Cat murmurs with a grin. There’s something about the young woman that she just can’t put her finger on, something…different. “I’m not glad you lost your phone, but I’m glad you had a reason to stop in. Tell me about yourself. What do you do?” Cat asks, lifting her own cup to her lips, shifting herself so that she’s leaning on the arm of the chair closest to where Kara sits, crossing one leg over the other with a grace Kara only dreams of.
“I’m a reporter. Um, junior reporter, actually, for the Tribune.”
Cat hums once again. “Hmmm. That sounds exciting. Are you new to National City? I noticed when you moved in last month.”
“Yes, I moved here at the end of November. I grew up in Midvale, just up the coast from here.” Kara stops, Carter is staring at her again…she doesn’t have much experience with the feline variety, but seriously, it’s a house pet, right? Not a therapist?
Cat knows that she doesn’t have much time left with her beautiful neighbor this morning, so she uses the opportunity to make sure she sees Kara again, very soon. “Well, I’m so glad that you did. This area is so lovely, any time of year. In fact, if you don’t have plans tonight, you should come by the Zodiac for a drink. It’s a club not far from here. They have lovely live music and a wonderful blend of people.”
“I…well, I do have plans, but maybe I can stop by afterwards. It would be great to meet more people in the area…” Kara leaves the response hanging. There is seriously something entrancing about this cat. It’s staring at her like she’s dinner and it’s a bit unnerving. “Thank you for the coffee, but I really need to get across town.” Kara stands regretfully. Cat hums in agreement before she stands as well and follows her towards the door. She turns to say one last goodbye when Carter uses the bookshelf by the door to his advantage and lands lithely upon her right shoulder, meowing lowly and giving her another one of those adoring rubs of his head. She’s startled only for a moment before returning his affection with some of her own. “I guess he does like me,” she laughs. “Um, should I lift him off or…”
Cat chuckles again before sauntering close to the young woman, toe to toe, to urge him to relocate to her own shoulder. Kara is suddenly overwhelmed with her proximity to the older woman, her eyes are dark and her perfume surrounds her and she can’t keep her eyes from dropping to her lips…those now smirking lips. Carter gives one last meow before he settles quickly into his favorite position on Cat’s shoulder and she reluctantly takes a small step back away from Kara. “I hope you can make it tonight, Kara. I’d love to get to know you better.”
--------------------------------------------------------
“Look, Kara, I just don’t think the Zodiac is the kind of place a girl like you would like, that’s all. I mean, you barely know this woman and now you’re going out of your way on Christmas Eve to meet her? Doesn’t that seem a little…desperate?”
Kara seethes, turns quickly and thumps a finger in the middle of Max’s chest. “Max. I didn’t ask for your opinion and I didn’t invite you to come along. Our arrangement for this evening is done.”
Max grinds his teeth together, “Fine, but I’m going with you. You don’t know what kind of place you’re walking into.”
Kara stares incredulously before yanking him close by the lapels of his jacket. “I think we both know I can take care of myself, Max,” she practically growls.
___________________________________
The Zodiac is a pleasant mixture of dark and light, beautiful antique fixtures on the walls and plush chairs and couches for its guests dot the room, making it most inviting for casual conversations or a romantic evening out. Cat is settled in her spot in the back corner, just far enough away from the small stage so that the music isn’t overbearing, but in a prime location to spot the comings and goings of the other patrons. She spots her mother flowing gracefully down the curved staircase, having already made her rounds upstairs to catch up on any exciting gossip within their small community.
Katherine spies Cat in her usual corner and makes a beeline for her table, bound and determined to pull her beautiful daughter out of her seclusion. “Cat, my love, you must try and mingle more. What is the point of coming out if you just hide yourself in this dark corner?”
“I’m a witch, mother. I like dark corners,” Cat says dryly with a roll of her eyes.
“Mon dieu,” Katherine huffs out impatiently. “You mustn’t lock yourself away, ma chére.
“I’m not locking myself away, I’m here, aren’t I? Even when I don’t want to be, by the way. I’d much rather be curled up at home on Christmas Eve.” Cat sniffs as she takes another sip of her drink. She knows her mother wants the best for her, but still. The only reason she was here was for the slim possibility that Kara might stop by and the thought alone makes her smile. “Mother, I appreciate it. I really do, but please, just leave me be. Where is your little sweater loving minion? Shouldn’t you be mentoring him? Prancing around with your arm candy?” she ends with a smirk.
“He is not my arm candy, darling. I’ve told you a dozen times, that boy is gayer than a picnic basket.”
“No gay man wears cardigans like that, Mother.”
“He says it’s the style, darling. He is rather young after all, how are we to know what’s popular with the young ones?” Katherine asks.
“Hhmph. I didn’t know Mister Rogers was all the rage,” Cat snarks, freezing when she lifts her eyes from her drink to spot Kara making her way across the dimly lit space. Kara sees her and smiles and Cat can’t help but let a small smile of her own break free, until that is, she sees who is following along behind her.
Her mother notices the change of expression immediately and for a moment could have sworn that she saw her daughter’s eyes spark a flash of red. Katherine looks over to see a dark haired man trailing behind her lovely young neighbor. “Who is he, dear?” she asks softly.
Cat doesn’t have the time to respond before he is close enough to hear. She stands and reaches for Kara’s hand, pulls her close and places a soft kiss upon the blushing woman’s cheek. “I’m so glad you could make it,” she murmurs.
Their moment is interrupted. “Well, well. Cat Grant. I didn’t think you would ever cross my path again,” Max almost sneers, eyeing Kara’s hand which is still held lightly in Cat’s.
“Maxwell,” she responds, hoping that the shock of seeing him has left her face and in its place is only utter boredom.
“You two know each other?” Kara asks in disbelief, still reeling from the feeling of soft skin between her fingers and even softer lips upon her cheek.
“Yes, Maxwell and I met when I was attending Wellesley.”
He looks unbearably smug when he adds, “We even dated for a bit.” Cat growls in disgust.
“Oh my, I do remember hearing about you darling!” Katherine pipes in, her boisterous voice drawing the attention of a few people around them. She’s out of her seat and rounding on him in an instant. “Were you the one who claimed he was a warlock in search of his other half? The powerful witch who could help him reach his full potential?” Cat’s eyes go round in shock, but her mother is on a roll. “Oh, honey. Those Massachusetts winters must have taken a toll on you. Was it your studies? Just too much pressure on the old noggin, am I right? I hope you wrote up some of the things you told my Catherine, darling, they’ve kept us entertained for years!”
Kara lets out a strangled giggle and Cat is helpless to follow, leaning lightly against each other as they watch Max’s face become redder and the veins bulge comically on his forehead. The people around them have started laughing as well. “Ladies, Merry Christmas,” he sneers before turning on his heel and stalking across the club.
“Wait!” Cat hears her mother calling lightly after the fuming man as she weaves her way through tables to follow him. “I could help you put these things into words, Maxwell! We could be the next J. K. Rowling! I’ve always wanted a theme park!”
Kara smiles brightly at the woman beside her. “I officially love your mother.”