A week of heavy rain left their bike date postponed and saw them curling up in a corner booth at a coffee shop that was listed as one of the “top date spots” in Metropolis and whispering sweet nothings interspersed with less than subtle comments about just how much they hated aliens, both of them desperate to keep their “in” to Cadmus and Maggie hoping Cat would communicate to Sam and Victor that she was already devoted enough that they didn’t need to bug her.
“So,” Maggie whispered, letting her fingers lace together with Cat’s, “you never told me how you got your bartending job.”
“So Sam and Victor didn’t help you?”
“Oh, no, I met them there.”
“And you were just so friendly I guess they fell over themselves to become your new besties, huh?” Maggie teased, hoping Cat wouldn’t hear it as any kind of investigation. Though, truth be told, she had some explaining to do herself if Maggie ever brought up the whole bugging her car. But that would reveal far too much.
“Eh, shared interests, you know,” Alex shrugged. Trying to remember J’onn’s points about how connected Maria might be to Roulette and National City’s Cadmus branch, Alex forged ahead. “I stopped a fight one night between Ray and some college kid in a Superman t-shirt. He thought I might be just another hero groupie, since, you know, whole town’s overrun with them. But I sent him a free drink, made sure he knew there were no hard feelings, then met up with them after work. Rest is history, I guess.”
“Mm,” Maggie hummed, trying to figure out how best to respond. “Bet you looked hot stopping that fight.” She cringed inwardly at the lame attempt at a transition, but Cat grinned at it, so she figured she was in the clear.
“Yes, I think Ray thought so too until I made it clear he wasn’t exactly my type.”
“I’d say it’s all you, Maria,” Alex countered, biting her lip at the way Maria’s chest flushed just slightly at the compliment.
“Sure know how to remind a lady of how gay she apparently is.”
“I think there might be more fun ways of doing that…when you’re ready, of course!” Alex didn’t feel the need to add that along with some lube and toys, she’d also be bringing over a few mini cameras and recorders to leave scattered throughout Maria’s apartment.
“Right, yeah, I mean…it is date three, which is basically an eternity with kids these days,” Maggie joked.
“Yeah but,” Alex paused, trying to find a way to phrase it to not sound condescending, “I just…I want to do right by you.” And that was true, even if she also wanted her locked up for hate crimes. “You’re still new to so much of this. I don’t want to push you before you’re ready.”
“Thanks,” Maggie whispered.
The date ended with another heated car makeout, though this time Alex didn’t exactly have the excuse of needing a distraction to plant bugs. But she told herself it was all part of a longer plan, a way to eventually get up into Maria’s apartment. And if Maria happened to be a good kisser that left her cheeks flushed and her heart racing, well, that was just an added bonus.
