Kara heard a low whistle behind her and turned to see Barry walking toward her, head on a swivel. "Wow, Cat Grant knows how to throw a party."

"That she does," Kara agreed, looking around with him. In celebration of yet another award winning article from CatCo, this one featuring the newly dubbed "Battle of STAR Labs" from a few weeks prior, Ms. Grant had decided to hold a party on the top floor of the National City Museum of Modern Art, which offered a spectacular view of the city. Floor-to-ceiling reproductions of the magazine cover showcasing the article were stationed at regular intervals around the walls, and waiters and waitresses zipped around among the guests, offering food and drinks.

After a few seconds of pretending to be interested in their surroundings, Kara and Barry finally made eye contact and smiled. "I'm so glad you made it," Kara said.

"Me too," Barry replied, kissing her lightly in greeting before leaning back slightly, taking in the sight of her as he held both her hands. Shaking his head slightly, he marveled, "It's like you were never stabbed. Fast healing is supposed to be my thing!"

"The wonders of a yellow sun," Kara chuckled. "Besides, you're already faster than literally everyone on this planet. Leave some cool powers for the rest of us, will you?"

"Fine," Barry sighed. He then looked up, tilting his head as he caught strains of the music playing. "Well," he continued, looking back at her, "since I'm a little late, how about I make it up to you with a dance?"

"I like that idea."

…

"Hey, can I talk to you about something?" Kara asked as they swayed side to side.

"Anything."

"It's about the Battle," Kara began. By this point, everyone knew what "Battle" referred to in normal conversation. "You know, we all worked pretty well together."

"We did," Barry agreed. "We had to, with the stakes so high."

"Right," Kara said. "But this has been a crazy year. Alien prisoners, metahuman criminals…everything's changing and getting more dangerous."

"Hey, we've changed too," Barry said, gripping her waist a little tighter. "Don't worry, we can handle it."

"No, I know," Kara said. "My point is that these threats are here to stay, and it doesn't just affect National City or Metropolis or Starling or Central City. It affects everyone, and we need to be ready."

Barry tilted his head to one side. "What, you're saying we should make the team-up permanent?"

"It's Clark's idea, actually," Kara clarified. "He's pushed for an organization of heroes for a while now. A way to unite Earth's protectors when threats like Indigo show up."

"A superhero task force."

"Exactly."

Barry looked up from Kara's face, thinking as their steps to the music filled the gap in conversation. He was lost in thought for so long that Kara had to prod him. "Well? What do you think?"

"It's a good idea in theory," Barry began finally, "but it's tricky in practice. A task force to address any threat would be nice, but I protect Central City because it's where my family lives. Oliver does the same for Starling, and you for National City. Stretching ourselves beyond that on a regular basis would be tough."

"A very good point," Kara said.

"Plus," Barry said, "the power dynamic is going to be a lot different from what any of us are used to. I mean, what if some of us think we should act one way, but others in the group think another way? Do we go with the group, even if we think it's the wrong choice?"

"Also an important point," Kara nodded, smiling.

"On top of that…what?" Barry asked. "Why are you smiling?"

"This is exactly why I wanted to ask you your thoughts," Kara replied. "Clark hasn't pitched the specifics of his idea to too many people yet, and while he knows it'll never work if he tries to head the whole thing himself, he wants to bring in only a few others at the beginning. People that would help the group start off on the right foot. He's asked me, but I think you should be one of those people too."

"Me?"

"Yes you, silly," Kara said, affectionately tapping him on the nose with her finger. "Look, I agree with you. There are a lot of things we need to work out, but we can do so much good with this idea, this team. I really feel that, and I want your help to make it real." Kara took this moment as they danced to shift her hands from around his neck to cup his face. "I will always believe we're stronger together."

Barry stared into her eyes for a few seconds, and then nodded slowly. "Okay. Let's do it."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you've convinced me. If you believe in it, then I believe in it, too." He paused a moment before continuing. "Besides, how can I turn down a chance to work with such an attractive Kryptonian?" Kara smiled at the seeming compliment until Barry added, "I'm talking about Superman, of course," at which point she (very) lightly slapped him on the arm, eliciting a satisfying "Ow!" from him.

They returned to dancing. "How many people does Clark want to start with?" Barry asked.

Kara thought for a moment. "Probably around six or seven. He's planning to recruit Oliver next." She and Barry simultaneously rolled their eyes without saying anything, knowing exactly how precarious that conversation was going to be.

"Any thoughts on what he's going to call this thing?" Barry followed up.

"He's pretty partial to the name 'Justice League'," Kara said.

"Wow. 'Heat vision'? 'Freeze breath'? Your cousin has a name for everything," Barry marveled.

Another roll of her eyes. "He really is such a nerd."

Barry laughed. "Still, I guess it's pretty cool. It feels like we're starting something big, you know?"

Kara smirked playfully. "Think you can handle it, Scarlet Speedster?"

"I don't know, Girl of Steel," Barry replied, twirling her outwards as they danced. "I guess we'll find out."

/end

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