Title: Good Girl Gone Bad
Author: InBetweens
Rating: T
Plot: Kara is affected by a weapon that generates energy from Red Kryptonite. What affects will the weapon have on her personality and her relationships with those she cares for most?

Author's Note: I am WELL aware that I have several unfinished stories in the Once Upon a Time Swan Queen fandom. I DO plan to go back to them. I just have very little inspiration to work of for that couple at the moment. I'm hopinng with my new found muse revival thanks to SuperCat, I'll find the inspiration to go back to Swan Queen (and the time). I have several pages if not chapters ready to be posted for some of them, but I want to be secure in having extra if life hits like it tends to. That being said, I hope those of you who haven't even touched my Swan Queen stories, will find you enjoy this SuperCat story. :-)

All mistakes are mine.

Part 1

"Goodnight, Alex." Kara closed the comm line that she kept open while on patrol.

Tonight had been a rough one. There had been a new alien making trouble for National City. The alien had some strange form of energy weapon. The weapon had the ability to destroy buildings with one or two shots, often times making the structures evaporate in a red smog of ash. When fired and impacting the earth it left behind craters the color of the deepest red.

It was particularly odd then when it seemed to have no effect against Kara at all. The propoulsed red explosive shots had merely been absorbed by Kara's suit. The force of the initial impact merely pushing her back a few feet before she could once again stand her ground. Once Kara knew the weapon had little effect on her it had been easy to apprehend the soldier. Without his weapon he had no way of defeating her for he was as weak as a human.

Locking the soldier away had been easy. Almost too easy, as he too seemed concerned with why his weapon, which Kara had witnessed cause massive destruction, didn't even affect the young Kryptonian. The soldier was more 'mad scientist' than warrior and his mind wouldn't settle until he uncovered why his weapon of mass destruction had failed him. He'd screamed at Kara that he would find her weakness and be her undoing as the DEO agents put him in a vehicle and sped off into the night.

That had been two hours ago. It was nearly midnight before Kara landed in an alley two blocks from her apartment. As her feet touched the ground and gravity pushed down on her she sighed. She was exhausted. Changing back into her pedestrian clothes in the blink of an eye, she walked to her building, lifted a hand in greeting to the night staff as she passed them. Too tired to even utter a sound to them as she stepped into the elevator.

Kara barely had time to take off her shoes before she fell face first onto her mattress, her breathing labored. If it hadn't been an incredibly draining day at the office and crime fighting she might be concerned with how tired she felt. At work Siobhan Smythe had refused to listen to any instruction she had when it came to how Cat liked things; Ed from finance had taken credit for Kara's report that was going to save CatCo a million dollars a year; Lucy was back from D.C. and James was acting weird.

Thinking of work made her think of Cat and how things had been so strange between the two of them since she'd broken up with Adam. Cat wanted a professional relationship with her, and only a professional relationship. Kara was doing her best to respect Cat's wishes, but she wasn't blind. She could feel Cat's eyes on her when she thought no one would see her staring. Kara saw the times Cat stopped herself from saying something that might have been considered anything but professional.

Kara wondered how much longer Cat was going to make them both suffer.

With her eyes struggling to stay open Kara had one last nightly ritual to complete.

Kara groaned as she pulled up her cellphone and rested it by her head so she wouldn't have to hold it up as she checked for any messages from Cat. Seeing no texts she scanned her emails. She saw the reminder she had posted that Carter was going to be with his father for tomorrow, but Cat needed to leave early to pick him up on Thursday because John, Carter's father, had a flight to England for a meeting. Which was a lie. He was flying to England to transfer to Paris to meet his current girlfriend, who was spending two weeks abroad away from her husband and children. The husband that just so happened to be the CEO of John's biggest competitor. It looked like if he couldn't beat him in the board room he was going to beat him in the bedroom, with the other man's wife.

Kara wondered briefly why there wasn't a term for the man sleeping with another man's wife besides bastard.

"Set reminder to have hot coco for Carter." Kara's phone beeped its response. The task complete.

With little more than ten minutes spent going through the unopened emails and responding, she didn't even bother reaching for the charger when she finished. She rested her cheek on the bed and fell asleep instead.

Kara woke up seconds before her alarm went off.

Going through her normal morning routine Kara stood with a towel wrapped around her still damp chest in front of her closet. She stared and stared and idly pushed items back and forth. A crinkle creased her brow as she stared at the sweaters and skirts and blouses she had available for today. None jumped out at her.

Especially with...well, she wanted to impress those around her. Cat specifically. Kara blinked. Normally she wouldn't allow herself to admit to such desires. Today was a new day though. And for once she was going to be honest with herself. Today, Kara wanted Cat Grant to drool over her. She wanted Cat Grant to have only eyes for her.

Siobhan was not going to receive any praise from Cat for her outfit today. No, Cat was going to look at Kara today and see her. She wouldn't be ignored or rebuffed for her fashion choices. Not today. Today everything was going to be different. Kara promised herself it would be.

Kara pushed several of the hooks aside until she found something that would have to do. Nothing seemed...right. With a frown she grabbed the best dress she owned and went into the bathroom.

By the end of the hour Kara was standing outside her apartment door ready to take on the world. On the way out of her building Kara barely acknowledged the staff members that smiled and wished her a good morning and then a good day. She barely heard them at all.

The sun was just peeking out over the horizon and the feel of the solar rays washing over her felt glorious.

Kara had never felt this good before. There was an energy surging through her system that made her feel invincible. It slid just underneath her skin, making the very tissue that covered her feel alive. Unbeknownst to her, her eyes flashed red, but disappeared a moment later. Her pupils dilated and her heart raced beneath her chest. There were so many things she wanted to do. So many things that she felt she was capable of doing today that normally seemed impossible, even for her.

With headphones in one ear she listened to the news as she walked briskly to work. She sent Alex a text asking if they'd learned anything more about the alien encounter last night. She knew her sister wouldn't get it for at least another two hours, but she was curious if her renewed energy came from whatever plasma weapon the mercenary had used against her.

Quickly though, the very thought of the alien and of Alex and their work in general seemed to fade away.

Several express busses passed her by along the road, but she paid them little mind. There was no need to take public transportation when she could run faster than a speeding bullet. But, she couldn't be seen doing that without her suit, so she often 'walked'. It gave her time to think. Walking outside also kept her from feeling claustrophobic. Buses and trains reeked with human pheromones and in such cramped spaces it was impossible to ignore the assault on her senses.

Today, it seemed the benefit of walking to work was one she often enjoyed, watching the shop owners open their stores. Many of the bigger branch stores that she passed along the avenue wouldn't be open for another hour, but some mom and pop stores and high end boutiques began opening their doors just about now. Many were still lifting the grates up on the front windows.

Before Kara understood what she was doing, her body stopped walking. There...in the corner of her eye...was one of the name brand fashion shops that opened early for the professionals that needed to shop before the work day began. In the window gallery fitted to a posed manikin was THE outfit Kara needed. The one that was missing from her closet.

Without even stopping to stare at the black dress, she went to the sole sales woman she heard counting inventory to herself at the register.

When the woman looked up at her, Kara could tell instantly that this wasn't going to go well. It was obvious, by her current apparel, that she didn't often shop in stores like this. No, she was always bargain hunting and finding the perfect outfits that made her look as meek and as invisible as possible. It was a family trait she had picked up quickly from Kal-El even without having grown up with him.

"Can I help you?" The question was double sided. The woman had no desire or inclination to help Kara with anything she might say she could need help with.

Normally, Kara would ignore the tone. Ignore the fact that the woman's eyes looked her up and down and found her lacking...but today was different. Today...she cared. Because she wasn't going to be found lacking. By anyone. Not even this sales woman.

"The Max Mara Firma Pinstripe Dopio Crepe Dress, do you have it in a size four?"

Eyes widened, "The...uhm...yes...but that dress is-"

"Great," she knew it was going to cost upward of $995. "I'll take one. Also, the Max Mara Lollo Cotton Poplin Shirtdress. Same size. The Alexa Wagner shoes in the navy and black. The Altuzarra Blazer, Blouse and pants suit set. The St. John Collection silk charmeuse blouse in granita. I'd like to try that one on now." The sales woman's mouth opened and closed minutely. "Do you need to write any of this down?" Kara's eyes hardened and her posture straightened. Any meekness the sales woman may have seen moments ago disappeared.

Kara met the woman's gaze and dared her to say anything. The items she'd just listed would cost her nearly ten grand.

"Nah, no...the..." The woman rattled off Kara's list and waited as if expecting Kara to change her mind.

She didn't.

"I'd also like the St. John collection Diana straight leg marocain pants, Michael Kors Double face stretch wool flare pants, and the Saint Laurent Plonge Leather Moto Jacket." Kara looked behind the woman and saw a sun glasses case. "Oh, and the prada sun glasses as well."

"And how will you be paying for these items today Miss?"

This time Kara snarled as she pulled out the credit card attached to the savings account she had under Wayne Corp.

"You do take platinum cards, yes? Or would you prefer gold?" Kara questioned as she pulled out her other credit card that was attached to her trust fund account.

Kara took both back. "Never mind. Good luck explaining to your manager why you didn't sell ten thousand dollars' worth of commissioned items."

Kara turned on her heel and strode towards the exit. She counted in her head as she did. The woman only made it to two and a half seconds before she was sputtering while she moved out from behind the register and followed after Kara.

A flash of a satisfactory smile spread across her lips. It almost looked sinister. But it was gone the moment she turned around to find the sales woman falling all over herself to get into Kara's good graces.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

By the time Kara made it into the office she had changed her outfit three times, spent close to three years' worth of college tuition and had a standing appointment to pick up the items she'd placed on hold at the boutique.

But she was happy.

Confident.

Assured.

People stopped and looked at her. Their eyes followed her as she made her way into the office. The heels she wore making her several inches taller. She never wore heels. The reason having been simple.

Cat hated how short she was so she was always wearing heels and had told Kara not to bother wearing them when she had the 'audacity' to do so the first week she'd been hired.

Now though? Now, Kara didn't care what Cat wanted from her. Not really. If Cat didn't want her to wear the heels then she was going to have to look her in the eye and tell her so. Talk to her. Acknowledge her. That was what she wanted. And she deserved far more than just acknowledgement. She deserved...well she deserved...more...

The outfit Kara currently wore was reminiscent of the style Lucy wore. A blouse, blazer or suit jacket and slacks. Except Kara's was form fitting and cost twice as much as Lucy's knock offs did. The granita color was a blend of red, pink, and orange. The blouse was made of the finest material Kara had ever worn. It was soft and smooth against her and left her already tingling skin rapid firing sensations to her brain.

The people still in the bullpen would soon be leaving, their night shifts ending in the next ten minutes. It would be another hour before the day crew started to make their way into the office.

Kara liked being in the office first when she didn't have standing plans with Alex. It gave her time to catch up on work. Or, really, do other people's work.

Kara sat down at her desk and stared at her computer, wondering for the first time why she bothered to do everyone else's work for them. They always ended taking the credit and Cat had no idea how competent Kara actually was. How could she? When she thought the people who were supposed to be composing financial audits (like Ed) were the ones actually doing it. Or the research being done on media upticks weren't being done by the analytic team (Sharen and her sect of computer lackeys) but by Kara.

Kara glared at the dark screen in front of her as if it were Ed or Sharen. Squeezing her hands into tight fists. She saw the blinking red light of her phone flash in the corner of her eyes and she turned them away from the dark screen. If she had continued to look into the depths of the unlit screen she would have watched as her eyes lit up like fireworks in the night sky, the color flashing a deep red.

Picking up the phone, Kara entered her password for the answering machine. Her teeth ground down together as she heard Ed's voice on the other line.

"Kara, I'll need the rest of those files by tomorrow morning. No later than ten am. Make sure to have them on my desk by then." Ed hung up, no thanks, no praise on the good work she'd done by finding the extra expenditures and the alternates that would save CatCo an estimated ten million dollars in the next six years.

"Message deleted. Next message received at…" The robotic female voice sounded against Kara's ear before a beep sounded and the message began to play.

"Hey Kara, it's Sharen. I'm just looking for those statistics I asked you for last week. Cat wants them by tomorrow. Thanks hon! You're the best!"

"Message deleted. Next message…." How was the automated voice supposed to know when to stop when behind? How could it possibly understand that Kara was seconds away from crushing the phone in her hand to dust.

"Kara, it's John. Just calling to make sure everything's set with my flights. I really appreciate you scheduling this trip for me. Carter really isn't just full of hot air when it comes to his praise for you."

The mention of Carter's name momentarily calmed Kara's racing heart. Her body slowly relaxing as her mind thought of the boy she had become very fond of. His quirks reminiscent to her own at his age. Though, she knew his quirks were centralized to genetic disposition and hers were caused by extenuating circumstances.

Carter was the only reason Kara had even helped John schedule the flight to England. A part of her wanted John to get on the plane and never come back. That part of her was selfish because it wanted Carter and Cat all to herself. John was constantly hurting Carter, cancelling plans, yelling at him. John didn't know how to handle a child like Carter. He wasn't patient and understanding. He was impatient and stubborn.

John wanted a son that had the same interests as him as a kid. He wanted a son that would talk sports with him. The one-time Carter tried to learn about football so he could have a talking ground with his father, John had gotten frustrated with him for his extensive knowledge. His more extensive knowledge than John. Carter leaving John in his dust.

Sometimes Kara wondered if her relationship with Carter would have been similar to her relationship with Kal-El if she hadn't gotten stuck in the Phantom Zone. She would have had to take on the role of mother, cousin, and best friend.

It was Cat who usually picked up the pieces of Carter's broken heart. Kara always standing on the sidelines, waiting, biding her time. She was always there for the Grants. They were two of her favorite humans and Carter brought out a maternal side in Kara that she didn't know existed until she'd been faced with the young boy the first time.

Since then Kara had cultivated her own relationship with Carter, outside of work. She'd given him her phone number and they texted and he sometimes called her when he was bored. Kara was there for him. Just like Kara was there for his mom.

Kara just wished that Cat noticed how her not being able to be there for Adam didn't mean Kara couldn't and wouldn't be there for Cat and Carter.

Thinking of how Cat refused to even acknowledge her most days now without vitriol dripping from her mouth, Kara groaned. A throb beginning behind her eyes. She brought her thumb up to her temple and rubbed at the pressure points until the tension went away.

Kara listened to the rest of the messages on her machine in a bit of a daze. Thinking of Cat like this wouldn't do. She had work to do.

Kara hung up the phone when she heard she had no more messages. Looking across the space towards Cat's private elevator, and across Siobhan's desk, Kara decided to take matters into her own hands. It was time to shed her meek invisibility cloak. Cat wouldn't see her again until other people started to see her too.

With a smirk she turned on her computer, pulled out the data Ed had asked her to comb through, the large stack making a loud 'THUNK' as it hit the top of her desk. Once her computer was running she clicked on a few applications and separated her screen in half, concentrating on collecting the data for Sharen and her team while also working on an excel graph and spreadsheet for Ed.

The smirk upon her lips a telling sign of her scheming.

End Part One