Kara stepped out of the prison gates, stretching under the sun with a relieved smile. "Finally, a happy ending," she muttered, raising her arms to stretch her shoulders. It had been a challenging period, though not physically demanding compared to her last encounter with the League of Shadows led by Ra's al Ghul.
This time, the conflict wasn't about physical battles but an intricate game of wits—psychological tactics, counter-surveillance, and deep dives into criminal and human psychology. If her powers had been limited to those of an ordinary person, the Joker might have had the upper hand. Kara had used her Kryptonian abilities multiple times but still found herself outmaneuvered on occasion.
But she was Superman's equal, after all. Her strength and resilience weren't cheating—they were simply part of who she was. If it weren't for her abilities, Gotham's villains might still be running rampant. Now, with confessions from the captured gang leaders and the Joker locked away, Gotham seemed to be on the brink of a new era of justice.
That, however, was no longer her concern.
Walking toward a sleek Lamborghini parked on the curb, Kara pressed the unlock button and vaulted effortlessly into the driver's seat. Without needing the key, she started the engine with a press of a button, the car roaring to life as she sped away toward Wayne Manor.
Arriving at the gates of the vast estate, she handed over the car to Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler and confidant.
"Where's Bruce?" Kara asked casually, her hands in her pockets as she glanced around the property.
Alfred, ever the professional, hesitated briefly before replying, "Master Bruce successfully invited Miss Jennifer for lunch. They've gone out together."
Kara froze for a moment, then turned sharply back to Alfred. "Take me to them," she demanded, her tone light but firm.
Alfred regretted mentioning it immediately. "Miss Jennifer accepted the invitation of her own accord," he tried to explain, attempting to undo his slip.
Kara rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "I just want lunch. You kidnapped Jennifer, so now I'm left without a meal."
Alfred sighed, knowing he had little choice. Silently apologizing to Bruce, he climbed into the passenger seat of the car as Kara drove them to the restaurant—a high-end venue where Bruce had first introduced Harvey Dent to Rachel Dawes.
Upon entering, Kara saw the group at a table: Bruce, Jennifer, Harvey, and Rachel. Jennifer, elegantly dressed, wore a pearl necklace—a striking resemblance to one Bruce's late mother used to wear. Bruce's expression was unreadable, his gaze fixed on Jennifer, likely lost in memories.
The table was abuzz with conversation, Harvey taking a moment to propose to Rachel. As he presented the ring, Jennifer and Bruce played their roles as witnesses, though for different reasons: Bruce was Rachel's childhood friend, and Jennifer had a professional connection with Harvey.
Kara didn't approach immediately. Instead, she leaned against the bar, observing from a distance. A manager approached her with a polite smile.
"Miss Kara, would you like a table or assistance joining your companions?" he asked, his tone deferential.
Kara shook her head and turned to Alfred. "Looks like I'm treating you to dinner, old man."
Alfred chuckled softly. "It would be my pleasure."
They found a quiet corner, where Kara ordered several steaks and a bottle of the most expensive wine available. This wasn't just any restaurant—it was a Wayne-owned establishment. For Alfred, managing the Wayne family's vast resources was second nature. Kara, meanwhile, indulged freely, making herself at home as Alfred shook his head with amused resignation.
While savoring her meal, Kara noticed Harvey and Rachel had left, leaving Bruce and Jennifer alone at the table. Jennifer sampled a dessert while Bruce leaned in, speaking softly. Kara frowned, her curiosity piqued. Picking up her wine glass in one hand and a piece of steak on a fork in the other, she strode toward them, much to Alfred's dismay.
Before the two noticed her presence, Kara spoke. "Hey, what's going on here?" she asked, startling both Bruce and Jennifer.
Jennifer turned, her surprise evident. "Kara! What are you doing here?" She glanced nervously at Kara's casual attire and the piece of steak in her hand. "Could you... maybe sit down and eat like a normal person?"
Bruce, equally surprised, raised an eyebrow. "I told Alfred the car was yours to keep. Weren't you heading back to Metropolis?"
Kara gave a dry laugh, the smirk on her face widening. "So, what? You're trying to send me away now?"
Bruce opened his mouth to respond, but Kara didn't wait. She pulled up a chair and plopped down unceremoniously, finishing her steak as if nothing was amiss. Jennifer sighed, shooting an apologetic glance at Bruce, who pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
"Don't mind me," Kara said with a grin. "I'm just here for the food."
Kara sat down and didn't leave, leaving Alfred no choice but to have the food delivered to this side of the house.
"I entertained her on the other side, Master Wayne. She came here on her own," Alfred immediately shrugged off any responsibility as soon as he walked in. This was ironic, considering he was the one who inadvertently let slip to Kara that Bruce had dated Jennifer before.
Kara, however, didn't expose him, choosing instead to focus on Jennifer.
Jennifer, visibly uncomfortable, explained, "It was Harvey and Rachel who asked Bruce...Mr. Wayne and me to be their witnesses."
Jennifer's explanation was defensive, and her slight hesitation in addressing Bruce was telling. Kara rolled her eyes dramatically, then turned to Bruce and said, "I don't want your fancy car.
"Sure, it's cool to drive around in, but I'd be worried it might get scratched in a parking lot. Maintenance costs would pile up too. Most importantly, if I lost it, I don't think I'd be able to pay you back. So forget it."
Bruce opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself. The memory of Kara gleefully wrecking the Batmobile—a machine worth well over a billion dollars—was still fresh in his mind. He figured it was better to let the subject drop.
The issue with the car wasn't worth Kara's attention anyway. She had plans to return home and pay off her remaining car loan before buying another vehicle. She could have easily cleared her debt ages ago if she had wanted to. After all, Kara was capable of transmuting elements into gold, a skill she had once demonstrated to Jennifer.
This ability was not simple alchemy. It involved analyzing and reconstructing the elemental makeup of objects—a process Kara had mastered with precision. If she wanted, she could flood the global economy with gold and trigger a catastrophic inflation crisis. But Kara didn't find such a life of excess appealing. She had no desire to live without purpose.
The atmosphere at the table became increasingly awkward. Kara, unaffected, continued eating with gusto, while Jennifer avoided Kara's gaze, and Bruce wore an uncharacteristic grimace, unsure of how to proceed.
Bruce, despite his usual mastery of disguising himself as a carefree playboy, was ill at ease in front of the two women who knew the real him. Alfred, sensing trouble, chose to steer clear of the tense interaction. Still, he occasionally showed concern for Jennifer, who was carrying Bruce's child.
Kara already knew the gender of the baby—a boy. She hoped the child wouldn't inherit his father's complicated tendencies.
The meal dragged on in silence, with Jennifer and Bruce having long since finished eating. They stayed only because they had been discussing something important before Kara had interrupted. Kara, however, felt no remorse, helping herself to a bottle of wine before finally leaving. After all, Bruce was footing the bill.
When it came time to part ways, Bruce initially offered to drive them back but ultimately sent them home with Alfred, choosing to return to Wayne Manor alone. It seemed Kara's sharp and knowing gaze had left him rattled.
Once back at Jennifer's place, Kara opened the expensive bottle of red wine she had taken and poured herself a glass. She leaned back in her chair, scrutinizing Jennifer, who was trying to change into more comfortable clothes.
"Look into my eyes," Kara demanded, her voice dropping into a deep, menacing tone reminiscent of a villainous oracle.
Jennifer, unfazed, muttered, "Wait until I'm done changing."
Kara scowled. "Didn't you say you'd moved on?"
Jennifer didn't turn around. "I have. But he asked me out, and I mean, I've moved on, but I never said I'd ignore him forever."
Kara sneered, mouthing a silent insult.
"Don't insult me," Jennifer shot back. Though she hadn't been looking, she knew Kara's reaction all too well. Turning slightly, she added, "What do you expect me to do? I let go of Bruce Wayne. I told myself I was only interested in Batman. And then you turn around and tell me they're the same person! What was I supposed to do?"
Jennifer finally faced Kara, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "I thought about ending the pregnancy before, but now... I've changed my mind. I might've let go of Bruce Wayne, but I've picked up another Bruce—his child. What can I do? I'll never truly be rid of him now."
Kara sighed, understanding Jennifer's predicament. This situation was a mess. Jennifer had liked Bruce since their college days, carrying her feelings for over a decade. Even when she thought she had moved on, circumstances kept pulling her back to him. And now, with a baby on the way, she couldn't see a way out.
Jennifer slumped onto the floor, resting her head on Kara's lap. She looked up pitifully, wrapping her arms around Kara's waist. "Rachel accepted Harvey's proposal. She and Bruce had a long conversation and cleared the air between them."
"And then?" Kara asked sharply.
Jennifer tightened her grip, her voice softening. "He said he'd start over with me, that he wants to pursue me seriously this time. Kara... I've liked him since I was a student. Ten years, Kara."
Kara shook her head in exasperation. "So you're just going to forgive him? After everything? Have some self-respect!"
Jennifer, however, couldn't help herself. Bruce had been her first love, and despite the twists and turns, she was still tied to him. Kara, frustrated but understanding, could only hope her friend knew what she was doing.
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