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.
Jennifer had grown into a strong and self-reliant woman in this new era. After realizing that Bruce's heart belonged entirely to Rachel, she decisively chose to let go. While her way of doing so might have been unconventional—something Kara had criticized more than once—Jennifer's determination was undeniable.
Unlike someone who would fall into another's arms at the first opportunity, Jennifer's devotion was singular and steadfast. Her feelings for Bruce had endured for ten years, fueled by a deep admiration. Yet, her infatuation was both her strength and her vulnerability.
Bruce, for his part, possessed a charisma that was hard to resist. On one side, he was the charming and sophisticated playboy of Gotham; on the other, he was Batman—a symbol of justice and hope, unyielding in his fight against darkness. It was this duality that captivated Jennifer.
Now, Bruce had been cast aside by Rachel once more. This time, the reason stemmed from Harvey Dent's public declaration that he was Batman, a ruse meant to protect Bruce's identity. Rachel, disappointed by Bruce's lack of direct action, chose to distance herself further.
Kara, however, found Rachel's reasoning absurd. If the plan was meant to protect Harvey, Bruce, and the city, why would she take issue with it? Joker's intelligence was not to be underestimated; it was almost certain he had seen through the charade. Rachel and Harvey's decision to discuss the plan so openly had put everyone at risk, showcasing a level of naivety that Kara found baffling.
Rachel's disappointment was, ironically, a turning point for Bruce. No longer burdened by unrequited love, he began to reevaluate his priorities. Rachel had wanted Bruce to abandon his identity as Batman—an impossible request for a man who had dedicated his life to justice. Jennifer, on the other hand, had embraced him completely, supporting both his personas.
Bruce finally realized that it was Jennifer who had stood by him unwaveringly. Unlike Rachel, Jennifer did not demand compromises that would fracture his identity. She recognized the importance of Batman and shared his vision for Gotham.
However, Jennifer had changed over the years. No longer the woman revolving around Bruce, she had moved on, building a life independent of him. Now, it was Bruce's turn to win her back, and he was determined to do so.
Kara, observing the dynamic between the two, found it amusing. Their relationship, as she saw it, was one of happy antagonism—a pair destined to clash but also to complement each other. It was no surprise to her that she would later witness the arrival of Damian Wayne, the next chapter in Bruce's complicated life.
During her extended stay in Gotham, Kara dealt with the remnants of the city's criminal underworld. Despite the trials, some gang leaders attempted to resist, even targeting Jennifer. These actions were swiftly and brutally met. A mysterious figure systematically eradicated these threats, leaving the city in shock. Bodies of the offenders were discovered hanging, a chilling reminder of the consequences of defying justice.
Jennifer, aware of the truth, knew this was Kara's doing. Kara had made it clear to Bruce that she would not adopt the mantle of Oracle, yet she continued to protect Jennifer in her own way. Jennifer used the opportunity to warn the remaining criminals, urging them to cooperate with the justice system to avoid a grim fate.
With Kara's intervention, and with Harvey Dent's efforts as a prosecutor, the remaining evidence was compiled to ensure Gotham's criminal network was dismantled. Even Gordon, now the police commissioner, faced challenges. One of his most trusted detectives was revealed to be compromised, acting under duress due to threats against her family. She was dismissed and imprisoned for her actions.
The trials brought a sense of closure to Gotham. The confiscation of gang wealth and the public trials gave the city hope for a brighter future. But as the criminal element diminished, so did the necessity for Batman and his allies. Joker's prophecy loomed—without supercriminals, even heroes might become subjects of mistrust.
Bruce decided to let Batman retreat into the shadows for a while. His focus shifted to winning Jennifer's heart. His relentless pursuit mirrored her own dedication from years prior, their roles now reversed.
Kara, skeptical but supportive, couldn't help but tease them. If they had worked things out earlier, much of their turmoil could have been avoided. Still, relationships were rarely straightforward, and perhaps their trials had been necessary to bring them together.
With Gotham stabilized, Kara prepared to return to Metropolis. The recent events had proven to be more mentally taxing than her battles against the League of Shadows. Joker's cunning was unparalleled, his schemes intricate and multilayered.
When Jennifer tried to return a token Kara had left behind—a white bat symbol—Kara refused. Jennifer and Bruce, as Gotham's black and white bats, symbolized balance and hope. Kara's presence, she believed, was no longer needed.
Before leaving, Kara couldn't resist one final jab. "Remember your promise to transfer back to Metropolis," she said with a sly smile, deliberately stirring Bruce's unease.
Jennifer stifled a laugh and nodded. "I'll consider it."
Bruce, visibly anxious, could only watch as Kara departed. Despite the challenges they had faced, Gotham now had a chance to rebuild, and so did Jennifer and Bruce.
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