Chương 78: Chapter 78 (edited)
When Kara came downstairs to the hospital with Jennifer in her arms, a sleek black armored combat vehicle was parked outside on the street. It resembled the Batmobile, which had been used previously against the Shadow Warrior Alliance. However, Bruce had recently been developing a new type of tank. Perhaps this was it. Rumors suggested it housed a motorcycle within, allowing for quick escapes when the tank sustained critical damage.
Kara also had her own combat vehicle, but hers was silver-gray. It was no coincidence that her battle suit and equipment had also been changed to match this color—an unsolicited decision made by a certain stubborn man. Though Kara hadn't minded the change, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of annoyance at the presumptuousness.
The vehicle's doors opened automatically as Kara and Jennifer approached. One opened for the co-pilot seat, the other for the rear. Jennifer, however, wasted no time grabbing the co-pilot's door, slamming it shut, and following Kara to the back seat. Kara simply shrugged; it made it easier for her to protect Jennifer this way.
Bruce's voice came through the modified communicator, gruff and altered by the voice changer. "Has the bomb been defused?"
Kara tossed the package onto the co-pilot seat. "See for yourself."
Bruce hesitated, not expecting her to bring the entire set of bombs out, much less throw them at him. Opening the package, he was relieved to see the explosives frozen solid. Though he had no idea how she managed to freeze them, at least they weren't an immediate threat.
"Are you sure Wayne Manor is safe?" Bruce asked, maintaining the guise that he wasn't himself but merely a concerned ally.
Jennifer, arms crossed and unimpressed, scoffed. "Drop the act. I know everything, Bruce."
Bruce turned to Kara, silently questioning her.
Kara, removing her hood, answered before he could speak. "Even Rachel knows. And Joker—that lunatic—figured out who we are because of your history. What did you even do before this? Take her dancing?"
Though partially jesting, Kara's tone betrayed her frustration. She had trusted Bruce to protect their shared secret, and now it had been exposed.
Bruce faltered, his voice softening. "Joker threatened Rachel's life. He almost threw her off a building. I may have slipped up then. But how did he figure you out?"
"Bruce, Joker isn't stupid. Sure, he's a lunatic, but his IQ is likely higher than both of ours combined," Kara replied, her voice steady but annoyed. "Once he figured you out, Rachel was obviously not Oracle, which meant the person aiding you had to be someone strong enough to hold their own. With a bit of digging, he realized it was me. It wasn't exactly a secret that I've traveled the world, though I didn't think it'd matter."
Kara recounted Joker's reasoning with begrudging respect for his intellect. He was dangerous, not because of brute strength, but because of his capacity to connect even the most obscure details.
Despite her powers, Kara wasn't invulnerable. She feared for her friends and family—those who weren't invincible like her.
Bruce, sensing her unease, started the vehicle without another word, heading toward Wayne Manor. The atmosphere inside the car was tense. Jennifer sat silently, Kara brooded, and Bruce struggled to break the ice but failed each time he tried to speak. For perhaps the first time, Bruce Wayne felt utterly tongue-tied.
When they arrived at Wayne Manor, dawn was breaking. Kara asked Bruce about the bombs, to which he replied, "Alfred can handle them."
Only then did Kara remember just how capable Alfred was. The man wasn't just a butler—he was a strategist, technician, and confidant.
The bombs, still frozen, weren't an immediate concern. Alfred, however, was more focused on Jennifer. He hovered around her with concern. "Miss Jennifer, were you frightened? Should I call the family doctor? Is the child—"
"Alfred," Bruce interrupted, exasperated, "the fetus isn't even fully developed yet. Relax." He began removing his equipment, leaving Alfred to redirect his focus.
Jennifer blushed slightly, uncomfortable with such attention being given to her and her unborn child. Meanwhile, Alfred took note of her discomfort but continued fussing over her welfare.
Bruce rolled his eyes. "Alfred, maybe move the Batmobile to the Batcave before someone gets suspicious? Parking it outside isn't exactly subtle. Also, Jennifer, is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Alfred's concern amused Kara. In the past, Alfred had subtly tried to play matchmaker between her and Bruce. But now, seeing Jennifer, he had seemingly abandoned that idea entirely. Instead, he seemed to view Jennifer as the future of the Wayne family.
Jennifer, however, wasn't so sure. She had initially planned to leave after being discharged from the hospital, considering ending her pregnancy altogether. Learning Bruce's identity had complicated those plans. Her emotions were in turmoil, her glances at Bruce tinged with a mix of resentment and doubt.
During breakfast, Alfred prepared an elaborate spread for Jennifer, while Bruce was served a humble plate of toast, eggs, and bacon. Kara, noticing the difference, took a seat beside Jennifer and began sharing from her plate. Jennifer sighed, overwhelmed by Alfred's enthusiasm. She hadn't come here to play the role of hostess, and she had already let go of her feelings for Bruce—or so she thought.
Jennifer glanced at Bruce, quickly looking away before he could notice. Her attention shifted to Kara. "So, what now? Do you really think that lunatic will keep his word?"
Kara sighed. "We can only hope."
Bruce finally seized the opportunity to join the conversation. "Kara, you don't really think Joker's game is just about our identities, do you? It's not that simple."
Kara's expression darkened. "No, it's never that simple with him."
Chương 79: Chapter 79 (edited)
In fact, Bruce's worry was well-founded. Joker wouldn't go to such lengths just to reveal the identities of Batman and Oracle.
It couldn't be that simple.
Even Kara herself understood this truth.
But Kara reminded Bruce, "Still, we're being held hostage."
"How?" Bruce and Jennifer looked at Kara together.
Kara took a sip of the milk in front of her and explained the situation. "Bruce, even if we know Joker's real goal isn't this, we can't afford to be careless.
"The reason is simple: our identities cannot be exposed. In fact, it's incredibly easy for Joker to kill us.
"He doesn't even need to do it himself. If our identities are revealed, countless people would naturally want us dead.
"You might say we can protect ourselves, that we don't fear the criminals we've fought. But what if the threat comes from the police department you've supported? If Gordon leads a team to arrest you, if Harvey or Rachel issue a subpoena, or if Jennifer brings you to trial?
"What if, by then, every citizen in Gotham wants to see you arrested? That would include me. Killing someone physically isn't always the worst attack; sometimes, breaking their spirit is more devastating.
"We've always existed above the law. As you said, we aren't bound by it. The only thing restraining us is the morality we choose to follow.
"That makes us sinners. No matter how much good we do, we're still sinners."
Kara's words made both Bruce and Jennifer pause, their expressions turning serious.
Kara continued, her tone even, "So yes, I see us as hostages. We have no choice but to cooperate with that lunatic. Do you think I came back empty-handed because I wanted to? No. This morning, I was ready to kill him, but Jennifer was threatened. I had to stop.
"And Bruce, let me ask you this—are you going to stop me from killing him again?"
"Absolutely," Bruce replied immediately, his gaze meeting Kara's without hesitation. "If we stoop to his level and take lives indiscriminately, then how are we any different from him?"
"Fine, fine," Kara waved her hand dismissively, clearly irritated. "Save the moral lectures; I've heard them all before. At worst, I'll just kill him when you're not looking."
Bruce opened his mouth to object, but Kara turned her attention to Jennifer, looking directly at her stomach. With exaggerated dramatics, she said, "Kid, I can't win against your dad, but I won't let you grow up to be as rigid and self-righteous as him. I'll make sure you're an executioner."
Jennifer quickly covered her stomach protectively, glaring at Kara. "Executioner" was not a word she wanted to hear.
Bruce interjected, his voice firm, "That's my child, Kara. He's destined to be the heir of the Wayne family and Wayne Enterprises. Don't even think about it."
Jennifer, watching the two of them, couldn't help but smile wryly. "You two are jumping the gun. I haven't even decided if I'm keeping this baby."
Her words wiped the smiles off their faces.
Bruce's expression darkened immediately. He understood the underlying issue. It was similar to how Joker had exploited his previous vulnerabilities to deduce his identity.
It all came down to Rachel.
Saving Rachel was one thing, but Bruce's feelings for her were unmistakable, evident in his demeanor and attitude toward her.
Jennifer, already dealing with the burden of knowing Bruce's dual identity, now had to contend with this emotional complication.
"This child was an accident," Jennifer said, her voice tinged with frustration. "But the biggest problem isn't the baby—it's the fact that I now know who you are."
"Give me some space," she added, standing up abruptly. "I need to think."
She left the restaurant without looking back.
Kara called out after her, "Jennifer, who's 'space'?"
Jennifer ignored the joke, her mind too occupied to deal with Kara's usual antics.
With Alfred looking after Jennifer, neither Kara nor Bruce was too concerned about her immediate well-being.
That left the two of them alone.
Kara looked around, grabbed a piece of untouched bread from the table, and handed it to Bruce.
Bruce, despite everything, accepted it without hesitation. He chewed silently.
Kara, meanwhile, picked up her unfinished plate and drank the milk Jennifer had barely touched.
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Kara said, catching his look. "She's not your girlfriend right now. She's my best friend, and we've shared food since forever. It's no big deal."
Her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Bruce, what exactly are you doing? If all you care about is that child, let Jennifer go.
"She's finally starting to move on. Don't drag her back into this mess."
Kara paused, her expression hardening. "And let's not even get started on Rachel. Isn't she supposed to be Harvey's girlfriend? Or did she promise you something?"
Bruce sighed and nodded. "Yes. Rachel promised that if I ever gave up being Batman, she'd be with me."
Kara's face twisted in anger. She slammed her fist on the table, then grabbed the nearest glass of milk and hurled it at Bruce.
Bruce didn't dodge.
"Disgusting," Kara spat, standing up. "While you're fantasizing about another man's girlfriend, you're still stringing Jennifer along? You're a scumbag, Bruce. A hypocrite."
She didn't stop there. "So what was that charity event for Harvey about? Raising funds so he can clean up Gotham while you retire and run off with your precious Rachel? I swear, I want to smack you with the sole of my shoe right now."
Bruce remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Kara's anger didn't subside. "You're not just being unfair to Jennifer; you're being immoral, Bruce. To everyone. You disgust me."
She stormed out, leaving Bruce alone with his thoughts and a growing sense of guilt.
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