## Kara's Apartment - 8:23 PM
The package was waiting outside Kara's apartment door when she returned from her shift at Jitters—a sleek black box roughly the size of a shoebox, unmarked except for a small holographic seal that shimmered with the distinctive T-sphere pattern of Holt Industries. No shipping labels, no delivery confirmation stickers, just the kind of discrete courier service that suggested Michael Holt had used his own transportation network rather than trusting commercial carriers.
Kara picked up the box with one hand—it was surprisingly light, maybe two pounds at most—and carried it inside, her curiosity warring with caution about what Michael might have sent. Their last conversation had touched on her costume concerns, but she hadn't expected him to actually *do* something about it.
The apartment's interior was still sparse—she'd only been in Central City for a few days, and her focus had been on establishing her civilian identity rather than decorating. But it was clean, secure, and most importantly, private enough for her to examine whatever Holt Industries had delivered without worrying about observation.
She set the box on her small dining table and carefully removed the lid. Inside, nestled in custom-fitted foam padding, was a simple silver bracelet and a handwritten note on Holt Industries letterhead. The bracelet itself was elegant but understated—polished metal with a single blue gemstone set in the center, the kind of jewelry that would look equally appropriate with casual clothes or formal wear.
The note was in Michael's precise handwriting:
---
*Kara,*
*You mentioned during our last conversation that your current uniform was "designed by sixteen-year-old me who apparently thought flying around in what amounts to a cheerleader outfit was a great idea." I'm paraphrasing, but the sentiment was clear enough.*
*I took the liberty of addressing your concerns. The bracelet contains a complete suit constructed from experimental nanotech that my team has been developing for the past eighteen months. Press the gemstone, and the material will flow over your body in approximately 1.3 seconds, configuring itself based on optimal aerodynamic efficiency and tactical coverage.*
*The design is based on comprehensive analysis of Kryptonian physiology and combat requirements, with input from Clark about what actually works in field conditions versus what looks impressive in theoretical models. I've also incorporated several features that should prove useful:*
*- Adaptive temperature regulation (your previous suit had no environmental protection)*
*- Impact-dispersing layers (Kryptonian invulnerability has limits)*
*- Integrated communication systems (encrypted, naturally)*
*- Self-repair capabilities (the nanotech can reconstruct minor damage)*
*- Most importantly: full coverage from neck to boots, because flying at high speeds in a skirt is not just impractical—it's a tactical liability.*
*The color scheme maintains your established branding (blue, red, gold accents) but the overall design prioritizes function over aesthetics. You'll look professional rather than like you're heading to a homecoming dance.*
*One technical note: the nanotech responds to your specific bio-signature, so no one else can activate it even if they manage to steal the bracelet. It's also powered by ambient solar radiation, which means it will recharge automatically as long as you're not spending all your time in caves.*
*Try it on. If you hate it, I can adjust the design. If you love it, consider it my contribution to making Central City's hero community slightly more competent.*
*- Michael*
*P.S. Clark says hello and wants me to remind you that "costume malfunctions are not heroic" after that incident in Metropolis last year. I have no context for that reference, but he seemed to think you'd understand.*
---
Kara felt her face flush at the postscript—the Metropolis incident had involved a fight with a wind-manipulating metahuman that had resulted in some very awkward news coverage and a week of internet memes about Supergirl's "wardrobe difficulties." Clark had found it hilarious. Kara had found it mortifying.
But Michael was right that her current costume was fundamentally impractical. She'd been sixteen when she'd designed it, heavily influenced by what she'd seen Clark wearing and what she'd thought looked appropriately superhero-esque. The blue top, red skirt, and cape had seemed perfect at the time—bold, recognizable, feminine without being overtly sexualized.
Three years of actual field work had taught her that skirts and capes were liabilities more often than assets, and that fighting crime while constantly aware of how much leg you were showing was a distraction she really didn't need.
She picked up the bracelet, studying the blue gemstone with her enhanced vision. Even at the molecular level, the structure was almost impossibly complex—layers of programmable matter that could apparently reconfigure themselves from jewelry to full bodysuit in just over a second.
*Michael Holt doesn't do anything halfway,* she thought with a mixture of gratitude and amusement. *I complain about my costume once, and he builds me something that probably cost more to develop than most countries' defense budgets.*
Taking a deep breath, Kara pressed the gemstone.
The response was immediate and completely unlike anything she'd experienced before. The bracelet dissolved—not disappeared, but *liquified*—into a silvery substance that flowed up her arm faster than human perception could track. For a moment she felt a tingling sensation as the nanotech assessed her body's dimensions, and then the material spread across her skin in patterns that felt both alien and somehow natural.
The transformation took exactly 1.3 seconds, just as Michael had promised.
When it finished, Kara was wearing something that made her previous costume look like a Halloween outfit by comparison.
She moved to her full-length mirror, studying her reflection with growing appreciation for Michael's design work.
The suit was primarily deep blue—darker than her old costume, closer to midnight than sky. The material hugged her body without being restrictive, moving with her rather than against her, feeling more like a second skin than actual clothing. The coverage was complete: high collar, long sleeves ending in fitted gloves, full-length pants that disappeared into integrated boots.
The red accents were strategic rather than decorative—a stylized "S" shield on her chest (slightly smaller and more streamlined than Clark's), red bands at her wrists and calves that served as both visual breaks and structural reinforcement points, and a thin red stripe running down the outside of each leg.
The gold detailing was minimal but effective—subtle piping along the collar and shield that caught light without being ostentatious, and the House of El crest itself rendered in gold that seemed to shimmer with its own internal luminescence.
But the most significant change was the overall silhouette. Gone was the skirt that had caused so many awkward moments during high-speed flight or combat maneuvers. Instead, the suit presented a unified, aerodynamic profile that looked simultaneously athletic and elegant. Professional. Tactical. Like something an actual superhero would wear rather than someone playing dress-up.
Kara turned slowly, examining the suit from different angles. The cape was still there—apparently Michael recognized that some elements of superhero costume were more about psychology than function—but it was shorter than her previous version, hitting just below her knees rather than trailing on the ground. And the attachment point was different, integrated into the shoulder structure rather than just tied at the neck, which would prevent the choking hazard that had nearly gotten her killed twice.
She experimentally lifted off the ground, hovering a few inches above her apartment floor while testing the suit's response to flight. The nanotech adjusted immediately, streamlining itself to reduce air resistance, the cape configuring into a more efficient shape that actually seemed to assist with directional control rather than just looking dramatic.
"Okay," Kara said out loud to her empty apartment, "this is actually incredible."
She landed softly, then pressed the gemstone on her chest—there was a matching one integrated into the shield design. The suit liquified again, flowing back into bracelet form in less than two seconds.
Kara stood in her civilian clothes, staring at the innocent-looking piece of jewelry on her wrist. With this, she could transform from college student to Supergirl in less time than it took most people to blink. No more carrying her costume in a bag, no more finding private spaces to change, no more awkward explanations about why she was wearing a superhero suit under her clothes.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Michael, perfectly timed as if he'd been monitoring the package delivery.
**Michael:** Assuming you just tried on the suit. Thoughts?
**Kara:** It's perfect. How did you get my exact measurements without asking?
**Michael:** I'm Mister Terrific. Also, I may have had one of my T-Spheres scan you during our last video call. Don't worry—very discreet, no privacy violations beyond the ones necessary for proper tailoring.
**Kara:** That's either very thoughtful or very creepy.
**Michael:** I prefer to think of it as efficient problem-solving. The suit works for you?
**Kara:** The suit is amazing. I actually look like a professional hero instead of someone who raided a costume shop.
**Michael:** That was the goal. Clark mentioned that maintaining credibility while looking like you're dressed for a dance competition was an ongoing challenge.
**Kara:** I'm going to have words with Clark about his commentary on my fashion choices.
**Michael:** He meant well. Also, the nanotech has a few additional features I didn't mention in the note. Experiment with different configurations—the suit can adapt based on mission requirements. Want more armor? Think "heavy protection" and the nanotech will reinforce. Need stealth? Think "low visibility" and it will darken and reduce reflectivity.
**Kara:** It's responsive to my thoughts?
**Michael:** It's responsive to your bio-electric patterns, which include neurological activity. The AI governing the nanotech is sophisticated enough to interpret intent and adjust accordingly.
**Kara:** Michael, this is insane. How much did this cost to develop?
**Michael:** Less than you'd think, more than I'll admit to my accountants. Consider it an investment in making sure Central City's visiting Kryptonian doesn't become a meme again.
**Kara:** I hate that you know about the Metropolis incident.
**Michael:** Everyone knows about the Metropolis incident. There were gifs. They were very widely shared.
**Kara:** I'm blocking you now.
**Michael:** No you're not. You like me too much. Plus, you need me to maintain the nanotech if anything goes wrong.
**Kara:** Fine. Thank you. Seriously. This is incredibly thoughtful and probably the best gift anyone's given me in years.
**Michael:** You're welcome. Now go test it properly—fly around Central City, see how it handles at different speeds and altitudes. The environmental protection should keep you comfortable up to about 60,000 feet, and the impact dispersal will help if you decide to test your invulnerability against things you probably shouldn't be testing it against.
**Kara:** I'll be careful.
**Michael:** That would be a first. But I appreciate the sentiment.
After the message exchange ended, Kara found herself staring at the bracelet on her wrist, feeling something that might have been actual optimism for the first time in months. The depression that had driven her from Metropolis, the self-destructive patterns she'd been falling into, the constant awareness of her own inadequacy compared to Clark's effortless heroism—all of it felt slightly more manageable now.
Because Michael Holt had taken her seriously enough to build her a suit that treated her like an actual professional hero rather than Superman's inexperienced cousin. Because he'd listened to her complaints and responded with thoughtful engineering rather than dismissive reassurance.
And because tomorrow evening, she would meet Central City's emerging hero community while wearing something that made her feel confident rather than self-conscious.
Kara pressed the gemstone again, watching the nanotech flow over her body, and moved to her apartment's small balcony. The evening air was cool, carrying the familiar urban smells of exhaust and cooking food and life happening at street level.
She lifted into the air, testing the suit's flight characteristics at low altitude. The response was immediate and smooth—the nanotech adjusted to her movements with almost no lag, creating micro-vortices that actually improved her aerodynamic efficiency compared to her old costume.
Rising higher, Kara accelerated to cruising speed—maybe 200 mph, fast enough to cover distance but slow enough to enjoy the view. Central City spread out below her in patterns of light and shadow, the downtown district glowing bright against the darker residential areas.
This was her city now. At least temporarily. And she was going to protect it properly, dressed like someone who took the job seriously rather than someone playing at being a hero.
Tomorrow would bring dinner with the Flash, Karna, and apparently someone else from Central City's enhanced community. It would bring Iris West and her journalism project, bringing potential complications about secret identities and public exposure.
But tonight, Kara Zor-El flew over Central City in a suit that finally made her feel like Supergirl rather than Superman's less competent cousin.
And that was enough.
For now, at least, that was more than enough.
—
## Central City Airspace - 9:47 PM
Kara had been testing the suit's high-altitude capabilities—rising to about 40,000 feet where the air grew thin and cold enough that her old costume would have been genuinely uncomfortable—when her enhanced hearing picked up something unusual below. Not a crisis exactly, but a distinctive sound pattern that suggested someone else was flying through Central City's airspace using methods that didn't involve conventional aircraft.
She descended rapidly, dropping from cruising altitude to about 2,000 feet in a matter of seconds, and immediately spotted the source of the unusual acoustic signature.
Golden armor, gleaming even in the ambient light pollution of the city below. The figure moved with the kind of controlled grace that spoke of someone who was still learning flight but had already mastered the basics. Patrol pattern, she realized—systematic coverage of downtown sectors, the kind of methodical approach that suggested either military training or very good instincts about how to monitor a city from above.
Karna. The hero she'd worked with during the aircraft rescue, now operating alone on what appeared to be a standard patrol route.
Kara adjusted her trajectory to intercept, making sure to approach from an angle where he'd see her coming rather than startling him. The last thing she needed was to trigger a defensive response from someone who could create energy weapons instantaneously.
Karna spotted her when she was still about fifty yards out, his armor's radiance intensifying slightly in what might have been recognition or preparation for potential threat. But then he adjusted his position to a less defensive posture, apparently recognizing her despite the dramatic costume change.
"Supergirl," he called out as she drew closer, his voice carrying easily through the night air. "New suit?"
"You noticed," Kara replied, pulling alongside him and matching his flight speed—maybe 40 mph, fast enough to cover ground but slow enough to maintain good situational awareness. "Thought it was time for an upgrade from the cheerleader look."
Even through his armor's face guard, she could see his expression shift to what looked like appreciation mixed with amusement. "It's a significant improvement. More tactical, less..." He paused, clearly searching for a diplomatic way to phrase his observation.
"Less likely to result in wardrobe malfunctions?" Kara supplied helpfully.
"I was going to say 'less distracting for the people you're trying to rescue,' but your phrasing works too."
Kara laughed despite herself. "Fair point. Though I have to say, your armor is pretty distracting in its own way."
She wasn't entirely lying. The golden armor caught light in ways that were both beautiful and slightly mesmerizing, with intricate Sanskrit inscriptions that seemed to pulse with their own inner radiance. And while the armor obscured most details, it didn't completely hide the fact that Karna had the kind of athletic physique that suggested either supernatural enhancement or a workout regimen that would have made Olympic athletes weep with envy.
The way the armor's articulated segments moved with him, following the contours of what was obviously a very well-developed musculature underneath—Kara found herself noticing these details with the kind of attention that went beyond professional assessment of a fellow hero's capabilities.
*Stop ogling the pretty armor boy,* she told herself firmly. *You're here on a mission, not to appreciate how good Central City's heroes look in their costumes.*
Though in her defense, he really did look good. The armor managed to be both protective and form-fitting, revealing enough of his underlying build to make it clear he could have modeled for classical sculptures. The broad shoulders, the narrow waist, the way his entire body moved with controlled strength even in casual flight...
Kara realized she'd been staring and quickly redirected her attention to the city below them. "So. Patrol route?"
If Karna noticed her momentary distraction, he was polite enough not to comment. "Standard coverage pattern. Downtown district first, then residential areas, then back to base unless something requires immediate response."
"Methodical."
"Effective. At least, that's the theory." He banked slightly to follow the curve of a major street, his movements smooth and confident. "Though I have to admit, three weeks of patrol experience doesn't exactly make me an expert on optimal superhero coverage strategies."
"Three weeks?" Kara tried to sound appropriately impressed rather than revealing that she already knew his timeline. "That's... you've been doing this for three weeks?"
"Discovered I could fly about four weeks ago, started active patrols about three weeks ago." Karan's voice carried self-deprecating humor. "The aircraft rescue you and I coordinated was literally my second day of flight training. I was terrified the entire time."
"You didn't show it. You were completely professional."
"Years of practice at faking confidence I don't actually possess." He glanced at her, and even through the armor's face guard she could see the curiosity in his expression. "What about you? You obviously have significantly more experience than I do."
Kara considered how much to reveal. "I've been active for about three years. Mostly in Metropolis, though I've taken on some assignments in other cities when situations required broader response."
"Working with Superman?"
"Among others. He's... he's been a good mentor." Which was true, even if Clark's effortless competence sometimes made her feel inadequate by comparison. "Though I'm trying to establish my own identity separate from his. Hence the visit to Central City."
"Establishing your own identity by checking out the local hero community?"
"Something like that." Kara adjusted her altitude slightly, rising to get a better view of the downtown district. "Your city is developing an interesting approach to superhero work. More coordinated than most places I've seen, more focused on team operations rather than solo heroics."
"That's mostly practical necessity. The Flash and I work well together because our abilities are complementary." Karna's tone suggested genuine appreciation for his partner. "Plus, having backup means neither of us has to handle every crisis alone."
They flew in companionable silence for a few minutes, both of them scanning the city below for signs of trouble. Kara's enhanced hearing was picking up the usual urban cacophony—traffic, conversations, music from various establishments, the occasional argument or celebration—but nothing that suggested immediate crisis.
An idea occurred to her, born partly from genuine curiosity about Karna's capabilities and partly from the simple desire to do something fun rather than just methodical patrol work.
"Your armor provides flight capabilities," she said, keeping her tone casual. "How fast can you actually go?"
Karna's posture shifted subtly, and she caught what looked like a competitive grin beneath his face guard. "Faster than most things that fly. Why?"
"Because I've been testing my new suit's performance characteristics, and I could use some data about how it handles when racing against someone with different flight mechanics." Kara positioned herself slightly ahead of him, her body language issuing an unmistakable challenge. "Plus, my enhanced hearing isn't detecting any major crimes in progress right now, which means we have a few minutes where we could be doing something more interesting than just patrol coverage."
"You're suggesting a race."
"I'm suggesting a friendly speed test between two heroes who both have flight capabilities and might benefit from understanding their relative performance characteristics."
"That's a very formal way of saying you want to race."
Kara grinned, feeling more genuinely playful than she had in months. "Guilty. Though if you're not comfortable with it—"
"Oh, I'm comfortable with it." Karna's armor intensified its radiance, golden light beginning to swirl around him in patterns that suggested gathering power. "The question is whether you're ready to see what divine solar manipulation can accomplish when properly motivated."
"Big talk from someone who's been flying for less than a month."
"Who's been flying at supersonic speeds for less than a month," Karna corrected. "I hit Mach 1.2 during the aircraft rescue, and I've been practicing since then."
Kara felt her eyebrows rise with genuine surprise. "Mach 1.2? That's... that's actually impressive for someone so new to flight."
"I have good motivation. And apparently my armor doesn't believe in reasonable limitations." He positioned himself alongside her, the golden radiance around him intensifying further. "Where to?"
Kara scanned the city with her enhanced vision, looking for a route that would provide good speed testing without endangering civilians or violating too many aviation regulations. "See that water tower on the north side? About fifteen miles from here?"
"I see it."
"First one there wins. We stay below 10,000 feet to avoid commercial aircraft, and we abort immediately if either of us detects an emergency that requires response."
"Agreed. On your mark?"
Kara's competitive instincts—dormant for months under the weight of depression and self-doubt—suddenly roared back to life. "Three... two... one... go!"
She accelerated hard, her new suit responding beautifully to the sudden increase in speed. The nanotech streamlined itself automatically, reducing drag while maintaining structural integrity, and within seconds she was moving at several hundred miles per hour.
Karna kept pace easily, his golden armor leaving a trail of light through the night sky like a meteor moving horizontally. His flight technique was different from hers—where Kara relied on her innate Kryptonian abilities to manipulate gravitational fields, Karna seemed to be using some kind of thrust-based propulsion that created visible energy wakes.
They were both moving at roughly 400 mph now, fast enough that the city below became a blur of lights and shadows, buildings passing so quickly that only enhanced perception could track individual features.
Kara pushed harder, accelerating to 600 mph, then 700. The nanotech adjusted seamlessly, Michael's engineering proving its worth as the suit handled speeds that would have destroyed conventional materials.
Karna matched her acceleration with what looked like casual ease, his armor burning brighter as he drew on whatever solar energy sources powered his abilities. They were neck-and-neck now, separated by maybe twenty feet, both moving fast enough that the air around them was beginning to glow from friction heating.
*He's good,* Kara thought with genuine appreciation. *Really good for someone so inexperienced.*
The water tower was approaching rapidly—maybe five miles out now, which at their current speed meant they had less than thirty seconds until arrival. Kara considered pushing to supersonic speeds, but that would create a sonic boom that might alarm civilians or damage property.
Instead, she focused on optimization—small adjustments to her flight path that shaved milliseconds off her trajectory, micro-corrections that squeezed every possible advantage from her Kryptonian physiology and Michael's engineering.
Karna was doing something similar, his armor creating what looked like aerodynamic constructs—subtle wings or fins that appeared and disappeared too quickly for normal perception to track. Each construct seemed designed to improve his efficiency, reducing drag or providing additional thrust at exactly the right moments.
They were both learning in real-time, adapting their techniques based on immediate feedback about what worked and what didn't.
Three miles out. Two miles. One mile.
Kara realized with surprise that she was actually going to lose—Karna had pulled slightly ahead during the final approach, his armor's radiance reaching peak intensity as he poured everything into one final burst of speed.
He reached the water tower approximately 0.3 seconds before she did, executing a perfect banking turn that demonstrated remarkable control for someone with minimal flight experience.
They both decelerated rapidly, pulling up alongside the tower at hovering speed, both slightly breathless despite their enhanced physiologies.
"That was..." Karan began, his voice carrying exhilaration mixed with surprise.
"Incredible," Kara finished, grinning widely. "You're incredibly fast for someone who's only been flying for a few weeks."
"You're incredibly fast period," Karan replied, his armor's radiance dimming back to normal levels. "I barely won, and I was pushing my capabilities to their absolute limit. How much faster can you actually go?"
Kara considered the question. "In atmosphere? I can hit Mach 3, maybe Mach 4 if I really push it. In space, with no air resistance... considerably faster."
"That's terrifying."
"Says the person who just kept pace with a Kryptonian at 700 miles per hour."
"My armor did most of the work. I was just holding on and trying not to accidentally create sonic booms." Karan's tone carried self-deprecation, but there was also genuine pride underneath. "Though I have to admit, that was the most fun I've had since discovering I could fly."
Kara found herself smiling—really smiling, the kind of genuine expression she hadn't managed in months. "Me too. I'd forgotten how good it feels to just... fly for the joy of it rather than because someone needs rescuing."
They hovered there for a moment, both of them looking out over Central City from their elevated position. The city was beautiful at night—patterns of light and shadow that suggested millions of lives being lived, millions of stories unfolding in parallel.
"I should probably get back to patrol," Karan said finally, though his tone suggested he was reluctant to end their impromptu race.
"And I should finish testing my suit's capabilities." Kara paused, then added, "Though if you want company on your patrol route, I could tag along. Two sets of enhanced senses are better than one for spotting trouble."
Karan turned to look at her, and even through his armor's face guard she could see the smile. "I'd like that. Fair warning though—my patrol route is pretty methodical and possibly boring compared to whatever Supergirl usually does with her evenings."
"Methodical and possibly boring sounds perfect right now," Kara replied honestly. "I've had enough excitement for one day. Some peaceful patrol work with good company would be exactly what I need."
As they began flying back toward downtown Central City, maintaining a more leisurely pace this time, Kara found herself thinking about how much better she felt than she had just hours ago. The depression that had been weighing on her for months wasn't gone—mental health didn't work that way—but it felt more manageable. Like something she could carry rather than something that was crushing her.
Maybe it was the new suit making her feel more professional and capable. Maybe it was the successful race demonstrating that she could still perform at high levels. Maybe it was just the simple pleasure of spending time with another hero who treated her as an equal rather than Superman's inexperienced cousin.
Or maybe, Kara admitted to herself as she watched Karna's golden armor gleaming in the night, it was partly the fact that Central City's newest hero was genuinely attractive, clearly competent, and seemed to appreciate her company.
Not that she was going to act on that attraction—she was here on a mission, not to start complicated romantic entanglements with local heroes whose lives she was supposed to be monitoring and assessing.
But there was nothing wrong with appreciating the view while they worked together.
Professional appreciation only, of course.
Definitely nothing more than that.
Even if the way his armor moved with his body was genuinely distracting, and even if his voice carried warmth that made her want to hear more of it, and even if the competitive grin he'd worn during their race had been absolutely devastating...
*Focus, Kara,* she told herself firmly. *Mission first. Appreciation of attractive armor-wearing heroes second. Or maybe third. Definitely not first.*
"So," Karna said, interrupting her internal monologue, "tell me about Metropolis. What's it like working in a city where everyone's already comfortable with superhero presence?"
As Kara began describing the differences between Metropolis's established hero community and Central City's emerging one, she realized she was looking forward to the rest of the evening's patrol.
And to tomorrow's dinner with the Flash and whoever else Karna was bringing into Central City's hero community.
Things were getting interesting.
And for the first time in months, Kara was genuinely excited to see what came next.
—
## Central City Airspace - 10:34 PM
They'd been patrolling together for almost forty-five minutes when Kara's phone buzzed insistently in the small pocket that Michael's nanotech had thoughtfully incorporated into the suit design. She ignored it at first—whatever message was coming through could probably wait until after they finished this sector sweep.
But then it buzzed again. And again.
"You should probably check that," Karan said, his tone amused. "Either someone really needs to talk to you, or your phone is having some kind of electronic seizure."
Kara sighed, pulling out the device and checking the screen. Three messages from Iris, increasingly urgent in tone.
**Iris:** Hey! Just confirming you're still good for tomorrow evening at Jitters? Barry says his roommate and friend are both coming, so it'll be all four of us plus you. Should be interesting!
**Iris:** Also, I know this is last minute, but would you be available to meet tonight instead? Barry just texted saying they're all free this evening and I have tomorrow off work, so tonight might actually work better for everyone's schedules.
**Iris:** Never mind the time change! Barry says tomorrow evening is better after all. See you at 7 PM at Jitters!
Kara stared at the messages, her brain taking a moment to process what they were actually saying. Tomorrow evening. Jitters. Meeting with Barry (the Flash), his roommate (who she now realized was Karan, currently hovering next to her in golden armor), and someone else from their enhanced community.
She was going to be meeting Karan.
While pretending not to know he was Karna.
While he presumably didn't know she was Supergirl.
This was going to be complicated.
"Everything okay?" Karan asked, noting her expression.
"Fine, just..." Kara quickly typed a response to Iris confirming tomorrow evening, then pocketed her phone. "I just remembered I have an early class tomorrow and should probably head back soon. Professor tends to cold-call students who look tired, and I'd rather not try to explain that I was up late flying around with Central City's heroes."
It wasn't entirely a lie—she did have an early journalism seminar—but the real reason she needed to leave was to avoid spending more time with Karan when she was supposed to be meeting him for the first time tomorrow as Kara Danvers, civilian college student.
"Understandable," Karan replied, though his tone carried what sounded like genuine disappointment. "Thanks for keeping me company on patrol. It's been nice having someone to fly with who actually understands the mechanics of what we're doing."
"It's been nice for me too," Kara said, and meant it more than she'd expected. The past hour had been the most genuinely enjoyable time she'd spent since arriving in Central City. Maybe since leaving Metropolis entirely. "We should do this again sometime. Assuming you don't mind having Supergirl tagging along on your patrol routes."
"I definitely don't mind. Though fair warning—if we race again, I'm going to practice my acceleration techniques specifically to beat your time."
Kara laughed, feeling warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with solar energy absorption. "I'd expect nothing less. Competition makes us both better."
She started to turn away, preparing to head back to her apartment, then paused. There was something she wanted to say, even though it risked revealing more than her cover identity should allow.
"Karna?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For tonight, I mean. I've been going through some... difficult things lately. Personal stuff that made it hard to remember why I do this work. Flying with you, racing, just spending time with another hero who takes this seriously but can still enjoy it..." She met his eyes through both their face guards. "It helped. More than you probably realize."
Karan's expression softened, and she could see genuine understanding in his gaze. "I know what you mean. It's easy to get lost in the weight of responsibility, to forget that having these abilities can be joyful and not just burdensome. I'm glad I could help remind you of that."
They hovered there for a moment, suspended in the night air above Central City, and Kara felt something shift inside her. Not romantic attraction—though that was definitely present—but something deeper. Recognition, maybe. The sense that she'd found someone who understood the specific challenges of trying to be a hero while still remaining human.
"I should go," she said finally, though she really didn't want to.
"You should," Karan agreed, though his tone suggested he was equally reluctant to end their time together. "See you around, Supergirl. And good luck with your early class tomorrow."
"See you around, Karna."
As Kara accelerated away toward her apartment, she couldn't help glancing back once to see Karan's golden armor growing smaller in the distance as he continued his patrol route. Part of her wanted to turn around, to spend more time flying with someone who made superhero work feel less like an obligation and more like a calling.
But she had to maintain her cover. Had to preserve the separation between Kara Danvers and Supergirl, at least until she understood Central City's hero community well enough to know whether full disclosure was safe.
Even if that meant walking away from something that had felt genuinely good for the first time in months.
---
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