Everybody Loves Kara

She's Not Bothered

by Leighgion

Gotham Eye

Mystery Blonde Warms Up New X-Ray Machines

The unveiling ceremony of Gotham General's newly-renovated radiology wing was enlivened when billionaire Bruce Wayne, the primary contributor to the improvements, arrived at the proceedings with a young blonde beauty on his arm.

Mr. Wayne's dedication to charitable causes and the well-being of Gotham's citizens is well-known, and his opening statement will be nothing new to our readers. What was a surprise was that after finishing, he called upon his mystery companion to say a few words of her own, with no introduction outside of a gesture for her to take the floor, which she did with a nervous smile.

"Hello, my name is Kara and I'm here today because of radiation."

Kara's delivery wasn't polished, but her earnestness made it work and the line got a hearty laugh.

"I actually mean that literally. Out of respect for family privacy though, I can't talk about the details. I can't really talk about it at all really.. as Uncle Bruce well knows.. but he asked me to come anyway, because he said I was still a survivor and that in the end, that's what this new radiology wing is about; surviving both the disease and the treatment. I did, and I hope many others who come here for help will too."

With that vague, but affirming statement, Kara cut the ribbon to a round of applause more comparable to a wedding than the unveiling of a hospital wing. We'd all held it in out of respect, myself included, but every ear in the gathering had perked at 'Uncle Bruce.' Even long-time Wayne friend Dr. Leslie Thompkins, who was present for the ceremony, looked as surprised at the appearance of Kara as anyone else.

Uncle Bruce. What could it mean? It's well-known that Bruce Wayne is an only child and the tragedy of his young life revealed no blood relations. Could lost relatives somehow have escaped the scrutiny of a lifetime in the spotlight as Gotham's favorite son? Or perhaps not a blood connection, but a close friend that also somehow completely evaded the eye of the press? Kara's cryptic statements about family privacy certainly leave open either possibility.

The entire matter could of course, be fabrication for precisely the publicity it's generated, but all precedents in the public life of Mr. Wayne are against it. The bulk of his charity work has been extremely low key for such a well-known figure.

Whatever the truth is, inviting "Kara" to the opening was certainly a masterstroke on the part of Mr. Wayne as all of Gotham is abuzz about his mystery girl and she can't be mentioned without mentioning the new radiology wing. Grist for the rumor mill and attention for a good cause rolled into one; truly, Bruce Wayne is a master of philanthropy.

...

Once again, the Batcave was a scene. Flying at speeds that tailgated light waves, Superman was in Supergirl's face with a storm of righteous indignation before a blink could be finished.

"What's this about you living here with your uncle?"

Batman decided it was better not to point out to the fuming Kryptonian that it was rude to storm into a secret headquarters without knocking. It had been agreed, Kara would handle this one. Turning up the audio dampening in his cowl to protect himself against deafness, the Dark Knight settled in his chair to watch the fireworks. The cave's surveillance systems would catch anything that might drop below the threshold of his ear protection.

"I like it here. I enjoy volunteering at the hospital and nobody's attacking me. I'd thought you'd be happy, Kal." She knew of course, he wouldn't be, but that was another matter.

Superman brandished a shredded mass of newsprint in his fist, barely recognizable from intact strips as an issue of the Gotham Eye.

"Have you read what the papers are saying about you?"

Unheard in the rising volume, Power Girl emerged from another chamber, set a brown paper & string wrapped parcel down and leaned against a console to watch the show.

Kara folded her arms and cocked her chin up defiantly.

"They say I'm charming, beautiful and good with the kids in the children's wing. Even the kids that weren't allowed to see Lord of the Rings like my Arwyn impression. None of them point my hair's the wrong color."

"I mean the other things!" Superman punctuated by waving another paper so far pulped by Kryptonian strength as to be unrecognizable.

"Gotham Grapevine?" inquired Power Girl quietly at the Bat.

Batman just nodded. That paper always printed the most salacious rumors.

Kara snorted.

"Am I bothered?"

"They-"

"Do I look bothered? Look at this face. Is it bothered?"

"That's not-"

"Who told you I was bothered? Ask me if I'm bothered! Ask me if I'm bothered! Who told you I was bothered? Look. Face. Not. Bothered!"

The machine gun fire of words out of Kara's mouth finally derailed Superman, who paused in his attempts to get in a word edgewise. The two verbal combatants held the ceasefire for several moments, breathing hard, even if it was more out expression than need. Shooting a serrated look towards Batman, Superman tried to reclaim the initiative.

"Bruce..."

"You leave Uncle Bruce out of this! He takes good care of me!"

"He's not your uncle! And he has you parading around like a wh-arrgg..."

Even in his fit of indignation, Superman knew he'd gone too far, but even with the word bitten off, it was too late. Kara's eyes narrowed dangerously and the temperature in the cave plummeted from 'heated debate' to 'woman affronted.'

"Are you calling me a prostitute?"

"That's not.."

"Are you disrespecting me?"

"I-"

"Are you disrespecting my family?"

"He's not-"

"Are you calling my uncle a lecher?"

"Kara, calm-"

"Because he's not even a lecher!"

"-"

"Are you saying he only loves me for my cleavage? Because he's not even just a knocker man."

That silenced Superman, who turned a shade of green trying to process his cousin's frank assessment of her own feminine anatomy.

Power Girl shook her head. "That was totally uncalled for. You are so on your own next week, guy."

"Power Girl! But.."

"I don't even like her, but you're disrespecting your own cousin. What's next, asking permission of the eldest male to court? Re-instituting the bridal tax? I don't need to hang around this garbage."

".. what are even you doing here?" finished Superman, by this point rather put-upon.

"Not that it's any of your business, but 'Uncle Bruce's' company builds my supports."

Superman paused in confusion. Kara, radiating defiant triumph, took the opportunity to move to Batman's side.

"My bras, boy scout," clarified Power Girl with an eye roll. "You know, the things that.."

"I get it!"

"I'm not exactly easy to fit off the rack, you know."

"I.. aaarg, this isn't over, Bruce!" Cutting his losses, Superman retreated in the same fashion that he arrived, leaving a breeze in his wake.

Once the angry Kryptonian was gone, Batman tuned down his ear protection spun his chair to face the women.

"Handled that very well, Kara. Angry, but focused."

Supergirl beamed a smile and, basking in her victory, slide onto the arm of Batman's chair and wrapped an arm around him. Power Girl smirked.

"Sorry about that," said the Bat to Power Girl, "but I didn't know exactly when he'd show up."

"Oh that's okay. I'm totally not bothered."

Author's Notes: In the course of discovering has certain typography issues and compensating, my original author's notes have been at least thrice wiped out. I'll summarize: I said originally this story shall only very loosely follow current print continuity and the more I write, the less I think I'm going to use. This version of Kara arrived recently. That's about all that's sure. More as I write more