Chapter 23
"Hey, I meant to ask you – technically the DEO isn't in the business of protecting the law anymore and technically not functioning, according to the outside world, how are those guys that are helping Lillian and Andrea getting paid?" Kate wanted to know as she pulled the SUV onto the road. They were leaving Wayne Enterprises after checking in with Luke. No further sighting of The Many Arms of Death since the night before. All was quiet, which made both heroes nervous.
"Lena had officially rolled all who still wished to be employed into the LuthorCorp payroll. Basically, they're noted as alien security. There are no government contracts anymore and it's going to be expensive to run but Lena is hoping that after a few more months, they can be spun off and rebranded. This way there can be government contracts to help pay for everything and no inherent trust issues with the general public," Kara explained.
"Got it. I don't think people realize how much the DEO helped. I mean I know that Lex didn't keep them a secret like they used to be before Crisis but still… not every city has alien or metahuman protectors," Kate nodded as she turned on the street that would lead them to the apartment of Jacob Kane.
"Well, some cities have great human protectors," Kara smiled at her friend. Kate just smirked and continued to navigate the SUV.
"Look if you're nervous about today…" the blonde started after a few moments of silence between friends.
"I'd have to be my sister not to be nervous," Kate said.
"Be that as it may, I think you should be prepared for him to… react poorly. Even if his hatred of vigilantes disappears, he's going to realize that he tried to kill you, and that…" Kara trailed off.
"Yeah, that is going to make anybody question themselves," Kate nodded as she entered the parking garage for the apartment building. She found a spot in a back corner and pulled the vehicle into a space. She shut the engine off but made no move to get out. Kara turned and looked at her. She didn't need to be J'onn to know that her friend's brain was going a mile a minute; clogged with all the thoughts that told her this was a bad idea. There would be no coming back from this if it went really badly. The relationship she had with her father would be gone and she might even be putting Luke and Mary at risk. It was not a simple thing they were about to do.
That's when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning her head to the passenger seat, there Kara sat, a small smile on her face. A quiet reminder that her friend was there for her. A thought passed through Kate's head – even Bruce didn't go it completely alone. A nod and the two separated and exited the vehicle.
The ride up the apartment in the elevator was silent. It was oppressive but Kara didn't want to disturb Kate. This moment might be even bigger than the one the brunette had deciding to become Batwoman.
Soon, they were only steps from the front door and Kate froze. Kara took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. It seemed to the blonde as if Kate's heart had stopped and started again as the brunette took a loud, deep breath. While Kate showed no fear in fighting the enemy, when the enemy was family, everything was different. It had been that way when it was discovered that Alice was actually Beth and it would be that way now as the biggest secret in her life was about to be revealed.
Kate knocked on the door, even though she had a key. She wasn't by herself and she didn't want this to feel like an ambush. Jacob opened the door, surprised to see two people standing there.
"I didn't realize that you were bringing your friend with you," he'd forgotten Kara's name, but the blonde shrugged it off.
"I didn't want to impose but Kate insisted. I'm only in town for a few more days," she said. Jacob nodded and let them in, wondering why his daughter had been so quiet.
"I need to get into the office so I'm afraid that breakfast isn't much of a spread," he admitted leading them into the kitchen. There were bagels with spread and juice and coffee on the kitchen counter. That's when Kara heard a key in the lock of the front door and she looked at Kate. She couldn't communicate what she heard when they all heard,
"Hope I didn't miss anything," it was Mary. The raven-haired woman quickly rushed up to the group. Kate gave her a look, which made Kara smirk. Mary and Kate may not be biologically related, but that was often a look that Alex and Kara had shared – the "what are you thinking?" look.
"Ok what's going on that couldn't wait for family dinner later this week?" Jacob was immediately suspicious and stopped short of pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"I think it's best we all sit down," Kate finally managed. Jacob wasn't buying what the three were selling but he went and sat down at the dining table anyway. The ladies quickly followed him, taking seats around the large wooden table.
"Enough horsing around. Is someone sick? Are you worried about Alice?" Jacob wanted to know.
"No one is sick Dad and yes we're worried about Alice but let's not worry about that at the moment. We have to have a talk and we have to clear the air," Kate said.
"Clear the air? What's going on?" He wanted to know. Kate looked at Mary and Kara and heaved a sigh.
"We have to talk about why you and the Crows tried to kill me the other night," there was no going back now. A look of confusion spread over Jacob's face, so Kate continued,
"The other night at Gotham Goliaths stadium." That's when her father's eyes went wide. There was only one female he'd aimed at, and it was Batwoman.
"You…" he started.
"Yes. I'm trying to keep this city safe and if I can't have my own father backing me up, then how can I still protect the innocent citizens of Gotham?" Kate asked. Jacob looked at Mary and at Kara. They were not shocked about this news.
"You thought that Batwoman gave me her interview in her uniform? Sir, I have interviewed many heroes, who have refused to reveal their identities, but Kate helped me and my friends out of a jam and we have a level of trust between us," Kara told him.
"She knew before…" he didn't finish.
"I tried telling her this was a bad idea, but she wanted to give you the benefit of sitting down and having a civil chat," Mary spoke up.
"Who else knows?" Jacob almost demanded.
"Well Alice for one. Somehow even a crazy psychopath hasn't blabbed so I would think that if she could keep a secret, then so could you," Mary was getting upset and Kara wondered if she was even more upset than Kate.
"Alice?" Jacob looked at his daughter.
"We're twins, Dad. Did you really think I could keep this from her? She recognized me when I saved her from the water after her Arkham transport was interrupted," Kate told him. Jacob clenched his fists. Batwoman didn't even exist at that point. It was just someone running around in the Bat Suit.
"After everything that happened to you and Beth – you would still become a vigilante? After you knew how I felt?" He was losing his temper.
"Yes, I did because I understood why Batman was who he was. This city was drowning in crime. He remembered a day when that wasn't so. He remembered when the police weren't corrupt and actually did their jobs. He remembered those he'd lost to crime. Innocent civilians were dying, people were leaving the city.
"It's because of Batman that the city was safe. It was because of him, that others grew inspired and did what they had to do to protect their own cities. Do you really think that the world would be a better place without the Flash? What about all of the sacrifice of the Green Arrow? What about Superman and his cousin, Supergirl? They're not even from this planet and yet they seek to protect it! Gotham needed a hero again. It was never my intention to become one. I never thought that all my years of training would lead to this moment, but the moment came when Alice was threatening to kill Sophie and harm the entire city with a bomb. There was no standing back anymore. There were no sidelines – only the front lines – somewhere I could not be as a Crow – only as a symbol that everyone in Gotham recognized. It gave them hope – something they had lost in the three years since Batman's disappearance. Once I had appeared, I could not disappear, as much as I might have wanted. I could not be responsible for the citizens of Gotham losing their one chance at regaining hope. The criminals of this city would return to business as usual and as usual the GCPD and Crows would be behind them – too late to stop what had already started.
"I know you don't understand. I know you're angry because you think that Mom would still alive. That Beth wouldn't have become Alice. There is nothing we can do about the past. All we can do is move forward and forward includes me as Batwoman. I need to do my part to protect this city and I will continue to do so, as long as I am able. I need to know though, that you aren't going to try and kill me. We cannot be fighting like this, while the city burns around us. Alice has somehow brought The Many Arms of Death to Gotham and I'm going out there to fight them and to save this city. I'd like your blessing to continue the work that is necessary but know that I will not hesitate to do it, even if you refuse. Whether I wear the uniform or not, I'm going to stop these terrorists and anyone else who tries to harm the city and its people," Kate finished, her father just sat there, not reacting. Kara was sure that Kate hadn't intended for the talk to go this way but here they were. There was something she had to add, not as Kara, but as Supergirl.
"Sir, Supergirl has come to your city because she believes in Kate. They have fought alongside one another and have forged a friendship. I can say with certainty that if she were here right now, she would stand with your daughter as we do now. Gotham deserves a hero and it has found one. If you cannot see what this city needs then perhaps it is time to hand the reins over to someone who does," the blonde said.
"She would know Dad. She's interviewed Supergirl a bunch of times," Mary piped up. Jacob shook his head. It was a lot to absorb. Kate knew that this was a possibility, from Kara's warning, and she stood from her seat. Mary and Kara quickly did so as well.
"Ladies, I've done what I came here to do. Now we must be on our way. I'm late for work," Kate said. The three headed for the front door, Kara made sure to bring up the rear. They exited the apartment, leaving Jacob to sit there in his own emotions and thoughts.
"What have I done?" Kate wondered aloud as they were about halfway through their elevator ride to the parking garage.
"What needed doing. You're Paragon of Courage remember? I think you were very courageous today," Kara smiled at her friend.
"Let him stew. I believe there are some terrorists we need to catch," Mary told them as they exited the elevator.
"Meet you at our favorite place," Kate smirked as she and Kara climbed into the SUV.
To Be Continued…