National City is under the serene glow of early morning light. The city is slowly waking up, with people bustling to work, children heading to school and the sound of life filling the air.
High above, the silhouette of Supergirl, Kara Danvers, soars through the sky, her cape fluttering behind her.
Kara touches down gracefully on the balcony of CatCo Worldwide Media, her heart heavy with the emotional weight she carries. With a swift glance around to ensure no one is watching, she spins into her civilian clothes, the iconic red and blue suit disappearing to reveal a casual yet professional outfit—dark jeans, a fitted blazer, and her signature glasses. She takes a deep breath, forcing a smile as she steps into the bustling newsroom.
The energy inside CatCo is palpable. Phones ring incessantly, the soft clatter of keyboards fills the air, and journalists rush about, chasing their next big story. Kara weaves her way through the organized chaos, her keen eyes scanning the room. She is greeted by the familiar faces of her colleagues, each one a reminder of the life she must maintain outside her superhuman responsibilities.
As she approaches the central area, she spots James Olsen, now the acting CEO of CatCo. James stands tall, exuding confidence and authority, yet his eyes soften when they meet Kara's. He's dressed sharply in a navy suit, but the slight tension in his shoulders hints at the stress that comes with his new role.
"Morning, Kara. You're here early," James says, offering her a warm, albeit curious, smile.
Kara forces a smile in return, adjusting her glasses slightly. "Couldn't sleep. Figured I'd get a head start."
James's expression shifts to one of concern. "You sure you're okay? You've been pushing yourself really hard lately."
Kara waves off his concern with a dismissive gesture, though her eyes betray her weariness. "I'm fine, James. Really. Just focused on keeping the city safe."
James nods, though he doesn't seem entirely convinced. "Alright, but don't forget to take care of yourself too."
Kara nods, though her mind is clearly elsewhere. As she walks to her desk, she passes by her best friend, Winn Schott. Winn is engrossed in a computer screen, his brow furrowed in concentration, but he looks up just in time to see Kara's distracted demeanor.
"Hey, Kara. Everything alright?" Winn asks, his voice laced with genuine concern.
"Yeah, just…trying to stay busy," Kara replies, offering him a brief smile before continuing to her desk.
Kara's desk is a small island of organized chaos amid the sea of activity at CatCo. Papers and files are stacked neatly, a testament to her diligent work ethic, but her usually pristine workspace now carries an air of neglect. She sits down, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. The departure of Mon-El haunts her, an ever-present ache that she can't seem to shake.
As she stares blankly at her computer screen, the sounds of the newsroom fade into a dull hum. Her fingers hover over the keyboard, but she finds it difficult to focus. Memories of Mon-El flood her mind—his smile, his touch, the way he made her feel understood and complete. The void left by his absence is a chasm that threatens to swallow her whole.
But it's more than just his absence that's eating away at her. Kara's thoughts spiral deeper, returning to the moment she sent Mon-El away. She did it to save him, to save Earth, but the choice weighs heavily on her. It strikes her now with brutal clarity that what she did to Mon-El is eerily similar to what her parents did to her—sending her away for her own safety. She was alone, lost in a new world, filled with anger and confusion. And now, Mon-El is somewhere out there, possibly feeling the same way.
A sense of guilt begins to gnaw at her, transforming into a slow-burning anger. She feels disgusted with herself for not realizing it sooner. How could she, of all people, subject someone else to that same fate? The self-recrimination is relentless. She remembers the look in Mon-El's eyes when they said goodbye, the unspoken words of longing and pain. She had become the very thing she resented most about her past—the force that tore loved ones apart.
Her fists clench involuntarily, knuckles turning white. The anger isn't just directed at herself; it extends to the circumstances, to the universe that keeps throwing insurmountable challenges her way. She feels a deep, visceral rage at the injustice of it all. But this anger is toxic, threatening to erode the very core of who she is.
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sharp, familiar voice of Snapper Carr, the no-nonsense editor-in-chief of CatCo. Snapper is a grizzled veteran of the news world, his brusque demeanor often masking a deep sense of integrity and commitment to the truth.
"Danvers!" Snapper's voice cuts through the din like a knife. "I need you on the Coville story. The guy's a nut, but he's news, and we need to cover it from every angle."
Kara snaps back to reality, nodding briskly. "On it, Snapper."
Snapper's eyes narrow slightly, assessing her with a look that seems to pierce through her façade. "And Danvers, make sure you're fully present. We can't afford half-measures."
Kara swallows hard, feeling the weight of his words. "Yes, sir."
As Snapper walks away, Kara takes a deep breath and refocuses her attention on her work. The story of Thomas Coville, a fanatic who believes Supergirl is a deity, is both intriguing and troubling. Kara had encountered Coville before and knew his dangerous obsession could have serious consequences.
Determined to push through her emotional turmoil, Kara begins to research Coville's background, delving into his past and his motivations. She finds herself drawn into the details of his life, trying to understand how someone could become so consumed by a belief. It's a stark reminder of the impact she has on the people of National City, both positive and negative.
Hours pass as Kara immerses herself in the story. The newsroom buzzes around her, but she remains focused, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she pieces together Coville's history. She uncovers his early years as a struggling businessman, his fall into despair and his eventual rise as the leader of a cult-like following.
As she types, her thoughts keep returning to Mon-El. She can't shake the image of him drifting away in the pod, looking back at her with a mixture of hope and sorrow. The realization that she has mirrored her parents' actions gnaws at her, and her guilt morphs into anger once more. She slams her hands on the desk, causing a few heads to turn her way. She quickly regains her composure, offering a sheepish smile to her curious colleagues.
Just as she's about to draft the first part of her article, her phone buzzes. It's a text from Alex, her sister and closest confidante.
Alex: Hey, you okay? Haven't heard from you all morning.
Kara smiles faintly at the message, feeling a small surge of comfort from her sister's concern. She quickly types a response.
Kara: I'm fine. Just busy with work. Catch up later?
Alex: Sure. Take care of yourself, Kara.
Kara puts her phone away and takes a moment to gather her thoughts. She's grateful for Alex's support, but she knows she can't afford to let her guard down. Not now, when the city needs her more than ever.
Back at her desk, Kara dives back into her work, her mind sharper and more focused. She finishes her article on Coville, then turns her attention to the energy readings the DEO has been tracking. She sends a quick email to Alex, asking for any updates, then begins to outline her next steps.
The hours fly by and before she knows it, the sun has set, casting long shadows across the newsroom. Kara stands up, stretching her stiff muscles and looks around. Most of her colleagues have gone home but a few dedicated souls remain, their faces lit by the glow of their computer screens.
Kara gathers her things and heads for the door, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She's managed to balance her duties at CatCo with her responsibilities as Supergirl, at least for today. As she steps out into the cool night air, she takes a deep breath, savoring the moment.
Her phone buzzes again, and she checks the message. It's from Alex, with a brief update on the energy readings.
Alex: We've identified a possible source. Meeting at the DEO first thing tomorrow. Be ready.
Kara nods to herself, already formulating a plan. She knows the coming days will be tough, but she's ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
As she soars through the night sky, the anger and guilt bubble beneath the surface, a reminder of the emotional storm she's navigating. She knows she must confront these feelings eventually, but for now, she focuses on the task at hand. National City needs its hero and Kara Danvers, despite her inner turmoil, is determined to be the Girl of Steel.