Encounter

Catching a plummeting airplane from a kilometer high was a new record for Jay, and he couldn't help but feel a hint of pride as he surveyed the aftermath. Realizing he couldn't linger—unprepared as he was to face the shell-shocked passengers—he opted to leave before the first person emerged from the cabin.

His mind was still racing from the adrenaline rush, and he reassured himself that a few more experiences like this would make it routine. It was just another day for Superman, after all. Amid his jumbled thoughts, he ascended hundreds of meters above the city until a familiar "S" insignia caught his eye.

There she was, Supergirl, with her golden hair and impeccable features, confronting him with a furrowed brow. "Who are you?" she demanded. "Why do you bear my family's crest?"

Meanwhile.

"You're leaving just like that?" Helena asked, her voice cutting through the silence as she watched the airliner's safe landing on the screen.

Batman paused on his way out, his tone cool: "I've said what needed to be said. The boy is young and needs to grow, but he has the right qualities. He'll figure it out."

"I'm sure he will, but I'm not talking about him," Helena retorted, arms crossed. "Not even a goodbye? After all this time?"

Batman gave her a sidelong glance, his expression concealed by shadow and mask. "You chose a different path. It's time for you to rejoin your team."

"We both know whose fault that is," Helena shot back, irritation in her voice. "You tell Jay that he's isolated himself, but what about you? After the invasion, you've turned Gotham into your own prison, pushing everyone away—except Alfred, because you couldn't drive him away. Thank God he's there to keep you sane."

Batman stood silent, melding with the darkness.

Helena's tone softened. "I stopped blaming you for mom's death a long time ago, Dad. I know you made the hard, right choice. I've chosen a new way of life. Life goes on, and I've chosen to move forward. Maybe it's time you do the same."

With a last, meaningful look, Batman disappeared, leaving Helena with a sigh.

Back in the sky, Jay stumbled over his words when faced with the unexpected encounter with Supergirl. "Kara? You don't remember me?"

Her confusion deepened. "Should I?"

Then it clicked. Removing his goggles, Jay watched realization dawn on her face. "Jay?"

The goggles, it turned out, were more than just protective eyewear; they incorporated advanced technology, capable of disrupting recognition even among the closest of companions. An expensive gadget indeed.

"Wow, you... you're Kryptonian?" Kara gasped.

"Seems so." Jay was still wrapping his head around the recent revelation about his suit—and his DNA.

"By Rao!" Kara exclaimed. "I thought I was the last. Your crest, are you from the House of El? What's your name? How did you escape Krypton's destruction? Do you have a ship?"

"We have a lot to catch up on. Maybe we should find a place to sit down and talk?"

"You're right," Kara agreed, taking a deep breath. "Sorry, I guess I got a bit too excited. I haven't seen another Kryptonian in six years. I thought... I was the last one."

They settled atop the Daily Planet building, sitting beside the iconic golden globe. Jay was nervous; he'd wanted to talk to Kara for so long, and now that he had the chance, he didn't know where to begin.

"So, you don't remember anything from before six years ago?" Kara asked.

Jay nodded. "No. I think it might be linked to the invasion, but the memory just isn't there."

Kara nodded sympathetically. "That invasion took so much from us, so many people. You can't imagine what your presence means to me—I thought I was alone here."

"In fact, I am," Jay confessed. "I've heard rumors of you, knew you were real. I always wanted to meet you. How did you do it? All these years, how did you integrate with humans without feeling apart from them? The more I try, the harder it seems. I can't pretend I'm like everyone else; it feels like there's something between me and the world. Everything seems so distant."

Kara nodded deeply. "Sorry if this disappoints you—I don't know. I've never managed it. I can act clumsy, pretend to be human, but I can't lie to myself. Clark used to chat with me, invite me to family dinners—his family is wonderful. But now that he's gone, I feel alone, cast away in this corner of the universe far from a home that's just ruins."

Looking down at the bustling streets below, Jay wondered aloud, "So, you're saying the loneliness never goes away?"

"Not entirely," Kara smiled, the soft sunlight illuminating her features. "We have each other now, don't we?"

Jay chuckled, a sense of relief spreading through him. "Yeah, I guess we're lucky."

Silence fell between them as they sat shoulder to shoulder, the city breeze fluttering their capes, Kara's golden hair dancing in the wind. The sun's warm caress turned the globe atop the Daily Planet into a beacon of gold.

Suddenly, Kara's expression changed. "Oh no!"

"What's wrong?"

She hesitated. "I... I told Ms. Grant I was just going to fetch some documents. It's been nearly two hours now. Oh, she's going to kill me!"

Jay laughed. "She doesn't have any Kryptonite, does she? You'll be fine."

"I really have to go." Kara floated off her seat, hovering. "Oh, and the dance? You didn't forget, did you?"

Jay slapped his forehead, then quickly recovered with a smile. "Of course not. I'll be there on time."

"Really?" she beamed. "I'm counting on you."

"Count away."

"I'll hold you to it."

With a wave, Kara flew off. Jay watched her go, the city somehow more radiant under the sunlight, life never seemed so promising.