Faced with the Joker's threat, Kara knew she had to compromise, at least for now.
Jennifer was in immediate danger, and Kara needed to confirm her safety. Reluctantly, she abandoned the chance to finish off the Joker and quickly departed.
As Kara left, Joker's smile grew wider, eventually bursting into laughter, although what he found amusing remained a mystery.
Kara paused momentarily, tempted to turn back, but clenched her fists and continued forward, restraining herself. If Joker dared to deceive her, if the bomb wasn't at the hospital where Jennifer was, she would return without hesitation.
Before dawn, Kara discreetly arrived at the hospital, flying under the cover of the remaining night. Using her enhanced vision, she scanned the entire hospital and, to her dismay, found a bomb. Joker was indeed as unhinged as she feared.
Kara quickly dealt with the explosives.
While she had never formally learned how to dismantle bombs, she used her own method: freezing each bomb with super-cold breath until they were encased in ice, then carefully placing them in a bag to be handled by professionals later.
Once finished, she hurried back to Jennifer's room.
"Jennifer, wake up! We need to leave," Kara said firmly.
Jennifer awoke, startled to see Oracle—a hero she idolized—standing before her. She gasped, blinking in disbelief. "Oracle? Am I dreaming?"
Suppressing a smile, Kara lifted her mask. "It's me, Kara."
Jennifer's eyes widened in shock and then disappointment, realization dawning on her face.
"You're Oracle?" Jennifer said, slightly outraged. "You mean the superhero I've always looked up to is just… you? Kara, give me back all my admiration!"
This kind of reaction was natural; after all, Jennifer had often confided in Kara, never realizing she was speaking to her own idol. Now she remembered all those embarrassing, fan-girl moments she had shared with Kara—the friend she now knew to be her cherished superhero. Feeling both awe and embarrassment, she covered her face.
"You owe me, Kara," Jennifer said with mock indignation. "I expect a big hug."
That, Kara could certainly manage.
But she didn't indulge Jennifer just yet. Opening the bag she'd brought, she revealed over a dozen ice-covered bombs.
"Now's not the time, Jennifer," Kara said. "That lunatic hasn't given up. You need to come with me. There were way more bombs in the hospital than I expected."
Kara scolded herself inwardly; though her own strength was more than sufficient to withstand an explosion, Jennifer and her unborn child wouldn't be so lucky. Even if she shielded Jennifer, the shockwave could cause unforeseen harm. And, of course, there were countless other innocents in the hospital who might be at risk.
If she had thought to scan the building sooner, she could have ended the Joker's game right then and there.
Moreover, she realized that Joker might now be aware of her true identity, putting her and her family at further risk if he ever shared the information. While revealing her secret to Jennifer was necessary, she needed to be careful moving forward, starting with taking Jennifer to a safe place.
"We're heading to Wayne Manor," she told Jennifer. "It's the safest place right now. Bruce will make sure you're protected."
Jennifer's eyes widened even more. "Wait. Bruce? As in… Bruce Wayne?" She paused, shaking her head. "No, no, no, Kara—I can't face him, not after… all that!"
Kara laughed softly, knowing Jennifer's long-standing crush on Batman. Only now did Jennifer realize that her "idol" and "perfect man" were one and the same.
"Now's not the time for pride, Jennifer," Kara said. "Do you understand why I told you my identity? Because Joker already suspects. And if we're not careful, he could come after our families next—mine, yours, even Dan's."
Kara took a steadying breath. "Besides, whether he's Bruce or Batman, isn't he still the same 'ideal man' you've always admired? You're already having his child. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
Jennifer glared at Kara, clutching her heart dramatically. "Are you seriously teasing me right now?"
Kara chuckled, then picked up the bag of frozen bombs with one hand and helped Jennifer stand with the other.
"C'mon, stop fussing. Now, help me put my hood back on," Kara added with a smirk.
Jennifer rolled her eyes but complied, covering Kara's face once again with the hood.
"We're all set. I called Bruce earlier. His car should be waiting downstairs."