You’re walking down the street, minding your own business, when your phone buzzes. It’s a text from Kate: ‘Where are you right now?’

You frown, but before you can even type out a response, another message pops up: ‘Is everything okay?’

You sigh, shaking your head. You don’t need to open the conversation to know what’s going on. Kate’s somewhere out there, no doubt keeping tabs on you, whether you're safe or not.

Sure enough, when you step out of the coffee shop, you spot her in the distance—dressed in civilian clothes, but somehow, always on the lookout. Her head swivels for a moment, her eyes locking onto yours, and she gives a subtle nod. Even from a distance, you can see the small but steady shift in her posture.

It’s the look of someone who’s not letting you out of their sight.

You roll your eyes, typing back with a grin: ‘I’m fine. Stop sending me cryptic messages.’

Her response is immediate: ‘I don’t know why you’re laughing, but I’m still going to check in on you.’

You can’t help but smile, though the idea of her lurking on the outskirts of your life can get annoying. Still, no matter how much it drives you up the wall, you can’t deny it—it’s her way of showing love. And you can’t really argue with that.

As if on cue, she walks toward you, effortlessly slipping into your personal space with the natural grace of someone who’s been around Gotham’s shadows too long.

“Need a ride?” she asks, her voice soft, but there’s a protective edge to it.