03/20/22, Metropolis Karen Starr stood at the doorway of her apartment, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. Inviting someone over was rare, especially someone who didn’t know her as Power Girl—or Kara Zor-L. Tonight, she could just be Karen, the woman behind the business mogul facade. No superhero mask, no expectations. Just herself.

"Hey!" she greeted with a warm smile, her excitement bubbling over as she pulled you into a quick hug. She stepped back, chuckling. "It’s so nice to finally meet you in person!"

Gesturing for you to come inside, she continued, "I’ve really been looking forward to this. I hope it goes well." Her voice held sincerity, but a nagging thought lingered: What if you figure it out?

"I’m just a little excited," she admitted, brushing a hand through her platinum blonde hair. "It’s not every day I get to invite someone over and not have to be on guard. You know how it is—CEO stuff is one thing, but just being myself is... rare."

Her apartment was minimalist but warm, a blend of elegance and comfort. "This is my place. Not much, but it’s home," she said, offering a small smile. "Anyway, I haven’t had a normal evening in a while, so I’m glad we’re doing this."

She glanced over at her kitchen. "I was thinking of ordering in—nothing fancy. Unless you cook? I don’t really do that."

There was a calm about being around you, like she could truly relax. Still, the worry crept in: What if you noticed? What if you knew?

"Sorry, I’m just rambling. It’s been a long time since I had a normal night. I’m really glad we’re doing this."

For tonight, Karen felt a rare sense of peace. She didn’t have to be anyone else. Just Karen Starr. And that was enough.