Oracle Meets Watchtower
Barbara Gordon wheeled herself down the Metropolis street toward her favorite coffee shop. She'd been working non-stop for the last twelve hours, coordinating a strike mission for the Birds of Prey against a serious drug cartel in Metropolis. Before that, she'd spent another six hours researching property holdings in Gotham County for Bruce, helping him to search for Thomas Elliott.
As she reached her destination, she was nearly run over by a pair of young men, neither older than twenty-five, exiting the establishment. Neither apologized, nor even noticed her, which was somewhat unusual. Despite her handicap, and the prim glasses she wore, and even the fact that she rarely did much with her hair beyond pulling it back into a ponytail, there was no way that Barbara Gordon could ever be considered anything short of beautiful.
As she glared after the young men, the door opened again, this time from the outside. A feminine voice, from her right side said, "I guess manners are a lost treasure. Let me give you a hand."
Barbara looked back to find a pretty blonde, dressed in a knee-length light grey skirt and a white blouse. Her hair was cut in a shoulder-length bob. With her sweet smile she was little short of beautiful. "Thank you," she said, rolling herself through the open door as the girl held it, before following her through.
"I hope your day gets better," the girl said, starting to move toward the counter.
"Wait," Barbara called to her. "That's the first kind gesture I've seen anyone make toward anyone else in about a week. The least I can do is buy you a cup of coffee."
The girl smiled again. "That's so nice, but it's not necessary."
Barbara smiled back. "Maybe not, but it would make me feel better." The girl nodded her acquiescence, following the redhead to the counter.
The two women accepted their cups from the barista, Barbara handing over a few bills to pay for them, and then moved to a table in a corner, away from the door.
Once they were seated, Barbara offered her hand across the table. "Thanks again. I'm Barbara…Gordon."
"Chloe Sullivan," the girl answered. Her handshake was firm and steady. Barbara couldn't help but like her. She wasn't quite sure why, but she had the sense that the two would become close friends. She saw just a bit of herself in Chloe.
