And It All Starts Again

Note: Another Oldie... Forgot to post here I guess, but was posted on BirdsOfPreyOnline Forum in 2003.

Okay, first off - I was bored at work (I know I've said this a zillion times, but I hate covering third shift) and had too much time on my hands. Too much time makes Shan go crazy... and then a little idea hit me and I ended up in the middle of a little BOP fic. I have an idea of where this might be going, but Lord only knows... it could just end up being a bunch of craziness.

Second - I just thought I would jump into the deep end and share it with everyone and see what ya'll thought. Do be nice though, my fragile psyche can only take so much.

Third - I don't own anything, so don't sue me... you'll just get my computer and it attacks people.

Oh and I guess just pick a time after Devil's Eyes for the setting. And there's violence and maybe a cuss word here and there.

Rating: T

Well... here goes...

AND IT ALL STARTS AGAIN

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"Release the dogs!" The warden yelled as he heard faint cackling just beyond the outer fence. He turned to his chief guards standing before him. "How could you… dammit, he's getting away!" He looked up to the tower and screamed, "What are you waiting for? Shoot!"

"We can't get him in sight!"

"Get out of my way!" The warden pushed his way to the top of the tower as he grabbed a sniper rifle. Just before he pulled the trigger he muttered, "Why do they hire you morons? Can't get him in sight my foot… he's got bright green hair."

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Helena awoke with a start when she heard the phone ringing. She growled and rolled her eyes as she picked up the receiver. "This better be good!"

"I know you have the night off Helena and I'm very sorry for calling, but…" Barbara did not know how to begin explaining the events of the night.

"It's okay, we were just sleeping. What's wrong?" Helena asked as Reese tightened his embrace around her and she let a small sigh escape her lips.

Barbara wrung her hands and decided that she would wait to tell her, "Well, I wanted to talk to Reese."

"Um… okay." Helena was confused but it was too early in the morning for her to care all that much so she handed the phone to the man beside her.

"Hello?"

"Reese, I need you to do me a favor." Barbara could hear the confusion in his voice.

"Oh hey, yeah okay."

"First, do not let Helena know what is going on."

"Wait Barbara, I don't think I can do that." Reese said as he released Helena from his grasp and walked to the window. He quickly glanced back and winced when he saw the look on her face.

"Please, just hear me out Detective." Barbara pleaded.

"I'm listening."

"Thank you." Barbara sighed in relief. "Okay, we have a potential situation. Do you remember us ever talking about The Joker?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, I just got word that he tried to escape tonight."

"Tried?"

"Yeah, well, the warden says that he was shot just outside the fence and that he's dead."

"And you don't believe him."

"Right. All of my sources say that the warden and his guards have yet to locate the body, but their spokespeople are telling me something completely different. I need confirmation that he is not on the loose. And I need it before I can tell Helena what is going on. There is no need in alarming her at this point."

"You're right, but do you think that would happen?" Reese tried to be as cryptic as possible.

"What? That she would be alarmed?"

"Yeah."

"She's come a long way since the Clayface situation and I'm more worried about her mental well being than if she wants to exact revenge. The Joker has done and will do the most menacing things to destroy a person. Both Helena and I have been touched by his mania and it nearly destroyed us. The disturbing thing is that he wasn't even trying to destroy us, he was trying to destroy Batman. For a long time, Helena had horrific nightmares and it took a lot out of both of us. I know she's not completely rid of them, but we've worked so hard to make them less frequent. I don't want everything that we've worked for to be thrown out the window because someone wasn't doing his job right."

"I hear you, but what about…"

Barbara sighed, "I'm fine."

"Alright, give me some time. I'll go check it out."

Barbara let out the breath that she had been holding waiting for his answer. "Good. Thank you Reese."

Reese hung up the phone and stared at the beautiful woman lying in front of him. He climbed back into bed and tried to hold her but she pulled away.

"So what's up?" Helena asked as she sat up.

"Nothing, she just wanted to say 'hi'." Reese said as he tried to pull her close again.

"She did not and you need a poker face."

"It's cop stuff. No need to bore you." He realized that keeping this from the woman he deeply cared about would be harder than first thought.

"Cop stuff? Look, none of us are good liars… and we remember what happened the last time someone lied, right?" Helena was starting to get upset.

"Yes, I remember. Just for the record, though, technically I am not lying." He smirked.

"Don't give me that logic crap! I want to know what Barbara wanted." She folded her hands across her chest. She was not going to let it go.

"Helena… you know I would do anything for you, but I promised..." He pleaded as he tried to salvage what was left of the morning.

Helena's voice dripped with sarcasm as she interrupted him. "Well, I guess you should get right on that cop stuff then, huh?"

Reese sighed as he got out of bed and retrieved his clothes. "I'll call you later then." He turned back to look into her eyes. "I'm sorry." He leaned down to kiss her but she turned her head away and his lips brushed her cheek. He sighed. "Alright then."

Helena silently cursed herself for acting so childish, but she had never liked it when people lied. She watched him walk out of her room and knew he was gone when she heard the front door click behind him. She touched her earring. "Barbara!" She yelled, knowing full well that everyone in the clock tower could hear her.

TBC