Woes of the Heart
It had been a hell of a day and Rebecca for one was happy that no-one had gotten hurt. She and Lena had a quick chat before Lena had to take the thugs to the station. Rebecca informed the attractive young woman that she and Kendra would still make it to their next girl's night out, and promise to go wedding dress shopping together. The sad fact was no-one was really good at buying clothes without asking someone for a second opinion. And when it came to your wedding dress you needed all the help you could get to find the right dress. With a quick hug the women went their respected ways promising to call the other when they'd chance.
"Hell of day, wasn't it, Becky?" asked Warren concerningly as they drove back to Rose Tower. He looked at Becky concerningly. It'd been a frightening experience. Furthermore he knew guns were Becky's greatest fear. So perhaps her dream last night had been a warning. He wanted to make sure she was alright, however she seemed lost in a world of her own as they hurried back to the penthouse.
Rebecca didn't reply to Warren's question right away. She was too focused on the drive home. In her mind she replayed the fight and the mysterious man over and over. She knew she needed to nail this guy and fast. She wasn't about to let her city get as corroded with malevolence as well as crime as her hometown. It had almost happened months ago when she'd called upon the Batclan help to aid her city.
Some months ago a group of normal street punks had stumbled across bone fragments of the Bat Twin's first really bad foe, Derek Powers, aka Blight. His son had tried to kill him and though no body had ever been recovered it wasn't sure if Blight had really died. Still either he died or was severely injured as parts of his radioactive bones had been found in a ditch. The punks had attempted to poison the water supply and make millions in a lawsuit against the city. She'd asked her friends Terry and Terra McGinnis to come and aid her. It was also the first time their friend Max Gibson had taken up call of being the new Robin. So she was very indebted to them.
Still Rebecca loved her city a great deal, and she was willing to do anything it took to defend it. Though she wouldn't dishonor what her mom had once stood for. She was just protector not the punisher. It was Sparrow Hawk's job to catch the bad guys, and it was Judge Rebecca Ruth Young's job to sentence them for their crimes. She understood perfectly well what would happen if her identity was ever exposed. Still it was worth risk to her. She was so lost in all her woes and concerns she almost didn't hear Warren tell her she was about to pass her home up.
"Becky? Becky! Wake up! If you don't stop driving we'll end up in another state! Your penthouse is just a block away! So please pay attention!" he exclaimed wildly as she awoke from her self-induced trace.
"Oh! Sorry! I was just lost in thought for a moment. Thanks for bringing me back to reality. I do hope my mother is okay. There no doubt in my mind they're already playing today gunfight on the six-o-clock news broadcast," checking her lavender wristwatch with a quick glance she got even more panicky, "And it's almost six rights now! We've got to hurry and I mean fast! I don't want to drive my mom into an early grave, if she finds out through the TV news that there was a gunfight! She might just have a heart attack right on the floor! Oh!"
"Calm down, Becky. Your mom is a cop! I'm sure she's seen and done enough that her heart can take it. Don't worry. You're home now."
Rebecca tore into the building so quick she didn't even greet Josh like normal. She just kept banging on the elevator button hoping that her mom hadn't seen the news just yet. Her fears only escalated when the entrance hall golden wall clock chimed six times.
At that exact moment the golden elevator finally came down to the ground floor. The pair scampered aboard and pressed their desired button. The water sizzled for a moment till the pressure from the furnace heated it enough that they rose up like a bullet out of a gun. Not the best comparison Rebecca thought but it was the only one she could think of at the time.
Like a bat out of a belfry she ran to her front door and yanked it open. "Mom?! Mommy?! Hello! Mom?!" she called out franticly as she swiveled her head in all directions it would go. She didn't see her mom anywhere. She was about to have a heart attack herself and then heard the toilet flush.
"MOM?!" she cried out as her mom came out into the living room. She didn't look like she was in a panic. She just finished drying her hands and glanced up at her frantic daughter who seemed to think the world was coming to an end.
"Honey? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost! Tell me what's wrong?"
"Turn on the news, Ms. Gordon. You'll see what's got her going into overdrive," explained Warren grimly as he came into the room. Barb did exactly what the young man had suggested and the news came as a bit of surprise.
Unlike Gotham whom used virtual anchormen, Eco-City still used real people. At the moment a lovely young Hispanic woman with her dark blackish blue hair up in an exotic style bun smiled happily at the camera. Her unique purple eyes dazzled like polished amethyst as she began to give her nightly report.
"Good evening, citizens of Eco-City! I'm your deliverer of every part of the news and gossip of our unique city, Lucy Kushinda!" her voice was that of a nightingale, so charming as well as beautiful. It was more like she was singing the news rather then just retelling the day's events.
"So our top story today is an extremely terrifying tale that nearly ended in tragedy. Today in the business district of Eco-City outside the Gaia's Bakery a vicious and deadly gunfight broke out. As scores of of you all know that last month the city passed a law that has prohibited guns in our city. Since the confiscation of all of the city's guns we've seen major decrees in violent and accidentally deaths. The city in fact this very morning just issued the police force non-lethal green tech, provided by our city's founders the Planets. They along with Chief of Police Lena Kohaku have promised that they'll do everything in their power to track down the last of the madmen and put a stop to these dangerous weapons. We go to our correspondent at police headquarters to talk in person with Chief Kohaku now. Stanley, sweetheart, can you hear me? Honey, are you there?"
"Yes, my darling, I'm right here now with Chief Kohaku. Chief Kohaku? Please can you give us any insight or progress on the men responsible for today gunfire?"
"Well, Mr. Kushinda," Lena began before he cut in, "Please, Chief, call me Stanley. I prefer it over the overly formal name."
Lena smiled and her dark almond shaped eyes dazzled in the camera light. "Well, then, if you wish me to call you Stanley, please call me Lena then. If we're goin' to skip with the formalities."
"Deal, Lena. So, Lena? Enlighten us what you can about today shooting," Stanley inquired enthusiastically. He was so raring to go to get the news that he pushed his microphone into her face and she had to push it back.
"Well, we've not yet identified the shooters. We currently have our best interrogators working on cracking them, but they ain't talking, or at least not yet. However, I do have great faith in my people. I'm in no doubt we'll have them cracked like a chestnut in next to no time. We don't know what their motive was or who their leader is. Still we are fairly certain that only one or two gunmen remain at large. We're incredibly thankful Sparrow Hawk's timely arrival. If she hadn't showed up we could've lost some lives today."
"More then you think, Lena. For those who might not know what we mean, here is some of the footage caught by the bakery's security cameras. Be warned what you're about to witness may shock or disturb you," Stanley informed the viewers at the same time as on the screen the footage rolled.
Even though both Rebecca and Warren had been there, their minds still hadn't had time to comprehended how terrifying and violent everything had been. Even Barb who had seen and done much over her lifetime was shocked to the core with what they saw.
The footage showed that it was shortly after noon and some young children and other people had been walking on the moving sidewalks. It was then seen the men in black had come out of nowhere and started shooting. The first few shots nearly hit the children who were screaming the loudest. Rebecca caught sight of Warren's jacket in the left hand corner of the screen.
"As many of you might know, Eco-City school systems were all closed this afternoon for an emergency teacher's conference. Many of the young children we're on their way home and didn't expect to nearly never make it. I actually like to say something right now, if you don't mind, Lena"
"Sure thing, Stanley. Say what you need to say."
"Sparrow Hawk? If you're listening or watching please know if you hadn't showed up my young son Cain, might've been shot and killed. So thank you, Sparrow Hawk." Stanley remarked kindly.
From reliving it due to the tape playing Rebecca remembered all too clearly how she'd shield the children best she could with an energy shield. So being told thanks for saving everyone made her feel good. Though she also knew this wasn't about getting praise for protecting. She needed to do it without expecting anything in return.
"I'd like to say express gratitude to you as well, Sparrow Hawk. You've done a remarkable job in protecting this city. And I for one I'm grateful for your being of assistance. I in addition have it on very good authority that the founders of our fair city are extremely thankful for you too. So thank you, Sparrow Hawk," Lena praised happily causing Rebecca to blush.
"So, Lena? Any chance of finding the mysterious leader of these men? And do you think the rest of the city should be put on alert?"
"Everyone should remain causations, yes. As for clues? We are currently scanning the remains of the weapons and like I said we're attempting to get information out of the men we arrested. So I warn you all of Eco-City to remain vigilant and praying couldn't hurt either. We do hope to continue to honor the dreams of this city and with Sparrow Hawk's help continue to honor them and live up to them."
"Yes, the dreams of Lacey and Colin Planet are what make this city possible. We one wish to make sure man and nature can live alongside one another in harmony. That everyone is treated fairly and equally. That we can embrace each and every one the cultures of the world and not have petty or pointless hate rule our hearts. That mankind can at least in one place of the earth live in a world without hate, violence, or weapons that would end life prematurely. That we can live in a world that embraces love, peace and hope. Well, I think it about time my wife took over again. Sweetheart? Dear Lucy? Care to take it from here?"
"Yes, Stanley, thank you, honey for that interview. And please remember to take out our share for the city's compost heap tonight. I hate to ask for a fifth time. Therefore let's get back to our studio. Let's continue with the good news now."
None of them pay much attention to the rest of the news. Why did people on news networks always give bad news? The expression "if it bleeds it leads" was a terrible thing. How can one appreciate anything good if they always insisted on showing the bad news first?
Barbara looked at Rebecca in shock and concern. "Are you alright, sweetheart? I didn't expect when I let you and Warren go out today you be in danger! Tell me you're alright?! I was so worried about my own dreams, I never dreamed yours would be a warning as well!"
Rebecca looked at her mom for a moment then turned to her boyfriend. "Warren, umm, could you excuse me and my mom for a few moments? Why don't you go workout in my personal gym? I mean if you want to keep your hot body then you need to exercise. Alright?"
He simply smiled sympathetically at her. He then tenderly kissed her cheek and replied compassionately. "Sure, I can provide you two some privacy. I need to call my own parents, anyway. They'll want to make sure I'm alright, as well. Besides, Becky, my mom wants me to call her everyday she's alive. So I'll just go to the gym and call them there. We can workout together before dinner."
"You're a really sweetheart you know that, Warren?"
"Tell me something I don't already know, Becky."
Once Warren had left the living room mother and daughter both sat down on her lavender comfy sofa. Kissing her forehead Barb looked at her daughter who seemed clearly shocked by what had happened and almost happened today.
"First off, sweetie, let me say this never gets any easier. Secondly I am so proud of you. But if you think you can protect everyone and not get hurt or someone else not get hurt then you're not quite ready for this kinda of night job."
"Mom, I know this isn't just a simple game. I'm on familiar terms with the truth and reality of this lifestyle, and that means there're fatal in addition to dire consequences involved in this work," she started to say with a bit of sadness in her voice. The two locked their brilliant blue eyes at each other and hugged each other. Rebecca dried her eyes and started to enlighten her mom on all her woes and worries.
"It's just my biggest fear is guns. I've never liked them. Furthermore, Mom, as you just heard on the news we outlawed armaments from Eco-City. That's another reason I had you lock up your gun. All my life my biggest fear has been not the dark or a fire, or even water. I'm scared that someone I love will be shot. When you depart this life, Mom, I want it to be for the reason that you've lived a full and rich life. Not because someone pointed a slug at your chest. I guess you could say I'm a bit like Bruce in that aspect. He lost his family to a gun and I don't want to lose mine the same way. That one reason I worked so hard with city hall to pass the no gun law. Daddy did his part in that too, remember?"
"Yes, your father did his part to try an eliminate gun violence and deaths associated with them. That what I was attempting to say before that nutcase Mad Stan made an effort to yet again blow something up."
"How could I fail to remember that night? I was there and remember how Spellbinder then tried to frame the Bat Twins? I tried to tell you they're innocent. But you didn't listen to me. Just like you didn't listen to me when I became Sparrow Hawk for the first time, remember? I was working with the Bat Twins to put an end to that eco-terrorist group, Ivy's Angels? I told you not to come to the Gotham Needle, but did you listen to me? No! I had to save your life from a man with a solar charged bomb!"
"I wouldn't have been doing my job if I didn't place myself in some danger. It's just a fact of the life we chose to lead when we put on the badge. Regardless if I did it as Batgirl when I was young or now as I do as the Gotham City Police Commissioner. Honey, please remember I will love you no-matter-what choices you make. I do miss sometimes of my old life. I greatly miss my friend Kara a lot. It was so fun when we took on Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and Livewire and shut up Bullock."
"Yeah, that was one of my favorite tales you told me as a child. Mom, I know you don't always approve of my decision to be a heroine. Nevertheless, Mom, it's still my choice, and I can't help but be your daughter. All my life people have said how alike we are. I guess it just runs in the family. Although, today when I was fighting with those gunmen? I was not just worried about Warren; I was also extremely worried about the children. Every so often I don't know if I can do it all by myself. I mean let's face it, Bruce couldn't do anything without your guys help," she confessed when her mom interjected quickly.
"And of course Alfred, beloved, don't overlook him. The truth of the matter is, daughter, I, Nightwing, and Robin may've helped when it came to the cleaning up the streets of Gotham, however Bruce would've been lost without Alfred. That I can guarantee is a fact. When Alfred departed this life Bruce was so beyond devastated. I think he'd in no way fathomed the thought he'd miss someone as much as he missed his parents. All the same he was hit so hard when Alfred passed."
"It's a scary and natural thought I guess we all have at the back of our minds. We never know just how hard death will hit us, until it actually happens. We can prepare all we like but some things just don't feel real till they actually happen. One day I shall know the pain of losing someone I love, came close to that today. I thought I lose you or Daddy first, but I almost lost Warren. I couldn't bear the thought of a world without him in it," she sighed heavily as she heard Warren in the other room on the phone with his mom. Pulling herself together she brushed her fiery red hair over her shoulder and continued on with her woes.
"That why part of me wishes I had a partner. I mean Terry couldn't protect Gotham all by himself. It was a godsend when Terra showed up. Not that the circumstances of her arrival didn't outweigh the sorrow of what it took to get her here. They're equally as sad as the good she's done. She paid a hefty price to come to this reality after hers died. Except without her and Max making up the new Batclan, Gotham still would be overrun with criminals that you, frankly, Mom, couldn't get rid by yourself. And that too is a fact of life."
"Are we gonna have a verbal battle all night? You do have a guest over and you should pay some attention to him. Also you need to remember not to become consumed by your choice to be Sparrow Hawk. Don't become what Bruce became, honey. Just promise me that, okay? That you won't be so consumed by being a hero, that you'll never settle down and just have love, friendship and a family? I'd like to live to see a grandchild."
"Deal, Mom. I promise you on my heart and soul that I won't forget what is important in life. I will continue to protect the innocent as Sparrow Hawk, I will punish the guilty as Judge Young, and I will do all I can to win the heart of my true love Warren Alan Williams. Now that we've chewed the fat for about forty-five minutes I'm getting ravenous. I'm gonna make a phone call to Kendra, and ask her to pick up some Chinese food. That and I might call Lena, and ask if she can come from the station, and have some dinner with us. I mean I know she'll want to get the bad guys to talk. Although, she just can't refuse to give into some freshly made crab rangoon. It's her one weakness. Therefore I'm gonna make a small number of calls. If I do get a hold of both them that would be great, they both are my best girlfriends. We are so close in this city. Me the top judge, Lena the Chief of Police and Kendra the best damn assistant anyone could ask for. So while Kendra goes to get it I'm going to show-off some with Warren in the gym. I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, daughter. Now while you make your calls, I'm gonna make a few of my own. One is too your father. Then I'm gonna check in with the Batclan. The twins care a lot about you, in particular Terra. I guess you're kinda of like a big sister to them. So I'm gonna go call them up. First your father though."
So the evening seemed to calm down some. Rebecca and Warren had a first-class workout together. Warren was extremely physical fit. He'd run a few marathons for charity back in Gotham. It seemed even though he was a very busy judge he still had a very sexy and hot body. So obviously he worked out as hard and often as Rebecca did. He even knew some fighting styles that he challenged a sparing match with Rebecca. He was good, but Rebecca was better. Still she did consider for a moment to let him win, but knew he never forgive her for letting him win. So she kicked his ass and laughed. They winded up in a make-out session that only ended when Barb came in to tell them both Kendra and Lena had arrived for dinner.
Meanwhile all this was going on Ven and Darien French were sitting in his own apartment discussing their next move. Darien's apartment was nowhere as nice as Rebecca's. In fact in contrast it was actually as ugly as hers was beautiful. But the subject wasn't how he needed an interior designer it was how to get rid of Sparrow Hawk and Warren so Darien could get Rebecca.
"This Sparrow Hawk, Mr. French is a formidable opponent. I've never met a woman who could be my equal in a fight. She's a very special woman." Ven informed Darien with a bit of passion in his voice. Darien looked at him disgust.
"I hope you ain't falling prey to the dangerous spell of love for this woman. That wouldn't do well for us. We need her dead and that Warren as well. We're lucky so far that you're cohorts haven't cracked yet. Any chance they will?"
"My men are strong and loyal. They might talk but not till after we've a gotten we've wanted. So I say me and my remaining men will cause as much mayhem and chaos as we can. That will draw out Sparrow Hawk. She'll be so busy we'll have a better opportunity to kill this Warren Williams. Though I must know if you know that this Judge Young doesn't like you let alone love you, how is killing this man gonna do the trick?"
The honey colored eyes of the deadly judge narrowed. He didn't like how his hired help was insinuating his feelings and motives. The help should never question the boss at all. Unless they wanted to die themselves that is.
"I will make her mine, no-matter-what I've to do! I will have her! One way or the other! We belong together, she just doesn't realize it thanks to this Warren brainwashing her with empty promises and lies of his affection. No-one but me could ever truly love her and give her the life she deserves! So never again question me on this subject, got it?"
"Yes, sir. I will say all the testing we'll be doing to make sure we can overcome Sparrow Hawk will do wonders for this mission."
"Testing?"
"Yes, sir, testing, dear Judge French. When we start the next round of causing as much mayhem and chaos we can do, I shall learn from my opponent. Her strengths, weakness and just how powerful her equipment is and how much of a threat she is. It's better to know you enemy fully, otherwise you cannot defeat them. So to obtain victory we must know everything about this Sparrow Hawk. Now if you excuse me I must have my dinner and get my beauty sleep. We'll continue this in the morning. Goodnight, Mr. French."
With that the handsome Guyana man Ven retired to his comfy room. Making sure no-one looking he took out a photo he'd captured of Sparrow Hawk. She was certainly beautiful, bold and a very admirable fighter. He began to feel the same lust that French had for Rebecca. Because never had a woman captured his interest and never had one been his equal. He couldn't wait to see her again. He would have her for himself. He wouldn't kill her but someway or other he would have her for his own. Smiling with lust he went to bed.
"I would just like to say on a side note to you my faithfully readers. The characters of the News Crew Lucy, Stanley and Cain Kushinda are from a suggestion of a fellow writer scrletfyre. So I promise to give credit to any and all who donates their suggestions to my story. So with that said I hope you've got good things to say about this chapter. So thanks!"