Hey! Once again sorry for the delay. Here is the next chapter. Please review!
Disclaimer: I only own Lily. My friend LarkofItaly owns the Woods family. Everything else is owned by Warner Bros. and DC comics
Chapter 14
First Time at the Bat Cave
~Dick's POV~
Two months have passed and snow fills the streets of Gotham. I've worked with Catherine almost everyday on what to expect. As a secret I've been working with Lily on making Catherine a costume. It only took me a month to convince Bruce to let Catherine join, but I still haven't convinced Lily. She only helping because she knows I'll do it myself if I have too, and I'd probably make a big mistake.
The costume was about finished, and would be completely done after winter break. Hopefully then she could join on patrol. That didn't matter though if I couldn't pass the assessment Bruce had set up If I didn't pass I wouldn't be allowed on patrol. So far I was doing a pretty good job.
Every once in awhile Bruce would set up assessments to see where Lily and I were in our training. Sometimes we did really well and other times not so much. Dodging a robotic fist and then using the arm as a platform I managed to shut down the first robot. That left four out of twelve robots. Unfortunately each training robot learned from the mistakes of those defeated before it.
Liy was completing a different part so that wasn't helpful to me and the EMP on my glove had been turned off. Receiving a punch to the shoulder I managed to shut down another droid. "Ouch! What did you make these things out of Bruce? Steel?" I already knew the answer and it was a yes. Bruce ignored my question, "If you have energy to talk you have energy to continue."
Three hours later both Lily and I were completely done with the assessment and back to working on Catherine's, Lark costume. "Are you done programming her halo-gloves?" This came from Lily who was hunched over a table working on a small insignia. I was in charge of the tech pieces for the most part and shook my head, "I still have three days of programming at least! What about you?"
She looked up slightly, "Have to finish her insignia and the trim on the cape but the majority of the assembly is done. We might be done with the costume sooner than we thought." I nodded and turned back to the computer. The gloves were complicated but I enjoyed this part. Lily broke the silence again, "Should we see if she can come over Saturday, if you want her to be part of the team she should probably see the Batcave soon and her costume should be done by then." I nodded, "Yeah, that sounds good. I'll go ask Bruce."
~Catherine's POV~
The phone call came Tuesday night and Indie called, "Catherine, phone's for you." Running downstairs I took the phone from her hand, "Thanks Indie" Sitting on top of the counter I put the phone to my ear, "Hello?". A happy, familiar voice spoke up, "Hey Cath!" I smiled slightly, "Hey Dick. What's up?".
My smile widened at his words, "You are invited to Wayne manor for a few hours on Saturday. I have something to show you." My reply was short and excited, "Awesome! See you then!" The phone clicked and I jumped off the counter to go find my parents. I was really excited about this.
Over the course of the next few days I could think of little else. Sure the activities my parents had planned for the family were fun but I was really curious about what Dick wanted to show me. I had a million guesses, some more outrageous than others but they were created to satisfy my curiosity.
After what seemed like ages Saturday rolled around. Dad drove me to Wayne Manor. I gave him a quick hug and before I got out of the car he spoke up, "I'll be back to pick you up in three hours." I smiled, "Okay dad" and carefully climbed out of the car.
Walking up to the door, Alfred opened it before I had a chance to knock. "Hello Miss Catherine". I smiled, "Hello Alfred" He led me inside and I waved to dad as he pulled away. "Master Dick should be here shortly' I smiled, "Thanks Alfred." He smiled but before he could walk into the kitchen Dick came out of an adjoining hallway.
He was clad in a pair of grey sweat pants and had a towel draped across his shoulders. Alfred scolded "Master Dick, what are you doing without a shirt on?" He laughed, although his natural laugh was a cackle but it made me smile. He then answered Alfred's question, "I still have some training left and it's your rule that I can't wear a shirt while training. Less laundry and less of a chance of them tearing."
Alfred sighed softly and went to the kitchen. Dick smiled over at me, "Come on, I have something to show you." I followed him into the hallway he had run out of and into Bruce's study. In a practiced motion he pulled the pendulum in the grandfather clock down slightly. The clock slid away from the wall revealing an open elevator door.
"Wow" I whispered as he pulled me into the elevator. The door slid shut and he covered my eyes with his hands, "It's a surprise." Soon the elevator slid to a stop and he said, "Take three steps forward, don't worry I won't let you fall". I followed his instructions and heard the elevator door close behind us.
His hands lifted and I was at a loss for words. I couldn't believe I was standing in the Batcave. I took in the sprawling rock walls, the tech, the evidence lab, and the training area where a small figure was beating up on a punching bag. "It's huge" I finally whispered. He smiled, "Yeah, it really is." He showed me how to hold onto the fireman pole to get down and within minutes were were both on the bottom layer. The pounding on the punching bag stopped and Lily walked over. She was clad in grey sweatpants and a black half-shirt, "What do you think?"
I answered, "It's amazing. I can't believe I get to see this." She shrugged slightly, "It is pretty cool." I looked around again and jumped when Bruce suddenly appeared, costume on but cowl off. He smiled, "Dick, Lily you two go finish your last few minutes and shower. I'll take Catherine on a tour." So he did. It seemed so much bigger than it looked.
Ten minutes later Dick and Lily joined us both fully dressed and recently showered. Dick turned to Bruce, "Can I show her now?". At a yes Dick grabbed my hand and pulled me over to a slightly cylindrical locker. It was probably closer to a crescent moon shape. A strange lock was by the door and Lily explained, "Go ahead, we already entered your genetics. It'll open with your handprint."
I touched my hand to the scanner and the locker swung open. My mouth dropped open as I saw the manikin clothed in a light brown, black, and golden costume. I was speechless and let the cape run through my hands. Dick cackled, "Changing rooms are over there, see how it fits!"
I started to pick up the pieces of the costume, there were a lot of them. Once everything was gathered I headed to the changing room. It took me a minute to figure out how to put the main tunic on but once that was figured out the rest was pretty easy. I quickly spun around watching as the cape fluttered behind me.
The costume was heavier than expected, and I could easily feel the protective armor even if it wasn't easily visible. I walked out and Dick smiled, "Glad it fits." Lily made a slow circle around me, "Good, I got the measurements right.". I smiled and removed the domino mask, "Thanks you guys, it's awesome!"
~Dick's POV~
We spent the next few hours showing Catherine how to use the utilities in her belt. It was a lot of fun and I knew that she would be a great match for the team, even if her aim was a bit off. The costume suited her, and it was a bit obvious that the hero life would suit here.
She went to go change back into her clothes and I pulled Lily aside, "Thank you for dropping the civil act entirely. Thank you for being accepting." She shrugged, "I still don't trust her, but Catherine joining the team means a lot to you so I can at least try."
Then she smiled, "Who knows, maybe I'll find that I enjoy her being on the team." I gave my sister a quick hug before Catherine came out of the changing room. The three of us ran upstairs before Mr. Woods could pull into the driveway. I smiled, "Cath, we will try to have you over again soon. Until then stay safe please." She nodded and gave me a hug, "I will, you stay safe though". I cackled, "No promises, but I'll try."
At the last second I remembered what I had forgotten and handed her a communicator that looked like a small phone. "If you're ever in trouble, press the call button. It'll send a signal to the Batcave and we will be there soon."
She slipped it into her pocket, "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you Dick.". Smiling I spoke up as she started out the door, "That's what friends are for."
