Songbird
Isabel shifted slightly on her bed, trying not to disturb the finally asleep Helena next to her, who insisted to sleep with her. She yawned and glanced at the girl with a growing baby bump; Helena seemed so peaceful now after refusing to sleep for nearly 48 hours and keeping Isabel awake to calm her down.
Isabel slipped her leg out of the covers and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door gently behind her. She had missed patrol and Selene-time for 3 days straight, having to take care of Helena, who only let females get within 3 feet of her. Even Bruce and Terry had to dodge her punches and kicks when they handed her pregnancy nutrition pills every meal.
Isabel stretched her arms and legs, taking note of the moonlight shining into the mansion. As she approached the clock to reveal the secret stairway to the Batcave, the door automatically opened and Terry walked out, yawning and stretching.
Terry bumped into her and exclaimed, "Oh! Sorry, Isabel!"
Isabel smiled sympathetically and remarked, "Tough night?"
Terry grimaced and replied, "Typical day with the old man. Shouldn't you be sleeping? Has Helena finally let you go?"
She caught his tone of distaste for Helena and raised her eyebrows, noting, "Helena's going through a tough period. She needs me. What do you have against her anyways?"
He muttered, "You haven't left Helena's side for 3 days already."
Isabel's super-hearing caught his every word and she giggled, teasing, "Could it be that you miss me, Mcginnis?"
He scoffed and cleared his throat, adding, "By the way, Bruce is having this Christmas party tomorrow night, in which he plans to introduce Helena as his daughter. He wants us to be there in case something happens."
Isabel frowned and asked, "Does Bruce want me to go as Selene?"
Terry nodded. "But why would Selene be there as she is not sponsored by the Wayne Foundation anymore? The press would wonder." Terry started slowly, "Well, Bruce told me to figure it out. I was thinking that we could use our old cover."
Isabel turned to look at Terry, who gazed defiantly at the clock. Terry then added nervously, "Of course, you could always choose someone else to go with you."
Isabel pressed her fingers on Terry's chin and moved his face to face her gently, saying, "I'd love to go with you." Isabel joked, "Was that so hard?"
Terry shot her a disapproving look. Isabel caught sight of Terry's huge dark circles around his blood shot eyes and suggested, "You should rest at the Manor tonight." Terry nodded and followed Isabel up the stairs to the bedrooms.
Isabel opened the door of a vacant bedroom next to Helena's and looked expectantly at Terry.
He seemed torn about something as he stood at the door and Isabel said puzzled, "Terry?"
He gazed into her blue eyes, which reflected his own, and said in a soft raspy voice, "Isabel, can you stay with me tonight?"
Isabel's heart skipped a beat and her face reddened, uttered, "Sure."
She walked into the room and Terry followed suit, closing the door behind them. She stood awkwardly near the huge bed and stared at Terry who took off his shirt, revealing his toned body, making Isabel blush profusely.
He caught sight Isabel reluctant to get on the bed, and laughed, stating, "Don't worry, Isabel. I am not going to do anything to you. Not tonight."
He slid under the covers and occupied half of the bed, waiting for Isabel, who slowly began to get in the bed. Isabel could feel Terry's warmth under the covers, which made her feel surprisingly comfortable and safe.
Terry continued to stare at her and Isabel couldn't help but ask, "Terry, what happened? You seem different..."
He looked deep into her eyes and began, "When that son of a bitch kidnapped you..."
Isabel frowned and remarked, "I have been kidnapped before...I ended up alright."
He sighed and said exasperatedly, "Isabel, this time's different. That snake tried to take you as his own...he succeeded with Helena...I can't imagine what I would do to him if he did the same to you..."
She turned his head to face him, taking note of his sense of weariness drifting off of him.
He gazed intently into her eyes which were inches from his and sighed, saying knowingly, "You'll understand ...how I feel..." With that, he turned his back on her and closed his eyes.
Isabel's mind was a blank; she glanced at Terry next to her and bit her lip. AmIimaginingthis?WasTerryhinting...no,that'snotpossible.We'refriends,comrades,family,right?Doesheseemeassomethingmorethanafriend?Whatishetome?
Isabel turned her back away from Mcginnis and curled up under the sheets, trying to shut all her thoughts out of her head.
