So I'm officially back. Blame the lock down if you want for my sudden burst of creativity. Or, it could just be the fact I'm procrastinating my final ever uni assignments. Why write an 8000 word thesis when I could write this instead... anyway, here's a new story for all you amazing people who followed, favourited or messaged me to say you wanted a sequel. I can't believe the love my first story got, so I'm hoping to make you just as happy this time. As always, I hope you're all ok and I'm always here if you want to say hello.
Until next time,
Thesilentmage x
A year is a long time for anybody. A year for someone in Gotham can be especially long, but particularly when it comes after spending several months living in a war zone.
Barbara Gordon knew the truth of this statement all too well. How could she not? Time had been inconsequential in some ways under the rule of Bane. The only signifier of time passing had been the rising and setting of the sun, lost in a blur of endless days. Eventually people had stopped counting all together… just as much as they'd stopped trying to hold onto a semblance of normalcy.
So, needless to say, the days and weeks following the 'liberation' of Gotham had been an adjustment for all. True, there was much joy to be had now that the reign of terror was over… but picking back up where people had left off… that wasn't so easy.
For example, for Barbara, remembering the fact that college and her internship were real things definitely took some adjusting to as did waking up every day with a set routine to follow. A normal routine for a normal person. The one she had been living just fine before everything had happened - before Batgirl.
Yes. Being a part time vigilante had definitely had its challenges before, but since everything had started returning to normal there had been plenty more.
Restarting college had been hellish. Barbara wasn't alone in that, what with a whole class of other students who had been disrupted by the occupation. But it was now hard to get her head back into textbooks and papers and internships after the past few months. Living in a war zone had made civilian life seem, well, civilian and alien to her.
Not that Barbara had been dying to throw her cowl and cape back on in such a hurry. There was of course a time and place for Batgirl, but Barbara Gordon was real and important too. Her normal life existed and she'd worked for too long and too hard to neglect it all and let it go to waste now.
So, she'd been hitting the books and working her ass off whether the sun was up or down - and she wasn't the only one.
Her eyes lifted once again to the blonde haired woman sat opposite her, bopping her head along in time to whatever was playing from the ear phones she had plugged in. Diane always had a habit of humming under her breath when she was deep in study. Almost four years in, Barbara found it adorable.
The people around them though? Less so.
Barbara smirked as she nudged her friend under the table, kicking her shin lightly. Diane looked up immediately but knew what she was trying to say. Her eye roll made it clear as she mimed zipping her lips.
"Sorry," she mouthed, before looking back down at her page of notes.
Barbara tried to do the same. However, the assembly of highlighted text had turned into a rainbow blur by this point. She pinched her nose and removed her glasses. Thankfully she wasn't the only one who appeared to have had enough studying for one day.
Barbara had only just closed the text book when she noticed the note Diane was now sliding towards her across the desk. A smirk tugged at her lips as she glanced down. In Diane's usual neat print read the message: lunch?
Barbara paused, and scribbled a reply. Sliding back her response, both woman gathered their things and made their way out of the library and into the early afternoon sunshine that was beaming down on the city.
"If I'd sat in that chair any longer I'd be worse than the hunchback of Notre Dame."
"Drama queen," Barbara teased, even if she couldn't help but agree as they made their way out and down the great stone steps outside. "Maybe we need to invest in bringing cushions next time."
"Or getting here before those stupid study groups so we actually get a couch," Diane batted back bitterly.
Ah, the saga of sharing the library with other students and study groups. If only all their adversaries these days could be so mundane and trivial. Last time Barbara checked, criminals were never quite as easy to defeat as sleep deprived law students. All it took was the lure of free coffee and they'd charge away like a herd of starved lions on the prowl.
"One day, Di," Barbara sighed comfortingly. "One day we shall find our way into the promised land and have a couch of our own rather than having to use the study section."
"The silent study section," Diane stressed, shuddering at the sound of it. "The place always gives me the creeps. I swear I breathe even louder than normal when I sit there."
"I repeat - drama queen."
Diane laughed, nudging Barbara with a sharp elbow to the ribs and earning a satisfying yelp. Barbara was about to return the favour but thought better of it considering the stink eye the librarian was already shooting the pair of them as they ran out into the sunshine, giggling like school kids.
"No fair!"
"So fair. Hurry up, Babs!"
"You owe me a bagel now! I'm wounded."
"Fine," Diane surrendered, laughing as Barbara all but tackled her back to her side.
It was no wonder they considered one another a sister. Very few others in the world were privy to moments like these, moments where both girls let their guard slip and masks fade away. They'd also been through hell and back together. After what they'd been through, they were bonded for life. Wild horses couldn't drag these two apart.
"I'll get you your damn bagel. I just need to run these papers back to the office first," Diane surrendered. "Who knew juggling an internship and school work was so hard?"
"Well, we won't have to for much longer," Barbara grinned. "By the end of the month we'll practically be finished. God. It still feels unreal to think about. Us - lawyers."
"You practically already are, Miss. You've already handed in all your papers. I still have to get these papers signed and submit one more essay to be done."
"And we both have to sit the exam," Barbara reminded her, grinning at the way Diane fake-vomited at the word exam. "Relax. We'll smash the exam and then we graduate."
"Thank fucking God."
"But we need coffee first."
"Obviously."
Together they walked arm in arm, making their way across town to the newly finished and restored District Attorney's office. As planned, they were now armed with two steaming cups of coffee and a bag of bagels. In a way, Barbara didn't really feel like she needed it considering the giddy excitement that filled her, even now, at the thought of walking the hallways of City Hall.
Maybe it was her being nostalgic or sentimental. After all, it wasn't long now before her studies finished. Once they were completed she'd be graduating Gotham University and effectively completing her internship at the legal offices. Whether or not she'd return depended on her career really… and who had any clue how that was going to go? Honestly, if she could plan even a week in advance she counted it a success. Besides, her grades wouldn't be released until her final exam had been completed. Who knew if she'd even done well enough to get any job, let alone this job?
Diane seemed to share the sentiment. Barbara would have had to be blind to miss the whimsical look on her friend's face as they made their way past the reception desks, up the sweeping staircases and into the offices beyond.
They may not have been much, their two teeny, wobbly desks wedged in the far corner, but to Barbara and Diane this had been home for the past four years. They'd been hidden away from the big corporate offices and the shiny desks of the paralegals. The late nights, the shared lunches, triumphs, heartaches - it had all happened in this small corner of the building.
They'd would be sad to see it end. Just one more change in the world she'd have to get used to.
"Hey don't forget – dinner at our new place Friday," Barbara breathed, tossing her coat onto the stand beside her and resting her bag on top of her already cluttered desk.
"How could I possibly forget?" Diane grumbled with a playful tone, wiping at the corners of her lips. "Your own place. I suppose we'll have to start calling it a Batcave, what with you and Blake both living there."
Barbara laughed loudly, shaking her head. "NO, we are not calling it that ok? It's just our home."
"Wasted opportunity, if you ask me."
"Well I'm not," Barbara smiled, taking a sip of her steaming coffee. "Thankfully…"
The idea of a housewarming felt almost too adult for Barbara to comprehend.
Diane smiled back, rolling her eyes and stirring her coffee slowly with one of the wooden sticks she had nabbed from the stand and began to settle herself into her own desk. "I suppose I should ask if you two have got any plans for tonight, but of course you do."
Barbara didn't say anything, just smiled to herself, staring at the busy office around them knowing full well what Diane meant. It was still a weird notion to her, even after a year.
A year? One whole year? Had it really been that long? Time seemed to have gone so fast that Barbara couldn't really believe it.
It was one year ago that the bomb went off. One year ago that Batman left and Bane was defeated. One year ago that Batgirl was born. Since then things had just become more hectic and chaotic than they ever had been before. Even after the defeat of Bane and the league, things hadn't settled down.
First there had been the surprising donation left by a one Mr Bruce Wayne. Finding that cave had been one of the first signs that things would never be how they used to. John was now one of them, a vigilante. Not just any vigilante, Batman as well.
She remembered how it felt, the long few months after John had accepted to don the cowl and pick up Bruce's mantle. There were endless hours of training, working, pushing themselves to be something greater. She knew it wouldn't have been possible without Diane. They were a team now, relying on each other.
There had also been the small matter of re-introducing Batman to Gotham. Needless to say, it had been a surprise to many to see the familiar figure roaming their streets, especially as he was meant to be dead. There had been many comments of it being some looney copy-cat or fan boy gone wild. The police still were sceptical of their masked assistant.
Barbara knew it would take time for them to truly trust one another. Just like it had for Bruce. Batman wasn't one person, it was a symbol. Maybe they'd realise that one day. Personally in her mind, the sooner it was- the better.
Secondly there had been the increasing crime rate in Gotham. Bane had released most of the cities criminals back into Gotham during his occupation of the city, and that in itself meant that things were slowly regressing to how they used to be. Sure, they and the GCPD had recovered most of the inmates, but Barbara knew there were many still unaccounted for. She only feared what they were plotting right now, left undisturbed in their city.
"You know you two could always take a night off, I've got things covered and it isn't like the city can't take care of itself."
Barbara felt her attention return back to normal as Diane's voice filled her ears. "Thanks, but I think we'll both be ok," she replied smoothly.
Barbara didn't really want to leave Diane alone, defending the city. It wasn't a case of her not being able, it was more concern for her best friend. Also she wouldn't feel right, not being out there. Her nightly activities had become routine. That, and it appeared they had competition as stories had slowly been creeping into the papers of new vigilantes and masked figures popping up here and there. The latest had been some guy over in Starling City. The Green something… Barbara couldn't remember the name, but Diane had an odd fascination with that one in particular.
"You know I still don't truly get it, you and Blake working together. Isn't a bit weird?" Diane asked slowly, leaning back.
Barbara paused, turning to face her friend. "I don't get what you mean. It's no weirder than when everything was happening with Bane."
"I mean," Diane smiled, "that was then. War. Chaos. This is now. You're a couple, in a new Gotham. Things aren't so simple anymore. It isn't life or death."
"Sometimes feels like it - especially if you're talking to my dad."
She took a deep breath and lowered herself back into her seat. The familiar creak of leather was comforting, as was seeing herself back here. Here in this office. In this role, finishing her training and internship.
Even straightening the objects on her desk felt soothing, as if she was slotting the pieces of her life back together one by one.
Her side vibrated. She knew without looking it was her phone and she also had a pretty good idea who it was.
To: Barbara
From: Dad
Good luck today hon. You've got this. I'm so proud :) Celebratory ice cream this weekend? My treat.
Barbara wanted to laugh. Almost twenty two years in and her father hadn't changed a bit - even if he had learned what an emoticon was which was scary in its own right. But it was nice to know some things would never change even in Gotham. Her father and his usual ritual was just one.
She smiled as she replied back immediately with an eager yes to his offer - as long as she got extra sprinkles. It was a special occasion after all. She had just submitted her final ever piece of college work. If that didn't warrant sprinkles then she had no idea what would.
"At least your dad doesn't keep calling you five hundred times a day," Diane lamented, breaking Babs from her stupor.
"You can hardly blame him, Di," she explained. "You were trapped in a war zone for three months. It's not surprising he wants to check up on you. It's actually kind of sweet."
The look Diane shot her said that sweet was definitely not her word of choice. However, they were spared from carrying the discussion any further as they heard it: the clack of expensive heels on the hardwood floor… heading their way.
There could only be one person responsible for a sound like that.
Melanie Hardcastle.
Miss Hardcastle, despite her name, was a kind person and always cheerful whenever they'd seen her in passing. However, as the new D.A. of Gotham City, she was every bit deserving of her name. You only had to look at her case history to see her remarkable streak and enough chatter filled the halls of the courthouse to make her a well known figure.
At 32, she was incredibly young for such a prestigious placement, but she more than earned it, beating several more traditional candidates - which they had not been happy about. A veritable machine, she was at the office long after Barbara left, and always there before she arrived.
She didn't know how she did it. She might have been the only other woman in Gotham, save Diane, who worked as hard as she did and cared as much as she did about the future of their city.
True, they hadn't actually had a chance to talk to the woman but ever since she had marched her way through the centre of the office, her shiny red heels clacking against the hardwood floor, Barbara had almost been in love. Diane's jaw had almost dropped.
She was breath of fresh air in this office, especially after the last D.A. Of course, Weston had been an admirable lawyer and dedicated public servant. He hadn't deserved the fate he'd suffered under Bane, but at least his replacement seemed worthy of the role. At least in Barbara and Diane's eyes.
And she was coming this way.
Diane almost fell out of her chair she sat up so fast, straightening her jacket and brushing a hand through her blond locks. Barbara smirked, even if she did the same.
It was more than likely she was only walking past them both and wouldn't even stop to say-
"Hello, ladies."
Barbara had never been so wrong. She had also never been so stunned before in her life, rising to stand at her desk as she tried to make her mouth move. "Uh, good morning Miss Hardcast- I mean, Melanie."
Thankfully, her boss didn't look disturbed by her flustered intern. Instead, she chuckled as watched both girls spring to attention. Diane had almost hurled herself over her desk she was so panicked to be addressed by the woman herself.
At least she didn't stutter though.
"I'm Diane. Diane Lance," she greeted, extending a hand in welcome. Melanie accepted it with a warm smile before turning her head towards Barbara.
"Which makes you Miss Gordon, I presume?"
Barbara nodded. "That's me."
"I've heard lots of things about you two."
"All bad then?"
Melanie laughed. "That means you're making a hell of a show in the right circles, and that's what I want ladies. Now I'm here we're going to be putting Gotham back on track one case at a time."
"Sounds good to us," Diane beamed eagerly, and it did. "Sorry, Miss Hardcastle-"
"Melanie," she corrected warmly.
"Melanie," Diane continued, eyeing her watch. "I have a meeting with my supervisor about some tweaks to my final essay. I should probably get going.'
"Don't let me keep you," she nodded. "Go. Ace it."
The look in Diane's eyes made it clear she wasn't planning on doing anything less than just that. "Yes, Mam."
She turned, mouthing a clear 'oh my god' that told Barbara she'd be calling for answers later. If only Barbara understood this situation. She was just as lost as she was, especially as Melanie turned her attention solely back to her.
"So, Gordon?" she queried, smiling as she crossed her arms over her neatly pressed suit. "That means you're the commissioner's kid?"
Barbara nodded. "That's me."
"Well, I feel better already knowing I got a Gordon on my team," Melanie smirked, sliding a brown file into her hands. "Now let's see what you're made of and see if we can't prove you've got your old man's fight in you. We can't leave it all for the Bats to manage."
Barbara stared at the file, feeling her heart race at the realisation of what this was. A case. A real case, not just one she had studied or assisted with prep for as a trainee. This one had her name stamped on it, along with Diane beside her. Was this some kind of joke?
"What is this?"
"A test that all the legends I've heard are true," Melanie beamed, gesturing to her office. "Let's take this inside so we can talk."
All Barbara could do was nod silently and drift after her like some kind of lost puppy. In fact, she felt oddly like she'd been called to the principal's office as she made her way across the floor and into the office at the end.
"Please, take a seat." Melanie gestured to the empty chairs positioned opposite her desk, making her own way to the massive leather seat behind it.
Obediently, Barbara sat. She didn't know what else to do she was in such a state of wonder.
Her eyes hastily took in every detail of her idol's inner sanctum. The office was remarkably well organised, but there was personality still visible wherever you turned. It was obvious from the certificates, photos and ornaments scattered about the place. At least it humanised her enough for Barbara to actually breathe and try to focus on making words come out of her mouth rather than gaping like a fish.
"So," Melanie continued, "I'm sure you have questions about the case files but I don't feel it's anything you or Miss Lance can't handle. As I say, I've heard only good things about you two and you have a pretty impressive record academically as well as within these halls."
"But… I haven't officially graduated," Barbara stammered, looking nothing but dumbstruck by the praise. "Neither of us has."
"You will in just over a week or two though, right?"
Barbara nodded dumbly.
"So, if you two start prepping now you'll be more than ready in three weeks time for the first hearing. It's only petty level theft and assualt," Melanie explained, smiling as if it was all so simple. In her mind it probably was. She was one of the top lawyers in the country. Cases like this were things she could tackle in her sleep. Two inexperienced lawyers however? Barbara wasn't entirely sure she was ready after all - despite the woman's apparent faith. "I'll fill Miss Lance in when she returns, but if all goes to plan it'll be your first official case as one of us."
Then it hit her. What Melanie was offering her and Diane. A job. A real god damn job and at the D.A.'s office no less?
Barbara almost wanted to cry. She knew how much this meant, how many people would have killed to secure an offer like this for after they graduated. Even half of those who interned here would never see their name on a desk… but she would. After all these years dreaming about it and here she stood, facing her new reality.
"Thank you."
She hated how choked her voice sounded but it was the only thing she could do not to have an emotional moment. The main floor of the D.A.'s office wasn't really the place for that kind of thing. In a bar, several celebratory cocktails in was more appropriate - and her current plan of action once she told Diane the good news.
"You don't need to thank me, Miss Gordon. You just need to win it."
Barbara smiled as she nodded. "That, I can do. We won't let you down."
"I know you won't. I heard you originally had your sights set on being a cop before you changed course and landed in the legal sector." Her frankly honest tone was surprising as it caught her off guard. God. That plan and subsequent fight felt like a lifetime ago. To think how far she'd come since then was staggering really. "Apparently you have your father's fight."
"In a way," Barbara shrugged modestly, sitting up a little straighter. "It isn't always black and white, a struggle between good and evil. Some of us genuinely just want to make the world a better place, live happy lives. This way I can do both."
"Amen to that."
Then she saw the article pinned on the cork board behind her desk. Maybe she did get it after all. There wasn't just two sides here.
Barbara tried not to laugh at the clipping pinned to the wall, a grainy image of Batgirl she hadn't even realised had been taken. At least they'd got her good side. The same couldn't be said for Diane, unfortunately, who's photo beside her looked far less flattering. Wait till she saw it.
"You like the bats?"
Melanie paused, a smirk in place as she leant back in her seat. "I think it was about time somebody showed this city what courage looked like, and they make our caseload easier. And I'm never one to rain on some good old fashioned girl power."
"Most lawyers and public officials wouldn't agree with that."
Melaine smirked, shrugging. "I tend to find most people disagree with me. I'm a Latin American woman in power. I've learned not to care what other people think, Barbara and whilst I may not agree with their reckless methods, the Bats and the Canary have given more to this city than half the people who fill these offices and City Hall."
Barbara sniggered under her breath. It was nice to know she had such a good reputation amongst some members of the legal system. Who knew she had such an impressive fanbase?
"I can't help but agree."
"Good," Melanie nodded, looking relieved by her answer as she sat back up straight. "They inspire me, remind me to never stop pushing boundaries. After all, one day I hope to make sure they need no longer exist by making it so that the law is just as effective and strong enough to defend the justice and the innocent in this city."
"I hope for that too," Barbara whispered softly.
"Well, if you keep going the way you're going Miss Gordon it won't be long. You'll be out here in the jungle with me and your father making the world a better place."
She'd never wanted anything more in her entire life. "I can't wait."
The self defence and Judo classes felt mundane in comparison to their nightly activities, but there was no harm in mastering the basics. Besides, for something that was supposed to be a hobby, a lot of the people there took it very seriously.
Sparring rounds almost always got out of hand. Apparently the people of Gotham, whether they be young adults living alone, or soccer Moms with families to care for, or just your everyday person, there was a lot of anger. So much so it got around, infecting the city in every single nook and cranny of life.
Everyone had suffered under Bane. Everyone had watched as their lives disappeared. Everyone had been left helpless and afraid, uncertain of their futures or how to protect them. But not anymore. No. The people were finally awake and they wanted to greet the new world on their own terms.
Barbara felt relieved sitting on the bench in the corner of the room, watching as the small huddle of classmates took their turns to spar with one another. At that moment, she smiled as she watched one petite woman named Clare successfully tackle a man twice her size to the ground. The applause was instant as the next participant strode up to the mats to take their turn.
Class had technically finished ten minutes ago but most weeks people stayed behind to get some more practise in. But not her. No, Barbara had somewhere else to be.
She swiped her bag from the bench, wiping her face with the edge of the towel and downing the last of her water bottle. A glance at her wrist told her John was probably outside, finished and on his way back from work for the day.
A brief glance at her phone confirmed as much. The man had never been late once in the whole time she'd known him and the awaiting text only confirmed it yet again. He was as reliable as clockwork.
Barbara chuckled, stepping out into the night air and into his open arms. She pressed a hasty kiss to his cheek, ducking away as he tried to steal another.
"No," she giggled, "I'm all sweaty."
"I like you like that," John murmured softly, smirking as she surrendered to his passionate kiss. For a moment the sidewalk simply melted away as did the other people on it. However, a speeding car driving through a nearby puddle was enough to shatter them both out of the moment, as was the door opening behind them.
Before either of them could even react, what appeared to be a significant portion of the self defence class began to hurry past. Barbara coughed awkwardly, trying and failing not to blush as she heard her fellow classmates heckling the rather passionate scene. Part of her wanted the ground to swallow her whole, another part wanted to carry on snogging John against the hood of the car to wipe the stupid grins off their faces.
It was hard to choose which was the better option. Thankfully, she was spared the choice.
"Does Di need a lift?"
"No," Barbara smiled, grateful for John's timely distraction. She watched as he hurried back around to the driver's side, unlocking the vehicle as he did. "She's showering here and getting drinks with some old friends from school, but she knew you'd offer and said to say thanks."
"That's fine. How was work?"
"I could ask you the same question," she smirked, opening the door and tossing her bag onto the back seat.
"Same old, same old," he smiled, waiting for her to strap herself in before he started the engine. It was then he also gestured to the duffel bag wedged between their seats, the contents of which was obvious to see.
Barbara would know that yellow emblem, shining up at her, anywhere.
The invitation was obvious.
"You up for one more workout?"
Barbara grinned. "You bet, partner."
"Then let's go."
Six hours… it had been six hours ago that Barbara had left the judo studio and replaced her gym gear for her Batgirl gear. The steady ache in all her muscles also made her aware of the fact. God. She was ready for bed. Pronto.
Barbara slid the leather jacket off her shoulders and tossed it lazily over the back of the sofa. She reached down and eased the leather boots off her aching feet, throwing them back beside the front door. Feeling the carpet squished between her newly freed toes she sighed. "Home sweet home."
John shook his head, looking over his shoulder at Barbara, agreeing whole heartedly with the statement. It was good to be back. Particularly after the long night they'd had. Things in Gotham had been awful quiet lately, but what with their work lives, they seemed to be exhausted. At least they were home now, in their home.
The apartment wasn't the largest of spaces. It had been the fifth one Barbara and John had seen. Yet somehow, it seemed right. It seemed theirs already.
It was a two bedroom apartment, with all the usual perks: living room, kitchen, bathroom. Not only that, but the inside was pretty cool. It was light and airy with large windows positioned everywhere, filling the warm wooden interior with sunlight. It also gave a great view of Gotham, with Wayne tower in the skyline; even from here Bruce was watching over them.
One of the greatest things about it though was its great central location - very handy for travelling around, both during the day and night. (Also there was the small fact that they could actually afford it). Yes she, Barbara Gordon the attorney in training, and John Blake the part time private detective could afford the place between them. It was like a little miracle.
Now having brought the place, they just needed to actually finish moving in. John had already brought his stuff over, along with his furniture. One benefit of having a boyfriend who had already previously owned an apartment was the fact furniture wasn't an issue. Barbara had moved a large majority of her possessions over, yet there was still some work to be done. Meaning, that currently the apartment seemed a little bare.
"I meant to say earlier, nice job tonight," Barbara continued, slowly sauntering across the wooden flooring towards the kitchen. She needed a drink. All she wanted was to crawl into bed and sleep as long as she could till work began in... Crap, 5 hours. She gazed at the wall clock with despair. Time and tide waited for no bat.
Tonight hadn't been particularly tiring. Just the usual drug deals, muggers and dumb thugs trying their luck. Still, she enjoyed it. Her and John. They made a great team.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
John smirked, following after Barbara and leaning against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest, watching as she opened the fridge door, illuminating the kitchen in the harsh chemical light. She leant forward, feeling the cold air raise the hairs on the back of her hands.
"You weren't so bad yourself," John teased flirtatiously, sneaking towards her. "I saw you taking down that guy. He was what-? Easily three times your size."
Barbara laughed, emerging from the fridge and turning round to face him, two bottles of beer in her hands. "Oh, thanks," she scoffed, handing him one, the condensation already trickling between her fingers. John took it gratefully, placing a kiss on her cheek as he pushed the fridge door shut.
"I'm just saying."
"Great. Glad to know I've got your approval."
She reached to the drawer, removing a bottle opener that sat on top of the cutlery and prying the top off her bottle. She handed it to John and let him do the same.
They then stood for a moment in silence, both taking slow sips of the refreshing beverage. It gave Barbara the perfect opportunity to let her eyes wander, savouring every inch of the view in front of her. Not many women would consider themselves as lucky as Barbara Gordon felt. He completed her in ways she hadn't even known existed, and now that he was in her life, Barbara could never imagine it without him.
Who else could she share moments like this with? Standing in the darkened kitchen, in the early hours of the morning, grinning like teenagers sneaking in from some kind of party.
"And congrats again, on your job. I can't believe you chose patrol over celebrating."
Barbara couldn't help but laugh at John's disbelieving expression. If he'd congratulated her once, he'd done it thirty times that evening since she'd told him in the car. He'd also been overly affectionate, spinning her around in victorious embraces.
It was nice to have someone as giddy about her good fortune as she was. She could only imagine what her dad would say when she told him tomorrow.
"Hey, I like being on patrol," she protested. "That was a celebration for me."
"Come on," John scoffed.
"What?"
"Celebrations should include champagne and dancing and confetti."
"It's a job, not a parade, John," she teased, helpless as he wandered close enough towards her that she was effectively trapped against the kitchen counter. "Besides, do you know what I really fancy right now?"
"What?"
"A drink, shower, Ben and Jerry's, and a Queer Eye marathon," Barbara purred, leaning close enough that her lips lingered by his ear.
John moaned as if that was the dirtiest thing he'd ever heard. He even reached for her, but was too slow as she stealthily dodged past him and down the hall way with a satisfied laugh. "Oh god yes - though if you recommend I start French tucking my shirts one more time you've got another thing coming!"
"Race you!"