Author: Danja
Disclaimer: Birds of Prey, its characters, and concepts are the property of Warner Brothers, Tollin-Robbins Productions & DC Comics.
Author's Note: Set after "Sins Of The Mother"; this story expands upon a theme that I first introduced in my earlier story, "Wonderland" (I suggest reading that one before reading this one).
Hard Day
Dinah paced restlessly like a caged animal in front of the Clocktower's massive clockface (Her face contorting with a mixture of rage and grief, she gesticulated wildly and squeezed her temples). At turns, she alternated between pacing and sitting down on the ledge in front of the clockface.
Inside the Clocktower Com Center, Helena and Barbara silently monitored Dinah's behavior through the closed-circuit security cameras that were placed above and to either side of the ledge.
"I should go out there," said Barbara, breaking the silence. "I'm beginning to worry … she's been at this for over an hour now."
"You don't think that … she's gonna do something stupid now, do you?" said Helena.
"I don't know," Barbara replied quietly. "In her state of mind right now, that's not an outside possibility."
"I'll go talk to her," said Helena. Before Barbara could reply, Helena turned on one heel and headed towards the outside door.
Helena opened the outside door and found Dinah sitting on the ground, holding her knees against her chest, and staring at the lights of New Gotham City below.
"Hi," said Helena with a shy wave.
Dinah -- oblivious to Helena's presence -- continued to stare off into space.
Helena sat down on the ledge next to Dinah. "What's going on?" Helena continued. "It pains us to see you like this."
Dinah glanced at Helena, turned her head away, and then cast her eyes downwards towards her feet. After what seemed like an eternity, Dinah broke the silence. "Ever have your heart ripped out of your chest?" she asked.
"Yes," replied Helena quietly.
"It's over," said Dinah solemnly.
"What's over?"
"What's the point of going on? My mother … my family … is dead."
"She's not dead…"
"BULL!" Dinah ejaculated, glaring angrily at Helena. "You saw her die in that fire just as surely as I did!"
"That's not what I meant."
"Then what DO you mean?"
"If she's anything like MY mother," said Helena quietly. "Even though her body may be dead, her SPIRIT lives within you … and around you. She's in the air you breathe."
"You really believe that?" asked Dinah incredulously.
"Dinah, look at me," said Helena gravely. She cupped Dinah's chin and turned her head around to face her own. "I don't need to believe it … I've SEEN it."
"You're kidding…"
Helena shook her head … No. "My mother appeared to me," she said. "She's spoken to me … and I've spoken to her."
Dinah gaped at Helena in astonishment, her eyes becoming as big as saucers. "Really?" she exclaimed.
Helena nodded … Really. "Your mother's with you … watching over you," said Helena quietly.
Dinah and Helena each sat in silence for the longest time, staring out over the lights of New Gotham City that lay below them. It was then that Dinah got on one knee, turned towards Helena, and embraced her tightly.
"Thank you," whispered Dinah into Helena's ear as she put her head on Helena's shoulder.
Helena returned Dinah's embrace. "It's gonna be OK, kid," said Helena quietly. "It's gonna be OK."
END