Chapter 5

I walked out of the Batcave leaving Bruce and Kat to watch my retreating form. Everything that had just taken place in those few short moments was taking its toll on me and I needed to think. I went to the balcony that was attached to one of the large rooms. Staring out over the vastness of the city I let my mind wonder. I had always toyed with the idea of a Batgirl or Robyn in my mind but nothing ever came of it. I was Batman, the Dark Knight and I worked alone. I knew that Bruce had had side kicks but just like in the beginning he always ended up alone. Now, without any warning, Kat just entered into my life and now I was going to have to share the dark with her if I wanted to survive the day. Refusing to let her help would ultimately get me absolutely no where so I would have to be angry in silent. I didn't even turn around when I heard the footsteps behind me because I knew exactly who it was.

"Hey, Partner." Kat said cheerfully, standing beside me. I cringed at the word.

"Right."

Noticing my lack of enthusiasm Kat moved my arm so that I had to face her. "What's your problem, Terry?" Her gray eyes looked like two orbs of stone in the darkness and I had to look away.

"I work alone Kat. You may be Batgirl but that doesn't mean you're my partner." I said flatly. As soon as the words left my mouth I regretted them because Kat boiled up in anger.

"Look if you don't want me here just say it ok. I'm not going to wait around for your approval."

"I think I'd be better off alone but it doesn't matter what I think, does it because Bruce thinks you would be 'beneficial'." She stared straight into my eyes and then backed away.

"You know, it's a wonder you can fit your ego into that suit." She spat at me. I turned my attention back to the city and tried to ignore her presence but it was hard because the tension was choking me. I wanted to get away from her but my body refused to move instead I faced her once again.

"What do you want from me, Kat?" I said wearily. She didn't speak for a second.

"I want you to grow up." She flounced past me and went to the balcony entrance. Then she stopped and narrowed her eyes. "And you can tell your friends Batgirl told you that."

Terry's bad attitude seemed to put a damper on my spirits but not for long. Now, instead of spending my days reading, I spent my days re-training my body to be the fighting machine that it had been before. Bruce instructed me through simulators everyday and in the use of the many gadgets that I need to utilize. The Batgirl suit was schway and I fit right into it as if it were my second skin. At night I went through files on some of the criminals that Gotham had dealt with since Bruce was Batman so I could get background information on how to handle them. Terry stopped by to do his usual patrolling but the icy silence that sat between us was so uncomfortable that most of the time I had to leave. Bruce explained to me that I wouldn't be fighting all the time, only when Terry needed back up. I was perfectly alright with this even though I wished I could get some action. In the meantime Bruce, with his connections, had managed to clear my name and I could walk the streets as a free woman, almost. Crime Lord and his gang were still after me but with a little disguising I would be pretty much okay. I had decided today to go to the mall and buy a new outfit to celebrate beating Terry's time on the simulator, although I knew when he found out the silence would be more unbearable. The whole situation with Terry was becoming ridiculous and I was growing more and more tired of his sneers. When he did talk to me the words were short and curt. He no longer asked for training help though I had a lot of new tips I would be glad to share with him. It was as if he thought ignoring me would make me go away or drive me away, I was sure that either one would work to his satisfaction. Walking through the mall, I was so engrossed in the dilemma that I almost ran right into Dana and Max.

"Kat!" Max cried in surprise.

"Hi, Max. Hi, Dana." I said like it was normal to see them in the mall after disappearing off the face of the earth.

"Where have you been? No one at school has seen you?"

"I…uh…had a family situation and Bruce Wayne was so kind to let me stay with him as an act of benevolence." I breathed out the practiced lines and waited for them to accept it.

Dana's look became annoyed and I wondered what the deal was. "You are staying with Bruce Wayne?"

"Actually now I sort of work for him too." I added but that just seemed to make her even more annoyed.

"Do you see a lot of Terry?" She asked suspiciously.

"More than I would like," I mumbled and then more loudly added. "Yeah, Terry and I are…colleagues."

"That's funny, he never mentioned you. Colleagues…right," Dana said sarcastically. "Look if you try anything with Terry I'll-
Max grabbed Dana's arm and began to drag her away. "Sorry, we have to talk and run so soon but Dana has a…uh…hair appointment. So we'll see you later!"

The two friends walked away in a flurry of black and pink hair. The encounter with Dana had made me loose my appetite for clothing at the moment but I remembered that I had to buy at least one nice dress. Bruce had been invited to another charity dinner that night, this time both Terry and I were invited. I walked into Juniper and bought a simple strapless short red dress, I was feeling daring so I bought three inch high heels to go along with it. After my shopping venture I returned to Wayne Mansion in enough time to get dressed, do my hair etc. before the limo would be ready to take us to the dinner. While giving myself the one more inspection in the oversized mirror in my room, I heard Mr. Wayne call down from below. I grabbed my purse from off of the vanity and skipped down the steps. Instead of being greeted by Bruce I was faced with the sight of Terry's tuxedo-clad back. At the sound of my decent down the stairs he turned around.

"Whoa…" He said boldly appraising me while I stood on the bottom step.

"What?" I asked him. I was a little peeved that the first time he says anything to me in weeks is when I walk down the stairs in a hot dress. He shook his head as if to clear it from whatever thoughts were running through his mind at the moment and walked towards the front door.

"Bruce is waiting in the car."

I stuck my tongue out at his turned back and followed behind him to the car.

I sat next to Bruce and as far away from Kat as possible. It was hard enough trying to ignore her in the first place but she just had to wear that dress. I kept reminding myself that behind the make up and nice hair there was a threat and those long beautiful legs could kick the brains out of someone if she wanted. I couldn't find a place to focus my eyes because no matter where I tried to keep them they always wondered right back to Kat, so I directed them out the window. The night was dark but it was peaceful and I was looking forward to a normal night even if it did include her.

"What's this charity again, Bruce?" Kat asked Wayne who had been silent for most of the ride.

"Sidwell House. It's an organization that helps provide life saving medical care for those who cannot afford it, mostly children." He answered and fell quiet again until we reached the banquet hall. A nice looking women was waiting for us at the front entrance.

"Mr. Wayne!" She said running to take his arm and assist him up to the building. I fell instep behind him next to Kat. "We are so glad that you could make it. Your contributions over the years have meant a lot to us. Without your support I doubt we could continue."

"The pleasure is mine, Cynthia. You've met Terry and this is Kathryn Williams, she's another assistant of mine. " Bruce said simply as he allowed himself to be led. The hall was packed with people and when Bruce entered they all started clapping. He gave a quick bow and then proceeded to take his place at the table of honor. I was seated, of all places, right next to Kat and with some other older looking people who talked about the price of fuel for at least an hour. Between the silence between Kat and I and the monotous voices of the others at the table I began to doze off. I was half way into dream world when a scream and a crash caught my attention. Kat was already up and I joined her.

"What's going on?" I asked but the question was answered for me. Out of the shadows came a whole group of men in black suits, each holding a gun in front of them.

"Oh Sh-…" I began.

"It looks like we better get started. What do you think?" Kat said from beside me while staring at all the armed men around. People ran and screamed in chaos all around.

"Sure. Why not. The conversation wasn't to great over here anyway." We both ran and slipped into our costumes that we each had brought along, just in case.

"Showtime." Kat said as she began taking out some of the armed men. We fought side by said and I was momentarily greatful to have help. I noticed while she was fighting how good she was and how nicely the batgirl suit looked on her, it was almost as if it was made especially for her. The chaos continued all around and soon all you could hear was the screaming and bullets speeding past. Kat and I both concentrated our efforts on taking out the men and saving those around us who might be in the line of fire. I kicked over a flower decked table onto two of them and hit the other over the head with a vase that I recovered from another. I scanned the room for Bruce and I saw him heading towards the door. He gave me a quick sign that meant he was leaving and I was glad because then I could have some information on the batlink. Another set of men decided to jump me and I attempted to knock them off, I succeeded and they fell to the floor.

"Batman!" I head Kat yell as she ran over to me. I turned in just enough time to see one of them get up and aim the gun at my back. Kat threw her batarang, knocking the gun out and then effectively knocked him out as well. The fighting continued for a couple minutes more and then ended when the last man had been taken down. They all scrambled in different directions trying to escape, I wanted to follow them but I had put tracers on some of the ones I had fought. Kat and I flew back to the batcave as fast as we could. Bruce was there trying to figure out who the intruders had been but was hitting dead ends so I went up on the balcony to take a breather. Kat leaned against the railing, staring out at the city.

"Kat?" I said hoping that she wouldn't blow me off completely although I deserved it. She turned, acknowledged that I was there with her eyes and then faced the sky again.

"I guess I just wanted to say thank you. So…thanks." I opened the balcony door to leave but she stopped me.

"You know Terry, All I really wanted was for you to accept me but instead you acted like a selfish jerk." She said with an edge of anger in her voice. I walked back over to her keeping my eyes down.

"I know. You're right. To me you were just a threat. I didn't think you'd be any help but tonight proved me wrong." I looked into her eyes. "If you hadn't warned me that guy would have put a whole through me. I realized that maybe…I do need you."

She stared at me in skepticism for a second and I didn't blame her. Hours before I hadn't been speaking to her but now here I was apologizing. Her skepticism changed slowly and her expression was almost happy but smugly satisfied.

"It took you that long to see that or was it the dress?" Kat said snidely. I laughed nervously and averted my attention from any thoughts of Kat as more than my partner.

"Uh…well…it was…." I started.

"Save it, McGinnis. It was the dress but I don't blame you…it was hot." With that she sauntered away and left me standing there wondering if maybe it wasn't the dress, maybe it was Kat herself.