The Phoenix Behind The Truth
By: Catwoman
Disclaimer: I don't own the BOP actors, writers, or set (since they took it off). But If I did this is what it would be like! ^.^
Warning: This is a hardcore BOP fanfic! With actual facts from the comics and show to combine together and bring peace to between BOP comic lovers and BOP show lovers. Enjoy! Genuine Series
Readers Note: This is has been a year since Helena and Reese have been working together. I've been working on this since Lady Shiva and studying comic and show characters to level out the confusion of the show. It's after Reunion and Helena did not tell Reese her name. Then she, Barbara, and Dinah succeed in taking Harley out of NG. There's no such thing as "Feat Of Clay" and "Devil's Eye".
Special Thanks: To my twin sis, Maria for pointing out the obvious. To John Stinizi (I know I'm spelling your last name wrong but you know it's you) for convincing me to take on the character of Bruce Wayne. To Trace Messmore for role-playing as Bruce (what? You guys think I actually know this guy?). Last but not Least, Shadow Walker for peer editing my work. Thanks A Bunch Huns! And too my fans ^.^!
Summary: Trust is a hard thing to piece back together once it's broken. When one detailed is left out of a truth it is automatically lie, it cannot be toyed with. No matter how hard we try, the past always comes back to haunt us. And when you think you know someone they show you the real them in the strangest ways. How can the birds combat these errors? Run or stick in for the fight? These are the Birds of Prey!
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Chapter1
When
The Truth Emerges
If you understand or if you don't
If you believe or if you doubt
There's a universal justice
And the eyes of truth
Are always watching you
~~Enigma
Staring at the green-pigmented screen in her dark oval office, it was the only time Barbara Gordon felt close to being herself. Even when the cross fire between good and evil takes place in this murky space, it was still her favorite place to be within the clocktower.
Concentrating on the next monitoring device, Babs mind lost focus when she heard the Delphi monitor sirens go off. She was alone; Helena was working in the bar until the afternoon, while Dinah was taking Saturday morning classes to catch up on algebra. Gliding on her wheel chair towards the main computer, Barbara could already see from a far the words "INTRUDER ALERT" on the monitor. Her heart raced as she began to realize that someone had found the secret elevator that lead to the clocktower. She began typing on the keyboard and searched for the numbers that were punched in so that the elevator could work. The code was only entered once and they looked familiar. She heard from a distance the elevator coming up. She frantically wheeled herself to the clocktower's central power drive and shut the elevator's main system down. The sound of the elevator's energy releasing, echoed throughout the level.
Knowing that the elevator wasn't going anywhere, she proceeded to check the code again. There were only two valid codes for the elevator, and she them knew both. Not Helena, Dinah, nor Alfred had that code. It wasn't that she couldn't trust them, it's was more for security, incase anything went wrong.
Barbara compared the numbers and couldn't believe her eyes. For a moment she thought it was some sick joke or maybe she had looked at the wrong code. The only two people who had that number was herself and Bruce Wayne.
She'd always wished this day would never come, when Batman would be waiting on the other side to enter, when the truth would emerge.
Before the red haired women's thoughts could get the best of her, she heard the elevator rattle a bit. She turned on the camera inside the elevator reveling Helena's father almost hopping, shaking the elevator. Everything in his appearance looked like the same old bat, but she knew looks could be deceiving.
As if by instinct the dark haired ally look at the camera. His eyes fixed on what didn't seem to be in the lens, but more into her soul, "Barbara it's me, it's Bruce."
Barbara blinked a couple of times at his testimony. Could this really be the day? When the secret is out? And what about what the demons of her dreams spoke about, when they would awake and shout out the words "sooner or later"?
"Barbara I know it's you. Open up… I'm ready," his words pulled her out of the plaguing memories.
She knew it was him on the other side, no one would answer the door like that and not know about their past. But she knew letting him in would be a big step, bigger than walking.
Thinking things through, she gave power back to the elevator and glided over to entrance. Despite whatever remorse Helena had towards her father, at this point she had no choice but to let him in. He was probably in need of help, and though he had been absent for eight years, she would like to have been the one to welcome him with open arms.
The elevator doors opened and she felt the weight on her shoulders get heavier and heavier; it was like the longest time in the universe. The one thing she didn't want to look at was his face, but like a moth to a flame it was the first thing she saw. Not much had changed in his physical features; even his presence was recognizable to her memory, when she fought along side him as Batgirl.
"Long time no see Barbara, how long has it been? It feels like ages," Bruce gave a little grin.
~ ~ *** ~ ~
Algebra, the teenage brain's worst enemy. There were better things Dinah would rather do on a Saturday morning then be in school, like go shopping or maybe even sleep a little longer. But Barbara was very serious when it came to education, especially since she worked in New Gotham High. Dinah looked outside of her classroom window, jealous of the trees that were free outside catching the warmth of the sunlight. But looking at them made her feel even more discouraged that the day would never end, so she turned her attention back to what her teacher was writing on the board.
"Today we have a couple of senior's here that will help you all with math for the next six weeks. Some of them are doing this for community service and others out of their own free will, so please bear with them. I've hung the results on the board. I suggest you start now so you can leave early," the instructor recommended.
Being a typical teenage girl, she wanted to be paired up with the cutest boy in twelfth grade, Mark Evans. But she didn't need psychic abilities to know that it would be a one in a million chance, girls like her just don't get that kind of break. Looking a the list of faith with hope, it shot straight down to disappointment when she saw her partner was Shawn Sanders, the most arrogant person she knew. She'd always wondered, with the intellectual status he has, wouldn't he have learned how to be humble?
Shawn sat at table nine. He coldly stared directly at her with his confident blue iris. His brown hair at medium length waved lightly over his head, think Rider Strong. The young blonde haired girl wasn't surprised since he'd always come to his classes early to get the information. Dinah lifted her head with confidence and sat next to him, "Hi, my name is-"
"Dinah, yes, I know your name," he interrupted her.
And the ego parade begins, she thought.
"So what do you need help with?"
"Algebra."
Shawn cocked his eyebrow, "Algebra! That is so easy! Only someone that is really slow cannot understand algebra."
Being a superhero with Barbara and Helena had really taught her patience. Before reacting to his rude comment she looked at his facial expression for any signs of regret, but he kept a straight face as he opened his math book to the lesson on algebra. Dinah couldn't just brush it off. She was tired of him bullying people around, this time she was going to fight back, "Well hello! Isn't that why you're here? To help me!"
Shawn just ignored her. His expression stayed neutral. Looking up from his textbook he smiled at her.
Dinah was confused as ever, what could he be smiling about?
He began to clap, "Good one Blondie, no let's turn to page ninety-three and get some work done."
Dinah didn't bother with this boy anymore. Judging by the first five minutes she knew it was going to be a long tiring day.
~ ~ *** ~ ~
Oh great, another one of these drunk men spilled their own drinks on the counter, Helena thought. One of the disadvantages with living in an apartment above a bar was that she wasn't only the bartender but the clean-up committee too. In her lifetime she's never seen a clean drunk, and it's kind of pathetic that people would come to a bar at this time of the day, on a Saturday morning as a matter of fact. This wasn't the kind of job she'd dreamed of having, but the parts for her gadgets weren't free.
Dabbing a rag on the counter where the drink was spilled, a male hand was placed on hers. Well this segment is very played out, so many guys would hit on her. Of course many women would be flattered to have millions of men to choose from, but Helena wasn't an easy girl. In fact men were the last things she thought about, except for... she stopped the idea from crossing her mind.
She looked up to see was what loser was holding her hand, "Get off of me."
He didn't look half bad; in fact he was kind of cute. She decided to play around a little. Helena pulled her hand back, "Well?"
"Yeah… can I a martini for my girl?"
"Yeah, sure," she turned around. I can't believe it! This pervert has a girl!
Mixing the Gin and a splash of vermouth she thought, I hope his girl didn't see that. If it were me I would have killed him! She then shook it over ice and poured out into a glass with an olive.
Helena slid the martini over to him and tried to get away but he called her, "So do you accept this drink?"
She stared at him, "Um… I don't think your lady would appreciate that," she teased.
He came closer to her, "Now come on don't play dumb with me. You look smarter than that."
Wow. He's very precise, she thought. Looking down at the counter she smiled.
"Should I give this to some one else?"
Before she could answer him Barbara called out into her ear from the communicator, "Yes he should give it to some one else."
Helena answered back not remembering that Barbara was home. After all these years she still hadn't gotten the hang of not answering back, especially around civilians, "Would you back off. I can handle this."
She looked at him, Oh please don't let him ask that question!
He gave her a blank look, "Who are you talking to?"
"Um… I'll be right back," Helena quickly walked into the bathroom, "Oh come on Barbara! Not even Dinah has this problem at school, and you work there!"
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it, anyways… you need to come here right away."
"No, no, no. You don't make me look like a fool out there and expect me to just leave! What is it this time? A serial killer made out of cereal?"
"Actually it's not. Some one is here to see you."
"Who?"
"Uh… it's a surprise."
Helena could feel the tension in Barbara's voice when she answered that question, but didn't bother to play the guessing game, "You know what I'll get there when I get there! Huntress out!" She turned off the communicator.
~ ~ *** ~ ~
Barbara couldn't fully comprehend the reality of batman's presence in the clocktower until Alfred, his former butler, welcomed him with open arms. He had only been in the clocktower for the past hour, it felt like another one of the flashbacks she use to have of him. It was a surreal moment when she showed him all of the gadgets she made, and the latest computers she used to get information. Barbara had made many accomplishments in the past eight years, but she knew she could never match Bruce.
Though the red haired woman felt ecstatic with Bruce's presence she knew that Helena's feelings wouldn't be mutual. The last time they spoke Helena was young and her heart was full of hate. Even though eight years have passed by, till this day Helena still hasn't considered her father as a hero, much less a role model. But in time Helena would learn why her father left, and hopefully it would be today, if she shows up anytime soon.
In the kitchen, Barbara prepared some coffee for Bruce while he sat on the couch catching up on the good old days with Alfred. When she was done she handed Bruce and Alfred their drinks.
"Isn't that your job Alfred?" Bruce teased.
"Oh, no that's fine. I didn't want to interfere with your conversation," Barbara assured.
"It's ok Barbara. I best be leaving now. The clothes don't fold themselves," Alfred faced Bruce, "It was a pleasure speaking with you again, Master Bruce."
There was a dead silence between the two of them. Silence that always drove Barbara crazy. She wanted to break it, but what could she say? All she could do was look at Bruce then at the door. She had mixed feelings towards Helena's arrival. At the same time she wanted her to see her father again, but also knew Helena wasn't going to become all buddy, buddy with him in an instant.
"So…" Bruce's response echoed through the room.
"Yeah, so…" she repeated.
"Do you, Helena, and Alfred only live here?"
"Actually Helena has her own apartment, and there's one more girl that lives with us. Dinah, Black Canary's daughter."
"Black Canary's daughter? How is she?"
Barbara always felt bad when she had to play the barer of bad news, "She's no longer here with us… she's um… is dead."
"Oh, how?"
"Hawk's youngest son killed her in a big explosion."
"How did Dinah take it?"
"She took it like any sixteen year old would take it. Cried until she wanted revenge-"
"Which reminds me… How's Helena?"
Barbara froze for a moment; she didn't know where to start. Where could she begin in telling the life of Helena Kyle, "She's a… um, a great fighter."
"So she kept on with the family business," he chuckled a bit.
"I gave her a little push, but um… yeah she did," her words tumbled out one after another. It was so uncomfortable talking to him. It felt as if she was speaking to a ghost or something.
"Barbara, you always knew how to preach the legacy of Superheroes."
"Hey! I don't preach I just convince people, that's all."
He raised an eyebrow, "You preach."
They began to laugh. Even though they still had memories to laugh about, Barbara had a little suspicious feeling towards him, there was so much more he wasn't telling her.
Barbara's heart skipped a beat when she heard the door open. Bruce quickly stood up like any polite gentlemen would when a person enters the room; he still had some of his gentlemen qualities in him. She was relieved to see it was only Dinah who entered.
Dinah came in not acknowledging Bruce's presence while she looked into her handbag, "Hey Barbara. Schools was so crappy, there's this guy name-" she looked up and saw a strange man standing in front of her. "Oh, sorry. My name is-"
"Dinah?"
"Wow. There's just no mystery left in me now is there?"
He turned around and looked at Barbara in the eye, "I don't have time for this."
Dinah looked at him up and down, who in the world is this guy? She looked beyond his shoulder and at Barbara, "Barbara who is this guy?"
Barbara felt like the monkey in the middle, not only was Helena not getting along with Bruce, but now Dinah wasn't so fond of him either, "Dinah meet Bruce Wayne."
It took a while for Dinah to comprehend Barbara's words, "Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne… Wait a minute, Helena's Bruce Wayne? As in millionaire Wayne?"
"Billionaire Wayne to be exact," Alfred corrected coming in from the kitchen.
"Your Batman?" Dinah quickly faced the woman on the wheel chair, "Oh God! Does Helena know about this?"
Barbara was inaudible. She had nothing to say to her. Her expression was like a diary, open for everyone to see.
"When Helena finds out she's gonna kick your-"
"Dinah, she's coming. I haven't told her everything but she'll find out when she comes."
"Well then I don't want to be here when she comes. I'm going into my room and I'm going try to solve something in my life that isn't as complicated as this situation, like algebra. I'll talk to you later about the boy," she faced Bruce, "It was nice talking to you Mr. Wayne."
"Like wise," Bruce responded.
"Bruce would you excuse me? I have to go and speak to Dinah for just one second," Barbara went into the kitchen. "Dinah can we talk for just a second?"
Dinah could already feel a lecture coming on. So many times when teenagers get lectured by their parents, and guardians they knew it's best to just let them get out what they needed to say and move on. She opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water to drink, "Shoot."
The door opened. Barbara and Dinah stared at each other wide eyed.
"So where's this visitor?" They heard Helena call out.
"Hi Helena," they heard Bruce say calmly.
To Be Continued…
