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!

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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                                                              Chapter 5

                                                               Precious Illusions

In day to day, there are things that we see
Living inside the outside that we call life
Life is an Illusion
Understating everything that we believe in
Something that we think is there, but really isn't
It's not there for one reason
Only because of another's treason
No one seems to figure out why it's there
Surprising us from day to day

~~WildFlame03

The moon's luminosity casts the world from the Heavens. Stars twinkled like diamonds being struck by other diamonds. Darkness overwhelmed the surface to the earth. The night was cold, with bone chilling winds. All was quite, but not peaceful. In a never-ending field Helena ran for her life. Something was hunting the Huntress, something stalwart, something bloodcurdling, and it had no mercy.

Helena stopped running for a while and crouched down taking deep breaths. She's been running for about two miles now and knows she's nowhere near finished.

I gotta keep going, she commanded but couldn't move. Her body was exhausted and ready to give up. Helena looked up and saw a mansion older than the ground she stood on. The moonlight shone above the secluded structure exposing its features. Gray, brittle, and vines covering every corner, she was surprised it was still standing.

An eerie screech echoed from afar. It was the creature in her nightmare calling out, stating it was approaching. In quick reflexes, she stood up firmly but dieing inside. She saw the monster's shadow in the moon and knew she had no choice but to enter the forbidden abode. Helena stood by the door not sure whether to enter or not. She heard shriek once more and entered the mansion closing the door behind her.

She faced the entrance holding it incase the monster wanted to break down the door. Huntress closed her eyes breathing in deep and cautiously. The door began to rattle. Helena jerked away in the contact and turned around. The environment morphed faster than her heartbeat. Helena was outside in New Gotham where she last fought Batman.

The building still on fire, she heard police cars from a distance. Helena examined the atmosphere; it was just after he was going to shoot her. The female vigilantly walked over to the hole he threw her in. She traced her fingers around it and curled it to a fist remembering how he pointed the gun at her. Helena's eyes morphed to Meta, something was behind her, waiting, longing. She swiftly turned around. Batman returned.

That imposter, walking around in her father's attire only making life worse for so many people. Helena stood her ground, "Who are you?"

He didn't say anything.

She looked at him in the eyes, "Tell me why you are doing this!"

He walked over to her and stood only a breath away. Helena tried to hit him but she couldn't move. It was as if he was controlling her. He placed a hand on the small of her back and pulled her closer to him.

Helena cringed at his touch. His piercing green eyes glared into her soul. Huntress felt the imposter's aura sinking into an abyss of fortune. The only words she's heard out his mouth was bang. They would haunt her for the rest of her life. But what did he want? Why was he doing this? She thought aloud.

"Shh," he put a finger on her lip and in his softest voice he spoke, "You think too much. Relax, you will live longer." He grabbed Helena's hand and held it up with his. Hands and arm a lined Batman made his first move and tapped the small of her back.

A force drew outward and she jerk in the effect. Huntress' skin crawled and felt warm. The fraudster had tapped the tattoo of a phoenix she had on her back. The bird in flames soared out of her back and traced her whole body around. Starting at the feet it circled around as if searching for something. It's blaze blended with her skin.

Helena stood in an immoveable position staring at Batman. What is he doing to me?

The inferno bird's face swiftly came in front of her looking into her dilating blue eyes. The phoenix's eyes where of a crimson red, it looked weary, and in need of sleep. It shifted its head and let out an eerie screech. Helena could see the inside of the bird's mouth and pulled her head back slightly, squinting her eyes. The phoenix closed its mouth and continued to trace her body. Huntress shifted her gaze to the man in front of her, but she wasn't looking at anyone anymore, she was staring at a bat flying up into the moon. Able to move, Helena looked behind her and saw the city, she was falling off the roof once more. The Phoenix passed her gaze once more and turned to ashes.

Helena jerked out the nightmare sitting up. She was lying on a bed with different types of monitoring devices attached. The shorthaired woman breathed deeply and placed a hand on her chest. It felt like her heart was going to jolt out of its place. Helena heard footsteps getting closer. She knew it was Barbara and Dinah rushing through the level. Huntress ran her hands through her hair and formed a shield around herself still breathing deep. What in the world just happened?

"Helena!" Dinah spoke up and knelt down, "Are you ok?" she carefully placed a hand on Helena's arm, "What did he do to you?"

Helena jerked away still in her encirclement, "I'm fine."

Barbara looked at Helena; it broke her heart seeing her that way. Judging from the younger woman's resistance she decided not to touch her, "Helena, are you ok?"

Helena looked up, head throbbing, and visions a blur, "What happened?"

"He pushed you off the roof Helena, luckily I used my telekinesis to save you," Dinah explained.

The shorthaired vigilante felt the effect in her cranium get stronger and grabbed her head, "Then why does my head hurt so much!"

"Yea, you hit a flag pole on the way down, that was how I knew you were falling," Dinah got up and stood next to Barbara.

"I'm surprised you're still alive," Oracle added.

"Thanks for the support," Helena said still holding her head.

"No, that's not what I meant," Babs tried not to get on Helena's bad side. She didn't need her running off into the streets with a headache, "When Dinah brought you back here your body was below its normal temperature, it was seventy Fahrenheit."

Huntress' head began to relive some of the pain, "What?"

"Not only that but three hours after, your temperature rose to a hundred and twenty Fahrenheit," Barbara added in a worry voice.

"Is that even physically possible?" Helena asked. A flash of a phoenix came to her mind. Could this really be happening? She thought and closed her eyes tightly. This dream had more than the effect of making her heart race, could she be going crazy?

"Here," Barbara handed Helena a graph scan of the time and degrees her body underwent.

Huntress examined the chart and it was true, why wasn't she dead by now? Her vision became blurrier and head more at ease.

"I tried getting into your mind but I couldn't," Dinah began, "I tested it on Babs and I could get into hers but for some reason not yours. I mean the only type of people who's mind I can't read are dead people."

Helena looked up at Dinah terrified at the news.

"You weren't dead though," Barbara assured, "Your heart was beating, rapidly went you were scorching and just barley beating when you were cold."

Helena couldn't take the news anymore; she lay back on the bed.

"Helena, what was going on in your head when this was happening?" Barbara pleaded.

"How's Helena?" Bruce walked into the level. They heard his voice calm and collected but new he was just as worried as the rest.

"Why don't you ask her yourself," Oracle moved out of the way.

Helena sat up looking at her father. She remembered all of the cruel words she said to the imposter, words that were meant for him.

He walked over to her, "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Look about last night, I-"

"It's understandable," he assured.

"I'm-"

"Shh," he shook his head, "It once happened to me."

"I'm sorry for interrupting but I gotta go to school," Dinah faced Barbara, "Are you going today? You're not even dressed."

"Um no, I'm going to stay, maybe find a pattern to this guy. You go on and stay on coms," Oracle commanded.

"You know me Babs, me and this thing are practically twins," Dinah went over and gave Helena a hug, "Take care girl."

Helena tightened the embrace, "You too kid."

"Bye all. And Babs, I'm going over to Shawn's today," Dinah left.

Barbara didn't have a chance to respond and just nodded.

Helena stood up, a little weak but didn't feel like going back to sleep.

"You should get some rest," Bruce placed a hand on Helena's shoulder.

"No, some creep is out there masquerading as you. I don't need sleep, I need to catch this guy," Helena faced Oracle, "You got a lead?"

Barbara turned towards the computer center, "Yea, Bruce said he gave Michael a two weeks notice, maybe he might have a connection to this character."

Helena stretched, "Hmm. A businessman not willing to give up the business style so he hires a bat to make his own trademark. Sounds like a new international mafia, why do we always get the easy jobs?"

"That's probably what he thought when he threw you off the roof," Bruce teased.

"Yeah, things are always easy when you have a gun," Helena added.

"He had a what?" Bruce asked baffled.

"Gotcha!" Oracle interrupted.

Bruce and Helena turn to Barbara sitting by the computers.

"What do we have?" Bruce asked walking towards the computer center, Helena behind him.

"Michael is at a press conference right now," Barbara began, "He's speaking about the incident of last night," she faced Bruce, "Did you make a settlement with him yesterday?"

"Yeah, the building that was targeted was my power plant company," Bruce answered leaning towards the screen.

"Well you said that he was resistant in giving up the incorporation to you," Barbara added.

"Yes, he retained his lawyers and solicited petitions from the staff. Then, when I came back two days ago, he was begging me to let him take back the company," Bruce stated.

"The same night Batman killed all of those people," Barbara put the pieces together.

"Just for the record, don't call him Batman, Batman wouldn't kill anyone," Bruce stated, firm and strong.

"Okay, the trademark bat," Helena suggested.

"So I'm going to go and question him," Bruce said approaching the elevator.

Helena came in front of him, "No, I'll go. You stay here with Babs, if you go they'll be suspicious, and if you go in your outfit, well, you get the picture," she looked over his shoulder, "Huntress out."

                                                               ~ ~ *** ~ ~

Reese came out of the elevator. He looked around for any signs of human life. Nothing but the white walls and a full vending machine was around. Reese took out a dollar from his pocket and put it in the machine. He wasn't hungry but was wasting his time to catch up with a witness. He looked at the stack of junk food and selected Reese pieces. Behold the irony, he thought.

Reese checked the corner of the ceiling and was sure enough to find a surveillance camera. He raised the chocolate covered candy in the air, "Cheers," and took a bite out of it.

The door opened and camera flashes came through the door. Gaping sounds of claps jolted and people were cheering. The witness came out with a conceded look on his face.

"Mr. Thomas!" Reese came toward the man.

Mr. Thomas waved a hand signaling Reese to go away, "I'm sorry young man but the conference is over. If you want to know any thing you're going to have to wait for the tabloids."

"No," he didn't give up, "I'm a detective," He flashed his badge.

"And?" Michael started to dig through his pockets.

"You need to have your record in the police department. You were part of the incident and we need your side of the story."

Mr. Thomas found what he was looking for and let out a big sigh, "Fine. But make it quick will ya, I have a life." He took out a cigarette and began to light it.

Reese looked at the NO SMOKING sign, "You can't smoke in here," he pointed at the sign.

Mr. Thomas looked at Reese up and down then blew smoke at his face, "Bite me. It's a free country."

Reese looked at the surveillance camera as it shifted to the other side of the wall. He knew it taped it and decided to arrest the conceded man.

He made his way to his back pocket but before he could attempt anything Huntress came out of nowhere and grabbed Mr. Thomas by the collar and threw him at the wall, "What do you know about Bruce Wayne?"

Reese swiftly walked over the Huntress and whispered into her ear, "There's a surveillance camera behind you."

Helena looked behind her and saw the camera. She smiled; This is going to be fun. The shorthaired vigilante threw the man at the other wall and the camera missed her by an inch. "Don't make me ask you again!"

The now frightened man looked at the calm detective, "Help me!"

Reese grinned, "Bite me. It's a free country."

Helena looked at Reese and gave him a mischievous grin then glared at Mr. Thomas, "Tell me what you know!"

"Look if it's money you want I got-"

Helena grunted and threw Michael at the other wall, the camera missing her again, "Now, I'm going to ask you one more time. What do you know about Bruce Wayne?"

The man looked at Reese once more, "Please man! You're a detective! Don't you detect something here?"

"You better answer the lady," Reese eyed the man.

Helena became more frustrated and threw him to the other wall, the camera missing her, "You're really gonna make me hurt you!"

Michael cringed and looked at Helena in the eye, "Look here lady, I'm just a messenger. I took over Mr. Wayne's company because he gave it me. Now he's back and so is his company."

"Then what were all those petitions for?" Helena angrily asked.

"How did you know about that?" Mr. Thomas asked surprised.

Helena groaned and threw him to the other wall, "That's for me to know and for you to find out. Now tell me why you gave up the business so quickly!"

Michael was obviously scared out of his wit now. He began to jumble his words, "I didn't read the fine print! I-If he came back after ten years then the company would have been m-mine, b-but he c-came back eight! A-And…"

"And what?" Reese jumped in.

Helena threw him to the other wall, "And what!"

"Would you stop doing that!" Michael commanded.

"You aren't in any position to be ordering people around, got that young man," Reese spat out.

Helena changed her eyes to Meta, "If you don't tell-"

"Alright! Alright lady!" Michael started to fidget around, "He told me to!"

"He who?" she shoved him closer to the wall.

"I don't know his name alright! He calls himself the Batman."

Huntress threw him to the other wall, "What happened?"

"God! He gave me a letter!"

"Where is it?"

"Oh God I don't know why I'm doing this! I shouldn't have told you this!" He took out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Helena.

She snatched it and grabbed Mr. Thomas by the collar and held his position with her foot at his neck and examined the piece of paper.

Reese saw the surveillance camera catching into their range and signaled Helena. She let her foot down and looked at him, "Go."

He took a step back, "I'm going to sue you Reese!"

Helena picked up his cigarette off the floor and pointed at the NO SMOKING sign and camera, "But you were the one committing a crime. He told you not to smoke and you continued, he had no choice but to beat you up." She fixed the story around, "Now go!"

Reese was impressed but still knew there could have been another alternative, "You didn't have to do that."

"Your welcome detective," Helena smiled and leaned against the wall.

He sighed, "Look you can't go around throwing people into walls."

Helena came closer to him and looked at the detective in the eye, "I think I just did. Besides, the way you were handling it you would have been there for hours. I did you a favor."

Reese rubbed his temple. He knew he couldn't argue with her. Every time they did she would leave or undermine everything he said. Looks like all they could do was talk about business. "What do we have?"

"A threat," she put the piece of paper in her back pocket, "I'm going to run it by Oracle and maybe she can match the fingerprints and hand writing."

"Can I see the paper?" Reese asked.

"No," she came closer to him. Helena didn't want him to read it because it would lead him further into the Bruce Wayne- Batman trail, "It's nothing."

Huntress was getting sexy with the detective. Reese knew she knew his weak spot, well all men's weak spot, and the shorthaired vigilante played that part very well. She knew making him think about something else would throw him off the case, especially when he thought about her. But he wouldn't let her win this one. He came closer to her locking eyes, "Then let me see it."

Helena could tell he wouldn't let her go without seeing the message. She showed him the paper and he read it aloud, "Give your company to Bruce Wayne. Either way it will be brunt down tomorrow. Batman."

Great, she thought, Now he's really gonna think Bruce is Batman.

"I knew it. This guy thinks he's pretty slick," Reese stated.

Helena took the paper from him before he could make any more assumptions and shoved it back into her pocket, "It's not Bruce Wayne."

"How do you know?" Reese leaned against the wall, "I would love to hear this theory."

Helena couldn't tell him that her father was Bruce Wayne and he's was not the Batman who did these things because he was at headquarters while she was fighting the trademark bat. She took a step back, "I just do ok."

"You're withholding information again, Huntress. God I hate it when you do that."

"Look Reese, you're just going to have to trust me, ok?"

"Right, trust me but I can't trust you," he shot back meeting her eyes.

"Look, I don't have time for this."

Reese could see her getting ready leave, "Huntress… I'm sorry. About last night, how are you doing?"

Helena had no intension in talking about last night. It brought them together like the other hours of darkness. She still missed his touched but he was her forbidden fruit, so near yet so far away. She just wanted to find who this guy was and leave, "I don't want to talk about it."

Huntress turned her back towards him. He became frustrated. All he wanted to know how was she was doing, and Huntress just kept shoving everything back into his face. He admitted, things were complicated, but she was the one making it that way, "God Huntress. I saw you fall down an eighty-story building and hit a flagpole on the way down last night, and you don't want to talk about it?"

Helena looked down. She could feel their partnership getting stripped more and more every time they encountered each other. All they did was just get into fights now. She faced him, "Well I'm alive."

"That's not the point. I want to know what happened up there."

She walked up to him and her defense rose, "I fought him, made a mistake and was pushed off, what more can I say?"

She's still not getting it, he thought aloud. His words couldn't touch her. Her aura was protected by denial and he could feel it. He placed a hand on her cheek; his actions would speak louder. Now blending it with words, maybe she would understand. "How you felt."

The truth came out. There were more to his words, more than what she could embrace. He was getting too close. Helena held his hand and brought it down. His gaze followed her hand. Her heart ached in every release, she sighed, "Reese. I can't."

His actions also failed. He let out a silent growl, "Why? It's been what now? A year, and I can't even know how you feel. I don't know anything about you, Huntress. I don't know your name; I don't know you number, where you live, not even your favorite color. We are considered acquaintances."

"I just can't talk about it now."

"When then? Next year?"

"No, no."

Reese tried a different approach, "Well you're not the first that I've encountered who can't open up. How about we compromise. Go out to dinner with me, tonight."

"I can't. I have work to do. This city-"

"Will be there. The city needed you yesterday but you were out dancing. This shouldn't be any different. How about we do this before the sunsets? That won't interrupt your schedule."

"I-"

"If you don't like me then you don't have to tell me anything."

That wasn't the problem. She already knew him he didn't know her, that was the problem. Now if only destiny would play nice with the two of them, then maybe she would re-consider. "And if I do?"

"Well the night is young."

Helena smiled, "Where?"

"At Shea Pier."

"Fancy, sure beats out dinner and a movie."

            "Will you be there at six?"

            "It's a date."

                                                                           ~ ~ *** ~ ~

Barbara's fingertips hit the keyboard like a machine gun. Her mind was clogged and she kept making mistakes. She hit the backspace button more than she pressed the other letters. The read headed woman was frustrated she couldn't think straight. She was happy Helena was back in action and at least spoke to her, but Huntress' well being was at stake. Last night she thought the girl who developed into a powerful woman before her eyes wouldn't be there anymore. Barbara threw up twice in the dreadful nocturnal holding the very ill Helena. Only wondering of the worse; how she wouldn't be there make jokes with her, wouldn't be there to scowl her about how much of a nerd she is, and cry when things went wrong. The thought made her make another mistake. She silently banged the desk and faced Bruce, who stood behind her still admiring the space.

"Are you hungry? Maybe Alfred can get you something," Barbara interrupted his gaze.

"No, I'm fine," he came closer to her. "What are you doing?"

Oracle moved back revealing her progress, "Doing a background check on Michael Thomas, see if he has a criminal case."

Bruce leaned over to the computer and studied the information, "I see... anything I can do?"

"Um... not sure," she replied not meeting his gaze, "Well you've worked with him, maybe there is something you can tell me."

"You could call it that… yes," he leaned on the table and crossed his arms, "He's young and has no shortage of ambition."

"Well that explains his tight hug on your company."

"No, if Luthor couldn't do it, Michael couldn't," he paused for a moment before continuing, "Not normally. I became distracted and he took advantage of it."

"Yes, I know people like to take advantage of many things," Barbara's response drifted into the past. Eight years since the Joker's return and his features still haunted her nightmares. Everyone outlandish, herself, Helena, Bruce, and even Dinah feared that solitude of darkness.

He shrugged, "These are not pleasurable people Barbara."

"So I've noticed," the red haired woman agreed raising an eyebrow.

The older man's gaze drifted out into the oversized clock, "Michael is a slippery one… but I'm not convinced he's our man," he faced her. "I've developed a sense of people over the years."

The same feeling sat in her stomach. Either he was correct or she needed to throw up again, "Hmm.... then who could it be? Who has a grudge against you so big and could possibly know you'd come back?"

"The former? Plenty, the later, no one comes to mind," Barbara met his eyes as he thought. "The only one who follows that closely is Ras Al Ghul, but I don't think he's involved… it's not his style."

Barbara feared the worse, "Well all we can do is be there when he strikes again."

"I'm afraid you're right… it seems Batman may not be able to retire after all."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"I used to think so, but so much has happed over the last few years. Why I left Gotham in the first place."

"A lot has happened. Some of it for the better, others still working on it."

"It has gotten me to thinking about something from the old days," Bruce adjusted his sitting position thinking of the past, "When Superman gave me the Kryptonite in case he ever lost it… well, who was supposed to be keeping an eye on Batman? I came so close to killing, Barbara… it scared me."

Babs always cursed herself not being there for Bruce. She was confined in a hospital bed for what felt like decades. Barbara had nothing to offer him but a smile when he came by to visit her. When he left it shattered her world. Giving up the role as Batgirl took a lot of strength and character, especially realizing it alone, "I know, well if you stay I will be there, you know that. At the time I had no refuge. I thank God for Helena everyday. She changed my life."

He gave her a warm smile, "She's a remarkable young woman, must take after her mother."

"Yes, she's a lot like her mother at times. The way she fights, the way she moves, and can't forget the way she talks," they chuckled. "I'm just thankful she has your heart and motto."

Bruce looked her in the eye, "She has you to thank for that, Barbara… and so… so do I." His words touched her heart. Complements didn't always come out of his mouth and that's one of the characteristics stating he's your friend. "I remember the first time I saw Batgirl… I was annoyed, I thought who is the arrogant child wearing my colors," he chuckled and met her gaze, "Guess I was wrong."

Oracle looked at the computer screen a bit bashful.

"Don't think I don't know about the care package Dick sent you."

Babs gave him a quick look and gave him a playful shove, "Stop it."

"Misalign lines and batarangs don't go unnoticed," he added.

She continued to look at the screen not wanting to speak about her former lover.

"But you did good… I mean that," he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks," she arranged her wheel chair, "You should see Dinah. She has an amazing gift."

"Is that a fact?"

"Yes, she is a touch telepath and has telekinesis, she might even develop the canary cry if fate tells."

"Oh, that, well you know I've been around Metas all my life… I was the only non-Meta in the group of would be Gods. If she's anything like her mother she'll do fine."

"Yes, though she still needs to work on her anger problems. But what teenager doesn't have an attitude," Barbara added.

"Hmm… well, there was you, Dick, Jason, Tim....shall I go on?" he chuckled.

Oracle gave him a look and smiled, "No that's fine."

"But I understand."

She nodded. It felt good to have Bruce around now, "So… what are your plans for New Gotham?"

"It would seem someone has plans already," he stated suspiciously, "I've had this feeling in the back of my head that Joker isn't really gone… some of the things I've been reading about in the papers have his finger prints all over them. You know anything about that?"

One of things that still surprised Barbara about Bruce was his sense of awareness. His mind was always focused and ready for action. If an angry mob were to come in this second he would not show any sense of surprise and take them all down. Also he was always one step ahead of her, "Yes. Well Joker recently left Arkham along with Ivy about two months ago."

"I see, by left I assume you mean escaped?"

"Yeah. Harley Quinn was Helena's physiatrist and took over New Gotham for two weeks. They turned this place into a fortress. She freed everybody from Arkham, especially the Joker."

"Well, now it all makes sense. Harley was a little… touched."

"Probably, but she's locked up now in the Arkham along with most of the escapees. She and the Joker got into in fight; I don't think she cares about him anymore."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that, they are the perfect dysfunctional couple. But this business with Ivy troubles me."

"Me too," Barbara agreed.

"Ivy has been around the loop too long… have they been spotted anywhere?"

"Not that I am aware of."

"Hmm, it may be time to call in some favors."

"What are your requests Bruce?" She wheeled herself to the Delphi GPS system that had stored all the information on odd crimes.

"Pull up all the crime reports for Metropolis… it's a hunch."

Oracle looked at Batman and smiled. It felt good to work with him again, "On it."

"I'm going to call a err… friend, at the Daily Planet."

Babs gave him a guarded look. I guess he still has some secrets, "Think your friend might have some news?"

"He might. He and his wife have a lot of contacts, and if I'm going to be poking around there it's best I not ruffle a certain boy scout's feathers. We kind of have an agreement."

"How so?" They made a little conversation as they waited for the scan to complete.

"He doesn't interfere in New Gotham without my say so, and I have the same respect for Metropolis. Since I've been out of touch for a while I figure my friend can pave the way."

"You need permission?"

"No, I could operate without him being any wiser, but I… well, I respect him."

"That's good," the Delphi sirens went off. The search was complete.

"So, any strange on goings on in Metropolis come up on your database?"

Oracle studied the status, "Nothing but the usual; kidnappings, robberies, and murders, all saved by Superman."

"Hmm, well Joker has operated there before and he's a creature of habit if nothing else."

"Hmm. I will try again later."

"Thanks, mean time I think the cave could use a little sprucing up. Have you seen Alfred?"

"Yea he's in the lower level."

"Not to step on your obviously superior technical toes but you know what they say, two heads or computers are better than one. Has Alfred kept up maintenance on the Cray?"

"Yes, sometimes he goes over to tidy-it-up as he says, on weekends."

"So I can get into the mainframe in the cave, good?"

"Yes."

                                                              ~ ~ *** ~ ~

Chatting and excitement came out a particular room. Teenagers impatiently watched the clock hoping for what could the best time since three moths. Their Science teacher, Mr. Campo was running late and if all went well they just might have a substitute. Dinah, Gabby, Gina, and a couple of other members from the clique stood around crossing their fingers.

"Oh God! Please let this guy be absent!" Gina prayed holding Gabby's hand.

"All this waiting is getting me cranky," Matt Kendal spoke up, "Anyone got a magazine?"

Gina looked into her handbag, "I got the latest issue on New Gotham Gazette Teens."

"Hand it over, will ya," Gina handed him the magazine.

The students hovered over the booklet and turned pages looking at products represented by hot guys and girls.

"Look who I found," Sarah mentioned holding up a picture of a hot black male to Gina.

"Give me!" Gina hollered and hugged the picture.

Dinah saw the disgust look on Gabby's face. She came closer to Gabby. Dinah's best friend just gave her girlfriend a look and took Dinah to a private table.

"I hate it when she does that!" Gabby poured out her feelings.

Dinah understood how her friend felt. This has been going on more than a moth. Ever sense Gina came back from her home land, Puerto Rico all she talked about was the guy on the picture, which she couldn't stop hugging. Gabby looked heart broken, Gina has pushed her around several times but all Dinah could do was be there when her best friend when she was down. At times she even had to lie just to stop tears rolling down Gabby's face, "Don't let it get to you. It's just a phase."

"No, I mean she acts like if she isn't a lesbian."

Dinah sighed, "Look Gabby… it's normal for girls to have a sense of attraction towards the opposite sex."

Gabby gave her an I'm-not-buying-it look.

"Hey, I bet you if this Shemar Moore guy walked into the room right now, most likely she would hover over him, but she wouldn't date him. I mean he's like so much older us. Besides the things she's told me about you, you got a good girl," another lie slipped her tongue, but she couldn't bare to see her friend suffer tears once more.

Dinah's best friend's eyes widen, "Really? What did she say?"

"Hey, I can't tell, but they're good," she leaned closer to Gabby, "I'll let you in a little secret just to make you feel better."

"What?"

"I think Ashley Scott is pretty hot, and I'm like a line, so don't mind Gina."

"Oh my God, and your like a hore."

"I'm a what?"

"Come on Dinah, every guy you see you fall in love with."

"That's not true!" she looked into her past and saw the countless guys she told Gabby were hot, "Ok, yea. But still, you don't have to be so harsh."

"Alright kids! Let's get to work!" Mr. Campo rushed into the classroom and placed his brief case down, "I'm sorry I'm late, but I'm here so lets get to work!"

All the students groaned and sat in their assigned seats.

"I have good news! Today, since I came in late, we won't have to dissect anything!"

Everyone hollered in glee.

"Instead you will all enjoy a nice pop-quiz!"

The students' faces dropped. This, they weren't expecting.

"But don't worry, if you all studied the chemical compounds like I said too, then you all will be fine."

"Did you study?" Gabby asked Dinah.

"Nope," The blond haired teenager wished she were back in the clocktower. If only she had the power to freeze time she would have gotten out of there. Barbara was not going to be satisfied with another F.

Everyone got a test sheet and it started.

"What's the answer for number one?" Gabby whispered to Dinah.

"I don't know. I don't know anything,." She felt helpless. She forgot to study; in fact she didn't consider it. Dinah looked at the piece of paper, it just looked like algebra!

Need some help? Dinah heard the voice from before.

Who are you and what do you want! She stood her ground.

Does it matter?

Get out!

"How about number 4?" Gabby leaned in for the answer.

Dinah felt a sudden shock in her side and her body felt weak. Her breathing became heavy and Gabby's voice came in louder, "WeLl dO YeA?"

The junior super hero took in a deep breath. Her hearing was deaf and spoke in a way she could listen to her self, "NO… I DON'T HAVE… THE… ANSWER… FOR NUMBER FOUR."

Her weak body shifted weight and lost balance. The atmosphere slowed down, Dinah could here everything around her. The blonde haired teenager vision was a blur but cached sight of the Gabby's mouth widen and she fell to the floor. Her head hit the textile base in a loud thump; certain everyone in the room heard it.

She could hear everyone gasp and even some people giggle. Dinah's eyes were still open glancing every nuke-and-cranny on the ground. She felt the same way she did last night before Shawn called but this time she was still breathing.

Sleep Dinah, all will be revealed, the voice assured. Her eyes felt heavy and almost at will she closed them.

To Be Continued…