Chapter 2: Pleasure Before Business
With the events of the previous night behind her, Dinah attempted to enjoy another day at school. However, she was finding it quite difficult. Her mind was filled with thoughts of what to do after school. Not only was she no longer grounded, but also with the overall slow down in crime, Barbara didn't mind if she went out afterwards, rather than focusing on training, for once.
The day had started much like any other, and now it was just about time for science class. Dinah looked forward to it - she had managed to get ahead in her class work, meaning she had a free period to muse over whatever she wanted. Or so she thought.
As Dinah sat at her lab station reviewing other classes' homework, the teacher called for their collective attention. "Ok, listen up people. We have a new arrival here today, so do whatever you can to make him feel welcome, and help him out in any way he needs." The teacher opened the door, and in he walked.
"Alright class, this is Jonathan. He just transferred here, so those of you who will be sharing other classes with him, do whatever you can to help him out so he can get caught up in those." The teacher looked at Jonathan. "Anything to add?"
"No" he said casually, shaking his head.
"Alright...I think I'm going to put you over there, with Dinah. She's probably ahead of all of us by about a day" – here the class chuckled - "so she's probably got some time to get you caught up in what you've missed." Jonathan wasn't concerned. He knew he could catch up easily, he just hoped his classes would go smoothly and that his life would get on track. He walked over to the girl's table, and took a seat.
"So, you must be Dinah - unless teacher doesn't know her own students"
"That's me. And you must be Jonathan – but I suppose that's already been established."
"Quite observant, aren't you?"
They both started to laugh. "Ok then, now that we know who we are, where do you want to begin? We've got quite a bit to cover." Jonathan picked up Dinah's text book.
"Hmm...let's see here...yeah, that's what I thought. I know this stuff already, so don't worry about it."
Dinah looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You expect me to believe that you know all of this?"
Jonathan flipped over to a practice test, and filled it out in about thirty seconds." Here, see for yourself." Dinah looked it over. She was ahead of him, strictly speaking, but not all that far ahead.
"I'll take your word for it, but I have a question."
"Shoot."
"Are you some kind of genius or something?"
Jonathan laughed. "No, no. My teachers just had this thing, where science and math were supposed to be the focus of my education. I guess you could say I was home schooled."
Dinah closed her science book. "Well then, what do you intend on doing for the rest of the class?"
He reached into his backpack and pulled out Shakespeare's Othello. "Do you understand this gibberish? 'Cause I sure as hell don't, and I have until tomorrow to figure out what's going on in the first half."
She laughed. "I think I can help you out there, if you want."
Jonathan let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks. I figured, 'first day and I'm already failing English.' Had to be some kind of record."
They broke into laughter again, and then Dinah did her best to help Jonathan understand Shakespeare.
Lunchtime rolled around, and what was starting off as a good day was going downhill fast. Dinah's homework began piling up, and most of her teachers had spontaneously decided that next week would be good for tests. This was going to cut into her free time, and she wasn't happy. After getting her lunch, she grabbed a seat next to Gabby, a friend of hers.
"Hey! So, how was your day?"
Gabby gave her a look. "How do you think?"
Dinah smiled sheepishly. It was good to know at least someone else was on the same wavelength.
"So, what's with you and the new guy? You two seemed to be getting on kinda friendly-like..."
She blushed slightly, and raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? There's nothing. I was just helping him with some of his Shakespeare readings, that's all."
"Like him, don't ya?"
"...Look, I think he's cute, and we got along great, but I'll probably never see him again except for during Science class so just drop it, alright?"
Gabby smiled. "Oookay. Whatever you say, Dinah..."
After a few minutes, Jonathan walked into the cafeteria. When he had his food, he looked around for a place to sit, and spotted Dinah and Gabby. He walked over.
"Hello ladies. Mind if I take a seat?"
Dinah practically choked to death on her drink when Gabby elbowed her in the ribs.
"Go right ahead." Gabby smiled.
"Thanks."
They took a look at his tray and Gabby's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"You...going to eat all of that?"
"Yeah, why?"
"That's more than most of the football team combined."
"What can I say I love food." he said smiling he looked toward Dinah "Dinah right?"
"Yea that's my name last I checked."
"Ok then Dinah thanks again for helping me out with that Shakespeare it still doesn't make much sense but at least now it makes some sense"
"No problem." she replied blushing slightly
After finishing his food in record time Jonathan just leaned back in his chair
"Wow that was the worst thing I have ever eaten what was that?"
Dinah and Gabby both busted out in laughter
"It's supposed to be meat loaf but everyone's convinced it's more loaf than meat." Dinah replied trying to fight off the laughter
"I see." Jonathan replied poking at the remains of the meat loaf on his plate
"So I'm going to change the topic because if I think too much about what it was I just ate I think I'll get a second chance to examine it if you catch my drift."
Gabby and Dinah just pushed there trays aside they had suddenly lost their appetites.
"So you two doing anything after school today?"
"Well aside for the piles of homework no." Dinah responded "same here." Gabby added.
"Alright then how about this you show me around town for a while we hang out do something interesting then we can go back to my place and help each other out with the homework sound ok to you two?"
Gabby thought about the proposition "well depends you any good in math?"
"My specialty."
"Well I'm in cause I do not want to fail the test next week."
"Great so Dinah will you be joining us?"
Dinah thought about it for a second and decided that Barbara probably wouldn't mind if she went out for a while as long as her homework was done.
"Sure I'm in."
"Ok then I'll see you after school I have some thing to take care of some official request of transference of documentation or some thing like that I think they want my old records but they won't just come out and say it."
The final bell of the day rang and school was out and with 1 day left until the weekend and for most of the students that meant time to have fun and party with their friends for Jonathan it meant trying to track down this Huntress character and determining how best to eliminate her.
Dinah and Gabby waited outside of the school for Jonathan he was running late after about twenty minutes of waiting he finally showed.
"Ok so lets get the site seeing on with."
Dinah and Gabby just stared at him. To Jonathan it felt as though they were staring a hole right through him. It then registered why they were doing this he was late very late.
"Oh yea sorry I'm late I got caught up in the office they were having problems getting my records. To make it up to you dinners on me."
Dinah and Gabby looked at each other and then looked back at Jonathan.
"Fine by us." They replied at the exact same time.
With that the three headed off to go site seeing around New Gotham. After about two hours of seeing the town they headed off and grabbed something to eat and of course to make up for his tardiness Jonathan picked up the bill. After eating they headed back to Jonathan's place to get their homework done. The time flew by as they enjoyed each other's company and actually enjoyed doing homework. Jonathan had almost forgotten about what he had to do that is until he noticed the sun had gone down.
"Shit what time is it?" he asked
Gabby looked at her watch "it's about quarter to eight."
"Ok I hate to break this up but I have to get to work so if either of you still need help with anything I'll be in an hour early tomorrow still have some things to get straightened out."
"Thanks again for showing me around."
Dinah smiled "no problem I had a great time"
"Me too we should do this again."
They said there goodbyes and Gabby and Dinah left Gabby had a smile a mile wide on her face
"What is it?" Dinah asked
"He likes you."
"Would you stop it already." Dinah started to blush and Gabby laughed
"Do you really think he like me?" Dinah asked,
"I don't think I know and I'll give him this at least he has good taste in women." Gabby said smiling they both started laughing.
Jonathan waited till he knew the girls were gone then he changed into his street clothes he also used some black face paint around his eyes and nose so that no one could recognize him under his hood. The time had come for him to hunt the huntress.
Back at the clock tower Barbara was making a few slight adjustments to Helena's COM
"You know I am really considering taking away the off switch on these things." Barbara said jokingly
"Do whatever you want next time right now I just want to get out their I need to kick someone's ass."
"Bad day at work again?" Barbara said as she handed Helena the COM.
"Bad doesn't describe it," she said as she walked toward the elevator.
"Huntress do you copy?" Oracle's voice cam over the COM
"Yes Oracle I hear you what exactly did you do to this thing anyway?"
"I just improved the integrity it should be more stable during a fight."
"Should be?"
"Well until you get into a fight I wont know if the modifications worked now will I?"
Huntress prowled the rooftops and just as it had been for the past few months it was quiet
"Oracle is their anything about being a hero that says I can't help a criminal escape jail and hunt him down for fun it? Doesn't even have to be a super criminal it could be a guy who cheated on his taxes anything."
Oracle laughed "I'll check up on that one for you but I'm pretty sure we can't do that either."
Huntress was about to give up when something caught her eye some guy was holding up a fruit stand.
"Well it's better than nothing," she said to herself. "Oracle I found something."
"What is it?"
"Just some idiot holding up a fruit stand."
"I'm sorry did you say fruit stand?"
Huntress looked closely "yes a fruit stand."
"Well then go do what you have to."
Huntress swooped down from the rooftop almost giving the criminal a heart attack then she calmly walked over towards him.
"So let me get this straight you took a walk tonight and instead of robbing a bank or a gas station you decided to rob a fruit stand either you love fruit or your about as smart as a Banana."
The guy clenched his fist and threw a wild right hand Huntress dodged easily.
"Strike one you're going to have to better than that."
Enraged by her comments he immediately took another swing once again Huntress dodged.
"Strike two and now it's my turn."
Huntress grabbed his arm and twisted behind his back and then applied pressure he then dropped he knife he was holding in his left hand as pain shoot up his arm. She then threw him against a wall
"Well that was just too easy." she said she looked at the owner of the stand
"You might want to call the police and have them pick this guy up."
The owner just nodded she walked off into an alley so she could get quick access to the roof a strange hooded figure who appeared to be nothing more than a homeless drunk almost bumped into her.
"Sorry mam." the man said she though nothing of it. Jonathan on the other hand knew his deception had worked he saw her fight and had her scent he would now be able to track her for a few miles.
Jonathan found a gang hanging around in some alley he approached them if he wanted to tack out huntress he needed something to get her attention what better than a gang beating on a poor defenseless drunk. He then approached the gang.
"Gentleman I have a proposition for you."
He quickly explained what he needed them to do however one of them just couldn't grasp this concept it was too good to be true.
"So let me get this straight we follow you we act like were gonna mug you then when you tell us to we leave we don't get arrested we don't get hurt and we each get a thousand bucks for this?"
"Yes that's all you have to do if you all agree I will pay you now."
They all agreed and as promised he paid them. His trap was ready to be set now he just had to find Huntress and spring it after that he could go on with life.
Huntress continued patrolling she was feeling better having stopped one crime and her hopes that another crime would take place were about to come true. Oracle voice suddenly came over the COM.
"Huntress listen up there's something going on about five blocks west of your current position apparently a bunch of armed men are trying to mug some homeless guy the police won't make it on time and this poor guy could wind up dead."
"I'm on it Oracle." It's about damn time something interesting happened around here. Huntress thought to herself.
A few moments later she found the location she could see the crime from the roof.
"Oracle I found them I'm going in."
"Be careful if your not bullet proof." Oracle warned
"Too bad that would come in handy." Huntress replied semi joking semi serious.
Huntress swooped down from the roof she immediately addressed the criminals.
"Hey how about you leave him alone and come pick on me?"
They didn't respond she recognized the homeless man it was the same guy that had bumped into her before she didn't like this one bit. The man stepped forward turned and faced his assailants.
"Leave Now!" he commanded and without a second thought they put away their weapons and left. He walked forward.
"Huntress right? Nice name too bad you have to die now."
"Huntress what's going on over there?" Oracle asked
"It looks like this was a trap but someone obviously doesn't know who he's messing with."
Jonathan prepared himself for what he had to do it's what he was trained to do from the time he was he was trained to kill.
Huntress waited for this guy to bring the fight to her but it wasn't happening.
"For someone who wants me dead you don't seem to be doing much." she said in a sarcastic tone Jonathan never responded.
"Fine I'll start things off."
With that Huntress threw a quick jab Jonathan threw up his forearm and blocked the shot Huntress's hand landed squarely on his bone she shook off the pain. She then threw another he side stepped this one she then nailed him with a spin kick but as she landed he struck his forearm down across her back the pain Huntress felt was excruciating but she managed to get up only to have a knee smashed into her abdominal area then another to her lower back. Jonathan laughed as Huntress tried to get to her feet but he grabbed her head and threw her up against the wall.
At the clock tower Oracle lost Huntress's signal
"Huntress? Are you there? Come in Huntress."
Dinah came over when she heard Barbara getting worried.
"What's wrong?"
"Huntress she said something about a trap and then next thing I know she starts a fight with some guy and now I lost her COM signal."
"Did she turn it off?"
"No the signal isn't gone it's dead it's not transmitting at all." Oracle said
"Should I go try and find her?"
"No stay here if whoever or whatever this is managed to bust her COM up that quickly then they could be a serious threat besides Huntress can take care of herself."
"I hope your right." Dinah replied
"So do I so do I." Oracle said to herself.
The pain Huntress felt was unbelievable no one had ever hit her this hard she tried for a straight kick it missed by an inch she then threw a quick uppercut witch nailed Jonathan in the jaw stunning him for a second. Huntress took the opening she nailed him with several swift kicks then grabbed him by his jacket and threw him into the wall.
"See I told you that you underestimated me."
Jonathan got up and shook himself off Huntress couldn't believe this guy was still standing.
"Come one what do I have to do throw a truck at you?" she said trying to express her frustration Jonathan smiled.
"That might work," he said.
He ran and tackled Huntress to the ground he then proceeded to throw a flurry of punches at her for about a minute he then picked her up and held her by her throat with one hand.
"Sorry this is just business."
"Screw you." Huntress spat in his face.
"Sorry I don't do dead chicks".
Then before he had a chance to finish her off Huntress heard a familiar voice a voice she was glad to hear at this moment.
"Gotham Police drop the girl now!" Detective Reese ordered as he held out his gun.
Jonathan couldn't risk finishing her here he didn't know if the cop's first instinct would be to shoot and kill him or to try and see if his victim was still alive. Jonathan quickly scanned the area an opened back door to a night club would provide an escape
"Whatever you say officer." he then quickly slipped a note into Huntress's coat pocket and threw Huntress into him knocking the gun out of his hand Jonathan ran and managed to escape.
"Huntress, are you alright?" Reese asked with concern. He quickly examined her, her right eye was swollen shut blood was trickling out of her mouth and nose. She also had a few visible bruises on her hand and neck.
"Get me back to the clock tower I'll be fine." she replied Reese picked her up and put her in the passenger seat of his car
"You sure you don't want to go to a hospital? You look like you hell."
"Jesse I'll be fine just get me back to the clock tower" Huntress responded. Reese nodded and closed the door he got in and then headed for the clock tower.
At the clock tower Barbara was getting more worried by the moment.
"I can't figure out what happened to her COM it should have been stable during a fight."
"I'm sure miss Helena is fine she has proven time and time again she is quite capable of taking care of herself." Alfred reassured her
"Yeah Barbara I'm sure Helena is fine." Dinah added.
The elevator doors opened and the three of them hurried over Reese walked in unable to stand on her own power Helena was leaning on him for support.
"Dinah give me a hand here she's in pretty bad shape."
"What happened?" Barbara asked.
"When I got there some guy had her by her throat next thing he throws her at me then runs off."
Reese and Dinah set Helena down on a couch. Barbara rolled over to her.
"Helena are you alright?"
"Just peachy." she said sarcastically Barbara laughed.
"I see your sense of humor wasn't damaged. What exactly happened who was this guy that attacked you?"
Alfred came over with a bag of ice and handed it to Helena.
"Thanks Alfred, as for this guy I have no clue who he was he never gave me his name I couldn't even see his face under that hood."
"What kind of hood?" Barbara asked
"Just a hooded sweatshirt he was dressed like an ordinary person but when he hit me it felt like a truck slamming into me."
Helena took off her jacket and the note fell out. Barbara picked it up and read it.
Huntress, next time I finish the job don't try and find me I'll find you.
Signed: The Instrument of your destruction
"What the hell does he mean by that?"
"Simple he wants to kill me next time he'll do it too he could have tonight but Jesse stopped him." Helena said,
"Then how did he have time to write this note?" Barbara asked,
"I guess he was prepared maybe he didn't intend on doing it tonight or maybe he just didn't think I would be that easy to beat." Helena responded.
"Wow are you feeling Helena?" Dinah asked with a tone of concern in her voice. Helena just rolled her eyes.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that I feel exactly how I look like crap ok Dinah you need to train harder now because next time this guy shows up were both taking him."
Barbara could swear she was hearing things.
"Did you just say that you want Dinah to help you next time this guy shows up?"
"Yes I did." Helena responded.
"Normally I would be glad to see you admitting you need help but if you couldn't take him what makes you think Dinah can?"
"I don't think she can take him."
"What? Are you losing your mind if you think she can't take him then why would you want her involved?" Barbara inquired.
Helena smiled "simple he's strong but not fast and Dinah can slow him down even more."
Barbara now knew what Helena was hinting at Dinah was still confused all she understood is that Helena had the shit beat out of her and now she was going to have to help fight him.
"Excuse me but what exactly can I do?" she asked.
"Your telekinesis." Barbara responded
"While I fight him you slow him down by throwing any heavy objects at him from as far away as you can then it's only a matter of time before I find a weakness and beat him." Helena added.
Dinah understood the theory but she knew she would have to train and harness her power as well as her fighting skills for this battle.
Over the following two weeks Dinah spent every spare moment she had well every spare moment that she wasn't hanging out with Jonathan and Gabby mediating to focus her mind or training to tone her fighting skills her test was simple really at the end of her training she would spar with Helena. She trained hard and finally the day had come now she would find out exactly how far along she had come.
Dinah entered the clock tower after returning from school Helena was sitting on the couch watching TV. She looked over at Dinah.
"I'll meet you in the training room in fifteen minutes hope you're ready for this kid I'm not taking it easy on you this time." She got up and went into the training room,
Dinah dropped her bag and went up to her room and got changed. She walked into the training room and tied her hair back. She stretched for a couple of minutes. Barbara wheeled in.
"Whenever you two are ready." She said as she took her position on the sideline.
"Ready when you are kiddo" Helena said with confidence in her voice.
"Ready" Dinah said unsure of what she had gotten herself into.
"I don't want to see either of you holding back here not if you're going to take on this mad man." Barbara ordered.
The two circled one another for a moment then Helena threw a right hand and hit Dinah right below the shoulder. Dinah jerked back a bit from the impact but was otherwise fine. Helena followed up with a left hook Dinah blocked the left but didn't see Helena's right hand coming toward her. Dinah fell to the ground. She was clearly getting frustrated.
"Come on Dinah I know you can do better than this." Helena said.
Dinah got up and dusted herself off. And took a few more shots from Helena now she was getting annoyed. She stood straight and lowered her guard and closed her eyes.
"What do you think you're doing?" Helena asked.
"Just trust me." Dinah said.
Helena attempted a sweep Dinah side stepped and then nailed Helena in the ribs with a quick jab. Helena turned to throw a left jab but a 25-pound punching bag hit her in the back knocking her off guard. Dinah took the opportunity to sweep Helena. Helena looked up as another punching bag hovered above her it dropped right onto her abdomen. Thankfully this was a much lighter one.
"That was very impressive Dinah." Barbara said helping Helena to her feet.
"Thanks I've been training really hard."
"I think we have a chance if this guy shows again." Helena said.
"Alright I think you two have trained enough Dinah clearly has established some control over her powers. Helena you're just as good as ever. I'm proud of you both."
That night everyone got some much needed rest and for once weren't worried about what was to come. The next morning Dinah just ignored her alarm clock she didn't want to go to school she was exhausted from all the training and then the sparing session last night.
"Dinah get up or you're going to be late for school."
"I'm up I'll be down in a minute." she shouted back.
Later that day at lunch Dinah was almost falling asleep at the table.
"Dinah are you alright?" Gabby asked
"Yeah I'm just tired too much studying I guess," she replied
"Take it easy or you'll be dropping dead in class." Gabby said jokingly.
"Say have you seen Jonathan around I borrowed his math notes and I wanted to give them back." Gabby asked.
"No I haven't seen him much the past few days I don't think he's in today I'm supposed to meet up with him after school so if you want I'll give them to him if he shows up." Dinah responded sounding like she was asleep.
Gabby reached into her bag and handed Dinah the notes. "Thanks I got to get going anyway."
Dinah was too tired to even bother questioning where her friend was going "Ok I'll see ya later." she said.
Meanwhile back at Jonathan's apartment he had finally gotten some basic furniture and a work out station. Jonathan had not gone to school he was preparing he had 2 weeks left until Davis made his life a living hell. He turned his stereo up to full blast the speakers around his pace vibrated as Rammstien's music pumped through them. He started hitting his punching bag just as he got a rhythm up there was a knock at the door most likely a neighbor who wanted him to turn off his music he turned it down and grabbed a towel and took off his boxing gloves and answered the door it was Davis.
"What the hell do you want?" Jonathan demanded.
"I'm just checking up on things you know making sure your fitting in enjoying yourself the basics." Davis replied.
"I'm fine but while your hear you can do me a favor."
"See it doesn't work like that I don't do anything for you."
"You want Huntress dead you tell me what I need to know." Davis nodded.
"Ok when I fought her a cop showed up I think he knows her or at least can contact her I need to know who he was."
Davis had a puzzled look on his face "why?"
"I need a message sent to Huntress I figure he may be the best way of getting it to her."
"Ok what did he look like?"
"He was about my height maybe an inch taller bald had a beard black wore a suit not a uniform."
Davis thought about it "I know the guy."
Jonathan got a piece of paper and scribbled something on it put it in an envelope and wet it with a sponge.
"Don't want anyone doing a DNA trace on me now do we."
"Give this to him in exactly 1 week you got that not one day earlier make sure he gets it/" Jonathan said.
"And then what?"
"Then that night I finish what you asked me to do."
Davis understood and left he took out his cell phone and called his boss.
"Mr. Cobblepot I have good news."
"What is it?" Cobblepot asked.
"Huntress will be eliminated in one weeks time sir."
"And it cannot be traced back to me?"
"No sir."
"This conversation never took place." Cobblepot said.
"Of course not." Davis hung up and deleted the call from his phone.
As school let out Dinah walked out half asleep she couldn't wait to go home and go to sleep that's all she could think about at the moment. She noticed Jonathan waiting across the street.
"Hey why didn't you just wait in front of the school?" She asked.
"I didn't want to get caught skipping school." he replied.
"I see you truly are wise." Dinah said jokingly.
"You look horrible what's up?"
"I'm just tired that's all look I can't hang out with you today I'm just exhausted oh Gabby gave me back your math notes I have them here somewhere." she said as she looked through her back pack.
"I don't need them now don't worry but I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Ok I didn't exactly want to just spit it out as it was I wanted to sort of build up to it.
Dinah interrupted "look I'm way too tired so whatever it is can it wait until tomorrow?" She asked Jonathan just sort of nodded.
"Uhh sure that's fine wasn't important anyway."
"Ok great see ya then." she said and started to walk off.
"Dinah will you go out with me?" Jonathan asked rather loudly.
Dinah stopped dead in her tracks now she thought she was hallucinating or hearing things or worse both she turned around and walked back to Jonathan.
"Did you just ask me out?"
"Kind of."
Dinah pinched herself to make sure she was awake.
"I'm not sure what to say exactly...ok how about yes" she replied with a smile on her face.
Jonathan smiled "yes?"
Dinah looked him in the eyes "yes" she said once again "but not today I'm tired tomorrow ok"
"I can wait" he replied.
The elevator doors to the clock tower opened and Dinah walked in Barbara was working on grading some tests when she noticed Dinah walk in.
"Dinah can I speak to you for a minute?" she asked Dinah walked over towards her mentor.
"Sure what is it?"
"I just wanted to tell you how proud of you I am you've showed that you can balance friends and training and school."
Dinah let out a small laugh "yup and now I have to balance school training friends and a boyfriend." Dinah's eyes widened in fear of what was to come she was so exhausted she had let that last comment slip out.
Barbara grinned, "Did you just say boyfriend?"
"Oh yeah well Jonathan asked me out today." she replied
"Ahh the new guy right?"
"Yes can we get off this subject now?" Dinah said.
"Ok fine I just wanted you to know how proud I am and Helena is as well she just hasn't had time to express it."
Dinah smiled but a tear cam to her eye "I just wish me mom was here to see me I wanted her to be proud of me."
"I'm sure she is Dinah" Dinah hugged Barbara then wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I think I'm going to go get some sleep."
"Ok don't train tonight I think you need the rest" Barbara said.
"Ok I won't" Dinah replied as she walked up to her room.
To Be Continued....
With the events of the previous night behind her, Dinah attempted to enjoy another day at school. However, she was finding it quite difficult. Her mind was filled with thoughts of what to do after school. Not only was she no longer grounded, but also with the overall slow down in crime, Barbara didn't mind if she went out afterwards, rather than focusing on training, for once.
The day had started much like any other, and now it was just about time for science class. Dinah looked forward to it - she had managed to get ahead in her class work, meaning she had a free period to muse over whatever she wanted. Or so she thought.
As Dinah sat at her lab station reviewing other classes' homework, the teacher called for their collective attention. "Ok, listen up people. We have a new arrival here today, so do whatever you can to make him feel welcome, and help him out in any way he needs." The teacher opened the door, and in he walked.
"Alright class, this is Jonathan. He just transferred here, so those of you who will be sharing other classes with him, do whatever you can to help him out so he can get caught up in those." The teacher looked at Jonathan. "Anything to add?"
"No" he said casually, shaking his head.
"Alright...I think I'm going to put you over there, with Dinah. She's probably ahead of all of us by about a day" – here the class chuckled - "so she's probably got some time to get you caught up in what you've missed." Jonathan wasn't concerned. He knew he could catch up easily, he just hoped his classes would go smoothly and that his life would get on track. He walked over to the girl's table, and took a seat.
"So, you must be Dinah - unless teacher doesn't know her own students"
"That's me. And you must be Jonathan – but I suppose that's already been established."
"Quite observant, aren't you?"
They both started to laugh. "Ok then, now that we know who we are, where do you want to begin? We've got quite a bit to cover." Jonathan picked up Dinah's text book.
"Hmm...let's see here...yeah, that's what I thought. I know this stuff already, so don't worry about it."
Dinah looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You expect me to believe that you know all of this?"
Jonathan flipped over to a practice test, and filled it out in about thirty seconds." Here, see for yourself." Dinah looked it over. She was ahead of him, strictly speaking, but not all that far ahead.
"I'll take your word for it, but I have a question."
"Shoot."
"Are you some kind of genius or something?"
Jonathan laughed. "No, no. My teachers just had this thing, where science and math were supposed to be the focus of my education. I guess you could say I was home schooled."
Dinah closed her science book. "Well then, what do you intend on doing for the rest of the class?"
He reached into his backpack and pulled out Shakespeare's Othello. "Do you understand this gibberish? 'Cause I sure as hell don't, and I have until tomorrow to figure out what's going on in the first half."
She laughed. "I think I can help you out there, if you want."
Jonathan let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks. I figured, 'first day and I'm already failing English.' Had to be some kind of record."
They broke into laughter again, and then Dinah did her best to help Jonathan understand Shakespeare.
Lunchtime rolled around, and what was starting off as a good day was going downhill fast. Dinah's homework began piling up, and most of her teachers had spontaneously decided that next week would be good for tests. This was going to cut into her free time, and she wasn't happy. After getting her lunch, she grabbed a seat next to Gabby, a friend of hers.
"Hey! So, how was your day?"
Gabby gave her a look. "How do you think?"
Dinah smiled sheepishly. It was good to know at least someone else was on the same wavelength.
"So, what's with you and the new guy? You two seemed to be getting on kinda friendly-like..."
She blushed slightly, and raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? There's nothing. I was just helping him with some of his Shakespeare readings, that's all."
"Like him, don't ya?"
"...Look, I think he's cute, and we got along great, but I'll probably never see him again except for during Science class so just drop it, alright?"
Gabby smiled. "Oookay. Whatever you say, Dinah..."
After a few minutes, Jonathan walked into the cafeteria. When he had his food, he looked around for a place to sit, and spotted Dinah and Gabby. He walked over.
"Hello ladies. Mind if I take a seat?"
Dinah practically choked to death on her drink when Gabby elbowed her in the ribs.
"Go right ahead." Gabby smiled.
"Thanks."
They took a look at his tray and Gabby's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"You...going to eat all of that?"
"Yeah, why?"
"That's more than most of the football team combined."
"What can I say I love food." he said smiling he looked toward Dinah "Dinah right?"
"Yea that's my name last I checked."
"Ok then Dinah thanks again for helping me out with that Shakespeare it still doesn't make much sense but at least now it makes some sense"
"No problem." she replied blushing slightly
After finishing his food in record time Jonathan just leaned back in his chair
"Wow that was the worst thing I have ever eaten what was that?"
Dinah and Gabby both busted out in laughter
"It's supposed to be meat loaf but everyone's convinced it's more loaf than meat." Dinah replied trying to fight off the laughter
"I see." Jonathan replied poking at the remains of the meat loaf on his plate
"So I'm going to change the topic because if I think too much about what it was I just ate I think I'll get a second chance to examine it if you catch my drift."
Gabby and Dinah just pushed there trays aside they had suddenly lost their appetites.
"So you two doing anything after school today?"
"Well aside for the piles of homework no." Dinah responded "same here." Gabby added.
"Alright then how about this you show me around town for a while we hang out do something interesting then we can go back to my place and help each other out with the homework sound ok to you two?"
Gabby thought about the proposition "well depends you any good in math?"
"My specialty."
"Well I'm in cause I do not want to fail the test next week."
"Great so Dinah will you be joining us?"
Dinah thought about it for a second and decided that Barbara probably wouldn't mind if she went out for a while as long as her homework was done.
"Sure I'm in."
"Ok then I'll see you after school I have some thing to take care of some official request of transference of documentation or some thing like that I think they want my old records but they won't just come out and say it."
The final bell of the day rang and school was out and with 1 day left until the weekend and for most of the students that meant time to have fun and party with their friends for Jonathan it meant trying to track down this Huntress character and determining how best to eliminate her.
Dinah and Gabby waited outside of the school for Jonathan he was running late after about twenty minutes of waiting he finally showed.
"Ok so lets get the site seeing on with."
Dinah and Gabby just stared at him. To Jonathan it felt as though they were staring a hole right through him. It then registered why they were doing this he was late very late.
"Oh yea sorry I'm late I got caught up in the office they were having problems getting my records. To make it up to you dinners on me."
Dinah and Gabby looked at each other and then looked back at Jonathan.
"Fine by us." They replied at the exact same time.
With that the three headed off to go site seeing around New Gotham. After about two hours of seeing the town they headed off and grabbed something to eat and of course to make up for his tardiness Jonathan picked up the bill. After eating they headed back to Jonathan's place to get their homework done. The time flew by as they enjoyed each other's company and actually enjoyed doing homework. Jonathan had almost forgotten about what he had to do that is until he noticed the sun had gone down.
"Shit what time is it?" he asked
Gabby looked at her watch "it's about quarter to eight."
"Ok I hate to break this up but I have to get to work so if either of you still need help with anything I'll be in an hour early tomorrow still have some things to get straightened out."
"Thanks again for showing me around."
Dinah smiled "no problem I had a great time"
"Me too we should do this again."
They said there goodbyes and Gabby and Dinah left Gabby had a smile a mile wide on her face
"What is it?" Dinah asked
"He likes you."
"Would you stop it already." Dinah started to blush and Gabby laughed
"Do you really think he like me?" Dinah asked,
"I don't think I know and I'll give him this at least he has good taste in women." Gabby said smiling they both started laughing.
Jonathan waited till he knew the girls were gone then he changed into his street clothes he also used some black face paint around his eyes and nose so that no one could recognize him under his hood. The time had come for him to hunt the huntress.
Back at the clock tower Barbara was making a few slight adjustments to Helena's COM
"You know I am really considering taking away the off switch on these things." Barbara said jokingly
"Do whatever you want next time right now I just want to get out their I need to kick someone's ass."
"Bad day at work again?" Barbara said as she handed Helena the COM.
"Bad doesn't describe it," she said as she walked toward the elevator.
"Huntress do you copy?" Oracle's voice cam over the COM
"Yes Oracle I hear you what exactly did you do to this thing anyway?"
"I just improved the integrity it should be more stable during a fight."
"Should be?"
"Well until you get into a fight I wont know if the modifications worked now will I?"
Huntress prowled the rooftops and just as it had been for the past few months it was quiet
"Oracle is their anything about being a hero that says I can't help a criminal escape jail and hunt him down for fun it? Doesn't even have to be a super criminal it could be a guy who cheated on his taxes anything."
Oracle laughed "I'll check up on that one for you but I'm pretty sure we can't do that either."
Huntress was about to give up when something caught her eye some guy was holding up a fruit stand.
"Well it's better than nothing," she said to herself. "Oracle I found something."
"What is it?"
"Just some idiot holding up a fruit stand."
"I'm sorry did you say fruit stand?"
Huntress looked closely "yes a fruit stand."
"Well then go do what you have to."
Huntress swooped down from the rooftop almost giving the criminal a heart attack then she calmly walked over towards him.
"So let me get this straight you took a walk tonight and instead of robbing a bank or a gas station you decided to rob a fruit stand either you love fruit or your about as smart as a Banana."
The guy clenched his fist and threw a wild right hand Huntress dodged easily.
"Strike one you're going to have to better than that."
Enraged by her comments he immediately took another swing once again Huntress dodged.
"Strike two and now it's my turn."
Huntress grabbed his arm and twisted behind his back and then applied pressure he then dropped he knife he was holding in his left hand as pain shoot up his arm. She then threw him against a wall
"Well that was just too easy." she said she looked at the owner of the stand
"You might want to call the police and have them pick this guy up."
The owner just nodded she walked off into an alley so she could get quick access to the roof a strange hooded figure who appeared to be nothing more than a homeless drunk almost bumped into her.
"Sorry mam." the man said she though nothing of it. Jonathan on the other hand knew his deception had worked he saw her fight and had her scent he would now be able to track her for a few miles.
Jonathan found a gang hanging around in some alley he approached them if he wanted to tack out huntress he needed something to get her attention what better than a gang beating on a poor defenseless drunk. He then approached the gang.
"Gentleman I have a proposition for you."
He quickly explained what he needed them to do however one of them just couldn't grasp this concept it was too good to be true.
"So let me get this straight we follow you we act like were gonna mug you then when you tell us to we leave we don't get arrested we don't get hurt and we each get a thousand bucks for this?"
"Yes that's all you have to do if you all agree I will pay you now."
They all agreed and as promised he paid them. His trap was ready to be set now he just had to find Huntress and spring it after that he could go on with life.
Huntress continued patrolling she was feeling better having stopped one crime and her hopes that another crime would take place were about to come true. Oracle voice suddenly came over the COM.
"Huntress listen up there's something going on about five blocks west of your current position apparently a bunch of armed men are trying to mug some homeless guy the police won't make it on time and this poor guy could wind up dead."
"I'm on it Oracle." It's about damn time something interesting happened around here. Huntress thought to herself.
A few moments later she found the location she could see the crime from the roof.
"Oracle I found them I'm going in."
"Be careful if your not bullet proof." Oracle warned
"Too bad that would come in handy." Huntress replied semi joking semi serious.
Huntress swooped down from the roof she immediately addressed the criminals.
"Hey how about you leave him alone and come pick on me?"
They didn't respond she recognized the homeless man it was the same guy that had bumped into her before she didn't like this one bit. The man stepped forward turned and faced his assailants.
"Leave Now!" he commanded and without a second thought they put away their weapons and left. He walked forward.
"Huntress right? Nice name too bad you have to die now."
"Huntress what's going on over there?" Oracle asked
"It looks like this was a trap but someone obviously doesn't know who he's messing with."
Jonathan prepared himself for what he had to do it's what he was trained to do from the time he was he was trained to kill.
Huntress waited for this guy to bring the fight to her but it wasn't happening.
"For someone who wants me dead you don't seem to be doing much." she said in a sarcastic tone Jonathan never responded.
"Fine I'll start things off."
With that Huntress threw a quick jab Jonathan threw up his forearm and blocked the shot Huntress's hand landed squarely on his bone she shook off the pain. She then threw another he side stepped this one she then nailed him with a spin kick but as she landed he struck his forearm down across her back the pain Huntress felt was excruciating but she managed to get up only to have a knee smashed into her abdominal area then another to her lower back. Jonathan laughed as Huntress tried to get to her feet but he grabbed her head and threw her up against the wall.
At the clock tower Oracle lost Huntress's signal
"Huntress? Are you there? Come in Huntress."
Dinah came over when she heard Barbara getting worried.
"What's wrong?"
"Huntress she said something about a trap and then next thing I know she starts a fight with some guy and now I lost her COM signal."
"Did she turn it off?"
"No the signal isn't gone it's dead it's not transmitting at all." Oracle said
"Should I go try and find her?"
"No stay here if whoever or whatever this is managed to bust her COM up that quickly then they could be a serious threat besides Huntress can take care of herself."
"I hope your right." Dinah replied
"So do I so do I." Oracle said to herself.
The pain Huntress felt was unbelievable no one had ever hit her this hard she tried for a straight kick it missed by an inch she then threw a quick uppercut witch nailed Jonathan in the jaw stunning him for a second. Huntress took the opening she nailed him with several swift kicks then grabbed him by his jacket and threw him into the wall.
"See I told you that you underestimated me."
Jonathan got up and shook himself off Huntress couldn't believe this guy was still standing.
"Come one what do I have to do throw a truck at you?" she said trying to express her frustration Jonathan smiled.
"That might work," he said.
He ran and tackled Huntress to the ground he then proceeded to throw a flurry of punches at her for about a minute he then picked her up and held her by her throat with one hand.
"Sorry this is just business."
"Screw you." Huntress spat in his face.
"Sorry I don't do dead chicks".
Then before he had a chance to finish her off Huntress heard a familiar voice a voice she was glad to hear at this moment.
"Gotham Police drop the girl now!" Detective Reese ordered as he held out his gun.
Jonathan couldn't risk finishing her here he didn't know if the cop's first instinct would be to shoot and kill him or to try and see if his victim was still alive. Jonathan quickly scanned the area an opened back door to a night club would provide an escape
"Whatever you say officer." he then quickly slipped a note into Huntress's coat pocket and threw Huntress into him knocking the gun out of his hand Jonathan ran and managed to escape.
"Huntress, are you alright?" Reese asked with concern. He quickly examined her, her right eye was swollen shut blood was trickling out of her mouth and nose. She also had a few visible bruises on her hand and neck.
"Get me back to the clock tower I'll be fine." she replied Reese picked her up and put her in the passenger seat of his car
"You sure you don't want to go to a hospital? You look like you hell."
"Jesse I'll be fine just get me back to the clock tower" Huntress responded. Reese nodded and closed the door he got in and then headed for the clock tower.
At the clock tower Barbara was getting more worried by the moment.
"I can't figure out what happened to her COM it should have been stable during a fight."
"I'm sure miss Helena is fine she has proven time and time again she is quite capable of taking care of herself." Alfred reassured her
"Yeah Barbara I'm sure Helena is fine." Dinah added.
The elevator doors opened and the three of them hurried over Reese walked in unable to stand on her own power Helena was leaning on him for support.
"Dinah give me a hand here she's in pretty bad shape."
"What happened?" Barbara asked.
"When I got there some guy had her by her throat next thing he throws her at me then runs off."
Reese and Dinah set Helena down on a couch. Barbara rolled over to her.
"Helena are you alright?"
"Just peachy." she said sarcastically Barbara laughed.
"I see your sense of humor wasn't damaged. What exactly happened who was this guy that attacked you?"
Alfred came over with a bag of ice and handed it to Helena.
"Thanks Alfred, as for this guy I have no clue who he was he never gave me his name I couldn't even see his face under that hood."
"What kind of hood?" Barbara asked
"Just a hooded sweatshirt he was dressed like an ordinary person but when he hit me it felt like a truck slamming into me."
Helena took off her jacket and the note fell out. Barbara picked it up and read it.
Huntress, next time I finish the job don't try and find me I'll find you.
Signed: The Instrument of your destruction
"What the hell does he mean by that?"
"Simple he wants to kill me next time he'll do it too he could have tonight but Jesse stopped him." Helena said,
"Then how did he have time to write this note?" Barbara asked,
"I guess he was prepared maybe he didn't intend on doing it tonight or maybe he just didn't think I would be that easy to beat." Helena responded.
"Wow are you feeling Helena?" Dinah asked with a tone of concern in her voice. Helena just rolled her eyes.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that I feel exactly how I look like crap ok Dinah you need to train harder now because next time this guy shows up were both taking him."
Barbara could swear she was hearing things.
"Did you just say that you want Dinah to help you next time this guy shows up?"
"Yes I did." Helena responded.
"Normally I would be glad to see you admitting you need help but if you couldn't take him what makes you think Dinah can?"
"I don't think she can take him."
"What? Are you losing your mind if you think she can't take him then why would you want her involved?" Barbara inquired.
Helena smiled "simple he's strong but not fast and Dinah can slow him down even more."
Barbara now knew what Helena was hinting at Dinah was still confused all she understood is that Helena had the shit beat out of her and now she was going to have to help fight him.
"Excuse me but what exactly can I do?" she asked.
"Your telekinesis." Barbara responded
"While I fight him you slow him down by throwing any heavy objects at him from as far away as you can then it's only a matter of time before I find a weakness and beat him." Helena added.
Dinah understood the theory but she knew she would have to train and harness her power as well as her fighting skills for this battle.
Over the following two weeks Dinah spent every spare moment she had well every spare moment that she wasn't hanging out with Jonathan and Gabby mediating to focus her mind or training to tone her fighting skills her test was simple really at the end of her training she would spar with Helena. She trained hard and finally the day had come now she would find out exactly how far along she had come.
Dinah entered the clock tower after returning from school Helena was sitting on the couch watching TV. She looked over at Dinah.
"I'll meet you in the training room in fifteen minutes hope you're ready for this kid I'm not taking it easy on you this time." She got up and went into the training room,
Dinah dropped her bag and went up to her room and got changed. She walked into the training room and tied her hair back. She stretched for a couple of minutes. Barbara wheeled in.
"Whenever you two are ready." She said as she took her position on the sideline.
"Ready when you are kiddo" Helena said with confidence in her voice.
"Ready" Dinah said unsure of what she had gotten herself into.
"I don't want to see either of you holding back here not if you're going to take on this mad man." Barbara ordered.
The two circled one another for a moment then Helena threw a right hand and hit Dinah right below the shoulder. Dinah jerked back a bit from the impact but was otherwise fine. Helena followed up with a left hook Dinah blocked the left but didn't see Helena's right hand coming toward her. Dinah fell to the ground. She was clearly getting frustrated.
"Come on Dinah I know you can do better than this." Helena said.
Dinah got up and dusted herself off. And took a few more shots from Helena now she was getting annoyed. She stood straight and lowered her guard and closed her eyes.
"What do you think you're doing?" Helena asked.
"Just trust me." Dinah said.
Helena attempted a sweep Dinah side stepped and then nailed Helena in the ribs with a quick jab. Helena turned to throw a left jab but a 25-pound punching bag hit her in the back knocking her off guard. Dinah took the opportunity to sweep Helena. Helena looked up as another punching bag hovered above her it dropped right onto her abdomen. Thankfully this was a much lighter one.
"That was very impressive Dinah." Barbara said helping Helena to her feet.
"Thanks I've been training really hard."
"I think we have a chance if this guy shows again." Helena said.
"Alright I think you two have trained enough Dinah clearly has established some control over her powers. Helena you're just as good as ever. I'm proud of you both."
That night everyone got some much needed rest and for once weren't worried about what was to come. The next morning Dinah just ignored her alarm clock she didn't want to go to school she was exhausted from all the training and then the sparing session last night.
"Dinah get up or you're going to be late for school."
"I'm up I'll be down in a minute." she shouted back.
Later that day at lunch Dinah was almost falling asleep at the table.
"Dinah are you alright?" Gabby asked
"Yeah I'm just tired too much studying I guess," she replied
"Take it easy or you'll be dropping dead in class." Gabby said jokingly.
"Say have you seen Jonathan around I borrowed his math notes and I wanted to give them back." Gabby asked.
"No I haven't seen him much the past few days I don't think he's in today I'm supposed to meet up with him after school so if you want I'll give them to him if he shows up." Dinah responded sounding like she was asleep.
Gabby reached into her bag and handed Dinah the notes. "Thanks I got to get going anyway."
Dinah was too tired to even bother questioning where her friend was going "Ok I'll see ya later." she said.
Meanwhile back at Jonathan's apartment he had finally gotten some basic furniture and a work out station. Jonathan had not gone to school he was preparing he had 2 weeks left until Davis made his life a living hell. He turned his stereo up to full blast the speakers around his pace vibrated as Rammstien's music pumped through them. He started hitting his punching bag just as he got a rhythm up there was a knock at the door most likely a neighbor who wanted him to turn off his music he turned it down and grabbed a towel and took off his boxing gloves and answered the door it was Davis.
"What the hell do you want?" Jonathan demanded.
"I'm just checking up on things you know making sure your fitting in enjoying yourself the basics." Davis replied.
"I'm fine but while your hear you can do me a favor."
"See it doesn't work like that I don't do anything for you."
"You want Huntress dead you tell me what I need to know." Davis nodded.
"Ok when I fought her a cop showed up I think he knows her or at least can contact her I need to know who he was."
Davis had a puzzled look on his face "why?"
"I need a message sent to Huntress I figure he may be the best way of getting it to her."
"Ok what did he look like?"
"He was about my height maybe an inch taller bald had a beard black wore a suit not a uniform."
Davis thought about it "I know the guy."
Jonathan got a piece of paper and scribbled something on it put it in an envelope and wet it with a sponge.
"Don't want anyone doing a DNA trace on me now do we."
"Give this to him in exactly 1 week you got that not one day earlier make sure he gets it/" Jonathan said.
"And then what?"
"Then that night I finish what you asked me to do."
Davis understood and left he took out his cell phone and called his boss.
"Mr. Cobblepot I have good news."
"What is it?" Cobblepot asked.
"Huntress will be eliminated in one weeks time sir."
"And it cannot be traced back to me?"
"No sir."
"This conversation never took place." Cobblepot said.
"Of course not." Davis hung up and deleted the call from his phone.
As school let out Dinah walked out half asleep she couldn't wait to go home and go to sleep that's all she could think about at the moment. She noticed Jonathan waiting across the street.
"Hey why didn't you just wait in front of the school?" She asked.
"I didn't want to get caught skipping school." he replied.
"I see you truly are wise." Dinah said jokingly.
"You look horrible what's up?"
"I'm just tired that's all look I can't hang out with you today I'm just exhausted oh Gabby gave me back your math notes I have them here somewhere." she said as she looked through her back pack.
"I don't need them now don't worry but I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Ok I didn't exactly want to just spit it out as it was I wanted to sort of build up to it.
Dinah interrupted "look I'm way too tired so whatever it is can it wait until tomorrow?" She asked Jonathan just sort of nodded.
"Uhh sure that's fine wasn't important anyway."
"Ok great see ya then." she said and started to walk off.
"Dinah will you go out with me?" Jonathan asked rather loudly.
Dinah stopped dead in her tracks now she thought she was hallucinating or hearing things or worse both she turned around and walked back to Jonathan.
"Did you just ask me out?"
"Kind of."
Dinah pinched herself to make sure she was awake.
"I'm not sure what to say exactly...ok how about yes" she replied with a smile on her face.
Jonathan smiled "yes?"
Dinah looked him in the eyes "yes" she said once again "but not today I'm tired tomorrow ok"
"I can wait" he replied.
The elevator doors to the clock tower opened and Dinah walked in Barbara was working on grading some tests when she noticed Dinah walk in.
"Dinah can I speak to you for a minute?" she asked Dinah walked over towards her mentor.
"Sure what is it?"
"I just wanted to tell you how proud of you I am you've showed that you can balance friends and training and school."
Dinah let out a small laugh "yup and now I have to balance school training friends and a boyfriend." Dinah's eyes widened in fear of what was to come she was so exhausted she had let that last comment slip out.
Barbara grinned, "Did you just say boyfriend?"
"Oh yeah well Jonathan asked me out today." she replied
"Ahh the new guy right?"
"Yes can we get off this subject now?" Dinah said.
"Ok fine I just wanted you to know how proud I am and Helena is as well she just hasn't had time to express it."
Dinah smiled but a tear cam to her eye "I just wish me mom was here to see me I wanted her to be proud of me."
"I'm sure she is Dinah" Dinah hugged Barbara then wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I think I'm going to go get some sleep."
"Ok don't train tonight I think you need the rest" Barbara said.
"Ok I won't" Dinah replied as she walked up to her room.
To Be Continued....
