"Fallen Angels"
Disclaimer: I own no one.
Rating: PG-13 for the usual stuff. (coughs)
Spoilers: Through "Initiation"
Pairings: Wouldn't you like to know?
)8(
Chapter 6:
"So, how about that Hawkgirl?"
Batman resisted sending his adopted son a glare but dared to answer the question with a question. "What about her?"
"She's a spontaneous little firecracker, isn't she?"
"I knew she was impulsive, so I had a feeling she'd run. That's the reason for the tracking device hidden in the cell disrupter."
Nightwing gave a slight nod and bent his knees to sit in a squatting position. He peered over the roof's ledge and into the alley below. "You know everything about everyone, don't you?"
The Dark Knight took that remark as a rhetorical question and moved his eyes to Batgirl when she joined the men near the ledge.
"The East end's clean. Not a mugger or bookie in sight. Looks like we can turn in early." The young, blue-eyed beauty smiled and took a seat beside Nightwing. "What do you say to a movie night at my place?"
"What kind of movies?" he snickered playfully and cocked an eyebrow. When she rolled her eyes, he chuckled. "Let me guess. 'In your dreams Boy Wonder.'"
"And you'd answer with a 'You know it, pretty lady.'"
"Ah, who said great minds don't think alike?"
"No one. Anyway, you're not a great mind."
Before they could start their usual lighthearted squabbling, Batman ordered them to head home. There was no need for them to be out when they could get a descent amount of sleep for a change. Plus, Dick was heading back to Bludhaven in the morning, so they needed time to...
After a quick check of Gotham Square, the Caped Crusader took the 'Mobile home but didn't spend much time in the cave. He quickly changed and headed straight for the bedrooms, which were situated on the second floor.
Shayera's door was closed, but he soundlessly opened it. Bruce crept to her bedside and gazed down on her motionless form, making sure that she was sleeping peacefully. He knew that the past couple of nights had been hard on her because she was no longer alone, in the literal sense, but surrounded by people who truly wanted to help her.
He knew that the fact would still be difficult to acclimatize to.
To his surprise, the Thanagarian groaned and groggily asked, "Checking on me?"
Bruce tried to answer, but his words got jumbled in his throat. It took him a half-second longer than usual to reply. "Alfred said you were having trouble sleeping."
Shayera sat up in bed and yawned. "Yeah. What of it?"
"I could give you a few sleeping pills."
"No thanks."
Bruce heard the woman swallow hard as her gaze moved to her comforter.
"I have to face them all, don't I?"
Although she had been very general with her statement, he knew exactly whom she was speaking of. "No. Only Clark will be there."
"But I'm sure you'll have heroes stationed outside, for surveillance purposes."
He nodded. "Yes, but none of 'us' will be there."
"Us?"
"None of the seven will be there except for you, Clark, and me."
"I see." The former Leaguer bit her lower lip and cradled her knees. "Do you think I can pull this off?"
Her question caught him a little off guard. Shayera wasn't one to ask for opinions. She proved herself to others, overcame their doubts. Since when did she care about his confidence in her? Since when did she need someone else to have faith in her?
'Since Hro Talak had broken her,' Bruce answered to himself.
"We'll see," he told frankly and headed for the door.
"Bruce," she called with a tone that seemed a bit warmer than it had before. Perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him, noticing things that did not exist.
But why? He didn't look at Shayera Hol in that manner. He never did. Since when did he search for affection in a woman's voice?
In her voice?
He stopped to make eye contact with her in the dark room and waited.
"I can do this; I promise. I won't run again."
"Good."
"Sleep well, Bruce."
He gave a small nod and left her alone in her bedroom.
)8(
End of Part One: Gotham
Coming soon... Part Two: Metropolis
(Short, sweet, and to the point!) Now, the fun REALLY begins...