They walked inside a dark room. She had her eyes closed, Alfred had asked her to close them; she felt cold on her arms. He left her standing up in the middle of the room.
"Don't move," he said gently, walking toward the wall.
"Where are you going?"
"Don't be impatient."
She waited in silence, just listening to his steps. A few moments later she noticed he had turned the lights on.
"You can look now."
Helena opened her eyes and looked around in amazement. The place was full with toys. A wood house, bicycles, table games, action men, electronic games.
"WOW!" she exclaimed "This is great!"
"I knew you would like it."
"Who's stuff is this?" She went to a table and touched a beautiful small wood house,
"These were the toys of Master Bruce, he likes to keep them in good condition. And sometimes he buys new ones that he likes."
"He collects toys?" She opened the small windows of the house.
"That and motorcycles and cars."
"Bikes? He has bikes?"
"Yes, I think almost sixty."
She made a face and looked him. "You are joking."
"Oh no, he has them. Want to see them?"
"I love bikes! Yes!"
Alfred was at the door seeing off some guests. The party almost was over. He smiled watching Selina walk toward him.
"Leaving now, Miss Selina?"
"Almost," she smiled at him.
"I see, you've lost something, I guess."
"You got it."
Barbara and Dick walked inside the garage. It was a big place with more then sixty motorcycles parked inside. There were amazing machines in different colors and sizes. It was their favorite place. Both of them loved bikes. They heard some noises, moving to the back of the place, Barbara saw Helena sitting on a bike pretending she was driving it, and doing noises with her mouth.
"Oh, you are here, your mom is looking for you," Barbara said.
"The police will catch you. You are driving too fast." Dick crossed his arms.
"Isn't it great?" Helena said excitedly. "I've never been on a bike!"
"You've never been on a bike?" The red head walked toward her.
"Mom says they're dangerous…Rummmmmm. Have you ever driven one?"
"Yes." Barbara nodded her head, "sometimes."
"Really? Can we go to…?"
"No, no, these bikes are not mine… okay, Evil Kneivel," Barbara took her by her waist and moved her down, "time to go. Your mom is looking for you."
"Rummmm," Helena said, moving her arms as if her hands were on the handlebars. "I'll buy a bike."
"Want a ride?" Dick asked.
"Yea!"
"No way!" Selina said, entering the garage.
"Why not?" Helena asked.
"Too risky, forget it." Selina put her hands on her waist.
"Mom!"
"And it's late, time to go."
"Well, maybe some other day." Dick leaned next to Helena.
"Promise it?"
"Yes."
"Dick," Selina locked her eyes on him, "don't fill her head with those ideas. She is a child."
"It's just a ride, Selina."
"No way. You are dangerous."
"Me?" Dick faked innocence.
"Yes, wonder boy, I know you." Selina laughed.
"She's breaking my heart," Dick said to Barbara.
"Sure."
"Say bye, Helena."
"Bye." The child went to kiss to Barbara and the young man. She whispered in his ear. "Don't forget the ride."
"Sure."
"I heard that, Helena."
"Oh mom!."
"That's the problem with having a meta-mother," Dick joked.
Barbara pushed him playfully.
"You two are a bad influence, see you guys, have fun." Selina walked outside the garage, taking Helena's hand.
"Well," Dick looked Barbara "So, maybe I can give you a ride."
"What about a race?" She flirted with him.
"And… the winner wins…?"
"Free dinner?"
Dick hugged her and brushed his nose against hers "And a kiss."
"Sounds good," she flirted with him. "Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"All right, deal." Barbara laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He leaned and kissed her softly on her lips.
"What was that?" she whispered.
"I'm giving you my prize, if you win. Now you give me yours, if I win."
Barbara laughed. "That was cheating!"
"You don't like it?"
"Yea…" She put her lips against his.
"Okay, okay, here is your cat." Selina said tiredly, opening her closet and taking out a box she had in the top of the closet. Helena had been asking for Jaçques.
"You had him inside a box!" Helena almost yelled.
"So?" she opened the box.
"He doesn't like boxes!" Helena snatched the stuff pet. "How could you do that?"
"Well, what do you prefer, him or you inside the box?" The blonde woman put her right hand on her waist and glared to her.
"You are bad! You locked him up!" The child exited the room, offended.
"Good." Selina waved her hands and let herself fall on the bed, she felt so tired. Thankfully, when Helena was annoyed, she would lock herself in her room and she could sleep a few hours. She removed her shoes and hugged the pillow closing her eyes.
Days later, Barbara was at the Gotham Museum for the inauguration of a Pompeii exhibit. She was dressed in black, in an elegant suit. She looked at some pieces inside a cabinet. She liked the old cultures, the development of those civilizations were amazing. She looked in her catalogue at the information for a reproduction of an incredible mural.
"The Vettius house belonged to two wealthy merchants, Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Conviva. Its beautiful paintings and the skillful reconstruction of its apartments make it one of the most interesting houses to visit in the whole town. Here is a small sampling of the brilliant frescoes which remain in the house in their original locations."
Barbara smiled and turned her head. "I see you know so much about Pompeii and its art."
Dick was also there, dressed in a black tuxedo and smiled back with his hands behind his back. "Pompeii was first occupied in the 8th century BC. The Etruscans soon dominated the region and Pompeii was no exception. Their reign ended when the Romans took control of Pompeii around 200 BC. The Romans retained control over Pompeii until the end... a fateful day in 79 AD when Mt Vesuvius unleashed its fury on the 20,000 inhabitants of this thriving Roman city."
Barbara cocked her head and looked at him in his eyes, flirting. "The Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD, which buried the town in ash, actually captured a moment in time. This tragic event ended the lives of 20,000 Pompeian residents, the ash that buried the town served as a sort of mummification for the entire city. Under the ash, everything remained as it was at the time of the eruption. Artwork was preserved. Buildings were preserved. Several important clues were left behind."
"I see you know so much about it too." He feigned surprise.
"I read."
"That is most amazing."
"Dick!" She laughed.
He loved her smile, it was wonderful. He took her hand. "What would you think about a night under the moon, candles, music and delicious pasta? Italian food."
"Sounds good."
"It is good."
Some yells outside made them turn around. They went toward the door. Some men were surrounding some of the guests in the main lobby of the museum. They were Mr. Freeze's men. They recognized them immediately.
"Maybe we need to wait a bit for the dinner," Barbara said hiding behind the door.
"Do you bring your stuff?" Dick asked, hiding behind the opposite door frame.
"Always, and you?"
"Yes. Where is the men's room?"
"I think any dark corner will work at this moment." Barbara pointed out, "It's Mr. Freeze."
"Uh… oh… All right, see you in a few."
"Ok." They ran to opposite sides of the back of the room.
