It's All Relative
Chapter 1: Into the Princess's Den
By Teala373
"If something should happen to me, I left instructions for you at the embassy".
Warren had told her these words when they married. He reminded her every year sometime around their anniversary. When they moved to Gotham, the reminders became more frequent.
Gotham.
She hadn't wanted to move there. Something in her gut told her the city would swallow her whole. It was halfway there. Her husband, the only real person who had known who she was, had been murdered.
His death brought about dreams… strange dreams. She didn't know if they were just nightmares or true visions of her life before the accident. Whatever they were, they were adding to the stress that fractured a once very happy family. Her husband was gone and she barely knew her sons anymore.
Matt was easier. He would still listen to her and even talk to her a little, but he was confused and in denial. This was the second father he had lost in a short period of time. Though he put up a good front, he was too fragile. It had been easy to comfort him when he was younger, but now…
And then there was Terry. She felt as though she didn't know him anymore. Between school, his girlfriend and this mysterious new job as a corporate lackey, he was almost never home. The few times he graced them with his presence were less than favorable. He was a ghost of his former self and no matter how hard she tried to talk with him, there was nothing in return.
She was slowly losing all the men in her life…even her old friend T.J. wasn't around anymore. There was nothing left, except a trip to the embassy…
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"You must be the elusive Batgirl that Killer Moth was rambling about."
"I have the information you need to prove the Commissioner's innocence and who the real criminal behind all this is, Batman."
"I appreciate the help, but I don't need another partner, I highly suggest that you consider this being your first and only appearance…Batgirl."
"Thanks, but don't count on it."
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"May I help you?"
"Yes. My name is Mary McGuiness. I was given instruction to visit this specific embassy in the event of my husband's death. His name was…" she paused, then, the painful reminder of his death every time she had to say 'was'. Warren was no more. Everything about him 'was' related to him, not 'is' related to him. She silently choked back the painful sting of tears threatening her eyes. A lump fell from her throat to her stomach.
"Ma'am? Are you alright?" the receptionist asked politely.
"I… yes, I'm alright. I'm sorry. His name was Warren McGuiness. He said he left instructions for me here."
The receptionist nodded. "We have been expecting you, Mrs. McGuiness."
Mary's brow knotted slightly. The receptionist didn't seem fazed in the least and she didn't have to look up any sort of reference or instruction. She was indeed expected.
"We are sorry for your loss, Mrs. McGuiness. Please have a seat. Someone will be with you shortly." She pressed a button on her phone with one hand while gesturing to the seating area with her other.
Taking a seat, Mary began wondering exactly what was coming next. Maybe it had something to do with her past. She didn't like this, but she trusted Warren.
She had no choice but to trust Warren.
He had told her the time would come when she would remember the past, but he was reluctant to force it upon her. Truth be told, Mary didn't want to know her past. She had a bad feeling she wouldn't like the past. All the bed rest and the importance of that bed rest, after she had awoken from her accident had made her focus on the present. She had become so accustomed to it that any curiosity about the past ebbed away. It wasn't important. The present was important and then both the present and the future became important. The past was of no concern. It was always 'someday', but someday never came for seventeen years… until now.
A female soldier dressed in the traditional uniform of the embassy's nation came up to the receptionist desk. The receptionist rose to meet her. "Awaken the Princess. Tell her the Oracle is here."