Note: Hey, how's this for everyone. I'm about a day later than I expected,
but I've got a fairly nice chapter here for you guys. A little bit o'
action this time around. Also, I updated after getting only one review, a
few more would be nice. *wink wink* *hint hint* *nudge nudge*
Disclaimer: They're still not mine, but I wouldn't object if the WB or DC comics suddenly gave them to me.
There it was, looming before her seeming so much more foreboding than it ever had before. She had spent most of her life there, developing a sort of family, and for that long time she considered it a second home. Now, she wasn't so sure. The urge to run from it was strong, and that shouldn't be the feeling you get when looking at your home. Still, she knew she couldn't leave it; there were people in there who - despite herself – she still loved. Especially one of them, and even her deep hurt could not override that longing to be with her. "Damn you Dinah." She sighed. "And damn me for still loving you."
Leaning against the brick, feeling the roughness against her back through her clothes reminded her that this was real, and that she was going to have to go in sometime. It was all a matter of working up the courage to do so, however. She still had her fears and reservations holding her back, and it was not a simple task to push them aside even after making her decision to reconciliate with Dinah and Barbara. The very thought of it made her cringe due to her expectance of rejection. No matter how stupid that thought might be, she was still afraid.
Just this morning Dinah had tried to placate her fears, and the fact that Dinah told her at all had to have meant something. Maybe she shouldn't have left that whiskey untouched, she felt the need for some artificial courage at the moment seeing as she couldn't work up her own in a natural way. She couldn't stay out here all day though, and she realized that she either had to leave or to go in. It wasn't as easy a decision as it should have been.
There was something else troubling her as well, although she had no idea what it was. Almost like she was being watched, or something to that effect; and it had only occurred when she came into the vicinity of the clock tower. It made her feel uneasy, and it was also one of the factors she was considering in her decision to enter the tower. Something wasn't right about the presence, whatever it was, it just gave her a bad feeling, and she suspected that it could be malicious in intent.
A desire to protect her family was strong, and in the end, she really had no choice. She had to go in and confront them; if not for her own sake, then for theirs. However, as to whether she was going in because of the emotional reason, or the possible physical one, she wasn't sure. In the end it wouldn't really matter though, things would still wind up being hashed out. "Okay Helena, you can do this." She steeled herself. With a deep breath, she went home.
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Meanwhile inside the clock tower, Dinah was just wiping at the tears, which had been flowing down her face. From the moment Helena had stepped out the door, she couldn't stop herself from crying. It seemed like Helena was planning on leaving her forever, and it wasn't a thought that Dinah could bear. If only Helena had allowed her to explain what had happened, then maybe Helena wouldn't leave her. She was terrified by the thought of Helena breaking off their relationship, the thought that maybe Helena could no longer love her. She shuddered at the concept, knowing that if Helena did end it, they couldn't even remain friends. Dinah wouldn't be able to keep her feelings hidden, and Helena would be too hurt by the perceived betrayal.
Fresh tears welled in her eyes, surprising her, as she didn't think she had anymore to cry, but she refused to let them fall. She couldn't just spend the rest of her day crying for what she might lose; no matter how much she wanted to. Somehow she would have to make it up to Helena, and at least prove that she still loved her. She felt the doubt, fear, and anger that had been radiating from Helena before she left, and it cut her to the bone. The fact that Helena had so little faith in her hurt deeply, but then Helena had been hurt before and was a cautious person when it came to her feelings. Any bit of doubt would send her running, all Dinah needed to do was dispel that feeling, and they would be in good shape once more.
Drying her eyes she resolved that she also needed to speak with Barbara. After the incident, they hadn't really discussed the issue any; just leaving each other to come to their own conclusions. Now that this was having such a harmful effect on her and Helena, Dinah thought it prudent to talk some. Besides that, she was still angry with Barbara for doing what she did no matter how deeply she understood it. Her resolve now set, she made her way to Barbara.
As per usual, Barbara was sitting at Delphi, although it didn't look like she was actually getting much work done. If Dinah concentrated, she could pick up the feelings of sorrow and loneliness radiating from her mentor. It struck Dinah as odd for some reason; she hadn't thought that Barbara was lonely. After all, why would she be? Dinah and Helena were back safe and sound, and Alfred still showed up often. Then it struck her, Wade. They had all tried to move on with their lives after the events dealing with Harley, and during that time she had forgotten all about Wade being killed. Helena and herself had managed to move on, but Barbara hadn't, and it must have been at least a little painful to watch their relationship. She felt bad now about the talk she wanted to have, but knew that it needed to be resolved, maybe later, they could talk about Wade.
"Barbara?" She called out after a few more moments of observing the woman.
Clearly startled, Barbara gasped, and looked shocked as she breathed heavily trying to still her racing heart. "Yes Dinah?"
Dinah regarded her carefully, Barbara's voice broke a little, and her eyes looked at little red and blood shot, like she had been crying. Maybe it wasn't time for this conversation. She hesitated for a moment, but made her decision. "Nothing, it's not that important." Then she paused again. "Barbara?"
"Dinah?" Barbara returned looking quizzical.
Slowly she made her way to where Barbara's chair was placed, and pulled out one of the chairs kept for her and Helena to sit in front of Barbara. Dinah took a moment, intently scrutinizing Barbara before speaking. "I know you've been crying."
A look of shocked embarrassment encompassed Barbara's features, and she quickly wiped at her eyes. "I-I wasn't." She lied feebly.
"Please don't lie to me Barbara. I know that you and I aren't on the best ground right now, but I don't ... I never wanted you to feel like you couldn't talk to me." Dinah slowly explained, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear while looking at her lap.
"I can't expect that of you." Barbara argued unable to look her charge in the eye. "After what I did, and how it's affecting you, I don't deserve it."
Dinah smiled ruefully, if not a bit fondly at Barbara's uncanny ability of placing all the blame on herself and managing to come up with her own punishment. "Stop it Barbara. When are you going to learn that no matter what happens between any of us, we'll always be there for each other. I can feel your pain Barbara, and if I had to guess, I'd say it's about Wade. You didn't take the time to actually mourn, did you?"
For a moment it looked as thought Barbara was going to refute it, but then she sighed and nodded. "How did you know?"
"Lucky guess." Dinah answered honestly. "Talk to me."
"It's not entirely about Wade. I miss him, a lot, and I think I could have fallen in love with him. The fact that I didn't makes it hurt a little less, and I feel guilty. If I hadn't entertained the idea that I could hold a relationship with someone while leading this type of life, then he would still be alive." She explained softly toying with the hem of her shirt, and her hands often moving to wipe at her eyes.
"And where would that leave you?"
"What?" Barbara asked thoroughly confused.
"You'd have to sacrificing one thing for the other. If you gave up your line of work, then you wouldn't be the Barbara he fell in love with. I also imagine that you would be left feeling unfulfilled, and longing for that life once more. That wouldn't have been fair to anyone. And if you had sacrificed the relationship, I don't think you would've been happy that way either. You need what friendship can't offer Barbara, all of us do. You need to recognize that, and let the hurt go."
A soft sob erupted from Barbara's mouth, and she latched onto Dinah. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. What happened between you and Helena, I'm sorry."
It was so heartbreaking to see, and to listen to, that Dinah couldn't have stayed angry with Barbara even if she had wanted to. "I know, and we forgive you. Everything will work itself out, you'll see."
Dinah continued to hold her for several more moments, until the tears finally stopped, and the sobs turned to nothing more than the occasional hiccup. "Dinah I ... thank you."
Just as Dinah was about to return the gesture, they both heard the elevator. "Helena." Dinah whispered hopefully, almost reverently.
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The elevator ride up was almost like sheer agony. It was a wonder that she hadn't started hyperventilating due to the panic and terror she was feeling. Then, the ride stopped, and Helena had to fight herself to stay still. In what seemed like an eternity, the doors finally opened revealing to her a hopeful yet pensive looking Dinah, and an ashamed, sorrowful Barbara. Gathering her courage, she stepped forward. "Dinah, Barbara." She nodded her acknowledgement.
Before she could even react, she found a blond blur coming at her, and firmly latching itself onto her. Tears were soaking the material of her shirt, and she managed to look vaguely surprised. Carefully, she lowered her arms, and wrapped the girl in a warm embrace unable to deny how good it felt to hold her. "Please don't leave again Helena. Please. Just let me explain everything please. You can hit me, or yell at me, or whatever, just please don't leave." Dinah begged Helena pitifully. The sad part was that Helena could tell Dinah meant every word of it.
"Let's go sit down." Helena suggested as she walked towards the couch. Never once did she loosen her grip on the blond at her side, nor did Dinah seem willing to loosen her own hold.
"I guess, I'll just leave you guys then." Barbara offered as she began to wheel away.
"No, stay." Helena commanded. "You're a part of this," She continued sounding a little less authorative, "And I'd like to talk to the both of you."
"Of course." Barbara said after a moments pause, and she rolled her chair beside the couch.
"I need to know why." Helena stated firmly with pain littering her voice.
"I'm sorry Helena. It's just that I surprised Barbara in her room during the night." Dinah started, but noticing Helena's eyes widening with hurt as she reached the wrong conclusion, quickly tried to back peddle a bit. "That's not what I meant, it's not what you think." Tears were falling down her face once again. If she couldn't explain this properly, then the likely outcome was that she would lose Helena.
"Dinah, breathe and calm down." Barbara told her, the blond was too panicked and worried to do much, so it would most likely lie on her shoulders. "Helena, she came to my room with the intent of regaining her memories. She realized that if she could tap into my mind, and see what I remembered of our life, then it could very well jolt her memory. That's all she wanted, so don't stay mad at her."
"What about the kiss?" Despite her harsh words, Barbara noticed that she was cradling Dinah gently, and almost protectively against her chest.
"It meant nothing, it was nothing, and it was my fault." Barbara confessed.
"Barbara, don't ..." Dinah started.
"I know that you meant for both of us to take the blame Dinah, but that wouldn't be fair. I kissed her Helena, she didn't kiss me back."
"I see." Helena said, her eyes focused on the floor in front of her feet.
"Please don't stay too mad at her, she just needed some comfort, and she took it in the first place she could get it." Dinah tried to defend.
"Why you? Why a kiss?" Helena exclaimed, her eyes pleading with Barbara to answer her.
"I missed you two so much when you were gone, and I hadn't expected to miss you when you were back. After Reese and I rescued you, things were supposed to go back to normal ... but they didn't, and that hurt."
"That hardly constitutes a kiss." Helena accused.
"No, it doesn't, but there were other factors." An alert from the Delphi prevented her from defending herself further. She looked torn between answering it, and continuing the conversation, but in the end she could only do one, and duty called. "Damn it!" Barbara uttered a rare curse proving her frustration at the ill-timed crisis. "We'll continue this later."
A quick check of the Delphi proved the situation to be fairly serious. "There's a bank robbery in process, and it looks like there are several metas, armed metas. They're carrying weapons, and from what I can tell threatening to kill employees if the police come within five blocks on either side." She looked desperately at the two of them. "I need both of you in there. Can you two do that right now?" She studied them, analyzing to see if they would concede to her request. Neither of them were in top shape right now, but Gothem needed them, and in the life of a hero, duty would always have to come first.
"I'm in." Helena said, immediately standing.
"Me too." Dinah wiped away the last traces of her tears, and stood beside her partner.
"You two know what to do then." She nodded at them trusting that they would handle themselves appropriately.
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Both were perched outside the bank on top of the nearest building. "Something's not right about this Hel- I mean, Huntress." Canary noted just managing to catch herself on her partner's name.
"I know, but we still have to do something. Oracle, do you read?" Huntress checked the mike.
"Loud and clear."
"Something's up. There should be more people guarding the bank, but there's only six. One for each corner, and two on the roof." Huntress reported.
"I don't know what it means, but you guys have to go in soon. The police are considering ignoring the threat." Oracle warned.
"And if they do that, then we'll have dead people on our hands real fast. I think I might be able to knock the two on the roof out, and then we can enter from there." Canary suggested assessing the situation.
"Do it." Oracle agreed.
"Here goes nothing." Extending her hand, and with a look of concentration etched upon her face. The two metas on the roof swayed, and then collapsed. Dinah took a deep breath, and turned to her companion. "Let's go."
Stealthily they made their way onto the roof, and peered in through the skylight. "Check it out." Helena pointed through the window. A group of hostages were placed just beneath their perch, and weren't as carefully watched, as one would expect. A quick look around showed fifteen metas inside, ten of which were armed. Three of the unarmed were supervising, and the other two were taking the money from the safe. "What do you think?"
"Those three are the key players, and we should watch out for them." Canary advised, and Huntress nodded her agreement. "Most of their forces seem to be towards the front of the bank, so I suggest finding cover from them, like a desk or something."
"Right, I think we should take out the two watching the hostages, and then dive for cover, that'll leave us two less to deal with." Huntress pointed out.
"Let's do this then." Dinah said. As Huntress prepared to smash through the skylight, Dinah stopped her. "Before we go in, I just wanted to say that I love you, and I hope you can forgive me."
Helena sighed, and looked pensively at the ground. "Let's just go okay. We'll talk later." With great reluctance Canary nodded, and Huntress crashed through the sky light with Canary right behind her.
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Each quickly knocked out their surprised targets. Canary using her mind sent hers flying into the threats ahead of them, while Huntress utilized a simple right cross. With a dive in opposite directions both found themselves behind the relative safety of a desk as the shots rang out in their wake. Canary used her abilities to quickly move the hostages from the line of fire, and into the vault, which was far better protected. With a mutual nod between the two, Canary quickly stood and mentally shoved their opponents off balance allowing Huntress to quickly get in close.
Huntress did not waste her advantage, as she rushed in disarming one opponent, and slamming his own weapon into his jaw, and following up by shoving it into his stomach. A well-aimed punch struck her along her cheek and twisted her to the side. Before he could pull his arm back to him she grabbed it, and used the momentum of his attack to swing him into the wall, which he impacted heavily. Another went for a tackle at her legs, but she sensed the attacked and jumped onto their back which she used to spring board to another opponent whom she promptly kicked in the neck. Due to the close quarters no one dared use their gun, and that was something that Huntress was extremely grateful for seeing as her fighting abilities surpassed all of theirs; so far anyway.
Something wrapped tightly around her neck, and quickly pulled her backwards off her feet dragging her a small distance to lie at the owner's feet. To her disgust, she found out that it was a woman's tongue wrapped around her throat. Glaring at the woman, she lifted her legs and propelled them backwards and grabbed a part of the tongue that wasn't around her throat. Wrapping it around her boot, she pulled forward, and threw the woman over top of her. Since turn about is considered fair play, Huntress took the tongue, and wrapped it around the owner's throat, strangling her into unconsciousness, or at least that had been her intention. From behind her, the man she had thrown into the wall earlier wrapped her into a tight bear hug. Unable to breath, and feeling her ribs cracking from the pressure, she threw her head back and head butted him in the nose breaking it and causing him to drop her. She swept his legs from under him after striking him across the temple, hoping it would keep him out of the game for a little while. There were, after all, more people to be dealt with.
Taking a running start, she grabbed another opponent by the back to the neck, while drop kicking another in the chin. As she fell she made sure that her enemies head hit the floor hard, hopefully causing unconsciousness. Flipping to her feet she noticed that she still had several left to be taken out, and anticipated the fight before her. "Come and get some." She called gleefully. The ground trembled beneath her feet, temporarily distracting her, and sending her off balance, which was something the other metas quickly took advantage of.
"I'm out of here, I trust you two can handle it from here." Orin nodded to his two companions and left the carnage confident in their capabilities.
Rio and Dias both took notice of the blond charging at them, and with a single nod decided that Dias would be the one to handle her. He was anticipating this greatly having not had the chance for an actual fight during his existence.
Eyes glowing and fists charged with electricity she flew at her snake like enemy throwing furious fists at him. Skillfully he dodged each one, as if he found it unnecessary to block them, but he wasn't getting in any of his own hits either. Ducking one of her fists Dias rolled to the side setting her off balance and allowing him a quick and powerful jag to her kidneys, which sent her to the ground. Not one to stay down for long, Canary turned and threw him along the floor while regaining her feet. Noticing that one other of the main three was close by she sent a fist out at him, but he caught her around the wrist, and used his other hand to pick her up and throw her over to Dias, who had regained his own stance.
Dias hissed at her as she landed heavily on her back, and he made sure to stomp on her ribs before she could try to get up. When he tried to step on her a fourth time she caught his foot in her hands and channeled her emotion to produce the a shock which temporarily paralyzed Dias giving her enough time to get back up. Quickly, she kneed him in the stomach, and then drove a charged uppercut into his chin. It hardly seemed to faze him as he came at her again with a volley of fists. It was all she could do to block them, let alone retaliate. Her concentration slipped for a second, and he caught her along her eye, and followed with a punch to her diaphragm expelling all her air, and leaving her winded. Dias picked her up from the floor as she tried to regain her breath, and threw her into a desk, which broke beneath her. Grimacing in pain she shot out her hand and pushed him away from her.
After getting up she rushed Dias again and shoved a well-placed foot into his knee momentarily dropping him to one knee. She wrapped a hand around his throat and let the electricity flow through her. Dias convulsed at the shock, as he tried to pry her hand away, but he couldn't loosen her grip. Just as she thought she had him, and blow hit her in the back hand enough to send her to the ground, and to let go of Dias. She cried out in pain from the hit, and found her self immediately hauled to her feet where a fist promptly rocked her across her face turning her around. In retaliation she tried to back hand the person behind her, but found that they were further away than she had anticipated. The attempt left her exposed, and Rio quickly sent another fist into her ribs hard enough to send her sliding back a few feet.
Falling to her knees, she tried to breath through the pain of what was most surely several broken ribs. Canary knew that he was bound to attack her again, and that she had to do something to stop him. Her only advantage over him was her telekinesis, since it could keep her out of his tremendous reach. Quickly looking up, she stretched out her hand and sent him flying back wards into Dias who was doing his best to stand. Fortunately her shock seemed to have debilitated Dias, a fact for which she was extremely thankful since she didn't think she could handle the two of them. Gritting her teeth to keep from crying out, and with an arm wrapped around her ribs, she slowly regained her feet, and prepared to fight once more.
Huntress was still having a blast on her end. All but two of her enemies had been dispatched, and once she took care of them, she could go and help Canary, who looked to be in a bit of trouble. "I knew I shouldn't have let her take on those three alone." Huntress berated herself. It had been a silent decision between the two of them that Huntress would handle the larger group, and then go help Canary when she was finished. "Come on boys, let's get this over with."
Both of them charged at her simultaneously, a tactic for which Huntress was fully prepared for. Dropping down she took the first ones legs out from under him, and then sprung forward tackling the other around the knees. A quick kick to the head dealt with the second one, and sensing the first behind her, she sent out a vicious backhand that staggered him before knocking him out. Now, she could help Canary.
"Dias, I would suggest a tactical retreat. Helena has finished with our soldiers, you're in bad shape, and I don't think I can take on the two of them." Rio suggested sagely from on top of Dias where Dinah had thrown him.
Dias looked extremely cross with the decision but eventually conceded the point. "Very well, but Orin will be very displeased."
"Don't worry. Remember, he let a group of soldiers get by him." Rio reminded his companion as his rose from the ground. Putting Dias over his shoulder, Rio turned to regard the two girls. "You fought well, but we'll have to continue this another time." With his load one his back, Rio quickly retreated.
"Canary, we have to stop them!" Huntress shouted as she made to give chase.
Suddenly, things seemed to go in slow motion for Dinah. There were several loud bangs, rapid, one right after the other, and then she saw Helena begin to jerk in time to them. A look in the direction of the sound showed that one of the soldiers had recovered consciousness along with his weapon, and was now firing it. Then it stopped, and Helena turned to look at her with a shocked expression that was mingled with pain. "Hel?" Dinah whispered terrified, too much so to even move. She watched as Helena collapsed to her knees, and finally to the ground.
A rage flooded through her mind, and she turned once more to see the one who had shot the love of her life. A smug grin was upon his face, and her blood felt as though it were boiling. Belatedly she realized that she was running towards him, and then suddenly she was in front of him. She picked him up from the ground, ripping the weapon from his hand, which caused him to jerk, and she knew it was because he had been shocked through the weapon. His face had abruptly changed from smug to frightened within an inch of his life. "You. Will. Die." She ground out through clenched teeth before grabbing him on either side of his head, and channeling as much charge as she could through her hands. The flesh beneath her hands smoked, his eyes rolled into his head, and then he began to bleed from every orifice on his face. She had stopped his heart long before she had essentially boiled his brain, but the only important thing was that he was dead.
Then she seemed to come out of her haze, and with little energy she dropped the body, and stumbled over to the bullet-ridden body of Helena. Rolling Helena onto her back she caressed Helena's cheek, only realizing she was crying when she saw the first few drops splash onto Helena's face. "Oracle ... Barbara?" There was no answer, something that was profoundly surprising. Barbara always answered the coms. "Barbara? Barbara, please! I need you! Helena's been shot, I don't know what to do." She tearfully confessed. "Why won't you answer?" She whispered into Helena's shirt, which she had clutched in her fists. "Someone help me."
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(It is so unbelievable tempting to leave it there, but after making you guys wait so incredibly long for every chapter, well, it would just be cruel.)
Oracle had been carefully monitoring the birds as they checked out the bank robbery. She knew it would be dangerous due to the weapons, combined with the meta capabilities, but needed to remain confident in her girls. Seeing that Huntress and Canary were taking some pretty hard hits, she was about to interject with some advice. Something however, caught her eye. In one of the security monitors for the tower, she noticed several figures breaking into the elevator.
Rolling over to the elevator she pulled out her escrima sticks and waited nervously for the elevator to arrive. Finally, it opened, and she brought her stick down on the first person to step out. Soon more erupted out, two of them grabbing either of her arms. "Please, we mean you no harm." One of them assured her. The pitch black eyes that met hers were very disconcerting, but there was a tone of peace, and none of the people she attacked had actually tried to hurt her, only subdue her. With extreme caution she nodded her agreement, and the two holding her let go.
"Three questions, who are you, what do you want, and how did you find me here?" Barbara asked immediately getting to the point while she put away her sticks.
"We are created metas I am Sar, we wish to form an alliance, and I can see certain things in the future. Does that answer all your questions adequately?" Sar asked pleasantly.
"No, not really. Let's go talk in the living room, it'll be more comfortable." Barbara gestured towards the couches, taking a chance that the intentions behind this 'invasion' were more benevolent than she had previously thought. If they weren't, then Barbara was fairly certain that it wouldn't escalate into a major problem until after they left.
"Naturally you have many questions, so I may as well just tell you our story." Sar stated after she seated herself comfortably on the couch. "We are unnatural beings, plucked from our once homes, and left changed. As to whether we were changed for the better or for the worse remains to be seen."
"Changed?" Barbara question, mulling it over in her mind for a minute. "Of course. Phoenix Inc. That's what changed you isn't it?"
"Yes, it was. When the facility shut down, all of us split into three different groups. One still loyal to Phoenix Inc. another group loyal to one called Pock, and the final group loyal to me. We decided to live down at the docks in some warehouses, but I soon found out that Phoenix Inc. was hurting us down. We have been forced to move several times in order to escape. Now, I have seen that things will soon escalate into a war between the three." Sar explained gauging Barbara's reactions carefully.
"What does this have to do with us?" Barbara asked leaning forward in interest.
"You fight for the benefit of Gothem, and my people simply want to live in peace. The other two groups will fight to control the city, and it would be a terrible thing if they did. I believe that by acquiring you as an ally, our side will be victorious." Sar finished waiting patiently for Barbara's reaction.
"You do realize you're asking me to get involved in gang war?" Barbara asked in disbelief, only to receive a nod of affirmation. "I can't believe you're serious. I don't even know you, and you expect us to join forces."
"Whether or not we know each other seems irrelevant. I thought this would appeal to your desire to protect the city. You will eventually wind up fighting against Phoenix Inc. A few friends on your side couldn't hurt." Sar argued hoping that Barbara would see her point.
"Could I have a little time to think about his?" Barbara asked sullenly.
"I'm afraid not. I already came earlier than I anticipated due to an unexpected factor. This will happen soon, and we need our answer now."
This was a huge decision to make on her own. It would greatly impact the lives of her family, but how could she say no? The city was entering a dangerous time, and it was her desire to protect it from all harm. "Fine." Barbara finally answered. "We'll join you, but I suspect anything wrong and we will take you down." She threatened, and watched as Sar nodded, seeming happy, but not actually smiling.
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Dinah was still crying into Helena's shirt. She had checked for a pulse, and found none. Her devastation was severe, but she couldn't bring herself to leave just yet. "I love you so much Helena." Her confession was whispered to the still body, and her mind flashed back to when she had told Helena that just before they went in. She remembered that after telling her, Helena hadn't reciprocated the saying, hadn't said that she loved Dinah. It hurt her so much. Everything hurt, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Then she heard several metal tings. Looking up she noticed bullets falling to the floor; they were being expelled from Helena's body. "Helena." With a gasp Helena sat up abruptly.
"What the hell just happened?" She asked Dinah. To respond, Dinah latched to Helena burying herself deeply into Helena's side as she sobbed her relief.
Note: Well, that's the longest chapter I've written for awhile. And it's only a little late. Not too bad this time around. Also, I've now reached two hundred pages in this story. Please review, tell me what you think. Or next time I write a situation like this, I'll end it where I'm tempted. Till next time.
Disclaimer: They're still not mine, but I wouldn't object if the WB or DC comics suddenly gave them to me.
There it was, looming before her seeming so much more foreboding than it ever had before. She had spent most of her life there, developing a sort of family, and for that long time she considered it a second home. Now, she wasn't so sure. The urge to run from it was strong, and that shouldn't be the feeling you get when looking at your home. Still, she knew she couldn't leave it; there were people in there who - despite herself – she still loved. Especially one of them, and even her deep hurt could not override that longing to be with her. "Damn you Dinah." She sighed. "And damn me for still loving you."
Leaning against the brick, feeling the roughness against her back through her clothes reminded her that this was real, and that she was going to have to go in sometime. It was all a matter of working up the courage to do so, however. She still had her fears and reservations holding her back, and it was not a simple task to push them aside even after making her decision to reconciliate with Dinah and Barbara. The very thought of it made her cringe due to her expectance of rejection. No matter how stupid that thought might be, she was still afraid.
Just this morning Dinah had tried to placate her fears, and the fact that Dinah told her at all had to have meant something. Maybe she shouldn't have left that whiskey untouched, she felt the need for some artificial courage at the moment seeing as she couldn't work up her own in a natural way. She couldn't stay out here all day though, and she realized that she either had to leave or to go in. It wasn't as easy a decision as it should have been.
There was something else troubling her as well, although she had no idea what it was. Almost like she was being watched, or something to that effect; and it had only occurred when she came into the vicinity of the clock tower. It made her feel uneasy, and it was also one of the factors she was considering in her decision to enter the tower. Something wasn't right about the presence, whatever it was, it just gave her a bad feeling, and she suspected that it could be malicious in intent.
A desire to protect her family was strong, and in the end, she really had no choice. She had to go in and confront them; if not for her own sake, then for theirs. However, as to whether she was going in because of the emotional reason, or the possible physical one, she wasn't sure. In the end it wouldn't really matter though, things would still wind up being hashed out. "Okay Helena, you can do this." She steeled herself. With a deep breath, she went home.
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Meanwhile inside the clock tower, Dinah was just wiping at the tears, which had been flowing down her face. From the moment Helena had stepped out the door, she couldn't stop herself from crying. It seemed like Helena was planning on leaving her forever, and it wasn't a thought that Dinah could bear. If only Helena had allowed her to explain what had happened, then maybe Helena wouldn't leave her. She was terrified by the thought of Helena breaking off their relationship, the thought that maybe Helena could no longer love her. She shuddered at the concept, knowing that if Helena did end it, they couldn't even remain friends. Dinah wouldn't be able to keep her feelings hidden, and Helena would be too hurt by the perceived betrayal.
Fresh tears welled in her eyes, surprising her, as she didn't think she had anymore to cry, but she refused to let them fall. She couldn't just spend the rest of her day crying for what she might lose; no matter how much she wanted to. Somehow she would have to make it up to Helena, and at least prove that she still loved her. She felt the doubt, fear, and anger that had been radiating from Helena before she left, and it cut her to the bone. The fact that Helena had so little faith in her hurt deeply, but then Helena had been hurt before and was a cautious person when it came to her feelings. Any bit of doubt would send her running, all Dinah needed to do was dispel that feeling, and they would be in good shape once more.
Drying her eyes she resolved that she also needed to speak with Barbara. After the incident, they hadn't really discussed the issue any; just leaving each other to come to their own conclusions. Now that this was having such a harmful effect on her and Helena, Dinah thought it prudent to talk some. Besides that, she was still angry with Barbara for doing what she did no matter how deeply she understood it. Her resolve now set, she made her way to Barbara.
As per usual, Barbara was sitting at Delphi, although it didn't look like she was actually getting much work done. If Dinah concentrated, she could pick up the feelings of sorrow and loneliness radiating from her mentor. It struck Dinah as odd for some reason; she hadn't thought that Barbara was lonely. After all, why would she be? Dinah and Helena were back safe and sound, and Alfred still showed up often. Then it struck her, Wade. They had all tried to move on with their lives after the events dealing with Harley, and during that time she had forgotten all about Wade being killed. Helena and herself had managed to move on, but Barbara hadn't, and it must have been at least a little painful to watch their relationship. She felt bad now about the talk she wanted to have, but knew that it needed to be resolved, maybe later, they could talk about Wade.
"Barbara?" She called out after a few more moments of observing the woman.
Clearly startled, Barbara gasped, and looked shocked as she breathed heavily trying to still her racing heart. "Yes Dinah?"
Dinah regarded her carefully, Barbara's voice broke a little, and her eyes looked at little red and blood shot, like she had been crying. Maybe it wasn't time for this conversation. She hesitated for a moment, but made her decision. "Nothing, it's not that important." Then she paused again. "Barbara?"
"Dinah?" Barbara returned looking quizzical.
Slowly she made her way to where Barbara's chair was placed, and pulled out one of the chairs kept for her and Helena to sit in front of Barbara. Dinah took a moment, intently scrutinizing Barbara before speaking. "I know you've been crying."
A look of shocked embarrassment encompassed Barbara's features, and she quickly wiped at her eyes. "I-I wasn't." She lied feebly.
"Please don't lie to me Barbara. I know that you and I aren't on the best ground right now, but I don't ... I never wanted you to feel like you couldn't talk to me." Dinah slowly explained, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear while looking at her lap.
"I can't expect that of you." Barbara argued unable to look her charge in the eye. "After what I did, and how it's affecting you, I don't deserve it."
Dinah smiled ruefully, if not a bit fondly at Barbara's uncanny ability of placing all the blame on herself and managing to come up with her own punishment. "Stop it Barbara. When are you going to learn that no matter what happens between any of us, we'll always be there for each other. I can feel your pain Barbara, and if I had to guess, I'd say it's about Wade. You didn't take the time to actually mourn, did you?"
For a moment it looked as thought Barbara was going to refute it, but then she sighed and nodded. "How did you know?"
"Lucky guess." Dinah answered honestly. "Talk to me."
"It's not entirely about Wade. I miss him, a lot, and I think I could have fallen in love with him. The fact that I didn't makes it hurt a little less, and I feel guilty. If I hadn't entertained the idea that I could hold a relationship with someone while leading this type of life, then he would still be alive." She explained softly toying with the hem of her shirt, and her hands often moving to wipe at her eyes.
"And where would that leave you?"
"What?" Barbara asked thoroughly confused.
"You'd have to sacrificing one thing for the other. If you gave up your line of work, then you wouldn't be the Barbara he fell in love with. I also imagine that you would be left feeling unfulfilled, and longing for that life once more. That wouldn't have been fair to anyone. And if you had sacrificed the relationship, I don't think you would've been happy that way either. You need what friendship can't offer Barbara, all of us do. You need to recognize that, and let the hurt go."
A soft sob erupted from Barbara's mouth, and she latched onto Dinah. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. What happened between you and Helena, I'm sorry."
It was so heartbreaking to see, and to listen to, that Dinah couldn't have stayed angry with Barbara even if she had wanted to. "I know, and we forgive you. Everything will work itself out, you'll see."
Dinah continued to hold her for several more moments, until the tears finally stopped, and the sobs turned to nothing more than the occasional hiccup. "Dinah I ... thank you."
Just as Dinah was about to return the gesture, they both heard the elevator. "Helena." Dinah whispered hopefully, almost reverently.
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The elevator ride up was almost like sheer agony. It was a wonder that she hadn't started hyperventilating due to the panic and terror she was feeling. Then, the ride stopped, and Helena had to fight herself to stay still. In what seemed like an eternity, the doors finally opened revealing to her a hopeful yet pensive looking Dinah, and an ashamed, sorrowful Barbara. Gathering her courage, she stepped forward. "Dinah, Barbara." She nodded her acknowledgement.
Before she could even react, she found a blond blur coming at her, and firmly latching itself onto her. Tears were soaking the material of her shirt, and she managed to look vaguely surprised. Carefully, she lowered her arms, and wrapped the girl in a warm embrace unable to deny how good it felt to hold her. "Please don't leave again Helena. Please. Just let me explain everything please. You can hit me, or yell at me, or whatever, just please don't leave." Dinah begged Helena pitifully. The sad part was that Helena could tell Dinah meant every word of it.
"Let's go sit down." Helena suggested as she walked towards the couch. Never once did she loosen her grip on the blond at her side, nor did Dinah seem willing to loosen her own hold.
"I guess, I'll just leave you guys then." Barbara offered as she began to wheel away.
"No, stay." Helena commanded. "You're a part of this," She continued sounding a little less authorative, "And I'd like to talk to the both of you."
"Of course." Barbara said after a moments pause, and she rolled her chair beside the couch.
"I need to know why." Helena stated firmly with pain littering her voice.
"I'm sorry Helena. It's just that I surprised Barbara in her room during the night." Dinah started, but noticing Helena's eyes widening with hurt as she reached the wrong conclusion, quickly tried to back peddle a bit. "That's not what I meant, it's not what you think." Tears were falling down her face once again. If she couldn't explain this properly, then the likely outcome was that she would lose Helena.
"Dinah, breathe and calm down." Barbara told her, the blond was too panicked and worried to do much, so it would most likely lie on her shoulders. "Helena, she came to my room with the intent of regaining her memories. She realized that if she could tap into my mind, and see what I remembered of our life, then it could very well jolt her memory. That's all she wanted, so don't stay mad at her."
"What about the kiss?" Despite her harsh words, Barbara noticed that she was cradling Dinah gently, and almost protectively against her chest.
"It meant nothing, it was nothing, and it was my fault." Barbara confessed.
"Barbara, don't ..." Dinah started.
"I know that you meant for both of us to take the blame Dinah, but that wouldn't be fair. I kissed her Helena, she didn't kiss me back."
"I see." Helena said, her eyes focused on the floor in front of her feet.
"Please don't stay too mad at her, she just needed some comfort, and she took it in the first place she could get it." Dinah tried to defend.
"Why you? Why a kiss?" Helena exclaimed, her eyes pleading with Barbara to answer her.
"I missed you two so much when you were gone, and I hadn't expected to miss you when you were back. After Reese and I rescued you, things were supposed to go back to normal ... but they didn't, and that hurt."
"That hardly constitutes a kiss." Helena accused.
"No, it doesn't, but there were other factors." An alert from the Delphi prevented her from defending herself further. She looked torn between answering it, and continuing the conversation, but in the end she could only do one, and duty called. "Damn it!" Barbara uttered a rare curse proving her frustration at the ill-timed crisis. "We'll continue this later."
A quick check of the Delphi proved the situation to be fairly serious. "There's a bank robbery in process, and it looks like there are several metas, armed metas. They're carrying weapons, and from what I can tell threatening to kill employees if the police come within five blocks on either side." She looked desperately at the two of them. "I need both of you in there. Can you two do that right now?" She studied them, analyzing to see if they would concede to her request. Neither of them were in top shape right now, but Gothem needed them, and in the life of a hero, duty would always have to come first.
"I'm in." Helena said, immediately standing.
"Me too." Dinah wiped away the last traces of her tears, and stood beside her partner.
"You two know what to do then." She nodded at them trusting that they would handle themselves appropriately.
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Both were perched outside the bank on top of the nearest building. "Something's not right about this Hel- I mean, Huntress." Canary noted just managing to catch herself on her partner's name.
"I know, but we still have to do something. Oracle, do you read?" Huntress checked the mike.
"Loud and clear."
"Something's up. There should be more people guarding the bank, but there's only six. One for each corner, and two on the roof." Huntress reported.
"I don't know what it means, but you guys have to go in soon. The police are considering ignoring the threat." Oracle warned.
"And if they do that, then we'll have dead people on our hands real fast. I think I might be able to knock the two on the roof out, and then we can enter from there." Canary suggested assessing the situation.
"Do it." Oracle agreed.
"Here goes nothing." Extending her hand, and with a look of concentration etched upon her face. The two metas on the roof swayed, and then collapsed. Dinah took a deep breath, and turned to her companion. "Let's go."
Stealthily they made their way onto the roof, and peered in through the skylight. "Check it out." Helena pointed through the window. A group of hostages were placed just beneath their perch, and weren't as carefully watched, as one would expect. A quick look around showed fifteen metas inside, ten of which were armed. Three of the unarmed were supervising, and the other two were taking the money from the safe. "What do you think?"
"Those three are the key players, and we should watch out for them." Canary advised, and Huntress nodded her agreement. "Most of their forces seem to be towards the front of the bank, so I suggest finding cover from them, like a desk or something."
"Right, I think we should take out the two watching the hostages, and then dive for cover, that'll leave us two less to deal with." Huntress pointed out.
"Let's do this then." Dinah said. As Huntress prepared to smash through the skylight, Dinah stopped her. "Before we go in, I just wanted to say that I love you, and I hope you can forgive me."
Helena sighed, and looked pensively at the ground. "Let's just go okay. We'll talk later." With great reluctance Canary nodded, and Huntress crashed through the sky light with Canary right behind her.
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Each quickly knocked out their surprised targets. Canary using her mind sent hers flying into the threats ahead of them, while Huntress utilized a simple right cross. With a dive in opposite directions both found themselves behind the relative safety of a desk as the shots rang out in their wake. Canary used her abilities to quickly move the hostages from the line of fire, and into the vault, which was far better protected. With a mutual nod between the two, Canary quickly stood and mentally shoved their opponents off balance allowing Huntress to quickly get in close.
Huntress did not waste her advantage, as she rushed in disarming one opponent, and slamming his own weapon into his jaw, and following up by shoving it into his stomach. A well-aimed punch struck her along her cheek and twisted her to the side. Before he could pull his arm back to him she grabbed it, and used the momentum of his attack to swing him into the wall, which he impacted heavily. Another went for a tackle at her legs, but she sensed the attacked and jumped onto their back which she used to spring board to another opponent whom she promptly kicked in the neck. Due to the close quarters no one dared use their gun, and that was something that Huntress was extremely grateful for seeing as her fighting abilities surpassed all of theirs; so far anyway.
Something wrapped tightly around her neck, and quickly pulled her backwards off her feet dragging her a small distance to lie at the owner's feet. To her disgust, she found out that it was a woman's tongue wrapped around her throat. Glaring at the woman, she lifted her legs and propelled them backwards and grabbed a part of the tongue that wasn't around her throat. Wrapping it around her boot, she pulled forward, and threw the woman over top of her. Since turn about is considered fair play, Huntress took the tongue, and wrapped it around the owner's throat, strangling her into unconsciousness, or at least that had been her intention. From behind her, the man she had thrown into the wall earlier wrapped her into a tight bear hug. Unable to breath, and feeling her ribs cracking from the pressure, she threw her head back and head butted him in the nose breaking it and causing him to drop her. She swept his legs from under him after striking him across the temple, hoping it would keep him out of the game for a little while. There were, after all, more people to be dealt with.
Taking a running start, she grabbed another opponent by the back to the neck, while drop kicking another in the chin. As she fell she made sure that her enemies head hit the floor hard, hopefully causing unconsciousness. Flipping to her feet she noticed that she still had several left to be taken out, and anticipated the fight before her. "Come and get some." She called gleefully. The ground trembled beneath her feet, temporarily distracting her, and sending her off balance, which was something the other metas quickly took advantage of.
"I'm out of here, I trust you two can handle it from here." Orin nodded to his two companions and left the carnage confident in their capabilities.
Rio and Dias both took notice of the blond charging at them, and with a single nod decided that Dias would be the one to handle her. He was anticipating this greatly having not had the chance for an actual fight during his existence.
Eyes glowing and fists charged with electricity she flew at her snake like enemy throwing furious fists at him. Skillfully he dodged each one, as if he found it unnecessary to block them, but he wasn't getting in any of his own hits either. Ducking one of her fists Dias rolled to the side setting her off balance and allowing him a quick and powerful jag to her kidneys, which sent her to the ground. Not one to stay down for long, Canary turned and threw him along the floor while regaining her feet. Noticing that one other of the main three was close by she sent a fist out at him, but he caught her around the wrist, and used his other hand to pick her up and throw her over to Dias, who had regained his own stance.
Dias hissed at her as she landed heavily on her back, and he made sure to stomp on her ribs before she could try to get up. When he tried to step on her a fourth time she caught his foot in her hands and channeled her emotion to produce the a shock which temporarily paralyzed Dias giving her enough time to get back up. Quickly, she kneed him in the stomach, and then drove a charged uppercut into his chin. It hardly seemed to faze him as he came at her again with a volley of fists. It was all she could do to block them, let alone retaliate. Her concentration slipped for a second, and he caught her along her eye, and followed with a punch to her diaphragm expelling all her air, and leaving her winded. Dias picked her up from the floor as she tried to regain her breath, and threw her into a desk, which broke beneath her. Grimacing in pain she shot out her hand and pushed him away from her.
After getting up she rushed Dias again and shoved a well-placed foot into his knee momentarily dropping him to one knee. She wrapped a hand around his throat and let the electricity flow through her. Dias convulsed at the shock, as he tried to pry her hand away, but he couldn't loosen her grip. Just as she thought she had him, and blow hit her in the back hand enough to send her to the ground, and to let go of Dias. She cried out in pain from the hit, and found her self immediately hauled to her feet where a fist promptly rocked her across her face turning her around. In retaliation she tried to back hand the person behind her, but found that they were further away than she had anticipated. The attempt left her exposed, and Rio quickly sent another fist into her ribs hard enough to send her sliding back a few feet.
Falling to her knees, she tried to breath through the pain of what was most surely several broken ribs. Canary knew that he was bound to attack her again, and that she had to do something to stop him. Her only advantage over him was her telekinesis, since it could keep her out of his tremendous reach. Quickly looking up, she stretched out her hand and sent him flying back wards into Dias who was doing his best to stand. Fortunately her shock seemed to have debilitated Dias, a fact for which she was extremely thankful since she didn't think she could handle the two of them. Gritting her teeth to keep from crying out, and with an arm wrapped around her ribs, she slowly regained her feet, and prepared to fight once more.
Huntress was still having a blast on her end. All but two of her enemies had been dispatched, and once she took care of them, she could go and help Canary, who looked to be in a bit of trouble. "I knew I shouldn't have let her take on those three alone." Huntress berated herself. It had been a silent decision between the two of them that Huntress would handle the larger group, and then go help Canary when she was finished. "Come on boys, let's get this over with."
Both of them charged at her simultaneously, a tactic for which Huntress was fully prepared for. Dropping down she took the first ones legs out from under him, and then sprung forward tackling the other around the knees. A quick kick to the head dealt with the second one, and sensing the first behind her, she sent out a vicious backhand that staggered him before knocking him out. Now, she could help Canary.
"Dias, I would suggest a tactical retreat. Helena has finished with our soldiers, you're in bad shape, and I don't think I can take on the two of them." Rio suggested sagely from on top of Dias where Dinah had thrown him.
Dias looked extremely cross with the decision but eventually conceded the point. "Very well, but Orin will be very displeased."
"Don't worry. Remember, he let a group of soldiers get by him." Rio reminded his companion as his rose from the ground. Putting Dias over his shoulder, Rio turned to regard the two girls. "You fought well, but we'll have to continue this another time." With his load one his back, Rio quickly retreated.
"Canary, we have to stop them!" Huntress shouted as she made to give chase.
Suddenly, things seemed to go in slow motion for Dinah. There were several loud bangs, rapid, one right after the other, and then she saw Helena begin to jerk in time to them. A look in the direction of the sound showed that one of the soldiers had recovered consciousness along with his weapon, and was now firing it. Then it stopped, and Helena turned to look at her with a shocked expression that was mingled with pain. "Hel?" Dinah whispered terrified, too much so to even move. She watched as Helena collapsed to her knees, and finally to the ground.
A rage flooded through her mind, and she turned once more to see the one who had shot the love of her life. A smug grin was upon his face, and her blood felt as though it were boiling. Belatedly she realized that she was running towards him, and then suddenly she was in front of him. She picked him up from the ground, ripping the weapon from his hand, which caused him to jerk, and she knew it was because he had been shocked through the weapon. His face had abruptly changed from smug to frightened within an inch of his life. "You. Will. Die." She ground out through clenched teeth before grabbing him on either side of his head, and channeling as much charge as she could through her hands. The flesh beneath her hands smoked, his eyes rolled into his head, and then he began to bleed from every orifice on his face. She had stopped his heart long before she had essentially boiled his brain, but the only important thing was that he was dead.
Then she seemed to come out of her haze, and with little energy she dropped the body, and stumbled over to the bullet-ridden body of Helena. Rolling Helena onto her back she caressed Helena's cheek, only realizing she was crying when she saw the first few drops splash onto Helena's face. "Oracle ... Barbara?" There was no answer, something that was profoundly surprising. Barbara always answered the coms. "Barbara? Barbara, please! I need you! Helena's been shot, I don't know what to do." She tearfully confessed. "Why won't you answer?" She whispered into Helena's shirt, which she had clutched in her fists. "Someone help me."
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(It is so unbelievable tempting to leave it there, but after making you guys wait so incredibly long for every chapter, well, it would just be cruel.)
Oracle had been carefully monitoring the birds as they checked out the bank robbery. She knew it would be dangerous due to the weapons, combined with the meta capabilities, but needed to remain confident in her girls. Seeing that Huntress and Canary were taking some pretty hard hits, she was about to interject with some advice. Something however, caught her eye. In one of the security monitors for the tower, she noticed several figures breaking into the elevator.
Rolling over to the elevator she pulled out her escrima sticks and waited nervously for the elevator to arrive. Finally, it opened, and she brought her stick down on the first person to step out. Soon more erupted out, two of them grabbing either of her arms. "Please, we mean you no harm." One of them assured her. The pitch black eyes that met hers were very disconcerting, but there was a tone of peace, and none of the people she attacked had actually tried to hurt her, only subdue her. With extreme caution she nodded her agreement, and the two holding her let go.
"Three questions, who are you, what do you want, and how did you find me here?" Barbara asked immediately getting to the point while she put away her sticks.
"We are created metas I am Sar, we wish to form an alliance, and I can see certain things in the future. Does that answer all your questions adequately?" Sar asked pleasantly.
"No, not really. Let's go talk in the living room, it'll be more comfortable." Barbara gestured towards the couches, taking a chance that the intentions behind this 'invasion' were more benevolent than she had previously thought. If they weren't, then Barbara was fairly certain that it wouldn't escalate into a major problem until after they left.
"Naturally you have many questions, so I may as well just tell you our story." Sar stated after she seated herself comfortably on the couch. "We are unnatural beings, plucked from our once homes, and left changed. As to whether we were changed for the better or for the worse remains to be seen."
"Changed?" Barbara question, mulling it over in her mind for a minute. "Of course. Phoenix Inc. That's what changed you isn't it?"
"Yes, it was. When the facility shut down, all of us split into three different groups. One still loyal to Phoenix Inc. another group loyal to one called Pock, and the final group loyal to me. We decided to live down at the docks in some warehouses, but I soon found out that Phoenix Inc. was hurting us down. We have been forced to move several times in order to escape. Now, I have seen that things will soon escalate into a war between the three." Sar explained gauging Barbara's reactions carefully.
"What does this have to do with us?" Barbara asked leaning forward in interest.
"You fight for the benefit of Gothem, and my people simply want to live in peace. The other two groups will fight to control the city, and it would be a terrible thing if they did. I believe that by acquiring you as an ally, our side will be victorious." Sar finished waiting patiently for Barbara's reaction.
"You do realize you're asking me to get involved in gang war?" Barbara asked in disbelief, only to receive a nod of affirmation. "I can't believe you're serious. I don't even know you, and you expect us to join forces."
"Whether or not we know each other seems irrelevant. I thought this would appeal to your desire to protect the city. You will eventually wind up fighting against Phoenix Inc. A few friends on your side couldn't hurt." Sar argued hoping that Barbara would see her point.
"Could I have a little time to think about his?" Barbara asked sullenly.
"I'm afraid not. I already came earlier than I anticipated due to an unexpected factor. This will happen soon, and we need our answer now."
This was a huge decision to make on her own. It would greatly impact the lives of her family, but how could she say no? The city was entering a dangerous time, and it was her desire to protect it from all harm. "Fine." Barbara finally answered. "We'll join you, but I suspect anything wrong and we will take you down." She threatened, and watched as Sar nodded, seeming happy, but not actually smiling.
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Dinah was still crying into Helena's shirt. She had checked for a pulse, and found none. Her devastation was severe, but she couldn't bring herself to leave just yet. "I love you so much Helena." Her confession was whispered to the still body, and her mind flashed back to when she had told Helena that just before they went in. She remembered that after telling her, Helena hadn't reciprocated the saying, hadn't said that she loved Dinah. It hurt her so much. Everything hurt, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Then she heard several metal tings. Looking up she noticed bullets falling to the floor; they were being expelled from Helena's body. "Helena." With a gasp Helena sat up abruptly.
"What the hell just happened?" She asked Dinah. To respond, Dinah latched to Helena burying herself deeply into Helena's side as she sobbed her relief.
Note: Well, that's the longest chapter I've written for awhile. And it's only a little late. Not too bad this time around. Also, I've now reached two hundred pages in this story. Please review, tell me what you think. Or next time I write a situation like this, I'll end it where I'm tempted. Till next time.