Ok just a note of thanks to those who have read and reviewed my story so far! So I've been toying with the idea of whether or not to throw in this chapter and get into some romantic stuff, and thought what the hell. It was fun to write, so I hope you enjoy it. Definitely some mature themes in this chapter and a little language as well, so all of those easily offended or of an inappropriate age please skip this chapter!

December 21

"Are ye sure our presence here won't be a disturbance lass?" Hudson asked warily as he eyed the elevator Helena was pointing to.

"Hudson trust me. This is probably the safest place you guys could hang out. It's a secret club that only us freaks know about…and maybe a couple of our closet friends," she grinned. "Now get your tails down there while the coast is clear."

With that order she dropped off the rooftop, and punched the code into the panel by the door. It slid open, and she held it as Goliath and Hudson dropped down from above and slipped inside. She raised an eyebrow as she realized just how much space the two gargoyles took up. "There's no way I'm gonna miss the look on Gibson's face when he sees you two walk in, so suck it up boys."

Downstairs, Gibson was nervously pouring Reese and his companion their second round of whiskey shots. Dinah had shown up with her friend Gabby, but she seemed to be ignoring the fact that the detective was sharing drinks with a woman other than Helena.

Several minutes later, the elevator opened up to reveal Helena and two other hulking creatures that brought all activity to a halt in the club. Gibson knew his jaw was practically laying on the bar, but he didn't know what frightened him the most. The fact that Helena was here while Reese was drinking with another woman, or the two things that had just stepped off the elevator with her. Then she turned in his direction, a wide smirk on her face, and he finally managed to close his mouth.

"Helena?" he squeaked out.

"Gibson, I'd like to introduce you to Goliath and Hudson. They are a couple of the gargoyles who live in Manhattan. It appears you have already met Detective Elisa Maza," she said casually as she waved to the woman next to Reese.

Gibson blinked, looked at Reese's companion who was grinning at him, then over to the two gargoyles, and then back to Helena. Finally he gave up trying to think and just smiled in relief. "Always a pleasure to host any of your friends my dear Huntress," he replied as he poured a double shot of vodka for his favorite patron and then looked at the two accompanying her.

"Gentlemen, do you have a favorite choice of poison that I may serve you on the house as a welcome to my humble establishment?"

"Would ye have a good scotch on hand lad?" Hudson inquired, relaxing as the crowd went about its business once the introductions were done.

"Only the best good sir, and you sound like you would know. And for you?" Gibson asked of the lavender giant next to Hudson.

Goliath was quiet for a moment and then he too seemed to relax, and smiled slightly, careful not to bare his fangs. "Perhaps a dark ale of any sort."

"Room or cold?"

"Room temperature would be preferable."

"A man after my own heart," Gibson smiled as he quickly produced the requested beverages and pushed them towards the new trio. Then he turned to the woman who had been keeping Reese company. "Detective Maza, it is a pleasure to formally meet your acquaintance."

"Nice to meet you too Gibson. Helena, Dinah and Reese have told us a lot about you and this place. I have to say that this is one of the nicest private clubs I've been too."

"I try to run a tight ship here. A little bit of everything for everyone," he said with a gesture around the large underground club. There were some pools tables, video games, sitting areas, and even a fairly packed dance floor. "No Man's provides a safe place for people like us to hang out and be ourselves."

Elisa looked around wistfully. After the initial startled response from the crowd, everyone had returned to their own business with only a couple of interested looks in the gargoyle's direction. "Wish we had a place back home like this."

"Actually, you do," Gibson told her surprised. "I have a couple of friends down in Manhattan who own clubs like this for metas. Before you leave I'll give you their addresses and the codes to get in. They'd get a kick out of having you guys show up one night."

"Thanks, I think we'd like that," Elisa said with a look over at Goliath who grinned and nodded in agreement.

"Shall I keep the tab open?" Gibson asked Helena who merely raised her eyebrow.

"Do you really need to ask?"

"Just don't break anything this time," Gibson teased her lightly as he moved off to serve another customer.

"So Hudson," Elisa began as she downed her whiskey and hopped of the barstool. "Care for a pool rematch?"

"Aye lass, and this time it's ye who had better watch out," Hudson chuckled as he set down his own empty glass and cracked his knuckles.

"Ooohhhh gramps is talking smack," Helena snickered as she claimed the vacated barstool next to Reese.

Elisa merely smirked as she walked over to an empty pool table and picked up a cue. "Care to make a bet on that statement?" she asked boldly as she began to rack the balls.

"What did ye have in mind lass?" Hudson replied confidently as he picked up and checked his own cue. He should have been worried by her suddenly wicked grin and the mischievous gleam in her eye.

Wayne Manor…….

"This place looks great Alfred," Barbara complimented as she wheeled through the ground level of the Manor.

"Thank you Miss Barbara. Although I must admit that I cannot take all the credit. Mister Goliath and Mister Hudson proved to be quite diligent workers, even if they weren't skilled in the finer arts of housekeeping," he told her with a amused smile.

"Given their sizes, I doubt dusting the china would have been a safe task," Barbara laughed.

"On the contrary Miss. They have superb dexterity, it was just a matter of instructing them on how to go about their tasks. But I didn't subject them to too many delicate tasks."

"Admit it, you just didn't want anymore claw marks in the wood and marble," Dick teased.

"I merely felt they were better suited to the tasks that needed to be accomplished in the cave. It seemed they enjoyed their time down there much more, and they were able to easily accomplish things that would have taken me days to finish."

"They did have fun down there," Dick admitted. "Hudson said it reminded them of the bluffs they used to live on back in Scotland before the humans settled there. And both of them were fascinated by all the toys down there."

"So what's on the menu tonight Alfred?" Barbara asked as rich smells began to fill her nose.

"A surprise Miss Barbara," the aged butler answered with a warm smile. "Now if you and Master Dick will settle yourselves in the dining room, I shall begin serving dinner."

"Wow, the formal dining room," Barbara chuckled as Dick opened the doors for her.

"I know it's been awhile since you've had a nice dinner out, so I thought you might enjoy a little spoiling tonight," Dick grinned at her.

"Only if you promise not to sit at the other end of the table. I don't want to have to break out the comm units just so we can carry on a conversation," she chuckled.

"Don't worry, Alfred placed the settings at one end- together."

"So do you know what he's cooking?" she asked, tantalized by the strong aromas coming from the next room over.

"Only the best for you Babs," was all he gave up as Alfred entered with the first course readied on a silver tray.

No Man's Land…….

Helena was impressed, which was a rare thing. After Elisa had soundly beaten Hudson in a game of pool and made him lead the entire crowd in a YMCA dance, she went on to party like there was no tomorrow. Which given their circumstances, was possibly true. The detective had pounded back another shot of whiskey, hit the dance floor for awhile with Dinah, and then returned to the pool tables where she was hustling drinks out of everyone that challenged her. She was now nursing her fourth beer, and holding her own against Helena who was the pool queen of No Man's.

The only drawback to Elisa's steady consumption of alcohol- not that it was necessarily a bad thing- was that her inhibitions were virtually non-existent now. The evening had started out with her discreetly flirting with Goliath. But as the evening had progressed, so had her bravado. Dinah didn't help matters when she and Gabby encouraged the detective onto the dance floor with them and requested a couple of extremely suggestive songs.

All propriety had gone downhill after that, and Goliath wasn't the only one who had noticed. Now, halfway through their game, Helena was beginning to regret challenging Elisa. Elisa was obviously fully aware of what she was doing to Goliath, and was enjoying every slow teasing moment. The problem was that her scent and actions were wreaking havoc with the Huntress side of Helena's personality and the younger woman was beginning to feel her control slip.

The tension finally snapped when Elisa took a swig out of her bottle, and then with her eyes glued to Goliath's, slowly ran her tongue up the side of the bottle to catch an errant drip. Goliath's eyes flared white, and Helena could hear the low rumble that came from his chest as his scent slammed into her full force. Her own control fell away, and she nearly ripped the table as she badly missed the shot she had been taking.

Elisa glanced over at her with a smoldering smirk, and then walked over to line up her own shot. Huntress allowed her to lean over the table to take her shot and then surged forward to trap her prey. Several feet away, three males all too aware of what had been going on, watched the scene tensely. Elisa froze as Huntress trapped her body against the pool table, but she wasn't afraid.

"Elisa," Huntress growled in her ear, causing a shiver to run through her body. "If you don't get out of here right now and finally get laid, I might just loose all control and do something that will get both of us in big trouble with a lot of people."

Elisa turned her head to look into the feral eyes that were centimeters away from hers. Then she looked over to where Goliath sat, and gave him a smile full of desire and promise. "If you insist," she told Helena quietly as the lithe woman backed off and let her up. But before Elisa left, she couldn't resist whispering something positively indecent to the brunette on her way by.

A pool cue snapped, and Elisa merely chuckled as she quickly grabbed Goliath's hand and dragged him towards the elevator. The last thing either of them saw, was the Huntress standing there, mouth agape, and quivering with surging emotions as Reese approached her cautiously.

Wayne Manor…….

Barbara reclined on the massive couch against Dick's chest and closed her eyes in contentment. Alfred had retired for the evening and they lay cuddled in the living room before the large fireplace that filled the room with warmth and soft light. "That was absolutely wonderful," she sighed happily.

Dick was quiet for a minute, enjoying the moment as he gently ran his hand through her auburn hair. "Alfred really outdid himself tonight," he agreed finally.

"I think he actually enjoyed being able to put on a fare like that. It's been awhile since he's had the chance to show off his culinary genius."

"I have to say I haven't seen the old boy as happy as he was tonight when you nearly cried over the dessert he made."

Barbara peeked an eye open, and reached up to poke him in the forehead. "I didn't that emotional over it," she protested.

"Oh Alfred…it's so beautiful! How can you expect me to eat something so lovely!" he mimicked.

"At least I savored my meal, unlike some people," she retorted as she folded her arms over her chest in a mock pout.

"I enjoyed my meal…just a lot quicker than you," he chuckled.

Barbara smiled at the feel of his chest rumbling under her head and closed her eyes once more. They lay there for awhile, before Dick finally broke the silence. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Just remembering when we used to sneak down here and do this when Bruce wasn't around," she admitted quietly, with a distant smile.

Dick grinned, thinking back to those days. "He always knew though."

"And yet he never said anything."

They were quiet for a minute more and then Dick spoke up again. "I think, it was because he didn't want us to be like him," he said quietly. "He was always hard on us, and I think that was the reason why. He knew we couldn't be like him- to let love go- and because of that it made us more vulnerable than him."

"Guess in the end we were wrong about that though- he had never really let her go," Barbara whispered, thinking about Bruce's disappearance after Selina had been killed.

"I don't believe it though," Dick stated firmly.

"What?"

"That loving someone makes us vulnerable."

Barbara was quiet for a long time, and he could feel the tenseness in her body. Then, finally, "Why?"

"After we went on that trip to Hawaii, Bruce began to ride me like I was some novice. It wasn't until after Selina was killed I realized why. He realized how much I loved you Babs, and it scared him to think of what it would do to me if I lost you."

"Dick…"

"Shhhh," he soothed as he placed a finger to her lips and looked down into her emerald gaze. "Let me say this. I don't want to be like him, and keep those feelings locked away as something to fear. You make my world a brighter place Barbara Gordon. Even when I've been at my lowest, just thinking about you brings a smile to my face. And then when you were shot…." Barbara felt him draw in a shaky breath as his eyes closed in pain. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. But when I came back to find that you had created a new identity for yourself, and you didn't let that monster beat you…" he faded off shaking his head. "You are the strongest person I know, and you make me strong. I go out there every night and think of you Babs, because I won't go down without a fight. I know you've been through hell this past year, and I know you need time, but I'll never stop loving you - you're my reason for living."

Tears streaked down Barbara's cheeks, and she felt him gently wipe them away. Her hand reached up to capture his own, and she swallowed around the lump in her throat. "That is the most beautiful thing anyone's ever said to me," she told him in a trembling voice.

"I meant every word I said."

"I know…which is what makes Wade's death harder to take." She saw the pain flash in his eyes and she moved her hand up to cup his face. "Wade died giving me everything his heart had to give, but deep down, I never stopped loving you."

"Why? Why won't you let me in Babs?"

Barbara closed her eyes as she drew in an unsteady breath. "Because I was afraid. I was afraid of going through what Bruce went through, and…of…of how you would think of me after I was shot," she admitted finally.

Dick sat up suddenly, and she would have been dumped on the floor if he didn't have a firm grip on her shoulders. "How could you even say that?" he asked hurt. "Damnit Barbara I did everything I could to show you I didn't think any less of you just because you were in a wheelchair!"

"Dick, please, you have to understand," she begged him looking away ashamed. "I don't blame you for not being there after I was shot, but you have no idea what I went through those first few months. If it weren't for Helena, I would have been street pizza within days of going home. Everything I had once been was gone. I would never be able to leap off a building and feel the wind in my face. I would never be able race across the rooftops at night. I would never feel a lover run his hands down my legs. I'm not a whole woman anymore Dick," she practically sobbed.

Dick just stared at her, his blue eyes clearly conveying the emotions warring in him. Then he looked down and sighed. "I'm sorry… I never understood until now just how you felt. But that doesn't change how I feel Barbara," he reaffirmed. "As for what Bruce went through-"

"He lost it because he never came to terms with his love," she said cutting him off. He quieted and she took a few calming breaths and looked back up at him. "I've come to terms with a lot of things these past couple of days, and I've begun to understand why Bruce went over the edge. I don't want to be like him either Dick, but I'm scared."

"I'll always be here for you love," he promised wholeheartedly.

She gave him a tenuous smile as her hand reached up to smooth through his dark hair. "You always have been. Even when you were on another planet, you were still here," she said bringing her free hand up to her heart. He looked at her, uncertain of what to say, so she leaned forward and pressed her lips lightly to his.

"I'm still scared," she whispered as she pulled back a bit to look into his captivating gaze. "But I'm willing to start over again if you'll promise to be patient with me."

"I'll wait until the end of the universe if you need it Babs. Just promise to never shut me out again."

"Never again," she swore as she leaned into him once more. "But I just asked for you to be patient…it doesn't mean you have to wait anymore."

It was all the permission he needed as his lips claimed hers and he began to tenderly awaken feelings and emotions she had shut out for so long.

No Man's……..

Hudson raised his eyes from the pool table to see a human female of perhaps forty, picking up an abandoned cue. She gestured to the table and smiled. "Mind if I join you?" she asked.

The elder gargoyle glanced around to see that only Dinah was left and shrugged. "Loser buys beers," he invited.

"Done enough dancing tonight?" she asked with a hint of teasing humor in her light eyes.

"Aye," he chuckled. "I'll ney be hustled like that again."

"Well just about everyone here knows your name now," she said with a gesture to the crowd. Then she held out her hand in an introduction. "I'm Katrianna, but my friends call me Ice."

Hudson gently took the proffered hand to be surprised by two things- the surprising strength behind that grip and the chill he felt seep through his thick skin. His face must have shown his surprise and she grinned.

"I take it there's more to your nickname than meets the eye lass."

"Let's just say it isn't any kind of reference to my personality."

"Interestin'. It's amazing t' see all of ye in one room. We've run across Oberon and a number of his kind over the years. We had no idea just how many part-Fey there were runnin' about."

She paused in racking the balls and looked up at him in surprise. "Oberon?"

"Aye, the King of the Third Race. Every story has some bit o' truth in it lass, and ye and ye friends here are livin' proof o' it."

She cocked her head to one side and gave him a look of disbelief. "You're trying to tell me that Faeries are real?"

"Would ye have believed gargoyles were real if ye had never met us?" he posed.

She thought about that for a second and then smiled. "You have a point there. Who goes first?"

"Lasses first."

"Lass….now there's something I haven't been called in years," she laughed. She aimed, broke the formation, and sank two solids."

"Nice break, I'm glad I didn't make any more serious bets tonight."

"Trust me, that was lucky. I watched you and Elisa play earlier, and you'll have me beat in no time flat. So rumor has it you are over a thousand years old."

They talked for the next couple o f hours, alternating between games of pool and relaxing in the sitting area. Dinah finally came up, her friend Gabby in tow. "Hey Hudson, we were about to head home. I guess everyone else has ditched us."

"Aye, Elisa finally stopped tormentin' Goliath and left a few hours ago. Reese and Helena left shortly after that."

"Gee I wonder why?" Dinah snickered. "Are you gonna be okay if we take off?"

"Don' worry about me lass, I think I can find my way back," he said with a wink.

"I'll keep him company Dinah," Rose told the young woman with a smile. "You know how much of a history buff I am and Hudson here is Historian's dream come true. You two go have fun, and say hello to Barbara for me."

"Thanks Ms. Davis."

Rose arched an eyebrow and Dinah giggled. "Sorry…habit. Thanks Rose," she repeated using a less formal name for the older woman.

"Get out of here you two- just try not to get into too much trouble."

They exchanged knowing looks, giggled and then left before they had to explain themselves. The two adults watched them leave and Rose smiled. "It's good to see her smile like that again."

"She's got a lovely air about her tha' one. She's the balance in their Clan."

"The light to their dark. It's amazing she can still smile after everything that's happened to her though."

"She's got the heart o' a warrior she does," Hudson agreed. Then he sobered as he thought about the coming nights. "I just hope that heart will keep her alive for a long time to come."

Rose looked sharply at him and frowned. "So your visit here isn't just social then," she stated more than asked. She had already explained that she knew about Helena's alternate identity as Huntress and about the Bird's nighttime activities. She was also well aware of the situation in Manhattan, and had recognized Elisa immediately.

"I wish I could say yes," Hudson sighed as he downed the last of his beer. "Elisa received word that a large number o' those blasted guns was going to shipped from here on Christmas Eve. We only have three more days to figure out how we're goin' t' stop that shipment from reaching Manhattan and catch the ones behind this."

"What kind of numbers are you looking at?"

"I've been in a lot of battles lass, but we'll need more than just a little luck if we are t' win this one," he admitted.

She was quiet for awhile, and then stood offering him her hand once more. "It's getting a bit hot in here for me. Care to join me for a breath of fresh air up on the roof?"

"Sure lass," he said accepting her hand, once again feeling the chill in his skin that sent a tingle all the way down to his tail.