Chapter Seven: Interplay
Helena stared in surprise as Dick Grayson, formerly known as Robin, the boy wonder, Batman's protégé, and the masked crusader of Bludhaven, walked into her room with the doctor at his side. Her surprise must have shown on her face because the doctor, a congenial man named Stryker, explained matters in a rush.
"With your not having any family, we contacted your emergency contact, which was Mr. Nightwing."
Dick allowed a small grin to show through his mask. "Surprised me too. Here I thought you didn't care."
"I always cared. You were just too aloof."
"It happens."
"You get it from pops," Helena replied hoarsely, referring to Bruce Wayne, Batman, the man who trained Dick, and subsequently, stole his girlfriend, sending the Man Wonder straight into Huntress' arms.
Dick's face, what she could see of it, closed down. "I'm here to spring you," he said, changing the subject.
The doctor nodded and explained. "Due to your circumstances, your 'other' life, it'd be best if you and your injuries were taken to a regular hospital. I recruited your..." he hesitates, "...friend to help me. I've already fabricated reports from another hospital in Bludhaven, so that it won't be too suspicious for you to be transferred to Gotham General. Nightwing here will help with the cover story, supplying you with all the details on the flight down." With a self satisfied smile the doctor left, and an awkward silence permeated the room in his place.
"Sooo...shall we go?" Dick asked, gesturing to the wheelchair by the wall.
"I don't even know what's all wrong with me! Is it okay for me to move? I could have a head injury!"
Dick laughed, and it reminded Helena of that one glorious weekend they'd spent together. She'd comforted him from heartbreak, he'd made promises she knew he'd never fulfill, and on Monday she'd been in school, and he'd been in Bludhaven. Those promises, of a life, of a marriage, and children, had fallen by the wayside. Helena was used to the feeling.
"You're fine. You landed in the garbage. You have a broken arm, some cracked ribs, and a concussion. None of which are really serious, so can we get going?"
Helena shrugged (which hurt) and smiled evilly (which didn't). "Avoiding someone?"
"No."
"Yes, you are. Don't want Bats to see you? Still not speaking?"
"What do you care?"
"I don't. I just like to torture you."
Dick grinned and leaned down to stare intently in her face. "I thought you were seeing Question or someone like that. Won't they get jealous?"
Helena used a good hand to push him away. "I'm seeing Captain Atom, and I'm sure he doesn't care. We're secure like that."
"Still haven't fucked him, huh?"
"And what do you mean by that?"
"I mean, if he'd ever had you, he'd damn well be concerned."
Helena smiled. "I'll take that as compliment."
"What happened with Q?"
"Why are you so concerned?"
"I liked him. It was funny watching your conversations from the rooftops."
"You eavesdropped?"
"So does he have an unnatural obsession with shoelaces or what?"
"They freak him out."
"Still defending him? I thought he dumped you."
"We amicably split."
"Did you just use the word 'amicably'?"
"I'm injured and you're mocking me?"
"You knew what you were getting when you agreed to marry me."
"Thank god I got over that."
"More like I got over you."
"More like I kicked you out of my bed."
"It was a comfortable bed. Still can't get a decent night's sleep."
Helena sighed. "Shall I just call Bats and get your little confrontation over with?"
"No."
"Then shall we go, oh Knight in Black Matte Armor?"
"Sure, oh Bitch of the West."
With some struggle, and a couple embarrassing flashes of flesh, as well as brushes of contact, Nightwing got Helena into a wheelchair and on her way to the hangar. In the hallway that echoed with Helena and Dick's laughter, Question and Captain Atom stood side by side, for once.
"Who is he?"
"Huntress's ex-lover."
Nate turned to Q with a raised eyebrow. "Why am I not surprised you know that?"
"Because I'm the most knowledgeable person on this boat."
"We're not on a boat."
"Sometimes I don't know what she sees in you."
"Who?"
"Huntress. Must be your impressive porn collection."
Nate looked at Q scandalously. "You know about that?"
"I know about everything."
"Even about..."
"Yes, even about the dead hooker in Mexico."
Nate shook his head. "And Supes got away with it."
For the first time in this whole roller coaster two months, the two men shared a laugh at Superman's expense. Soon, any ambivalence was gone as they remembered why they were standing there in the first place.
"So..."
"So..." The said at the same time. Finally, Q spoke. "Still enemies?"
"Battle to the death."
"She's not a prize, you know."
"I do know."
"If she was, she'd be mine."
Nate laughed. "Because you're so good at games?"
"Actually, I am. Just a lot of physics and probabilities."
"I could beat you at pool."
"Want to try it?"
"Sure," Nate replied before he could help himself. "Prepare to be destroyed."
"You do know I could have you declared dead and all your credit and assets sold off before you could even move an inch from that spot?"
"I'll take my chances."
The two men warily eyed each other, and together turned to go to the game room. This was going to get interesting.
