The End, chapter 15

They were back to the clock tower, only change was that Helena had returned her apartment and was now living full time at the clock tower again. Just like old times …

Bruce Wayne had offered them to live in the Manor but they had refused, they didn't feel home, like they did here.

There had been no alarm last night so they had spent the whole night together, just happy to share the closeness. Since Harley Quinzel had been brought to Arkham, no one had volunteered to become the next big bad in town. Which was good, they'd both get used to it.

Lying on her back, clad in a night blue tank top and matching sweatpants, one finger tracing lousy pattern on Helena's stomach, Barbara felt incredibly safe. Not that the fortress that the clock tower was could be easily invaded ever again, they had made that sure, but this was special.

Now they were watching the rise of the sun, Helena's head pillowed by Barbara's muscled tight, feet prompted on the nightstand, chewing on a lolly.

Turning around, Helena crawled up, resting her head on her lover's chest, right over her heart, listening to its strong beating. Sneaking an arm around her waist, and a leg over the redheads', trying to merge them into one body, she sighed with contentment. In response, Barbara hugged her tight to her, one arm resting on her lower back, the other stroking her hair.

"It barely hurts anymore" she whispered, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, referring to her rib and remaining bruises. She knew Helena so well, knew that she was afraid to hurt her without making a big deal out of it.

She was although amazed as how easily they had fallen into the lovers' routine. It was just the same as before, hanging around together, going out for lunch, chasing bad guys at night, but so much better. Now when Helena would return from sweeps they'd be together, fight their demons together, as a couple.

At first she had feared that being lovers would create tension in their night work but it didn't. Sure Barbara would still request them to be careful when going, but now she'd make sure Helena was ok when she returned. The brunette had nowhere to run, not that she wished to. Climbing in bed with Barbara might be something totally new, but she was looking for it every night.

Even with her meta human cat power, Helena was the gentlest lover she had ever been with. Not she had had many since the shooting, being in a wheelchair was magical to discourage any guy, or parents. Not that dating was the first thing on her mind, she was not particularly looking for it, seeking it, but she missed the feeling of having someone care for you. Helena was gentle, totally focused on her when they were together, and although they didn't make love so far, she knew it'd be mind blowing. Not because she was half meta, or had some feline's blood coursing through her body; but because it was Helena, her best friend, someone who knew her inside out and loved every part of her, even her body.

She remembered Wade's mother words when they had met over dinner a while ago, how she didn't see her as a normal person. It had hurt her, deeply, but she never told Helena again. First time she told her about, the girl had been too caught up in catching a meta human's killer to pay too much attention to it. But later on, knowing the girl, she'd have hunted her down to make her pay.

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes over the pain this memory induced. Poor Wade didn't choose this life; he was taken into it by accident, by Alfred's caring towards herself.

"Barbara?" opening her eyes, she was greeted by azure eyes-should be opening her eyes, azure eyes greeted her, looking down at her, worry clear in their depth.
"Sorry … what were you saying?"
"Nothen, just worried about your increasing heartbeat, short intake of breath and silence"
"Meta human lover … so much power, you shouldn't misuse them" she smiled up at her, caressing her cheek.
"Nice try Barbara but don't change the subject. What's on your mind?"
"Oh … I … I was thinking about Wade, how his parents must have taken the news of his death"
"You wanna talk about it?" she requested gently
"Not really … it'll pass, don't worry"

Kissing her gently on the lips, Helena smiled when she felt Barbara open her mouth to her questing tongue, returning the kiss.
"Whenever you're ready love"

For a while they returned to their companion silence, Helena hugging Barbara just a little tighter, making sure she felt her love, her care.

"I'd have known Nolan never existed, it was just too soon" whispered Helena a moment later, not daring looking up at Barbara. The subject was still touchy.
"You're very smart Helena, We had to make something up to keep you away from me"
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"What about?"
'Bruce's behaviour. He had no right to …"
"I couldn't Helena. I have the strongest respect for your father, and as much as I resented him for his decision, I wanted you to get a real life, away from all this pain"
"But we can't change who we are inside, that's what all this ordeal taught me. I might not like this crime fighter life all the time but it's my choice. Besides, been away from you is too hard, it just hurts too much"

Reaching down, Barbara stroked her lover's cheek gently, before placing a light kiss on her nose. That made the brunette giggle.

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Well what do you think ? Two more chapters to go, then the story will be completed.