GOTHAM CITY
JUNE 9TH 2011 14:27 EST
Barbara stood on the edge of the fence, arms spread wide to balance herself as she leaned down, one leg extended high into the air. The afternoon sun was behind her, framing her in orange light that seemed to make the fifteen-year-old glow from where she was perched. Jason, newly eleven today, clapped his hands and looked up at the teenage girl with an expression of awe. Betty and Dick stood beside him, watching their friend proudly as she demonstrated just a few of her gymnastics abilities for the birthday boy.
Jason was eating it up like ice cream on a warm day, and Barbara, though not much of a show-off, was obviously delighted that someone found her abilities to be interesting. Normally Barbara's rather incredible gymnastic talents were forgotten in favor of her best friend Dick's world class acrobatic skills, but Jason had discovered that Barbara was a gymnast and all but demanded to see them. It certainly helped that today was the youngster's birthday, and so they were more likely inclined to give the boy what he wanted.
"Wow," Jason murmured. "You're really good Barbara."
Barbara smiled and pulled her extended leg back towards herself, allowing herself to stand upright on the fencepost. Behind her, a soccer game was being played on the field in the park, and a shrill scream of excitement sounded off behind her.
"Thanks Jason," Barbara said gratefully. Barbara took one step forward and summersaulted off the fence, landing with her knees bent before straightened up, throwing her arms up in the air like she was in a gymnastics competition. "I'm no Olympian, but still, thanks."
Dick put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. "Come on, don't discount yourself Babs. You could totally be one."
Barbara grinned and shook his hand off his shoulder, standing a little back and away from them. Betty beamed at her friend and clapped her hands together in front of her, resting them in front of her waist.
"London 2012 here comes Barbara Gordon," Betty encouraged, and Barbara chortled under her breath. She crossed her arms and looked up from underneath her eyelids shyly. She rubbed the back of her neck and looked amongst her friends, grateful for their kind words.
"Thanks guys," Barbara said. She shook her head and put her hands on her hips, looking down at Jason excitedly. "But that's enough about me. It's Little Man's birthday, so let's find some ice cream to celebrate."
Jason cheered and spun on his heel, marching towards the ice cream cart at the end of the path. Betty could not help the smile that worked it's way up her face, watching her brother go with a content and happy feeling growing in her stomach. Jason had become so much freer and lighter in the past few months under Bruce's care and tutelage; he had a new purpose, a new way about him that conveyed that he for once felt at peace in the world. There was not as much to worry about. It was amazing how much lighter you felt when you didn't worry if the lights were going to be turned off or wonder where your next meal was going to come from.
The three teenagers followed after Jason, falling into step as they watched the eleven-year-old race to the ice cream cart. Betty smiled fondly and her eyes glazed over with pride and joy. Jason was eleven now, officially a pre-teen and just as excitable as always. Betty could not believe how much Jason had grown in the past year since he turned ten – he was a partner-in-training with Batman, officially Betty's adopted little brother, and had a new spring in his step that conveyed happiness. But there was also a darkness that tempered that growth; Jason was still affected daily by his mother's death. Betty could tell by the way his eyes clouded when he brought her up and the way his shoulder's slumped when he was quiet that the poor boy was still in the midst of his grief over her death.
And Betty had no idea when the grieving period would be over. She herself took over a year to fully come to terms with her own mother's death, and at times the wound that had scabbed over her heart felt ready to burst and bleed all over again. And thought it had been months, Betty knew the wound was still fresh for Jason, sending out rivets of blood that threatened to drown him in his emotions if he wasn't careful.
Betty shook her head as she arrived at the ice cream cart. Now was not the day for sadness and worry. Today was Jason's birthday, a day to be happy and celebrate Jason getting older. Betty could worry all she wanted about it tomorrow, but today she would be happy and excited.
The trio quickly ordered their preferred ice creams (chocolate all around) and Betty paid ("Dick Grayson put that wallet away it is my brother's birthday let me pay."), before all of them found seats on a bench that was not far away.
Jason licked his ice cream cone and watched a series of bikers as they passed.
"I wish I knew how to ride a bike," Jason muttered, and Barbara and Dick looked at him like he was crazy. Betty merely kept licking her ice cream, having already known this tidbit of information. Jason's family had never been able to afford a bike before, and it's not like his family was known for being incredibly standard, so even if they had been able to afford it, it's most likely his mother and father wouldn't have taught him how to do it.
"You don't know how to ride a bike?" Barbara asked, aghast. Jason nodded and took another large lick of his ice cream cone. Barbara shook her head and stood, handing Dick her ice cream cone as she headed towards the bike rentals further down the paved path. "Unacceptable. I'll be right back."
"Barbara, wait –" Jason called in vain, but it only landed on deaf ears. Betty rolled her eyes and slung an arm around her little brother's shoulders.
"Looks like you're going to get a crash course today, Jason," Betty informed. Jason didn't seem to know how to react to this news, as his eyes read excitement at getting to learn but his lips were parted in confusion and unsureness. Dick ruffled Jason's hair brotherly and smiled down at him.
"Don't worry, Jaybird," Dick assured. "Babs is a great teacher."
MOUNT JUSTICE
JUNE 13TH 2011 21:34 EST
"I'm telling you Conner, it wasn't pretty."
Conner laughed and leaned against his headboard, crossing his arms across the S emblazoned on his shirt. Betty sat on the other end of their bed, legs crossed and smiling at her best friend widely. She had been telling him about the adventure it was teaching Jason how to ride a bike, which turned into a multi-hour affair that ended with two skinned knees and a declaration from Jason that riding bikes was "the best". Betty had no doubt that Bruce most likely had Jason his own bike by the week's end, especially since Barbara had promised a follow-up session now that Jason had the basics down.
"I can only imagine Betts," Conner said. Conner picked at one of his nails absentmindedly, and Betty leaned back on her arms, yawning. "Tired?"
"Yeah," Betty answered. "Patrol was hell last night."
Melody was still new to Waspia, still not quite sure what she was doing. That meant that Honeybee had to step up to the plate and be the one to guide her. It was exhausting to do so, especially when Honeybee was just trying to do her job. Honeybee had become so accustomed to just doing it herself, relearning how to work in a partnership was taking a toll on her. Especially when now she was the more experienced one rather than just the sidekick.
"There were at least three attempted robberies in two hours," Betty explained. "Waspia was wiped out after the second, so it was pulling teeth to stop the last one."
Conner rolled his eyes and scoffed. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
Conner was right – it wasn't that bad. Waspia was still learning, it had only been a few months. For someone only doing this for a few months, Waspia was doing an outstanding job. She never once complained, and she gave it her all. Waspia used every failure, every lost fight as a mission She was someone that Honeybee knew she could rely on, someone that Honeybee was proud to work with.
But there were still kinks to work out. Waspia was quick to act, less prone to setting out a plan for both of them to follow. Waspia found it hard to swallow that Honeybee knew what she was doing more than Waspia, which meant that Honeybee fell into a natural position of leadership despite their age and civilian relationship. It was a hard pill to take, Honeybee supposed, needing to take orders and listen to your niece when you were their legal guardian.
But despite all the kinks, Honeybee was enjoying Waspia around, for all Betty's complaining. It was nice to have someone have her back again, to have the iconic duo of Waspia and Honeybee back protecting the Narrows. It was her home, and she wanted it as protected as possible. Plus Melody had taken to Waspia to crime-fighting like a fish to water, in spite of her faults.
"Yeah, I suppose it wasn't," Betty admitted. Conner brought a hand to his chest, pretended to be scandalized, mouth popping open in an 'o' shape.
"Did you just admit I was right?" Conner asked. "Call the hospital, she's going down." Betty rolled her eyes and reached for the pillow at the foot of the bed, throwing it at Conner with little malice. Conner laughed and held up his arms to block the pillow from hitting him. The pillow landed to the side, falling with a soft thud onto the stone floor of the mountain.
"You're incorrigible!" Betty shot, and Conner laughed.
"Looks who's using million-dollar words now," Conner said. Betty rolled her eyes and kicked Conner lightly on the shins, which she wasn't even sure he felt with his invulnerability.
With summer around, Betty was able to spend more time with Conner, just hanging our and being able to relax when not on missions. Of course, Conner also spent a lot of his time with M'gann, but he was still able to make time for Betty, which she appreciated. Conner was a real friend, a kind, true one that you didn't make very often. It was like the one she had developed with Robin over the many years they fought side-by-side. But it came so easy with Conner, it was like she had known him for many years, not just shy of one. Betty trusted Conner with her life, as he had proven himself over and over again of being worth that honor.
"Kid Flash, Honeybee, please report for mission briefing."
Betty furrowed her brow and looked over at Conner, who merely raised a brow at her.
"Me and Wally?" Betty wondered aloud. "What mission could possibly need just the two of us?"
Her and Wally were….an odd par for a mission. They had never actually worked alone together before, there were always other members of a team or their mentors. Betty trusted Wally implicitly, but the two of them had never done a mission together before. How would they work together? How would they work as a single unit?
Betty sighed and reached for the sunglasses hidden in her cardigan pocket, slipping them back on. Time to get ready for a mission.
MOUNT JUSTICE
JUNE 13TH 2011 22:07 EST
Honeybee stood straight in front of Batman, Kid Flash at her side. Kid Flash was already suited up in his hero garb, dressed in his signature bright yellow and red. Honeybee was still in her civvies outfit, having come straight from Conner's bedroom to here. She awkwardly adjusted her sunglasses, wondering if she should have changed on her way to the briefing room.
Batman didn't seem to care she was still in her purple butterfly patterned dress, as he gave them both a brief nod of acknowledgement and began to type away on the holocomputer. Kid Flash and she shared a confused look, not saying anything, both wondering what could possibly require them (and only them) to be recalled by Batman for a briefing.
Out of the thin air appeared a picture of Queen Perdita of Vlavata, the young girl smiling at the camera, dressed in royal regalia. Her eyes shone with a kindness that Honeybee could see from the picture alone and her upturned lips spoke to an unmaskable joy that only a child could have. Even a child who was a monarch.
Kid Flash's eyes widened at the picture, and he stepped forward, brow dipping in confusion and concern.
"Queen Perdita?" Kid Flash asked. "Is she alright?"
Batman silently pulled up two pictures: one of Count Vertigo, and one of Professor Ivo. Honeybee grit her teeth at the picture of her father. Immedailty, Honeybee knew exactly what the answer to Kid Flash's question was. No, Queen Perdita was not okay, and Vertigo and Ivo had something do with it.
"Thirty-six hours ago, Count Vertigo disappeared from his cell," Batman explained. Another photo popped up, of a man dressed in a raised hoodie walking in a crowded airport, and it zoomed in to reveal it was Vertigo. "Facial recognition recognized him at the Houston Airport three hours ago. Unfortunately at first we were unable to tell which plane he boarded, as no names on the manifests matched his known aliases, but we discovered he using the alias of his cellmate, Professor Ivo, to board a flight to Vlavata."
Elias Young. Ivo's alias. Honeybee did not need Batman to say it to know what it was. It was a bit on the nose – Ivo feared death and aging, and he wanted to be young. It really didn't take that long to figure out if you knew him. But Ivo had never been great with subtly, so Honeybee did not expect much better.
"So, you think Ivo and Vertigo are working together?" Honeybee surmised easily. Batman nodded, and Kid Flash put his hands on his hips.
"To do what exactly?" Kid Flash said. "It's not like Vertigo is exactly welcome in Vlavata after his last assassination attempt on his niece." One which Kid Flash had stopped in the barest nicks of time, delivering the heart needed for her transplant mere minutes before the heart was no longer viable to be used despite Vertigo's best efforts to stop him.
"Given Ivo's proclivity for robots and explosives," Batman continued to explain, "we believe that Vertigo might be using some of his technology in a potential assassination attempt." Honeybee's fists clenched in, and she stared at the picture of the young queen. This was a child. One that had been given power due to tragedy and now had to be on the look-out at all times for her own safety. Not mention her apparent congenital heart issues. This was…. evil, plain and simple. Going after her was just evil. She didn't expect her father to be a paragon of virtue, but…..this was the murder of a child. This was a line you could never uncross.
"What is it you want us to do?" Honeybee managed to get out, a rotten feeling twisting and turned in her stomach.
"Given Kid Flash's history with Vertigo, we're sending him to inspect the cell for any clues that he might have left behind," Batman said. "You, Honeybee, will accompany him and question Ivo in the meantime."
And that was because of her personal history with Ivo. It went unsaid, thankfully, but still Honeybee could tell that's why she was selected for this mission. Batman knew her personal connection to Ivo, and Honeybee knew that the Dark Night would use any advantage he could to get the upper hand on a mission, and she knew eventually her connection would be used. Batman thought maybe that Honeybee would be able to have some knowledge of Ivo's inner workings, but Honeybee doubted that would be the case. It had been nearly ten years since she had a civil conversation with him.
Honeybee rubbed the back of her neck. "Are you sure Ivo will know anything? He's more likely to mess with us than give us anything useful."
Batman seemed to have expected her protestations, as he shook his head and kept a thin, neutral expression.
"Right now, he is the only lead we have," Batman countered. Honeybee frowned and crossed her arms.
"Why are we handling this and not the League?" Honeybee asked.
"Currently the League is occupied with other duties," Batman informed. "And news of Vertigo's break-out has not reached the news, the League's intervention will garner unwanted media attention."
"So covert's the name of the game," Kid Flash surmised. Kid Flash smiled widely, excited as ever about the possibility of a mission, but Honeybee was decidedly less so. She crossed her arms and looked away. Honeybee might not hate her father, but she hated dealing with him. He was tricky and unwilling to help anyone other than himself, an evil genius with a larger than normal selfish streak. Last time, the only reason they got anything out of him was because of Zatanna, and Honeybee and the others had gotten nowhere.
Honeybee heaved a sigh and looked at Batman, her brows raised, and arms still crossed across her chest.
"When do we leave?"
"Now."
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." - 1 Corinthians 13:1
Sorry again for a shorter chapter, but I don't want to include scenes that are simply filler, and the interrogation scenes with Ivo would take up too much space for this chapter and I really don't want to break something like that up. So, here we are. Don't hate me too much.
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-PrincessChess