Chapter 141

With my shift having just ended, I stand by Ed's workshop as he fiddles with a remote control.

"She's nearly finished, you have no idea what this will mean to science if I succeed," his enthusiasm is overwhelming as he rapidly presses the buttons on the remote.

I glance up at the transdimensional portal in the middle of Ed's workshop. It's a mishmash of electrical and mechanical parts compiled to make a circular object with a person-sized hole in the middle. Wires and cords stretch out and extend to take up all of the plugs in the room, as well as half of the floor space. There's a small control panel attached to the outer side of the portal, as well as the remote control held by Ed.

After fiddling with the remote, Ed sets it down on a nearby table and picks up a magazine to show to me.

"I submitted an article on my theories of transdimensional travel to Popular Science magazine, and they featured it!" he informs me, flipping open the magazine.

I lean in to look at the article, which features both pictures of Ed as well as a picture of his transdimensional portal, "This is great, Ed."

"Yes, and once I get this thing working I'll be the toast of the scientific community. First: a published article in Popular Science, next: the Nobel Prize for physics!" he laughs, pulling me into a tight hug.

This is such a step forward for Ed, he's finally getting the recognition he deserves. Although, I have to admit, it makes me consider my own future. I don't exactly have any future plans, and the gig with Amanda isn't bound to last forever. I wouldn't mind staying a police officer in Gotham, it is my home. But, with everything going on...maybe it'd be best in the end to get away.

Ed and I pull out of the hug as he looks down to read off of his article, "I'm really proud of some of the lines in here. For example: 'It is safe to assume that if alternative universes do exist, then the only habitable ones would be those similar to our own in terms of the laws of physics. But if these universes exist, and are similar to our own in terms of physics, then it's possible that these universes could be similar in other aspects'."

"Similar? How so?" I ask, putting my hands into my pockets and leaning in closer.

He chuckles, before reading on, "Patience, I'm getting there. 'Universes similar in terms of physics need not be identical, but if these universes run on a similar if not parallel timeline, then their historical progression could not just be similar, but possibly identical. In layman's terms: if you go to a parallel universe, it is possible to find a place parallel to your hometown, and even meet your parallel self.'. Pretty interesting, don't you think?"

"Yeah, but this is all theory. The likeliness of a parallel universe so similar that one could meet their parallel self seems unlikely. Same name, same job, same appearance? So many things would have to be the same for that to be possible," I argue.

"You're right, that's why I didn't say identical, I said similar. Certain elements of the person could be similar, but not everything has to be identical," Ed clarifies.

I turn a page on the magazine, "All that said, it's impossible to prove if any of this is even possible. It's not like anyone's actually visited an alternate universe."

He smirks, and runs his hand through my hair, "True...not yet."

"Thank you for helping me sneak out," Barbara gasps, as she hops over the hotel window and onto the very fire escape I'd used to take a picture of her and Renee just this morning. From her hotel room door, the quiet murmur of the paparazzi can be heard coming from the other side. Renee and I are both dressed in black sweatshirts, the hoods up as to conceal our identities.

"Of course Babs," I tell her, "it's the least we could do."

Barbara follows me and Renee as we all head down the fire escape, but just as we get towards the bottom, a crowd of paparazzi turn the corner and spot us.

"It's her! Barbara Kean, the famous heiress!" one of the them shouts, pointing in our direction.

Renee pulls up the retractable ladder we'd used to get up to the fire escape, buying us some time as we rush back up the fire escape.

"To the roof!" Barbara shouts, leading the charge.

The three of us reach the roof as a few brave paparazzi scale the fire escape and start running up the stairs. More burst in through the roof door.

"Ms. Kean, what is your response to the allegations of sexual deviancy?" one of them shouts, holding out a microphone.

"No comment!" Barbara hurriedly snaps, as the three of us spot a nearby building rooftop, separated by a couple feet of space.

Renee makes a run for it first, leaping off of the roof and springing into the air. With grace, she easily makes it to the other side, latching onto the edge of the roof and hoisting herself up.

In her winter coat and heels, Barbara runs next, Renee waiting to receive her on the other end. She jumps, but one of her heels catches on the end of the roof and she starts to fall. Panicking, I lurch over and catch her by the ankle just in time. Barbara looks up at me and smiles, before gesturing over to Renee.

Understanding the message, I let Barbara kick off from the brick wall before letting her go, allowing her to flip mid-air and reach up so that Renee can grab ahold of her arms. Relieved, I run backwards a little bit before leaping over to the other side, abandoning the bewildered paparazzi.

"That...was...amazing!" Barbara cheers as the three of us walk along an extension of connected rooftops.

"Yeah," Renee chuckles, "it was like we were the Flying Graysons."

I laugh along with the two of them, even as guilt floods through me, "So...what's the plan now, ladies?"

Barbara and Renee glance toward each other, their smiles slowly starting to fade.

"I'm leaving town for a little," Renee tells us, "without my job, no way can I afford to live in the city. I'll move back up to Bludhaven with my parents."

Barbara scrunches her eyebrows, as she puts her hand on Renee's shoulder, "Do they know...about...you know…?"

She shakes her head, "They stay away from the papers, and they don't own a TV. So...hopefully…"

Barbara pulls her partner into a tight hug, "It'll be alright."

A small smile comes across Renee's face as they let go, "What about you? You're much more of a public figure than me. We should be more worried about you."

Barbara stuffs her hands into her pockets, "I...I was thinking about staying with my parents. Reporters will be stalking every street corner and hotel in town. And besides...I want to make sure they're not being harassed by the media as well."

I gasp, "But that would mean-"

"Reconciling with the Court? Yeah, I know. But it's not like I have any other options…" Barbara lowers her head, "I know Falcone and my family still want me to be a part of the Court...keeping it in the family and all…"

She stops in her tracks, "Maybe...maybe I'll take up on their offer."

Renee firmly grabs Barbara by the arm, "What, are you nuts?! Joining the Court of Owls?"

"I could argue for your safety. They want me, not you," she argues.

"I'm already going into hiding, you don't need to protect me," Renee counters.

Barbara raises her eyebrows, "Yeah, with your parents. What are you going to do if the Talons target them? No way you told them about the Talons in advance."

Renee crosses her arms, "If you feel it's necessary to join the Court, fine. Just...don't let them change you."

She smiles, "Of course not."

Barbara and Renee come in and hug, as I stand back, my hands in my pockets. When they separate, Barbara gives her a quick peck on the cheek.

"I'll call a cab for you...I...I'm gonna miss you," she tells Renee.

Renee looks at her with her doe-eyes, Barbara beaming back. Unlike Barbara, Renee's expression isn't quite happy, her lips frozen into a stiff line.

"I'll miss you too," she confesses, her tone light and soft.

They kiss one more time before continuing to walk together, arm-in-arm. I follow behind them, my arms crossed and my head down.