For Appearance's Sake

By Teala373

Chapter 7

In our last chapter: Dick visits the cave looking to reconcile, moments after a delicate moment between Bruce and Barbara. While Bruce and Dick talk, Barbara doesn't handle the situation well and heads off on her assignment.

(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)

There was a slight tremble in her hands as she swiftly swept through Ted Kord's home office. It took every concentration and meditation technique she knew to keep her mind as focused as possible.

"You really got yourself in a mess this time," she mumbled softly to herself as she copied files onto her portable drive and desperately tried not to think about Dick Grayson.

But it was nearly impossible.

The information she was finding was extremely valuable towards their case and would help them finally put all the puzzle pieces together, yet she could barely bring herself to care. Her body was almost in automatic mode as she continued collecting evidence. Her mind could not wholly concentrate on the situation as stray thoughts of times with Bruce and times with Dick flooded her consciousness.

As angry as she was with Dick, she could not let go of all the good memories they had built together. Yet, at the same time, she had such a strong connection with Bruce. He was safe, comfortable and helped her fill a void. She was so conflicted, and the situation was so complicated that she felt bile rise in her throat.

No matter what happened, this wasn't going to end well.

(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)

Ted Kord hadn't expected Bruce Wayne to be intimidating, but as he sat across from him, he couldn't help but to feel his nerve ends buzzing. He wasn't surprised that Bruce Wayne was tall, well built, and a brilliant businessman. However, he hadn't expected a man who always seemed so care free to be frowning as though he were going to take out his anger on everyone that came within a five-mile radius of him. There were times when their eyes would lock and he would swear Bruce was boring holes straight through his brain.

"I will not agree unless alterations cannot be made without both our signatures on a formal contract in agreement of said changes," Bruce practically thundered as the lawyers and executives tried to conclude the proceedings.

"Bruce, if you are worried about using the final products for warfare, I can assure you…"

"I want it in writing," he almost shouted, causing Lucius Fox to jump a little in his seat.

Swallowing a large lump in his throat, Ted Kord began instructing his lawyers to draw up a new contract. As negotiations quickly fell upon the table, Ted couldn't help but to feel that only part of Bruce's hostilities were directed towards him; something else had angered the great head of the Wayne empire.

"God help them," Ted Kord mumbled low to himself as he signed a preliminary agreement that was passed to him.

(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)

"So let me get this straight," Dick started as he leaned against the map cabinet in the batcave, "Ted Kord is the Blue Beetle and is trying to bring down Rupert Thorn. He hired a detective because he… well, he's not us… but the detective took the case as another level of revenge he is taking out on Rupert Thorn."

"Close enough," Barbara muttered as she continued entering and archiving her findings into the computer.

"We still don't know who is running Thorn's operation, or where he is," Bruce concluded as he stepped forward in a subconscious effort to create a barrier between Dick and Barbara.

"I think Kord knows, and that's why he's interested in taking Thorn's operation down," Barbara continued. "I couldn't find anything solid, but there's no reason why the Blue Beetle would be involved. He doesn't normally operate inside Gotham. As Ted Kord, he's only visited the Gotham office of Kord, Inc. three times."

Bruce nodded thoughtfully. "We have to get to the bottom of what is going on inside Thorn's operation." He turned towards Dick. "Were you able to find out any further information from the Thorn operative working in Bludhaven."

"Nada" Dick shook his head, "but I'm going to head back tonight and do a little more digging." He leaned his head to the side to look around Bruce at Barbara. "You wanna come with? I could use some help."

Barbara began to open her mouth, but Bruce cut in. "I need Barbara to investigate Bard one last time while I try to find more information on who is leading Thorn's gang."

Dick narrowed his eyes slightly. For the first time since he had returned, he sensed that Bruce was shielding Barbara. He didn't want to start an argument, but he wasn't going to drop his suspicions entirely. "Alright," he agreed slowly, "I'm thinking maybe two or three nights and then I'll check in."

Bruce nodded his head in agreement. A silence hung in the air that grew so thick with tension, Barbara stopped typing, feeling that the gentle clicking of the keyboard was the loudest sound in the world at that moment.

"Alright then, so, I'll, uh, go check things out in Bludhaven, and, uh, will see you soon," Dick cleared his throat and began heading towards his bike.

"Call if you need anything," Bruce offered.

Dick turned back to ask him a couple of questions. He noticed that as he moved, Bruce would move, effectively blocking his view of Barbara. Dick cleared his throat again, but this time, it was to help him swallow the rising bile of rage in his throat.

"Hey, before I go, can you check out these new mods on the bike?"

Bruce turned to check on Barbara, who had resumed her typing. Seeing that she appeared to be fine, he headed across the stone and metal bridge to the vehicle area of the cave.

"What's with the Papa Bear routine?" Dick whispered as he showed Bruce the features on his custom engine. "I'm not going to screw things up with Barbara this time. I'm trying to…"

"I don't think this is the best time," Bruce interrupted as he noted the controls in the bike's handles. "Did you install this arsenal yourself?"

Dick nodded. "Yeah, it took me weeks to get it because I had to route it through five different vendors. Anyway, I don't want things to be so difficult all the time. I know I shouldn't have left the way I did, but I apologized and I'm going to make it up to her."

"I don't know if things can just go back to the way they were…"

"I want her back."

Bruce looked up to see how serious Dick's expression was. He couldn't say anything as the words stuck in his throat.

"I… I had a lot of time to think while I've been on my own," Dick continued, "I know now who I am and what I am meant to do and what I want to do. The only thing that's missing is Barbara. I need her."

"But I don't need you."

Both men turned around to see Barbara standing on the opposite side of the bridge, her body stiff and rigid, and her face conveying clear frustration. "It doesn't matter how low you talk, there's a bad echo in the cave." She spun on her heel and headed for the stairs.

Dick let out a sigh as he put on his mask. "Well… I guess I'm off."

Before Bruce could say anything, Dick hopped on his bike and was heading out the vehicle entrance of the cave that lead to the woods behind Wayne manor.

Bruce stood in the same spot for a very long time before he headed back up the stairs. Barbara had fallen asleep on the couch, tear tracks evident on her cheeks. Bruce sat on the ottoman across from the couch and watched her, conflicted over what he should do.

He had never meant for any of this to happen.

Resting his elbows on his knees, he set his head in his hands and closed his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he had a headache that wasn't caused by being thrown across a room or from a speeding truck.

"I don't want to go back, but… I can't stop remembering…"

He looked up to see Barbara crystalline eyes gazing back at his. Though she was looking at him, she seemed very far away.

"I know."

"I should probably talk to him… tell him the truth…"

Bruce stood. "I'll talk to him. Stay here and rest." He turned and began walking towards the large grandfather clock.

She lifted herself up from the couch. "But… but what about Bard? Don't you want me to…"

"It can wait."

She was shocked. Bruce was always very determined when it came to their work. He always set aside personal issues and obligations for his work. She remembered the hours and hours of learning meditation techniques to help her relax and concentrate so that she had no excuses when it came to her rounds or assignments.

But now, everything was different.

She ran after him, catching his hand and forcing him to turn and look at her. "I'm sorry!" she chocked out breathlessly.

He looked at her with concern and confusion. "Sorry? What for?"

Tears welled up in her eyes and her lower lip trembled slightly. "I'm sorry I messed everything up. This is all my fault! If I hadn't gotten upset at Veronica's party when Bard showed up…"

He enclosed her in a strong embrace. "You never have to be sorry. You didn't ruin anything," he closed his eyes and rested his head atop of hers, "I did that all on my own."

He held her for a long time, letting her tears fall onto him. He hated not being in control and knowing what was going to happen next. He thrived on order and resolve, but now, the world was spinning beneath him and he didn't know what to do.

(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)O(o)

Veronica Vreeland had been sitting in her car for a very long time, waiting patiently for her prey. She had made several phone calls, one of which was to order one of everything from the latest Chanel line. She called Pierce twice to gab about the latest on goings in Gotham high society, and made all her next week lunch and dinner arrangements at all the most exclusive restaurants and clubs around the city. Finally, she spotted her target.

Bludhaven was not a desirable city, though there were a few nicer sections, but Veronica wasn't afraid as she walked into the rundown building and ignored the stare from the woman behind the night desk as she began ascending the stairs.

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Dick Grayson had stopped into his apartment to grab a quick bite to eat and check his messages before beginning his investigations. He was surprised at the knock on his door, but he was even more surprised when he looked through the peephole to see Veronica Vreeland standing there.

"Ms. Vreeland?" he asked as he opened the door.

She sashayed past him and into the apartment. "Dickie! You're looking well. Your place is so… quaint. Surely the ward of the great Bruce Wayne can afford more than quaint. I'll have to set you up with my realtor."

She opened the fridge and took out an apple from the crisper drawer. She continued chatting as she washed the apple off.

"Uh, Ms. Vreeland," Dick was confused at the scene that lay before him, "is there something I can help you with?"

Turning, Veronica simply stared at him as she took a small bite and chewed. "You know, Dickie," she responded when she was finished, "you and I are in a very similar predicament."

His left eyebrow shot up. "What predicament is that?"

She took another small bite and chewed thoughtfully. "What we want is unavailable to us because they are both tied up in each other."

Dick shifted his eyes from sided to side, wondering if he had fallen asleep and was having a strange dream. "I don't understand…"

"You're still interested in renewing your relationship with Barbara, aren't you?"

Crossing his arms across his chest, Dick met her eye. "What makes you think that?"

She rolled her eyes and set the apple down on the counter. "When the girlfriend of Gotham's most eligible bachelor begins rejecting flower arrangements from her ex-boyfriend, who also happens to be the former ward of said bachelor, it gets around certain circles."

"What are you talking about?"

Veronica's eyes widened. "Don't you know why Barbara has been spurning your attempts at reconciliation? She's dating Bruce!"

Dick paled considerably as he took in her words. "I think you must be mistaken, Ms. Vreeland…"

Now Veronica crossed her arms over her chest. "Trust me, I'd love to be mistaken, but I've been pursuing Bruce too long and everywhere I turn, the two of them are together. They've been to every opera, play, restaurant, club, party, gala, and grand opening in Gotham," she rolled her eyes upward, "and they're always all over each other. It makes me sick." She locked her eyes with his again. "I think she's just doing it as some sort of weird revenge. I know you worried about her adolescent crush on Brucie, I heard you both arguing about it years ago at the Van Horton gala."

Dick was having a hard time swallowing the large lump in his throat. He still couldn't quite find his voice.

"Seriously, I think if you and I work together, Dickie, we can drive them apart and have them each to ourselves. Do we have an accord?"

It took Dick a moment to process everything Veronica was telling him. His mind began filling with images of Bruce and Barbara together as the blood in his veins began to boil. Suddenly, Bruce's strange behavior was beginning to make sense: the way he always seemed to step between he and Barbara, the way he was reluctant to talk about his or her own personal endeavors. Then, he remembered seeing Barbara dressed in Bruce's dress shirt and a very short skirt. Bruce had said she had fallen ill.

"Yeah, I bet she was ill…" Dick growled low under his breath.

"What's that, sweetie?" Veronica asked, trying to mask her anticipation.

Letting out a strong puff of breath, Dick lifted his angry eyes. "Yes. We have an accord."