digi-gal-rox: hey here's the next chapter.
Chapter 3 - Secrets and Surprises
"Who is she?" he murmured, typing something into the computer. He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering the fight that was meant to take place. The necklace... "Could she really be-"
"Bruce?" Barbara's voice suddenly came, "You down there?" he remained silent, hearing her familiar foot steps decend from the stairs. "Dick!" she exclaimed, surprised.
"Hey," he responded distractedly.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, joining him at the computer.
"Still trying to discover who Oracle is," he responded, "And I think Bruce is up at the League."
"Great," she muttered.
"Why did you need him?" he asked, curiously, facing her.
"It's not that important," she waved her hand dismissively.
"Uh-huh," he raised an eye-brow. "I take it you're helping with the Ivy case?"
"No, dad gave me the month off. Said I've been working too hard." she frowned, leaning towards the computer, "You're no where close into discovering who she is."
"How would you know?"
"If she wanted you to know, you'd have known by now."
"Like the time I learnt you were Batgirl?" he asked. Barbara looked away.
"Dick..."
"I know, I know. I should've said something as well." Dick sighed, "But you've got to understand, I thought-"
"You were doing the right thing from protecting me," she finished. "I'm a big girl Dick. You know very well that I can look after my self." he looked at her curiously, as she began typing something into the computer.
"What are you doing?" he asked, returning his gaze back to the computer.
"You wanted to know who Oracle is." she simply said, "I'll get you in, into the League's data base."
"Keep a sharp eye out tonight," Robin murmured, "She's out there somewhere."
"Don't need to tell me twice," Batgirl frowned, "And anyway, I heard Nightwing's one step closer to discovering who Oracle really is."
"I know," Robin muttered, "Barb helpped him."
"She what!"
"Don't get all psyco on me, Batgirl." Robin exclaimed, "He won't know."
"How would you know?"
"Remember the pep talk we got from Batman?"
"So? What if Oracle changed it?"
"She won't. She doesn't want him to know." Robin sighed.
"You've got company," Oracle's voice came, "Madhatter's at your current location, Batgirl. Scarecrow at your's, boy wonder."
"And Ivy?"
"Stalking our two friends. I'll alert them. Keep the two busy."
"Yes ma'am." Batgirl saluted.
Cassandra groaned, as the sun streamed into the cosy bedroom. She could just smell breakfast.
"Get up, Cassie!" Barbara exclaimed, slamming the door open.
"Five more minutes," she muttered, pulling the blanket over her head.
"Now!" Barbara said, furiously, pulling the blanket off the dark haired teenager.
"Barb!" she whined.
"You got school, mind you." Barbara frowned, leaving the room, "If you're not out in half an hour, you'll be living every teens nightmare: PJ's at school!" Cassandra quickly jumpped out of bed, slamming her bedroom door. Barbara smiled to herself, hearing Cassandra scramble for clothes. Before she could head back towards the kitchen, there was a soft knock at the door. Frowning, the young woman headed towards the door, only to find Wally West standing there, with a bunch of roses. "Wally?"
"Happy Birthday!"
"My birthday isn't till-"
"Tomorrow, I know. Thought I'd surprise you," he grinned, as Barbara let him in.
"Didn't really work did it?" she laughed, taking the roses from him, and putting it to her nose. "Mmmm..."
"I'll wait till Christmas."
"Maybe you shouldn't 've said it. Now I know what to expect." she laughed, placing the roses into an empty vase.
"Good point," Wally nodded, "Anyway, the reason I'm here. Dick mentioned that you helped him hack into the League's data base."
"He was already suspecting me of being Orcale. Had to get him off my trail."
"It didn't matter. He still believes you're the Oracle. You're have 'ta tell him sooner or later."
"Why does everyone keep telling me this? I can handle it." Barbara exclaimed, as Cassandra emerged from her room.
"Wally!" she exclaimed.
"Hey 'girl." Wally smiled, as the teenager gulped down her breakfast.
"So lady like," Barbara said sarcastically.
"I'm late!" Cassandra exclaimed, grabbing her bag and ran out.
"PJ nightmare?" Wally asked, closing the door.
"Get's to her every time." she smiled, making her way to the sofa.
"About Dick, though..."
"Wally-"
"I'm serious, Red. He's going to learn the truth, and when he does..."
"It'll be the Batgirl incident all over again." Barbara sighed, hugging herself. "I'm not ready to tell me, Wally. I know him. You know him! When he learns something about someone close... he looses it."
"Bee..."
"Why do you think our relationship is always awkward." she murmured, "He left Gotham, Wally. The day he left, he lost his family. And he lost a lot more than family. He lost their trust. And mine."
Alfred watched Dick and Stafire carefully, as the two Titans kept in deep conversation. He knew what it was about. It was about Oracle; the guise Barbara Gordon had took, after Dick's departure almost five years ago. Out of Dick's 'new' family, he was the only one who kept in constant contact with him. Alfred quietly closed the door, before resting his back on the wall close by. He looked up to the ceiling, remembering Dick's first time at Wayne Manor, after witnessing the devasting death of his parents. Bruce had adopted him, remembering the time he too lost his parents. Alfred, shook his head uncertainly, before heading towards the batcave. He knew how devastated Bruce was when Dick left. Tim became what he had most feared, a man like Bruce; the moody, broody man who would spend most of his life as the Gotham Knight. But Barbara... Barbara went through the most change. It was a change, that no one, not ever her father, could undo.
"Were you able to get in?" she asked.
"No." Dick shook his head, "By the time we got in, the system shut down." he frowned. "Looks like we're back to square one."
"What's that?"
"Bringing her down." Dick muttered, "But I have to do this alone, Star. She already hates you."
"Richard..."
"I promise I'll let you know, Star. But right now... this thing I have to do alone."
She stood on her balcony, feeling the rain on her skin. She had always loved the rain. It was cleansing in a way. She closed her eyes, lifting her head, a smile spread on her lips. Opening her eyes again, she went back into the apartment. The rain storm had suddenly appeared, early in the afternoon, surprising Gotham. Grabbing a towel, she began drying herself. She had received a call from Dick earlier saying he was going to drop by. Something about needing her help in something. The doorbell ran precisely the time he said he'd be here. With a shock expression planted on her face she answered the door.
"Should I be worried?" he asked, seeing the look on her face.
"Yes," she nodded, "This is the first time you actually came on time."
"First time...?" he looked at her oddly.
"So, what is it you need?" she asked.
"Help."
"I know that, or else you wouldn't be here." she frowned, her mood suddenly different.
"No need to get all moody on me, Barb." Dick sighed, as she let him in.
"Wally tells me you're still interested in the mysterious Oracle."
"Do you know where she'll be tonight?"
"Tonight?" she repeated, looking out the window. The rain still could be heard, hitting the balcony floor.
"Yes, tonight." Dick repeated, following her gaze. "I still see you enjoy the rain." He couldn't help notice that a smile grew on her face.
"Yeah," she nodded quietly. "I still do. But to answer your question, no. I don't know where she'll be tonight."
"Great," Dick muttered, taking a sit on a sofa close by.
"But I do know that she occassionally goes to the clock tower."
"I-"
"But she'll be most likely with the League this evening."
"How-"
"She's part of the League, Dick." Barbara sighed, keeping her back towards him.
"I know-"
"Ask Jonz. Maybe he knows."
"That sucks," Robin muttered.
"Tell me about it. Even Batman, Flash and Superman sided for me, but no! He had to send me down here, just too keep an eye on them." Oracle mmuttered. The clock rung loudly as it struck six.
"So, Nightwing coming or what?"
"I hope not," she frowned. "God! I just had to say I was going to be-"
"Oracle?" Nightwing's voice came from the back.
"I hate it when he does that," she muttered, as Robin turned around.
"Tim? What are you doing here?"
"Keeping Oracle company," Robin shrugged, "Where's Star?"
"Back at the manor... why?"
"You ready?" the boy wonder asked, looking at Oracle.
"No," she shook her head.
"Oh come on!" Robin exclaimed.
"No," she shook her head again.
"Why not?" he demanded.
"Because I just spotted Scarecrow, entering Gotham Hall. The GCPD are in there. They're having a function."
"Barb..." Nightwing murmured. Robin glanced at Oracle who hesitated.
"She's not there Nightwing," Robin muttered.
"How would you know, Tim? She's-"
"We know she's part of the Gotham force, but she's not there." Robin cut in.
"Than where is she?" Nightwing asked, annoyed. Robin bit his lip uncertainly. He turned around, only to find Oracle had disappeared. "Where is she, Tim?"
"Just please don't say anything." Robin begged.
"For gods sake, Tim, I'm your brother!"
"Just promise me you won't say anything!" Robin repeated.
"Tim, do you trust me?" Nightwing asked, looking at the young man, sincerly.
"I use to think I didn't. But I do." he nodded.
"Than tell me."
"One more thing. Promise not to get made?"
"That... I cannot promise, if it's someone close."
"Dick..."
"I'll control it, O.K?"
"Good enough. Barbara's not there because she just went in." Nightwing froze.
"Wait she's..."
"Her." Robin nodded.
The gas began to fill the room, unaware to the Gotham Police. But before she could warn them, it had already taken affect of the Gotham police, Quickly retreiving her gas mask, she made her way to where Scarecrow stood. She could hear the panic screams of the Gotham Police, followed by gun shots. The Police's worst fear had been brought
to life.
"Crane!" she growled, as the Scarecrow made his way towards her.
"I would like to now the Oracle's worst fear," the villian smiled, "but first things first... the mask."
"Oracle!" Batgirl screamed, as Scarecrow threw the female heroen across the room. Nightwing and Robin quickly arrived at the girls scream.
"Is anyone else here?" Robin asked, urgently.
"I... I don't know," Batgirl stammered. Robin quickly took off after Scarecrow, leaving Batgirl and Nightwing behind with Oracle's unconcious body. Batgirl quickly made her way to her mentor and guardian. Nightwing followed suit.
"She'll be fine," he said quietly, lifting the body.
"How would you know?" Batgirl demanded, grabbing hold of Oracle's arm.
"We've fought him before." Nightwing sighed.
"We...?"
"Barbara and myself." he murmured, crouching down, till he was eye to eye contact with the teenager.
"You... know?"
"We have to hurry though, Batgirl. Her gas mask fell off by the looks of it. The gas has already affected her. If you want your mentor to live, let me get her to the cave." the teenager hesitated for a moment, before letting her go.
"Please... make sure she's alright." she said. Nightwing nodded and took off.
digi-gal-rox: review pls!