Chapter 12

A Bad Night for Batgirl

The next morning Barbara was rudely awoken by the cat as it rubbed its face on her cheek.

"Alright, alright I'm up," she groaned. She sat up and stretched her arms just as her girlfriend awoke.

"Morning honey," Kara yawned before kissing her girlfriend on the cheek.

Downstairs, Jonathan read the morning paper while his wife cooked breakfast. She had just placed the first plate on the table when her foster daughter and guest came downstairs, now dressed in casual clothing. The meal that Martha had cooked for the four of them was made up of three strips of crispy bacon, two slices of brown toast, two well-done sausages, and some baked beans.

"Morning Pa, morning Ma." Kara greeted as they sat down at the table.

"Morning dears," said her mother. "Did you sleep well?"

"We did, thank you," Barbara said before digging in.

"We had a little friend join us as well," Kara pointed out, just as the cat began to circle her girlfriend, rubbing its soft fur on her legs.

"He wasn't too much trouble?" her dad joked.

"Thankfully, he didn't sit on my face like the last two nights," Barbara mentioned with a soft glare at the feline, and unintentionally earned chuckles from the others.

"By the way, how have things been going with your father?" Jonathan asked.

"Pretty good. We went out for a movie the other night and he seems to be warming up to Kara again," Barbara stated as she dunked a piece of toast into her egg.

"That's wonderful," Martha congratulated.

"You must be happy to have his approval?"

"I wouldn't say I have his full approval, but it does feel good having our relationship back to the way it used to be," Kara admitted.

"May have taken him a few months, but it was well worth it."

"Well, as I've said before, it takes time for some people, but they'll come around eventually."

Once they had finished, they went outside as the young couple prepared to head back to Gotham.

"Thank you for letting us stay again," Kara said hugging her parents.

"You're welcome, Kara. You know you're always welcome to come back when you're not saving the world."

"And thank you for breakfast again," Barbara added.

"Bye you two."

"Goodbye dears. Tell Clark we said hi."

"Have a nice flight back," Jonathan added.

"We will."

Once the Kents had gone inside and they were sure the coast was clear, Barbara and Kara went behind a tree to change into their hero attire. Barbara then hopped onto her girlfriend's back and they took to the clear blue skies. She held her arms out and felt the wind blow gently through her red hair. Kara smiled as she looked at her girlfriend.

"Hang on, we're about to kick it up to super speed."

Barbara tighten her grip as Kara zoomed out of Smallville.

They arrived back in Gotham just as the city got busy. As they soared through the sky, they unknowingly passed Lana at the bus stop on her way to work. As she waited she caught sight of the headline in the morning paper. LOOSE WIRE: LIVEWIRE ESCAPES AGAIN! Underneath was a picture of the electric criminal and the story below that told of the villainess's escape. Next to it was the beginning of another story about the continuing search for Lois Lane.

"I hope Clark finds her before she does." She tapped her heel on the pavement, causing it to crack slightly. She stopped immediately and hoped no one noticed. She got up as the bus came to a stop. As she got on the driver saw the crack.

"The state of the pavements these days," he muttered to himself, not noticing Lana's look of embarrassment as she paid her fare. She sat next to one of the windows, as she nervously thought about her new side career.

Clark sat in his hotel room writing down a draft of his story when he heard a knock on the door. He walked over and opened it to see his cousin.

"Hey, Clark," she greeted.

"Hello, how are Ma and Pa?" He moved aside to let her in.

"They're doing fine."

"Can I get you anything?"

"No thanks. So, how did it go last night?" she asked.

"Surprising, to say the least."

"What do you mean?"

"You may want to sit down." He then explained the previous night's events.

"What? She's Superwoman," she tried to comprehend. He nodded. "Shoot, I was already set to change my name to that." she teased.

"Kara," he said sternly.

"Joking, joking. Geez Louise," she said crossing her arms. "Why do you take everything so seriously?"

"Because hero work (this) is serious."

"I know, but even when you're off duty you never seem to have fun anymore."

"I know. It's... just stress. That's all."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay," she said, only half convinced. "You know you can tell me if anything bothering you, right?"

"I know," he replied.

At the museum, Barbara hoped to have a chat with Lana on her break. As she looked around, she spotted the fashion designer making her way to her office.

"Lana," she called out.

"Oh hello, Barbara," she replied with a slightly worried look on her face.

"Are you okay? You don't seem like yourself today."

"It's nothing, just stress from working all morning."

"Would you like some help?"

"Sure, thanks."

They walked to her workshop where several pieces of clothing were ready for the upcoming event.

"Wow, these are beautiful." Barbara complimented.

"Thanks."

"So, what do you need me to do?"

"Could you get the blue fabric for me, please?"

"Sure."

Lana looked over at one of the mannequins and noticed that the head bow was crooked. She began to straighten it and as she did so, she unknowingly began to hover. Barbara came back with the fabric and had to do a double-take just to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her.

The older woman turned to see the stunned look on the younger's face.

"What?"

"Um, you're hovering."

Lana looked down and quickly placed her feet on the ground.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. It's a new... invisible stool."

Barbara raised an eyebrow as she gave her an unconvinced look.

"Alright." she signed in defeat. "I found this rock yesterday and now I'm stuck with superpowers."

"You're disappointed that you have superpowers?" Barbara asked in confusion.

"No, that I'm stuck with them and now have to be a superhero."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Honestly... I'm scared. This isn't something I'm used to. How I am going to live two lives at once," she confessed.

"Well I may not have powers, but I know what's it like to live a double life." Barbara comforted. "It's not easy and I'll admit I've had close calls with being discovered, especially by my dad, but to be honest after a while it begins to feel like nothing really changed." Lana raised an eyebrow. "Well, maybe a few changes here and there," Barbara admitted. "Trust me, it'll be fine. And I know you'll be a great hero."

"Thanks."

"Anytime," she said. "So, what else do you need me to do?"

For the next hour, Barbara assisted Lana with dressmaking. Once they finished they admired the dress they had made which was a lovely ocean blue with wave patterns.

"Thanks for your help today," Lana said. "You know if the hero business doesn't work anymore, I can always take you under my wing." she teased.

"I'll keep that in mind," Barbara played along before picking up her bag. "So, see you tonight?"

"Maybe."

Barbara said her goodbyes and left.

As evening engulfed the city, Joker sat with a few of his men to plan their next move when Lethal Lynx suddenly strutted in.

"Evening Mr. J" she flirted but earned nothing in return. "So Puddin' what we're gonna do for my first gig?" she asked excitedly.

"Why, it's all right here, see for yourself," he gestured to the plan.

Lynx looked down and her eager smile slowly disappeared. "That's it? A week of being tortured so I can be turned into this beauty, just for a simple bank robbery?"

"Yes, I need the funds for my revenge plan. Why is something wrong?"

"I was hoping for something bigger like gee I don't know, KILLING SUPERMAN AND LANA LANG!"

"Now now honey all in due time," Joker stated calmly. "After all, revenge is so much sweeter when you have time to come up with the perfect plan." Lethal pouted with her hands on her hips. "Don't give me that look. You're too adorable when you're angry."

"Fine," she begrudgingly agreed.

"Good," he then went into detail about the heist.

"Now then, is everybody ready?" he rhetorically asked his nervous men. "Good, then get going!"

The thugs followed their cruel leader with Lynx behind them. Just then her purple eyes caught sight of the headline on a discarded newspaper.

"If Miss 9000 volts is out," she whispered to herself. "Then she'll be looking for me." A wicked grin spread over her face as an idea formed in her head. "Won't want to disappoint her."

Superman waited on a rooftop for the others. Soon he was joined by the heroine in purple.

"Hi, Superman." Batgirl greeted.

"Evening Batgirl. Where's Supergirl?"

"She's dealing with a criminal on our street. She said she would join us shortly."

"Why aren't helping her?"

"It was a one-person job," she excused.

He nodded before turning his attention back to the red night sky.

"So Lana has powers now?" Barbara asked.

"She told you?"

"Kind of, I saw her hovering." she clarified.

"Oh, well, that does make things easier."

"Will she join us tonight?"

"Kind of, I'm helping her get used to her powers, so you and Kara are going to have to look for Lois by yourselves."

"Actually, we were kind of hoping to after Ivy and Harley."

"We can go after them once Lois is found."

"But-"

"That's final," he stated firmly.

"Fine." As he turned, she noticed his body language. "Is there something on your mind?" she asked.

"Hm, um it's-it's nothing."

"Come on Clark, what's on your mind?"

"I'm concerned about Lois."

"I'm sure we'll find her."

"It's not just that. Given what's happened to Lana, I'm scared that Lois might... overreact," he admitted. "I have no idea how am I going to explain this to her."

"Tell her you two superwomen in your life now. I'm sure she'll let it fly." Barbara joked.

"YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY!?" Superman yelled.

"I was only jok-"

"JOKING!? LOIS IS IN DANGER AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS MAKE JOKES AT HER EXPENSE!" he yelled.

"I wasn't trying to..."

"IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY THEN DON'T BOTHER SHOWING UP FOR THE NIGHT WATCH! YOU INCENTIVE IDIOT!"

Batgirl was shocked by his outburst. She had never seen him this angry.

"I'll... I'll just be going."

Clark turned back around, shaking his head in guilt.

Kara was just handing the crook over to the authorities, before taking off to join her cousin. As she flew she saw her girlfriend solemnly walking. She flew down next to her.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Batgirl lied.

"Please tell me."

"I accidentally made Clark angry and he called me an idiot."

"WHAT?!" Kara yelled as her eyes temporarily turned red.

"Kara he didn't…" But before Barbara could explain Kara shot off. As Barbara went after her, she received a call through her earpiece.

"Batgirl, there's a gang robbery at a jewelry store downtown."

"On it," she reassured before heading off.

Clark looked over the edge of the building as he contemplated how he would apologize to Barbara when Lana arrived.

"Evening Superman."

He turned to face her. Lana's new look fit her stoic stance. She wore a sleek matte silver suit covering her from neck to toe paired perfectly with deep scarlet boots and accents that matched her hair. Over her chest was the El family crest which she proudly displayed for her first patrol.

"So what do you think?"

"I was hoping for something a little bluer," he said.

"I want to try something a little different." she teased.

"I still think blue would have been more appropriate," he reprimanded her.

She rolled her eyes and then noticed his expression. "I know that face."

"What face?"

"That face you have when something's bothering you?"

"Nothing is bothering me."

"Don't think you can hide it from me, I've known you for over half of your life. I know when something's wrong," she stated firmly. "What's the matter?"

Clark was about to explain when a voice came up from behind him.

"HOW DARE YOU CALL HER AN IDIOT!?" Kara shouted.

"You did what?" Lana asked.

"It was an accident," he clarified. "She made a joke and I got mad..."

"Mad?! Over a little joke?!"

"Hey! She was making fun of Lois!" he snapped furiously.

"Oh, so that makes it okay to yell at my girlfriend?!"

"Okay, okay. Cool it!" Lana ordered getting between them. "Okay Clark, explain yourself."

"We were just talking and I explained to her that I was nervous about explaining to Lois about you being Superwoman."

"What was the joke?"

"That I could just say I have two Superwomen and she'll let it fly."

"That's it? THAT'S WHAT YOUR MAD ABOUT?!" Kara asked crossly.

"Hey, go easy on him. It was just a misunderstanding that's all." Lana said.

"You're taking his side?"

"I'm not taking sides nor am I defending what he said. I just wanted to stop you two from fighting."

Kara just signed and shook her head. "I'm going after her," she said before turning her attention to her cousin. "The first chance you get, you apologize to her."

His eyes widened as his own words echoed in his head. Supergirl flew off leaving the other two alone.

Batgirl walked across the rooftops, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. Then she saw a gang of six running with several bags. She sprung into action, running as fast as her legs could carry her.

The thugs quickly climbed up a fire escape ladder, but once they arrived at the top of the building, they were met by the redheaded guardian of the night.

"Batgirl!" One of them shouted in terror.

"Alright, hand over the jewels and come quietly and I'll go easy on you," she commanded.

"I hate to break to you sweetheart, but it's just you versus the six of us," the leader grinned, baring his rotten teeth.

She glared at her opponents as she readied her weapon. Two of the robbers got out their guns and shot at the young woman, which she managed to dodge. She threw her Batarang and knocked the two out. As she landed, another one came to her and tried to hit her with his fists. She dodged them as best she could while also trying to get a hit in herself.

Suddenly the leader grabbed her by the wrist and snatched her grappling hook gun out of her pocket belt. He chuckled cruelly as he and the others began to tie her up.

"Stop squirming would ya."

But just as they finished, the sound of police sirens could be heard.

"What do we do now, boss?"

"Throw the brat off and make a run for it."

They followed their boss's order before turning to escape. She screamed as she fell off the roof tangled up in the string of her grabbing hook. The gun, however, got caught on a rail and she stopped just before she could hit the hard ground, but in the commotion, her mask fell off.

The six criminals began to climb down the fire escape ladder only to find the police waiting below.

In the alleyway, Batgirl hung upside down, struggling to free herself. She looked down where she saw her mask. She looked up and her expression turned to fear as she saw her father standing before her, with a look of utter shock on his face.

Author's note: Special thanks to AFY2018 for their help with this chapter and the newspaper headline.