It's nearing three in the morning when Barbara finally re-entered the Palace Royale. She laughs to herself, thinking about everything that had happened that night. Yesterday seems like an eternity ago, considering all the changes and emotional upheaval she's been through in the past 29 hours. Seeing Dick again, talking with him, discovering that he still cared for her…it is almost more than she could handle.
She stands in the doorway for a minute, looking around the lobby. Her instincts have her casing every room she walks into nowadays, looking for minute changes that could mean the difference between safety and danger, life and death. Nothing seems out of place in the empty room. The only person beside herself is the lonely, sleep-deprived concierge that worked the desk every night.
Just me and Palo, as usual she thinks to herself. But not for long since Dick and the Titans are waiting for me. Taking a deep breath and re-focusing her thoughts towards the conversations that still needed to be had tonight, she starts working her way towards the desk. Her heels clack on the floor, her skirt swirls around her legs. She'd changed out of her batsuit after giving Robin directions to the hotel, and instructing the Titans to give her a 30-minute head start to the hotel. She'd dressed before leaving the warehouse, but left so that the Titan's had yet to see her face. They still didn't know who she or Dick really were, and she wasn't sure how they were going to handle sleeping in the same rooms tonight.
Palo looked up at the sound and smiles at her. "Buenos noche senorita Gordon, or perhaps Buenos tardes would be more appropriate."
"Thank you, I guess I am getting in a little late tonight, but you know. A girl's gotta have some fun. " She smiles at him, and stumbles a bit, improving the aura of party girl that she is trying to portray. Her cover story was that she was on a vacation from her father, a gift to congratulate her for her college graduation. Well, that was the story in Madrid anyway. Her father believed that she was in California, visiting schools at which to complete her PhD.
She stops at the desk. "Palo, is room-service still running? I'm just dying for something to eat…." She asked.
"Si, si. Just call up and they will fix you anything you like. A pretty senoritia like yourself, they'll want to fix you up well." Hm, I'm sure they would. Most likely for the tips though…
"Oh thank you." Barbara begins walking towards the elevators. "Oh" she says turning back towards the desk, "can you cancel any housekeeping in my suite for the next few days, and send up some extra towels?" She shoots him her best flirtatious smile and catches sight of Dick entering the hotel. She waves him over. He begins moving toward her, and she looks at Palo. "My boyfriend and I would rather not be disturbed."
"Of course senorita, anything to make you happy…" He looks mildly embarrassed, but quickly enters the requests into the computer. "The towels will be right up, and just let me know when you want housekeeping to come back…" he blushes and goes back to the computer screen.
With that, Barbara and Dick head to the elevators and catch one heading up. Once Babs hit the button for her floor and the doors shut, Dick sends her a withering glare. "Did you have to make it seem like we were sex maniacs? I mean, that poor concierge isn't gonna be able to look either one of us in the eye again…" Dick complains.
"Well, it was all I could come up with, and it worked. You and the others can stay with out any fear of discovery…this way Palo will spread the word and any odd requests won't really seem so odd…" She looks at him. "You're not upset are you? I mean, it seemed like a good idea…"
"No I'm not upset. Well actually the thought of you and me locked up in a hotel room for days on end alone together isn't a bad one, now I think about it." He waggles his eyebrows a bit and pulls her close to him.
"Hm…I kinda like the idea too, but lets get through this mission first. We've got a lot of catching up to do…so maybe when we get back to the states, once everything is settled, we can…catch up." She smiles up at him and her eyes soften. Even after all this time apart, they're still completely comfortable holding each other, fit well together. Dick leans down, his lips ghosting over hers. His warm breath making her shiver.
"I think that's the best idea I've heard in a while." He begins to apply more pressure to her lips, and the kiss turns just shy of passionate. While their kiss in the warehouse early had been promising, hopeful and shy, a commitment to making things right between them, this one is more desperate, the feelings that they shared three years ago shining through.
Barbara gasps against his lips as the emotions from the night overwhelm her once again. Dick seizes the opportunity to deepen the kiss, pouring all he has into the kiss. His hands hold her tight against him, one hand on her back holding her up, the other holding her head to his, fingers tangled in her hair. She holds on to the front of his sweater, overwhelmed by the intensity of the kiss.
The doors to the elevator ding open, startling them out of their kiss. They break apart abruptly and step out into the hall. Neither one knows what to say, how to address the kiss. Barbara clears her throat and straightens her skirt. "So did you want masks on when they get here, or are we gonna go civilian?" She asks, not looking at him and moving down the hall towards the penthouse suite.
Dick follows her and quickly catches up. "Babs, about that…I want us to work. And I know that we're on the job, but don't shut me out again. I'm not sure how its all gonna play out, but trust me, I'm not gonna walk away again. I'll make it all up to you I promise."
"I want to believe that. I do believe that. I believe everything you've said, what you told me in the warehouse, but I'm still scared Dick. You left, took my heart with you. All I had left we're pieces. I'm not sure how to put them back together."
"Then let me help you. I promise, I'm not leaving you again." He catches her hand and forces her chin up, locking their eyes. "I'm done running from the past. The Titans will get the full story. They deserve it. I can't just leave the team, but you and I can find away, and I promise, that Bruce and I will as well."
She watches him for a moment, throws her arms around him and holds on tight. "Ok. I don't promise that I won't pull away at first. I've learned to protect myself in the last three years, but I believe you. And I want this." She whispers in his year. He holds her for a moment longer, then pulls away and kiss her forehead and wipes a stray tear. It's not a perfect moment in the middle of the hotel hallway, but it's a comfort they both need.
After another moment, and what seems like the thousandth calming breath she's taken since the night began, she pulls they keycard to her room out of her purse. "Well, now. Let's get this show on the road."
With that she swipes the card, and opens the door. They enter together, and Dick takes a look around. "Kind of ostentatious, but appropriate for Bruce's dime. I've certainly stayed in nicer hotels."
"Yes well, we aren't all the wards of billionaires Dick. I'm never going to be able to give this up. I'd make Bruce buy me a nicer apartment, if it wouldn't raise so many questions." She smiles at him. It's nice to be able to joke and talk like this again.
Barbara begins moving towards the French doors that lead to the balcony. "Come on short pants, we've gotta let your Titans in, and get this party started. Call for room service and get them to send up coffee and pastries. I think we'll be up for awhile."