Chapter 1
As had been the Norm for the last three months Helena awoke only a few hours after she'd gone to sleep, Wide awake and longing for some action. Still laying in her bed she closed her eyes and began counting backwards from 100 trying to ignore the feeling of restlessness. 100, 99, 98, 97... 54, 53, 52... 28, 27, 26. "Argg. Screw this!" she huffed as she tore the covers off her body and sprung out of bed walking over to the recently bolted window looking out longingly "Bugger it all to hell, its not fair" she tore herself away from the window and began to pace around her room, back and forth, round and round her restless energy growing and growing until finally she kicked her desk chair and felt it splinter under the force of her foot.
Feeling slightly better she continued to pace, so caught up in the feelings and adrenaline rushing through her body that she didn't notice or break stride as her mother rushed through her door followed closely by Barbara in her newly acquired electric wheel chair.
"Helena? What happened? What's going on?" Selina rushed, grabbing her pacing daughter and pulling her into her arms. Immediately Helena began to pull away unsure of how to react to the physical contact while in her current state. But her mothers surprisingly strong grip was relentless although she did allow her some space she cupped Helena's cheek in one hand and forced eye contact. Both mother and daughter gasped as there normally deep brown eyes came in contact with feral yellowy green ones.
Helena renewed her struggle to break free of her mothers grip and this time Selina allowed it and watched as her daughter dashed for the full length mirror on the other side of the room. As Helena came face to face with her own reflection checking her eyes and seeing blazing yellow staring back she broke down and sinking to her knees she screamed "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!"
Staring at the mirror she continued now silently watching herself as tears began to flow. After a few minutes the burning glow of her eyes began to dull and slowly they changed back to the deep brown she had sported her entire life and as they did Helena breathed a sigh of relief and began to wipe at her tear stained cheeks. However upon feeling the wetness on her hands from her tears she began to feel angry at her show of weakness and at all the events and craziness that had lead to this point over the past few months and again her eyes grew a furious yellow as she gracefully jumped to her feet and slammed her fist through the mirror spinning to face her mother. "what the hell is happening to me? I know you know. I want answers.. NOW!"
Looking into Helena's glowing eyes, Selina had no choice but to accept her daughters fate had been sealed. She was meta, just like her. She took a deep breath and began a long tale of a girl who hit puberty and began to change in ways she'd never been prepared for, a girl who had been rejected by her family and written off by society as a freak. A girl who wandered through her early life doing what she had to to survive. A girl who grew up to become Catwoman, queen of the criminal underworld. Helena listened to her mother's tale with rapt attention while at the same time trying to sort through the barrage of new information and the whirlwind of emotions ranging from anger that her mother had kept such a large part of herself and life a secret for so long all the way through to awe of her grace and strength.
"Ok, so assuming I even buy into this whole queen of Gothem's seedy underbelly thing, what exactly is it that we can do? I mean I know im strong and I have energy coming out my ears that burns like fire and ice though veins, my eyes change and I can see better in the dark then in full light... Its all come about slowly but at the same time has exploded within me so fast. Its amazing and scary and unreal.. is there more to come what should I be expecting?"
Selina took a moment to think on Helena's question is it possible that my little girl has taken on all my abilities? Is there more for her to go through, oh geez this is hard I hoped she'd never have to worry about any of this. "My love, I can't tell you what changes you will endure. I don't know if our abilities will be exactly the same at the moment they are extremely similar, but you may yet develop differently you may stop here or grow beyond anything I could possibly tell you about, but my girl whatever happens from here I will promise you this. Things WILL be different for you, you will not have to do this alone I will be here for you and I will love you no matter what. Your path will not be the same as mine".
"And so will I" this was the first time Barbara had spoken, wanting to give the two most important people in her life a chance to talk and sort through the emotional mine field that comes hand in hand with being meta human. A mine field she had been dragged in to many a time in her career as Batgirl. "you have nothing but support here Helena, I know you must have a million questions and I promise to help you find the answers to the best of my ability, as will your mother I'm sure. But you both look exhausted and I think it's best for everyone to try and get some rest. We have a long road ahead and plenty of time to explore it.
Although Helena felt as though she had barely scratched the surface of the information she needed to begin to come to terms with the most recent and weird developments in her young and already overwhelmingly bazaar life she had to agree with Barbara, she was exhausted and her mother looked as though she were about to pass out so she nodded her head, hugged the two most amazing people in her life good night and crawled under the covers falling immediately into the deepest, longest sleep she'd had in months.
The light creeping into her room through the curtinless room woke Barbara from a light and patchy sleep, she'd found that although she was dead tired after the previous nights events she still could not manage to get a decent sleep, as had been the ongoing issue since the Joker had caught her unaware in her apartment and put a bullet through her spine as revenge for helping her mentor Batman bring him to justice for the years of terror he had caused in Gothem.
The sudden and overwhelming need to pee broke Barbara out of her dark thoughts and into action, using the handrail Selina had had installed above her bed prior to asking her to move in with them she pulled her self up and used the momentum to help swing her limp legs over the edge of the bed. She leaned forward to reach for her chair and overbalanced falling in heap to the floor. "arrrh" she yelled in frustration as she heard two sets of foot steps rushing toward her room from opposite ends of the house. Sighing in resignation she flexed her pelvic floor and fought the urge to wet herself. Helena was the first through the door and wasted no time in rushing to Barbaras side and gracefully sweeping her into her arms and depositing her safley into her chair "Teen freak to the rescue" she quipped.
Barbara looked less then impressed at Helena's attempt at humour and near ran over her foot in an attempt to get to the bathroom and away from the humiliating situation. "Gee Babs your welcome, My pleasure really" Helena grumbled to herself once she thought Barbara was out of earshot. "Don't take it to hard sweety, she's in a dark place at the moment, Barbara is a very independent not to mention stubborn person. She just needs a little time"
Helena smiled at her mom sadly and nodded, heading out of Barbara's room into the safety of the kitchen and all the foody goodness she was in desperate need of. Searching through the pantry and the fridge for anything edible was a futile experience so she grabbed some cash from the grocery jar and called out to her mother that she was off to hunt for some breakfast for everyone and wouldn't be gone long.
Helena was out the door and down the stairs of the penthouse floor she shared with her newly expanded family before Selina could reply with so much as a "be careful" or "see you soon" or "no junkfood please". Hearing a tap on the door Selina rolled her eyes and headed for the door "don't tell me you forgot your keys again" Selina's voice cut off in her throat and her mind started to spin as she forgot the rest of the teasing she was about to give her daughter.
"Hello Selina" Bruce said, a grin plastered on his face. Clearly amused he had taken his former lover by surprise "are you going to invite us in?"
Selina blinked once in surprise "us?" looking around for a second person she spotted Bruces butler and the closest thing he had to family after the murder of his parents. "oh Alfred, it's good to see you! Of course please come in" She stepped aside and held the door for thw two men, closing it behind herself and lead the to the living area before excusing for self to the kitchen to prepare some tea.
Arriving back with a large teapot and several cups she noticed that Barbara had joined her friend and former mentor and was deep in conversation, a conversation that stopped abruptly upon noticing Selina's return. there was a few moments of cold silence as Selina put the hot beverages on the coffee table and arranged herself into a seat on the opposite side of Bruce.
Alfred, ever the gentleman gently cleared his throat and attempted to break the awkwardness that had settled over the room, "Miss Kyle, it has been to long. Tell me how have you been fairing?" Smiling warmly at her old friend Selina replied "well other then being brutally stabbed for no apparent reason I've been just swell" then realising just how bitter that sounded she blushed and apologised "I'm so sorry, that was actually supposed to be a joke. I guess it came out wrong".
"Not at all miss kyle, you have after all been through quite an ordeal".
Selina rolled her eyes at the refusal Alfred had to calling her by her name, she had after all known the man for over sixteen years "Alfred please, it's Selina. I think we've known each other long enough to throw the formalities out the window".
"Of course Miss Selina" and at that the tension seemed to finally break with Bruce, Barbara and Selina all laughing at there dear old fashioned friend.
With all the laughing no-one had noticed that Helena had returned from her breakfast run and as she entered the room wondering what all the commotion was about she dropped her newly acquired groceries in shock at seeing her mother laughing with the man she'd been recently told is her father.
Bruce was the first to recover, getting to his feet to greet his obviously startled daughter "Oh Helena, its ok. Please come and sit down? I think it's time we had a chance to talk".
Still shocked Helena looked from her Mother to Barbara to her Father and then finally to the older man she did not recognise. "err, I really don't think I want to" she finally replied and started to walk back toward the front door.
"Helena! Don't you dare" Selina called out after her retreating Daughter, standing and heading after her, catching up just before Helena had the chance to throw open the door and escape back in to the streets of new Gothem Selina grabbed a hold of her struggling child's arm and dragged her back into the living area, shoving her down in to a chair and saying "now stay and play nice. Like it or not we all need this".
Pouting but doing as she was told Helena crossed her arms across her chest and looked at the man who was trying to force himself into her life and with distaste burning in her eyes she opened her mouth to speak but could find no words so promptly closed it again. What the hell am I supposed to say to this guy, he may have donated the sperm to help create me but he sure as hell isn't my father.. hey that's good I can say that. "Look I don't know what it is you want from me, but I don't even know you, you may have been the sperm donor but you sure as shit are not my father, and I have no interest in a relationship with you, so thanks. But no thanks" and with that she attempted to stand up and leave again only to find her mother had a strong grip on her shoulder and was forcing her to remain seated. "That is not exactly my idea of playing nice my dear, Bruce do you have anything to say?"
All heads turned to Bruce as he quickly collected himself took a deep breath put his best understanding lost puppy dog expression on and said "Helena, I understand how difficult this is for you. I only found out about you three months ago and regrettably didn't take the news that I had a sixteen year old daughter to a woman I hadn't had any contact with in years. But I'm here today to ask for your forgiveness in that reaction and to beg for a chance to get to know you. I'm not asking to slide right into your life as your Father I know that title has to be earned, but I would love the chance to show you I'm not a bad man. I just hope you can eventually come to like me maybe even eventually see as family".
The room was again silent as all eyes turned to Helena, waiting for a reaction. "I... I don't think I can. I'm sorry Bruce but I have a lot happening in my life at the moment and I'm not ready to get to know you, I don't have it in me yet" Helena dropped her head not able to look at the dejected expression that had warped the face of the man sitting across from her. "I'm not saying never ok? I'm just not ready now".
Bruce looked from mother to daughter and back again, meeting Selina's eyes he slowly stood and said "ill be in touch Selina, we have much to discuss. And Helena? Please don't feel to bad about this, I do understand. But please don't write me off just yet, contact me if you ever want to talk. Barbara and your mother can help you with getting in touch should you choose to". He gestured to Alfred that it was time to leave and they headed for the door, thinking better of it though he stopped and addressed his young protege' "Barbara, would you do me the pleasure of accompanying me to my car?" Barbara with out a second thought nodded and began to wheel herself to the door following Bruce out and in to the elevator.
Mother and daughter sat in silence as the others made there way out, both waiting for the ding of the elevator to signify they were alone. "I'm sorry mom, I guess that didn't go to plan huh?" surprise lighting her eyes for the second time that day Selina shook her head as she sat down beside Helena and said "You can't think I planned that? Helena I would never ambush you like that. He arrived with no warning and I couldn't exactly turn him away after keeping you from him for so many years".
Relief washed over Helena's face and she reached over and gently squeezed her mothers hand, "That's a relief, I'm still sorry though I guess I was a bit unreasonable. I didn't mean to blow up like that, I've been finding it harder to control my temper since all this started" Selina could certainly relate, after all she didn't run the criminal underworld of old Gothem all those years ago out of warm fuzzy feelings for the world. "I understand sweetheart, I spent a lot of years lost in my rage. But I eventually learnt to channel that energy else where and I will help you do the same, it will take time and it will be hard and I guarantee you will slip up. We just have to make sure those slip ups are as damage free as possible"
Helena laughed quietly as she imagined herself punching out the cop a few moths back, "yeah can't have me getting thrown in jail again, that sucked". Selina shook her head at her daughters antics and patted her leg "come on, lets go rescue breakfast"
"Do you believe Helena might be in danger of following in her mothers foot steps?" Bruce's concerned voice echoed around Barbara's mind as she thought about the question. She'd just finished discussing the changes that Helena had been going through, feeling it her duty to inform him of any potential danger, both to new gothem and to Helena herself.
"I'm not sure Bruce, I sincerely hope not. She's a good kid and her circumstances are much different to Selina's. Catwoman was all rage, she grew up on the outside of society and its rules. I Believe with the right guidance and support Helena will be different, she may even eventually take on her fathers mantel"
At that last comment Bruces head snapped up to look sternly at Barbara "what of that does she know?" "Nothing! Im just saying that she could be great and she has the potential to do good" Bruce immediately shook his head, "No I don't want her anywhere near anything that could hurt her, she will not find out about batman or anything to do with that world do you understand?"
"Bruce, you cannot shield her forever. She will eventually come to her own realisations about the world and her place in it. We can only hope that she decides to put her energies into something productive".
Bruce nodded, "Well then I hope you and Selina are up to the task, I doubt ill be much help to her. She obviously has no interest in getting to know me" A look of deep sadness shadowed his face and Barbara's heart went out to him, Helena is the only living person to share his bloodline and she's to stubborn to give him a chance. "Ill talk to her, I'm sure she'll eventually come around. Although she has managed to inherit both your and Selina's stubbornness, Be patient Bruce. Ill keep you as updated as I can". Bruce smiled at his friend and bided her farewell as he climbed into the back seat of his town car and signalled to Alfred to take him home.
Feeling Terribly guilty about divulging Helena's secret even if she did believe Bruce should know not only because he is her father but because he is batman, batman needs to know about things like this... right? Barbara made her way back up to the penthouse to find her girls did I just think of them as my girls? Oh dear barb you are in deep. As she rolled through the front door she heard Helena and Selina in the kitchen and could smell the faint aroma of something delicious Arrh the joys of living with two great cooks. "I smell foooood" she half sang as she entered the kitchen to see what was cooking. "its nearly ready, pull up a spot at the table and we'll bring it over.
After eating Helena was teaming with energy she was itching to use, she could feel the power running through her body, restless and not quite sure what to do about it she began pacing again, lapping the house trying to find something to do. "you look frustrated" Barbara said as Helena passed her for the fourth time.
"Yeah, I have all this energy surging through me and nothing to do with it. I want to run and hit and.. arrrgh SOMETHING!". Her agitation growing Helena continued to pace.
"I think I have an idea" Barbara announced "Come with me" Barbara put the book she had been trying to read, grabbed a set of keys and headed down to the street Helena in toe. After following Barbara for two blocks in silence her curiosity finally got the better of her. "Ok so where are you taking me?"
Barbara laughed "I was wondering when you were going to crack, I'm taking you to the place I used to train. I want to run you through a few drills, see how strong you are and what your capable of. Maybe wear you down a little, give you a chance to relax". After walking a few more blocks they arrived at a very worn down and seemingly abandoned warehouse. "this is it, we can get in through the door at the back".
Helena followed Barbara into the warehouse and looked around seeing an assortment of gym equipment, gymnast bars, a boxing bag and speed ball as well as a locked room that held an assortment of what looked to be some kind of throwing disks.
"what exactly did you say you were you training for Babs?" Helena looked at Barbara and then back around the room taking everything in.
"Its' a long story, and im not sure how much I'm willing to divulge. But lets just say I wasn't oblivious to what dangers lay lurking around new Gothem when the sun goes down and I wanted to be prepared for anything. Now there's a lot of things going on in your body at the moment, so are we going to see what you can do or are we going to stand here chatting all day?"
Helena grinned excited to learn more about what she was capable of "where do we start?"