A/N) Here you go. Chapter 2 or officially chapter 1. Whatever. Quite a bit longer then the last one. And MY GOD! Whatever happened to this site for a whole DAY AND A HALF almost KILLED ME! I thought my story was over! Anyway, triple excited and I hope Ya'll get to like my story more! Thanks for the reviews!
Have fun!
P.S. A quick reminder, this story is drawn from several sources, including my brain, so if something isn't accurate, it isn't supposed to be ;-)
Barbara Gordon let out an exasperated sigh as she ran a tired hand through her long red hair. Her blue eyes scanned the screen for the millionth time that day. Over the same article she was supposed to proofread for the paper. It was a small job, a little underpaying, but it gave her some source of income. She was planning on moving to bigger things once she started collage. But right now, an after school part time job was all she had.
She brought a paper cup to her lips absently, still reading the same line carefully. Cold coffee stale in her mouth brought her attention to reality.
Ugh. Note to self: Put coffee in thermos.
"Gordon. Shifts over. Get going. No over time." A tall woman with thick red lips popped her blond head in Barbara's not so spacious cubicle.
The younger female nodded and saved her work, clicking off. Thankful this story wasn't due to print until Saturday.
She stood up, stretched her aching back, grabbed her purse and headed out into the crisp autumn air of Gotham city. She took in a deep breath of polluted air, the only kind of air she'd ever known. It was fresh compared to that office. She rubbed her eyes and headed for the bus stop. No car. She'd lost it in an accident last month. Almost broke her back too. But she'd survived, that's what was important.
Yah, survived. Ironic.
Just then a loud blarring of a car horn got her attention. She turned to see a red Chevy sport roll up next to her, the window rolling down at the same time. A grinning red haired man looked out at her.
"Hey Babe, need a ride?" His eyes twinkled mischievously.
Barbara laughed, "Wally, what are you doing here? In a car?" The thought of kid flash in a car was to good not to laugh at.
The young man grinned, "I know right! But this is the second fastest way for the fastest man alive to get around. Though the red lights kill me!" He gasped over dramatically.
She laughed lightly, "I bet. As for the ride, sure. I could do with one. Tired anyway." She smiled, slipping into the passenger seat, "SO how's thing Mr. West?" She asked casually. She didn't see much of Wally or any other member anymore. The team was broken after the death of Robin. Of course that was two years ago. They'd moved on. But the bat family had a hard time of it. Neither of them, not even Barbara, had moved on completely, yet.
Especially Dick.
He'd become more reserved and calculating. Less smiles, almost now teases or jokes. Barley around anymore either. Bruce had grieved. Horribly. It seemed to the youngers that the man might have gone a little crazier after that. But then came Tim. . .
"Earth to Babs! Hallooo, hey you ok Barbara?"
The young woman snapped her attention back to the driver, "Um, sorry Wally. What'd you say?"
Wally sighed, "I said, how's Dickie? I don't see him around . . . much."
Anymore was more like it. Barbara thought bitterly. Avoiding her and the rest of the bat-clan was done at a minimal. But Dick had all but smashed ties to anyone else that was or had been his friends.
"He's still alive if that counts." She said, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
She sensed the speedster tense then slump in his seat, as if defeated. Wally West? Defeated? That was never good. Out of all of them, Wally had been the only one that attempted to hold on to the members of the team. He even succeeded for a while, but then it slowly dissolved due to the others either, not trying, leaving to join other groups, or just flat out disappearing.
Last Barbara had heard was that only M'gann still talked and kept contact.
"Yah. It counts Barb." The young man took a deep breath, his bright deep blue eyes on the road. Wally had grown, that was for sure, less freckled, taller, more muscle mass, broader shouldered. And more serious. That was one of the things that surprised most. Wally had grown much more serious, still smiled, poked fun, and even teased, but his eyes held an older feel to them than they had a few years back.
"Here we go." He finally spoke up, snatching Barbara from her thoughts again, "Say hi to the family for me, kay?"
She nodded, "Sure Wally. See you soon?" She asked almost hopefully.
"You bet. See ya Babs." With that he drove away, much to slowly for a speedster.
Barbara watched until he disappeared down the drive way of Wayne manor. Yes, she was aware it wasn't her house, but it might as well have been. She rarely ever went home lately, even had a room made up for her, courtesy of good old Alfred that seemed to be the only stable and unchanging thing in their messed up lives.
"Good afternoon Ms. Gordon." Alfred greeted her as she entered the massive main entry.
She smiled softly and gave the elderly man a warm hug, "Thanks Alfred, it always is if I get to see you. So. Status?"
Alfred nodded, understanding what she meant, "Master Dick is in the cave working on some new found case, won't say anything about it. Master Tim is currently in his room Dealing with Shakespeare, Master Bruce is off world. Again. You?"
Barbara sighed, typical.
"Me? Rough day. Wally dropped me off. Says hi. I'll go up to see Timmy. And what is that delicious smell?" She sniffed, her body relaxed from the tension she didn't realize she had built throughout the day.
"Roast beef and mashed potatoes with apple pie." He stated simply.
"Yum." She grinned and started up the grand stairs, "See you at dinner Alfred."
"Of course, 7:30. sharp."
"Got it." And she continued up the stairs.
Good old Al. Always there, looking out for everyone, even though none belonged to him, he acted like the most efficient father, or grandfather, always knew what they needed, be it food, space, a shoulder to cry on. Anything. They only had to be looked at by those soft, yet information gathering grey eyes. And he knew. Barbara loved the old man almost as much as she loved her father.
She walked down the big Hallway, filled with closed doors. Some worn from use, others locked up for years, she knew by heart which door's belonged to Dick, Tim and . . . Which one had belonged to Jason. She swallowed hard. The thought of the young deceased Robin still made her heart ach. Jason. Little Jason Todd. So aggressive, so sure of himself, yet so insecure and hurting. He wasn't one to let his feelings out constructively, the life of Robin had helped him change that some. But it still ended tragically.
At least he died a hero instead of a scum. She thought weakly. That was the kind of logic that kept her going for so long. He could have died worse. Then she'd proceed on with whatever she was doing, trying her utmost to ignore the nagging voice in the back of her well tuned brain telling her that dying at the hands of that clown... was pretty freaking hard to top with worse.
She knocked softly at a door.
"Come in." A young voice answered distractedly.
Barbara pushed it open to see a young boy, barely thirteen, sprawling on a bed in an extremely well organized room. He had a small frame, that would have been pretty pathetic if she didn't know how strong he really was from being Robin. Quick calculating blue eyes, black hair that he kept impeccably combed and short, and a pointed face.
Timothy Drake was the latest addition to the Wayne household.
Dick had found and rescued him after his parents were killed. The boy had instantly deduced who he was and who batman was through a connection he made from seeing Dick perform the same move Nightwing could. The boy had proven himself impeccably brilliant and too good a mind to waste by throwing him in a foster home. So Dick had let go of the past for some time only to take Tim and demand that Bruce keep him.
Bruce had been near breaking point by then and had refused violently. Tim had known why. But hadn't said. Finally Dick won the case and Timmy was let to stay, eventually, after intensive training and mental checks, Bruce let him be the new Robin. It had a considerably bright affect on the family for a while. Tim was so different from Jason, it was easy to be around him. He was so smart, and carful, so eager to please he never thought about going against on order. So fresh and young.
So... Not Jason.
"Hey Barb." The young boy's face lit up as he sat up, the book he was studying so intently forgotten.
She smiled soflty, "What's up Tim? Having trouble?"
He looked at the book then at her, "Yah. Want to help me out? I hate Shakespeare." He stated simply.
Barbara laughed and sat next to him on the bed, "I swear, every time. Shakespeare just never sat well with you boys." She smiled at him.
Tim shrugged, "I was gonna ask Dick but . . . He's busy." Barbara didn't miss the hurt that flashed in his eyes. Tim was also the least capable of them that could hide true feelings.
"Don't worry Tim. Wouldn't have done any good. Dick's probably worse at Shakespeare then you are." She comforted, "Here, lets' see what you got."
"Thanks Babs!" He looked at her and smiled admiringly.
Barbara returned it. Ignoring the stinging memory that flooded her mind. The same smile Jason would give her if no one was around to see it but her.
"Let's look at page twenty."
Wally pulled up to a broken mobile home that was turned into a run down café a few years back, it was called 'The Spot' He looked at the broken flashing neon sign.
Still a dump.
He wasn't here to eat though. Not usually. Just made a twice a week trip, more if he could, to see an old friend.
He walked into the small, creaky room. A few tables on one side a counter on the other with a tiny kitchen behind. The walkway was just barely wide enough for two if him. The tile cracked and yellowing, wallpaper peeled in several places and the few florescent lights blinked every few minutes.
He ignored the shoddy surroundings and let a smile brighten his face as he walked over to the counter. A young woman with reddish brown hair was bent under.
"The usual." He said smoothly, leaning against the fading counter.
"Wally!" She popped up and smiled widely, just barley straggling him over the narrow counter.
"No getting friendly in work hours!" A horse voice yelled from the kitchen.
She let go, "Sorry! How are you Wally!" She turned back to him with a smile.
He shrugged, '"Normal, lonely, you know the deal. How' 'bout you Megs? How's that old grouch payin' you?"
M'gann M'orrz was taller than before, she'd grown considerably from their younger teen years. Her hair was just beginning to grow out again, she was Miss Martian in her human skin color at the moment, but still pretty. Also the only one who cared enough to keep in contact. Lately, being abandoned was the way things went with him ever since that stupid kid. . . no, since that freakin' clown, killed that kid. He'd killed more than that though. He'd killed a team that really was too new to die out.
But he'd tired. So dang hard too. Super boy vanished. Kalder went back to Atlantis, Beast boy had disappeared with some demon girl, the rest moved to other cities, or just faded away, and Artemis. . . he refused to think about the female archer. She was the first that abandoned him. She hadn't meant to, he knew, but juggling a psycho father, a pregnant sister and a new look took her time up, eventually she had moved in with Jade to help protect her from those that would harm her during state of weakness. He'd hated that.
But he didn't stop her.
Nothing in life was set in stone, especially not in their kind of lives.
"Wally, stop." Meg said softly, breaking his thoughts.
He blinked at her, "What?"
She shook her head with a soft smile, "Stop tormenting yourself with the past. I can see it in your eyes. Your not very good at hiding things like that." She teased lightly.
Wally smiled half heartedly, "Yah. You got me. I was just thinking about Art-"
"Forget it Wally. Don't go there. It's like me a Conner. Just... don't okay. It's better we leave it as it is." She turned away slightly, avoiding his blue eyes.
He understood, Super boys disappearance had hurt Meg more than anyone knew. She'd cried a lot. And he was the one she'd cried to. He hadn't cried though. It just hurt like heck.
"Sorry Megs. Naw, actually I ran into Barb this afternoon. She seemed really tired. Dickie must be giving hell back home. Though I wouldn't know." He finished glumly. He really did miss his best friend. Dork had practically slammed the bat cave in his face the first time he'd tried to talk him into talking about his feelings over Jason's death.
Idiot. Always trying to help others, never taking any for himself. Moron forgets he's human to, or maybe he's just playing the batman card cuz it's easier.
"Here, coco, hot and with extra marshmallow. Ease up." She slid a steaming glass towards him.
Wally smiled, "Thanks."
The just stayed silent for a minute. Silent and just . . . ok. For now. Don't think. Don't Think. Don't think. Thinking leads to hurting. Hurting leads to distractions, distractions leads to-
"See you Megs." He stood up, paid, kissed her forehead and slid out the small café.
He shouldn't have left like that. He knew. But the room was getting too constricting for his stupid thoughts. He didn't know why he waltzed around Gotham so much. He lived in Star but being the fastest man alive brought him here, all the time. Wasn't sure what he was looking for, or if he was looking for anything. But somehow, he always ended up here.
Maybe somewhere inside, he thought that if he stuck around, he'd get to fix something. What he was trying to fix, Wally wasn't to sure any more.
The hallway was cold and only lit every few feet by red lights above. Her high black heels clicked on the stone floor, her body, incased in a tight black suite that cut low down her chest, moved gracefully, her head high.
She was Talia al Ghul and proud of it. Heiress to a formidable legacy and currently on a highly secreted project.
She pushed open a door that lead into a room that was illuminated by an eerie bone chilling green that shone behind a glass window.
"Report." Her word were short, authority dripping.
A short man with aging skin and nonexistent hair, that was currently studying something through the glass window, looked over, bowed in respect and handed her a set of papers.
"We are studying the subjects." He had a high voice that could remind someone of a conniving rat, "So far only one has had positive results. But this one, is . .. Disturbing to say the least." The man pointed into the green ooze.
Talia's deadly eyes narrowed as she looked emotionlessly at a figure that looked almost human. Spasms and shudders erupted through it. It looked as if the subject was in intense pain.
"Keep on eye. Father requested this one above all. Make sure he doesn't burn." With that she clicked out of the room, her brown hair swishing behind her.
"Yes Mistress." The man hissed and looked back at the thrashing body, "Make sure he doesn't burn." He scoffed to himself, "Easier said then done. As if we're making cookies here."
He would never say those things to Talia's face, least he had a death wish, no, but the thought couldn't help escaping his moth into thin air as he scrutinized the miserly form.
"Disgusting."