"Are you sure is a woman the one behind all the crimes in New Gotham?" Helena asked.

"Yes, and she was the one who offered a reward for your head." the redhead fixed her makeup with a hand mirror. Alfred, driving the elegant limo, was taking them to the inauguration of the Art exhibition at New Gotham Museum.

"She must be powerful."

"And dangerous."

"I'll ask on my next patrol to some bad guys."

"Good idea."

Helena took a deep breath and looked the red head. "Barbara I was thinking…."

"About?"

"Have you thought about building a factory or something?"

"I don't understand." The redhead turned her head to see her.

"Well," Helena moved back on her seat "it's kinda of boring spending time on these events, seducing rich people to get founds for the foundation…"

The truth was that the young woman hated these events, she didn't like spending so much time on parties, cold events and meals. They were empty parties where people just talked about superficial things, it was not her style. If she had agreed to attend in the last months it was because she knew they needed get founds to help more kids and she liked to make Barbara happy.

"Seducing?" Barbara lifted her eyebrow. Now that was new for her. "Would you explain?"

"Well it's what we do, smiling," Helena waved her hand. "winking, being nice with men and women to convince them to make donations to the foundation. We flirt, we seduce them…"

The redhead nodded. "Well it's a valid point. But it's for a good cause, you know we need money to…"

"I know, but wouldn't it be good to create a factory and sell things?" the brunette interrupted fixing her eyes on her "We will employ people and the money collected from the sales will be used in the foundation. I mean, it could be printed shirts, gifts, there are many things we could make and sell. Then we wouldn't need to be doing this all the time. I mean we can keep doing it, but not as often, and you will feel more relaxed knowing we always would have money for the kids."

"I must say it's a very good idea." the redhead nodded. She had never thought about that "And what can we sell?"

"Flower arrangements, t-shirts, I dunno…"

"All right," Barbara rested her hand on the brunette's leg "I think it's a fantastic idea, why don't you work on it?"

"Really?"

"Yes. You will be the leader of the project, as you said, it could benefit many people, not just the kids."

"It sounds great."

"It is great."

The limo turned at a corner.

"We are almost there." Alfred said.

"Thanks." Barbara closed her hand bag.

"Will your dad be there?" Helena asked arranging her dress.

"I don't think so, there is a baseball game today."

"He really is a huge fan."

"Very." Barbara smiled "We have dinner with him this weekend. It's Christmas."

Blue eyes opened wide looking at her with surprise.

"He asked me to invite you." The redhead chuckled "Come on, you already know him."

"He asked you…?" The brunette couldn't avoid feeling nervous. He had a strong personality and well… he really intimidated her.

"Don't worry, he knows about you and me. And I want be in Christmas with the two persons I most love." Barbara patted her leg. Helena was stunning in that small cocktail dress. Shame it was not a night "You look beautiful."

"I am." Helena grinned.

"Don't feel nervous about seeing my dad. You already know him" Barbara told her young partner.

"Yes, but in a different way."

"Relax, if he hasn't killed you yet it's because he agrees with our relationship."

"That isn't funny."

Barbara's door opened. She rolled her eyes and moved out of the limo, Helena followed her. A rain of flashes surrounded them as they walked upstairs smiling. Helena seemed to be a bit uncomfortable with all the attention. She winked at her making a signal to follow her and they walked upstairs where the mayor waited for them.

"I remember you loved this." Barbara said in low voice "What happened?"

"Well, the newspapers always look for me to ask about my dad, and I hate that they give that amount of publicity to my life instead of the foundation's work."

"The press always looks for gossip."

"I don't want to feed them today."

"Miss Gordon, welcome." The mayor said extending his hand to her at the top of the stairs.

"Good evening mayor." She said giving him her hand.

"Miss Kyle, it's a pleasure to have you join us." He said to the young woman.

"It's my pleasure sir. I'm glad to see you again.."

"We would be honored if you would cut the inauguration ribbon."

"Me? Oh no…" Helena shook her head.

"Please, it will be an honor."

"But…" Helena looked at the redhead looking for a way to escape.

"It's okay and fair." Barbara smiled amused "Your father is the owner of the Foundation."

"Excellent." The mayor waved his hand to the Museum, "Please Miss Kyle."

The place was full of important people, politicians, artists and musicians. After the inauguration music filled the place with people talking, drinking and enjoying the evening. Helena took her time talking with some old friends.

Barbara shared her time with guests and some good friends. After a while, she took a walk around to enjoy some of the art on the walls. One of the paintings grabbed her attention, it would look great in her living room.

"So, do you like modern art Miss Gordon?" a voice asked at her side.

"Yes, it's colorful and always full of movement." Barbara turned and greeted the petite blonde at her side. She was dressed in a red outfit with a strange hat on her head. Very extravagant. Very Lady Gaga. "Nice to see you Dr. Quinzel, How are you?"

"Harleen, please, call me Harleen." the blonde shook her hand "It's a pleasure see you. Helena told me about the attack against your person. That was horrible." She rested her hand on her chest "I'm glad you are fine and recovered. The newspapers said it was a robbery. Did the police find the criminal?"

"No, they didn't find any trace." Barbara said taking a glass of wine that a waitress offered her.

Quinzel also took a glass, she fixed her eyes on the redhead. "But the police are still searching for him."

"It's strange, you are a very generous person that always helps others. Why would someone attack you like that?"

"I have no idea."

"Many of us have secrets." Quinzel said fixing her eyes on her.

Barbara felt the weight of her gaze, observing those clear blue eyes, she felt a strange shiver down her back.

"Some are more dark than others." The doctor added "Many of us have a double life, we can be light at day and a shadow at night. Some people develop incredible and unexpected personalities that are hidden from their family and friends… But the fact is that all of us, including you and me, have a dark side… What do you think miss Gordon? Do you have a dark side?"

The redhead chuckled. "Yes, I'm not exactly the best person in the morning before my first cup of coffee."

Harleen laughed lightly. "It happens to us all."

"I'm curious Quinzel," the redhead tried to read the blonde "Why are you so interested in Helena?"

"She is an amazing girl who has suffered so much. The loss of her mother really affected her."

"I know," Barbara nodded "It broke her heart."

Quinzel sipped a bit of her wine "I assume she is not confused anymore, about her feelings for you."

"She never was confused." A smile painted the redhead's face. "It was me, but now it is all clear and we are happy."

"Are you afraid that people know about you two?" the blonde cocked her head resting her hand on her elbow.

"Why I should be?" Barbara didn't blink. The woman was taunting her.

"Well, you are a powerful woman, with a great reputation to take care of."

"My sexuality is something that just belongs to me."

"I must say that knowing you and Helena were together surprised me at first, knowing Helena is like a wild spirit, hard to be tamed…" Quinzel waved her glass of wine "Not used to long term relationships like you; and you, being one of the most wanted bachelorettes in the city, known for your good taste in men, well..."

"It surprised me too but…" Barbara turned her head toward Helena who was at the other side of the hall "It's the best decision I have made in my life."

"Are you not worried that Helena may feel bored after a while?"

"The future is not written for anyone Harleen, we don't know what will happen tomorrow." Barbara explained smiling "Every relationship has the same risk and we can't close the door to the possibility of true love because we have fears. Helena wants try as much as I do. We are giving our best effort to make this work, and it is working, much better than we thought."

"Congratulations Miss Gordon." Quinzel said trying to sound cheerful.

"Thanks."

"Helena is a woman that has a lot to give, with incredible qualities. I was going to suggest she take a few more sessions, for free of course."

"I don't think she needs it."

"I think you know she needs it." The blonde said keeping her eyes fixed on the other woman "As I said, all of us have a dark side… Helena has one, and it is very powerful. Her strength comes from the anger that consumes her… she needs someone to teach her how to control it."

The redhead stared at her silent a few seconds before asking "Is your interest professional Harleen? Or is there something more?"

"Professional of course."

"I have the feeling that she likes you."

"Well, she is a very beautiful woman, and be sure Miss Gordon, that if she weren't so obsessed with you, I would try to have 'something' with her."

"Obsessed?"

"The girl is… or am I wrong?"

"I think you are confused."

"She can't stop thinking about you, talks about you, dreams about you. What else would it be?"

"Some people call it 'love'"

Quinzel chuckled. "Miss Gordon, be sure that Helena is just my friend, I want to help her, you know why, she is… special."

Barbara took a sip of her wine, she wondered how much knew Quinzel about her young partner, but the fact was that she didn't like Quinzel.

"I don't mean you are not special of course," the blonde added "you have skills that many people never could imagine, or am I wrong Miss Gordon?"

"Well, my cooking skills are not the best."

Both women chuckled.

"Could be," the blonde said. Barbara Gordon really had a fast mind, it was hard to catch her off guard but she was not going to hold back. She was sure she could make her hesitate. "But Helena, Helena can do anything she wants with her incredible gifts..."

"Yes, she has many incredible gifts," Barbara smiled "her big heart and her love and care for kids..."

"Yes. She is very sensible, the last time I talked with her she was sad, it seemed she and you were having issues." She rested her hand on her chest "The poor girl was so sad, she went to me looking for someone to understand her."

"I assure you doctor." Barbara said trying to be gentle. Harleen really was trying to piss her off. She was sure now her interest in Helena was much more than just 'friends' "That I understand her and she knows it."

"Enough to support her in any decision she makes?" Quinzel narrowed her eyes.

"Sure."

"Even if it involves… killing?" Pale blue eyes bored like knives into green ones.

"Is this a session like you usually have with your patients or are you trying to analyze me?" the redhead asked amused.

"I'm just trying to know you. We can be friends, right?"

"Harleen, hi." Helena interrupted them suddenly. She kissed the doctor on her cheek.

"Hi Helena, it's nice to see you again." The blonde smiled "How are you?"

"Oh fine, having fun," the brunette looked around "the collection is incredible."

"We were talking about you." Quinzel said.

"Is that good?"

The redhead moved an arm behind her back and pulled her against her side.

"Yes, I was telling her…" Barbara used her thumb to arrange the makeup under Helena's lip "that I'm the luckiest woman in the world because I have you at my side."

The blonde felt the anger filling her veins.

"The Mayor is looking for you to start the violin concert." The young girl said.

"Oh excellent, will you join us Harleen?"

"Oh no, thanks so much, I have a dinner engagement, but I wanted see this wonderful art first. I hope you will visit me soon Helena." The blonde said "I want you to see me as a friend, not just as a doctor, remember it."

"Sure, I will."

"It was a pleasure talk with you." She extended her hand to Barbara.

"The pleasure was mine."

"And I hope we can talk soon too."

"Anytime."

The doctor turned and walked toward the other side of the hall.

"That's a really weird dress." Helena mumbled.

"She's your therapist, not mine." Barbara raised her eyebrow.

"Hey, I didn't choose her."

"She doesn't like me." Barbara bit her lower lip.

"Why? She is a bit eccentric but a nice person."

"I don't know, there is something about her that… it's just is a feeling."

"She is just a bit eccentric. Come on." Helena took her hand "You can think about that later, the concert will start soon and the mayor is looking for you. Have fun a night, all day you think about criminals and crimes."

"Right." The redhead nodded. "I must have a bit of fun."


Helena took a deep breath. She was not sure If she could do this. Barbara asked her as Oracle to complete hard missions but this one was the worst. She was skillful, smart. She could face a complete gang and kick their ass but this…. It was beyond her meta-skills.

She stared at the window to her right. She examined the place and analyzed again all the possibilities she had.

Zero.

It was too late to back out.

It was crazy going in there knowing she would be defeated before she could make the first move.

Why was she going there knowing she didn't have any chance?

"Are you sure about this?" Helena nervously asked her partner as they sat inside the Hummer.

"You will survive, don't worry." Barbara opened her handbag and looked for her lipstick.

"You need to face my dad some day and besides, he already knows you."

"I'm not used to visiting my girlfriend's fathers..." The brunette said.

Barbara raised an eyebrow looking at her.

"Well, I have never done it before." Helena shrugged her shoulders.

"Why?" The redhead lowered the mirror to apply her lipstick.

"I was not ready for the next step."

"And now?"

Helena looked her. "I'll go to the end of the world for you … But your dad's house is another matter."

"Well…" Barbara chuckled "I must confess then, that it's the first time my dad asked to know my girlfriend." she used her index to fix the lipstick on her mouth.

There was a deep silence before Helena whispered. "I don't remember the last time I celebrated Christmas…"

Barbara turned to look her. She understood Helena's feelings.

"I'm glad we can celebrate it together."

Blue eyes fixed on esmerald ones with love. "Me too."

Helena inhaled deeply. "How many boyfriends… you had before?"

"Just Dick and Wade…" Barbara painted her lips.

Helena narrowed her eyes at her, she knew she had many boyfriends before.

"…officially." Barbara added "But you are my first girlfriend."

"Have you been with many men?"

"You can be sure that I will never reach your "girl conquered" record." Barbara put the lipstick back in her bag and closed it.

"But you are the only one I have always loved."

Barbara turned her head smiling, she touched her hand. "And you are the person who showed me what love really it's."

The brunette smiled and leaned to kiss her but Barbara moved back.

"What?" she protested.

"I just fixed my lips."

"Fix them again."

"Lipstick is hard to remove, and I don't want dad asking questions."

"Well you can kiss me now and we can visit your father another day."

"Good try, let's go." She opened the door.

Helena turned her head and remained in her seat looking at Jim Gordon's home. She had still time to run away, she could be far in no time.

"Don't even dare to think about it." Barbara knocked at her window.

"What?"

"You know what, come on."

Helena sighed and opened her door.

"I didn't do anything." She picked up the gifts at the back of the vehicle.

"You had better not…" Barbara helped her and both walked along the sidewalk.

"Do I look OK?" the brunette looked at herself.

"You always look gorgeous."

The brunette grinned. Barbara opened the gate and walked into her father's garden.

"Is he okay with the…" Helena waved her hand "gay issues?"

"We will know in a few minutes."

The brunette glared at her. "He has a gun."

"You have faced more than just one man with a gun." Barbara said,

"But he is your dad."

"I don't think he will shoot you… yet." Barbara pressed the doorbell.

"That was not funny."

"Hel, relax, it's just dad."

"That's exactly what worries me."

"Hey, hi." The ex-commissioner greeted them after opening the door. He extended his arms and Barbara hugged him.

"Hey dad. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas honey. I'm glad to see you."

After a long embrace, Barbara moved back and waved to Helena.

"Dad, you remember Helena."

He moved his hands to his hips lifting his coat and making sure the gun at his side was visible. Blue eyes caught it immediately. It was a Beretta 8045.

Oh man.

"Yes, I remember her. How are you Helena? Glad to see you. Merry christmas."

Helena kept her eyes fixed on the gun not saying a word. He smiled noticing the effect he was looking for, it had worked.

Barbara poked her lightly. "Hel?"

"Oh…" the brunette said trying to smile at the commisioner "I'm fine… Merry Christmas Sir… How are you?"

Barbara glared at him. He ignored it and put his hand over the brunette's shoulder.

"Very fine I'm glad you finally agreed to come to dinner with us."

"It's a pleasure-"

"Come in, please. Sill working at the bar?"

"Yes." She smiled nervously "It's a good job."

"I bet and it must be fun."

"Yes."

"That's great. Do you remember how we met?" Jim asked walking with her to the living room.

"Well… I'm not so sure." Helena tried to remember.

"It was the night that the police caught you after a big fight in a new bar."

"Dad!" Barbara sighed rolling her eyes.

"Hey it's true." He said. "there are a few gifts for you under the tree."

"Wow, it's a big tree." Helena's eyes opened wide.

"It's wonderful dad."

"We need a big tree Barbara." The brunette said admiring it "This one is fantastic."

"I can help you if you want." Jim smiled. "I know where to cut big ones."

"Really?" Helena asked.

"Sure… We can go tomorrow morning."

"May I go Barbara?" Helena turned to see the redhead.

"Sure, while you go. I can prepare a breakfast and the tree ornaments."

"Just prepare the ornaments." Jim said "We can buy the breakfast."

"I agree." The brunette nodded.

"Shut up you two." "Barbara smiled noticing Helena's happy face. She was enjoying this moment with all her heart.


She didn't expect she would come to visit her so soon. It was good news, she arranged her clothes and went toward the door as it opened.

"My dear Helena, I'm glad you accepted my invitation to visit me." Quinzel greeted the brunette.

"Hi doctor." The brunette said walking inside the blonde's office.

Helena looked incredibly beautiful, she was wearing a very tight jeans and a sleeveless red blouse. She was radiant and definitely… happy.

This was not a good sign for her.

"It's really a pleasure to see you," the blonde said waving her hand to her couch "please sit down."

"Thanks." The young woman smiled and placed her bag on the table in the small living area the doctor had in her office.

"How have you been?"

"Very good, things are going well…"

"I read you have returned to the foundation to work." Quinzel said sitting in front of her.

"Yes, I have been there a few weeks and it is very nice. I'm helping the orphan kids."

"Sounds exciting, you like kids." The blonde rested her chin on her index finger, yes, the young woman had a special brightness in her eyes. She was in love and it pissed her off.

"They need a lot of help and… I try to help to make them feel happy and have a nice place to live." Helena said crossing her legs. "It is not easy to grow up without a mom, you know?"

"Yes, I understand. And you still work at the bar?"

The brunette laughed. "Yeah, I need to work to live."

"You are the daughter of a millionaire, you don't need do it."

"You know I never will accept anything from him."

"But you work for his foundation."

"It's different. I don't earn money there, I help to get money for the children."

"I see, this means you finally accepted working with Barbara." Quinzel crossed her fingers "How are things going with her?"

"Incredible." Helena smiled remembering the redhead's face "She is wonderful, beautiful. I'm so happy."

"Oh…" Quinzel chuckled feeling uncomfortable "It seems she is the perfect woman."

"She is for me."

"But like any other human being she does have defects."

"I love them too."

"Are you really in love Helena?"

"Yes."

"And what about her? Are you sure she is in love with you?"

"I'm sure of it."

"Enough to support you if you find your mother's killer?" Quinzel crossed her legs and looked at the brunette.

Helena kept silent.

"Maybe she doesn't love you enough to support you on this."

"I don't want to think about that." Helena stood up and crossed her arms.

"Maybe because inside you, you know she never will approve." Quinzel stood up and walked to her.

"She just wants the best for me." The brunette lowered her eyes and bit her lip "She says she doesn't want to see me in the darkness again."

"The darkness gives you strength Helena." Harleen whispered close her ear.

Blue eyes turned to see the doctor.

"You turn powerful when you let the anger control you, and it feels good no?" the blonde's face was inches from her. "You have the control, you can do whatever you want. It's all in your hands. The anger makes you powerful, beyond anyone."

"When I was angry all the time I felt alone." Helena said with low voice "I felt hurt, scared… I couldn't find sense in my life. Now my life has meaning." Her eyes met Quinzel's "Barbara has showed me many things. I wake up and I can see the sun, I can feel joy, I feel I'm alive. I want to keep that."

"But you know you need something else to be totally happy…" Quinzel touched her hand and looked for her eyes "You need to find the man that killed your mother and have your revenge. You need to make him pay for what he did to her. He stole her life, he broke your world."

"Yes, I know."

"What would you say if helped you to find him?"

Helena's pupils fixed on her.

"I'm your friend." Quinzel said, "and friends do anything for a friend."

"How could you do it?"
"I have my secrets… as you…" The petite woman whispered "I know who you are."

"You always have known it."

"You know about what I'm talking about… Huntress. "

The brunette felt a shiver down her back.

"What?"

"You have incredible powers, strength." Harleen lifted her hand and touched her arm not breaking the eye contact with her "But don't worry, your secret is safe with me and I want to help you to get your revenge, I understand you, I know what you are feeling."

"How you know?"

"It doesn't' mater now, trust in me, I can give you what you want."

TBC