Oracle and the Network

Startup 2.0

Zinda Blake wasn't one to mope. In all honesty the blond pilot was more known to party and fight, and since coming to Gotham City had done both. The dive bars in the city were fine for a good scrap and she had even found a job flying a copter for the Gotham police department. Even though she missed her time working with the Birds she kept herself busy, and even better had found a man she was interested in.

"Hey, Zinda," the secretary grinned as the leggy blond walked by, "I don't think he's busy."

"Don't tell him I'm here,." Zinda winked as she quietly walked to the closed door.

Commissioner Gordon was a dignified older man with steel gray in his hair and a strong, handsome face with character. While not Zinda's usual type he had impressed her when they had gone on a night time emergency call, Jim handling her flying like a pro when they caught up to the madly flying Roxy Rocket.

"Hey, Jim," Zinda grinned as she sauntered in the office in a leather top and matching short skirt, white stockings on her legs and black boots finishing the look.

Jim looked up then his eyes widened like saucers. "Zee?" he said weakly.

Zinda stalked over to the desk and sat on the corner, flashing him a good look at her thighs. "How do you like my new outfit?" she wondered innocently.

"It's...," clearly poor Jim had no idea where to look, gazing up at her thrusting breasts then down over her hips to her deadly boots as he croaked, "very nice."

'He's so cute!' Zinda fought back a laugh as he blushed furiously. Keeping her voice mild she asked, "I was wondering if you wanted to grab some lunch?"

"Lunch...," Jim blinked as he tried to get his mind on track again, "right, lunch. Let me see if I need to be working...."

Zinda reached out, tugging gently on his tie and letting it run through her fingers as she murmured, "You can take off every now and then."

"Zee," Jim blushed, yet also looked pleased by the younger woman's interest.

Zinda was about to undo his tie when she felt her pager buzz against her leg. "Damn it," she growled, looking at the scrolling message.

"Reforming the group," the text said, "meeting at Aerie in Metropolis tomorrow. Oracle."

"Hot damn!" Zinda yelped as she bounced to her feet. Joyfully she grabbed James and pulled him close, kissing him vigerously. "Sorry Jim," she said as she let him go, "gotta go out of town for a few days, See you then!"

Jim Gordon blinked, gazing after her like he'd been hit on the head. "But what about lunch?" he managed weakly.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Helena Bertinelli really rather enjoyed being a elementary school teacher. The children were young enough to listen but still old enough to start getting more complicated concepts. Not to mention they could be so cute at times, too. This, however, was one of those days she did not look forward to.

"Miss Bertinelli," the teen breathed out, her red hair falling around her face, "please, go out with me!"

"Alex," Helena said gently, her own long black hair flowing down over her shoulders, "I'm complimented, really."

"You're so beautiful," Alex added eagerly as she stood beside Helena's desk in the maze of offices, "and smart and...."

"Easy," Helena reached out to gently pat the earnest girl's hands. 'Was I ever this young?' she wondered, trying to remember if she had been that passionate as a child.

Alex looked sad as she murmured, "I'm too young, aren't I?"

Helena kept a straight face as she nodded to the fourteen year old, "A bit, yes."

Alex's cheek's went red as she blurted, "I'm sorry!" With that she rushed out off the room, leaving a bemused Helena in her wake.

After a moment Elyssa looked in, the gym teacher giving her a fond smile. "Everything all right?" the brown haired woman in the usual skirt and heels asked.

"Well, I think I broke her heart but...," Helena shrugged awkwardly as the other teacher came inside and sat down across from her.

"It'll happen," Elyssa advised mildly, "and trust me, it's not your fault."

Helena nodded, "Oh, I know that but... I still feel bad."

"She'll recover," Elyssa reassured her with a smile. "Hell, I think I had my first crush on a woman at that age," she added.

"You're...?" Helena asked, smiling slightly.

Elyssa laughed as she confessed, "I know it's a bit of a cliché, being the lesbian gym teacher but I get by." She leaned a bit towards Helena, "I hope it doesn't bother you?"

"No," Helena answered as she admitted, "I've been attracted to a woman once or twice."

Elyssa's eyebrows went up, "Do tell?"

Helena blushed and was about to speak when she felt her pager buzz. "Excuse me," she said as she unclipped the device.

"Reforming the group," the text said, "meeting at Aerie in Metropolis today. More details follow. Oracle."

"You have the goofiest smile on your face," Elyssa noted, "good news?"

"Oh yeah," Helena agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The Aerie was both what Cassandra Cain expected and not. The slim, black haired Asian woman noted that the rooms were still mostly undecorated, only a few chairs and other items having been hauled in. On the other hand the hidden sections for Oracle and her team hummed with life, new equipment replacing old as screens blazed and data scrolled.

"The woman is a slave driver," Charlie complained good naturedly as she sat on a rolling chair not far from where Babs typed away, "you wouldn't believe how much of this I had to carry in."

"You have superhuman strength," Babs noted without turning away, "besides, it's not like I could without special equipment."

"It was still mean," Charlie pouted.

Cass hid a smile at the obvious affection between them as well as hading a familiar pang. She had never known real family like this, and she longed for it in a bittersweet way. "Why am I here?" she addressed Babs, "I decided to cease being Batgirl...."

"I know," Babs agreed, "and passed the identity to Stephane Brown." Cass looked surprised and Babs turned to her and grinned, "I am Oracle, remember." More seriously she added, "I know Steph is your friend, but I'm not sure she's ready for this. Still, I'll help her where I can."

Cass nodded seriously, "So again, why am I here?"

"You've stopped being Batgirl," Babs acknowledged, "but does that mean you've given up the fight? Just because you've hung up your costume doesn't mean you've stopped being you."

"True," Cass conceded.

"Besides, in or out of costume you're unstoppable," Charlie noted enthusiastically.

Not long after they had met Charlie had sparred with Cass and had been utterly defeated. No, to be honest Cass had destroyed her! To Cass' surprise that hadn't gotten the redhead down, in fact she seemed even more enthusiastic about learning to fight.

'People are strange,' Cass thought wryly.

"Here they come," Babs smiled as she saw two women appear on the security cameras and hug each other unselfconsciously. She buzzed them in then turned to the two teens, "Let's go meet the rest of the team."

To be continued....