Chapter 10

CJ dropped down and let his suit turn back within and went to the liquor store after coming out from the dark alley. His mind is racing and trying to comprehend what just happened and what he just did. He actually went sexual with a woman and it just happens to be Batgirl. He literally tasted actual vagina and it tasted so damn good to him.

"That wasn't me." David schools his head. "I never do anything so…so…so…"

"Extreme?." Lola spoke.

David tried to collect himself and not get seen talking to himself too much. He went to another section of the store. "What's happening to me?."

"It's part of the process of our bonding, CJ." Lola explains. "Something that you are going to manage to control and make it neutral."

CJ looked at the bottles of alcohol drinks. "What do you mean?."

"Just like Peter Parker, who in my and my siblings opinion is the original and better host of them all, he too has experienced the benefits of the bond. A host keeps us stable and thriving, and in return we bring the better version of you. More specifically, your attitude." said Lola.

"Explain it better to me, Lola." CJ told his female Symbiote.

"Well," Lola began, her voice soothing yet firm in his head, "The bond between host and symbiote is more intimate than you can possibly imagine. It's not just about fighting or survival. We become one. We enhance each other's senses, strengths, and yes, even desires. But with great power comes great responsibility. You must learn to balance your new urges with your duty to protect."

CJ's eyes widened as he stared at the bottles of whiskey and vodka. "So, what you're saying is, I'll start having...uh, urges like that all the time?."

"No, not exactly," Lola clarified. "Those intense desires are a byproduct of our connection, but they can be controlled. We are bound together, and your mind is still your own. But as we grow closer, your moral compass may wobble, and I can't promise it'll always be easy to navigate the line between right and wrong. You just embrace it."

CJ walked away from the shelves and looked to find the wine section. "I never drink alcoholic beverages. Why am I craving it, Lola?."

"It's the stress, CJ," Lola replied calmly. "Our bond is still new and the emotional turmoil of your encounter with Batgirl has left us both a bit...unbalanced. But don't worry, this is a phase. It'll pass once we get to know each other better. Even though I know everything about you, I still want to have a bond with you. I can see it in your mind right now that you're desiring and craving for her."

CJ knows what Lola is talking about. She was referring to not Batgirl but Barbara. The memories of their childhood started flooding in his head and don't know why he longed to reconnect with her on that deeper level, since she doesn't review the same mindset and belief as him on when it comes down to justice. He looked at the refrigerant shelves and looked at each wine bottle before selecting the clear one that has white grapes.

"Why do I want to rekindle our broken friendship?. Me and Barbara aren't that close anymore." CJ said in a whisper.

"You're more connected than you think," Lola assured him. "Our bond is allowing me to feel the depth of your emotions. Your longing for Barbara is rooted in something deeper than friendship. But remember, your desires are your own, and it's your decision to act upon them."

"What do you mean something deeper than friendship?." CJ asked before getting another same wine bottle.

"I mean, CJ," Lola's voice was soft, almost a whisper, "Your feelings for Barbara are complex. They've evolved over time. And our bond is just bringing those feelings to the surface."

CJ gave it a thought. The thought of him having romantic feelings for Barbara was wild and utterly ridiculous. Still, he knows that she is the only female that ever gets into his personal bubble like a germy virus. The memories of them as kids were playing hard in his head until shakes it. "No, there must be a misunderstanding. I don't have romantic feelings for her. You're wrong."

"Am I?" Lola replied with a hint of mischief. "Or are you just afraid to face the truth?. Your mind is an open book to me, CJ. And in it, I see the way your heart races whenever Barbara is near. I feel the warmth in your cheeks when you think of her."

"No." CJ stopped walking and rubbed his head. "I just wasn't feeling well."

Lola's voice grew more serious. "CJ, denial won't help us. We need to face our feelings and understand them. It's part of the bond. We can't ignore the emotions that drive you, especially when they're as strong as these."

CJ reached to the counter and set the bottles down. "Got any specials?."

The clerk looked him up and down before scanning the bottles. "You know, you look familiar."

"Yeah, I'm that cop who helped rescue those kidnapped kids from a sick pedophile back in Chicago." CJ said, while taking out a few bills. "Now, I asked. Do you have any specials?."

The clerk nodded, recognizing CJ from the news. "Sure thing, we got a two for one deal on that wine you're buying."

CJ handed the cash over. "Great, I'll take two." He stuffed the bottles into a bag and headed back out into the night, the cool Gotham air a stark contrast to the warmth of the store. As he walked, he couldn't shake the conversation with Lola. The way she talked about Barbara, it was as if she could see the pages of his secret diary. He secretly teleported back to his apartment and went to put the bottles up and left one out. He looked at it in his hands and debated on sharing it.

"Does Barbara even drink?." CJ asked himself.

"Well, I can see she doesn't have any boyfriends and no engagement ring on finger. Her ass is single and most likely a wine lover." said Lola.

CJ rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the insight, Dr. Phil." He grabbed the bottle and took a deep breath, feeling the cold glass against his palm.

Currently, he was enjoying the wine with Barbara at her place as the two were surprisingly enjoying each other's company by choice and willingness. CJ poured another round of wine in his cup before doing the same for Barbara's. She took her time sipping and enjoying the bitter taste. CJ is all new to it but he is starting to like it.

"Fan of wines?." CJ asked a random question to start a conversation.

Barbara looked up from her cup, her gaze meeting his. "My father has a small collection," she said with a hint of nostalgia. "He'd let me try a sip every once in a while. It's one of the few things from him that I still enjoy."

"When did you start drinking?. At the right age or at school?. Because you and I both know that your Dad plays by the rules " CJ spoke before sipping some more.

Barbara chuckled. "College, actually. It was a way to deal with stress, you know, school and the whole daughter of the commissioner's life. Plus, it's not like I was going to get into any trouble."

"So, you weren't a square in college." CJ chuckled.

Barbara rolled her eyes, a playful smile on her lips. "I had my moments," she said, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "But nothing too crazy. I had to keep up the image, after all."

CJ nodded. "You should be grateful that your father is still around and alive. You know my parents died when we were just ten years old."

Barbara's smile faded. "I know," she said, reaching out to touch his hand. "I'm sorry. I can't imagine how it must've been tough for you."

CJ looked at her hand for a moment before looking back into her eyes. "It was," he admitted. "But that's in the past. We've got our own battles to fight now. Well, minus the fight."

Barbara nodded. "True. Have you ever encountered Superman or Supergirl during your time away before returning to Gotham?."

"Nope, and good thing too. Otherwise I'll be saying a few words to them on how they are handling justice." CJ spat before sipping more of his wine.

"Again, taking a life isn't exactly justice, CJ." Barbara protested and sipped some more of her drink.

"It is justice. Doing things wrong and knowing what you're doing is wrong needs deadly consequences." said CJ, looking at her.

Barbara pulled her hand back and sighed. "CJ, you can't just go around killing people. There's always another way."

"Yeah, and that way you are referring to is stupidity. So much stupidity that these criminals are having a chip on their shoulders. Having that mindset that they will only get time and then be let go for good behavior. Bullshit." CJ grabs the bottle and starts drinking from it.

Barbara's eyes widened. "CJ, that's not healthy. Slow the fuck down."

CJ chuckled, feeling the warmth of the wine spread through his body. "It's fine, BG," he said, his speech slightly slurred. "I'm a grown ass adult."

"BG?." Barbara savored that moment. "You called me by my old nickname you gave me when we were little."

"I did huh?." CJ recalled just now. "Yes, I did say it, huh?."

Barbara smiles sadly, taking a sip of her wine. "Yeah, you did. It's been a long time since you called me that."

CJ sighed. "Be honest with me, Barbara. You didn't make any friends after I left Gotham. Didn't you?."

Barbara's smile faded, and she stared into her wine glass. "It's complicated," she whispered.

"Other words, yes." CJ looked at her. "That's typical."

Barbara sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Gotham isn't exactly the best place to make friends. Not when your dad is the commissioner and you're naturally borderline awkward . People tend to keep their distance."

"Have you had any boyfriends?." CJ asked too personally.

"I only have ex's. Two of them." Barbara admits with no hesitation.

"What happened?." CJ gives her the bottle to drink.

Barbara took it and took a sip, feeling the warm liquid trickle down her throat. "They just didn't understand me, CJ. They couldn't handle the...complications of being with someone like me."

"Who were they?." CJ relaxed on the couch.

"Dick Grayson and Tim Drake." Barbara began. "Dick was an impressive guy. He had my attention for some time and then I started realizing that he wasn't the one. Tim is a keeper. Not for me of course. He didn't click my button. Both of them have tried to win me in bed but I rejected them. They say I'm maintaining my virginity, but I'm not. I'm not giving my baked goods to just any guy who takes me out on dates, fancy trips, and apple picking."

CJ nodded, sipping his wine, his eyes never leaving hers. "That's good. You should be selective with who you give your cookies to."

Barbara rolled her eyes, trying to lighten the mood. "Thanks, Dad," she said with a smirk. "But seriously, it's not about being a prude. It's about finding someone who gets me. Who understands what I do and why I do it."

CJ nudged her with a chuckle. "That is true. Let alone feel comfortable sharing your personal space."

Barbara nodded. "Exactly. And with you..." she trailed off, looking down at her wine.

CJ leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "With me what, Barbara?."

Barbara feels her heart beeping while Lola can hear it. She shook her head lightly. "Nah, it's nothing. The booze is just talking."

But Lola wasn't buying it. She could see the truth in her eyes, a truth she was trying to hide. "Barbara, come on. What's going on?. Tell my CJ what you're hiding."

"Lola, shut up." CJ ordered his symbiote.

Barbara looked at him, her curiosity piqued. "Who's Lola?."

CJ responded without hesitation. "This wine is making me see and hear things that aren't there. We need to stop drinking."

Barbara chuckled and took another sip. "Suit yourself," she said, her voice slightly tipsy. "But I'm enjoying this. It's been a while since I had a real conversation without being turned away or someone making up shitty excuses as to why they need to leave so soon."

CJ's gaze softened, his thoughts a tangled mess of his own feelings and Lola's probing. "You know, Barbara," he began, his voice low and sincere, "You're not alone. We're all just trying to do what we think is right."

Barbara looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "I know," she said quietly. "But it's hard sometimes, you know?. When everyone expects you to be this...this paragon of virtue."

CJ nodded, understanding all too well the weight of expectations. "It is," he agreed. "But you're more than just the daughter of a commissioner. You're Barbara Gordon. We should get some rest. We have work tomorrow."

"We might want to skip it. There's a drug test tomorrow and we will fail with wine in our systems." said Barbara before slowly getting up.

CJ watches her have a hard time walking as she is wobbling and going different directions. "Need help?."

Barbara giggles and nods. "Yeah, I'm a bit tipsy. I don't usually drink this much."

CJ tried walking straight but his body is being tipsy too. "Lola, assist please."

"Of course, CJ," Lola said, her voice sounding a bit amused. CJ felt his body steady as she took control of his motor functions, allowing him to walk Barbara to her bedroom.

After laying her down he then exits himself out from her place and back in his. He falls down in his bed and lets sleep take him. He woke up the next day feeling more sleepy than usual before getting up to have breakfast. He pours himself some oatmeal and goes to sit and eat. Lola is already disliking his choice of eating.

"Why eat oatmeal if you can go eat yourself a nice medium sized container of ice cream for breakfast?." She asked.

CJ, who is stirring his oatmeal after adding the almond milk, spoke while sounding tired. "And what?. Get type two diabetes?."

"Uh, hello?. We have a double healing factor. You can't get diabetes or any illness." Lola points out. "Live a little."

"I'd rather live a little longer, thanks." CJ replied before taking a bite of his breakfast. He chewed slowly, savoring the taste.

Lola sighed dramatically in his head. "Fine, but we're ordering pizza for dinner. With a side of sub sandwich and an order of buffalo wings. The thicker sauce the better."

CJ couldn't help but laugh at her. "We'll see about that." He finished his breakfast and started to get ready for the day ahead.

Barbara, who looked like a train wreck, got up and went to clean herself up. "I feel like shit." She feels her stomach hurting as she rubs it. "I need to take a shit."

After doing just that, Barbara heads back to the Clock Tower and sees that Bruce and Tim have found Joker and Harley yet. So far they did but lost them surprisingly. Clearly saying that Joker wants to savor his freedom before he finally gets serious in his own insane way. She starts looking at missing reports and sees that one is active and it is two cops. Barbara reads on as the screen says that the two cops have gone radio silence from last night and don't know where they went.

"Let's see the tracker of their car." Barbara started tracking since now GCPD's police car tag has tracker chips inside all thanks to Wayne Enterprise technology. She found where they went to investigate and didn't like it on what map shows. "Oh, fuck me."

On that night, CJ suited up and he too went to investigate the missing cops. Lola informs him if he liked amusement themed parks and stuff to his confusion. He flew towards the desired destination while it was lightly raining and saw Batgirl on the roof.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in." CJ spoke while Batgirl crossed her arms and had that dominant feminist look. "I wouldn't know any better, I'll say you are trying to meet up with me again."

Barbara rolled her eyes. "ISO, not now. Two of GCPD's officers are missing and the last location we have on them is the abandoned and closed down kids amusement joint."

"Oh, so, you don't miss my tongue on your yummy pussycat?." CJ sees her blush.

"ISO, not now, we're on a mission. Two lives are at stake here." Barbara's voice was firm, but CJ could hear a hint of something else in her tone. "Get your mind out of my pants."

"It's hard to do when you have your mind on my dick." CJ shoots back in boldness.

Barbara's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, but she didn't flinch. "We need to focus, ISO. This isn't a game."

CJ shook his head with a chuckle. "I'll tell you what. If we do this case together and we came out of it in one piece, then I'll let you blow me. Deal?."

Barbara's jaw dropped. "What?!" she exclaimed before composing herself. "We don't make deals like that. That's not professional."

"Your body language says another opinion." CJ looked at the distance. "Bet your mouth is hot just thinking about my manhood in your mouth."

Barbara's eyes narrowed, trying to keep her cool. "You're not going to distract me from my job, ISO." She took a breath, focusing on the mission ahead. "We need to find those officers fast. Time is of the essence."

"My map shows me here but what abandoned place?." CJ said before Batgirl guided him over.

"It's a place where myself and my old best friend have always wanted to go, but can't due to mysterious disappearances and darkness that is overshadowing." Barbara informs.

CJ recalls something from their childhood and can't believe it. "Those cops went missing for five days."

Barbara nodded gravely. "Exactly. We need to find them before it's too late."

They dropped down facing a building with a bunch of roller coasters from the back. It was definitely an amusement park both inside and outside to any child or parents convenience. They saw the police car parked sideways and the two were still open. The car battery is dead since it's been running that long. But what took their attention is the sign on the building. A sign that has a male bear with a friendly smile with a wave and the words planted bold for all can see.

"Freddy Fazbear's Pizza." CJ and Barbara said together in unison.

"Better known by many based on the Internet of the closed down company as Five Nights At Freddy's." Lola tells CJ.

"They say that once you go in and if you get out after surviving, it will be five days since entering." CJ informed Batgirl.

Barbara looked skeptical. "It's probably just an old wives' tale. Besides, it's been closed down for years. Never had the chance to experience the fun as a child."

CJ nodded. "I feel you on that one, Batgirl." He looked at the sign with suspension. "We can't ignore the facts. Something's definitely off here."

They approached the building with caution, the rain pattering against their costumes. The neon lights flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows across the desolate parking lot. The smell of rust and decay filled the air, hinting at the abandoned state of the place. The once colorful and vibrant exterior of the pizzeria now looked like a sad relic of a happier time.

"Why do I get the feeling that it is going to take us literally five days to not only find the cops but get out?." Barbara looked at ISO when they walked deeper into the half dark and half lit building.

"We are going to make it in five hours. Bet." said CJ.

"I admire your confidence and..." Barbara stopped dead and pulled out her batarang when hearing a moving noise. "You hear that?."

"Hear what?." CJ looked around.

"That." Barbara's grip tightened on her batarang. The sound grew louder, a low, mechanical growl that seemed to echo through the empty halls of the pizzeria. It was a sound that sent chills down CJ's spine, despite Lola's reassurances.