"Whoa...I'm sorry...", Barbara winced, feeling bad for Poppy's parents, missing their wife, as she is bisexual herself, thanks to experimenting around high school, through it wasn't long or truly intimate periods here and there, and right now in college, she may have a teeny, okay, big crush on a really cute woman who is unfortunately dating a handsome boy, and as far as she knew, from the others in the dorm hall, that the couple are straight, and being...well, being Barbara, a daughter of a good-hearted, open-minded cop, she doesn't want to hurt them by planning to break them up or anything because she wants Nora to be happy with Victor, since the couple has been dating for two years so far, when Nora was a first-year while Victor was a fifth-year, and now, like Barbara, Nora is a second-year, while Victor is in his sixth year, having one more year next school year before graduation.
"It's alright, Barbara. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you for not telling you all this sooner. You deserved to know especially with how long you'd been crimefighting. Even more so since you were somewhat alone; you didn't truly have anyone you could trust to fall back to while the rest of us... had each other.", Poppy apologized.
Barbara moved to hug her, "Hey, it's okay, Poppy. It was nice to have backup in Batman and the others including you...Having you there, that I know now, it means a lot to me, and I wouldn't mind trusting you to fall back on...So, BF&PF?".
"BF&PF?", Poppy chuckled, and Barbara smiled, "Best friends and partners forever, hmm?", with a chuckle, looking at her. "For sure.", Poppy smirked.
"Though, obviously partners in fighting crime... afraid I'm already taken.", Poppy then laughed as Barbara chuckled, "Oh, don't worry, I won't try to steal you away from Waylon! I'd be much too afraid to face your whole family's wrath by doing that sort of thing...".
Poppy grinned, "And that I'm married with kids too...", and Barbara chuckled, "True...It's funny, but we literally got Bonnie and Michelle to try for Metropolis's Broadway show, and now, they're so busy, but they still text us every chance they could...".
Indeed, their other friends in Bonnie and Michelle had ventured to try at acting, especially for Bonnie's sake to get her fears over acting, thanks to Mad Hatter, and if it wasn't for Michelle as Bonnie's supportive and loving girlfriend, they wouldn't have gotten places to act.
Poppy smiled, "Indeed...We definitely need to pop in at their invitation someday or at least be at their wedding...I still can't believe that Michelle hasn't popped the question yet!", and Barbara smirked, "Really? I bet it will be Bonnie who pops the question. 5 bucks.".
"You're on, Barb. Anyhow, I promise I'd tell you some more, but it's up to Mom's decision for you to read the secret book for everything, as it's really a huge deal.", Poppy replied, and Barbara nodded, "That's fair...I would need a bit of time to actually reel this around my head...It ain't every day that my best friend turned out to be an awesome gamma giant!".
Poppy smiled, "Yeah, that's fair... There's one more thing I gotta ask for the sake of Selina and Bruce...Is it cool if they can use the second bedroom for the weekend? Let's say that they couldn't get actual good privacy, since it's not school yet for the kids until next month.", with a sheepish shrug.
"Really?", Barbara raised an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me all this was done just to ask if your brother and sister-in-law can have sex not in your big mansion?".
"Well...", Poppy blushed. "Partially, yes... actually, I'll be honest, telling you the truth came up after they mentioned what they wanted...".
Barbara exhaled, "You're all weird...but in a good way...", with a smirk, and Poppy chuckled sheepishly, "I'll take it as a compliment.", with a nod.
"And this penthouse belonged to Selina in the first place anyway...How couldn't I say no? Just thinking out loud, don't you have some lair or something?", Barbara asked.
Poppy nodded, "We sure do, but let's say that it's less romantic in a sense to them, compared to me and Wally.", and Barbara looked confused for a moment before her eyes widened, "Wait, wait, Waylon is Croc?! The one bad guys judge him as Killer Croc?!".
"One and the same, and no, he never kills people or animals, I promise. Those bad guys make things bigger than they tell anybody, exaggerating.", Poppy huffs, "Just very rough to get them really down on their feet so they wouldn't hurt anyone for a few weeks on the streets.".
Barbara exhaled, "Waylon is a teddy bear on the inside.", nodding as she had known and met Waylon over the years, and saw how gentle and warm he is with the kids and Poppy, and sure, she met Croc a few times, but never quite got to see his work up close, even if she had heard reports from her father the next day that the bad guys were just really roughed up, but not dead.
Poppy smiled, "Yep. Anyhow, you really don't mind that this weekend would be occupied?", and Barbara shook her head, "No, and besides, I got a really good excuse myself to be at my dorm anyway. I can use the weekend to study for a big test next week, to be honest.".
"I hate sometimes how easy it is for anyone to be envious of me.", Poppy admitted. "I barely needed to do any of that sort of studying. I could easily get it down with one quick read through.".
"Yeah, well you're obviously cheating then because those powers of yours probably has something to do with your genius.", Barbara teased her.
Poppy shrugged, "Maybe a bit, but I credit it to all my folks.", with a chuckle. Barbara smiled, "Fair enough.", and Poppy laughed warmly before she seemed to hear something, pressing two fingers to her comm, "Yeah, okay, coming. And yes, the weekend is available.", before glancing at Barbara, "Gotta boost.", taking her fingers off.
"You need help?", Barbara asked, and Poppy replied, "Batman's calling me for backup, I will be fine, but comm me if you want a bit of crimefighting on the way back, eh?".
Barbara nodded, as she was here for a snack to refuel after having a bathroom break, and she would use the break to wrap her mind around it, and seeing that the city is covered, "Sure will...Thanks, Poppy.".
Poppy nodded and smiled before leaving through the fire escape window after opening it and then closing it, with Barbara seeing her tense her legs as she changed into the Spectacular/Sensational She-Hulk after taking a look around and bounded high and far across two rooftops before disappearing into the dark.
Barbara took a deep breath, moving to take her bathroom break, running her mind through the past years, automatically cleaning her face and doing her business before searching for an apple and some milk.
She realized so much where Poppy had covered for her in the last two years of high school, and that she was advised by Poppy to take a job in her leap year and her gap year, saving money, and was referred to this penthouse where Poppy didn't have to, but if it wasn't for Batman aka Bruce to arrange things, she wouldn't have this place as a safehouse to recover in case if she can't afford to get back to her dorm with anyone asking questions, that is, without seeing the signs of occasional bruises and such where she took time to dress over.
And Poppy, even if she didn't know it, she was there for Barbara in patrol, and now realizing that her voice was familiar, yet different, she realized that Poppy must have been Oracle too occasionally if not on patrol, which means particular nights where the kids were striving for attention more than usual or something else.
So, she was truly there for her as a best friend literally on both sides, and that finally concluded the fact that she knew she wouldn't dare reveal her best friend's family ever to the world, not even her father, because she knew there are people who are bigots and such around the police and out there. With a nod, she knew she needs to tell that to Poppy to reassure her for once and for all.
After the snack was finished, she took back on the outer garments, and comm-linked for the patrol path of everyone, and hearing from Waylon who she realized is taking over for communications, she thanked him, and headed for Poppy's patrol path, and with smiles between the best friends, they teamed up once she found her, nailing a couple of thieves here and there, and a drunk abuser near the end of patrol.
Checking the time and that she is not far from her dorm, Batwoman glanced at Spectacular/Sensational She-Hulk as they took a break on a rooftop, checking the coast to make sure that they were alone, "Hey, Specs. Shift is almost over...But one thing before I gotta go. You can count on me to protect the family. On my promise, under the stars, and may lightning strike me, cross my heart, and hope to die with honor.", in a strong declaration.
"Well, you didn't need to go that all out with promising, but we appreciate it all the same.", the gammazon chuckled as Batwoman smirked.
"You're welcome. Try not to get too burned out with everything...", Batwoman said as She-Hulk laughed, "I could say the same for you; you're the one that needs to study, remember?".
Batwoman grinned, "Touche. Text tomorrow?", with a nod, and She-Hulk nodded, "You know it.", with a smile, and then She-Hulk then bounded off into the distance one way while Batwoman went another way, using her Bat-grappler to sling and fly, making it to her dorm hall's rooftop, pressing a button to disengage the security cameras around the corner and on the rooftop door/shed while swiftly changing out of her uniform, taking a fake wall spot out to put the uniform in with a key while taking out her casual clothes to put on.
Then Barbara went into the door shed of the attic, turning back on the cameras on the rooftop, as she made a filter for them to see the same old nothing every night when they were off to fool the security office, using her knowledge to slink past the very few cameras in popular spots when they were looking down another way, and then took a deep breath of relief as always as she made it to her dorm area, to her dorm room where she shared with Nora, happy for the fact that Nora is a heavy sleeper, and if she asked in the morning, Barbara can say that she had a few long hours in the dorm library in case if she seemed particularly tired in Nora's eyes.
Seeing that there's no light under the door, realizing with relief that Nora isn't having protected sex with Victor like every other week, showing that Nora is asleep, Barbara slipped in, navigating in the dark as she knew where everything is located, gently closing the door.
Barbara sighed as she glanced towards Nora's direction. She really did hate keeping secrets from her, especially when Nora Mears was so open with her about much of her life. Nora was quite the open book and absolutely brought a smile to all who would be near her. It made a lot of sense for a workaholic guy that Barbara understood which Victor Fries was practically instantly enamored with Nora; she was almost impossible to ignore.
And of course, Nora Mears' gorgeous beauty didn't hurt either, as compared to Barbara who is really attractive in a beautiful way with her red hair just past her shoulders, and green eyes, while Nora got light brown hair that got a blonde undertone to it, long and lush to her mid-back, and ice blue eyes.
Victor, on the other hand, was a respectable looking young man, dark blue eyes and very short blonde hair, almost to the point that he would almost shave it all, considering that he unfortunately had some balding issues at a young age. Still, Nora was anything but shallow and didn't mind it in the slightest.
And of course, Barbara had to admit, from past conversations with Nora, that he's a handsome man, and she doesn't mind it either as again, like she told Poppy long ago that she's bisexual.
Barbara sighed as she rubbed her neck, heading into the bathroom, grateful that she got through tonight unscathed as compared to the penthouse that got everything of high level first aid, she has basic first aid here in the bathroom, hidden among the usual cosmetics and such for her and Nora.
She went to put some muscle relaxation lotion to help her muscles unwind from the night, and after brushing her teeth, she left the bathroom, shutting off the light as she automatically went to her bed when she heard a low whisper her crime-trained ears picked up, "How does she do that? Shh!".
Barbara froze up as she heard that. Did Nora see her? Crap, did she know?! Barbara wondered for a few moments before she finally decided to say something. "Nora, you awake?", she asked, trying to play it off as something innocently.
Nora groaned as a familiar male voice was heard, "Sorry, Nora...", as Nora replied in the dark, "Before you turn on your light, Barb, note of warning...we're semi-nude. And I had to tell Victor because this is the thousandth time you got gone...and don't say that you were in the library downstairs. We went down there to talk with you, and then we got into talking with the librarian as it turns out that you didn't have special permit to go past 10 pm into the library...Where have you been, Barbara Gordon? Please don't tell me you are night lighting on drugs or something because I've been worried about you, and it's taking me so much not to tell your dad because I care about you!", panting at the end.
Victor's voice replied, "She's right, Barbara...I'm your friend too...We're worried about you. And before you ask, I had to distract Nora because I didn't want her to go into a panic attack...So, you better tell the truth, Barbara.", with a sigh.
Barbara was mentally cursing herself at that moment, not just Nora knowing, but Victor too? And it's not that she didn't trust Nora or Victor but... it was different, considering at least with Poppy and her family, they had as much to lose as she did if secrets got spoiled. Victor and Nora? What exactly did they have to truly hide that would be as damning of a secret as her being Batwoman?
Barbara exhaled, "Are you at least covered in the blanket at least?", and she heard shuffling before she saw Nora's light turn on, seeing Nora and Victor covered in the blanket and wearing scuffled shirts in Nora's bed, and she had to smirk while blushing, seeing that Nora is wearing Victor's shirt, and Victor is wearing Nora's shirt with buttons open.
She turned on her light, and she tried to dial her blush down as they looked really attractive in clearly making out mode, showing skin despite the shirts and swollen lips and all, realizing that they halted when they heard her coming and saw the door opening, and she grimaced mentally, hoping Nora wasn't upset at her for stopping them on the way to protected sex as it was obvious.
She took a deep breath, "I promise I am not doing drugs or painting graffiti or such...It's...a big secret...It's one thing when I was a teenager in high school, as I didn't want Dad on my case, but now...You may say that I was inspired by him...".
"Okay, well, that's good to know...", Victor said. "Nora mentioned that you tended to use quite a few of the medicine so... well, one could think that.".
"Yeah... but I've seen your body bruised... which fits more with the medicine.", Nora pointed out. "You're not in some sort of underground fighting club or something, are you?".
Barbara sat down on her bed, looking at them, "No, through sometimes, it was underground, considering that it was crime.", as she grimaced, remembering a few times where she had to fight some criminals who used the sewers or the underground train tunnels when they either robbed a store, or a bank, depending on the type of them, really.
She had to get a really good bath or a shower after those times at the penthouse otherwise people at the dorm hall would be questioning the god-awful smells or the musty smells.
Nora looked a bit confused before she gasped loudly, "Wait, you were fighting the underground world of crime, the underworld?", and Barbara shushed, a finger to her lips, "Shh!", moving fast, sitting on the edge of Nora's bed, looking at the door nervously for a few moments, checking her phone quickly on the hacked cameras for anyone else awake in the hallways before exhaling deeply in relief.
Victor whispered, "Was it having to do with wanting to be like all those heroes and heroines your dad worked with, particularly Batman?", after Barbara looked back at them, with Nora looking apologetic for a second.