NOTE: Don't really have one. That's a first! Oh wait! Yeah… The Egyptian language in here is NOT bull. Trust me! I'm young, but not stupid.
Legalities: Batgirl and all related characters are property of the WB Network and DC Comics.
Summary: Batgirl (from the cartoon) tries to recover a statue while Barbara has a man-crisis.
Rating: Uhmm… PG or PG-13-one of the two. More mature than normal.
Fall Bird
By: Carmen Wayne
Major help by: Annie Drake
Dedicated to: Zelda!! Here it is, hope you like!!
The Gotham City Natural Museum curator droned on about different exhibits to the group of people. Barbara Gordon put her fire-red hair up into a ponytail and yawned. She had worn slacks and a long sleeved shirt so she could wear her "night clothes" underneath, hoping she'd need them. But first she was set to go through this museum tour with her father. Commissioner Gordon had to drop out, however, because of a sudden emergency and he had to call Batman.
As the group walked along a glass corridor, she gazed out at the damp city and dark skies of fall. She loved that season. Not more than winter, but it came in second. She accidentally let it slip that she liked doing exercises in the park at this time of year, and Batman said it'd do her good to take a break and tone herself more. So, he dismissed her and Batgirl from his bat-roster… He was especially pushed to do so after she was almost killed fighting Two-Face.
'But that doesn't mean I can't be Batgirl in extreme emergencies,' she pouted to herself as she walked.
She looked to see what the man curator was talking about this time. A little hum of wonder escaped her throat as she gazed up at the exhibit. It was a 1 foot-tall golden statue of a bird, colored in reds of several sorts. The curator had taken notice to her previous boredom, and her sudden interest and smirked as he talked.
"This detailed, priceless Egyptian statue was crafted in the Middle Kingdom, or Twelfth Dynasty under the reign of Nimaatre Amenemhet the third. The writings on it suggest that it was dedicated to Horus. That if you were ever able to find the hidden scrolls that belong to it, you could resurrect the falcon-headed god and request five wishes. Well, ladies and gentlemen. We have the scrolls, and believe me, they don't resurrect anyone!" he smirked, laughs following.
The group began to leave, but Barbara stayed to observe the statue more. She was drawn in to it for an unknown reason. A voice behind her broke her from all thought:
"Amazing piece of work, isn't it, Miss Gordon?"
She turned slowly to see Oswald Cobblepot, otherwise known as the Penguin, standing there.
"Uh… Yes. It IS beautiful."
She slowly turned back to it, Cobblepot walking next to her.
"The Egyptians were amazing in their craftsmanship, and even more so in their magic."
"Well… I don't exactly believe in things like that," she informed him.
"No? You should. The world is full of some glorious wonders, Miss Gordon. Much more than you or even I could comprehend in one day," he said.
"If you're referring to miracles by God, you're speaking to a brick wall. I don't believe in things like that," she said.
"I'm referring to everything anyone has ever believed in. God, the gods of the numerous cultures, curses and witchcraft. They all do exist."
"That's impossible. That would mean Earth's a crossroad for everything in the paranormal."
Cobblepot passed behind her and whispered in her ear.
"Who ever said it isn't?" She spun to him as he walked for another part of the museum. "You live in a dangers city, Miss Gordon. Atheism of any sort is awfully unsafe."
"I'll start believing in something when it's proved to me," she said.
"And what will it take to prove that an astronomical power exists to the lovely, scientific daughter of the Commissioner of Police, hmm? I suggest you start reconsidering your values before it's too late."
And then he was gone. Barbara was slightly shaken from the brief encounter and the direction it went. Glancing back up at the bird once more, she sighed and ran to catch up with the group. As she came around a corner, she slammed into someone accidentally.
"OW!"
"Dick?" she asked.
Dick Grayson rubbed his chest and looked at her.
"Careful there, slugger. You might knock out my spinal cord."
"I thought you were with Bruce!" she said.
"I thought *you* were with him!" he gasped.
"He gave me a couple weeks forced vacation, didn't you know?" she asked.
"Oh, man! Here, Barb!" He shoved a portfolio into her and started off the way he came. "Give that to the guys in the Egypt department!"
Barbara blinked. This was starting to turn into one interesting day for her. Sighing in disappointment towards the way her museum group and her cute tour guide went, she walked back for the Egyptian exhibit hall. Bradley and all his knowledge would have to wait, she figured. She walked to a door that led to the area that they prepared the showpieces and went to knock on the door. But then, curiosity got the best of her.
Parting the portfolio, she slowly lifted from it a detailed drawing of the Nile. In the corner was Dick's messy "artist" signature. She mused that it was Dick's and slid it back in. She knocked on the door and waited a moment. No answer. Testing the knob, she found the door unlocked and decided to enter. Inside was a large archeology sort of lab with different artifacts on tables. To the far left of the decent sized room was a sarcophagus. Next to it was a platform with a series of scrolls.
She walked across the room to it and laid the portfolio to the side. The three scrolls were slightly open, obviously having been read. Even though she had no idea how to read hieroglyphics, she wanted to look at it. But before she could touch them, someone grabbed her hands and spun her to them.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Barbara ripped her hands away.
"I *was* delivering something for a friend, but no one answered when I knocked!"
"So you invited yourself in…"
"Basically."
The young man sighed.
"I'm Professor Michael Wilson," he said.
"Professor, hmm? I'm Barbara Gordon," she replied.
"As in Commissioner Gordon's daughter?" he mused. "Sweet. So, what is it that you were delivering?"
Barbara walked around him to the portfolio. He followed her and took it when offered.
"It's from my friend, Dick Grayson," she said.
"Ah, yes! I was hoping to see him. I wanted to show him the very scrolls you were looking at," he said.
"Dick's into Egyptian stuff?" Barbara asked, amused.
"Very much so! My ex-girlfriend and I met him at a gala last year. Ever since then he's shown us continuous funding and support."
Barbara tried to catch HOW Dick was funding them. She knew the stuff he saved from Haly's circus and living with Bruce Wayne wouldn't be enough to fund something as big as this. And then… it hit.
'Ex-girlfriend?' she thought with a grin.
"Perhaps you could show me a thing or two," she said, trying not to flirt too much.
Michael grinned and took her by the arm. He led her to the scrolls and opened one with gentle care.
"You see, Miss Gordon… These are the scrolls of the 'Fall Bird'… The statue you saw outside. The 'Khor Aped' was sacred in the rule of Nimaatre Amenemhet the third. This scroll series was written BY him to allegedly awaken Horus."
"Amazing…" Barbara said.
The museum alarm started blaring. The two looked up, and Barbara bolted for the door. Michael tried to pull her back, but she was all ready gone. She opened the door part of the way, but then it rammed into her and knocked her clear back, to the ground. Three gunman entered. Two held Michael and Barbara at gun point while the third went for the scrolls.
"Get your hands off those!" Michael yelled, going for him.
Barbara cried out as he fell to the ground following a gunshot.
"Shut up!" her "keeper" yelled. "You cooperate, this won't be long!"
After they left, the police came and Michael was quickly taken away in an ambulance. Barbara soon discovered that the scrolls and the Fall Bird statue had been stolen. She gave her account on everything that happened, and quickly left to get home.
After a quick shower, she immediately got to work. She could be found pacing her apartment in a robe and drying her hair; her computer phone was on, and connected with Alfred Pennyworth at Wayne Manor.
"I suppose you need to limit down possibilities, Miss Gordon," Alfred said.
"I know. But there are so many! It's Penguin's MO to steal bird-related objects, but it's Ra'S Al Ghul's style to steal ancient objects. And any number of people could spot the value of the Fall Bird."
"But these masked gunmen stole the scrolls as well, no?"
"This is true…" She sat on her couch and continued toweling her hair. "Can you connect to the cave for me, Alfred?"
"Of course, Miss Gordon…"
There was a beep, and then:
"Hello?"
"Hey, Tim. You get that information for me, kiddo?"
"Hey, Babs! Yeah. Ra'S hasn't been seen since that go-round with Batman and Superman. But the Penguin has been reportedly been up to his old tricks."
"Based off of what?" she asked.
"Matches Malone."
"Oh."
"Anything else, Babsie-poo?"
"No, thanks. Connect me with Alfred again, will you?" Her doorbell rang and she sighed. She got up and walked to her computer. "Never mind. Thanks for the help."
"Anytime!"
She cut the link and walked to the door. Opening it, she let out a scream. She hit the ground hard, her towel going to the side. She groaned and tried to sit up, but couldn't. Her legs were heavy on the ground. She "huffed" as she was pulled to someone and squeezed.
"YOU'RE THE COMMISH'S BRAT!" the Creeper yelled as he sat on her legs.
"Airrrrr!!" she choked.
He let her go and smiled weirdly.
"Sorry Babette. So, I was wonderin'… Bein' Gordon's daughter and all, could you, I don't know, get Harley Quinn for me?"
Barbara knocked him off her and stood quickly.
"You're nuts!" she exclaimed.
She yelped when he popped up in her face.
"You really think so? THANK you!"
She slapped her hand onto his face and pushed him away.
"Get out of my apartment!"
"WOO! Whatcha got in the fridge?!"
He leapt over her furniture, into her kitchen. Pots and pans and dishes flew around as he ravaged it. Barbara ran to call the police when a bowl slammed into the phone and shattered it.
"Creeper!" she screamed. "Get out!"
'He's not a villain! HE'S A NUISANCE!' she screamed in her mind.
"I like it here…. It smells like caaaannnndyyyy!"
"That's it. I'm getting my shotgun."
She turned to go for her bedroom, but screamed when he was RIGHT there.
"I need a woman's advice…" he said in a very calm voice, leaning in the doorway. "There's this gorgeous clown girl who treats me exactly how I want, but I have this eerie feeling she's seeing someone else. What do you think?"
"I think you better get out of my apartment."
"Awwwww!"
"Go!"
She pointed for the door. The Creeper slouched and paced for it slowly. Once he was gone, she ran over and locked it. She let out an exasperated sigh and tried to get her mind back on track. Slowly she walked for her bedroom to change.
'The Penguin's hideout… Not really a hideout. Just the most popular club in Gotham City known as the Iceberg Lounge. But I'm betting somewhere in there is what I'm looking for…'
Batgirl tossed her binoculars in a compartment on her batcycle. She made her way to the roof via her grappler. Creeping across the roof she could easily peer down through roof windows and see people socializing and laughing. But that was the least of her priorities. First she had to talk to the Penguin.
As she slid down a staircase into the club within, she flashed to earlier that day in the museum, when they talked about religion. She still didn't believe in that stuff, and she didn't want to believe it. She refused to until there was proof for her.
When she thought about it, the only religious one out of the four was Batman himself. Dick was an atheist like her, and Tim was an aspiring Satanist in her eyes (jokingly, of course). Barbara Gordon had no reason to believe in such things. Commissioner Jim Gordon wasn't even her real father. She lost both of her parents when she too was very young.
The Penguin, Oswald Cobblepot, was walking around, greeting all his company like a proper host. Batgirl began to question his ability to spring back into a life of crime. But she figured he'd have some information for her, anyway. She pulled a batarang and slung it forward. The dullest edge struck him across the back and it swung back up to the rafters where she stood.
"Egads… The Bat-girl wishes my council," he mumbled to Raven. "Keep our guests company."
"Sure thing, Mister Cobblepot," she nodded.
Cobblepot made his way into his large office, Batgirl right behind him. She slowly shut the door and looked at him.
"Where's the Fall Bird?" she asked.
"I haven't a clue as to that statue's whereabouts. Such a shame, however. It was a beautiful statue," he replied passively.
"I know you've got something for me, Penguin," she said.
"Actually, my club has been attracting the higher people in life. Not the scum of Gotham City, but people such as Bruce Wayne! And you bat-folk should realize the cleanliness of his hands."
"I'm giving you a second chance. Tell me what you know!"
"Or you'll do what?"
She lunged and slammed into him hard. He fell back and slammed into the wall. Before he could recuperate, she had him by the collar and pressed against the wall tightly.
"START TALKING!" she yelled.
"How about I start… agh… shooting?"
"Shooting…?"
Bullets hit near her feet. She dropped Cobblepot and sprung for the window as his body guards fired on her. She grabbed an office chair and slammed it into the glass. One shard did manage to slash her cheek as glass flew everywhere. She shook off the sudden twinge of pain and then she dove out, grappler in hand. Just as she set her foot on the edge, though, to dive, the grappler was shot from her hand. She cried out and began to fall. An arm wrapped around her waist and carried her to a lower roof of the building. Whoever it was dropped her and then vanished before she could see who it was.
Bullets, aimed through confusion and wariness of the shadows, fell around her. She stood and took off running deeper so she couldn't be seen at all. Panting, she fell back into a wall and rubbed her forehead.
'This isn't turning out to be my day,' she thought, exasperated. 'I wonder if Dick'll help me…'
Batgirl finished telling Dick the whole situation as he cleaned out the cut on her cheek and tended to it.
"You're getting in really deep then, hmm?" he asked. "I heard about a reported shoot out on the news just a bit ago, and two figures swinging from the Penguin's office. You and Batman?"
"That's where the strange part is. I don't *know* who it was. My grappler was shot from my hand and I fell out. Someone that I never got a good look of saved me."
Dick frowned in thought. He finished with her cheek and stood from his kneeling spot in front of her.
"You might want to make sure that's healed before you go out again after this… I don't know who could have saved you. Tim's in bed by now and Bruce was called out by Superman."
"Really?" she asked. "They seem to be pairing up more and more. And with other heroes too!"
"Yeah. Maybe they should just create a society or league that they can all be a part of. You know, a club house!"
He paced off to put his first aide stuff away.
"That's not a bad idea!" she said, watching him.
Dick finished replacing his equipment and turned back to her.
"Hungry?" She shook her head. "Thirsty?" Still, she shook her head. "Then why else did you come here? God knows that you hate complaining about your injuries."
"As I recall, I didn't complain. The minute you saw my cheek, you reacted."
"Yeah, so, what was your first intention?" he asked as he folded his arms across his chest and leaned into the wall.
"It's this case, Dick. I need… I need HELP on it, and I wouldn't want Batman on it because I'm not supposed to be running around as Batgirl, and I just don't want responsibility over Tim…"
"So why don't you go to the cops?" he asked, knowing the answer. But she gave him a death glare that he couldn't help but grin at. "Don't worry, I get it! You want the dashing Nightwing to help you because he's, A) a peer, B) good at detective work, C) trustworthy and won't tell the Bat, and D) so darn cute!"
Replacing her cowl on her face, Barbara grinned as she stood.
"Yeah, Dick. Yeah. So, are you free for this?"
"Yeah, I guess so. But don't get mad if I have to leave!"
"I won't!"
Dick walked over to her with a dark Bat-look.
"So, where do we get started?"
Nightwing sped up behind the Iceberg Lounge on his motorcycle quickly and parked it in the shadows.
Well, I figure the Penguin knows something about the Khor Aped. I won't rule him out until I know absolutely for sure. So, you head to the Iceberg Lounge and YOU talk to him for me.
He fired a grappler up to the broken window. It pulled him up to the frame and he peered in, just to make sure. Slowly, he slid in and crept past the area that was totally torn up, immediately going to a picture behind the desk. With a gentle push, it slid away to reveal a vault. Nightwing placed his left hand under the dial and his right hand on the dial. Coming in closer, he pushed his ear to it and closed his eyes. Turning the dial slowly, he waited until he heard and felt the magic click that he hit the number, and dials began turning. With a slow grin, he turned the dial the other way. A click and more things began to move. Just a little bit back, and it clicked open. He backed off and opened the vault.
Meanwhile, there's a lead I'll take up at a certain hideout club. And don't worry… It'll be very inconspicuous.
Tables, chairs and men barely conscious laid all over the floor of a run down bar. Batgirl stood atop the bar, holding the tender by the neck.
"Jeez… just like the dude Bat!" one guy groaned.
"Can barely move!" another one moaned.
Batgirl kept her focus on the man before her.
"What do you know about the Fall Bird's robbery?" she asked, to everyone actually.
There were several groans around her and the tender tried to get away. She tightened her grip on his neck and narrowed her eyes.
"Gahhh! Nuttin'! I hoid sumthin' wuz goin' on 'cuz of dat, but I dunno!" the tender cried. "Dude came in here an' acted like he was big an' stuff! Black hair 'n stuff! Fancy suit!"
Batgirl threw him to the side casually and leapt off beside him. She dusted off her hands and walked off from the bar. She walked to the pool tables where some men stood and grinned.
"So, which one of YOU were here when this mystery man entered?" she asked.
The men looked at each other and blinked. One looked at her and eyed her with a gleam in his eyes. She stood, unwavering.
"I was," he said. He walked around towards her, the gleam growing. She back stepped as he came so close they brushed against each other. "Maybe we can go somewhere more… private for this."
He towered over her at over six feet tall and she could have sworn she heard a bit of an Aussie accent. He wore jeans and black shirt under a jean jacket and a hat over his brown hair. She made sure to remember his every feature.
"And where are YOU thinking?"
He came in close and bent down to whisper in her ear.
"How about out back, love?"
He turned and walked for a door. She scowled at the whiskey breath. Resisting the urge to kill the only possible lead she had at this point, Batgirl followed him outside. In the back was an alley, and a dumpster to one side and a motorcycle on the other.
"All right, we're here. Now start TALKING," she said.
"Why so soon, sweetheart?" he taunted. "Have you ever fooled around on a cycle before? It's fun."
Batgirl decided to try her best to kill the mood he was in.
"When I was nine, but I fell down a hill and broke my knee. That wasn't fun."
She maintained a three-foot distance from him as he paced for the motorcycle. Three feet would be enough for her to pull something if need-be, or to get out of the way if he pulled something.
"You're cute, y'know that?" he mused. He waved for her. "Why don't you get on in front of me and I'll take you someplace that might just help you…" He sat on the bike properly and patted the front of it for her to sit. She didn't move and didn't respond. He grinned. "I won't off ya, if that's what's keeping you. But I promise this won't be for nothing."
Figuring it might be her time to die, she paced forward slowly and got on in front of him as ordered.
"Don't try anything," she said.
She yelped as he pulled her in closer to him and started it. He whispered in her ear with a grin:
"Just *trust* me."
Nightwing hummed the Chicken song in the back of his throat as he fished through piles of papers for anything that might help Batgirl on her case. He couldn't help remembering the first time he met her by ripping off the back of her cowl, and comparing her to this point where she was allowed to run around Gotham, and on her own cases at that! He mused at what a funny girl she was and continued to fish around, humming.
"You GOTTA be kidding me!"
Batgirl looked upwards, along the side of the Wayne Enterprises building. The man shrugged.
"Hey, you asked for a lead!" the man said behind her, on his motorcycle still.
"But Bruce Wayne would NEVER do this!"
"Black hair? Fancy suit?"
"Could be anyone!"
"Why don't you go and investigate? I bet you there's a clue up at the top."
"How--?"
She spun to him, but he revved the bike and was gone. She let out a low growl and pulled her grappler. Better to be safe than sorry, however, she figured. Firing and beginning to go upwards, she connected her cowl intercom with Nightwing. She heard the chicken song come through with little regard to who was listening, although he would know she was on.
"Nightwing?"
"Yes, Bat-chick?"
Batgirl grunted as she pulled herself up onto a ledge and prepared to reload her grappler and fire up again.
"I'm at Wayne Enterprises. A lead is honestly suggesting Bruce did it."
"And you're checking it out?"
"Maybe it's a poser. Clayface or Poison Ivy…"
Nightwing heard her fire the grappler again and shrugged as he sat back.
"And the Penguin's CLEAN."
"Honestly?"
"Seriously. I think he was just irritated that you showed up. Can't blame him either…"
He tossed the papers to the side and stood.
"Funny. Really funny. GET your butt OVER here. Who knows what I could find!"
"I'm coming, my little red head!" he said in a high pitch tone.
He skipped over for the window. Just then, in the intercom, he heard an explosive RIP sound and Batgirl scream. He called for her, but no response came.
Batgirl was on a one-way decent to concrete when a laser shot through her rope. She hadn't even seen it coming and that's what scared her most, that someone was able to snipe her…
Her thoughts changed when a rope shot around her waist and stopped her fall. Looking up, she saw the rope extend to the shadows, to a figure to far to make out features. The figure swung her to a gargoyle. She grabbed onto it tightly and looked up as a grappler gun came towards her. She managed to catch it and spied that it really was literally a gun, not the new batgrapples they owned. Looking up to thank her savior, no one was there.
Once again, her train of thought flipped when lasers shot down around her. She backed off close to the building, not able to pull from it. It didn't provide much cover, but it would give her enough time… Putting a hand to her ear, she screamed out:
"NIGHTWING! I'm under fire here! Take extreme caution when--aagh!!"
A sensation of fire shot down her head and she fell forward, unconscious. A laser had ripped down the side of her head, rendering her unconscious. The shooter spiraled down swiftly on a rope to gather the prize of good shooting.
"Maybe you should take your OWN advice, little girl," said the Ten.
"Bring her up here, Ten! Now!" the King ordered. "No doubt that this NIGHTWING character will be arriving shortly!"
He turned to the rest of the Royal Flush Gang and grinned darkly. The Ace ran up quickly.
"No luck finding whoever saved her the first time, my King," he said, bowing.
"That's all right." He looked over as Ten leapt up to them, Batgirl over her shoulder. "We've got a Dark Damsel to give us an edge anyway!"
The Jack walked over and lifted the lifeless Batgirl's face by use of her hair.
"Quite the cutie, my King. Can we keep her?" he said with a grin.
"Oh, why not?" the King said passively.
"Hey!" Nightwing yelled, across the building. "No one keeps Batgirl but ME! Got that?!"
He two boomerangs that were triple sided and shaped as birds. He threw one at the King and ducked gunfire from Ten.
"Dispatch her body over there and join us!" the Queen ordered.
The four ran forward as Ten did as she was told. She dropped Batgirl to the ground and turned to join them--but a foot rammed into her face and rendered her unconscious. A black figure knelt by Batgirl, who was groaning and fighting to come-to once more. The person stroked her cheek gently.
"Batgirl…?" echoed a voice in her mind. "Batgirl, you've got to wake up… Please…"
"Unnngh… You…?" she moaned, knowing it was the one who pulled her out of danger twice that night. "But…?"
"Shh… You've got to get up." The figure pulled a bandage and wrapped it around her as they spoke. "Fight this, I know you can… Nightwing needs you."
They finished quickly and faded into the shadows. Batgirl tried to recognize the voice, but was far too out of it. Crawling to her feet, she made her way for the fight on the other side of the apex. She back stepped as the Jack flew past and slammed into the railing.
"Ha! Who wants to go--argh!"
'That's Nightwing!' she cried in her mind.
She pulled a batarang and ran out to the mess. Nightwing pulled a dagger from his shoulder and pointed it at the Queen.
"You are a BAD lady!"
"I'm even worse with a gun," she said, brandishing the laser gun.
Quickly, she aimed and tried to fire, but Batgirl slammed into her. The King watched a moment, turning his head to the side.
"Catfights are always nice." His sights went back to Nightwing. "Kill him!"
The Ace ran forward and punched at him. Nightwing ducked under and around all the different punches, grinning.
"Tally-ho!" he yelled tauntingly.
He back flipped and landed, hands and feet on the ground. Springing back for the Ace, he leapt up onto his shoulders and punched him behind the neck with his good arm. The Ace fell back and Nightwing got his footing on the roof. He grinned at the King and whipped out a rope.
"Wee, little KINGY! Let's get down!!" he hollered.
He sprinted after him.
Meanwhile, Batgirl was trying to keep up with the maddening pace that the Queen was fighting at. Nausea from her wound was starting to form and she tried her best to hold it in so she wouldn't be killed. The Queen spun around in a swift move and slammed a crescent kick right into the head wound. Batgirl fell back and hit the railing, losing her sight behind a mask of pain.
There was a swoop and several crashes and grunts. A thud followed and a pair of footsteps came closer. She gripped the railing, unsure who it was.
"It's okay," a gentle voice said. "It's me."
It was then she recognized the voice and her sight came to her. Gently, she reached forward and touched the cheek of her guardian angel for the night.
"Why…?" she asked in a whisper.
"I have my reasons," Robin responded. He took her gloved hand from his cheek and kissed it gently. "The Fall Bird's in Bruce's office where they hid it."
"Batgirl!" Nightwing called from somewhere. She looked that way as he came around to her. "What now?!"
She looked back to where Robin was, but he was gone. Eyes weak, she looked towards Nightwing.
"Bru-Bruce Wayne's office… The Fall Bird should be there."
"You all right, BG?" he asked warily.
"I-uh-yeah. I'll tell you after we recover the statue."
He nodded and walked over to help her. He had her sling a arm around his neck and he supported her as they walked for a way in.
"You've taken a lot of really hard shots, Babs," he said gently. "There's someone I'm going to introduce you to when we're through here."
"As good as Alfred?"
"Better."
They managed to beat the building systems and get inside easily--the fact that they wouldn't be detected by most helping them a lot in that fact. They made their way upwards and to the gigantic office of Bruce Wayne. They began to search carefully through everything. Nightwing trailed off to search darkened recesses as Batgirl went for the desk. A sight across the way on a fellow sky scraper caught her eye. Standing there was Robin. He saluted her and bowed. She walked to the glass and touched it, confused as to what was going on.
"Found it!" Nightwing called. He hefted the statue over to the desk and dropped it on there. "Don't know how it got here, and don't know your sources, but… Batgirl?"
He gazed up at her as she stared blankly out, one hand still on the window. By that time, Robin had all ready vanished. Nightwing had silently made his way to her and touched her wrist. She turned and wound her fingers around his.
"I don't know how it got here, either. And I-I'm beginning to think I don't know my sources as well as I thought I did."
"You okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah. I'll explain after I stop hearing bells in my head."
Nightwing wasted no time to get the cops there and get the Fall Bird from the Wayne Enterprises building. He then took Batgirl down to Crime Alley and to a small apartment building. They slid into an apartment and he left her in the homely living/family room as he disappeared into the bedroom and kitchen areas. She heard his muffled voice and a lighthearted voice follow. Soon, he came out with an elderly lady.
"Batgirl, I'd like you to meet the lady we come to when Alfred can't take care of a problem. Doctor Leslie Thompkins."
"A pleasure," Batgirl said with a drowsy nod.
Leslie took her by the hand and led her for the couch.
"Shh, child. Let me take care of these wounds before Bruce finds out."
Batgirl stiffened and looked at Nightwing, eyes wide. He chuckled and waved a hand.
"She's known since he became Batman," he said.
Shocked, Batgirl let Leslie push her down into the soft couch. Leslie gently pulled Batgirl's cowl from her face, doing it slowly incase she wished to stop her.
"That's quite right, actually. I went to college with Thomas Wayne," she said.
"Oh… Wow…" Barbara said, wondrous.
"Now, be still and let me work, dear."
Barbara did as she was told, sitting stiffly and moving her head to whatever side she had to. Leslie said there wouldn't be much of a scar on either her cheek or her head, as long as she took good care of it. Injecting her with a antibiotic, she asked that Barbara stay for thirty minutes incase there was an allergic reaction. And then, Leslie vanished from the room. Nightwing sat next to her and smiled gently.
"She says that because in reality you're going to pass out in forty," he said.
"Oh, great. I can't fall asleep here, I have work tomorrow!" Barbara exclaimed.
"Hey, it's cool. Once we can leave, I'll make sure you get there. Trust me! But you HAVE to tell me every single thing that happened!"
Dragging in a breath, Barbara began to tell him everything from the brief encounter with the Penguin all the way to spotting Robin from Bruce Wayne's office window. Nightwing watched her as she told the story. When she was done, he was smiling brightly. When questioned, he waved it off.
"You couldn't possibly understand," he responded passively.
"And why not?" she asked, hurt.
"It's something every young man goes through at that age."
He tried to stand, but she pulled him back down. She held him by the jaw, looking at him completely serious.
"Tell. me."
He swatted her hands away and sighed.
"Being oblivious to most male affection as you usually are, something like this would have to be spelled OUT for you. Tim. has. a. crush. on. you."
"…" After a long pause… Barbara started laughing painfully. "You're joking, right?!" she laughed out, tears forming. "Tim? Crush?! Hahaha!!"
Nightwing shrugged and stood up.
"That's fine if you don't believe me. But think about it. The Penguin's hide out, when you were knocked off the scraper, and almost killed all those times and others… Batman set a curfew for him tonight and will know that he broke, and that he broke it for YOU."
He turned and called for Leslie to find out where she was. He followed her voice to the kitchen and began to chat with her. Barbara sat back and looked at her hands. Thinking through all the things that happened over and over, she began to believe what was happening. Though she couldn't understand it, she had a feeling Nightwing was right…
Twenty minutes later, Nightwing and Leslie walked out to see Barbara asleep from the medication on the couch.
"Well, I think she needs to get home, " he said with a grin.
"You think?" Leslie smiled. Nightwing headed over to pick her up as Leslie spoke. "And you better talk to Tim, prove your suspicions and get his mind clear. He'll only get hurt from this."
"Yeah, you're right. And you know what else I'm wondering?" he asked.
"What else?"
"Well, Babs says he was always around when she needed him, and seemed to know things ahead of her… How did he know about the whereabouts of the Fall Bird and all that?"
NOTE: Don't really have one. That's a first! Oh wait! Yeah… The Egyptian language in here is NOT bull. Trust me! I'm young, but not stupid.