Who: Helena Bertinelli and Barbara Gordon Where: The University and then Havanna Bean Coffee What: A run-in for information When: June 16th Rating: PG
Even though classes were over for the summer, Barbara still had to make the trek to campus for her job at the library. Her shifts had gotten a little longer and were mostly during the day, but that suited her just fine. She'd need her nighttime hours for patrol.
The only gripe she had was that she was still banned from the motorcycle, but she was working on getting it back, chipping away at her parents' defenses with the ol' kidnapping victim puppy dog eyes. Until then, she prepared herself for another long walk home after her stint of stacking books.
The school was a ridiculous labyrinth filled with unhappy faces and abandoned posts. When Helena finally found the proper corridor to the main offices, not only was she turned away by the irritable secretary, but the lone rent-a-cop on duty was now on the hunt to find the "violent tramp" on campus. So much for job hunting.
Making towards the parking lot quickly, Helena almost tumbled over the redhead that walked in front of her. "Watch yourself," she scowled.
Barbara started at the sound of a voice so close behind her. She'd really have to train out that reflex reaction if she was ever going to be a great vigilante. "Oh uh sorry," she muttered, taking a step to the side to let the woman by. Barbara knew from experience that it wasn't worth it to get into an argument with someone so clearly in a bad mood to begin with.
Helena moved around the girl and only stopped a few steps past. "Hey!" She waited until she had the woman's attention. "You're that Gordon girl, aren't you?"
Barbara started again. Was the lady coming or going? She frowned, pushing a tuft of hair out of her face. "Do I know you?"
"No, we've never met," she said, walking closer. "My name's Helena Bertinelli. I'm involved with the criminal justice program around here." There was no hesitation in the lie and she offered a smile. "Sorry, it must be weird having a total stranger know you."
"A little...so here comes the next question. How exactly do you know me?" Barbara asked, her eyebrow raising to a pitch hitherto never seen. She didn't know what to make of Helena. Maybe she was bi-polar...
"I read a lot," she said, pulling her fingers through her long hair. "I don't know you, I know of you. Big differences, Miss Gordon."
Barbara crossed her arms, shifting her weight from one hip to another. She wasn't sure she liked where this was going. "I guess you read local papers then. If it's about that I really don't want to talk."
"That's fair. I don't need to know about it," she said with a smirk. "I just wanted to know how you feel about the police coming up with absoletely no leads."
Oh no. She didn't. Barbara scowled, pure rage running over her features as she breezed past Helena (making sure to get a good shoulder shove in in the process). Some people didn't know how to respect boundaries!
"I hope they catch them," Helena called with a laugh. That was not how she had planned the conversation to go but at least she had gotten a good reaction. She turned on her heels and went to her motorcycle parked close by.
"Fuck off!" Barbara shouted over her shoulder, face red as she stomp off in the other direction. She really needed her bike back, ASAP. It was going to be a long, angry march home.
As Barbara approached the intersection, Helena sped in front of her to stop her. "Get on. I'll take you wherever you're going."
"You..." Barbara stammered, finding herself confused once again. "You're not seriously offering me a ride after that?"
"Why not? Hurry up and get on before you get hit," she said, nodding towards an oncoming bus. "You're no good to me dead."
"Ugh." Reluctantly, Barbara shifted her things and hopped onto the bike. "I have no idea what exactly you expect me to be good for!" She shouted at her driver.
"Probably nothing, but I'm giving you another shot to prove me wrong." She revved the bike and took off down the street with no real direction as to where the girl lived. "We're going for coffee!"
Barbara rolled her eyes, finding the whole situation beyond bizarre. But until it proved dangerous, she figured she could be spontaneous and go along with it. Maybe Helena felt bad for being such a bitch and the coffee run was her way of saying sorry? "Just so you know, this is a really weird way to meet people. I hope you don't do this often."
"This is nothing. I'll tell you how I met my boyfriend later." Or friend that was male that you saw every other month. It was a fair relationship, and she appreciated the freeness of it.
She rounded a corner at full speed and only realized too late that the girl on the back might not have been holding on. She cast a glance back to make sure she was still there and as she spotted the whipping of red, she kicked the bike into a higher gear.
Barbara was holding on just fine. In fact, she liked the sensation of speeding down the street on the bike. Maybe Helena was weird, but she sure as Hell could handle this machine. And it was some machine, all sleek and speedy, but just being on it made her long for her big tough clunker of a bike.
Helena only began to slow as they neared the shop she was aiming for. She pulled the bike into a small alley next to the Havana Bean and kicked the stand down. "Off."
Barbara hopped off, her hands instantly flying up to her head to tame her hair. She was used to riding with her hair pulled back or in a helmet, and the wind had done a number on it. "Thanks. That was...actually pretty fun."
"Yeah, I'm surprised you didn't jump off." She made it sound like it was part of her plan. "Come on." Shoving the keys into her black jeans, she headed inside. The shop was small and there were only a few people present, loitering in the corners with cups long empty.
Barbara strolled in behind Helena. She'd been in Havana Bean before, but she took a moment to check out the changes they'd made there recently. "Oh good, they still have the peppermint espresso drink I liked so much..."
"It's good when you're stressed," she said as they approached the front. The woman on the other side just stared at them. "Grande peppermint espresso and a double shot of espresso." She held out a ten for the girl. "Bring it out to us," she said and headed towards a table near the back.
"Thanks," Barbara murmured sheepishly, unsure of what discussion they were expected to have now that Helena had brought her a coffee. She followed behind the other woman, tucking in to a table once Helena had chosen it. "Look...I guess I should apologize for before. It's just...that's not a button you want to push, okay?"
"Why do you think I was pushing it? I'm not stupid. When something that happens to you, why would want to relive it by telling others." She leaned back in the plush chair and dropped her right leg over the left. "I just want to ask you one question about what happened."
Barbara glanced down at the table, then up at Helena, then down and then up again. She sighed, leaning her elbows on the table and propping her face in her hands. "Fine. One question."
She leaned forward, never taking her blue eyes off the woman. "Were there any names said and if so, you better tell them to me." Her tone was darker and her eyes narrowed, waiting for a lie.
Barbara watched a change pass over Helena's features, and more than anything it made her curious. She had to chuckle at the question though. "You really think if I had names, there'd be no arrests?"
"The police are better at protecting criminals, not innocents. So yes, I do think there would be no arrests."
The barista dropped off their drinks. "Here's your change," she said, setting down a pile of ones and some change before departing.
"Watch it," Barbara muttered, grabbing her drink and taking a swig. "If there were names my Dad and Harvey Dent, and hell, the goddamn Batman, would be doing something. But no. No names."
"There's only so much two people can do. And the Batman? Really? Sounds like you have a crush," she scoffed. So this girl was a big fan of the big, bad, mask. Joy.
"What? Doesn't every girl like tall, dark and handsome?" Barbara stuck her tongue out briefly before returning to her coffee. She was being flippant, but inside she was grinning. If only Helena knew, or even had an ounce of insight into Gotham's vigilante crime fighting scene. If only. "So...what has you so worked up that you're ready and willing to traumatize a kidnapping victim? Let me guess, you have a great idea for a thesis!"
"Traumatize? If you want me to paralyze you with bad memories, I'd be more than willing." She grabbed her espresso shot and downed it with ease. "I'm just looking for a lead. Same as everyone else who's wanted to talk to you."
"Sure, but why?" Barbara replied, staring blankly at Helena. It was clear that the redhead was unimpressed with Helena's fire and bravado. "I mean, you're one person. What could you do about it anyway? Besides maybe write an interesting paper that only your TA will read?"
Helena just smirked. "I have to pass my class somehow. How's your drink?" She steered the conversation away from her, knowing her feigned interest in the criminal justice program could be easily unwound.
"Minty," Barbara replied, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Just what I needed..."
"Wonderful. How far is your house from here?" she asked. This had been a dead end and she was not about to spend the rest of her afternoon entertaining some girl.
"I can walk," Barbara replied, not really wanting to spend a huge amount of time with this near stranger for any longer. "It's only a couple of blocks. Not even worth you making the trip."
"Good. I've got a paper to write," she said, getting up. She left the money on the table and pulled out her keys. "Ciao."
Barbara waited until Helena was out of sight before putting her head down on the table. "Weird lady...: