She wasn't the best student in class, and certainly wasn't the hardest working, or the most attentive. She could be obnoxious, smart mouthed, incredibly sarcastic, and a serious pain in the ass. Which should have left Barbara Gordon wondering why she cared.

Helena Kyle was trouble on two feet; sixteen, smart-mouthed, and probably already smoking, drinking, doing god only knew what other mind-altering substances, not to mention a wide array of boys and girls alike. She was also smart as hell when she deigned to actually pay attention, offering opinions and asking questions that were both thoughtful and unique. In the right mood, she was more than able to argue the finer points of assorted literary philosophies with intelligence and insight to the point that Barbara often found herself in deep discussion with the girl, while the rest of the class was left completely behind. That mind fascinated Barbara and she hated the notion that it might be wasted and slide over into the meaningless sort of existence she could easily see the defiant teen heading for. And things had been getting worse lately, the sarcasm darker, and the edge of anger more finely honed. Barbara was worried. She'd seen it during her own high school years; tough kids getting close to the end of high school, and starting to implode with the fear of what would happen once it was over and they were out there on their own without someone else planning their lives out.

The kid was scared to death and Barbara was scared for her.

Besides, somewhere under the hard-shelled exterior, she was basically a decent kid. Barbara hadn't been sure until she'd accidentally seen her defending Joey Pallas, a quiet, bookish kid who usually got teased unmercifully by the jocks because he was smart, acne-ridden, and the hormones hadn't yet kicked in to give him height, shoulders, or a voice in the lower octaves. Helena had put herself between Joey and Tom Martin, a football linebacker half again her height and better than twice her weight, then gotten pugnaciously in his face and insulted him up one side and down the other until Barbara had been ready to step in, afraid the bigger boy might just lash out physically. She couldn't exactly go all Batgirl on him, but she knew a few more subtle tricks that would have stopped the boy cold. She hadn't needed to step in though. Helena had backed the boy down through sheer force of will, glaring at him until he sneered something about not wasting his time, and slunk off with his friends.

Which had only sealed in the fact Barbara liked the kid in spite of her more annoying traits. The badass thing was mostly an act, but she was afraid that if someone didn't lend a hand, it would eventually become real. Unfortunately, the rest of the teachers didn't think much of Helena, and one or two even seemed to enjoy going out of their ways to make things difficult. None of them were likely to reach out, and god knew, someone needed to.

She supposed the older teachers would have rolled their eyes and attributed her desire to do something to the eagerness of a first year teacher. They did that a lot when she got into one of her moods to try and make things better to the point there were days she seriously considered accepting Bruce's offer to go into the R&D section in his computer company. Except she really, truly loved the kids. The administration and the other teachers made her nuts, but the kids made it all worthwhile.

"Hey, Helena," she called out a moment after the bell rang. "Could you stay for a minute?"

The girl looked up from her backpack, a frown touching gamine features as students streamed out of the room. Since this was last period, she was clearly in a hurry to be anywhere but in school. Besides, it was never good news when she got called to stay after class. She offered a sullen look and shrugged. "Yeah, what?" she demanded shortly, her expression borderline hostile.

Barbara levered herself up so she was sitting on the front of her desk, hands braced on the steel surface next to her hips, legs crossed loosely at the ankles. "Relax," she said and offered a comfortable smile. "I just wanted to talk to you for a moment."

"Yeah?" the girl said cautiously. "What about?"

The last of the other students streamed out, leaving them alone, and the door slid shut, pushed closed by the spring system.

"It's getting toward the end of junior year ... next year things are likely to get pretty crazy. I was wondering if you've got any plans."

"Plans?" the teenager repeated as though Barbara was speaking Greek.

"Yeah ... If you want to go college, it works best if you do some extra studying and hit the SATs early, so you can try for early admissions--"

"College?" Helena said doubtfully when she realized what her teacher was talking about. "Me?" She smirked and shook her head in disbelief. Most of her teachers were already measuring her for prison blues; all too apropos, all things considered.

"College ... you," Barbara confirmed and offered another encouraging smile. "You're more than smart enough, and in spite of your best efforts, your grades are actually pretty good ... and I think you might be surprised to find you actually enjoy it--"

"No thanks," Helena cut in and slung her backpack over one shoulder, her expression closing down even farther. "I'm not really the school type."

Barbara tipped her head to one side as she considered the teenager, well used to dealing with resentful teenagers. Biologically, she knew it was mostly just hormones. Practically speaking, her father had a point when he joked that teenagers should just be left up the trees to swing by their tails."Y'know college isn't like high school--"

"Yeah ... well, it doesn't really matter," the girl cut her off, the corner of her mouth lifting in a hint of a sneer. "I'm sort of destined for the family business."

She didn't sound especially thrilled by the idea, Barbara noted. "Doesn't mean you can't get an education--" she began but Helena cut her off again.

"Look, I don't really have time for this," the girl said impatiently. She pulled up short when she crossed in front of her teacher's desk on her way to leaving and a warm hand shot out, catching her by the forearm.

"If it's about money, I can help you get a scholarship," Barbara offered. "There are a lot of them out there." If nothing else, she knew she could talk Bruce into coming up with the cash. Hell, he'd never even notice the money, and his accountants would treat it like a tax writeoff.

"It's not the money," the girl said instantly and shook her head, her expression unreadable, though Barbara had the oddest sense that something bothering her deeply ... something she almost seemed to want to share. "It's just not an option," she muttered and started to draw back. She was pulled up short again when Barbara tightened her hold fractionally and slid off the desk to her feet.

There was something going on behind those eyes, Barbara realized in a flash, something more than typical teenage worries. For just a moment, she'd caught a glimpse of the weight of the world resting shoulders that were slender to the point of delicacy. "Y'know, sometimes things can seem pretty overwhelming in this life," she murmured, certain something was very wrong, and wanting to help, "but I've found that if you ask for a little help, they can usually be dealt with."

Overbright blue eyes swung back around, gleaming oddly, and reminding Barbara of someone, though she wasn't sure who. "You wanna help me?" Helena growled as though she'd been insulted somehow while a cold wall came up between them. Her lips twisted in a dismissive sneer.

"If I can," the teacher said, ignoring the anger in favor of offering a gently encouraging smile that she hoped would break through the dark hostility.

Again, Barbara thought she caught a glimpse of temptation to open up, but it disappeared behind an angry, resentful barrier. "Well, you can't," the teen snapped and started to pull away again only to be stopped by the hand on her arm.

"Why don't you try me," Barbara murmured, her voice gentle, though her grip had gotten steadily firmer. Something was definitely going on here, and she'd gone from wanting to help the kid get into college to being afraid that there was a serious problem Oh hell, who was she kidding? She'd been afraid of that from the first. The college thing was just a way of finding a reason to talk.

Helena whipped back around, her eyes narrowing faintly, lips compressing into a thin line. Her gaze dropped to the hand on her arm and for the briefest second, Barbara had the odd sensation that her eyes glittered with feral lights. "I'd love to," the teen drawled in a complete change of tactics as she stepped back toward her teacher. Her body language turning aggressive, she invaded Barbara's space, lips twisting into a darkly sensual smile. "You think you're up to it? I can be pretty demanding."

Startled, the redhead stepped back a pace only to come up against her desk as the teenager drew so close they were toe to toe. The last thing she'd expected, or been prepared to deal with, was the raw, sexually charged look that dragged over her from head to toe. It suddenly struck her that there weren't that many years between them, and Helena was far from a child---might even be more experienced than her teacher, given that Barbara had dedicated a lot more hours to studying and patrolling than partying and bar-hopping during her high school and college years. "Helena," she snapped, her tone intended to scare the girl back and introduce a little sanity into the situation. Except that plan backfired as blue eyes flashed angrily and Helena pressed forward even harder as she lifted a hand to Barbara's cheek. The teacher twitched her head back, instantly breaking the tenuous contact, her expression hardening. "Helena, stop it!" She lifted a hand to the teenager's chest, pushing solidly, only to find it was like shoving a brick wall.

"No," the teenager growled, leaned even closer, lips twisted in a sneer. She reached around Barbara, bracing one hand on the edge of the desk and pinning the woman in place as she leaned close, their bodies not quite touching, but so near Barbara could feel the heat of the girl's presence from head to toe. "You must know what all the guys in class want." That raking gaze slid over Barbara again, her smile wolfish. "Is it any wonder a few of us girls wouldn't mind a taste too?"

"Helena," the redhead hissed in warning. "Don't do this." So far, nothing had happened that couldn't be written off as an angry teenager getting a little out of control, but that could quickly change. She didn't want to have to make this official, but if it went too far, she wouldn't have a choice. And the damage if that happened, could be permanent.

"C'mon, Ms. Gordon ... you wanted to help ... why don't you start by telling me if you like a little grrl-power--"

"That's none of your business--" the teacher bit out, but Helena cut her off.

"You wanted to stick your nose in my business ... why don't we start with yours instead," the teenager snarled, leaning even harder, body scraping up against the woman's despite Barbara's best efforts.

Barbara braced herself more firmly, muscles well used to combat pulling taut as she pushed to absolutely no effect. "Stop it," she hissed only to find her wrist grabbed, twisted, and forced down with bruising strength.

"Or maybe you like a little rough play," the girl taunted, her grip too strong for Barbara to wrench her wrist free.

Barbara froze, sheer fury in her eyes as she recognized the threat. So far, she'd held back, but that wasn't going to last much longer. Okay, so the kid was strong, but she knew plenty of ways to neutralize raw strength without doing too much damage. "Back ... off ... now," she snarled, her voice as hard as she could make it. "Before somebody gets hurt."

They were standing on a very high precipice, teetering on the edge, with rocks tumbling at an ever increasing rate. Very soon, the earth beneath their very feet would be gone if something didn't happen.

Move forward and leap into the abyss, destroying both of them, or pull back? Helena searched green eyes, and abruptly retreated a little. "You first," she hissed, the sexually threatening air dissipating, though the anger remained as she regained a measure of control. She opened her fingers, releasing Barbara's wrist and the redhead yanked it back, massaging the bruised joint slowly as they continued to glare at one another.

"I was just trying to help," Barbara whispered, sensing she'd unintentionally made things worse in triggering the girl's anger so violently. That hadn't been her aim at all.

"Yeah, well, don't," Helena muttered as she stepped back a pace, her posture suddenly deflating as though someone had let the air out. Where moments before, she'd seemed hard and threatening, suddenly she appeared very young and frightened. "There's nothing you can do anyway."

She turned to flee, and Barbara didn't know what demon drove her to catch the girl's arm. This time it took almost no pressure to hold her in place, and she remained where she was even when Barbara let go, slender shoulders trembling gently. The teacher tore a page off her desk calender and quickly jotted something down and pressing it into the girl's stiff hand.

"That's my home number," Barbara said softly without trying to force the teen to turn back. "Use it if you need it."

Helena looked back, her expression confused. "I just ... how can you ... I don't understand."

Barbara , but stayed well back, careful not to allow any room for misinterpretation. "Something's wrong, Helena ... I don't know what, but it's obvious you're scared. Just trust me and I'll do anything I can to help."

The girl peered down at the number for a moment, then shoved it into her front pocket. She drew breath, seemed about to say one thing only to run out of words. Finally, she just muttered, "I'm sorry ... I was just...." She trailed off and shook her head. "I wouldn't have ... done anything...."

"I know," Barbara lied, nowhere near as certain as she would have preferred to be. There'd been something dark and hellish in the teenager's eyes for a moment. "We all act like jerks now and then. I'm not going to say it's okay ... but I don't think it's who you are."

Helena looked down, eyes firmly on the floor, looking like she was near tears. "I'm sorry," she said again.

"Call me if you need help," Barbara reiterated, uncertain whether or not to press for more information.

The girl nodded, then finally turned on her heel and slipped out, leaving Barbara staring after her for a long time. She shook her head, trying to figure out what was so familiar about her. She was still leaning against her desk staring idly into space when her cell phone rang. She noted the number on the caller ID and sighed softly. Looked like more trouble was on its way.

* * * * * *

Helena found her mother on the balcony attached to her second floor sitting room, staring out at the sunset as it silhouetted downtown New Gotham, her expression worried, her left forearm still laced into a tight canvas brace that stretched from her knuckles to just below her elbow---a leftover from a recent fight that had gone against her. She glanced back, offering a smile that never quite reached her eyes as her daughter joined her. "How'd school go?"

Helena shrugged, not meeting her mother's eyes and stepped forward to stare out at the city. "Same as always," she muttered with a dismissive shrug.

Blue eyes sharpened, picking up on the mixed signals from her daughter. Selina Kyle's lips pursed. Certain Helena was hiding something from her, she gently pressed, "You sure?"

Helena flashed a quick glance at her mother, taking in her pale beauty and seeming delicacy. Normally light-hearted, and almost childlike, her eyes had taken on a shadowed quality that frightened her daughter. She'd had that look a lot lately, the Joker's efforts to take over the city worrying her more than one might have predicted given her chosen calling as a thief. A blonde brow rose faintly, the look in her eyes turning knowing, leaving Helena to wonder if maybe Ms. Gordon had called and filled her in on the confrontation after class. She didn't think the teacher would do that, but then again, if she did, it was the sort of thing that would infuriate her mom. Selina Kyle might be a thief, but she had her limits, and one of her firm rules was that she never turned on someone who was truly trying to help. A teacher trying to get her daughter into college would be so off limits it wasn't even funny. Added to that, one of the few things guaranteed to set her off was the notion that Helena had used her powers against an innocent bystander without the ability to protect themselves. She could lie, cheat, or steal to her heart's content, and Selina would only grin and critique her technique, but turn her physical strength on someone who didn't deserve it, and she would get the disappointed look and long lecture that most parents would have been giving her on a daily---perhaps even hourly---basis.

For her part, Selina Kyle was content to simply wait, skilled enough at reading her daughter's moods to know something was going on behind intelligent, blue eyes.

It was the knowing stare that did Helena in. She'd never been able to hold up under that look for long. She could lock out or scare off the rest of the world, but her mother had never been overly impressed by her efforts. "It was nothing," she said at last, "just a stupid fight with a teacher."

The dark blonde brow climbed a little higher as Selina continued to wait, certain there was more to the story, her only question a single word, "Who?"

"Ms. Gordon."

A frown touched her mother's brow. "I thought you liked her." Helena actually had the odd kind word to say about the young teacher, and that was rare. Generally her opinion of her teachers was somewhere below rock bottom and several miles below that. Mind you, having briefly seen the striking young redhead when she was there to speak with the principal about another of Helena's run-ins with her trig teacher, she had to wonder how just much was intellectual fascination and how much originated a bit farther south. Well aware that her daughter fancied girls as much as---and possibly more than---boys, she'd accepted that tendency with the same equanimity she took toward the rest of her personality traits. It was just a part of who Helena was, and certainly nowhere near as worrisome as some of her other tics.

"I do ... most of the time," Helena muttered, a flush sliding over her cheeks as she remembered just how thoroughly she'd lost control of herself. God, she'd wanted to push the other woman down and take until she couldn't take any more. She'd fooled around enough with Janey Colson to have a pretty good idea what she was doing, and she'd been ready to learn anything she didn't know by doing. Only now Ms. Gordon probably hated her guts and thought she was some kind of pervert---maybe she even was. "She just ... she got all pushy ... and started asking questions."

"Like what?" Selina pressed gently, unwilling to be put off with such a vague answer.

"Nothing," Helena said too quickly, then continued in an effort to put her mother off. "It was none of her business anyway."

"Given that you're my daughter, I'd say it's my business," Selina said, her voice just hard enough to let Helena know she was serious this time. "So, I suggest you tell me what happened ... now."

"It wasn't that big a deal," Helena tried again to put her mother off, only Selina was smart enough to know that her daughter's resistance to telling the truth meant it was probably pretty bad.

"Try again," the blonde said very softly, her tone all the more serious for its lack of volume.

Helena swallowed hard, not so much afraid of her mother's wrath as too ashamed to admit the truth. It was so damned hard to disappoint her mother that she hated doing so that much more.

A tight band of worry formed around Selina's chest as she saw her daughter's response. Sexually attracted to the woman, angry, and already badly stressed, she was terrified the girl had done something truly stupid. "Helena, no matter what happened, I love you ... but I need to know."

"She was asking me about next year ... taking the SATs for college and stuff...."

Selina frowned, confused by the anger and resentment in her daughter's voice. "And?" she prompted when the teenager didn't continue.

"And it's none of her business what I do."

"She was asking if you've got plans for college, and that pissed you off?" Selina clarified, faintly bewildered by her daughter's anger. "The last time I checked, I think that's her job."

"Yeah, well, it's not like it's much of an option," the girl bit out and looked away, staring out at the city with furious intensity.

"Of course it's an option," Selina disagreed. "You're smart enough and--"

Helena shook her head wildly. "You need me guarding your back--"

"I can take care of myself quite nicely," her mother disagreed, her voice hardening. She saw Helena draw breath to argue, and continued firmly. "That's not your job."

"With everything that's going on right now ... the Joker--"

"I repeat, I can look after myself." Selina had never lied to her daughter about how she made her living, but she had also been careful to always keep the girl clear of her chosen profession. Helena was getting old enough to realize what that career choice meant and worry, but Selina had no intention of allowing her into the game. She also had no intention of being put off. "Now, what happened?"

The girl looked away, her expression raw with shame. "I just ... I lost my temper a little...."

The band around Selina's chest tightened a notch. Helena wasn't like other kids when she lost her temper, that wild animal part of her wouldn't allow her to be. "Did you hurt her?" she asked on a note of dread. Unfortunately, Helena had inherited the worst aspects of both her mother's and her father's tempers.

A flinch rattled the teen's delicate frame, but she shook her head. "No ... just crowded her a little ... maybe bruised her wrist..." she added when her mother didn't instantly respond. "...made a couple of comments...."

"I want to know exactly what was said," Selina said after a beat. "All of it ... and I mean all of it."

Helena looked up, gnawing on her lower lip. Her mother almost never lost her temper, especially not over the stuff that most of her friends got in trouble for. She could sneak into the movies, steal, lie about her homework, party, stay out late, and pretty much do anything that didn't hurt herself or anybody else with no fear of getting in trouble, but she'd pushed it several notches too far this time.

"Now," Selina insisted.

Selina Kyle seldom lowered the boom on her daughter, but Helena knew better than to defy her mother when she got that tone She swallowed hard, eyes downcast, then quietly related the entire sorry mess, not daring to look up the whole time. When she was done, her mother held out one hand.

"The number," Selina requested quietly, and Helena handed the scrap of paper over. Her mother glanced at it for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "You're lucky she didn't call the cops," she said very softly.

Helena nodded, still not looking up.

"Very lucky," Selina added, her voice dropping low, "since I doubt there's a teacher in the place who wouldn't have cheered her if she had." She was under no illusions about her daughter's popularity with her teachers. She was too much like mother and father both to be very popular with any teacher who didn't love a little insanity in their lives---which left most of them out of the equation. "Instead the woman gives you her home number and tells you to call if you need help." She sighed softly. "And this is after you acted like a jackass when she honestly tried to hold out a hand to help you." Selina shook her head, disgusted with the whole mess. "I don't know whether to give this back to you or not," she admitted.

Helena felt the anger surge in response to the threat. The number was hers. Her mother had no right to keep it. "She gave it to me," she snarled, aware of her mother's startled expression when she looked up, her eyes glossing gold, pupils shifting into a vertical slash. "Now give it back."

Selina Kyle was probably one of the few people alive not to flinch in the face of that angry, threatening glare. She simply stared at her daughter. "I need to know you're not going to misuse this in any way ... that she's safe." She didn't want to think Helena could do something like that, but the hormones were boiling, and she was stressed, angry, and on the edge. She had no intention of allowing a young woman who'd done nothing except try and help her daughter wind up on the receiving end of that dangerous mix of emotions. Not for her sake, and not for Helena's.

"I wouldn't hurt her," Helena snapped instantly, glitter-gold eyes blazing, something resentful, almost possessive, in her expression.

Selena debated for a long moment. "You already did," she pointed out quietly when she finally spoke.

Helena glanced away, guilt burning in her eyes, teeth grinding. "It won't happen again," she growled and didn't retract her extended hand. "But it's mine."

Doubting her decision even as she did so, Selina handed it back after a long moment. "Don't make me regret this," she said quietly as Helena flushed deeply and shoved it back into her front pocket.

The girl looked away for a moment, and Selina was relieved to see her eyes shaded in their normal blue when she looked back. "I won't," she promised, the regret obvious in her expression. "I didn't mean to ... scare her ... or hurt her, I just--"

"You wanted her," Selina said softly, facing reality head on. Anger and hormones had gotten out of control, and Helena need to face that fact.

"I just--" Helena started to deny the charge.

"Don't," her mother snapped, unwilling to accept any lies. She drew a breath and ran a hand over her hair. "You were angry and you used it as an excuse to try and take something you had no right to."

Gripping the balcony rail with white knuckled strength, Helena glared out at the surrounding city. "Aren't we supposed to be thieves?" she muttered defensively.

Selina stiffened in response to that suggestion and shook her head. "Not that kind," she denied, her voice serious and angry. "You can steal things all you want, Helena ... I'm in no position to tell you not to ... but you can't steal people--"

"I wouldn't--"

"But you could," Selina's voice was hard and angry enough to make the teenager draw into herself. "You could hurt a woman you genuinely like ... one who's tried to help you." She curved a hand to her daughter's cheek, drawing her head back around when she would have looked away. She softened her tone, wanting Helena to understand and think past the teen angst driving her so hard. "I don't want you to have to live with the guilt that comes when you make a mistake like that ... and, as your mother, I sure as hell don't want someone who cares about you hurt." She knew her daughter well enough to be comfortably certain that would destroy her. Much like her mother, she had a dark side, one she hadn't yet learned to control reliably, but underneath the edge of teenage angst, was a gentleness and decency that often left her at war with herself. "Listen to me," she said gently, speaking to Helena the way she had when the girl was a child and first had to learn some hard lessons about how much stronger she was than her classmates, "You've got hormones rushing and a bad crush...."

Helena tried to look away, but her mother wouldn't allow her to, the matter at hand too important for her to let it drop in deference to her daughter's embarrassment.

"...but what you want, you can't have this time. She's an adult ... and you're still a kid. If she's a decent human being she'll steer clear ... but if she were to pursue you in any way, I would personally beat her within an inch of her life, then make sure she went to prison for a very long time." She wanted to make certain Helena understood the stakes. She wasn't kidding this time. She didn't particularly think this Ms. Gordon had any intentions along those lines, but her daughter was smart and beautiful by any measure of such things, and when she put her mind to it, she could be very charming ... also much like her mother. She didn't know many people who could remain completely distant if that intense sexuality was turned their way ... no matter how good their intentions.

"She's not that much older," the girl denied hotly, unwilling to give up her fantasies so easily.

"Old enough," Selina said firmly. "You're too young ... and nowhere near ready. Understood?"

A muscle flexed along the line of the teenager's jaw, but she had no logical argument for her mother's claim. It was hard to argue when she knew her mom was absolutely right. Besides, it wasn't like Ms. Gordon had leapt into her arms and begged for more ... and she wasn't interested in hurting her, despite what had happened when she briefly lost control. Slender shoulders sagged in defeat. "Understood."

Several minutes of total silence followed as mother and daughter both sank into their own thoughts.

Finally, Helena looked back over at her mother, attempting to bring things back to some level of normalcy as she quietly asked, "How's your arm?"

Selina shrugged, glancing down at the tightly bound injury. She flexed the fingers, wincing at the runners of pain that slid up her forearm. "It's doing better. Be just fine in a few more days."

"Meanwhile Falcone is waiting for delivery," Helena muttered worriedly. "What if he thinks you're not going to and decides to sell you out to the Joker?"

"You let me worry about that," Selina said softly, though her eyes were worried. The Joker was solidifying his hold on the meta population, criminal and otherwise of New Gotham, and in defying him, she'd made herself a target. The fact that her affair with Batman was a not too carefully hidden secret had very likely also made its way to the madman's ears. She glanced at her daughter. She'd managed to shield her so far, but she was terrified things were progressing to a point where that might not be possible. Hell, maybe it was time to cut and run. Except some part of her just couldn't leave town when Bruce was looking at a war in his own backyard. They weren't together---would never be together---but they weren't completely apart either. If nothing else, Helena's existence guaranteed that he'd always have a part of her heart. She suddenly found herself oddly grateful that the young teacher had given Helena her number---which was a silly idea on second thought. The Joker could probably go through the kid like a hot knife through butter. On the other hand, some young teacher just out of grad school wasn't likely to be on his radar, so maybe it wasn't such a bad backup plan if things got too rough. She sighed soft and ran a hand over her hair, wishing the world was rid of power mad lunatics. Not that she was little miss goody two shoes, or anything, but sheez, there was a bit of a difference between stealing the odd something or other, and total world domination. Good Lord, some people really needed to get laid. And not just yes-master-whatever-you-say-master, totally in control, lackey sex either. They needed get down, get dirty, do it till it hurts and you can't move anymore sex. Hell, she could use some of that.

"I could do it," Helena spoke up, breaking into her mother's silent ruminations, her voice rough and a little scared.

"The hell you say," Selina snapped almost instantly. She turned a hard look on her daughter, silently warning her off. "I don't want you involved in this--"

"I'm already involved. If anything happens to you--"

"Nothing's going to happen to me--"

"It already has," the girl disagreed, nodding to indicate her mother's injured arm. "The Joker's thugs could have killed you--"

"But they didn't." Selina slung her uninjured arm around her daughter's shoulders and pulled her into a hard hug. "Everything's going to be all right ... but I need you to worry about school ... and boys or girls, or whatever the hell you want to worry about ... and leave the rest to me." She offered a lopsided grin. "Okay?"

Helena leaned heavily against her mother and slid an arm around her waist, clinging tightly for a moment. "I love you," she whispered without answering the question. She suddenly wished she could be a small child again, unaware of the dangers in the world, and confident that her mother could make everything better as if by magic.

Selina ruffled her daughter's hair tenderly. "It's gonna be all right."

Hours later, after Helena was asleep, she dialed the phone number she'd been given from memory, uncertain exactly what she wanted to say, but wanting to touch base with the young woman who seemed to be interested in helping her daughter.

Three rings and the line opened, but the message was definitely recorded. "Barbara Gordon here, I'm off saving the world right now," Selina rolled her eyes, though a hint of a smile touched her mouth, "or maybe just shopping if Sachs is still open. Wild sex is also an option unless that's you, Dad, and then I'm grocery shopping ... alone ... without makeup ... in baggy clothes." That got a grin from the listening woman. "In any event, I'm not answering the phone, but if you'd like to leave a message, just listen for the sound of the beep and ... well ... you oughta know the drill by now."

The woman who spent her spare hours as Catwoman waited for the beep, then worked to sound as normal as possible---not exactly her specialty. "This is Selina Kyle ... Helena's mother. I gather there was a bit of a ... confrontation between the two of you today. I just wanted to let you know that I'm aware of the situation and made sure she knows what she did is wrong. I would like to speak to you though. Please give me a call when you get in. I'll be up all night, so don't worry if it's late." Then she gave her phone number and hung up.

* * * * * *

Hanging in the shadows on the rooftop of a warehouse well above the docks, a slender figure stood poised and perfectly unmoving, silently watching the comings and goings of hard eyed men below. Too many for her to take alone, besides they were all low level thugs, not much worth the effort.

"Batgirl," a familiar voice echoed through the tiny speaker tucked into her ear, "any luck?"

"They're definitely moving," she responded very softly as she tracked the boxes being warehoused, the side of each one stamped with the bright, clown faced logo of a toy company they'd tracked back to the Joker. "We've got a lot of goods coming in, but I haven't seen any sign of his highness."

"See if you can get a look inside those boxes," Batman said softly, "but be careful." They were all spaced around the city, herself, Batman, and Nightwing; hunting for some key to tracking the Joker back to his lair. They knew from the talk on the street that he was planning something big, but so far, hadn't had any luck tracking down the man himself.

"Will do," she murmured, pulling back and merging with the shadows once again as she hurried toward the rear of the building. She quickly climbed down the back wall, slipping in through an open window she'd found earlier, then standing poised on a beam high above the floor until the warehouse emptied out again. The moment they were gone, she dropped lightly to the floor and ducked behind a large pile of boxes, quickly getting out of sight before they returned with the next load of goods. Using a utility knife from her belt, she carefully opened one of the large shipping boxes, frowning when she found nothing but....

Toys.

She frowned, picking one up and looking it over. Simple, hollow ... a tiny trap door in the bottom. A sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach, she tossed it back in the box, and slashed another box open. This time it was filled with wind up robots of some kind, from two inches to a foot with small claw hands that looked like they could be clamped down.

Given the Joker's deadly sense of humor, she was comfortably certain none of it was nearly as harmless as it was meant to appear, or at least it wouldn't be when Joker was done with it.

"Toys," she answered as she silently moved to check a third box. "They're all full of toys of different kinds. Can't see anything dangerous about them, but...." She trailed off suggestively and Dick Grayson's voice cut in.

"Quiet, Nightwing," Bruce silenced his former partner.

A sudden giggle drove Barbara to dive back down behind the boxes where she crouched in the shadows, silently listening to the footsteps that drew close.

"Mister J is just gonna love this," a female voice proclaimed happily. "All those lovely toys ... causing all that lovely havoc." Another giggle. "Explosions and fire ... and all that beautiful blood."

"What about Batman?"

The footsteps moved on past and Barbara risked a look over the edge of the boxes, frowning as she spotted a slight figure in a harlequin costume. As she looked the harlequin reached out, slamming her flunky into the nearest box and punching him hard in the throat. He went down gagging while his attacker giggled happily.

"The man-bat ... and his little gaggle of batlets are no problem for Mister J ... and if you want to live any longer, you'd be wise not to imply otherwise," she threatened through insane laughter.

The flunky gagged, coughing heavily as he regained his breath, staring up at the strange woman with terror in his eyes.

Definitely not just another flunky, Barbara thought as she reached for one of the devices on her utility belt, a firing unit for a small bug. With any luck, they'd be able to listen in and learn something. She straightened, lifting a hand over the edge of the nearest box to take aim and depressing the end of the small firing tube. The tiny sound the device made was hidden under the noise of crates being moved in. She stayed where she was just long enough to see the bug adhere to one of the points of the harlequin's hat, then ducked back down, heart hammering in her chest as she waited to see if the tiny impact had been noticed. If it had, she might well be in for one hell of a fight. Under the cover of her cape, a hand slipped to her belt to draw a batarang, readying it for use if need be, but the harlequin abruptly skipped on, mumbling happily to herself, while the various thugs hurried after her.

"There was a woman through here," Barbara informed Bruce, "wearing a harlequin costume. I'm guessing she's not low level. I got a bug on her."

"Good work," her mentor came back almost immediately.

"You want me to trash this stuff?" she asked, looking around. A couple of incendiaries from her belt could probably start a fire hot enough to take most of the goods out.

"Will do." She carefully peered over the edge of the nearest box to be certain it was safe to move then quickly slipped out the back, hanging in the shadows as she hurried through the bad neighborhood on her way to the abandoned building where she'd stowed the Batcycle. Sleek, heavy, and high powered, the custom built motorcycle purred to life as she slid aboard and thumbed the id plate. Moments later, she was on the road and moving.

Less than an hour later, Barbara was in her own apartment, any signs of her double life safely scrubbed away, looking like any other young professional coming in after a night on the town.

She sighed softly, definitely feeling the stress and exhaustion of the day, and ruffled her hair. She almost wished Bruce had gone ahead and ordered her to trash the warehouse. Working off a few frustrations by blowing something up was a tempting idea at that point. Too much stress from classes, not to mention the Joker's current efforts at taking over New Gotham and killing them all was definitely starting to get to her. And Dick was probably studying all weekend, so a good, hard sparring session during off hours seemed an unlikely proposition. A slow stretch shook out some of the tension, but she was still keyed up and bouncing on her heels when she noted the blinking light on her answering machine. A couple of hangups, a message from her father touching base, another one from one of the teachers at school asking about an in-service day, and then....

Frowning, Barbara replayed the message again, absent-mindedly jotting the number down on a piece of scratch paper. Speaking of the day's stresses. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she considered the scene after classes. Talk about having something blow up in your face. She flashed a worried gaze at the machine and hit play again, listening to the voice on the other end for any signs of extreme stress, more than a little worried about her student despite---or maybe because of---everything that had happened. A shiver slid down her spine as she remembered the look in Helena's eyes, out of control, hellish and hungry. Something was going on there, and she was scared it was a lot more than just teen angst on the loose; even more scared it had something to do with the girl's mother. Somehow, she couldn't imagine the teenager volunteering the details of their confrontation. Then again, Selina Kyle hadn't said exactly what she knew, so it was entirely possible she'd gotten a very watered down version. She glanced at her watch, noting the time. Well past midnight, not the usual time for calling total strangers but the woman had specifically said she'd be up all night. She considered her options, then started dialing. If something really was wrong, the sooner she knew about it, the sooner something could be done. If rang once ... half of once really, as though someone had been waiting next to it and pounced the moment it started to make a sound.

"Hello," low and breathy, the woman's voice reminded Barbara faintly of Kathleen Turner; the vocal equivalent of bedroom eyes. Definitely the same voice from her answering machine, but without the tinny, slightly warbly, please-change-the-tape-soon quality. It suddenly occurred to her that she regularly rode a motorcycle worth more than the house she'd grown up in, wore a utility belt which had probably cost as much as her undergraduate and graduate degrees put together, and she had a ten dollar answering machine from Target. God, her life was weird some days.

"Hi, this is Barbara Gordon. I'm returning a call from Selina Kyle."

Barbara found herself wondering about the woman that went with the voice. Was she dark and graceful like her daughter? She wasn't sure why, but instinct told her, no. For reasons she couldn't fathom, a mental image of a Veronica Lake style ice blonde popped into her head. Every bit as sexually charged as her daughter, but more subtle ... and very likely more deadly. And where had that thought come from, she wondered. "No problem. You said you wanted to talk," she said a little cautiously. Despite the way Helena had lost control, she was hesitant to try and get her in too much trouble. Instinct told that was just likely to make things worse.

"My daughter was obviously upset when she got home," Selina murmured. "We talked and ... well ... what happened came out. I just wanted to touch base with you. Make sure you understand that she knows what she did was wrong, and it won't happen again."

"Ah," Barbara said cautiously. "She ... uh ... told you?" She was on the cordless and pacing restlessly, nervous tension winding her up even tighter.

* * * * * *

A faint, wry smile tipped Selina Kyle's lips upward as she heard the younger woman's reticence. Still young enough to hesitate in ratting out a student to a parent ... or maybe just worried about the quality of the parenting. Given some of her lax attitudes by societal standards, she supposed the young woman could be forgiven if she had some doubts. "Yes, Ms. Gordon ... she did. Helena and I are very close." She paused thoughtfully as she considered her child and the bond that had always tied them together. "We understand one another." They weren't identical by any means, but neither was either of them like anyone else in the world.

Again the teacher uttered a noncommital, "Ah."

Smart girl. She knew how to play things close to the vest. Selina suddenly found herself very curious about the latest object of her daughter's affections. Helena's normal tastes ran to very wild, very cocky, very well built, and very likely to wind up working the counter at a Burger King some day. She had no illusions about her daughter's taste in friends, and had long concluded that she'd get eventually bored with the soft-brained hardbodies, and graduate to something a bit more mature. Fine time she'd picked to go that route, she thought with wry affection. "Ms. Gordon," she said after a beat, "I think perhaps this discussion is one that would go more smoothly in person." She wanted a chance to take the measure of the young teacher, and instinct told her the desire was mutual. "I don't suppose you'd have time to meet for a cup of coffee tomorrow?"

There was a brief pause, then an oddly regretful, "I'm afraid I don't, actually."

It was Selina's turn to utter a noncommital, "Ah."

"I do, however, have time right now ... and there are a couple of all night coffee shops I know of."

Something about her tone gave Selina the distinct impression it surprised the woman who'd made the offer as much as it did the woman who heard it. She glanced toward Helena's bedroom, noting the door was closed. Her daughter was used to the fact that she came and went at odd hours. The house was secure---considering what she'd spent on the alarm system, it ought to be---and she'd be safe enough. Actually, she'd be safe enough even if the house wasn't secure. Selina Kyle had made certain her daughter could protect herself. She wasn't a great fighter ... at least not yet, but there weren't many people she couldn't deal with quite effectively. Raw speed, strength, and animal senses had their advantages. "What's the address?" she drawled after a moment's consideration.

* * * * * *

A menu in hand, leaning lazily against the back of the booth, Selina's eyes narrowed faintly, her gaze feline and assessing as she watched as Barbara Gordon enter the small café. Not the proper teacher out to impress the parents tonight, she was dressed in faded jeans, a dark sweatshirt, and a well worn, leather bomber jacket. She was also carrying a sleek, black motorcycle helmet in one hand and the red hair that fell somewhere past her shoulders was caught back in a loose ponytail. The assessing gaze sharpened faintly, taking in a dozen more details as she found herself wondering if the violent red hair came from god or a bottle, then concluded it was either god above, or young Ms. Gordon was wise enough to color her brows as well, because the eyebrow that twitched upward when they made eye contact had a distinctly rusty cast to it. Not at all what Selina had expected---which was rather surprising---and Selina Kyle was seldom surprised. She leaned forward, bracing an elbow on the tabletop as she offered a languid wave with one hand, a hint of a smile touching her lips when Barbara Gordon appeared unsurprised to realize the blonde in the corner was the party she was meeting.

"Ms. Kyle," the younger woman murmured as she slid into the booth.

"Please, it's Selina," came the drawling invitation.

Barbara eyed the stunning blonde leaning comfortably against the cushions, watching her through eyes that were old beyond their years. "Call me Barbara then," she heard herself invite. She'd definitely been on the right track with that mental image of Veronica Lake. Except the 30's sex symbol had nothing on the woman in front of her. She suddenly knew where Helena got that high impact sexuality.

"Barbara," Selina murmured and leaned forward. She waved to a waitress and ordered coffee, and was caught by surprise when her companion ordered a full meal.

"I hope you don't mind," Barbara apologized as it occurred to her that she was probably being rude, "but I didn't have time to eat earlier." And patrolling the city always burned off so many calories that she wound up famished, and tended to start dropping weight if she wasn't careful. "And I hate grocery shopping."

"No problem. Wouldn't want a growing girl to miss her dinner," Selina murmured, her eyes twinkling in a way that made Barbara feel very young. Blue eyes fell on the black helmet just barely visible over the edge of the booth. "I wouldn't have guessed you for a motorcycle rider from my daughter's description," she murmured.

Barbara felt the heat as a flush slid over her cheeks, uncertain whether the comment was a criticism or not. There were plenty of parents who wouldn't approve. They'd consider it much too reckless and likely to encourage their kids along the same path, though, on second thought, she didn't think Selina Kyle looked like someone likely to have a problem with that aspect. She wasn't sure why, but Barbara had a feeling being too reckless wasn't something the blonde would ever find fault with. "I don't usually ride it to work," she admitted, grateful when the waitress returned with her coffee, buying her a moment's time to think. "But it makes it a lot easier to get around in the city."

"Ah," Selina murmured thoughtfully, leaning forward, elbows braced on the tabletop as she contemplated the young woman on the opposite side of the booth over the edge of her mug. She saw green eyes touch on the canvas brace where it peeked out from under the cuff on her sweater and a hint of a frown draw russet brows together. She could almost hear the gears turning in the young teacher's head. "And no, there isn't some boyfriend who beats me or abuses my daughter," she murmured, answering the unasked question before it could even be hinted at. "No girlfriend either."

Green eyes snapped up, and Barbara flushed in embarrassment at having the other woman read her suspicions so easily. "I didn't mean--"

"No, of course not," Selina said, easily over-riding the younger woman's voice. She offered a wry smile. "You're much too polite to suggest such a thing ... much too wise as well, I suspect." She took a sip from her cup and leaned forward a bit, her voice dropping low enough that the younger woman had to lean closer to hear. "And because of that, I'll tell you that I would never allow anyone to hurt my child." Something dark and feral rippled through her eyes, reminding Barbara of that barely glimpsed, and barely controlled, animal fury she'd seen in Helena's eyes. "And the first person who tries will be lucky if they live to regret it." She ran one thumb along the handle on the mug, eyes dropping to watch the swirl of dark coffee, noting her own reflection in the watery, black surface. "My child is everything to me," she added very softly.

Barbara didn't know what to say, the utter resolution of the statement catching her by surprise.

"I've startled you," Selina murmured after a beat, her voice sliding into more normal tones as she pulled back a few inches.

Barbara blinked, staring uncertainly at her coffee. She added a sugar and a couple of packets of creamer that was made of everything but cream to keep her hands busy and buy a moment's time. Still swirling it all together with a spoon, she looked up. "You're not what I expected," she admitted.

"Neither are you." Selina's head tipped to one side ever so slightly as she considered the redhead. "Considering what happened between you and my daughter," she began, "I'm a little surprised you went ahead and gave her your home number."

Green eyes narrowed faintly as it occurred to Barbara that perhaps her gesture hadn't been so innocently read, or that perhaps Helena, in an effort to deflect any questions from her own guilt, had dropped a few hints that it was something other than what it was.

Well used to gauging people's moods and suspicions, Selina saw the worries as they made their way through the younger woman's eyes. She was good at shielding her emotions, but a thief knows how to see past such simple tricks in order to survive. "You needn't worry," she said softly, her tone meant to disarm, even as she quietly explained, "Helena told me the truth ... that you asked her about her plans for next year ... she lost her temper, crowded you ... made some very inappropriate remarks ... and very probably bruised your wrist." Before Barbara could pull her hand back, Selina reached out, catching the joint in question in her good hand, and using the other one to push the cuff on her jacket back just far enough to reveal a red mark that was already starting to turn blue. "My daughter knows better than to lie to me about something this important," she said softly as she eyed the injury, thumb moving along the edge of the mark.

Barbara swallowed hard, eyes falling to the hand gently stroking her bruised wrist. "I probably pressed harder than was wise," she admitted, a hint of a frown touching her brows. She looked up, carefully pulling her arm back. "Something's bothering Helena very deeply ... I thought maybe it was school, but...." She shook her head, her expression serious as she pointedly ignored the older woman's high impact sexuality. "I don't think so." She couldn't decide what to make of Selina Kyle, sensing there was a game being played, but wholly uncertain what it might be and uncomfortable with it. "She was as scared as she was angry," she said pointedly and was relieved when Selina abruptly backed off, a thoughtful frown on her face.

"Yes, well ... I'm afraid she tends to take my problems on her shoulders." Selina sighed softly and peered curiously at Barbara, rather impressed to find herself surprised once again. "And things have been a bit ... difficult ... recently."

"She's a good kid," Barbara said softly, "I'd like to help her, but I don't know what to do."

"Is that why you gave her your home number?" the drawling question was lazily asked, but Barbara could see the bright gleam of interest in crystalline blue eyes.

"Yes," the teacher answered decisively, then added, "she's my student ... nothing more," well aware that her tone slid over into defensive range, but not liking the suspicion in the blonde's eyes.

Selina shrugged, not bothering to deny the implied question that had triggered that response. "She's also quite beautiful ... and at an age that some people find rather appealing." Her tone made her lack of respect for those individuals quite apparent.

"She is beautiful," Barbara confirmed practically. It would be stupid to deny the obvious. "But despite that, she's still a child ... and I prefer my lovers to be of age. I would never touch one of my students, Ms. Kyle," her voice dropped low as she continued with added emphasis, "Never."

Blue eyes slid closed for a moment as Selina heaved a sigh of relief, the younger woman's utter seriousness calming some of her fears. Seeing Barbara Gordon had triggered both some level of relief and fear. Helena had indeed, finally managed to develop an attraction for someone with some maturity---as well as a level of determination that could have made things very difficult if she'd shown any desire to reciprocate the girl's affections. "I'm sorry," she apologized sincerely when she looked up again. She offered a faintly embarrassed smile. "Just being an overprotective mother, I guess," she admitted, the aggressive sensuality settling down into something approaching her normal level---which was still more intense than the average person, but not quite so high tension.

Barbara noted the change with a raised brow, a little annoyed at the game the older woman had tried to play, but fascinated all the same. "I assure you, I don't go around seducing my students," she said in a voice that made the idea sound patently ridiculous.

"All things considered," Selina began a bit carefully, "I'm sure you can understand why I needed to be certain."

Remembering the burning heat of the body pressed against her own and the comments she'd occasionally heard older teacher's make about their students ... no, she really couldn't. Barbara knew plenty of teachers who'd have welcomed, even angled for, that dangerous, angry advance. That didn't mean she wasn't still pretty annoyed at having her personal and professional ethics doubted that way. "Yeah, I guess," she allowed, "but believe me, the only thing I was trying to do was help."

Selina leaned back, a hint of a frown creasing her forehead. "Why?" she asked simply.

The question pulled Barbara up short. So many answers she could give. The formal, proper one that would have included all the things she did for all of her students, but somehow that seemed like a copout and not nearly enough. The one that would have revealed how much she'd admired the girl's brain during those back and forth discussions in class when the rest of the world spiraled away in favor of the trade of ideas between two people who'd ceased to be teacher and student and were simply arguing their points. No, that wasn't the right choice at all, though she was hesitant to let herself consider why. "Joey Pallas," she said at last, looking down at her cup with ferocious intensity, well aware of the eyes watching her and pointedly ignoring them, "he's this scrawny, too smart, too small, too dorky, too sweet kid in one of my classes. A lot of the guys torment the poor kid ... just because they can, I guess." She took a sip from her cup, buying time before continuing, "I was coming around a corner one day and there was Helena, standing between Joey and Tom Martin---a lineman who's probably six-two and two-twenty---she ripped him a new one and backed him off ... to protect a kid everybody else picks on for fun."

A tender smile curved Selina's mouth, her gaze momentarily distant. "That sounds like Helena," she admitted, then peered at the younger woman, her gaze sharpening, taking in all the things Barbara Gordon was desperately trying to hide---especially from herself. The attraction was there, innocent and very probably something that she would never have considered in any remotely sexual way if Helena hadn't so aggressively pointed up that subtle aspect, but definitely there. She suddenly felt a touch of pity for the younger woman and admired the sort of personality that would sublimate any inappropriate feelings into protecting the object of her affections. Selina had seen so many people who wouldn't have even hesitated in taking what her daughter would have been more than willing to offer.

"Yeah," Barbara said softly, still staring at her cup, a hint of a smile curving her lips

"She doesn't like bullies ... and she's not afraid of anyone."

"No ... she's not," Barbara agreed, drawing the words out in a way that unintentionally gave them a double meaning. There was none of the expected fear of teachers there, and that was part of the problem. Helena acted like they were equals, and pressed the issue whenever faced with the idea that maybe they weren't supposed to be. When it came to intellectual arguments the tendency was as refreshing as it was challenging. Sexually, it was another matter altogether.

A blonde brow rose as Selina studied the teacher, realistic enough to note there weren't that many years between her child and this woman. "I meant what I said about what I'd do to anyone who tried to take advantage of my daughter," she said softly, suddenly not quite as certain as she would have liked to be. She understood the hells of temptation too well to think that anyone was completely above them.

Barbara looked up, her expression serious. "So did I. I've seen what playing those kinds of games with students can do to them. I would never risk one of my kids that way."

Selina couldn't help but wonder if the younger woman realized she'd come dangerously close to a tacit admission that there was some degree of temptation there. "Good," she sighed sincerely. Whatever was going on in the other woman's head, she found she did at least believe that her intentions were the best.

A long moment passed while both woman studied their coffee rather intently, then Barbara's food came, stalling any discussions for another moment or two.

Raising an eyebrow, Selina watched as the redhead poured mustard and ketchup on her burger, ketchup on the fries, then dug in with the eagerness of a teenage boy who hadn't eaten in at least an hour. She considered making a comment, then discarded the idea, knowing it was likely to make the other woman even more uncomfortable than she already was. She shook her head, surprised by her own tendency toward kindness where this woman was concerned. Normally making people uncomfortable was her favorite hobby and she suspected it would have been easy and even wicked fun to make that ivory complexion blush bright red. She wasn't quite certain what to make of the fact that it somehow it just felt a little too cruel for her blood.

Barbara looked up abruptly, quickly swallowing a bite of burger as it occurred to her that she was being rude as hell, and very probably hiding from the piercing gaze directed her way. "I ... uh ... sorry," she muttered.

A hint of a smile ghosted across full lips in a way that made the redhead feel only slightly older than her students. "Don't hold back on my account. I'm a bit of a carnivore myself, so I understand."

"It's just that I haven't had anything since lunch," the younger woman felt the need to mutter, "and it's been kind of a long day."

Selina leaned back in her side of the booth, her injured arm draped along the back cushion and gave a languid wave with her other hand. "Go on." A few more wolfing bites went down the hatch, during which Selina was left with the distinct impression the younger woman's brain was actually running faster than her mouth. Impressive feat considering the speed at which she was eating.

"Can I ask you something?" Barbara said at last, looking up from her dinner with a curious expression. She got a lazy nod in return and began carefully. "Something's been going on with Helena recently. Given that it's not school ... and I don't think it's some of the other things I was worried about." As confusing as Selina Kyle's signals were, Barbara was comfortably certain the woman would cut off her own arm before she harmed her child. But something was still wrong. "Do you have any idea what it is?"

Blonde brows drew into a frown, and Selina looked away, suddenly wishing she could dump her own fears as easily as that. It would have been nice to have a confidante---other than her daughter, of course---and with things getting so much dicier, she'd been avoiding telling Helena too much in an effort to protect her. She glanced at the innocent-eyed young woman across the table. Oh yeah, that would probably make her squeal in terror and run like hell. Her head tipped to one side. Or maybe not. She couldn't decide which answer would have been the crueler one. Either way it would have meant involving the poor kid in something she doubtless had no tools for dealing with. "I've had some business difficulties lately," she finally responded with only the faintest pause before the word business, "and I'm afraid Helena tends to take such things much too seriously." She sighed softly. "She tends to feel responsible for the rest of the world." Another soft sigh as it occurred to her that the same trait that had driven Helena to protect a boy she probably didn't even particularly like was also what drove her to sometimes play the role of parent in their relationship. The reminder brought a pair of blue eyes that mirrored her daughter's to mind and the next comment slipped out before she could think better of it. "She's a lot like her father that way."

Barbara knew the instant the words were said that Selina Kyle wished she hadn't spoken, but couldn't resist the urge to ask, "I gather he's not in the picture any more."

Blue eyes rose, their expression hard and soft at the same time, bespeaking old hurts and passions that still flamed painfully bright. "Never was, truth be told ... at least not where my daughter's concerned."

"Oh," Barbara didn't know what to say to that.

After that, the conversation shifted, as though both of them were aware things were fast edging into territory better left alone, moving on to safer matters, like grades, projects, SAT scores, the possibility of a scholarship for Helena if she was interested. On those topics, Selina Kyle seemed remarkably like any other parent, which allowed for a certain comfort zone where Barbara was concerned. There was something about the stunning blonde that made her unlike anyone Barbara had ever encountered---though at times, she had the oddest sense they'd met somewhere before. Which, she had to admit, made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Maybe they'd run into each other at some parent-teacher thing and she'd just forgotten, though she had a hard time envisioning anyone forgetting a meeting with the this woman.

Finally, there was little to do except return to their respective apartments. Still talking quietly, the two women stepped out into the chilly night air, carefully keeping to safe subjects.

The sudden, sharp crack instantly had each woman vying to tackle the other into a shielded corner of the café entry. It was Selina who recognized the problem first and relaxed into the move, allowing the redhead to press her back protectively, rather impressed by her reflexes, though she was ready to shove the younger woman aside, and put up a fight if some thug of Joker's decided to appear out of the night. To the best of her knowledge he didn't know her real identity, but with things getting so nasty, it wasn't possible to be too careful.

A moment passed, then a rustbucket car went coughing past them. Nothing but a backfire both women realized at the same time.

"Quite a set of reflexes," Selina drawled as she allowed Barbara to help her back to her feet.

The redhead shrugged, splitting her attention between the blonde and the quick, suspicious glances she cast toward the street. "Sorry," she apologized. "The danger of having a police commissioner for a father."

A blonde brow rose. "Commissioner Gordon is your father?" Selina murmured thoughtfully as she put the last names together.

"Yeah, that's dad." Barbara nodded, still checking the street at random intervals. Even knowing it had likely been nothing the car backfiring, things were tense enough to make a touch of paranoia seem like a wise idea. Not that she thought the Joker was likely to try something on a quiet, late night street---he liked to make more of a splash---but there were any number of criminals out there who might be on the prowl at this hour.

"Then you must know Bruce Wayne," Selina murmured, his name coming out after the slightest of pauses, the memories still intense enough to make her flinch. Dumb question. The kid probably barely knew who he was. Selina cursed herself for looking like some desperate groupie.

Barbara looked a little startled. "Since he and dad are friends, I've met Mr. Wayne a time or two," she said cautiously. She was always careful to refer to Bruce in the same distant way she referred to all of Jim Gordon's many friends and acquaintances. "Why?"

Too studied, too casual, too, too rehearsed, Selina diagnosed as she listened to the softly spoken reply. She was startled to realize this young woman knew Bruce and knew him well. Lover? No, Selina knew what kind of lover Bruce Wayne was. Had the younger woman been involved with him, she sincerely doubted there'd have been even the most subtle flicker of heat directed toward her daughter. No, Barbara Gordon had the innocent eyes of someone who'd never been with a demanding lover, probably just college boys who always said please and thank you, and had to ask afterward if she'd enjoyed herself. But she knew him all the same, and not just as a friend of her father's, or there wouldn't have been the attempted denial. Which left what? Her eyes went to the distinctive shock of titian hair, then studied the strong lower jaw, and locked the familiar voice into place in her head, as she added two and two together and came up with four. "Just curious," she drawled, consciously fighting the urge to offer up a caustic chuckle, the irony of her daughter developing a crush on her own father's baby-bat protégé almost too funny for words. It was in her to question whether there was some chance that Bruce or this woman had discovered the truth and was looking for proof, but, no, Barbara Gordon wasn't that good an actor. She didn't have a clue. "After all, he's all over the news ... New Gotham's most good looking, rich, eligible bachelor."

Slender shoulders relaxed inside the bomber jacket. "I guess," Barbara admitted, though she had to fight the urge to roll her eyes, thinking of Bruce as anything but a nagging, big-brother figure nearly impossible. She knew he was good looking, rich, all those good things, but ... well ... he was just Bruce. Brilliant, impossible, nagging, annoying, perpetually depressed Bruce, who would probably lose track of anything that didn't happen while he was in a bat costume if he didn't have Alfred looking after him. He was beyond obsessive about some things, completely and totally clueless about others. "I don't really know him that well."

And then Selina couldn't resist. After all, she'd been good during the entire meeting ... or at least, she'd mostly been good ... good for her anyway ... but ... well, the mention of Bruce, the obvious lie ... not to mention the realization that less than a year before she'd been trading blows with the woman in front of her, egged her on. She'd never been good at being good anyway. "So, are the rumors that he's gay true?" she asked too innocently. "I mean, to hit that age and never be married...." She offered a suggestive smile and saw Barbara Gordon's mouth drop open right on cue.

"I ... uh ... I don't..." the younger woman babbled helplessly. It was hard to catch Barbara by surprise, but damned if Selina Kyle hadn't managed the trick. Bruce? Gay? It was one question she'd never even remotely contemplated. "Ummmmm," she exhaled at last. Her brain was still misfiring at several levels when Selina crowded in close, not rough or angry like her daughter, but with the same predatory sexuality that chased Barbara back until her shoulderblades hit the brick wall of the café.

"Relax, Ms. Gordon ... Barbara ... I'm only joking," Selina exhaled, her perfume rich and faintly intoxicating. She knew the other woman was aware of it by the way her pupils expanded until there was little more than a narrow emerald ring around them. Lucky for her that outside of a bit of experimentation, Selina preferred to play with boy toys. Her eyes slid down, taking in fit curves as she remembered the way the younger woman had fought---hard, sweaty, passionate. She suspected Barbara Gordon would make love the same way, which meant she was luckier still that Selina had no intention of poaching on her daughter's territory. Not that Helena was allowed into that section of the playground just yet, but instinct told her the day would come, and things could very uncomfortable if they started sharing toys. It was tempting though; might not have even been possible if the young woman in front of her wasn't the sort who threw herself heart and soul into everything she did. That sort of wholesale offering made a body vulnerable and Selina was wise enough to know that what would simply be play for her could easily break two hearts, neither of them her own. "You shouldn't take things quite so seriously." Oh yes, Bruce had picked a no-nonsense one to inherit his mantle; sober, but smart and determined, and with the skills to protect those she cared for. Her expression suddenly serious, perhaps even a little regretful, Selina drew back a pace, graciously exiting the other woman's space without being asked to. If things with the Joker blew up, Barbara Gordon would have both the tools to protect Helena and the contacts with Bruce Wayne to make certain his daughter wasn't treated like a goldigger or a threat to the Wayne empire.

Barbara scraped her bangs back from her forehead, startled to realize her hand was shaking ever so slightly. "I just ... uh ... I know there are always tabloids out looking for stories about him," she explained away the momentary paralysis.

Selina's mouth twisted in a feline smile. "Well, I assure you, selling a story about Bruce Wayne to the tabloids is the last thing on my mind," she murmured, already running over the options, a little surprised to realize she wasn't nearly as surprised by the plan forming in her brain as she probably ought to have been. She looked down for a moment, calculating her approach and putting the words together. It wasn't the sort of thing to be done carelessly, but then again, Selina had never been one to debate things too long. "Actually, Bruce Wayne is the last thing on my mind, period," she said, dropping the seductive air, her tone suddenly businesslike. "I like you, Ms. Gordon ... and I admire your determination to protect your students."

Barbara stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets, going from being embarrassed for one reason to being embarrassed for a totally different one at whiplash inducing velocity. Being around Selina Kyle was an experience and a half, and she was suddenly starting to understand her student a whole lot better. "Thanks," she muttered, "I'm just trying to do my best."

"No doubt," Selina said agreeably. "Actually, on that front, I'd like to ask a favor of you." She didn't wait for Barbara to comment before she continued, "as a single mother, I've made certain that my daughter has all of the legal protections in place were something to happen to me ... but I'm afraid it's a bit impersonal. All lawyers and fiduciaries ... no one really knows her or could even begin to understand her."

Barbara frowned, not understanding where this was leading.

"I'd like to send you copies of some documents regarding my daughter ... for safe keeping ... and so that I know if something were to happen, there's someone out there who has more reason to care for her well being than just being paid to do so." She saw Barbara start to draw breath and held up a hand to silence her. "Hear me out before you answer. I'd have to ask you not to open them unless something happens to me ... and it would mean adding your name to the official list of who's to be notified in the event of an ... accident." For the first time that evening, she wasn't playing even a hint of a game. "This isn't a small request, so don't answer lightly."

Caught totally flat-footed, Barbara was struck dumb for a long moment. She had the urge to slap her forehead in an effort to kick start her brain, so off balance it was hard to think. Common sense told her to run like hell, that this strange LSD experience of a woman and her daughter were dangerously likely to complicate a life already overburdened by hidden levels, secret identities, and lunatic enemies. Which was why it was so strange when she opened her mouth and heard herself responding, "If you think it's the right thing." Where the hell had that come from?

"Amazingly enough I do ... though I'm hoping you won't get the joke anytime soon." Shaking her head, Selina glanced upward, frowning ever so slightly when she thought she saw movement among the shadows. No, nothing, she decided a second or two later.

"Joke?" Barbara questioned. There were so many things going on just under the surface of this conversation that she barely knew where to start. It was like looking through a kaleidoscope and being asked to figure out the original pattern. She shook her head as if that might rattle the dash of hard information she had into some kind of reliable picture. It didn't do a bit of good.

"Never mind," Selina brushed the question aside with a wry smile. "It's not important."

For reasons she couldn't put her finger on, Barbara was comfortably certain that wasn't just a lie, but a bald faced one, though she didn't bother challenging it. There was no way in hell she was going to win an argument with Selina Kyle anyway. "Look, if there's anything I can do, I'd be happy to," she said at last, a little surprised by how honest the words were.

"You understand that I'm serious when I ask not to look at any of it unless something happens?"

In for a penny, in for a pound, Barbara thought as she nodded her assent. She didn't understand the reasons for the request, but it was obvious it was intensely important to the other woman. "I understand."

"I'll have everything messengered to you in the next day or two," Selina said without preamble. With the decision made, she wasn't one to waste time. Even as she did it she wondered at her own choice in playing the high wire. Maybe there really was some part of her that was hoping Bruce would find out. Not that she had any illusions that they'd suddenly turn into some happy little family unit, but she had no doubt he'd do anything in his power to protect and care for his child. With everything else going on, maybe it was time. She let that thought trail off as she abruptly became aware of the fact that the redhead was staring at her. "I appreciate this, Miss Gordon ... more than I can say." She stared at Barbara for a long moment, then stepped a little closer, breathing in the soft scent of sweat and perfume that still clung to the other woman. It was a pity, really. It would have been entertaining. "Though I do find myself feeling rather disappointed since, like you, I never play those kinds of games with children."

That ice blue gaze raked over Barbara, making it clear that the child in question wasn't some high school kid inclined toward panic attacks over acne or homework. She swallowed hard, feeling very young indeed, uncertain whether to be grateful or let down. She didn't have a chance to decide before Selina Kyle ambled away into the night, disappearing into the shadows around the parking lot to the side of the building. The soft purr of a car engine greeted her ears only a moment later, and there was no doubt in her mind just who the black Jaguar that pulled out belonged to. She supposed that answered the question of whether or not Helena would need a scholarship if she wanted to go to college. The insurance payments alone on that beast were probably more than she made from teaching in a month. "Well, at least now I know where Helena gets it," she muttered to herself, still thinking of the stripper-on-a-catwalk sway of Selina Kyle's hips as she sauntered away.

Moments later, Barbara slid onto her bike, helmet in place, and roared away. Pouring on the speed, she opted to take the long way home, circling the city several times at speeds far faster than was even remotely prudent.

* * * * * *

Selina was surprised to find Helena up and looking worried when she entered their apartment. Wide-eyed, her daughter spun toward her with a relieved, and somehow vaguely guilty expression. It occurred to Selina to ask, but after the day she'd had, she wasn't up to it. Helena knew her limits, and she knew the consequences if she pushed them too hard. Hopefully, it was nothing more serious than staying up too late or going for a midnight walkabout up the side of the nearest high rise. Having a child like Helena meant changing a few priorities.

"Mom," the girl said quickly as she caught her breath, "I was worried when I woke and realized you'd gone out."

Selina shrugged, ignoring the implied criticism. "I left you a note," she pointed out practically.

"All it said was that you'd be back later," the teenager countered.

Slim shoulders dipped in another ironic shrug. "And I am," she responded coolly, not particularly in the mood for one of their role reversing discussions where Helena suddenly turned into the parent and she became the child for the duration. "I had something I needed to do."

"Mom--"

"A meeting ... with your teacher of all people."

"What?" Helena croaked, and magically turned back into a teenager again; an embarrassed, humiliated, hopelessly mortified teenager who profoundly wished she'd been hatched instead of born. "You met with my teacher?" she said, wondering if there was any chance at all her mother meant Mrs. Latham, her trig teacher. She didn't really care what Mrs. Latham thought of her and it was pretty mutual, so there really wasn't much damage her mom could do on that front. "Which one?"

Selina almost laughed at the sudden change. Well, that was one way to overcome Helena's maternal instincts. She could probably blackmail the girl into line just by threatening to introduce herself to everyone she'd ever had a crush on. "Barbara Gordon," she responded smoothly.

"Barbara ... Gordon?" Helena croaked, mortification turning to outright horror. Of course that was who her mother meant. She'd known it from the start, but had allowed herself a moment's hope that it was someone else. She was just going to have to die now. No question about it. Going back to school wasn't an option and her mother would never let her drop out. Death it was. "Ms. Gordon ... as in the teacher from today's little ... incident ... Ms. Gordon?" she repeated, momentarily clinging to the tiniest of hopes that maybe Ms. Gordon's first name was Clarice or something like that, and maybe Mrs. Latham had divorced and remarried someone named Gordon in the span of an afternoon. No such luck.

"Yes," Selina responded pointedly. "I was quite impressed with Barbara."

Helena swallowed hard, not liking the look in her mother's eyes at all, nor the way she used what was apparently her teacher's first name so comfortably. "You ... you were?" she exhaled as though she'd been struck, knowing her mother's nature well enough to be worried. Selina wasn't usually one to go chasing after women, but Helena could easily see her mother being drawn to the multitude of layers and secrets the teacher possessed, not unlike the way a wild animal might be drawn to something pretty and shiny. And like a cat in the wild, she might play with her prey for a time, but the game would leave the toy badly clawed, perhaps even destroyed. She loved her mother deeply, but she was under no illusions about some facets of her personality. For the first time in her life, she found herself caring about the aftermath and the effect that overwhelming personality could have on others.

"Relax, little hunter," Selina's voice slid over her daughter, drawing Helena's head back up as she realized her mother had risen and drawn close. "She's claws-off territory," she murmured, reaching out to stroke Helena's cheek affectionately, "...for both of us." The brittle smile she would have shown most people softened and turned gentle. "I wouldn't do that to you," she assured her daughter, conveniently ignoring the moment's temptation to do just that.

Delicate shoulders slumped in relief. "It's just that...." Another shrug finished the sentence when she ran out of words.

"I know," Selina sighed. "And truthfully, I found myself wishing you were older or she was younger." She slid an arm around her daughter's shoulders, tugging her into a hug. "You finally managed to work up a bit of good taste, kiddo." Her expression turned sympathetic, all too aware of the hormones and passions driving her daughter. "But for the moment ... well ... it's just not the right time." She ruffled dark hair gently and offered tender smile. "However, she and I did discuss some serious things ... things that affect you...."

Helena frowned, uneasy with the direction the conversation was taking. "What?"

Selina released the hug, turning to face her daughter head on and resting her hands lightly on her shoulders. "I want you to memorize the number she gave you ... and use it if anything happens."

The teenager's frown deepened. That wasn't what she was expecting at all. "I don't understand."

"Sometimes you meet people you can trust, Helena. It doesn't happen often ... and it shouldn't be taken lightly. You can trust her ... and if anything happens, I want you to. She'll make sure you're okay if necessary."

Frightened by her mother's seriousness, Helena shook her head unsteadily. "What are you--"

"It's nothing specific," Selina broke in, seeing the teenager's growing panic, "just making sure you're protected ... that there's someone out there other than me who cares about you." She ruffled dark hair tenderly, then leaned forward until their foreheads were just touching. "You're everything to me, y'know ... the one thing I got wholly and completely right in this life ... and I need to make certain that you'll be okay no matter what."

The teenager peered up at her mother, staring deep and trying to see if she was telling the truth. Things had been getting so crazy that it was hard to be certain. "Promise me you'll be careful."

"Always, baby," Selina assured her daughter, then kissed her lightly on the forehead before drawing back. She offered a lopsided smile, suddenly looking even younger than most of Helena's schoolmates. She'd always had that ability, to be as much a friend as a parent, and Helena loved her desperately for it. All her growing up years, Selina had never been afraid to simply play like a child. When other parents had been standing on the sidelines, she'd been on the swings and slides along with the kids. And, while Helena knew perfectly well that others would fault her parenting methods, she'd never cared. The fact that her mother suddenly felt the need to act like a sober, reasonable adult frightened her more than she knew how to express. "It's gonna be all right. I promise." She gave her daughter a small push toward her room. "Now, off to bed with you." She saw Helena draw breath to argue and held up a hand to forestall the argument. "At least let me pretend I'm the adult in this relationship for a little while, 'kay?"

Well aware of her mother's eyes tracking her, Helena nodded and disappeared into her bedroom, though she was certain her mother wouldn't getting any sleep tonight. After her door was closed, she tugged open her closet, eyeing the black cat costume stolen from the back of her mother's closet while she was out. Just as well. No sleeping tonight meant her mom would probably sleep hard the next night. That was her usual pattern, and Saturdays were bad for thieves. Too many people home or on the streets. Helena pushed the door closed again. Well, it might not be ideal, but it was the only choice she had.

* * * * * *

Barbara had it in her to wonder about the insanity of being her age on a Saturday night, reasonably attractive, intelligent, with a modicum of social graces and patrolling the New Gotham skyline in a bat costume. She wondered what all those teachers who'd written such glowing reports about how well she followed the rules and played with others would think of this particular development. Probably not much, she decided with a grin, enjoying the knowledge that she wasn't quite the sweet and simple, good little girl so many people had always assumed. Moving gracefully, she straightened out of a crouched position, leaning into the wind that swept up the side of the high rise where she was comfortably perched at least 50 stories above the busy New Gotham streets. The breeze was chill on the exposed portion of her face and lifted her hair and cape behind her. For a moment, it felt like she was flying.

"Batgirl, any sign of movement?" Bruce's voice echoed over the receiver in her ear. God, she was looking forward to the time when the current madness ended and she could be alone on the prowl again. Not that she didn't love the guys, but there were days when it felt good to just be alone and on the move. Bruce was right, of course, that they all needed to take extra precautions for the moment, but it was going to be nice to get rid of both erstwhile brothers.

"Nothing unusual," she responded, her voice little more than a faint whisper. There was no one around to hear, but places like this always seemed to call for a measure of quiet, as though they might be haunted and speaking any louder could waken the dead. Or maybe it was just that speaking normally in full costume felt hideously ridiculous, she thought with a wry smile, like Hamlet's father appearing up on the castle walls and popping chewing gum. It just didn't fit somehow.

"Well, stay alert and keep to your check in times. You too, Nightwing," Bruce added, his tone making it clear that he was well aware that both of his young charges were on the line.

"Sure thing, Batman," Dick's voice came online almost immediately, his tone thick with humor. "By the way, there's nothing evil or foul going on at the campus girl's dorm."

Bruce's long suffering sigh was punctuated by Dick's soft snicker and brought a smile to the young woman's lips. It was a game they both played with Bruce at times, teasing him in an effort to push that dark edge back an inch or two. Sometimes, she thought he even kind of liked it, that maybe it let him go of the dark demons driving him if only for a few minutes.

"All right, guys," she broke in before they could really get the game going. "Going offline for a little while now." Unfortunately, the batteries on her two-way had a limited lifespan and she didn't feel like having to change them out for a fresh pair on the rooftop of some office building while the winds were whipping and making it hellishly difficult. The next time she had a little time, she wanted to look at the problem and see if there wasn't something that could be done to come up with a better system. If they were all going to be spending so much time wirelessly yoked together, it would be nice to have something that did the job a bit better.

"Be careful," Bruce warned her.

"Yeah, Babs," Dick added, not even noticing he'd used her old nickname instead of her code name, his tone part energetic little brother, part eager, would-be lover. She wondered how fast the cocky tone would melt away when Bruce started lecturing him on his mistake in using her name. Hopefully, she'd be offline by then and wouldn't have to listen. She got enough lectures of her own from her mentor. She didn't need to go listening in on Dick's as well. "Wouldn't want to have to come running to the rescue." Which was a total lie. He'd love it and crow about it for weeks.

She nodded distantly, already measuring the distance to the next building and calculating her next move. "You too, guys," she murmured, then thumbed the switch off, silencing their voices, grateful for a chance to be alone for a little while. On second thought, maybe she'd leave things on the transceiver just the way they were.

Drawing a climbing hook from her belt, Barbara pulled out enough line, looping it with the automatic skill borne of experience, then flung the hook even as she made a well-calculated, madman's leap. The wind caught her hair and cape, and for a moment, she was in total freefall, nearly flying as she gained momentum. The familiar moment of terror that she'd wind up as nothing more than a greasy spot on the pavement far below triggered a heady adrenaline rush, and then the hook rolled around its target and caught. Less than a second passed, then the line snapped taut and she rolled her legs around, swinging into the desired arc. The few seconds of wild flight ended in a light landing on the building across, then she snapped the line with practiced ease to disengage the hook, trusting the automatic retraction system to recoil the thin metal thread in its neat little case on her belt. The next few buildings were so closely spaced that she barely had to plan her path. A few climbing pitons installed months before made it easy enough to ascend where necessary, and the leaps required from point to point were small enough that she could just let go and treat the whole thing like the world's biggest tumbling run. After weeks of stress and fear, it almost felt like a night off. It wasn't so much that burning the candle at both ends was getting to her as the tight structure was starting to make her strain around the edges.

Soon she flung the hook again, losing herself in the wild flight that followed, aware of everything that slid past her, but a part of none of it. It was like hacking, which was one of those weird little personality quirks that not even Dick and Bruce seemed to understand, thinking that her love of computers was simply a techhead, geek thing, instead of the art of mental gymnastics that it really entailed. When she was flying like this or buried in a computer system, moving as gracefully through the virtual world as she moved over the New Gotham skyline, she could let go and be someone else---maybe even something else---for just a little while. It was an exhilarating kind of freedom for a police commissioner's daughter who'd spent most of her life constantly aware of the rules of decorum and the price to others if she dared breach those razor sharp societal demands. She landed again, did another tumbling run, then abruptly pulled up short.

A spot of illumination above the Gotham Museum of Art and Antiquities, caught her eye; a penlight or mini-mag by the look of it.

Now, this was new. She paused, perfectly unmoving, a shadowy statue, simply watching.

The light was coming from a ventilation port in one of the huge air conditioning units on the roof---not in use yet, since the spring temperatures still hadn't dropped much from late winter.

One eyebrow rose behind the cover of the heavy black cowl. Not the easiest way of staging a break in, but by the look of it, definitely what she was looking at. She heard a few faint rustling sounds, then a noisy clatter followed by a soft curse. A short run and a powerful launch carried her the distance needed, though she stretched out the leap with a tight tuck and roll, not unfolding out into her landing position until the last second. Well padded, non-skid boots handled the landing as quietly as possible, but there was an audible thud, soft though it was.

The rattling in the AC unit abruptly stopped. Obviously, the rattler had heard her landing. Barbara stepped back into the shadows, easily melding with them; for all practical purposes disappearing. A much softer shuffle this time and then one of the vent panels bent away from the AC unit and the top few inches of a black masked head slipped out.

A wry smile twisted Batgirl's mouth as she watched the performance. Definitely not a pro even if they were wearing what bore a strong resemblance to Catwoman's mask. Catwoman wouldn't have been caught dead making that much noise. The black mask disappeared back inside the vent and Barbara heard a muttered flood of obscenities followed by a rattle that was louder than all the rest and then a sharp ripping sound. Something was definitely getting the worst of the experience. Lips twitching into a grin, she moved forward, standing calmly beside the vent. This was going to be fun. Suddenly a hand thrust itself out through the bend in the vent, black gloved fingers clutching a huge, rough cut ruby that was easily recognizable as the Eye of Ra; a gem pulled from the death mask of a mummy believed to have been Imhotep himself. There were some poor fools who even seemed to believe it had some kind of supernatural powers. Or maybe it was going to be a bit too easy to be much fun. Definitely a beginner in the breaking and entering sweepstakes. She wondered if the would-be thief had ever done this sort of thing before because even most newbies knew to keep the item being stolen close at hand ... or at least in view. Reaching out, she simply snatched the jewel free and danced back several paces.

"What the..." muffled, pissed off, and definitely female, the voice echoed inside the air conditioning unit along with a whole raft of rattling and shuffling sounds.

Grinning, Barbara stepped back another pace, melting into the shadows as she watched a slender, Catwoman wannabe---down to the haphazard stitching on the costume---scramble free of the AC unit and stare down at the roof, obviously thinking she'd dropped the jewel, only to find that it was nowhere to be found. Barbara nearly broke into laughter, and was more than a little tempted to just let the thief go, especially when she actually stuck her head back through the vent, clearly thinking maybe it had fallen inside. Confused body language was all the rage when the thief straightened and it clearly wasn't there either. Just a kid, judging by the way she didn't fill out what was probably a rented costume. Barbara noted the rip over one calf and shook her head. That explained the ripping sound. Still unused to that sort of thing, the poor kid had probably gotten caught on something on the way up.

And then suddenly tension rippled through the lean body and she spun. "Who's there?" No doubt or uncertainty in her voice this time, she scanned the rooftop for a second pausing when she lined up with the shadowed corner where Barbara stood. It was a moonless night, and Barbara was comfortably certain she couldn't be seen, but the thief definitely knew she was there. Maybe not such a beginner ... or maybe just not the average thief.

No use playing hide and seek any longer. "Looking for this?" Barbara drawled as she stepped out of the shadows, seeming to split away from them, cloak floating around her with uncanny grace, one hand held out to reveal the gently glittering, blood red stone.

Helena felt her pulse kick into high gear, a bolt of fear and excitement ripping through her. Batgirl. Her mom had fought her a couple of times ... even picked up a few bruises. Maybe Helena couldn't kick Joker's ass, but she could exact a little revenge on this woman. "Give it back," she snarled.

Barbara offered a wry smile and shook her head. "I don't think so." She nodded to indicate the tear in the Catwoman costume. "By the way, most costume shops charge pretty major fees if you bring things back in that condition." The thief snarled a furious curse and lunged, moving fast, but not especially knowingly. Barbara ducked the wild swing aimed for her face with an easy economy of movement, slamming an elbow into the thief's back as she stumbled on past to send her crashing hard to the floor of the roof.

Cursing, Helena stumbled, hit the rooftop and tumbled. She rolled and was on her feet in a blink, but not before Batgirl had done a slow turn to face her. The superhero flashed a superior, I'm-better-than-you-are smile that did nothing to improve the teenager's mood, and pointedly tucked the jewel into a pouch on her belt. "Word of advice," Batgirl said calmly, "it's generally not a good idea to swing that wildly at someone who probably knows a whole lot more about fighting than you do. Oh, and if I were you, I wouldn't let the real Catwoman catch me doing the bad knockoff impression. She will kick your ass for fun if she does." The smile broadened several notches. "She's not as friendly as I am."

Helena caught herself, not lunging the way she wanted, instead simply watching the other woman, her breath coming slow and ragged. This woman wasn't like the dumb, brawler, high school boys she'd beaten up a time or two before for making crude comments about friends or beating up on kids smaller than themselves. She actually knew what she was doing and wasn't fighting angry. She was either going to have to take Batgirl down and get the jewel off her belt or intimidate her into giving it up."How can you be so sure I'm not Catwoman?" she snarled, glaring angrily and trying to decide the best way to get what she wanted, and hoping against hope the other woman would run scared.

The question earned a soft laugh. "Oh, it's not hard. The last time I ran into Catwoman, she threw me off a building, shoved my head through a plate glass window, and nearly broke my arm ... and that was just while we were saying 'Hello.' So far, your performance has been less impressive."

The answer caught Helena by surprise. Technically, she knew her mother could do all those things, but it was a side of her she'd never seen in person. "She really did all that?" she asked a little uncertainly.

"Yeah." Barbara shrugged. "She did." It had been one of those nights, and she'd been between Catwoman and something she wanted. Truth be told, there'd been something perversely enjoyable about the whole thing; neither of them trying for blood, just trading blows and matching techniques. In the end, it had pretty much been a draw with the thief getting about half the items she'd been trying to steal and Barbara managing to save the other half. They'd both been bruised to hell and limping, and more or less accepted it was time to call it an evening. Taking it any farther would have gotten one or the other badly hurt, and neither one was all that eager for that to happen. She shook her head as it occurred to her that going up against Catwoman was sort of the superhero equivalent of pro-wrestling. Yeah, it really hurt when you hit the mat, and it looked good, but there was a certain pre-scripted quality to things. "Actually, I think she rather enjoyed herself." Full lips twisted in a wry smile and she flinched with remembered pain as she remembered the other woman's grin at one particular point. "Especially taking out that window." Then green eyes sharpened. "Which is why you should go home and take up a life of honest toil. You're outa your league. Quit while you're behind."

Teeth gritted against the condescending note in the other woman's voice, Helena shook her head. She needed to get that jewel. Then her mom could finish off that damn contract, and lie low for awhile. "I can't," she said very softly, her voice little more than a low growl. "Which is why it would be in your best interest to just give it back to me."

Barbara shook her head, almost admiring the determination even as she rejected that notion. "I'm afraid that would sorta negate the whole superhero concept," she explained patiently, her tone gentle all things considered. "Go home," she advised seriously. It was probably just some kid trying to live up to a stupid dare or somesuch act of idiocy. She could make an arrest and drop her for the cops, but if some over-eager prosecutor got hold of the case, the kid might just wind up getting convicted for all of Catwoman's crimes just so a lawyer could make a name for himself. "Before you get hurt."

"I can't," Helena repeated, "and you'll be the one getting hurt if you're not careful." She'd felt the other woman's strength in the blow that had slammed into her back. Even if she was holding back, it hadn't been enough to do more than startle her. Batgirl might be strong, but it was pure human kind of strength, and Helena had more than enough power to deal with that.

"Now don't go making threats you can't carry out," Batgirl chastised.

Helena didn't waste time on further chitchat, not when it was obvious the only way she was going to get what she needed was to fight. She simply leapt, moving so fast she was little more than a blur.

Barbara fell back on one foot, bracing herself when she realized she couldn't duck anywhere near fast enough this time, and twisted at the last moment. The contact was hard enough to leave her seeing stars, and then the Catwoman wannabe was rolling over her shoulder, momentum carrying on a wild tumble across the rooftop. She spun even as her attacker found her feet and lunged again. No time for anything fancy this time as the kid came at her again. She blocked the first couple of blows, though it was like having ten pound sledges slam into her forearms. The kid might be on the scrawny side, but she was strong as an ox. Time for her to learn that she couldn’t go around hitting people without a few nasty consequences.

Barbara blocked another blow, then did a fast snap kick, rocking her assailant's head back on her shoulders. A second kick to the solar plexus bent the Catwoman wannabe over, then a spinning forearm smash literally took her off her feet, whipping her so fast through the air that the knockoff was momentarily horizontal. Barbara watched her attacker hit the roof with something akin to pity. She'd taken a few beatings like that and knew exactly what it felt like. "Stay down," she advised, already wondering how close it was getting to check-in time.

Helena pushed up on her hands and snapped to her feet, eyes wild, an animal snarl on her lips. Nobody did that to her. Nobody. She leapt again, nearly flying at her enemy, ready to kill she was so angry.

Sometimes all you can do in the superhero game is brace yourself and take the blow. It was a basic axiom, and Barbara Gordon knew it well. And sometimes that blow is about like getting hit with a Mack truck. She also knew that one all too well. Her attacker was coming too fast. No way to duck or dodge and no redirecting the swing this time. All she could do was get hit and do her best to deal with it. The cowl protected her somewhat as knuckles cracked into the side of her face. The plan had been to stand her ground, but as raw power began communicating itself from that fist to her body, she realized that was likely to wind up with her spitting teeth and spending time at the chiropractor's office for months on end. At the last possible moment, she relaxed into the blow, going with the flow as she was hurled off her feet and tossed several yards. She hit tarpaper, skidded, and lay faintly dazed. "Told you to give it back," an angry voice rattled around inside her head, even as a distant part of her brain decided to muse on why that voice sounded vaguely familiar. "Now, I'll just take it." Barbara shook off the haze in an instant and did a fast kick back up to her feet, her gaze hard and blazing. The Catwoman knockoff wasn't the only one pissed off now. She'd spent most of her time sneaking around for weeks. Delivering a good old fashioned beating suddenly sounded like a good idea.

"You really don't know much about me, do you?" Batgirl drawled as she landed on her feet with almost supernatural grace.

Helena swallowed hard, not expecting the woman to be up so fast. The few times she'd hit someone like that before they'd gone down and stayed that way. It had never occurred to her that might not be the result this time. And then suddenly they were circling, and she was staring into green eyes that were intelligent and confident, and beginning to wonder if this was such a good plan. Hell, she was already in too much trouble for ripping her mom's costume. Get herself killed and there was going to be hell to pay. Then a fist cracked into her jaw and she suddenly understood why her mom sometimes came home limping as the blow drove her back a pace and her knee twisted badly. A second blow whipped her head to the side and her twisted knee gave, dropping her to the roof, where a hard fist smashed into her face from the side, nearly dropping her all the way. Dear God, she'd never had any idea how bad it could hurt to get hit. Her mom had taught her a few things about self defense, but never really used her strength, and the fights she'd had in school had, in no way, prepared her for the blast of pain gloved fists were capable of inflicting. She just wanted it to stop, and she lashed out blindly, dropping back on one knee and kicking hard with her other foot on an upward trajectory. She was almost as surprised as her attacker when her booted foot made contact with a solid body.

Get cocky, wind up dead. Yet another powerful axiom.

If she hadn't been well on the way to proving the reality of the saying, Barbara might have even taken the time to agree with the idea. As it was, since she was airborne and flying toward the open space well past the walls of the building, she didn't really have time for anything that coherent. Time to live or die. She had just enough time to spot an access ladder that ran up the side of the building and was more or less along her trajectory, and then she was arcing, stretching and reaching for it. Gloves hands closed on cold steel, gripping with desperate strength. Still moving fast, the rest of her body whipped on past, until it hit the end of its human tether. She yanked herself up short, body flipping end over end, nearly screaming at the stress the maneuver put on her arms. If they weren't disjointed when it was over, she was going to be very lucky. And then she was falling as the momentum of her wild flight gave way and gravity took over. She slammed into the ladder with bone jarring force, lost her grip and dropped straight down several feet before she caught another rung. Great, she was getting her ass kicked by some kid who didn't even know enough to keep from losing the goods. At least when the someone like the Joker or Catwoman took a chunk out of her it wasn't embarrassing.

For her part, Helena stared in horror as the other woman lost her grip and fell out of sight. No. She hadn't meant for that to happen. Killing someone definitely hadn't been part of the plan. Leaping to her feet, she lunged after the other woman, dreading what she expected to find when she looked over. God, her mom was gonna kill her if she'd turned Batgirl into Bat-splat.

She needn't have worried. A black garbed body was coming up fast as she leaned over the side of the building, a solid fist cracking into the side of her face just before Batgirl launched herself straight into the air, flipped easily over Helena, and landed lightly behind her. The girl was still turning when a brutal backhand whipped into her face from the side. She would have lost her balance and fallen, but Batgirl's other hand grabbed her by the shirtfront, hauling her back from the edge, then yanking her into a shoulder throw that hurtled Helena several yards away from the roof's edge. She hit tarpaper and rolled, coming to a halt in a low crouch, eyes blazing and feral, pain and fear forgotten when she saw the look on the other woman's face; no longer a mocking smile, or simply the vague disinterest of someone doing a job, but a taunting, wicked twist of a grin.

"You realize, of course, this means war," Barbara drawled, using bravado, anger, and a line stolen from Bugs Bunny to ignore the fact that she hurt like hell. The Catwoman knockoff just grinned where she crouched on hands and feet, a wild maniacal expression that gave a demonic cast to her features and made her look almost like the real thing.</