Veterinarians Meet Vigilante

CHAPTER 7

Gotham City
Same day

Juniper was bored out of her mind. The bakery had been slow all day so she was in the kitchen icing cupcakes just for something to do. She had been jamming out to her 2000's hits playlist and in the zone when she heard the bell up front signaling a customer had walked in. Placing her piping bag down on the counter she turned and made her way back to the register, getting there she looked up at the person who had walked in and was surprised to be met with the one and only Dick Grayson. "Hi Dick! What can I get for you?" She says happily as he looks up with a start at her voice. "June! I didn't know you worked here?" He questioned as he began to look at the display cases, he wanted something sweet and was also going to grab a treat for Tim since he had been at W.E all day. "Yeah for a few years now actually, once V and I get the clinic up and running I should be able to quit." She shrugged and began wiping down the front counter as she had noticed an icing spot that was going to bother her if she didn't clean it up. She never really had plans for how these quiet days would go, most of the time she was stuck at the bakery or was out with her sister. Don't get her wrong she loves her family, but sometimes it's nice to have some alone time where her days only have time for herself. "That makes a lot of sense actually. Anyways, I am just here for something sweet and to get something for Tim. He's been stuck at W.E all day and I feel as his older brother it is my responsibility to bother him into taking one." He told her with a cheeky grin and a wink added on. She giggled slightly as she began to think of things that they might like to have for their break today. "Well, I just finished a batch of double chocolate cupcakes? I could grab you some of those?" She asked him while also writing down an online order she just received for 35 red velvet cupcakes. "Cupcakes sound great June, thank you so much! Probably best to get at least 5 so that B doesn't throw a fit about not getting one." He laughed to her as he gazed into her eyes with an emotion she couldn't decipher at the moment. If she had to guess she would say her eyes probably held some emotion as well, she really likes Dick and he is so easy for her to be around and open up too which doesn't happen outside of her family. She knows what happened to Venus the last time she opened her heart to someone she thought she could trust, she never wants to see her or her sister hurt like that ever again. Venus was basically bed ridden with depression and anxiety because of her last boyfriend and Juniper would be damned if that ever happened on her watch again. "Alright 5 double chocolate cupcakes coming right up! Do you need anything else?" She questioned him while grabbing the box the cupcakes would be going into. Dick paused to think for a second, how is it possible that these two girls were this sweet and living in Gotham of all places? "No I think just the cupcakes is fine June. Thank you." He told her with a smile, just now realizing how insanely screwed he was. If Bruce and Selina found out about his feelings for Juniper he would be 6 feet under in a heartbeat and no one would find his grave. He watches as Juniper headed to the back to grab the cupcakes before grabbing his phone and sending a quick text to Jason, if anyone understood what he was feeling it was Jason. He had seen the way his brother looked at Venus as if she was the moon and the stars hung in the sky just for him, Jason would know what to do. Dick: Hey little wing, I have a problem and I need your help. Jay: What kind of problem? I promised Venus I wouldn't help anyone but her hide bodies anymore. Well that was a worrying thought that he would definitely be having a talk with Jason about later. Dick: I may or may not have romantical feelings for one Ms. Juniper Isley-Quinn and I have no idea how to handle this. Jason: Well, you could just tell her? Gee, thanks little wing. That thought never crossed my mind! Dick thought to himself sarcastically before being distracted as Juniper walked back out with the cupcakes. "Here ya go! One box of 5 double chocolate cupcakes for one Mr. Grayson." Juniper teased lightly as she handed over the box with the cupcakes to Dick. "How much do I owe you June?" He asked her while revealing in the fact that she was teasing him lightly, could this be a hint or is he going insane? "Um... Let's see... 5 double chocolate cupcakes is $12.45." She said with a smile, as she grabbed the cash he handed her and headed for the cash register. "So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" He was trying to be smooth and not creep her out, he really didn't want to scare her away. "Well, I get off at 5 and then I have nothing to do for the rest of the day so I was going to see what Venus is up too but she texted me earlier and said she was at the manor with Jay and Selina. So basically I have no plans." She finished explaining with a small smile. As she looked up at him she could finally decipher the emotion that was in his eyes, adoration. She had no idea if it was a real emotion towards her or if it was just a flicker in the light, if it was real and he did intend to look at her like that she had absolutely no idea how to handle that thought or where to go with that. "Well if you have nothing else to do when you get off work, would you maybe wanna go get a coffee or something with me?" He asked her awkwardly, his fear of rejection really coming to light at this moment. "That sounds great! Are you gonna be able to handle being alone without me for 3 more hours?" She teased, trying to make him feel a little better about the situation. She was very nervous but also excited about what this could possibly mean going forward. This could be her chance to experience real and intense love, she had been in love once before but she never felt as safe as she does with Dick Grayson. "I'm sure I can manage." He sent a wink her way at the end of the sentence to tease her back and let her know that he was okay. "Oh so that's how you wanna play?" She asked as she quietly snuck the piping bag full of frosting into her hand behind her back. "That's how I wanna play." He said while crossing his arms as if daring her to cross his sarcasm and teasing. "Fine then, you asked for it." She told him as she pulled the piping bag out from behind her back and began shooting frosting over the counter and right into his face. Starting to laugh and run away she was grabbed around the waist and spun around until she was facing him, looking up into his eyes she could see the amusement in them and knew she wasn't actually in trouble for being a bit of a brat. "You play dirty little dove. But fine." He shrugged as he reached his hand up to rest on her cheek. Her cheeks flamed up in pink as she continued to gaze into his eyes, he leaned his face closer to hers and just as she thought he was going to close the distance between them he whispered, "I'll get you back later." And then proceeded to walk right out the bakery doors with his cupcakes, and possibly her heart. 3 hours later and her shift at the bakery was finally over, clocking out and hanging up her apron for the day Juniper grabbed her keys and headed towards her car. As she was unlocking her drivers' side door someone grabbed her and all she could remember was the sweet smell of cherry before her world went black.

Across town, Venus was walking towards the stairs of their apartment building from the parking lot.  She had just gotten back from the manor and was looking forward to kit cuddles and movie night with Juniper. She was stopped when a hand grabbed her shoulder and proceeded to place a cloth that smelled like sweet cherry to her nose. She had no reaction time before her world also went black. Neither of the girls knew what time it was when they woke up. They were both in the same room and strapped down to chairs. "V? Are you awake?" She hears Juniper whisper next to her. As she turns to look at her sister though the lights are suddenly turned on and they can hear the tell tale click clack of footsteps. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here." Someone drawled out dramatically as they came into the light and was finally seen by both girls. Standing before them in all his, frankly awful, orange, green and purple glory, is the Joker. The girls had never been in close proximity to the Joker ever, their moms weren't very strict with things but being near the Joker or the Red Hood was a no go. "Oh shit. Mamas' gonna kill us June." Venus whispered over to Juniper as the sound of Jokers tacky leather shoes hit the floor once again. "Well you two girlies are hard to find alone, you know that." Joker asked rhetorically. "Well y'know, moms." Venus said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes at his dramatics. "You two are going for high price on the meta market. Almost seems like everyone wants you unlocked and brainwashed. I wanna know why." He stated walking over to the control system that was connected to the tables the girls were strapped to. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I know that we have a tiny bit of the meta gene but we never-" "Found out why? Yes, that would be because some mighty rich people paid a lot of dough to make sure you two were never found or activated." What the fuck? Venus had so many questions and not enough answers. First of all, who paid the doctors? Second of all, why would they want to lie on official documents anyway? And lastly, were they really that dangerous that some other super dangerous meta traffickers wanted their powers? They didn't even know what their powers would be once they were activated, neither of the girls had ever been in this type of situation before and they had no idea how they were going to get out, or even if they would get out. "Some buyers on the black market are lookin to pay a pretty penny for you twos. I told em' I'd even activate ya first so they didn't have to go through the trouble." Of course he did. Why would the fucking Joker ever let people live in peace? Just as she goes to reply to him, the machines that the girls' are hooked up to whirl to life and she panics. "What is happening? What is that?" Joker smiles creepily at them as he turns his head like a dog and says, "That my dears, is what is going to turn you into my paycheck." He then starts laughing manically as Venus can feel a buzz suddenly start at her head and end at her toes, she starts to silently cry in rage as she looks over at her sister to see her shaking. Then, after another moment, it ends and everything goes silent.