conflict and compromise / barbara gordon

a chance meeting

To say it began with the conflict would be a lie. 

Where it truly began was a rainy Gotham night, in a warmly lit diner with not enough funding and way too much good food. To Barbara, this place was where her father would yet again attempt to set her up, with a well-meaning coworker. To Wendy, this was another opportune time to do her much-growing pile of homework, not that that opportunity would be taken, she was much more occupied by the conversation on the table behind her.

"I'm sure he's great dad, I'm fine with meeting him if you want me to," 

Barbara was used to these attempts by her father to force her to socialize, since moving out, she had displayed far less willingness to socialize with anybody, and he was understandably worried. This definitely wasn't a good way to remedy the problem though. 

"Yes, I'll definitely set up a meeting date between the two of you, I've seen him work Babs, you'll appreciate his mind," and with that he set off, pulling his trademark brown coat on, "I'll see if I can set up a date between the two of you, good catching up though, I have to go." 

Barbara rose at that, to kiss her father on the cheek and say her regular goodbyes. Once that routine was over, she sat down and stayed silent for a few minutes, before standing up and walking to the man at the bar.

"Is this the part where you're supposed to introduce yourself and say that we met here by chance?"

The man smiled in goodwill.

"He really isn't subtle is he? Hey, I'm Oscar." he stretched his hand out for a handshake, which Barbara accepted.

"Hello Oscar, it's unfortunate that this date he set up here didn't go well isn't it? and how we're now good friends but not meant for each other." Barbara smiled lightly whilst shaking his hand.

"Of course, and how I tried extremely hard but there wasn't a hint of a spark" Oscar replied, smiling back and standing up to leave.

"See you 'round Oscar." Barbara said, watching him walk out the door into the rain, Oscar turned back, sending a quick salute, before disappearing into the Gotham gloom. Barbara stood there for a second, as if contemplating her decision, before sitting back down looking somewhat content. 

"Did not expect a whole show when I sat down to do my homework." 

At that, Barbara turned around to seek where that remark had come from and was met with a tilted smile. The voice had come from a girl around her age, with large round glasses and asymmetrical shoulder length dark hair. Barbara's initial reaction was to be offended, though after quick consideration, she decided, although the tone was derisive, if there was malice behind those words, she couldn't find it.

"Oh my God how much of that did you hear?" Barbara shook her head smiling.

"All of it, but don't worry, it added a bit of spice to this horrid rock analysis task," the girl giggled, hand covering her mouth, "Hey, I'm Wenlo-Wendy," she extended her hand in an exaggerated parody of how Oscar had. 

Barbara took the hand and shook it delicately, "I'll keep that in mind," she said in mock seriousness. 

The two young women smiled at each other, this was the beginning of something special, although both of them wouldn't know it.