Secrets

Chapter 7

I woke up several hours later. Checking the time, I swore. I had completely missed training. Jumping up I ran out and straight into Robin.

"Hey, easy there, Gwen. It's ok. I told Marvel that you weren't feeling well and you got a pass. And you didn't sleep well last night. " he said soothingly, his arms on my shoulder.

"Rob, you are a life saver, I swear. That's the third time you've saved my hide. But you know you really shouldn't use my first name while we're here." He nodded.
"Right. I'll work on that. Now, the Team is out on a quick undercover mission. Nightwing had me stay back to do some catch up training... But you're in no shape to do it. Let's get some dinner. Out in the town. My treat."

"Sounds good. Where are we going? "

"Chipotle. Nowhere better in all the world." He laughed. Disappearing into his curtained off section of the Batroom. When he came out he was in jeans and a Star Trek t-shirt. I raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't know you liked Star Trek. Favourite character?"

"Which star trek? Next Generation? Original Series? Voyager?"

"Well.... I like most of those so let's say Next Generation." I said, as we walked down the hall. I had already changed into jeans and a light blue t-shirt.

"Picard. Who else?"
"Right? He's the best?" I laughed. It had been a long time since I'd had a conversation about normal things. After a short drive, with him behind the wheel, we reached our destination. We got inside, ordered and found a small table in the back where it wasn't crowded and we wouldn't be overheard.

"So did you hear that Bruce is back?" I asked, taking a very unladylike bite of my burrito. He bit back a smile and nodded.
"We're all supposed to go meet him tomorrow morning, right? Watch him be all upset with our progress or something. He's convinced we can't do anything right unless he's there. "

"Yep." I said, musing over the last few months. Then a thought struck me. "You know, I haven't seen my cat around the past few weeks. She's alright, isn't she?" I asked, guilt sinking in my gut as I realized I'd forgotten about her.

"Don't worry. I saw her in the storage room yesterday. She's found herself a nice little place and a tomcat. She comes out some nights and sleeps on me."

"So much for feline loyalty." I laughed. He chuckled with me, a little salsa dripping down his chin.

"Here..." I said, smiling and wiping his face. He smiled and our eyes met for a second.

"You're doing well, you know." He said. "Especially considering your past."

"Thanks. It hasn't been easy, especially keeping the secret from Nightwing. I've wanted to tell him so many times... but something always stopped me."

"I know. He hasn't been the same since Joker killed Batgirl... Probably a good idea not telling him your heritage."

"Agreed. Want to do a training session later?" I ask, finishing my food. He nodded. "You feeling better already? That was a quick recovery."

"I guess. But maybe we should conserve our energy for Bats tonight? He's not going to be in a good mood, he rarely is."

"Bats? In a good mood? That is rare indeed." He said with a smile. His smile was contagious and one stretched across my face as well. Unexpectedly, my cell phone rang. We both jumped and I answered it, frowning. Bruce had given me the phone, and only he and the Team knew the number.

"Hello?"

"Batgirl. I need you and Jason to come in, mission briefing." Batman's voice said on the other end of the phone before hanging up. I gave Jason a look and he immediately understood.

"Time to head home?" He questioned, clarifying. I nodded and we left. When we were close to the Cave, the tire on the car blew.

"Shit..." Jason muttered before pulling over and getting out of the car. I undid my seatbelt and followed him.

"How bad is it?' I asked, anxious now. Something didn't feel right. It was too quiet.

"Not too bad, all I'd need is a spare-" He trailed off, a feathered dark appearing in his neck.

"Jason!" I yelled, grabbing him as he fell, unconscious. I felt a sharp pain in my neck and everything became fuzzy in my eyes. I was dizzy, almost like I was drunk. I hit the pavement and as my eyes closed I could see someone approaching, then everything went black.

I woke up some hours later, on the side of the road. Jason was gone. I stood up, and stumbled. Grabbing the car for support my head began to pound. Only one thought went through my mind. Where was Jason? I grabbed my cell phone and called Bruce.

"Bruce?" I choked out, my throat was dry. "Bruce!"

"Gwen...? Calm down. What happened? Why didn't you guys show to training?"

"The tire on the car blew. We were attacked, I just woke up. Jason's gone..."

"Where are you?" he asked, I could hear that he was moving towards the Bat Cave

"About five miles from the Hall of Justice. I'll look around for evidence or see if whoever took Jason left any clues behind."

"Are you hurt?" He was worried.

"No, I'm ok. Just a little shaken."

"Don't go anywhere till I get there, and be on your guard." He ordered, I nodded even though he couldn't see me. He hung up and I leaned against the car, sick to my stomach. Whatever I'd been drugged with had been nasty. Gathering my strength, I examined the ground around the car. There were drag marks where Jason had been taken but they ended abruptly where he'd been put into another car. My jaw clenched as I saw something on the road. Going over I picked it up, but quickly dropped it with a hiss of pain as it's razor sharp edge cut my hand. Picking it up, more carefully this time I examined it. It was a playing card, a Joker. I felt my heart sink.

"Jason..." I whispered, looking out to the horizon. What horrors were in store for him at the hands of this maniac? The Batmobile pulled up and I ran to it. Bruce stepped out and I didn't wait for him to speak. I enveloped myself in his arms, and he gave me a much needed hug. He may have been cold, even heartless at times. But he knew exactly what I needed.

"Bruce, Joker's got him. How is he going to surv-" I started, speaking a million miles an hour, Bruce put a finger on my lips to silence me.

"He's a tough kid, Batgirl. Right now I need to get you back to the Cave." He said, before noticing the card in my hand. "You found that?"

"Yes, sir. On the road." I handed it to him, and he took it. I could see the worry he desperately tried to hide behind his dark eyes.

"Was there anything else, Gwen. Anything at all? Anything you remember?" He asked. "Stop and breathe, relive the moment."

I closed my eyes, trying to remember everything. My eyes snapped open. "The darts! They drugged us with those, they should be on the ground." I quickly scanned the ground and found one lying in the dust by the tire. Bruce carefully took it and placed it into a baggie.

"Good work. Right now, Gwen, you need to get back to the Cave. They could still be around. " He carefully put me into the car and drove me back. My hands were shaking, the drug still leaving my system.

When we got to the Cave Nightwing was waiting for us. He grabbed me and gave me a huge hug.

"None of this is your fault, Gwen. Remember that." He said softly in my ear.

"I'll take care of her, Bruce. You go find out what you can." He said before gently taking me to the kitchen. He poured me a mug of black coffee and got me settled on the couch.

"I know this is an incredibly violating experience, even more so that the ones we usually go through. I'm here if you need me. But if you just want to sit and watch a movie or just stare at nothing, that's fine too." I nodded and sipped the cup. He sat next to me and I laid my head on his shoulder, drinking in his comforting presence. I didn't even notice him take the mug from my hands as I slipped into the calm embrace of sleep. 

(sorry about the delay, guys! Pardon any mistakes I wrote this a bit quickly)