Batgirl

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Oracle. That woman... in my dream... I keep my eyes closed, trying to process every detail so I do not forget what I saw. The woman had a toga, the temple... similar architecture to those in ancient Greek times... Oracle: a person in Greek mythology who would provide information and prophecy to anyone who asked. The face was my own... but what does it mean?

My eyes shoot open and close as soon as I am blinded by sunlight. I go to sit up, when I am tugged back down by an arm around my waist. I laugh at myself for forgetting... I mean how could I?

"Trying to sneak away before I woke up?" Dick smiles.

"I thought you would be the one to leave me in the morning."

"I'm not going anywhere, Barb." He turns over and hovers over me, "At least not until I get a kiss..."

I giggle as he slides his hand behind my head- when suddenly, the door is slammed open.

"OH MY GOD!" I hear Dinah's voice cry as the door shuts instantly.

Dick and I both are seized with laughter. "Guess you'll have to wait for that kiss, Wonder Boy."

"Wonder Boy? I thought I was Hunk Wonder now..."

"No, that's just for special occasions," I wink at him as I reach for the robe near my bed. I start to slide myself off the bed to realize my wheelchair isn't there. Ooops...

"Need a lift, babe?" Dick smiles, now in a pair of shorts. I nod as he lifts me up and carries me out of the room. As soon as we come through the door, I see Dinah sitting on the couch in the living room with a hand on her face.

"Please tell me you both are dressed now..."

I smile up at Dick who gives me a quick peck before setting me down on the couch next to her, "I'll go get your chair..."

I look over at Dinah who is watching Dick until he rounds the corner, "Okay... what the hell happened last night?"

"He came over, we talked, and uh... yeah you can connect the dots."

Her hand goes back to her face, "I am so stupid! I didn't get an answer from your phone or your doorbell, so I pick locked your door-"

"As every good friend does..." I chuckle.

"Shut up! Anyway I went upstairs and saw the chair sitting there without you in it next to the door to the balcony, so I was afraid you jumped and ran back to check every door and..." Now both hands go over her face.

"Here you are!"

"Yeah," She scoffs, "here I am..." She looks over at Dick as he comes back pushing my chair into the room, "Look, I don't want to keep you, but I just wanted to say good-bye before I head out to Star City for a few months."

I give her a hug, "Aw... enjoy the Pacific air. Call me if you're coming back to Gotham."

"Oh I will." She smiles, pulling me back in for another hug. "Especially for the wedding," She says in my ear.

I lightly slap her shoulder as she gets up laughing from the couch.

"You take care of her, Grayson, or I'll kick your ass."

"I'd like to see you try, Tweety," He smirks. He closes the door as I wave one last time. "Now, where were we?"

There is another knock at the door. Dick's shoulders slump as I laugh. He opens the door, and I can faintly hear him talking to someone...

"Yeah she lives here- kid, is your brain not working this morning? Of course she's here- Wait, what is this about-"

I see Tim sneak under Dick's arm, "Barbara," He pants, "I ran all the way here because there's no one else who will believe me but I saw your search history from before and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I say in an effort to calm him down. What could possibly have him so upset? "Breathe... now, what did you find?"

"Your research on Bane."

The name catches me off guard. How could I have possibly forgotten?

"From what I've read in Bruce's notes in the system and from the articles you found... I think this guy is here, in Gotham."

My jaw drops as it all connects. "It all makes sense! Talia's message, the explosion at Blackgate, Nyssa's warning..."

Oh god... he is here, but what is he planning? To kill Bruce to prove himself to Ra's? I wouldn't put it past that crazy zombie... but why hasn't he made his move? Unless he doesn't know who he's dealing with.

"Hello? Earth to Barbara," Dick calls.

"He's planning something... but he's waiting; trying to see how Bruce fights. If he is anything like what I read about, he's super strong and probably highly intelligent. He must know who Bruce is, but is waiting for the opportune moment to fight. You have to watch him, Tim."

"He could get killed, Barb!" Dick shouts.

"Yeah, and so could Bruce!" I sigh as I stare out the window, "As much as I would like to think that he can beat this guy, I've got a really bad feeling about all of it. It's like he's just waiting for Bruce to tire out... wait a second that's it! How many more inmates are left to capture from the breakout?"

"Uhhh..." Tim stares off into space as he's going through the files in his head, "About 22."

"How many high profile, like mob bosses, serial killers, people who should be in Arkham..."

"Twelve... no, thirteen."

"Good... you still have time."

"What? Time to what?"

"Train, increase the security at the cave, and get this Bane guy before he gets Bruce."