BAE Chapter 31

“Sorry,” Barbara says to Summer. “I have to send a text.”

“Of course,” she replies graciously.

Barbara sends instructions to Alfred, then refocus on Summer.

“What about you?” she asks. “Where do you fall on the bat problem?”

Summer smiles. “I’m biased. I’ve run into Batman several times. He’s saved my life and because of my work, I’ve had a front-row seat to him saving so many other lives.”

“You don’t think he holds some of the responsibility for the circus this city has turned into?”

Summer shakes her head. “It can’t all be blamed on one man. The Joker’s obsessed with him, sure. But the rest of the sideshow? And remember, he doesn’t just inspire the bad guys. Nightwing is out there doing good work. Now the Batgirl is stepping in. Don’t get me wrong, Ms. Gordon. I’m not an advocate for vigilantism, but because I’ve lived these situations, I realize that when I need help I just can’t be picky about where it comes from.”

“So Batman has a defender in Summer Gleeson.”

Summer smiles ruefully, but then she nods. “Yes. Unless something changes.”

Barbara takes that in, then goes back to her food. “I think Bruce Wayne is Batman,” she says after a moment.

Summer laughs. “I’ve heard that one too. But I was with Bruce Wayne once when Batman rescued us. So no luck there.”

“With him in a Vicki Vale sort of way?”

Summer snorts. “No. We were captured by a ninja.”

“That sounds like a good story.”

“You’re supposed to be the one with the story,” Summer reminds her.

The chat goes well until it’s time to end. Barbara can’t hide her expression of dismay and, frankly, anger.

Summer gazes at her across the table. “Ms. Gordon?”

“I,” Barbara begins, then sighs. “Summer, I don’t want to be rude, but I can’t walk you out.”

“What’s the matter? Are you sick?” Summer is suddenly all concern.

“No. I’m taking some medication and it has a side effect, that’s all.”

“Not being able to stand up is a big side effect,” Summer notes, getting to her feet. “You’re sure that you don’t need help?”

“I’m sure,” Barbara replies, blushing.

“Are you feverish?”

“No, I’m embarrassed. Summer.” Barbara rolls her eyes. “I’m a victim of the Seed attack, remember? Well, I have a situation. And it’s kind of noticeable in this dress. So please forgive me for not standing up.”

“Oh.” Summer covers her mouth with her hand, a touch of pink on her cheeks. “Of course. Of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to badger you.”

“No, it’s OK. I just don't want you to think that I’m being rude.” Barbara wants to laugh and cry at the same time.

“No, no. I’ll see myself out.”

“I’m very sorry.”

“It’s OK. Thank you for, um…” Summer hesitates, looking uncertain. “A lovely evening.” She goes to the door, where she pauses. “I enjoyed it,” she says, then disappears into the hall.

Barbara sits in her chair, face burning as she listens to Summer’s heels clicking on the floor. The door opens and closes. Barbara lets her breath out, then growls in annoyance and looks down at the fat erection straining against her underwear, clearly imprinted by her dress. It came out of nowhere. Well, not quite out of nowhere. Barbara had been watching Summer’s perfect lips.

But Summer’s gone. Barbara stands up and puts her earpiece in.

“Alfred, what do we have?” she asks.

“Ms. Kane is meeting with the Commissioner as we speak,” Alfred reports.

Barbara switches channels. “Kate.”

“Hostage situation,” Kate replies immediately. “Kagami Plaza. Floor sixty.”

“Do we know who it is?”

“Some kind of thieves, but it went bad. They’re dug in.”

That explains the bat signal. GCPD has choppers and blimps, but those won’t help defuse a delicate situation. It stands to reason that Dad is quick to look for help from a bat when the problem is sixty stories up and high stakes.

“They’ve already shot a hostage, Babs. I’m going in.”

Trying to talk Kate out of going in is pointless.

Barbara is already in the bedroom, struggling out of her dress.

“I’ll pick you up. Be ready.” She switches back to Alfred. “I need the Plane.”

“It’s already on its way, Ms. Gordon.”

Barbara slams a fist on the hidden button in the wardrobe, which opens the secret armory. She grabs a needle of the steroid and injects it, then begins to pull on her suit.

In moments she’s on the roof, running to the edge and firing her grapple. She swings to the next building, hopping a railing and sprinting through a lavish garden, where a very wealthy pool party is going on. The partiers all quiet down for a moment as she darts through, leaping onto the railing and out into space. The Plane is waiting.

Barbara drops into the pilot’s seat and closes the cockpit, blasting away toward GCPD headquarters.

BAE

“Commish says to hold off,” Detective Harvey Bullock says into his radio, holding his hat on the windy rooftop beside the Bat Signal. A few paces away, Jim Gordon gazes worriedly in the direction of Kagami Plaza. “Hey, Bat Lady,” he says, turning back toward Batwoman, only to find himself and the Commissioner alone on the roof. He spits out his toothpick. “Where’d she go?” the big detective demands.

“Huh?” Jim Gordon turns to look, then runs his hand through his hair. “Oh, yeah. I guess they all do that.”

They both flinch at the sound of a jet engine as the Batplane rockets overhead.

“God help us,” the Commissioner says worriedly.

“Two broads? I’m more worried about the bad guys,” Bullock replies with a shrug. “Batgirl. Batwoman. What’s next? Bat Grandma?”