Batgirl/Kitty Pryde: From Proteges to Pros

Gotham City

"What're you gonna say if we run into the Batman? You know what he thinks of other vigilantes in Gotham..." Kitty asked.

Logan grunted dismissively. "Don't give a shit. Deathstrike's here, and she's always been my problem. Not the Bat's."

"I'm just saying if we see Batman while we're here -- and we probably will -- can you at least try to be friendly?"

"You of all people know I don't do friendly, Kitty."

"I meant 'friendly' by your standards," Kitty clarified. "So basically, don't try to stab him. I have friends who work with Batman -- I'd prefer it if you didn't make things awkward for me around them."

"I'll try. No promises." Wolverine had worked with Batman on several occasions in the past, usually alongside the rest of the Justice League & X-Men. While the two shared a mutual respect, the two often butted heads due to their less cooperative nature, and weren't afraid to let the other know about it. Furthermore, Batman wasn't overly enthusiastic about even close friends like Kal & Diana patrolling his streets, let alone Logan...

Meanwhile, Batman and Batgirl were trailing the pair on the rooftops above. "You don't need to be so paranoid, Bruce. We know Wolverine's on our side," Barbara said, attempting to reassure the Batman about Logan's presence in Gotham.

Bruce kept an extensive dossier on Wolverine, much like he did with everyone he dealt with, friend or foe. "He's a killer, Barbara. As long as he's in town, I'll be keeping an eye on him."

"Do you really think he's here to kill someone, though?" Barbara wondered. "Since he joined the X-Men, he's--"

"--If something sets him off, it won't matter," Bruce interrupted. "He's prone to uncontrollable berserker rages. Whatever his intentions are here... he's not killing anyone in Gotham City."

"I doubt he's here for that. I'm more worried about who he might be looking for," Barbara pointed out.

"So am I, Barbara. That's the main reason we're following him. Logan might not be a problem for Gotham, but whoever he might be hunting probably is."

Barbara was somewhat relieved that there was more to them trailing Logan & Kitty than just simple mistrust. "Good to know we're following him for the right reasons, then."

Logan & Kitty eventually tracked down Yuriko, getting as close as possible without alerting her. They saw her meet with a mountain of a man before they entered a dilapidated building, seemingly surrounded by thugs.

"Ok, so she came here to meet with a huge, mean looking dude. You have any idea who that guy is?" Kitty asked Logan, staring at the building through a pair of binoculars.

A familar voice answered the question from across the rooftop. "His name's Bane. And he falls under my jurisdiction."

Logan and Kitty turned to see Batman and Batgirl emerging from the shadows. "Oh, um, uh, OK. Hi, Batman," Kitty stammered, before turning to look at Barbara with a bashful smile. "Hi, Babs." *Ok, Kitty, be cool. Talking to Barbara Gordon is no different than -- did she somehow get even prettier since the last time I saw her?*

"Hey, Kitty," Barbara blushed, smiling back. *Stay calm, Babs. Kitty's just a friend... a friend who just happens to be really, really cute...*

Kitty and Barbara had teamed up on occasion before, usually alongside their mentors -- the pair had developed a massive mutual crush on each other, but both women had always been too nervous to actually admit it.

"Babs!" Lockheed, Kitty's beloved pet dragon, eagerly flew over to Barbara, who happily scratched him behind the ear, not unlike a cat.

"Lockheed! Good to see you, buddy," Babs smiled.

"So, uh, long time no see," Kitty sputtered nervously, still blushing. "How's Gotham University treating you?"

Barbara matched Kitty's nervous energy, both excited to run into her crush and anxious to impress her. "Uh, Pretty great! I've been working at the Gotham U library lately. Kind of a dream job of mine, being around so many books..." *Did that sound impressive? I really hope that sounded impressive.*

"Cool! That, uh, that's awesome. Glad to hear you're enjoying it," Kitty smiled sheepishly.

"How about you? How're your studies going?" Barbara wondered.

"Not bad," Kitty answered. "I'm, uh, actually looking at transferring schools for my second year of university. Xavier Institute is great, but I kinda wanna go somewhere a little less exclusive."

"Cool, cool," Barbara nodded. "Have you got any places in mind? Because Gotham U is a pretty great school, and, uh... yeah..." *Did I seem too eager there? I think I may have come across as too eager there...*

Kitty smiled, hoping Barbara's suggestion meant what she thought it did. "Actually, yeah! I've heard all kinds of good things, and Dr. McCoy tells me they have a great mutant studies program. To tell you the truth, it's, uh... it's the school I'm hoping to get into."

"Oh! Uh, that'd be awesome," Barbara grinned widely. If you're interested, I could show you around campus while you're here. Um, If you've got any free time while you're in town, that is..."

Kitty enthusiastically accepted the offer; "HELL YEAH! I mean, sure, I'd like that." *Smooth, Kitty. Real smooth.*

Barbara continued, "And maybe after, we could--"

"You ladies listening?" Logan interrupted.

"Um, sorry, Logan. We were, uh, discussing, uh..." Kitty sputtered, her attention finally off of the pretty redhead she was so smitten with and back on the actual task at hand. This was important, after all. Logan needed her help finding out more about... who had they been tracking again?

"We were discussing what we knew about Bane and Deathstrike," Barbara said to finish Kitty's sentence.

*Nice save, Babs,* Kitty thought. *She's so awesome...*

"I see. Any theories on why they might be working together?" Batman asked.

"Uhhhh... probably something involving venom and adamantium?" Kitty reasoned.

"Makes sense," Logan acknowledged. "Yuriko's always looking for a way to take me out. A buncha thugs on super steroids ain't exactly original, but if she can get enough of 'em..."

"It's also possible that on venom, an average person might be able to survive the adamantium bonding process," Bruce surmised. "It's just a theory, but it's something we can't rule out."

"If that's the case, maybe Deathstrike's working with Weapon X?" Kitty wondered. "Maybe they're looking to nab you again..."

"Wouldn't surprise me. Especially if they're tryin' to recreate the adamantium bonding process," Logan guessed.

"I'll need more than theories before I can act," Batman commented. But if Bane's looking to use the adamantium bonding process somehow he needs to be stopped."

"Agreed. So, what do we do?" Kitty asked.

"Batgirl and I will begin gathering evidence. You two are done here," Bruce answered.

"The hell we are!" Logan grunted. "If you think I'm gonna stand by and..."

"I'm gonna have to apologize for Batman's, shall we say, skeptical nature," Barbara told Kitty as the pair watched Bruce & Logan argue. "He can be... overprotective of Gotham sometimes."

"A paranoid, overprotective mentor, huh? Gee, I wonder what that's like," Kitty said jokingly. "Think they'll get into a fight?"

Barbara shook her head. "Probably not. We've got the same goal, and they've worked together a number of times before. Bat's a prickly guy in general -- he just needs to get it out of his system."

Kitty was quick to agree. "Same with Logan. He gets into arguments like this all the time -- you should see him and Cyclops get into it."

"Is it anything like watching Batman argue with Superman?" Barbara wondered out loud.

Kitty smiled and shrugged. "Depends. Does Supes pelt Batman with laser vision?"

"Nah, Superman's got a bit more restraint than that," Barbara answered. "He does have the laser eyes though."

Kitty recalled, "Now that you mention it, I have seen Superman's laser eyes. Heat vision, right?"

"Yeah, Supes is kind of a swiss army knife of useful powers," Barbara opined.

"Plus he's got a super-hot cousin," Kitty pointed out.

"Oh?" Barbara asked curiously. "Sounds like you might have a thing for her."

"Just calling it like I see it," Kitty said plainly.

"Fair enough. Besides you're not wrong," Barbara admitted. "Though now I'm curious about any crushes you might have..."

Kitty blushed deeply and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sure you'll find out eventually..."

Kitty & Barbara's conversation was interrupted by their mentors. "Listen, kid," Logan said to Kitty. "The Batman here's just told me some of the rumors he's gathered about my old Weapon X crew. The rumors are... unsettlin', to say the least. So I'll be headin' up to Canada, to the old Weapon X facility. And it's probably better if I go it alone."

"Uh, OK," Kitty said. "So... should I head back to the X-Mansion, then?"

"Actually, I could use you here in Gotham," Batman interjected. "I'll be in the Batcave gathering data on Lady Deathstrike and Bane, and I could use an extra pair of eyes on the streets here."

Barbara answered, mildly surprised. "Asking an outsider for help in Gotham? That's not like you, Bruce."

"I might not like it," Bruce admitted. "But you know I won't turn down an ally if I think they can help. And Miss Pryde here has experience dealing with Yuriko Oyama. Of course, I'm going to ask that you keep an eye on her while she's here, Barbara."

"Seriously?" Kitty asked, trying to hide her grin. Maybe she'd objected to someone else watching her, but since this meant she and Barbara would be spending plenty of time together over the next few days, she had no complaints whatsoever.

"Part a' the deal, kid," Logan said. "We got a better chance of finding out what Bane & Deathstrike are up to -- and Weapon X's connection if you help out here. So you and Batgirl here are gonna have to become pals quickly."

"Oh! Uh, not a problem. I've worked with Babs before, and I like her a lot," Kitty said, thinking about what an understatement her comment was. "So, uh, if I have to..."

Bruce turned to Barbara with his request. "I apologize for dropping this on you, Batgirl. But I'll need you to take Kitty along on your patrols until I'm finished investigating. Would you be willing to take her?"

"Definitely!" Barbara said enthusiastically. "She can stay at my apartment... uh, if she needs to," she finished as she and Kitty blushed again, both squealing with delight inside.

"'Preciate the offer, kid, but I can spring for Kitty's hotel room," Logan said.

"No!" Kitty blurted out, emphatically declining Logan's offer. "I mean, I don't need a hotel room... Babs has been kind enough to offer, and, y'know, I'd rather not be a bad guest..."

Logan smirked as he finally caught on. "Alright, kid. If Batgirl's offerin', I guess it's up to you two."

Kitty and Barbara looked at one another, barely able to contain their excitement. There was plenty of work to be done, sure, but they'd been waiting for a chance to get to know each other better -- and now they'd be working closely together. It was going to be a good week.