BAE Chapter 62

Barbara stays out of Ivy’s way. Ivy’s more interested in her lab than her living quarters, and Barbara is OK with that. Ivy’s already at work, coordinating with Lucius on the vaccine formulation and laying the groundwork for production. It’s all Barbara can do not to order production straightaway so the product will be ready the second clinical trials conclude, but she’s deferring to Lucius on the timeline.

Ivy seems to think she can have a dose ready in an extremely short period of time. That’s not surprising; Ivy’s done much more miraculous things with way fewer resources in the past. Her claims are credible.

Barbara leaves Wayne Enterprises feeling cautiously optimistic about countering Seed if it hits the streets. Meanwhile, it appears that Ivy’s pleased to be out of Arkham and savoring the idea of some peace and solitude. Going from Arkham to the strange, but lavish accommodations of Wayne Tower is quite an upgrade. The best thing that Barbara can do is give her some space.

She climbs into the back of the Rolls to the familiar sight of Alfred in his chauffeur outfit.

“Sorry,” she says, focused on her phone as he drives them away from Wayne Tower. “I’m texting Summer.”

“How did things go with Dr. Isley?”

“Pretty well. What happened today probably bought us some goodwill. We still can’t trust her, but I’m confident we’ll get this vaccine out of her.”

“That’s excellent news.”

“Damn. I was hoping to meet Summer before her show, but she can’t meet until after.” Barbara sighs. “Any media on Katana yet?”

“Nothing so far.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky. Batgirl coverage?”

“The public is not as bullish on the Batgirl as they are on the Batman,” Alfred says tactfully. “But it will take more than the police complaining on television to scuttle her approval rating.”

“That’s comforting. Find a safe patrol for Kate tonight. I’ll join her when I can.”

There’s a slight hesitation. “I don’t think Ms. Kane would object to handling the evening alone if you asked her to.”

“Real subtle, Alfred. I’ll play it by ear.”

“Very good, Ms. Gordon.”

BAE

Stephanie is barely recognizable as she waits inside the smoothie bar sandwiched between a premium gym and a watch store just a few blocks from Wayne Tower. This more prosperous bit of downtown Gotham looks lovely in the twilight, with the golden light from the skyscrapers bathing the busy street. Barbara climbs out of the car and makes her way past the pedestrians to go inside.

In the past, Stephanie’s energy was almost glamorous. She’s a natural blonde and her costume was considerably gaudier than Barbara’s. Now, Stephanie channels the energy of a soccer mom in her jeans and hoodie. Her glorious blonde hair is up in a clip and she’s wearing glasses. Barbara’s never seen her in glasses before.

After Barbara walked away, Cassandra ended up in the role of Batgirl. And in Barbara’s opinion, Cassandra had done good work. When Cassandra stepped away, Stephanie had been the next. Barbara and Stephanie have never worked together beyond sharing information. It’s a matter of timing, not preference. They aren’t friends, but there aren’t any grudges between them.

Barbara carries a certain disapproval of anyone who, like her, foolishly joined Bruce’s doomed crusade. But Cass did it for her own reasons, which were more valid. Stephanie… even Stephanie had a better reason for getting involved than Barbara. Maybe that’s where the annoyance comes from. Barbara looks back at the person she used to be and doesn’t like her very much. Or more correctly, doesn’t respect her. Cass and Stephanie remind her of her shortcomings. Cass is a better Batgirl and Stephanie is a more well-adjusted human being.

And then there’s Barbara with one foot in Wayne Enterprises, one foot in the costume, one foot in budding penis-related sexuality, and one foot in the bitter past of her bad decisions and Bruce’s irresponsible war. It’s working about as well as it sounds like it would.

She tries to push those thoughts away as she puts in an order, then joins Stephanie at her table by the window.

Stephanie seems warm and friendly, but there’s a little more maturity in her eyes than Barbara remembers from a few years back.

“You look good,” Barbara says.

“So do you,” Stephanie replies, taking in Barbara in her somewhat rumpled pantsuit. Barbara’s been wearing it all day and hasn’t had time to clean up or fix her makeup or anything. “Seen Tim lately?”

“He’s doing fine,” Barbara assures her.

“Why isn’t he here?”

“He’s not an idiot.”

Stephanie smiles. “I didn’t think you’d come back. I thought you and Bruce weren’t speaking.”

“We weren’t. I didn’t expect the invite.”

“That’s so him.”

“Why are you smiling?”

Stephanie shrugs. “I’m not going to pretend to take your side, Babs.”

Right. Stephanie has a much rosier view of Bruce than Barbara does. He was the mentor and father figure that she needed. Where Barbara can argue that Bruce’s influence was bad for Dick, Barbara, and Jason… that argument doesn’t hold up with Stephanie. Or Cass. They both worship him, and Barbara can’t blame them. It’s infuriating.

“You OK?”

Barbara looks up, startled. The waitress is there with her smoothie.

“I’m good,” Barbara replies.

The waitress stares for a second. Yes. This waitress watches TV. Barbara cringes inwardly. Some level of celebrity is unavoidable now.

“Thanks,” she says, taking the cup.

The waitress leaves and Barbara takes a deep breath for patience.

“I’m glad you stepped up,” Stephanie says.

“Who says I stepped up?”

“I’m reading between the lines.”

Barbara gazes at her. She takes a drink of her smoothie, then makes an inviting gesture, bracing herself.

Stephanie matches her stare, then snorts. She puts her hands on the table and turns them up.

“Do you want my help?” she asks.

“Why would you want to?”

Stephanie swallows. “I see what you’re doing. I agree with it.”

“Your schedule’s free?”

“It is.”

“This is your idea of a rebound. This? To take your mind off a breakup?”

Stephanie doesn’t take the bait. She taps her finger on the table.

“That would be a perk. The reason is that I think that Bruce would want me to support you. If you needed it.” She throws her arm over the back of her chair and looks out the window. “I won’t go rogue. It’s obvious you’re in charge now. I’m OK with that. If you tell me to stay out of it, I’ll stay out of it.”

Just what Barbara needs. More decisions, but she had a feeling this was what Stephanie was here to do. What else would it have been? Still, it’s an affirmation that Barbara is doing something right if people who’ve hung up their capes are coming out of retirement to offer their services. But it’s not Barbara that Stephanie wants to follow, it’s Bruce’s shadow.

Barbara considers Stephanie more reliable than Kate, and that’s the old Stephanie. She seems more grown up now. Of course, that won’t stop Bane from snapping her like a twig if she messes up.

Barbara didn’t set out to build a team. A team brings big advantages and big risks. Fighting the enemy is time-consuming enough. Fighting each other is something that Barbara loathes. Having Stephanie’s help will probably be great until they disagree on something.

Then there will be problems. The thought of it makes Barbara queasy.

“Still got your stick?” Barbara asks.

“It’s called a bo staff. It’s in the cave.”

“Well, I don’t know if you noticed, but there’s already a Batgirl in Gotham,” Barbara says, motioning with her cup.

“I’m like Barbie,” Stephanie replies, nonplussed.

“Because you were created by the patriarchy?”

“Because I have more than one outfit.”

Three of them, by Barbara’s count. The Spoiler outfit is no good; people won’t recognize it. That leaves the other two.

Should Barbara bring Stephanie on as (another) Batgirl?

Or as Robin?