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ajremixTitle: The Inventor 14
Fandom: DCU
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3699
Characters: Ted, Booster, Michelle, Birds of Prey, Dick, Damian
Summary: Eras don't end, they merely change. A new face comes to Gotham.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
One thing Barbara was thankful about with Tim’s return was that she could take a break from Oracle for a bit. Which was rather timely since it meant she could spend her break talking with Ted. Or, in this case, Ted and Dinah.
He sat opposite the two women, drumming his fingers together with an almost sheepish expression. “Both of you know I don’t like asking for favors. Unless it’s not to kill me for something I did- which this isn’t -but I’d really appreciate your help.”
“Depends on what it is,” Dinah said. “As it is, if you ask Zinda, you probably have an eternity of freebies just for all the work you put in Aerie One.”
"Well, hopefully that will still stand because if you agree, this would affect the rest of the Birds."
"It's alright, Ted," Barbara said calmingly. "Tell us what it is."
He cleared his throat and from the way he was shifting it was obvious he had this discussion planned out fifty different ways and had practiced what he was going to say, but every word fled the moment he needed them. "I'd like you guys to look after a friend of mine."
Both Barbara and Dinah sat quietly, waiting for him to continue. Clearing his throat again, Ted did so. "She's not really a cape- she's got a suit with capabilities, but she doesn't really do the hero thing and I don't think it really appeals to her so I'm not asking you to take her out on missions or anything. Though if you could teach her how to defend herself, that would be awesome," he added with a thumbs up.
"Ted," Dinah said with a slight curve to her lips, "you really aren't telling us anything. Who is she?"
A deep breath and hands clenched against the tabletop. "Booster's sister, Michelle."
Barbara's mind filed open, flipping promptly to the category labeled 'Booster Gold' and skimming down to the section she had compiled on his family. "He only has one sister," she said bluntly, "and she's been dead for some time."
"Except for this past year in which she's been not-dead." Ted tried to sway her with a meek, innocent smile.
It didn't work in the slightest. "How is she alive? And why has Booster been keeping her a secret?"
"Hey- he may not have a secret identity in the traditional sense, but that doesn't mean he's obligated to tell people everything about himself. She came back before I did, so I can't really say how it happened."
Ted wasn't lying but Barbara knew he wasn't telling the truth, either. "Why, after a year of keeping her a secret, does Booster want us to take her in?"
"Michelle wants to see the world, basically. She never really spent a lot of time out and about, soaking up this era and Booster would like someone watching out for her so the events that lead to her death doesn't happen again."
She certainly couldn't fault him for that bit of paranoia. "And what has she been doing this past year that's kept her from enjoying this time."
"Can't say," Ted said simply, as if it was as easy as that. "Just that she's bored and wants to hang out with someone that's not her brother for a bit."
"I have no problems with it," Dinah said, slouching back in her chair a bit. "I remember what a mess Booster was when she died so I don't blame him for wanting to protect her." A thought suddenly struck and Dinah leaned her elbows on the table again. "So wait- is she still as old as she was back then or is she still Booster's age?"
"She's twenty two, I think she said." Ted laughed a little, "Would they still be twins now that he's so much older?"
"Guess it depends on what they say, right? It'd be kind of nice having her over, I think. Steph would probably like having someone more her age hanging around and despite rumors, Gotham isn't a terrible place if you know your way around."
“No.”
Barbara got startled, blank looks from Dinah and Ted.
“No?”
“Why no?”
Barbara pressed her lips into a thin line. “Not until you tell me how you and Booster’s sister are alive again.”
Ted’s expression went stiff. “I can’t.”
“You know I don’t like being in the dark, Ted. And this is hardly some minor incident that can be ignored.”
“I can’t,” Ted repeated. “I promised I wouldn’t and I can’t.”
“But Dick knows.”
“You know,” Dinah said, slowly backing from the table, “I think I’ll leave this part of the discussion to you two.” She beat a hasty retreat out.
Neither seemed to notice her absence. “Dick found out because Bruce found out. If it was something I could tell you, Babs, I would, but I can’t.”
“Suddenly you can’t trust me?”
“It’s not you I don’t trust. The less people that know, the safer it is and I won’t risk those I care about most just to satisfy your need to know.”
The two sat in stony silence, staring hard across the table. Barbara had always been the one to out stubborn Ted, but even she could recognize the issue being the one Ted refused to budge on. She tried a different tact, “Does this have something to do with why I’ve occasionally seen Booster where he shouldn't have been?”
Ted blinked and it was obvious he had no idea what Barbara was talking about. “What?”
“Edict memory, here,” she said, tapping the side of her head. “I saw a man who looked too suspiciously like Booster to be anyone else before he made his big debut or in Gotham when he was supposed to be elsewhere. Older than he was supposed to be, as well.”
“That, I wouldn’t know about.” And Barbara knew him well enough to tell when he was being honest. Ted’s eyes darkened. “Babs, please don’t let this ruin our friendship.”
She looked at him sharply. “Why would this ruin our friendship?”
“Because I’m not going to tell you this time and I doubt I’m going to tell you any other time and if it’s so important that you refuse to help someone who needs it, what’s to stop you from bringing it up later? I know you- this thing is going to hang between us if you let it become too important.”
With a sigh, Barbara's spine slouched back. “I wasn’t actually going to turn her away.”
“You and your scare tactics.”
“They usually work.” She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “I don’t want our friendship broken by this, either.”
“I know. But I still can’t tell you.”
“I know.”
A smile pulled at Ted’s lips. “You already asked Dick, didn’t you? He said nothing and that’s why you’re asking me.”
She frowned, annoyed that Ted could read her that well. “He said it wasn’t his place to say.”
“Not mine, either.”
“Then whose is it?”
“Also not my place.”
“You know the logical conclusion would be to ask Booster.”
The humor fell out of Ted’s face. “Please don’t.”
For the first time in a long, long while, Barbara relented. “Alright. It’s obviously important to you, I’ll drop it.”
A relieved, grateful smile warmed her. “Thanks, Babs.”
“I’m sure Dinah’s already talking to the other Birds about it, so let’s discuss what you want us to do with Michelle.”
~*~*~*~
The world faded back into somewhat familiar solidity, changed merely by time and advancements in technology, but still that same cave with all the ridiculous props. And, Michelle was pleased to note, a very handsome man.
"Welcome to the Batcave," the very handsome man said with a beatific smile and hint of laughter, "officially this time." He held his hand out to Michelle. "Dick Grayson."
"Michelle Carter," she said, her hand warm in his.
"Well," Dick's eyes glittered in a way that reminded her of Ted, "I can certainly see who got all the pretty in the family."
Booster gave an indignant, "Hey!" from over her shoulder.
"You're just flattering me," she teased right back, "I let Mikey have some pretty."
"I'm plenty pretty!" Her brother protested, "Age just matured it is all. You know- dignified me and everything."
Michelle laughed. "Dignified you- that's exactly what it did."
Booster narrowed his eyes at her. "Why am I still nice to you again?"
Michelle batted her lashes at him. "Because you don't know any better."
"Grayson- must all your associates be so inanely verbose?"
There, by Dick's side, was a young, extremely scowly boy. Michelle bent down enough to look him in the eye and say, "You must be Damian Wayne. It's nice to meet you."
"Tt." Damian bared his teeth in disdain, "Just what I needed. Another would-be hero I need to babysit."
"Well, it's a good thing it's just me that's staying and not my brother. I'm not expecting to do any heroics here so I shouldn't be in your way." Michelle gave him her best innocent smile and big baby blues. Right on cue, Damian's face began turning pink. Likely helped along by a small helping of bared cleavage in his direct line of sight.
He took a quick step back and glared at Booster to cover up his fluster. "And you?"
"I dunno," Booster returned with an unintimidated smile. "I have been thinking about a change in scenery."
"He'll leave as soon as I'm tired of him hanging around," Michelle said. "That won't take long considering how many months I've been living with him."
Dick slapped Booster's shoulder, leading the way out of the cave. "I have a feeling things are going to be interesting around here."
Michelle fell into step with her brother. "I don't know why you were warning me about Damian. He seems like a perfectly fine young man."
Damian's head twitched slightly in her direction.
"Oh, you haven't seen his usual behavior," Booster snorted. "He's actually being nice right now."
"And you're going to tell me that he's normally vain, petty, bad tempered and self-centered, right?"
"Among other things."
"Pfft! Please!" Shouldering her bag higher she said, "I grew up with you, remember? I refuse to believe anyone can be as obnoxious as you were as a kid." An upraised finger cut off Booster's protest. "And don't even pretend you don't know what I'm talking about."
"What is this- Pick on Mikey Day?"
Michelle whirled in surprise. "I'm only supposed to pick on you for a day? I don't like that rule, I'm ignoring it."
At her side, Booster groused. Giggling to herself, Michelle gave him a little shoulder check and he threw an arm around her neck in a loose headlock. Looking down at his sister's infectious smile, a grin pulled at his own lips. Up ahead, Michelle could just barely hear Damian tell Dick, "She may actually be tolerable."
~*~*~*~
It took a lot longer to get to the garage than it should have, but Booster didn't say anything about Dick's mini-tour that showed off the best of the manor. Not just because Dick had taken him on the same tour before, but also because of Michelle's reactions. Sure, Booster's old mansion was probably bigger and had been pretty state-of-the-art at the time, but Wayne Manor was lived in. It had history and character, each piece of furniture a story to tell and the very air within was warm and used in a way that made it feel welcoming. Plus it was far less gaudy than Booster's old place. And Michelle unabashedly loved it.
Somewhere during the tour- if Booster had to guess, it was most likely after Michelle had lingered over photos on the wall of Bruce and his parents, commenting quietly about how happy they looked -Damian began taking over the commentary. He went on about this and that and any impressive thing Bruce had done that he could interject at any opportunity. Damian couldn't have sounded more important than if he had done those things himself. Dick humored him by throwing in some 'don't forget's and 'remember the's and Michelle plied Damian for more. It annoyed Booster at first. Then Michelle said,
"Sounds like he was a neat dad."
Damian hesitated for half a second before saying just slightly too measured, "He was a good man."
It reminded Booster how schizophrenic Bruce could seem. There was the playboy, the Batman and then there was Bruce Wayne and sometimes it was so difficult to consolidate the three of them into one person. And, exchanging glances with Dick, Booster could bet which of those aspects of Bruce dealt with Damian.
Damian had a good man who was a bad father. Booster and Michelle had a bad man who was a terrible father. With the revelation of their sudden commonality, it was hard for Booster to simply scoff at the kid now.
By the time they'd finally gotten to the garage, Michelle and Damian were practically talking like people and not like, well, people and his imperial highness, Mini-Bats. As they approached a gleaming Bentley, however, Damian hung back. Michelle turned to him in surprise, "You're not coming with us?"
"I have work that needs completing here," he said stoically.
"He learned a lot growing up in the Assassin's Guild," Dick explained, "Alfred and I are trying to make that knowledge applicable to everyday life and business."
"Sounds like a task," Booster said.
"I'm sure Damian's doing fine." With a bright smile, Michelle held her hand out to Damian, "If you have time, it would be nice to talk to you again."
Most men tended to get a little off balanced whenever Michelle smiled at them like that. Damian doubly so because she genuinely meant it. He recovered remarkably, however, and shook her hand smartly. "We will see what our scheduling is like."
Dick turned around so only Booster could see and hear him speak, "Your sister's a natural."
Booster gave a little laugh, "You have no idea how much this surprises me."
A hand tapping against the roof of the car got their attention. "Alright, boys," Michelle said with a grin, "let's get going."
As they piled into the car, a voice suddenly called out, "Miss Carter."
Damian stood with his arms crossed over his chest with a stoic frown that did nothing to hide a growing flush. "In case Grayson is completely incapable of manners- should you find the facilities in the Clocktower lacking, there are rooms available in the manor."
Her soft smile ruined any chance Damian had to pretend he wasn't turning red. "That's very sweet of you to offer, Damian. Thank you."
Dick turned the engine just in time to cover up the snicker that escaped him while Booster busied himself with looking at the buttons in the car to keep from commenting on the adorability of Damian's apparent crush. Michelle gave the boy a last wave as they pulled out and once they passed the manor gates Dick couldn't help saying, "Well. Things are going to be far more interesting than I first thought." Catching Michelle's eyes in the rearview he said, "I've never seen him warm up to anyone like that."
She just shrugged in return, turning to watch Gotham slowly build and pass around them. "He's not that different from anyone else trying to prove that they're not a child. He just wants to be treated like he matters. Like he's important and what he does is worthwhile." Her eyes flickered, very briefly, to Booster, "It's something I'm familiar with."
~*~*~*~
Ted met them by the elevator out of the garage, holding open the door like a lift operator. "Going up?" He asked with a cheeky grin.
Michelle answered him with a tight, one-armed hug. "Ted! I missed you!"
"She hit me she missed you so much," Booster accused.
Ted gave the young woman a sappy, touched look. "Aw- that's the nicest thing anyone's done for me!" Turning to the third man, Ted nodded with a smile. "Grayson."
"Kord," he returned with his own knowing grin. "How've you been enjoying the view?"
"Beautiful. Absolutely stunning. Oh wait- did you mean Gotham?" The doors closed and the elevator rose smooth as silk. "Eh- I could leave it."
Dick snickered. "Have they put you in the corner for that kind of talk yet?"
"They tried, but Zinda ended up there more often than me."
"Oh, I believe that."
"I should probably warn you," Ted gave Booster a sideways glance, "Barbara wasn't happy with being kept in the dark about things. She promised not to press, but still. Not happy."
"No one's ever happy to just see me these days." Booster gave his best friend his best puppy eyes. "Except you, Ted. You're happy to see me, right?"
"All depends on how much trouble you get me into."
"Me get you into trouble!" He shoved at Ted's shoulder. "Someone's got their memory in backwards!"
The doors opened before things could degenerate into a shoving war- though it certainly didn't stop the two from fighting to see who got the last shove in.
"Honestly, boys," Dinah cried at the two, arms akimbo and hip canted, "and you wonder why we never take you anywhere."
"Dinah!" Booster shouldered Ted aside to clap his former teammate's shoulders. "Even more beautiful than ever!"
"Booster," she returned with a wicked little smile, "as flattering as ever."
"Only to those that deserve it." Booster beamed before stepping back to let Dick greet the women while Ted pushed Michelle forward. Booster knew the Birds by reputation but only Dinah he felt comfortable being friendly with.
So, in his stead, Ted took over introductions. "Everyone- you know Booster. This is his sister, Michelle, who Babs and Dinah graciously agreed to help acclimate into this century."
Feeling a little bit put on the spot, Michelle gave a little smile and wave. "Hi."
"I'm Barbara Gordon," Barbara said with a small, patient smile, "welcome to the Clocktower and to Gotham. Things may seem a bit hectic around here at times, but there will always be someone here if you have any questions. Ted has already explained the basic capabilities of your suit to me. Don't worry, though, we won't be putting you on any missions." During the introduction, however, Michelle was just staring at the woman. Not at her wheelchair (which was annoying, but typical in Barbara's experience) rather at her face instead. Barbara raised an eyebrow. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” Michelle said a little too quickly, “you just reminded me of someone is all. I’m Michelle. Michelle Carter.” She gave her winningest smile and held out her hand.
“Pleased to meet you,” Barbara’s grip was strong and confident and Michelle could see why her brother was nervous of having her as competition. As Barbara wheeled about to introduce the other Birds (why they were called that, Michelle had no clue), Michelle gave her brother an angry Mikey! look to which he replied with a helpless, sheepish I forgot! shrug. “This is Dinah Lance, Helena Bertinelli, Zinda Blake and Stephanie Brown.” Each woman waved or smiled in turn and Michelle couldn’t help a little overwhelmed smile.
“Wow,” she said, “I kinda feel like I was dropped in the middle of a modeling shoot.”
Ted snorted, half sitting on a nearby counter. “Preach to the choir. I hang out with your brother.”
“You know I only keep you around to enhance my own attractiveness.” Booster yelped when Ted idly kicked him in the butt, half pouting, half glaring in retaliation.
"So, to ask the million dollar question," Dick leaned against the back of Barbara's wheelchair until she calmly reached back and gave him a sharp pinch, "what's the plan?"
"I think that all depends on our guest, here." Dinah turned to Michelle with a friendly grin, "Anything in particular you want to do? Have you ever been to Gotham before?"
Her eyes widened with momentary panic, "Er... sort of?"
Booster's hand was on her shoulder. "We grew up in Gotham, hundreds of years in the future. I'm pretty sure things are different from when we were kids."
"Time travelers?" Stephanie asked, "Or displaced like Zinda?"
"Coming to this time was intentional-"
"To varying degrees," Michelle added.
"Going back is pretty much a no-go."
"I thought everyone knew that," said Ted.
Booster shrugged. "People forget? After a couple of years of talking about it, it kind of stopped being impressive."
"Now I'm reminded why nothing ever gets done with you two around," Barbara said with a wry look, "you always go off on tangents."
"And loose our way back on topic? It's a talent," Ted gave a big grin.
"So, Michelle? What would you like to do at the moment?"
"Oh, man- look around? I really don't know what's in Gotham at this time period."
"I can show you around!" Stephanie bounced on her toes. "Oh! And we can have Dick drive us around!"
Dick looked at the young woman with her arm slung around his shoulders. "I'm your chauffer today?"
"I can show Michelle around or we can show her around in style. Which do you suggest?"
"Well, when you put it that way..."
"Hey, Skipper?" Zinda asked suddenly, "What're we gonna do for rooms?"
"With Ted in our current guest room, it really depends on how long he and Booster are planning on staying."
The two looked at each other and shrugged. "A couple days, I guess," Ted replied.
"Booster and Michelle can stay at the manor," Dick suggested.
Eyebrows raised. "With Damian? Are you trying to scare them off?"
"Damian suggested it first, hand to God. Well, he suggested it to Miss Carter, anyway." He gave Michelle an exaggerated but pleasant smile and gentlemanly half-bow. She returned it with a hardly lady like snicker.
Jaws dropped. "Damian? Are you serious? Damian invited someone to stay at the manor?"
"Amazingly enough- yes."
"The taming of the fungus," Stephanie said, linking her arm through Michelle's and taking her back toward the elevator. "This I gotta hear!"
The older women exchanged looks. Zinda proclaimed loudly, "I think I'm gonna like her."
Fandom: DCU
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3699
Characters: Ted, Booster, Michelle, Birds of Prey, Dick, Damian
Summary: Eras don't end, they merely change. A new face comes to Gotham.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
One thing Barbara was thankful about with Tim’s return was that she could take a break from Oracle for a bit. Which was rather timely since it meant she could spend her break talking with Ted. Or, in this case, Ted and Dinah.
He sat opposite the two women, drumming his fingers together with an almost sheepish expression. “Both of you know I don’t like asking for favors. Unless it’s not to kill me for something I did- which this isn’t -but I’d really appreciate your help.”
“Depends on what it is,” Dinah said. “As it is, if you ask Zinda, you probably have an eternity of freebies just for all the work you put in Aerie One.”
"Well, hopefully that will still stand because if you agree, this would affect the rest of the Birds."
"It's alright, Ted," Barbara said calmingly. "Tell us what it is."
He cleared his throat and from the way he was shifting it was obvious he had this discussion planned out fifty different ways and had practiced what he was going to say, but every word fled the moment he needed them. "I'd like you guys to look after a friend of mine."
Both Barbara and Dinah sat quietly, waiting for him to continue. Clearing his throat again, Ted did so. "She's not really a cape- she's got a suit with capabilities, but she doesn't really do the hero thing and I don't think it really appeals to her so I'm not asking you to take her out on missions or anything. Though if you could teach her how to defend herself, that would be awesome," he added with a thumbs up.
"Ted," Dinah said with a slight curve to her lips, "you really aren't telling us anything. Who is she?"
A deep breath and hands clenched against the tabletop. "Booster's sister, Michelle."
Barbara's mind filed open, flipping promptly to the category labeled 'Booster Gold' and skimming down to the section she had compiled on his family. "He only has one sister," she said bluntly, "and she's been dead for some time."
"Except for this past year in which she's been not-dead." Ted tried to sway her with a meek, innocent smile.
It didn't work in the slightest. "How is she alive? And why has Booster been keeping her a secret?"
"Hey- he may not have a secret identity in the traditional sense, but that doesn't mean he's obligated to tell people everything about himself. She came back before I did, so I can't really say how it happened."
Ted wasn't lying but Barbara knew he wasn't telling the truth, either. "Why, after a year of keeping her a secret, does Booster want us to take her in?"
"Michelle wants to see the world, basically. She never really spent a lot of time out and about, soaking up this era and Booster would like someone watching out for her so the events that lead to her death doesn't happen again."
She certainly couldn't fault him for that bit of paranoia. "And what has she been doing this past year that's kept her from enjoying this time."
"Can't say," Ted said simply, as if it was as easy as that. "Just that she's bored and wants to hang out with someone that's not her brother for a bit."
"I have no problems with it," Dinah said, slouching back in her chair a bit. "I remember what a mess Booster was when she died so I don't blame him for wanting to protect her." A thought suddenly struck and Dinah leaned her elbows on the table again. "So wait- is she still as old as she was back then or is she still Booster's age?"
"She's twenty two, I think she said." Ted laughed a little, "Would they still be twins now that he's so much older?"
"Guess it depends on what they say, right? It'd be kind of nice having her over, I think. Steph would probably like having someone more her age hanging around and despite rumors, Gotham isn't a terrible place if you know your way around."
“No.”
Barbara got startled, blank looks from Dinah and Ted.
“No?”
“Why no?”
Barbara pressed her lips into a thin line. “Not until you tell me how you and Booster’s sister are alive again.”
Ted’s expression went stiff. “I can’t.”
“You know I don’t like being in the dark, Ted. And this is hardly some minor incident that can be ignored.”
“I can’t,” Ted repeated. “I promised I wouldn’t and I can’t.”
“But Dick knows.”
“You know,” Dinah said, slowly backing from the table, “I think I’ll leave this part of the discussion to you two.” She beat a hasty retreat out.
Neither seemed to notice her absence. “Dick found out because Bruce found out. If it was something I could tell you, Babs, I would, but I can’t.”
“Suddenly you can’t trust me?”
“It’s not you I don’t trust. The less people that know, the safer it is and I won’t risk those I care about most just to satisfy your need to know.”
The two sat in stony silence, staring hard across the table. Barbara had always been the one to out stubborn Ted, but even she could recognize the issue being the one Ted refused to budge on. She tried a different tact, “Does this have something to do with why I’ve occasionally seen Booster where he shouldn't have been?”
Ted blinked and it was obvious he had no idea what Barbara was talking about. “What?”
“Edict memory, here,” she said, tapping the side of her head. “I saw a man who looked too suspiciously like Booster to be anyone else before he made his big debut or in Gotham when he was supposed to be elsewhere. Older than he was supposed to be, as well.”
“That, I wouldn’t know about.” And Barbara knew him well enough to tell when he was being honest. Ted’s eyes darkened. “Babs, please don’t let this ruin our friendship.”
She looked at him sharply. “Why would this ruin our friendship?”
“Because I’m not going to tell you this time and I doubt I’m going to tell you any other time and if it’s so important that you refuse to help someone who needs it, what’s to stop you from bringing it up later? I know you- this thing is going to hang between us if you let it become too important.”
With a sigh, Barbara's spine slouched back. “I wasn’t actually going to turn her away.”
“You and your scare tactics.”
“They usually work.” She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “I don’t want our friendship broken by this, either.”
“I know. But I still can’t tell you.”
“I know.”
A smile pulled at Ted’s lips. “You already asked Dick, didn’t you? He said nothing and that’s why you’re asking me.”
She frowned, annoyed that Ted could read her that well. “He said it wasn’t his place to say.”
“Not mine, either.”
“Then whose is it?”
“Also not my place.”
“You know the logical conclusion would be to ask Booster.”
The humor fell out of Ted’s face. “Please don’t.”
For the first time in a long, long while, Barbara relented. “Alright. It’s obviously important to you, I’ll drop it.”
A relieved, grateful smile warmed her. “Thanks, Babs.”
“I’m sure Dinah’s already talking to the other Birds about it, so let’s discuss what you want us to do with Michelle.”
~*~*~*~
The world faded back into somewhat familiar solidity, changed merely by time and advancements in technology, but still that same cave with all the ridiculous props. And, Michelle was pleased to note, a very handsome man.
"Welcome to the Batcave," the very handsome man said with a beatific smile and hint of laughter, "officially this time." He held his hand out to Michelle. "Dick Grayson."
"Michelle Carter," she said, her hand warm in his.
"Well," Dick's eyes glittered in a way that reminded her of Ted, "I can certainly see who got all the pretty in the family."
Booster gave an indignant, "Hey!" from over her shoulder.
"You're just flattering me," she teased right back, "I let Mikey have some pretty."
"I'm plenty pretty!" Her brother protested, "Age just matured it is all. You know- dignified me and everything."
Michelle laughed. "Dignified you- that's exactly what it did."
Booster narrowed his eyes at her. "Why am I still nice to you again?"
Michelle batted her lashes at him. "Because you don't know any better."
"Grayson- must all your associates be so inanely verbose?"
There, by Dick's side, was a young, extremely scowly boy. Michelle bent down enough to look him in the eye and say, "You must be Damian Wayne. It's nice to meet you."
"Tt." Damian bared his teeth in disdain, "Just what I needed. Another would-be hero I need to babysit."
"Well, it's a good thing it's just me that's staying and not my brother. I'm not expecting to do any heroics here so I shouldn't be in your way." Michelle gave him her best innocent smile and big baby blues. Right on cue, Damian's face began turning pink. Likely helped along by a small helping of bared cleavage in his direct line of sight.
He took a quick step back and glared at Booster to cover up his fluster. "And you?"
"I dunno," Booster returned with an unintimidated smile. "I have been thinking about a change in scenery."
"He'll leave as soon as I'm tired of him hanging around," Michelle said. "That won't take long considering how many months I've been living with him."
Dick slapped Booster's shoulder, leading the way out of the cave. "I have a feeling things are going to be interesting around here."
Michelle fell into step with her brother. "I don't know why you were warning me about Damian. He seems like a perfectly fine young man."
Damian's head twitched slightly in her direction.
"Oh, you haven't seen his usual behavior," Booster snorted. "He's actually being nice right now."
"And you're going to tell me that he's normally vain, petty, bad tempered and self-centered, right?"
"Among other things."
"Pfft! Please!" Shouldering her bag higher she said, "I grew up with you, remember? I refuse to believe anyone can be as obnoxious as you were as a kid." An upraised finger cut off Booster's protest. "And don't even pretend you don't know what I'm talking about."
"What is this- Pick on Mikey Day?"
Michelle whirled in surprise. "I'm only supposed to pick on you for a day? I don't like that rule, I'm ignoring it."
At her side, Booster groused. Giggling to herself, Michelle gave him a little shoulder check and he threw an arm around her neck in a loose headlock. Looking down at his sister's infectious smile, a grin pulled at his own lips. Up ahead, Michelle could just barely hear Damian tell Dick, "She may actually be tolerable."
~*~*~*~
It took a lot longer to get to the garage than it should have, but Booster didn't say anything about Dick's mini-tour that showed off the best of the manor. Not just because Dick had taken him on the same tour before, but also because of Michelle's reactions. Sure, Booster's old mansion was probably bigger and had been pretty state-of-the-art at the time, but Wayne Manor was lived in. It had history and character, each piece of furniture a story to tell and the very air within was warm and used in a way that made it feel welcoming. Plus it was far less gaudy than Booster's old place. And Michelle unabashedly loved it.
Somewhere during the tour- if Booster had to guess, it was most likely after Michelle had lingered over photos on the wall of Bruce and his parents, commenting quietly about how happy they looked -Damian began taking over the commentary. He went on about this and that and any impressive thing Bruce had done that he could interject at any opportunity. Damian couldn't have sounded more important than if he had done those things himself. Dick humored him by throwing in some 'don't forget's and 'remember the's and Michelle plied Damian for more. It annoyed Booster at first. Then Michelle said,
"Sounds like he was a neat dad."
Damian hesitated for half a second before saying just slightly too measured, "He was a good man."
It reminded Booster how schizophrenic Bruce could seem. There was the playboy, the Batman and then there was Bruce Wayne and sometimes it was so difficult to consolidate the three of them into one person. And, exchanging glances with Dick, Booster could bet which of those aspects of Bruce dealt with Damian.
Damian had a good man who was a bad father. Booster and Michelle had a bad man who was a terrible father. With the revelation of their sudden commonality, it was hard for Booster to simply scoff at the kid now.
By the time they'd finally gotten to the garage, Michelle and Damian were practically talking like people and not like, well, people and his imperial highness, Mini-Bats. As they approached a gleaming Bentley, however, Damian hung back. Michelle turned to him in surprise, "You're not coming with us?"
"I have work that needs completing here," he said stoically.
"He learned a lot growing up in the Assassin's Guild," Dick explained, "Alfred and I are trying to make that knowledge applicable to everyday life and business."
"Sounds like a task," Booster said.
"I'm sure Damian's doing fine." With a bright smile, Michelle held her hand out to Damian, "If you have time, it would be nice to talk to you again."
Most men tended to get a little off balanced whenever Michelle smiled at them like that. Damian doubly so because she genuinely meant it. He recovered remarkably, however, and shook her hand smartly. "We will see what our scheduling is like."
Dick turned around so only Booster could see and hear him speak, "Your sister's a natural."
Booster gave a little laugh, "You have no idea how much this surprises me."
A hand tapping against the roof of the car got their attention. "Alright, boys," Michelle said with a grin, "let's get going."
As they piled into the car, a voice suddenly called out, "Miss Carter."
Damian stood with his arms crossed over his chest with a stoic frown that did nothing to hide a growing flush. "In case Grayson is completely incapable of manners- should you find the facilities in the Clocktower lacking, there are rooms available in the manor."
Her soft smile ruined any chance Damian had to pretend he wasn't turning red. "That's very sweet of you to offer, Damian. Thank you."
Dick turned the engine just in time to cover up the snicker that escaped him while Booster busied himself with looking at the buttons in the car to keep from commenting on the adorability of Damian's apparent crush. Michelle gave the boy a last wave as they pulled out and once they passed the manor gates Dick couldn't help saying, "Well. Things are going to be far more interesting than I first thought." Catching Michelle's eyes in the rearview he said, "I've never seen him warm up to anyone like that."
She just shrugged in return, turning to watch Gotham slowly build and pass around them. "He's not that different from anyone else trying to prove that they're not a child. He just wants to be treated like he matters. Like he's important and what he does is worthwhile." Her eyes flickered, very briefly, to Booster, "It's something I'm familiar with."
~*~*~*~
Ted met them by the elevator out of the garage, holding open the door like a lift operator. "Going up?" He asked with a cheeky grin.
Michelle answered him with a tight, one-armed hug. "Ted! I missed you!"
"She hit me she missed you so much," Booster accused.
Ted gave the young woman a sappy, touched look. "Aw- that's the nicest thing anyone's done for me!" Turning to the third man, Ted nodded with a smile. "Grayson."
"Kord," he returned with his own knowing grin. "How've you been enjoying the view?"
"Beautiful. Absolutely stunning. Oh wait- did you mean Gotham?" The doors closed and the elevator rose smooth as silk. "Eh- I could leave it."
Dick snickered. "Have they put you in the corner for that kind of talk yet?"
"They tried, but Zinda ended up there more often than me."
"Oh, I believe that."
"I should probably warn you," Ted gave Booster a sideways glance, "Barbara wasn't happy with being kept in the dark about things. She promised not to press, but still. Not happy."
"No one's ever happy to just see me these days." Booster gave his best friend his best puppy eyes. "Except you, Ted. You're happy to see me, right?"
"All depends on how much trouble you get me into."
"Me get you into trouble!" He shoved at Ted's shoulder. "Someone's got their memory in backwards!"
The doors opened before things could degenerate into a shoving war- though it certainly didn't stop the two from fighting to see who got the last shove in.
"Honestly, boys," Dinah cried at the two, arms akimbo and hip canted, "and you wonder why we never take you anywhere."
"Dinah!" Booster shouldered Ted aside to clap his former teammate's shoulders. "Even more beautiful than ever!"
"Booster," she returned with a wicked little smile, "as flattering as ever."
"Only to those that deserve it." Booster beamed before stepping back to let Dick greet the women while Ted pushed Michelle forward. Booster knew the Birds by reputation but only Dinah he felt comfortable being friendly with.
So, in his stead, Ted took over introductions. "Everyone- you know Booster. This is his sister, Michelle, who Babs and Dinah graciously agreed to help acclimate into this century."
Feeling a little bit put on the spot, Michelle gave a little smile and wave. "Hi."
"I'm Barbara Gordon," Barbara said with a small, patient smile, "welcome to the Clocktower and to Gotham. Things may seem a bit hectic around here at times, but there will always be someone here if you have any questions. Ted has already explained the basic capabilities of your suit to me. Don't worry, though, we won't be putting you on any missions." During the introduction, however, Michelle was just staring at the woman. Not at her wheelchair (which was annoying, but typical in Barbara's experience) rather at her face instead. Barbara raised an eyebrow. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” Michelle said a little too quickly, “you just reminded me of someone is all. I’m Michelle. Michelle Carter.” She gave her winningest smile and held out her hand.
“Pleased to meet you,” Barbara’s grip was strong and confident and Michelle could see why her brother was nervous of having her as competition. As Barbara wheeled about to introduce the other Birds (why they were called that, Michelle had no clue), Michelle gave her brother an angry Mikey! look to which he replied with a helpless, sheepish I forgot! shrug. “This is Dinah Lance, Helena Bertinelli, Zinda Blake and Stephanie Brown.” Each woman waved or smiled in turn and Michelle couldn’t help a little overwhelmed smile.
“Wow,” she said, “I kinda feel like I was dropped in the middle of a modeling shoot.”
Ted snorted, half sitting on a nearby counter. “Preach to the choir. I hang out with your brother.”
“You know I only keep you around to enhance my own attractiveness.” Booster yelped when Ted idly kicked him in the butt, half pouting, half glaring in retaliation.
"So, to ask the million dollar question," Dick leaned against the back of Barbara's wheelchair until she calmly reached back and gave him a sharp pinch, "what's the plan?"
"I think that all depends on our guest, here." Dinah turned to Michelle with a friendly grin, "Anything in particular you want to do? Have you ever been to Gotham before?"
Her eyes widened with momentary panic, "Er... sort of?"
Booster's hand was on her shoulder. "We grew up in Gotham, hundreds of years in the future. I'm pretty sure things are different from when we were kids."
"Time travelers?" Stephanie asked, "Or displaced like Zinda?"
"Coming to this time was intentional-"
"To varying degrees," Michelle added.
"Going back is pretty much a no-go."
"I thought everyone knew that," said Ted.
Booster shrugged. "People forget? After a couple of years of talking about it, it kind of stopped being impressive."
"Now I'm reminded why nothing ever gets done with you two around," Barbara said with a wry look, "you always go off on tangents."
"And loose our way back on topic? It's a talent," Ted gave a big grin.
"So, Michelle? What would you like to do at the moment?"
"Oh, man- look around? I really don't know what's in Gotham at this time period."
"I can show you around!" Stephanie bounced on her toes. "Oh! And we can have Dick drive us around!"
Dick looked at the young woman with her arm slung around his shoulders. "I'm your chauffer today?"
"I can show Michelle around or we can show her around in style. Which do you suggest?"
"Well, when you put it that way..."
"Hey, Skipper?" Zinda asked suddenly, "What're we gonna do for rooms?"
"With Ted in our current guest room, it really depends on how long he and Booster are planning on staying."
The two looked at each other and shrugged. "A couple days, I guess," Ted replied.
"Booster and Michelle can stay at the manor," Dick suggested.
Eyebrows raised. "With Damian? Are you trying to scare them off?"
"Damian suggested it first, hand to God. Well, he suggested it to Miss Carter, anyway." He gave Michelle an exaggerated but pleasant smile and gentlemanly half-bow. She returned it with a hardly lady like snicker.
Jaws dropped. "Damian? Are you serious? Damian invited someone to stay at the manor?"
"Amazingly enough- yes."
"The taming of the fungus," Stephanie said, linking her arm through Michelle's and taking her back toward the elevator. "This I gotta hear!"
The older women exchanged looks. Zinda proclaimed loudly, "I think I'm gonna like her."
Tags:
- chara: batgirl/stephanie brown,
- chara: batman/dick grayson,
- chara: black canary/dinah lance,
- chara: blue beetle/ted kord,
- chara: booster gold/michael carter,
- chara: goldstar/michelle carter,
- chara: lady blackhawk/zinda blake,
- chara: oracle/barbara gordon,
- chara: robin/damian wayne,
- fic,
- group: birds of prey,
- multi: dcu: the inventor,
- series: dcu
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no subject
Date: 2011-12-25 10:32 pm (UTC)I love how Michelle interacts with Damian. All of the Birds are wonderful. And I wonder at how Michelle recognized Babs face.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-25 10:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-10 01:22 am (UTC)I need more of this. Possibly all of this.