Like a Phoenix From the Ashes [Vicki, Gordon]

[Deleted]

The longest ladders possessed by the Gotham City Fire Department can extend about a hundred feet. Which is a problem for the residents of one particular south Gotham apartment block, because the building that they live in stands at about a hundred and sixty feet tall. And it's currently on fire. What's worse, the fire apparently started near the center of the building in the dawning hours of the morning - most of the residents were at home, sleeping. This building mainly houses lower middle class families. And while those living on the lower floors had enough warning to evacuate, by the time most of the residents of the upper floors knew what was going on they found their access to the lower floors had been cut off.

Trapped, most of them have made their way to the roof to put themselves as far from the danger as possible, but the fire continues to grow - eating its way up the building floor by floor. The building simply isn't well designed to stop it - years of city officials accepting bribes to turn a blind eye to code violations so that a more profitable structure could be built seems ready to cost many lives. In fact, some of the trapped people can be seen clinging precariously to windows, walking the fine line between trying to keep out of the smoke and falling to their deaths. Some are even trying to weigh their options, wondering if death by falling wouldn't be better than being burned alive. The situation has quickly gotten desperate.

That's when something very fast streaks into view. Beating even most of the first responders to the scene, Shayera didn't waste any time when she spotted a plume of smoke during her early morning patrol. The gathering onlookers point and wonder out loud to themselves who this winged woman is, though some of the better informed and more intelligent in the crowd are quick to deduce that this is Hawkgirl and inform the others.

But Shayera isn't paying attention to them - instead she quickly assesses the situation. It takes her only a moment to loop around the building, purposely making sure that as many of the trapped people can see her as possible. Hope is a powerful thing, and many lives might be saved simply by knowing that there is someone here capable of rescuing them - many of them can be heard cheering at the sight of her. Then the real work begins - not only did her loop around the building let everyone see her, it also let her see them, and she's quick to narrow down where her help is needed most. First she dives right through a window, smashing through the glass, to retrieve a small boy who is still alive but nearly overwhelmed with smoke. Holding him under one arm, she flies back out of the building, scooping a man off of a precarious ledge with her other arm. She has to be careful with her speed as she descends to the ground, as her body can handle the strain of sudden starts and stops much better than a human could, but she deposits both on the ground as fast as she safely can before leaping into the air to collect the next two.

She finds herself in a rhythm, loading herself with people - always the most desperate - putting them back on the ground where they can be tended to and then going back for more. Her pace is frantic - there are so many people to rescue! But without her really realizing it she finds her work load slowly easing up as the various agencies that are supposed to handle these situations show up. The firefighters of course bring in their equipment to attempt to get the blaze under control, the police urge the crowd back, and the medical professionals work on the victims. A couple of helicopters arrive to retrieve the people from the rooftop, while Shayera keeps her focus on those who weren't able to make it up there - they're the ones in most desperate need of help. And, of course, the inevitable news media is right on the heels of the first responders, bring in their various helicopters and vans.

Ignoring most of that, Shayera tirelessly flies up and down, often smashing her way into the building by flying right into a window. To those watching she may seem to dart in and out of the building at random, though there's a careful method to her madness - first she concentrates more on the people in danger of falling, then those who will soon be overwhelmed by the smoke. Then she heads deeper into the building, searching for those who are still alive but were unable to make it to a window. It's during these searches that a strange sound can be heard - almost like a series of small explosives. Actually, that's the sound of her wings, beating hard against the smoke and sometimes flames so that her own air supply will remain relatively clean. In fact in some areas the wind she's able to generate with them is enough to blow the fire out - though even she couldn't clear out the hotter parts of the fire that way.

Though when she started, the sheer number of people in need of rescue was quite daunting. But even as the minutes pass and the fire intensifies, their numbers grow smaller until many become few. And then few become none. Carrying the last ones she can find - two little girls had holed up in a small bathroom. It had been surrounded by flames and hard to reach, but they were in surprisingly good shape for all that. Letting them down in the spot that's become an informal 'Hawkgirl landing pad' where the EMTs have stood ready to collect those she brings them, she instructs the girls to go say hello to that nice guy with the red jacket, who would make sure that they're okay.

And now that she knows that, though it's conceivable that there are a few more people still alive in the building, they're in places that even she can't get to, she finally lets herself stop for a moment. The rest will be up to the firefighters. She doesn't exactly look like she's in the best shape either, though she's not as bad off as she's appeared - Thanagarians are made from far stronger stuff than humans. The glass was only able to produce light scratches on her skin, and they'll heal within days. She coughs twice and is breathing hard, but her lungs will be back to normal in a few hours. The singed hair and feathers are no bother either - that's only a temporary cosmetic problem and nothing that will bother her more than two seconds. As is the ash and charcoal that covers her body in the scent of smoke - to her it's like makeup and perfume. Besides, she hasn't felt this alive in months.

It takes her a few moments to catch her breath, during which time she doesn't pay much attention to her surroundings. She can afford to not have her guard up right now, after all - the sheer odds that anyone would try anything are microscopic right now. Once her breathing steadies, she glances around herself. Apparently, this spot where she was putting the people she rescued was an extremely popular place to watch among the onlookers and though the police have set up barricades to encourage them to stay back, the crowd is quite thick behind it. And, as she doesn't fly off back to the building immediately, they sense that she considers her part of this done. Someone in the crowd starts to clap and the others are soon following suit, but as her reaction to their praise indicates that it's unwanted it's somewhat muted and ends quickly. She turns her back on them, not acknowledging their noise - she didn't do this for applause, she did it because... well, many more people would have died if she hadn't and she'd rather that they live. She should just leave now.

But as she's trying to decide if she should head home and take a couple hours off or if she's okay to simply resume her patrol, something catches her attention. See, while a police barricade stops most people, that doesn't include everyone who wants to talk to Hawkgirl.

[Deleted]

The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon when Vicki Vale was awakened from her peaceful slumber by her ringing cel phone. Sitting up in bed, she slid the blinder from her eyes to her forehead before answering. To her surprise, it was her editor. “It’s a little too early for a wake-up call, isn’t it, Lou?” she yawned, noting the clock on her nightstand.

“Get your ass to Third and Pine pronto!” Lou barked. “There’s a huge fire in south Gotham!”

Jumping out of bed, Vicki ran to her window and saw billows of smoke rising in the distance. “I’m on it!” she exclaimed, ending the call and disappearing into her walk-in closet to assume the role of a quick-change artist. She was dressed in one minute flat. As she applied some lipstick, she looked in her vanity mirror and ran her fingers through her hair to style it a bit. After smiling and winking at herself, she dashed out the door, car keys and purse in hand.

Approximately ten minutes later, Vicki arrived on the scene. She had made excellent time because there was hardly any traffic on the roads at this early hour. South Gotham came alive with activity around 7 a.m., when the working middle-class took their children to school and headed to work all over the city.

Due to the fire, the streets around the apartment complex had been blocked off, and so Vicki had to find parking in the surrounding neighborhood. After parking her car two blocks away, she grabbed her camera and handbag from the backseat and high-tailed it toward the fire as fast as her legs could carry her.

Vicki had to stop because of a police barricade, and so she blended into the crowd of spectators already there. It was like a scene from a movie: a hundred-and-sixty-foot tall building was now a crackling tinderbox. Melted windows billowed with blinding black smoke. And Hawkgirl was in action, focusing her rescue efforts on aiding those people who hadn’t made it to the rooftop, for whatever reason. She seemed to dart in and out of the burning building effortlessly, finding her quarry and flying them safely to the ground before ascending again to retrieve others. Vicki imagined being in Hawkgirl’s shoes.  She couldn’t even begin to fathom how Hawkgirl was feeling at the moment.

Finally, Hawkgirl descended for the last time, stopping for a moment to catch her breath. The worst was over. She had done all she could do. Now the rest was up to the firefighters and rescue teams.

Suddenly, someone started to applaud, their efforts causing a chain reaction throughout the crowd of spectators. Hawkgirl didn’t seem to be impressed by the adulation and looked as if she was preparing to leave the scene.

“Wait!” Vicki screamed, jumping the barricade and racing over to the heroine. A policeman intended to pursue Vicki, but he had to stop others from attempting the same feat.

When Vicki caught up to Hawkgirl, she gasped. “Hawkgirl! . . . Wait!” she wheezed, trying to catch her breath. “I’m Vicki Vale . . . with The Gotham Gazette.”

She flashed her press badge.

“I’d like . . . to ask you . . . a few questions . . . .”

As she spoke, Vicki looked over her shoulder and saw two officers approaching with a man wearing glasses and a trench coat. Her blue eyes narrowed, and she gritted her teeth in anticipation of the impending confrontation.

[Deleted]

Quick to spot the sudden movement, Shayera's eyes immediately lock onto the woman. Who doesn't appear to be in any sort of distress, so Shayera is quite tempted to ignore her. But after a moment of hesitation, she decides that she might as well at least find out what the woman wants - though if it's just some superfan wanting an autograph then all she'll be getting is knocked over by the downdraft when she leaves.

Instead it appears that the woman is a reporter - something that Shayera has mixed feelings about. On the one hand, she can't say that she particularly likes talking to the press - when she was in the Justice League she'd always let someone better at public relations handle the majority that sort of thing. But on the other hand, as she's now a hero working more or less independently she supposes that she's the only one who can speak for herself now. And though she's in Batman's city and the Dark Knight isn't one to give interviews, she think that she favors Clark's approach on this issue - it's better to let the public know who you are. Besides, Clark is in the business himself, so reporters can't be all bad.

Still, she's been in the news enough before to know that most reporters are biased and therefore they need to be handled carefully. But then again, when has Shayera ever backed away from anything just because it was tricky? So she turns fully to face the woman, her manner quite serious as she asks, "What kind of questions?"

Straightening a bit and allowing her wings to relax, her eyes shift as she notices... what was his name again? That human in charge of the local police force. Well, if his name is important she's sure that someone will tell it to her. In any event, it doesn't escape her notice that he's headed their way, but then gets waylaid by another officer with some urgent need to speak to him. Hmm, she supposes that if he wants to talk to her she ought to do that too, so perhaps she should stick around for long enough for him to get the chance.

For now, however, it appears that he'll be at least a moment so she keeps the majority of her attention on the reporter. "I'm not sure how much time I have at the moment, but you may have caught me at a good moment," she comments. It all depends on how the shifting of the sort of controlled chaos going on around them, but that doesn't seem to phase her - being in the eye of the proverbial storm is pretty much how Shayera has always lived her life. This won't be the first or the last conversation she's ever had in a situation where she may have to leave at any moment. Then again, for all she knows, that may not happen and she could have all day.

[Deleted]

Vicki couldn’t believe her luck.  Here she was, actually standing and speaking with the legendary Hawkgirl!  Moments ago, Vicki had expected to be whisked away by law enforcement, but the three men were now being detained for whatever reason.  Realizing time was of the essence, Vicki threw caution to the wind and turned on her handheld recorder.

Vicki smiled when Hawgirl inquired what kind of questions were going to be asked.  And the raving report agreed with the winged warrior that this might be a good moment for a quick interview.  Vicki knew that any length of time spent doing this would only add to her news story and give her the leading edge over her competitors in the field.  She already had taken some awesome photos of the rescue effort.  This answer-question period would make her good story a great one!

“You’re amazing, Hawkgirl!” Vicki exclaimed, gathering her thoughts as her mind raced off on several tangents.  “It’s great to see you back in action!  Thank goodness you came and rescued all those people!  What brings you to Gotham?  Did the Justice League send you here specifically to deal with the emergency, or were you on patrol?  Are you back with the Justice League, or are you still flying solo?  I see you’re wearing a different costume.  Why aren’t you wearing your mask?  Did you lose it in the fire?  Sorry to throw so many questions at you all at once, but I’m pressed for time.”

After Vicki apologized, she looked over her shoulder to gauge how much time she had left before the Commissioner and the two officers started walking towards her again.

[Deleted]

The compliments seem to have absolutely no effect on Shayera. Which isn't true - they touch her at a very deep level that's well below the surface. A very deeply wounded, tender part of her that she isn't even sure if she wants to be filled with such good feelings - it's actually quite painful even though it's good for her. But she's used to ignoring unimportant things like pain.

Instead she remains focused on the questions. Which she responds to carefully and slowly, seeming to not really care that the reporter is in a bit of a rush - she's not going to agree to answer questions and then be sloppy about the answers. And some of the questions are quite hard to answer properly, actually. "I came to Gotham because I believe that this is the best place for me to work right now," she says simply, which is probably not as detailed of an answer as Vicki would like, but if she wants more detail then it's not like she can't ask more specific follow-up questions.

Fortunately, it's much more natural for her to go into detail with some questions than others. "I was patrolling in the area above the eastern part of the city when I saw the smoke here, so I came as fast as I could - well, without shattering the glass on the skyscrapers I had to pass. That's... happened," she says, pointing in the direction that she came from and shrugging at that last part when she's finished. Humans never build anything strong enough for a Thanagarian. Though perhaps that was to the benefit of the people in the building they're standing next to who are now alive because she was able to fly right through the windows. "No, I've not rejoined the League. And I'm not wearing my helmet because I wanted a change - it's at home," she replies, finishing off that set of questions.

But she doesn't miss the look that Vicki is giving the officers, though she doesn't know enough about the situation that the reporter is in to understand why. "Is there a problem?" she asks politely.

[Deleted]

Vicki nodded as Hawkgirl answered her questions.  Vicki was sure the heroine was getting agitated by the way the reporter kept gazing over her shoulder every few seconds to see if she was going to be hauled off by the authorities.  When Hawkgirl concluded her statements by asking if there was a problem, Vicki responded with a vibrant smile and a simple, “Not yet.”

In the back of her mind, Vicki couldn’t help but wonder if the Commissioner would really dismiss her from the area or not.  After all, she and Gordon were veterans, public servants - - some would even call them celebrities - - of Gotham City.  Both of them were recognized by the community; their names and faces were branded on the city and were just as synonymous with Gotham as much as Bruce Wayne’s and Batman’s.  Due to her profession and reputation as a photojournalist, Vicki had clout.  Over the years, experience had taught her that, when it came to getting a news story where the GCPD was involved, it was easier to get forgiveness than permission, hands down.

Vicki wasn’t surprised to learn that Hawkgirl hadn’t been reinstated with the Justice League.  There was still controversy surrounding her departure from the team and her unexplained disappearance from the public eye altogther.  Rumor had it that the League didn’t trust her anymore.  Others claimed Hawkgirl was the one who didn’t trust them.  Vicki thought maybe the truth was a combination of both.

“You say your helmet is at home, eh?” Vicki inquired, looking into the winged warrior’s beautiful eyes.  “So where is ‘home’ for you these days, Hawkgirl?  Are you ‘nesting’ in Gotham City now, or is patrolling here just your day job?  Where do you go at night?  What do you do for fun?  And with whom?  I hope you have a night life.  Trust me.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that all work and no play can make you a dull girl.”

[Deleted]

Actually, it doesn't really bother Shayera very much at all that Vicki seems to be nervous about something. It only bothers her in the sense that it's more pleasant to talk to someone who is relaxed, and she doesn't understand what there is to be nervous about anyway. "Then what will be a problem?" she asks curiously, her tone light enough to indicate that she's definitely not insisting on getting an answer to that. She simply wants to know if there's anything simple she can do to put the woman at ease - if not, that wouldn't really bother her either.

"Yes," she simply confirms when Vicki asks again about her helmet. "And I have an apartment in a loft within the city," she replies, though naturally she's not going to say where in the city it is. Someone could probably find out if they really wanted to, but the setup is probably plenty to keep the fans out, friends are welcome to track her down anytime, and she'd be happy to crush any enemies who pay her a visit.

"I am - what's the phrase? - 'married to my work'. At night I go home and get ready for the next day. But my work is my fun," she explains. But, remembering where they are, she hastily amends, "Not what I was doing a few minutes ago, no - that's simply satisfying." No, she definitely doesn't want anyone to get the impression that she finds this particular scene entertaining in the least. But it does make her feel good, to have been able to help so many in a situation where nobody else could.

"Pounding someone who deserves it into the dirt, on the other hand - that is fun," she says very seriously, a certain savage note reaching her voice. Because she's not exaggerating that in the least. Well, except for the fact that the low level criminals she'll probably mostly run into probably won't even fight back very well and that's actually more tedious than fun. If they make things interesting by bringing a machine gun or something with them, though - game on! Though what would be really nice is if someone brought in a giant robot for her to fight or something, though that kind of thing always seems to happen more often in Metropolis. "I'd trade having a night life for that any day of the week," she says easily. Of course, the fact that she's still feeling rather frayed emotionally is a part of it too - going out and having fun just... seems wrong right now.

"If any criminals read your articles, tell them I said they're better off taking their chances with Batman than with me," she adds for good measure. Which isn't entirely a boast, depending on how you measure things - Batman is more likely to track down the sneakier sorts of criminal. But on the other hand, while the dark knight is really good at breaking bones, Shayera is really bad at not breaking bones. It's not her fault that humans are so fragile! About all that can be said in her defense is that she's never killed anyone on accident - she may get a little carried away at times, but not by that much.

[Deleted]

Vicki smiled.  “So you’re a resident of Gotham now?  Welcome!  I hope your stay is a long one.  If you ask me, more super-heroes are needed around here.  Batman is just one man.  He needs all the help he can get!”

Vicki could relate to Shayera’s comment about being married to her work.  Vicki had been doing her own job for years now, and she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.  “When you have a true calling to your profession, it’s not really work,” she agreed with Hawkgirl.  “You’re right.  It’s fun.”

She laughed out loud about the comment of criminals reading her articles.  She was sure they did.  Like Batman, she had made her share of enemies over the years by using her words as a weapon.  And like Hawkgirl’s mace, Vicki’s writing could inflict deep wounds, cutting to the heart of matters and revealing truth from deception.  Her skill as a photographer made people see themselves as they truly were, which made them feel uncomfortable, and they hated her for it.

Vicki knew Hawkgirl had violent tendencies, and she laughed nervously about criminals having an easier time fighting Batman than Hawkgirl.  She knew Hawkgirl was being serious.  In the past, the Winged Wonder hadn’t displayed a sense of humor, and Vicki didn’t assume the heroine had developed one during her hiatus from adventuring.

“Well, I’m glad you’re back - - and here,” Vicki said, thinking of more questions to ask.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her shoulder, and she looked back to see one of the two officers who had been approaching with Commissioner Gordon standing directly behind her.

“This is a restricted area, ma’am,” he informed her.  “I’m going to have to ask you to come with me.”

When Vicki tried to protest, the officer responded by wrapping his arm around her waist and physically carrying her back toward the barricade.

“Thanks for the short interview, Hawkgirl!” Vicki called to the Avian Adventurer, kicking and screaming all the way.  “I’m Vicki Vale!  Remember my name!  I’ll be in touch!”

[Deleted]

Wisely, Shayera won't comment about whether or not Batman needs the help. She's not sure if she thinks that he does or he doesn't, but that's not really relevant to her reasons for being here. And whether he actually needs the help or not, she's pretty certain about whether or not he wants the help. But even if she had an opinion, it's best to keep that one away from public knowledge - either way she went on that issue would upset someone.

She doesn't miss the nervousness in Vicki's laugh, though she doesn't let that bother her. But Vicki has absolutely nothing to worry about. Yes, she's known to have a temper and yes she's occasionally less gentle than she intended to be. But while criminals need to worry about that, a lot of that is actually because she isn't being as careful as she could be. Some may easily argue with her logic, but in her mind at least criminals deserve what they get from her. Inanimate objects also feel her lack of carefulness simply because she knows that she's not hurting anyone if she accidentally damages them. But civilians and especially the obviously innocent? Those she always handles with as much care as she can.

Which is fortunate for the police officer who rather abruptly decides to interrupt their conversation. Because she's not okay with that. In fact, she's very not okay with that. In fact, it takes her exactly five seconds to go from calm to fuming. He doesn't get more than a few steps before he'd feel the air around him stir slightly at the speed of Shayera's approach, and then a very, very powerful grip grabbing the fabric of his shirt above his shoulder - abruptly halting his ability to move forward, at least without separating the rest of his shirt from the piece now held very tightly in Shayera's hand.

"Excuse me," she says, her voice surprisingly quiet given the sheer amount of anger in it, "But I was in the middle of a conversation with that woman. And we were not finished. And it was extremely rude of you to interrupt it like that. And if we were in the way, you could have asked us nicely to move our conversation elsewhere. Instead you chose to drag her off like a neanderthal. I am not okay with that. So put her down immediately and apologize to both of us this instant!"

And to add weight to her demand, she pulls up on his shirt just a little - just enough for him to feel some of the weight being taken off of his feet and giving him some idea of just how powerful of a person he's just offended. Then again, if he's already stupid enough to try and carry off someone who was clearly with her, she suspects that he may also be stupid enough to react violently. But that's no problem - she still has five limbs left to defend herself with.

[Deleted]

As Hawkgirl addressed him, the police officer kept blinking his eyes, wondering if he was dreaming or not.  Hawkgirl had him by the nape of his shirt, and his feet were dangling beneath him in mid-air.  “I’m just doing my job!” he explained.  “I’ll put the lady down, and then you’ll put me down, right?”

That was all the time he allowed for negotiations.  A second later, his grip on Vicki Vale loosened, and she went plummeting to the ground like a limp ragdoll.  And although Vicki ended up prostrate on the ground, she fell with dignity and grace.

Standing, Vicki brushed herself off while Hawkgirl continued to converse with the officer.  Vicki had no idea what the Winged Wonder was telling the man, but his face was blanched, and he looked like he was about to pass out at any second.

From that moment on, Vicki didn't have to worry about being dismissed by Commissioner Gordon anytime soon.  For some reason, Hawkgirl wanted to continue the interview.  Perhaps she was starved for conversation?  Maybe she wanted to get some free publicity?  Either way, Vicki felt like she had a horseshoe up her butt because this was turning out to be her lucky day!

Vicki hid a smile as she overheard the officer apologize to Hawkgirl - - not once, but at least twenty times, over and over and over again.  Then he turned in Vicki’s direction and called out an apology to her the same number of times.  It was a first for Vicki, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

When Hawkgirl let him go, the officer scurried off as fast as he could.  Vicki assumed he needed to change his underpants.  Something told her that he’d think twice before doing that to Hawkgirl  or anyone else ever again.  It was obvious to everyone who witnessed the scene that Hawkgirl could take care of herself, especially when it came to the press.

“Thank you for that, Hawkgirl!” Vicki exclaimed as soon as they were alone again.  “It looks like you rescued me today, too!  That officer got carried away, literally, by you!  It’s too funny!”

As Vicki laughed hysterically, she wondered if Hawkgirl was just as amused.

[Deleted]

The light atop Gordon’s car had flashed as he raced through the streets. His siren had wailed as ignored many traffic signs and intersection lights to race to the 5th block in South Gotham where an apartment fire had roused him from his slumber. It wasn’t as if such occurrences were surprising or unusual in Gotham and he’d been contacted for less. For the politicians he was called on because it gave him publicity and ensured that he’d be re-chosen and gave them something to brag about in campaigns, but for Jim it was completely. He went to these incidents because he cared about the people of Gotham, they deserved to know that someone would be there to offer them help, even if it was hug and a few words, water, or even a jacket. It wasn’t that he didn’t respect the various vigilantes that had claimed Gotham, but the citizens needed a public hero too. He remembered when he thought that would be Harvey Dent, but even with all his flaws he tried to be strong for Gotham. He would try and be their public hero.

The smoke was blanketing the sky as he reached South Gotham. He could see it over the other buildings and it infiltrated his car through the air conditioning and heating vents in his car. Charred wood and the unmistakable scent of fire reached his nose. He parked several blocks away and rushed to the scene. He was joined by officers as he made his way and ignored questions thrown at him as he crossed police barriers onto the scene.

The fire department’s hoses were blasting into the inferno as it licked and roared from windows and that’s when he saw her, highlighted by the flames. He made no comment on Hawkgirl, but admired her fortitude and joined in the ruckus to gather and direct the people she saved to ambulances, the rest of their families, and generally just moving them. It was chaos and even with the people saved, the last thing Gordon really thought important was stopping the reporter. He knew Vicki personally and zealous and enthusiastic as she was, he didn’t mind her asking the hero questions. So as much as it may have seemed they had been walking towards them, he and the officers that had joined him to report had actually been waved over by another officer and fell into conversation with him. It was only a second thought that Gordon requested one of the officers ask the two to move their conversation elsewhere because even if Hawkgirl would have been able to save Vicki and herself had the building collapsed, he didn’t want that to be necessary.

He also hadn’t made mention of forcibly removing the photographer. He specifically had told him to ask them to take the interview else, not haul them away. He caught the incident out of the corner of his eye and scowled a moment before he began walking over to them on purpose now. Of course, he let the officer be frightened first. Such an experience would have taught him more than the Commissioner’s scolding.

He cleared his throat once he came into range, figuring he’d probably already been spotted but being polite. “I’m sorry about Officer Donnelly’s rashness. I asked him to come over and ask you two to move the interview to free space for rescue personal and on the chance the building collapsed. I would like to reduce the number of savings that must be committed tonight.” He gave a smile to Vicki. “Ms. Vale,” he nodded and then turned his attention to Hawkgirl, “And I remember seeing you in the papers and around these parts recently. Hawkgirl.” He again nodded. “I wish we could have had met under different and less critical circumstances. Still you have my thanks, these people especially give you their thanks. They would have been suffered without you.”

[Deleted]

Shayera's eyes narrow at the officer's 'explanation'. "Your job is to protect and serve, isn't it? So go find someone who needs either of those and stop bothering me," she replies sharply before abruptly letting him go - causing him to stumble when he hits the ground. She's doing none of this out of a desire for attention; she's simply very easily provoked. In fact, her reaction was a show of great restraint on her part - if she'd reacted in the way she'd really wanted to, that officer wouldn't be alive anymore. But allowances must be made for just how young and foolish most humans are - it does no good to punish people for making poor choices when it's too much to expect them to do otherwise.

So no, Shayera is most certainly not amused. In fact she's fending off an overwhelming desire to break something, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything nearby except people and emergency equipment - both of which are off limits for random destruction. So she forces herself to refrain, even as her emotions continue to boil, spilling out in the form of quiet muttering to herself about the stupidness of the officer and the impoliteness of his actions. Too busy doing that to respond to Vicki directly, if the reporter listens carefully enough she'll discover that in spite of the fact that English is actually a new language for the Thanagarian, her vocabulary is large enough to include all the words that are considered too coarse for civilized conversation.

Fortunately, the next man to approach proves to be immeasurably better at not upsetting Shayera than the first. In fact, his apology and explanation have the exact opposite effect - the feathers of her wings that were literally standing on end smooth as she forces herself to not take so much offense. At least not at anyone who doesn't deserve it, and the one who does was quick to remove himself from her presence. "It's alright - I understand. Everyone makes mistakes," she replies, though her words seem rather forced and far too quick to be at all sincere. Still, it's a sign that she's at least going to pretend that she's not still upset whether or not the act fools anyone - at least that's better than ranting angrily about the incident and making people worry about what she may do about it.

Having said that, her manner shifts slightly and becomes more formal as she speaks more directly to the man. "You're in charge of the police here, aren't you?" she asks before nodding and stating, "Yes, I've recently moved to the city, and it's my habit to 'intervene' when I'm clearly needed. I know that you're more used to vigilantes here, but I'm not one of them - I stay within the law. But I understand that the law permits me to stop crimes in progress and provide rescue, so long as it doesn't greatly endanger me." And, given who she is, situations that don't 'greatly endanger' Shayera are pretty much all of them - at least in her own estimation. But you won't find her conducting her own investigations, stealing evidence, or doing any number of other shenanigans that seem to be the bread and butter of the other 'good guys' in town.

"Or..." she adds, pulling a small device out of her pocket and holding it out to Gordon, "I can provide assistance when it's requested by the police. This will tell me where you are and that you want to talk to me." It's a very small and simple device: silver in color, about the same size as a tube of chapstick, with a single button on one end. "This will work at any time, day or night. But if you wake me up, I expect it to be really important and I'm not nocturnal. I'm always up with the sun, though," she adds. Which, conveniently, means that she's most available during the exact part of the day when Batman is the hardest to reach. Spotlights aren't exactly effective at getting anyone's attention during daylight, after all.

Having said all that, her eyes flicker to the reporter whose presence she hasn't forgotten. In fact if anything she thinks that it's a good thing that the woman is overhearing this exchange so that she can add it to her report if she wishes.

[Deleted]

Vicki smiled when Commissioner Gordon greeted her and Hawkgirl and apologized for Officer Donnelly’s rude behavior.  Vicki appreciated the fact that the Commissioner was so nice and cordial to her and Hawkgirl, explaining that he only had their safety in mind and wanted them to relocate.

As the Commissioner and Hawkgirl talked for a brief time, Vicki hung on every word.  She still had her hand-held recorder on and was taping everything that was being said.  What Hawkgirl was sharing was “good stuff” and would only enhance the article Vicki would compose later, once she got back to her office.

Vicki liked the comparison Hawkgirl made of herself and Batman.  Yes, Batman was nocturnal and only came out to “play” at night.  That was when crime was the heaviest and most rampant, but heroes were also needed in the daytime, too.  Vicki felt safer knowing that Hawkgirl had come to town and was planning on staying indefinitely.

The device that Hawgirl gave the Commissioner intrigued Vicki, and she took several pictures of it - - in Hawkgirl’s hand, during the exchange, and then in the Commissioner’s hand.  She smiled to herself, knowing how this would give her the leading edge over her competition in today’s reporting.  She relished in the thought that her contemporaries would surely hate her!  That was the price she had to pay for being the best.

Suddenly, the talking ceased, waking Vicki from her daydreaming.  When Vicki looked up and saw Hawkgirl’s eerie bird-like gaze, it startled her.  Hawkgirl looked so human . . . yet so alien . . . at the same time.  It was times like this that reminded Vicki that Hawkgirl was from another planet.

Vicki smiled awkwardly as she waved her hand at Hawkgirl and Commissioner Gordon, motioning for them to stand closer in proximity.  “I want to take a picture of you both together,” she told them.  “This is history in the making!”

With that, Vicki began walking around the couple, snapping pictures with her camera like a madwoman.  She documented every movement - - every second - - from every angle for the next minute, which seemed to pass in slow motion and last for an eternity.

When Vicki completed her task, she smiled at the duo.  “Would you and Hawkgirl care to go for a cup of coffee, once you've finished up here, Commissioner Gordon?” she offered.  “ My treat.”

[Deleted]

As comforted as Gordon can be at knowing he’d relaxed Shayera, he still knows that while she says one thing, she really doesn’t believe it. He shakes his head. “No, it’s not alright. He’s trained and old enough to realize that he was rude, especially since you helped out the fire team.” Still he’s thankful because he recognizes that she’s letting go and he believes the officer that had offended them so will now learn a lesson. If he doesn’t, he’s senseless and not the sort the Gotham Police need. He’ll be sure an eye is kept on him. He settles his hands in his pockets and he himself relaxes even as the air becomes more formal.

He stands straight as just Shayera gives him direct attention, he returns the favor. He nods at her question of being in charge of the police department, even if that officer has already started to give them a bad name. “Yes, I’m James Gordon, Commissioner of Police.” He can’t help but smile as she continues. He is used to vigilantes who investigate themselves, though they keep him in the loop. He’s used to the type of heroes who keep to themselves until they’re sure, who do have a habit of keeping evidence to themselves before delivering it, and a vast of other things that’s come to expect from Batman and his nest. He doesn’t really mind it because none of the evidence is dismissible or tampered with. They do a good job, but still he’s relieved to find someone who he doesn’t have to worry about that with. He also recognizes from seeing her rescue that he doesn’t have much to worry her being endangered. So despite the number of vigilantes he already has watching Gotham, he’s still happy to welcome her.

Gordon is ever aware that they aren’t alone; it would be rude to forget Ms. Vale, but he knows she’s here to report and when Hawkgirl holds out the device, he recognizes it as a prime opportunity for her. So he is unbothered as she snaps pictures of them as he politely takes the device while listening as it is explained. It’s less public than the Bat Symbol, but again it’s a summoning for her. He turns it over in his hands taking in its smooth and metallic appearance. He carefully places it in the empty pocket of his coat. “Well, I won’t say no to assistance in the daylight and you can count on me to be discreet with its use. I don’t like to call wolf when the situation doesn’t call for it. I served overseas with the military, I can usually handle myself.” He smiles at her, but the tone of his words didn’t ring of being a braggart, but a man who understands enough to know when he’s really in over his head. He’ll be careful to use it at night and even during the day. He doesn’t like to waste anyone’s time.

He’s also seen the effects of her anger.

He turns with her to face Vicki and nods to her request of taking pictures of them. While he’s not one to take pride in being in the press, he could get a good report today and then next be blasted, he’s polite enough to allow her take his picture with Shayera his face never swaying from serious and stalwart.

Yet when Vicki offers coffee his face softens to a smile. “If she is open to it so am I. I just have to be sure the situation is under control and the officers have their orders on where the tenants are to be moved while they sort out what to do next. It is a tragedy. So many of them have lost their home. It’s not even sunk in for most of them that they may have just lost everything they have and need to start over. It’s a hard task, especially here, but I’ll make sure they’re even all the help that can be spared and even more.”

[Deleted]

Even though she's quick enough to try and shrug off her anger, it's actually quite a bit of comfort to Shayera that he's not satisfied with that and seems to think that it's not something to be ignored even if she's not going to raise too much of a fuss about it herself. Good! That shows integrity - she likes that! And she also likes the obviously positive expressions on his face as she explains her presence in Gotham and willingness to work with him. She'd have carried on even without his approval, but it's so much better to have it.

More than a little bit used to cameras, she doesn't mind it at all when Ms. Vale turns into a shutterbug, though she's careful to keep her expression composed as the photos are taken - she favors a certain stern, strong expression that both comforts the innocent and worries the criminals. Another difference between her and Batman is that she doesn't avoid the spotlight. Soon the citizens of Gotham will think nothing of spotting her as she flies out in the open and in broad daylight over the rooftops as she scours the city for situations that could use her attention. If she does her job right, she may even manage to convince those criminals who have switched their operations to the daylight hours to avoid the vigilantes to return to the night shift where they at least have a chance of not being spotted thanks to the cover of darkness.

When he smiles at her, Shayera nods and a half-smile touches her face as she comments, "Oh, I doubt that either you or your men need any help with most common criminals. Though I have heard this city has problems with uncommon criminals - and sometimes even the common ones manage to cause an uncommon amount of trouble. So keep in touch." She gives him a respectful nod - because she does respect him. She may be proud of her own abilities, but most of them are those she was born with, or a result of her longer life. So for him to do what he does given his limitations - she has to respect that.

Patient with the photos, Shayera complies to stand closer, being sure to stare at the lens so that the pictures would have her intimidating gaze firmly fixed on the viewer. Though when Vicki next offers coffee, she's quick to shake her head. "I'm afraid not - the day is still young and there will be more to do. I think I've done what I can here," she says, giving the scene a glance. Clearly there's more work to be done, but it's work that Shayera isn't exactly suited for - she can rescue but helping people rebuild their lives is work better performed by others.