Home Sweet Home [James]

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Barbara sat with her legs crossed on the couch, her text book on her laps as she waited for the timer to beep from the kitchen and signal that her meatloaf was done. After taking a recent interest in cooking, she had stayed up late to prepare a meal for her father each evening when he had returned home for the past few weeks now. In fact, it was all beginning to be quite routine at this point. She could come home after classes and work, do whatever homework she had while preparing dinner and then wait until her father got home. Recently she had been adding her own little touches to the recipes that she had discovered. While she wasn’t sure if that would go noticed, she knew that he would be appreciative regardless.

After a bit of idle chat, she would issue a few fake yawns in order to mislead him and rather than going to bed she would dress in her signature batgirl costume and slip out the window. Her father knew nothing of her double life; in fact, it was almost amusing to hear him talk about her bat-adorned heroine without the knowledge that he was talking right to her. She knew he was very likely to disapprove even if had discovered her little secret, which is why she desperately tried to keep it hidden from him. Pushing her glasses further up the bridge of her nose, she looked up as she heard the doorknob twist. A smile broke across her face as she heard the familiar jingling of her father’s keys as well as his silhouette.

Disregarding the book in her lap, she stood up to greet him. “Hey, dad. How was work?” she asked, hoping his long day might send her in the direction of what she was going to be doing this evening. That was the best part about having a father that was the Chief Commissioner when you were considered a heroine, having a source to the crime life in Gotham. Not like Bruce didn’t have a good grip on it himself, but it still made her feel as though she was contributing in some form or another. “Dinner will be done in ten; the table’s already set though.” She moved to help him out of his coat to hang it up on their rustic coat rack.

outfit: click here

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The distinctive beep of his car cut through the smoggy Gotham night as Gordon turned away from his vehicle. He slipped his keys into his pockets just as he did every night and made his way to the door of his apartment. Had you asked him five years ago if he expected to be living without a wife he’d have said no, but tragedy and the city had struck and Gordon was alone in that aspect. He also hadn’t expected that his daughter would still be around. Jim had been sure that the minute she was able she’d fly the coop and take up residence in a dorm at the least, but she’d not. She’d accepted the invitation to Gotham University and had chosen to stay with him. He was surprised, but happy for the company. He’d jokingly tell her he wasn’t sure what he’d do if someone wasn’t there to look after him, but the truth was, he was being honest. He’d have kept going, dressed for work every day, but there wouldn’t be anything to look forward to. Making his own dinner? Watching the news?

He really wasn’t sure where or what he’d have been doing if it was just him in the flat that had used to bustle with the sound of his wife, his son, and daughter. It was good and well then that he didn’t know the second life of his daughter. Yet don’t think that Gordon wasn’t suspicious.

He’d not been promoted so quickly through the Gotham Police Department, nor been chosen to be Police Commissioner because he wasn’t keen. He knew Barbara was up to something, but his trust kept him distant. She needed her space and he didn’t want to smother her. So he let her be, not that he didn’t worry about her. He did and had he known she was the one known as Batgirl? He’d have been hurt at her deception first, angry at Batman for allowing his daughter to come so close to harm, and yet at the same time, he’d have been proud. He have felt ridiculous of being angry. It wasn’t that he didn’t know that Batgirl was possibly someone’s daughter, but to know it was his own? That would be a hit close to home and one that would take a while to stand from.

Yet Batgirl and Batman was far from his mind as he opened the door and smile at Barbara. He greeted her and though he wanted to argue about her help, he choose not to. Instead he sniffed at the air.

“It smells delicious.”

His coat was hung and he walked into the kitchen to find his antacid tablets and a glass of water. “Work is a disaster. The Joker blew up the roof and sent the bat signal down four floors, and wouldn’t you know,” he shook his head with a sigh, “it lands right in my office.”

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Barbara was well aware of the situation at the police department. In fact, the moment one of her close friends approached her in order to ask if her father was okay, the redhead quickly questioned her why. Springing into action at the answer, the student blew off her classes for the rest of the day and raced to the station simply praying that her father would be okay. With her Batgirl costume folded neatly amongst the text books in her backpack it was only to be adorned at night time, something that Bruce had stressed numerous times. As much as she had desired to rip off her street clothes and slip into the tight-fitting latex-like material that her costume primarily consisted of. Instead, the nineteen year old simply sprinted to the station as fast as her long legs could carry her. Once she arrived, she spotted the gleam off her father’s glasses, reassuring her instantly that he was alright. Fully aware that he might be upset that she had blown off her classes for the day, she made sure to blend in with the crowd and attempted to avoid him, her photographic memory burning the image into her head.

Only lingering when she was sure that the Joker was not on the premise, she assumed her father was alright - but busy, though it couldn’t be said for the rest of the men. Approaching one of the officers, the man had recognized her instantly, his eyes wide as he informed her that she didn’t need to be there. As the commissioner’s daughter, she was known and overly protected by a majority of the department, though the attention was unwanted. Still, Barbara insisted on trying to helping until she was scolded by the man and told to go home. He was right, as Barbara Gordon it technically wasn’t her place but it was much to early for Batgirl to make an appearance. The redhead had managed to avoid her father while she was on the site and after being told ‘no’ a number of times, one of his fellow officers had forced into a cab and provided the driver with instructions to take her directly home despite her protest. As her father informed her of the event now, it led her to believe that thankfully none of the other officers had told him that she had responded to the scene. However, it was hard for her to act surprised when she was already aware of the details.

“Oh my god! Is everyone alright? Dad, I’m so sorry. But, I mean, at least it gives you a shot at getting a brand new office? Maybe it will be bigger than your old one?” She attempted optimistically. So far it seemed as though he was oblivious to the fact that she had stepped foot on the Police Headquarters premises. While most of this information was already known, she had been oblivious that the Joker’s intentions were too blow up that bat signal. That caused her jaw to tighten in annoyance. That crooked clown had something coming to him the next time they met, she was eager to wipe that painted smile off his face with a forceful kick from one of her high-heeled boots. Blowing up the police station was a predictable Joker move, but to target the bat signal made it personal.

outfit: click here

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Jim remembered well where he’d been when the hit on the police headquarters was made known over the radio. He’d been surveying the scene of Joker’s previous bombing with a handful of officers. Of course they’d had an officer stay near the cars in case some new instruction or nearby crime occurred. He’d been the one to notify them that Joker had targeted the police station. Jim’s heart had sunk. He’d not known how bad it was or if there were any causalities; the message had been quick for reasons that he’d learn on the scene. He and the rest of the officers had jumped into their cars and raced with sirens blaring and lights flashing. He could still hear their echo as they’d raced through the streets. The worst was over, the Joker was gone, and the police officers had the inmates under control when he’d gotten there. He’d been chosen to address the public—no surprise there—and reassure them. Had he known Barbara was in the crowd, he’d not have been upset and he’d vaguely wondered if she had heard and come.

From her words now, however, he assumed not. That was probably better anyway. He’d not wanted her worrying after him after all. None of the officers had told him of her appearance either and that was probably to save him from being concerned in turn. He’d have worried about making his daughter worry. It would have been a vicious cycle, but luckily none of that had happened to his knowledge.

He laughed at her words. Of course she would try and make him feel better about the situation. Gordon went into the kitchen to grab a cup and went to the refrigerator-freezer. “Everyone’s fine. A few were sent to the hospital for injuries, but as far as I’ve heard each and every one will make a full recovery,” he filled his cup with ice. “As for my office, that’s definitely the first thing I’m asking. For a bigger one,” he chuckled. Yet really, he’d like to have a bigger office. His other had felt claustrophobia. He was lucky though that most of his files had remained intact. He assumed the rest of the department was relieved at that fact too. What he wasn’t relieved about was the destruction of the Bat Signal. It filled him with annoyance too and he knew that that was what Joker had intended. To hit them where it hurt. His tactic was humiliation, but it would take more than that to humiliate the Commissioner. Joker had only made it personal. It wasn’t the first nor the last time, but it would always end up the same way.

Jim turned to Barbara, “What about your day? Classes still going alright?”

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Just to keep things, well normal, Barbara insisted on playing the role of studious and extremely dedicated college student in the presence of her father. Her cheeks were tinged with a reddish color as she blatantly lied, especially after considering everything the man had gone out of the way to do for her. She just wanted to keep her relationship with her father as simplistic and close to home as possible rather than outing her double life as Batgirl. If she wasn’t being obvious enough at the moment, she chose to just purse her lips and listen to what he had to say. The constant fear of upsetting or disappointing the man before her still lingered over her like a heavy rain cloud and though she rarely did such things, guilt still managed to eat at her with each lie she delivered.

Following him into the kitchen, the pleasant aroma engulfed the room as she opened the oven to check on their dinner. It was practically done, though she decided to give it another five minutes before pulling it out. Giving a quick stir to the side dishes that were already done and sitting on the perfectly set dinner table, Babs then sat down at the table to wait for the remainder of their meal to be done. Hanging onto her father’s words, she let out a sigh of relief when he disclosed that no one had been hurt. “Thank goodness, after all of the recent explosions it would just be to devastating to lose anyone else.” A smile lit up her face as he agreed to her former statement. “I think it’s about time they gave you a bigger one anyway, especially after everything the Joker’s put you through recently.” She got up once more to turn the oven off and slid her hands into a pair of oven mits before reaching in to retrieve the meatloaf. “It’s almost like he’s got a little crush on you or something.” She teased, sending him a reassuring smile over her shoulder to let him know it was only poking fun at the consistently serious situation.

Slicing the meatloaf into decent proportions, she allowed the alluring smell to fill her nostrils. While she had only recently taken up cooking in what limited free time she had, Babs seemed to be a natural at it. “Be careful, it’s really hot.” She warned as she carefully lowered a piece onto the plate in front of the chair where her father typically sat. Doing the same to her own plate, she sat down and waited for him to join her, forcing a smile as he brought up school. “Um, I mean, it’s alright. I’m doing really well and I have midterms next week. It’s just- recently I have been thinking about changing my major.” She waited for his reaction before continuing, hoping that she might be able to ease things over with this come cooked meal.

outfit: click here

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Training in the armed forces, classes in criminology, and decades of being on the beat as a policeman had Gordon a rounded man and a rounded detective and thus not only did he notice her embarrassment, he’d known for a while that Barbara was hiding something from him. He was detective after all. He didn’t know what it was, and yes it worried him but Barbara was a young woman who had a right to her secrets and he was sure in time he’d know. He didn’t want to pressure his daughter to be anything or anyone she didn’t want to be, but of course he worried about her. He always had. Still he feared her secret and what it would amount to in the end. He didn’t want to lose Barbara’s trust or respect. Just as she feared upsetting him, Jim feared pushing his daughter away.

The aroma of the meat loaf and side dishes filled the air as he filled his glass with ice before reaching into the refrigerator for the lemonade he’d made. He smiled softly at the set table as he made his way to it to take a seat in his usual chair. “Tell me about it, I was amazed that no one was killed at the station, especially when Joker’s plan released a number of inmates in holding there.” He took a sip from his glass and then chuckled. Did he deserve the bigger office just because Joker had been setting his sights on him as of late? Maybe. Yeah, of course he did. He worked his tail off bringing justice to Gotham and had done so for years. He deserved to see some fruit for his labors. He snorted and gave genuine laugh at the notion of Joker having a crush on him. “Even if his attention is on me for the moment…I’d say he’s just after Batman’s attention, just like he always is.” He shook his head, knowing it was a joke. Still, it was Batman Joker was probably after. Everything he did was to catch the Dark Knight in some way.

Jim looked down at the steaming meatloaf, able to smell it better now. “Thank you,” he said and began to spoon the side dishes she’d made into his plate as well. He was still doing so unperturbed when Barbara mentioned she was thinking of changing her major. His eyebrows did lift, but when he looked up to her there was no judgment. “A lot of people do that while in college. What were you thinking of changing it to,” he asked. So far he’d heard nothing that alarmed him.

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Relieved to know that no one was killed, that was one bit of information that she had failed to recollect in her research. Babs moved her food around the surface of the plate, finding her appetite quickly fading the more the discussed the Joker. Having several personal encounters with the man herself, she knew he was not a force to be reckoned with – but neither was she. The sole idea alone that he was targeting her father only caused her anger to boil. In fact, half of her wanted to storm up to her room, throw on her batsuit and climb out the window this instant, but she knew that was irrational. Instead, she needed to put Batgirl behind her for the course of the next few hours and enjoy the time with her father, finish up the laundry and handful of other chores she had taken upon herself to complete and try to be a normal nineteen year old.

“I’m glad no one was-“ She pretended to look at her phone as if she was texting someone and they had just informed her as of what she was about to say. “It looks like Momma Bull got pretty hurt. Do you want to go visit him with me later?” Still stirring around with her food she looked up, pushing the thick-rimmed glasses further up her nose. “Did he release anyone worth being worried about?” She asked curiously, wondering if anyone she had recently helped put away or who she might be running into on the streets that evening. “That sounds like the Joker. Always in a never ending search for attention.” Finally taking a bit she shrugged at her cooking, it was well seasoned, though it could have stayed in for several moments longer to get a better glaze.

She smiled when he showed his support, but she knew he would to that part. It was the next portion of the conversation that worried her slightly. Blotting her mouth with her napkin, she swallowed before answering. “Well, actually. I was considering changing it to law enforcement.” She began, waiting to see his reaction before continuing.


outfit: click here

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He nodded at the first question "Yeah, we should probably drop by and see Harv after dinner. Make sure he isn't smoking in the hospital or anything." Then she told him about the switch in major. . . he chewed slowly, stalling the response as he let the meatloaf settle on his tongue, his eyebrows raised desipte themselves. He was sitting at the table and he was quiet at the idea of her in law enforcement. He stared forward, continuing the chew and then finally had to swallow, he took a sip of his drink, and then looked at her.

He then sighs and says "I know you have every right to make choices in your life, Barbara. You've got a bright future ahead of you. . . The world's such a big place when you're young. You can go anywhere -- be anyone -- do anything you can dream. I went into law enforcement because I felt it was the right thing to do, but I have to tell you. It's a hard path, a hard walk. I got a man in the hospital today because that's his life. You've got such a good mind, Barbara, you're strong, you can do anything you want.. . "

He looks at her in the eyes "I'm flattered that you want to follow me in my footsteps, but I'm still your father. And I'm terrified at the thought of you going into that kind of life. It's not that I think you can't do it, I know you'll be brilliant at whatever you put your mind into" He puts down his fork for a moment.

"I just don't want you to give up on your choices early, and I want you to make sure you think things out before you make any choices. Law Enforcement's a tough life, God knows it put a lot of strain between me and your mother. . . and I've had to make tough choices. Just . . . you've got time to make some choices."

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A smile graced her pretty face at the mention of paying Harvey a visit. It seemed like ages since she had actually sat down and had a chat with the man that she adored. Having been introduced to her at such a young age, Harvey was practically family and she considered him so, much like she considered a great deal of her father’s co-workers. Each of them had a place in her heart, making it a bit difficult when she was behind the mask to leave such feelings behind. Still, despite the difficulty she was growing used to it over the years. “Sounds good to me. I’m sure he’s alright. I’ll send him a text before we head over – just to make sure we aren’t interrupting anything.” She said with almost a cringe. His endearing personality seemed to attract a great deal of the woman around Gotham, and the last thing the young redhead wanted to do was witness it.

Babs bit her lip as she waited for his reaction. Seeing how compliant he had been towards her past comments, she only assumed that this would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. The redhead had barely touched her food, but already started to put away some of the leftovers for her mother when she got home. Basically, it would avoid the awkward eye contact with her father as he spoke, giving her everything she didn’t want to hear but in the nicest way that he could. She smiled when he mentioned her bright future, she loved when she could make him proud and would strive to do so. “I know it isn’t easy…” she mentioned, her eyes meeting his.

If only he knew – really knew what she was capable of. If only he knew how she spent her evenings alongside the Dark Knight and bearing the same symbol on her chest then maybe he would understand. In all actuality, he had no idea what she was really capable of, but it was a secret she was willing to hold on to. Rather than objecting, she endured his little lament and took each word to heart, despite the fact that she had her mind made up for her. “Alright, I will certainly think about it before I make a final choice. For now I will stick with Computers…oh! I told mom, but I forgot to tell you! I got the Lexcorp internship.” She said proudly, though it had been a bit of old news, honestly. She found out weeks ago and hadn’t bothered to inform her parents. With finals and the school year wrapping up she had spent a lot of time cooped up in her room.


outfit: click here

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He smiled at that, his face actually brightening up in a way that she almost never saw anymore, not since. . . well. His face brightened up and he actually had some excitement in his voice"That's great news honey, I didn't even know you were in the consideration for it. A LexCorp internship! Do you have any idea what they want you to do yet? Well, it doesn't matter, it's a good resume builder. And . . . if you want to go into law enforcement, a good internship in college will help you get to do whatever you want to do" 

He sighs as he looks at her face for a moment, and then says "Look, I'm not saying you shouldn't go into law enforcement, or follow your dreams, I just want you to have all the opportunities I didn't have, and I want you to have a future where you don't have to deal with the scum and the worst things humanity has to offer. I just want you to see the world as something brighter and better than I've had to see it." He puts his hand on her shoulder and looks into her eyes. "But then again, I never could change your mind once you had it set on something. I'm very proud of you or the LexCorp internship, and if you want to go into law enforcement, I'll be very proud of you for doing that too. Whatever you decide. I just want you to make whatever decision you make based on good information. That's key to being good detective and a smart person, get good info before you rush to judgment or action. I'm proud of you, Barbara." He gives her a hug and then ruffles her hair a bit, like he did when she was young. It didn't matter how old she got, or how big she got, part of him still saw that red headed, freckled little girl running around the apartment and taking things apart. Didn't matter how big she got, she was still his little girl, and he still wanted to keep her safe and happy. 

"Let's finish eating then go see Harv."