That's What Friends Are For [Summer]

[Lara Allen-Benedetti]

Lara's place was a mess of party-stuff all around the living room and other parts of the house, but not funny-party, Lara had to host a reception or something in those lines, it was for her family, wedding anniversary. However, the place was a mess because of the preparations. Lara had had to push away the catering people at 2 AM because they were still working at that hour. Her uncles were rich and people knew it so the job had to be perfect.

However, Lara was already exhausted by her own, she had to work almost every night and the missions were becoming more dangerous every time. But, she was lucky because at least she knew how to kick some asses and run away if she needed to. That reminded her of the self-defense classes she had to attend to...and her friend.

Yes, Lara knew what Summer was passing through. Joker. Everyone knew. The Joker was always news after all and Jack Ryder would never let that kind of news slip away. This was another reason why Lara chose Summer instead of Jack Ryder for the scoop about Rebecca.

Lara felt that she had to do something for Summer. Help her somehow. Perhaps she could teach Summer some self-defense, it could turn out to be useful, especially seen her troubled life. Well, it could help so much against Joker, but it was better than nothing.

Lara was going to send a message to Summer and tell her about the self-defense classes, but someone was at the door "Hey! I told you to come tomorrow, please!" Lara said walking towards the door sure it was the catering, but instead she saw her friend Summer through the spyhole. Immediately, Lara opened the door and let Summer in "Summer...!" Lara smiled, but then the smile faded away noticing that something was wrong "What happened?! Are you okay? It was Joker again...?!" Lara asked worried.

[Deleted]

Summer honestly wasn’t sure where to turn at this point. She needed someone, a friend or comfort to say the least. She wanted to be touched, consoled. Tears burned the corners of her eyes as she drove almost recklessly toward her destination. Her phone vibrated loudly in the passenger seat beside her but she ignored it. Rain continued to pelt the front of her windshield. Summer leaned forward slightly so that she could access the road better.

She knew Selina would be there for her, but did she really want to witness being spotted in such a posh neighborhood when she was wearing nothing but pajamas and house slippers. She knew she couldn’t go back home. Could she swallow her pride and go to see Ryder? No – she couldn’t face any more humiliation for any evening. She hadn’t pursued any successful relationships since Edward, who was practically untraceable.

Lara. Lara was perfect. She was sweet, sympathetic and she knew of her previous struggles in Gotham. Lara was one of the few that she had been able to open up to and let her guard down. The two even aspired to work together on a few things, which Summer hardly every agreed too. However, Lara was not in it for the fame or glory and it was something that the young redhead could both respect and admire.

Without even a warning text, she pulled up to Lara’s home. Locking her car door and hurrying out, the rain mixed with her tears as she pounded on the door. “Lara!” She cried, hoping that the blonde would be home. When the door open, Summer only stood there for a moment with her lip trembling, wiping away her tears with the sleeve of her sheer robe. “No-no it isn’t him. It’s-I just…can I come in?” She cradled her bruised ribs. “It was someone who was looking for him. I am not sure who he was or….what?” She managed through tears. “I can’t do this anymore, Lara. I thought I was strong enough and clearly I’m not.”

[Lara Allen-Benedetti]

Lara let her friend in while listening "Here you go, sit here" Lara smiled and went to take a big brown blanket with a bottle of spumante, not champagne because her family was from Italy and they liked spumante, but it was good anyway. The spumante could help with her friend's nerves, Summer needed it.

So, Lara returned with a bottle of spumante, a glass and a blanket. She put the bottle and the glass on the little table in front of the sofa Lara put Summer to sit in and gave the blanket to her friend "Take some breaths" she said kindly to Summer "Alcohol can help too" she pointed the botte "Sorry, only spumante, there is too much around the house lately" Lara tried to keep the conversation in a light mood to make her friend relax a bit.

"Summer, you are really strong, you passed through a lot of events and the Joker..." Lara sighed "...he likes playing with people and I bet it's the same for the person who is searching for him...I mean...who is so crazy to actually search for the Joker?" Lara sighed "What I'm trying to say is that you are strong enough to face all of these crazy people. You are strong" Lara was being sincere, Summer was really strong.

"You know, I teach self-defense for women, if you want I can teach to you too" Lara offered "Want some?" Lara asked pointing the bottle. Alcohol could really help now and Lara did really want to help her friend. This Joker liked playing with Summer, but Joker could get bored easily and Lara didn't even want to think what would happen to Summer if Joker got bored of her.

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Summer was shaking. Then again, it was pouring rain outside and she was still in her pajamas. The think fabric wasn’t much for keeping warm, so the redhead graciously welcomed the blanket as Lara draped it across her shoulder. “T-thanks.” She managed, the tears sliding down her face now began to dry. She took a deep, shaky breath as she looked up at the woman’s friendly face. “Okay.” She nodded when the woman offered her a drink. Unsure how it might work with the pain medicine she was currently taking with the broken ribs she wasn’t exactly thinking clearly at the moment.

She listened, focused on Lara as the woman spoke to her, only closing her eyes and cringing when she mentioned the Joker. The past encounters with the man were hard to relive. He had put her through many humiliating and painful processes over the course of the past year. From the brand to the acid, each experience seemed to be worse than the next. She certainly wasn’t looking forward to her next, though she was sure that once he realized she had managed to escape the vat of glowing green liquid he would be back to terrorize her.

She managed a shaky smile. “I was, apparently.” She looked down. Honestly if she hadn’t sought after him in the first place he probably would have left her alone. Still, she understood what Lara meant. “Thank you, Lara” She smiled. It was the next bit of advice that caused her eyes to grow wide. “Oh my gosh, Lara! That’s brilliant!” She began to perk up a bit. Self-defense would help her immensely! Especially seeing as her repeated process of run and attempt to call the police had failed her on many occasions.

“Yes please,if it's not too much trouble.” She asked, eager to calm her nerves as she looked at the bottle. She wasn't sure what it was, but the naive reporter wasn't much of a drinker. The hopeful redhead was quick to return to the topic at hand. “Lara, I would really appreciate it if you could help me.” She mentioned. “Do you know how to escape things? Oh- I can’t really think of how to phrase this. Can you escape from handcuffs?” Or ropes. It was an unusual request but also something that the redhead was interested in learning from the young woman if she could teach her. After all, she was only one person and even all the self-defense in the world could help her if she was greatly outnumbered. It was peculiar to think like this. Had her paranoia really escalated so significantly?

[Lara Allen-Benedetti]

Summer's was trembling, still in her pajamas, soaked because of the rain...whatever happened had shocked her firend and Summer wasn't a coward person, in fact she was the contrary indeed, Summer was very brave, always ready to find a successfull story, independently of the obstacles, Summer was always ready to face her obstacles and beat them. Lara knew that Summer was brave enough, now it was time that Summer remembered it too and maybe Lara could help her.

Lara smiled gently when Summer thanked her and gave a hanky to her seeing the tears on her cheeks. Lara nodded when Summer accepted the drink, it was just spumante after all, nothing strong really "Here you go" Lara poured the spumante in the glass and gave it to Summer, listening to what her friend was saying. Just mentioning Joker's name was enough to make Summer uncomfortable. Who could blame her? The Joker seemed enjoy playing with her. Damn.

Lara nodded smiling when Summer thanked, but then rose a brow at her next words, she was going to ask what was so brilliant but then she understood that Summer was talking about the self-defense. Good. Lara was happy that Summer wanted to learn how to defense herself "Of course I'll help you!" Lara smiled and then the smile changed into a serious expression at Summer's request "Yes, I know how to do it, I can show you, I have a pair of handcuffs in here, somewhere..." Lara frowned and left the living room returning with a pair of handfcuffs.

"You know, Riddler is very good at this, he always manages to escape from handcuffs, ropes and things like that, even Joker can't do it as fast as Riddler can" the handcuffs made a click sound when Lara put them on her wrists and closed them "I observed footage of him when in this kind of predicament and he always succeded to escape..." yes, Lara learnt stuff from the villains, you could learn from your enemy "...I noticed he was taking inspiration from Houdini"  Lara didn't need to hide who she was to Summer, her friend knew that Lara's job wasn't so ordinary, maybe Summer didn't know all about it like who Lara's group's members were or who the General was, but Summer knew that Lara was Faith because of the costume she was wearing the day she gave to her the proofs about the Rebecca's guilt "So, like this..." Lara showed to Summer how to free the hands, after a while the handcuffs were open and she didn't even pick the lock "...however, you can harm yourself if you don't do it properly, so be careful" Lara put the handfcuffs on the table near the bottle.

[Deleted]

Wiping the tears from her eyes, her erratic breathing slowly began to regulate. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take. Maybe it was finally time to consider one of the many other career opportunities she had been offered for her work in Journalism. No- that was impossible. Gotham was her home. She loved it far too much to leave and she had accomplished so much. Even with the many trials she had overcome, she couldn’t leave. “Thank you so much.” She said once again, raising the glass to her full lips and taking a timid sip.

She didn’t want to talk about the Joker. He was toxic and thinking about him only reminded her that he was still out there. There was always the chance that he could come back to find her whenever he wanted to. Now that she was beginning to calm down, the idea that Lara could teach her some self-defense was almost soothing. “So, Lara. Why do you have a pair of police-issued handcuffs if I may ask?” She teased, unable to hide the giggle that peeled from her lips.

However, the smile was quick to leave her face when she brought up the Riddler. “Ugh, let’s avoid talking about him as well.” She said with an obvious indifference. She was still not exactly sure where she stood with the man after their romantic encounters. But with all the chaos the currently surrounded her she wasn’t sure if she could even start to deal with whatever that was. “Oh, you don’t have to tell me. I’ve been on the scene at nearly every crime the man’s ever committed. I knew him before I literally knew him.” She added.

Taking another sip of her drink, she grabbed the heavy cuffs from the table and inspected them. “What, what? How did you do that? Can you show me again? I’ll need to watch more carefully this time.” She was obviously interested in learning the process. While she wasn’t convinced that she might need the skill in the future, it was something she would like to know.

[Lara Allen-Benedetti]

Lara smiled a little and saw her friend took a sip of the spumante, Lara really hoped that Summer will feel better soon. Lara chuckled listening to Summer's question "I got arrested few times" she replied shaking the head still smiling "I kept the cuffs" Lara smiled "Don't look at me like that! It's true!" but then the atmosphere changed when Riddler's topic came out "Oh...right...sorry" well, Riddler was a villain who killed people to play his riddles so Summer couldn't expect much, but Lara didn't say anything because she was here for Summer as a good friend. So, she didn't even comment when Summer said that she knew the Riddler even bofore knowing him, it sounded like Harley with the Joker.

Summer took the handcuffs and Lara was glad of changing the convo's subject "Oh, sorry, it comes natural for me by now, but when I learnt how to do this..." Lara took the handcuffs putting them back on her wrists "...it was difficult for me too and I warned you that you could harm yourself because it happened to me, so for experience be careful" Lara smiled and turned around because her wrists were behind her back.

Lara showed to Summer the steps to unlock the cuffs as before and after few minutes the cuffs were on the table again "Listen, to really understand you have to try this on yourself" Lara smiled and took the cuffs "If you want I can put the cuffs on your wrists and help you to unlock them, don't worry, the first times will be with your wrists in front of you" Lara felt that it sounded creepy asking someone if they wanted to be cuffed, but it was the best way to learn.

[Deleted]

Her eyes grew wide when Lara confided that she had been arrested. “What? Lara!” Summer exclaimed, her jaw dropping slightly. “What did you get arrested for?” While the young reporter had proven to be a throne in the GCDP’s side from time to time, she was fortunate enough to avoid being placed into custody. Shaking her head in mock disappointment, she couldn’t shake the smile from her tear-stained face. She was sure this was going to be a good story, and certainly put her in a better mood. Thank goodness for Lara.

Her smile did waver when she apologized for the talk of Edward. “It’s alright.” She said, eager to dismiss the topic and change it to something else. After some of her more recent realizations and how long it had been since she crossed paths with the man, she still wasn’t sure how to read her own situation. If anything, she was ignoring it completely though still went out of the way to make any move that he might notice.

She brought her hands to face and a girlish giggle flew from her lips. “This is a completely different side of you!” Though, it was also refreshing. The past few days she had wanted nothing more than to laugh and this seemed to do the trick. “I really want to learn how to do this.” Sitting up straight she watched carefully as Lara instructed her on how to remove them. When Lara informed her it would be easier to truly learn the concept with the cuffs on her, Summer was a bit hesitant at first. Recently the mere thought of feeling trapped made her uneasy.

“Okay, “ She said finally, holding out her wrists. “But you have to promise me that if I can’t get it after too long you will help me out.” The redhead said as she waited for Lara to secure the metal cuffs against her wrists. “So tell me, what else is there that I don’t know about you? First you tell me you have been arrested numerous times, I can only imagine what secrets you have.” The redhead teased with a playful wink.

[Lara Allen-Benedetti]

"What...?" Lara used a fake innocent tone at Summer's surprise to the news that she had got arrested few times "Well...I'd like to tell you, especially because talking about this stuff could make you feel better, but I have to ask permission first" Lara sighed, of course such permission won't ever come, Mark wasn't one for interviews.

Lara didn't really like Summer's relationship with Nigma, he was a villain, he killed innocents to riddle Batman. However, she never talked about it with Summer and she wasn't going to do it now seen that Summer wasn't feeling so well at the moment.

Oh, right, the cuffs, that was a topic that Lara was glad to talk about, at least she knew well how to uncuff stuff. Lara giggled with Summer "Well, this side of me is part of my defense-classes" Lara smiled locking the cuffs around Summer's wrists. Lara observed Summer "This will make you feel better about being in...difficult situations" she tried to explain "You'll see that you can still have control" Lara pointed the cuffs "Okay, try" she smiled nodding.

"Ohhh, sure I'm going to uncuff you if you can't...but first I'll take a picture and post it on Instagram showing it to your fans" Lara joked laughing. How could a man like the Joker being so evil? A Joker should joke to make people feel better and not to make them die from laughing. 

[Deleted]

Nodding and bringing the drink to her lips, she noticed a considerable amount of the liquid was gone. For a woman that didn’t typically drink, she was surely making quick work of the contents of her glass. She accepted the numbing, warm feeling that it brought with each sip. However, she knew If she continued at this rate should would be drunk crying on Lara’s lap within the hour. Not wanting to put that on her friend, she sat the glass back on the table to retrieve later. After all, it was time to play with handcuffs.

“Pshhh.” Summer attempted, “I won’t tell if you won’t. It's off the record.” She replied in a singsong voice, unsure if she would go for it. Obviously showing interest when Lara referred to her classes again, the young reporter pursed her lips for a moment before her next request. “Is there any way….you might be willing to give me lessons in private?” She asked. “I can pay you!” The redhead added quickly. “It’s just – I don’t really want anyone to see me. That sounds silly when I say it out loud.” Summer giggled. “But I feel as though I might be a bit distracting to a class” Being a local celebrity, she couldn’t go anywhere without being hassled by her fame. Of course – Summer didn’t mind that at all. She loved the attention.

Nodding, she allowed the cuffs to be placed on her wrists. “Hopefully, tonight represents the last of my difficult situations.” She sighed wishfully, knowing that wouldn’t be the case. Genuinely laughing at Lara’s mock thread, she continued to hold her wrist up, trying to remember the first step of the process Lara had just shown her. “I’m sure my fans would just eat that up. I can only imagine the comments that one would get!”

[Lara Allen-Benedetti]

Lara rose a brow about being off the record thing "Of course" she nodded laughing a little, she was happy that her friend could still be so friendly, it was a good sign. Then Lara frowned listening about the classes, Summer wanted to have private lessons, it could be done "Sure I can give you private classes" Lara nodded smiling "Anything to help you, Summer" Lara was serious about this.

"Ohh yes, the fans, my class would become just one hour of selfies with you" Lara nodded giggling "Better private lessons, agreed" of course there were other reasons, but Lara wasn't going to discuss them if Summer didn't want to. Then Summer even offered to pay, but Lara shook her head immediately "You helped me with my uncle so don't even talk about money...besides, I'm rich" she chuckled pointing at the ceiling in a gesture that showed the entire house, a very fancy house.

Lara smiled happily hearing Summer's laugh, it was nice that her friend was feeling better "I'm curious about what Jimmy Fallon would comment" Lara smiled, she liked that comedian. Lara looked at the cuffs "Yep, tonight will be fine, okay try moving your wrists in the cuffs" Lara said, observing.

[Deleted]

Summer took a shaky breath. Despite the events that had circled her life for the past few months, things were starting to look up. Even if it wasn’t going to be a complete turnaround, at least she had this moment of pure happiness that she could sit here with her friend. She did truly want to learn, feeling as though that might not only empower her, but help her avoid situations in the future. Even then, it would be nice to find herself in some sort of activity that would keep her mind off the trouble she had managed to stumble into.

“Lara, I can’t tell you how much I would appreciate that. I can pay you whatever you would like, it’s no trouble.” She perked up quite a bit. “I feel so proactive.” She prided, bringing her manicured hands together with obvious excitement. The obvious mention of her fans provided a smile to play on her pretty features. That was one of the many things she adored about her career – the endless attention. While it did serve as a double-bladed sword on occasions, the particular reference allowed her to think of the good.

Of course, Lara didn’t want to take any of her money. She didn’t need the money. Summer bit her lip. “There has to be something that I can do to repay you. I would feel almost guilty that you are doing so much for me. Really, what can I do?” She asked. “And of course I helped you with that, I would be a horrible friend if I hadn’t.”

She giggled once again. She had such a great rapport with Lara, “I could only imagine.” She shifted in the cuffs, attempting to repeat Lara’s motions. “Is this right?” She asked, wrinkling her nose as time increased and she had made no progress. “So, are you heading up anything interesting at work?” She asked curiously, trying to appear casual rather than nosy.

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[Lara Allen-Benedetti]

Lara's job was dangerous, but she got trained for it even psychologically, so running away from people who tried to killer her wasn't so strange for her, but for Summer had to be different. Her friend didn't sign for psycho chasing and running away for her life scenarios so Lara wished that she could find a way to help her.

"I bet that it's no trouble, my famous and rich friend" Lara chuckled trying to use a little bit of sarcasm to cheer Summer up "Of course you are proactive! You are fighting your obstacles" Lara said with a proud tone, she was really proud of Summer. Fighting wasn't for everyone, but Summer was a really strong character.

"Guilty? We're friends! We do help each other, that's what friends are for!" Lara smiled, nodding. She was really lucky to have Summer has a friend. Lara looked down at Summer's hands checking the cuffs "Yep, the cuffs are fine, now try to move the wrists this way..." Lara moved her own wrists showing at Summer how to do it "Oh, work is boring lately, but maybe it is a good thing" Lara smiled a little, still looking down at the cuffs.

[Deleted]

Summer couldn’t help but laugh at Lara’s comment. “Famous maybe. But I couldn’t exactly claim rich. That’s what my future boyfriend is for. I just haven’t come across him yet.” The redhead teased in reply. While she did make a decent salary with amazing benefits, the lifestyle she wished to maintain was not cheap. Parading around as a socialite was not something meant to be done with her wages, but she managed effectively regardless. Summer couldn’t complain. She had a lavish flat with great furnishings as well as a working vehicle. It may not have been the best brand or the newest model, but living in the heart of the city she spent more money storing it than she did driving it. Her lifestyle was comfortable, though one could easily mistake such a fact.

“I swear, you are one of my best friends.” Summer admitted almost weakly. She was positive that she had more fake friends than genuine, though Lara surely joined those rare few that she considered real. She watched and mimicked Lara’s motions, still struggling with the process. “What have they had doing at work recently? I can’t imagine anything that you do being considered boring.” Biting her tongue lightly she allowed her friend to speak as she fiddled with the cuffs. Finally, she had it. An excited squeal flew from her lips as she freed her wrists. “I did it!” She exclaimed, eager for Lara’s reaction.

“Yes, that’s right. From now on I am fighting back.” She clapped her hands together, taking a rather large sip of her wine and jumping up from the seat. “C’mon Lara. Show me how to do some more things.” Summer cheered, finding an extra pep in her step. Warm and tingly from the beverage that Lara had provided her with, the white smile had rejoined the rest of Summer’s features thanks to her dear friend.