Post by adrini on Nov 29, 2013 19:29:07 GMT -5
The dark skinned young woman stepped off the bus and looked around the nearby park. Fit and trim, she moved with an excited energy. She pulled out a slip of paper and looked at street signs, quickly recognizing one and taking the turn.
The way lead through some really terrible parts of town. However the directions seemed to be holding out. After a time she arrived at a small shack of a building next to a dilapidated parking lot, but the sign was correct.
Inside there were two rings, but only one was occupied. Di had mentioned that she was coming in alone to blow off steam, though she hadn't said why. The young woman saw two people in the far ring and took a seat closer.
Di was practicing forms with a middle aged man, mostly high kicks and complicated spins. Granted the young woman had only gotten police training, but it was easy to understand why her friend was becoming better known in the area. It was also obvious that Di was blowing off serious steam.
"Good match, see you tomorrow?" The man said with a gentle smile, Di nodded.
"Very cool gym." Di saw her and beamed, running over.
"Renee!" The two embraced. "I'm so glad to see you."
They hugged tightly, Di holding on a moment too long. Renee decided to get to the bottom of this.
"Di, it's been too long. Thanks for putting me up." Renee smiled. "The department says my apartment will be ready on Monday."
"Oh, don't worry. We're not going anywhere. " Di had walked into the showers hurried to get ready.
Renee looked around the locker room and viewed the pictures and artifacts. There were several generations of fighters on the walls. The most recent was Di and two other girls, the three often seen together. These had to be Jade Grant and Kate Kane, the fighting companions Di was always talking about.
As a police officer most of Renee's companions were iffy and masked vigilantes, if not openly hostile. Having known Di from middle school she had a better idea of who would take up the mask, it was more of a case by case basis.
"Ready! We need to pick up lunch on the way home, but other then that we're good to go." The blonde beamed and pulled her hair back. "It's been called in, you still like pizza?"
"There are people that don't?" Renee followed her to the car, and Di drove off.
"There are a few things to catch you up on." Di said as she drove, Renee clinging to her seat. "Jade has moved in, I work for Kate as an assistant, and Mom is sick." She said the last part quietly.
"Sick?" Renee swallowed. "Sick how?"
"Early stage breast cancer. They say we caught it fast, so that's something." Di stoically filled her in. "She's still not really ready to talk about it. You needed to be filled in now. We're picking up dinner and then just having a game night, like old times. Not everything has changed."
"Nah, you're still my screwball Di." Renee relaxed into her chair. "Poker?"
"Sure, I'll take your money." Di smirked. "How did the coming out go?"
"I transferred here, need I say more?" Renee flexed her neck in frustration. "Any luck finding your Mr. Green eyes?"
"Sadly, no." Di sighed then grinned. "I might have found your better half, though."
"You're setting me up?" Renee laughed.
"And if I'm right I expect a very nice thank you for it." She smiled mischievously.
They arrived at the small ranch, pizza boxes in hand, and walked in. Mrs. Lance was sitting on the same sofa Renee remembered. A dark haired part Asian young woman beamed as they entered. The space next to her showed signs of life but the occupant was missing.
"Renee!" Mrs. Lance cheered and stood up. "It's been so long!"
"Thank you for having me." Renee hugged the woman tight, a familiar fear in her chest. "Mom and Dad send their regards. They're going to visit once I get settled."
"It would be a wonder to see them again." The woman peppered her face with kisses and let her go.
"This is Renee Montoya, my best friend from New York. She's transferred to the local police from Gotham." Di grinned. "This is Jade, my new sister. Kate will be back in a moment. She's my best friend from here. You two can duke it out if you want."
"Oh, I can take her." A new voice said. "I'm not worried."
Renee laughed until she saw the speaker. Kate Kane, the heir of the Kane company. She had wavy dark hair, rich chocolate eyes, and perfect curves. She was perfect.
"Kate, Renee Montoya. She had to leave the Gotham PD after coming out." Di said slyly. She leaned into Renee's ear. "Remember, I really like emeralds."
"Di? Why is Kate running off again?" Beth Kane walked into the room and put her school bag on the table. Di smiled.
"She has a date, its best not to be late for those." There was a lot of homework today. "Let's start with the math, you'll need the brain power."
"You don't date." Beth pulled out the book. "You should date, he'd be nice. If only so you wouldn't dump him."
"I would hope he'd be nice of his own volition. I haven't found someone I want to date, your sister has." Di pulled open the book and opened it to her assignment. "This isn't too hard, it's just adding powers. Focus Beth."
Beth made a face but focused on her work. Di watched and helped with any questions until her phone went off.
"I'll just be a minute." Di said and kissed the girl on her head before walking a little away, taking the call. "You've reached Dinah Laurel Lance. Speak."
Hello, Black. I heard you got some bad news. I called to offer my sympathies.
"White. We'll make it. What do you want?" This was never a good sign.
So touchy, goodness. Just to check in, see how you were holding up. Taking a beating both ways now, at home and at work. Be enough to break a lesser woman.
"Get to the point or this conversation is over." Di said shortly.
No point, just a friendly call. Not the last. You'll cross over someday, my Little Bird. You'll want a friend on the inside when you do. Now go back to your homework.
Di returned, slightly shaken, to Beth. Thankfully Beth was focused on her homework and didn't seem to notice. It was halfway through her English work that Beth posed a favor.
"Di, would you come to a party with me?" Beth's blue eyes looked at her hopefully. "I hate going alone."
"I'd have to clear it with Kate, but I don't see why not. What party?" Di turned to the last reading.
"High society, all the best families. Kate will never attend. I'll take you shopping, get you everything you need." Beth looked ready to beg. "I just don't want to go alone."
"I will need things, but so long as the timing clears I'd be honored to help." Di smiled as Beth beamed. "I think it's for the best Kate declines though, I can't really see her doing well at one of those."
"She's really awful." Beth giggled. "You'll be Miss Lance, our family friend. Yes, that will do nicely."
"Back to work, Little Bit." Di motioned to the page. "Seven questions for this one."
"She's shaken, it's something." White Canary said as she put down the phone. "Lady Shiva is doing her best at the gym. It was very nice for that cancer to come along. Watching Mummy fade away might be enough. I don't think she's been told just how aggressive it is."
"It's a start. It'll take more." A second dark haired woman said, walking into the room. "The small one, Jade. What of her?"
"Shiva says she's off limits, Roulette. But Kate and the Little Bird are fair game. Kate is even helping, ever since this new girl has shown up she's been thoroughly distracted." White Canary smiled. "Prime time for canary hunting."
"She'll be magnificent in the ring." Roulette beamed. "I'll have the beams reinforced now. We just need them separated."
"They will be, sister dear. One thing at a time." White Canary grinned. "But I get to start with our favorite. If we break her the rest will scatter."
"It's after three, where are you guys?" Di said into her earphone as she scoped the warehouse. "The shippers are moving."
Intel report that there was a scheme against Jade. I'm here, I see them. Your two o'clock. Break and tie?
"Sounds like a plan. Is Jade just staying in?" Di sighed, that wasn't good.
-The old bird said it was safer. We can take one warehouse full of goons.-
"Have to do. I'll break. You have that rope and hook thing." Di quietly climbed to an edge and picked a starting target. Silently she jumped to the ground and took out the three guards, quickly pulling them from view. Kate followed shortly behind and bound them. The two approached the docking doors.
"Seventeen crates, weapon sized. Gun import?" Di whispered.
"I think so, just what this town needs more of. It's a newer part of the dock." Jade eyed the corners. "Sensing lines."
"Smoke it. I'll disable them." Di nodded.
Jade pulled a small cylinder from her belt and rolled it under the feet of the talking hoses. Nodding to three it exploded into an ocean of smoke, exposing pale pink lines in the dust. Di flexed and bent through them, fading into the fog herself. There was the sound of several bodies falling. When the dust cleared she was at the computer downloading the hard drive.
"That one was tricky, they're getting better." She smiled. Jade proceeded to tie the goons up. "You know, I was thinking we don't have to do the concerned citizen act this time. We, meaning you, could just hand this over to you-know-who. In trade for 'services'."
"You're jealous." Kate said, but smiled. "It's a plan."
"Very. If you see any terribly handsome green eyed men do send them my way. Extra points for beards." Di grinned and tossed the now full data stick over. "But till then it's home to mom. See you at the gym."
She didn't see the conflicted look on her friends face.
Jade was dressing after working out with her father, Di and Kate a few feet away talking about a party Di was going to so Kate wouldn't have to.
"About ready, Jade?" Kate smiled. Di finished putting on her boots and grinned. "Mrs. Lance said she had something planned tonight."
"Something chocolate." Di added with a wide smile.
"Fudge." Jade laughed. "I mentioned we were out."
"Let's go then. I'm starved and Renee is already waiting for us." Kate swung her bag on her back.
"In a moment." Sandra walked into the room. "Jade, a moment?"
Kate and Di looked at each other, then at Jade. They nodded and took a seat on a bench nearby, but gave some space. Jade nodded to steady herself.
"Mom?" Jade glanced to make sure her friends were close by. Sandra looked at her students with frustration but accepted that they weren't leaving.
"We've had our struggles, but I miss you. Please come home, Jade." Sandra looked sad. "I'll do better. I swear. No more court unless you want it."
Jade took a moment but nodded.
"Maybe, in time. But I'm not there. Come over, we can start over. One day at a time. Best I can do." She looked at her mothers crestfallen features. "I'm not saying no, just not yet."
"It will have to do. I'm really sorry, I'll do whatever I have to." Jade glanced to Di and Kate, who carefully nodded and stood up.
"Dinner, our place." Di said as she walked out, followed by the others. Sandra slowly followed.
"Take some notes. There are things that might work for you." Kate added.
The way lead through some really terrible parts of town. However the directions seemed to be holding out. After a time she arrived at a small shack of a building next to a dilapidated parking lot, but the sign was correct.
Inside there were two rings, but only one was occupied. Di had mentioned that she was coming in alone to blow off steam, though she hadn't said why. The young woman saw two people in the far ring and took a seat closer.
Di was practicing forms with a middle aged man, mostly high kicks and complicated spins. Granted the young woman had only gotten police training, but it was easy to understand why her friend was becoming better known in the area. It was also obvious that Di was blowing off serious steam.
"Good match, see you tomorrow?" The man said with a gentle smile, Di nodded.
"Very cool gym." Di saw her and beamed, running over.
"Renee!" The two embraced. "I'm so glad to see you."
They hugged tightly, Di holding on a moment too long. Renee decided to get to the bottom of this.
"Di, it's been too long. Thanks for putting me up." Renee smiled. "The department says my apartment will be ready on Monday."
"Oh, don't worry. We're not going anywhere. " Di had walked into the showers hurried to get ready.
Renee looked around the locker room and viewed the pictures and artifacts. There were several generations of fighters on the walls. The most recent was Di and two other girls, the three often seen together. These had to be Jade Grant and Kate Kane, the fighting companions Di was always talking about.
As a police officer most of Renee's companions were iffy and masked vigilantes, if not openly hostile. Having known Di from middle school she had a better idea of who would take up the mask, it was more of a case by case basis.
"Ready! We need to pick up lunch on the way home, but other then that we're good to go." The blonde beamed and pulled her hair back. "It's been called in, you still like pizza?"
"There are people that don't?" Renee followed her to the car, and Di drove off.
"There are a few things to catch you up on." Di said as she drove, Renee clinging to her seat. "Jade has moved in, I work for Kate as an assistant, and Mom is sick." She said the last part quietly.
"Sick?" Renee swallowed. "Sick how?"
"Early stage breast cancer. They say we caught it fast, so that's something." Di stoically filled her in. "She's still not really ready to talk about it. You needed to be filled in now. We're picking up dinner and then just having a game night, like old times. Not everything has changed."
"Nah, you're still my screwball Di." Renee relaxed into her chair. "Poker?"
"Sure, I'll take your money." Di smirked. "How did the coming out go?"
"I transferred here, need I say more?" Renee flexed her neck in frustration. "Any luck finding your Mr. Green eyes?"
"Sadly, no." Di sighed then grinned. "I might have found your better half, though."
"You're setting me up?" Renee laughed.
"And if I'm right I expect a very nice thank you for it." She smiled mischievously.
They arrived at the small ranch, pizza boxes in hand, and walked in. Mrs. Lance was sitting on the same sofa Renee remembered. A dark haired part Asian young woman beamed as they entered. The space next to her showed signs of life but the occupant was missing.
"Renee!" Mrs. Lance cheered and stood up. "It's been so long!"
"Thank you for having me." Renee hugged the woman tight, a familiar fear in her chest. "Mom and Dad send their regards. They're going to visit once I get settled."
"It would be a wonder to see them again." The woman peppered her face with kisses and let her go.
"This is Renee Montoya, my best friend from New York. She's transferred to the local police from Gotham." Di grinned. "This is Jade, my new sister. Kate will be back in a moment. She's my best friend from here. You two can duke it out if you want."
"Oh, I can take her." A new voice said. "I'm not worried."
Renee laughed until she saw the speaker. Kate Kane, the heir of the Kane company. She had wavy dark hair, rich chocolate eyes, and perfect curves. She was perfect.
"Kate, Renee Montoya. She had to leave the Gotham PD after coming out." Di said slyly. She leaned into Renee's ear. "Remember, I really like emeralds."
"Di? Why is Kate running off again?" Beth Kane walked into the room and put her school bag on the table. Di smiled.
"She has a date, its best not to be late for those." There was a lot of homework today. "Let's start with the math, you'll need the brain power."
"You don't date." Beth pulled out the book. "You should date, he'd be nice. If only so you wouldn't dump him."
"I would hope he'd be nice of his own volition. I haven't found someone I want to date, your sister has." Di pulled open the book and opened it to her assignment. "This isn't too hard, it's just adding powers. Focus Beth."
Beth made a face but focused on her work. Di watched and helped with any questions until her phone went off.
"I'll just be a minute." Di said and kissed the girl on her head before walking a little away, taking the call. "You've reached Dinah Laurel Lance. Speak."
Hello, Black. I heard you got some bad news. I called to offer my sympathies.
"White. We'll make it. What do you want?" This was never a good sign.
So touchy, goodness. Just to check in, see how you were holding up. Taking a beating both ways now, at home and at work. Be enough to break a lesser woman.
"Get to the point or this conversation is over." Di said shortly.
No point, just a friendly call. Not the last. You'll cross over someday, my Little Bird. You'll want a friend on the inside when you do. Now go back to your homework.
Di returned, slightly shaken, to Beth. Thankfully Beth was focused on her homework and didn't seem to notice. It was halfway through her English work that Beth posed a favor.
"Di, would you come to a party with me?" Beth's blue eyes looked at her hopefully. "I hate going alone."
"I'd have to clear it with Kate, but I don't see why not. What party?" Di turned to the last reading.
"High society, all the best families. Kate will never attend. I'll take you shopping, get you everything you need." Beth looked ready to beg. "I just don't want to go alone."
"I will need things, but so long as the timing clears I'd be honored to help." Di smiled as Beth beamed. "I think it's for the best Kate declines though, I can't really see her doing well at one of those."
"She's really awful." Beth giggled. "You'll be Miss Lance, our family friend. Yes, that will do nicely."
"Back to work, Little Bit." Di motioned to the page. "Seven questions for this one."
"She's shaken, it's something." White Canary said as she put down the phone. "Lady Shiva is doing her best at the gym. It was very nice for that cancer to come along. Watching Mummy fade away might be enough. I don't think she's been told just how aggressive it is."
"It's a start. It'll take more." A second dark haired woman said, walking into the room. "The small one, Jade. What of her?"
"Shiva says she's off limits, Roulette. But Kate and the Little Bird are fair game. Kate is even helping, ever since this new girl has shown up she's been thoroughly distracted." White Canary smiled. "Prime time for canary hunting."
"She'll be magnificent in the ring." Roulette beamed. "I'll have the beams reinforced now. We just need them separated."
"They will be, sister dear. One thing at a time." White Canary grinned. "But I get to start with our favorite. If we break her the rest will scatter."
"It's after three, where are you guys?" Di said into her earphone as she scoped the warehouse. "The shippers are moving."
Intel report that there was a scheme against Jade. I'm here, I see them. Your two o'clock. Break and tie?
"Sounds like a plan. Is Jade just staying in?" Di sighed, that wasn't good.
-The old bird said it was safer. We can take one warehouse full of goons.-
"Have to do. I'll break. You have that rope and hook thing." Di quietly climbed to an edge and picked a starting target. Silently she jumped to the ground and took out the three guards, quickly pulling them from view. Kate followed shortly behind and bound them. The two approached the docking doors.
"Seventeen crates, weapon sized. Gun import?" Di whispered.
"I think so, just what this town needs more of. It's a newer part of the dock." Jade eyed the corners. "Sensing lines."
"Smoke it. I'll disable them." Di nodded.
Jade pulled a small cylinder from her belt and rolled it under the feet of the talking hoses. Nodding to three it exploded into an ocean of smoke, exposing pale pink lines in the dust. Di flexed and bent through them, fading into the fog herself. There was the sound of several bodies falling. When the dust cleared she was at the computer downloading the hard drive.
"That one was tricky, they're getting better." She smiled. Jade proceeded to tie the goons up. "You know, I was thinking we don't have to do the concerned citizen act this time. We, meaning you, could just hand this over to you-know-who. In trade for 'services'."
"You're jealous." Kate said, but smiled. "It's a plan."
"Very. If you see any terribly handsome green eyed men do send them my way. Extra points for beards." Di grinned and tossed the now full data stick over. "But till then it's home to mom. See you at the gym."
She didn't see the conflicted look on her friends face.
Jade was dressing after working out with her father, Di and Kate a few feet away talking about a party Di was going to so Kate wouldn't have to.
"About ready, Jade?" Kate smiled. Di finished putting on her boots and grinned. "Mrs. Lance said she had something planned tonight."
"Something chocolate." Di added with a wide smile.
"Fudge." Jade laughed. "I mentioned we were out."
"Let's go then. I'm starved and Renee is already waiting for us." Kate swung her bag on her back.
"In a moment." Sandra walked into the room. "Jade, a moment?"
Kate and Di looked at each other, then at Jade. They nodded and took a seat on a bench nearby, but gave some space. Jade nodded to steady herself.
"Mom?" Jade glanced to make sure her friends were close by. Sandra looked at her students with frustration but accepted that they weren't leaving.
"We've had our struggles, but I miss you. Please come home, Jade." Sandra looked sad. "I'll do better. I swear. No more court unless you want it."
Jade took a moment but nodded.
"Maybe, in time. But I'm not there. Come over, we can start over. One day at a time. Best I can do." She looked at her mothers crestfallen features. "I'm not saying no, just not yet."
"It will have to do. I'm really sorry, I'll do whatever I have to." Jade glanced to Di and Kate, who carefully nodded and stood up.
"Dinner, our place." Di said as she walked out, followed by the others. Sandra slowly followed.
"Take some notes. There are things that might work for you." Kate added.