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Batgirl Begins (dbspock/WendyTheRed)

"I have a daughter. I'm used to it." Daniel chuckled, and Sam made a face at him before grabbing a piece of bread, then passing the tray around the table. Daniel then shrugged lightly at her response about an interrogation. "I can handle it. I like talking about my dojo." He assured her.

Sam looked at Babs a bit funny when she began to play musical seats. "Is something wrong with your chair? Or did Chloe not take a bath today?" Sam teased them both, and Chloe looked up with a frown.

"Hey!" She protested. "I took a shower, if you must know." Chloe giggled softly as she saw Dave suddenly become very interested in his empty plate at the thought of her in the shower. Revealing clothes he could handle it seemed...just not the idea of her naked. Good to know.

Sam took the sprocket from Babs, then filled up her own plate before exchanging it for the bread tray. "Here you go." She said to Babs as she passed the tray to her.

Amanda smiled at Babs as she complimented her home. "Thank you very much. If the summer heat ever gets too much for you, and you'd like to use the pool, just ask."
 
Barbara laughed as Sam and Chloe exchanged playful jabs and shook her head. "No, there were four of us over there and your dad alone on this side of the table. I figured if Miyagi-do is about balance, then I should balance out the table by moving." She grinned and accepted the tray of bread. "If you only knew how much I like carbs. Seriously, if I wasn't so active I'd probably be about 400 pounds with how much I like carbs." She bit into the bread and let out a pleased sound, almost sensual as she half closed her eyes. "That's the stuff." She blushed a bit and passed the plate on to Amanda.

She smiled at Amanda's offer. "Thank you for the offer Mrs Larusso. If I have time and am not a bother to you I will. Though between the project I am doing to try to impress Mister Wayne and get an internship at Waynetech, the exercises I plan to start up to get into better shape and learning Miyagi-do I may not have much time for it. Still, the idea sounds wonderful. I'd have to get a bikini too. I already mentioned some of this to your daughter but when I arrived in town this gang called the Ghost Dragons attacked me on the bus. I mean, there were only three of them, but it was just me and no one helped. Anyway, besides literally stealing the clothes off of my back, they took all my other clothes too. Luckily Chloe loaned me some clothes and we did a bit of shopping today but I didn't think to get a bikini."

She looked thoughtfully at Sam. "It was that experience on the bus that insured I would help you daughter today. After it happened I swore to myself I wouldn't stand aside and let someone else suffer like the people on the bus did to me. I think I would have helped anyway, but there was no chance I wouldn't after what I went through." She shrugged and looked a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, I think I got a bit intense again."
 
"Well, if you weighed 400 pounds that would really throw the balance of the table off." Sam joked as she piled a big mound of spaghetti on her plate, then suddenly remembered her duties as hostess and glanced around to make sure everyone had everything. She then snapped her fingers. "Napkins." She blurted out before jumping to her feet and heading to the kitchen.

Babs didn't appear to be the only one enjoying the food. Clearly the comments about Sam's cooking skills were more about her organizational skills than recipes, at least as far as spaghetti was concerned.

"Your not a bother." Amanda assured her with a smile, but the smile quickly faded as Babs told her story about her arrival in Gotham. "Ghost Dragons. And I thought Cobra Kai was bad." She muttered with a glance at her daughter and the reminder Sam had nearly had the clothes stolen off her back, and likely would have if not for her new friends. So Amanda, of course, wanted to do what she could to help. "I'm not sure how, but after some of our pool parties, we've wound up with suits that haven't been claimed. You are welcome to look through them and see if you can find something you like." Amanda offered. Replacing a wardrobe could be expensive. "And Sam has some clothes she never wears." Amanda turned to look pointedly at her daughter, who blushed a bit and looked down at her plate before she got the hint.

"Oh...yeah. We can play dress up after dinner, and see if you can find anything you like." Sam offered.

Amadna reached out and gently squeezed Bab's hand. "After what you went through, your allowed to get a bit intense I think. Anyway, if you ever want to talk to a woman about it...or anything else...make sure you put my number in your phone before you leave." Babs hadn't mentioned anything about her mother since Amanda had met her, and Amanda got the distinct impression she wasn't part of the picture anymore.
 
Barbara smiled at Amanda's reply. "Well, the Ghost Dragons who attacked me were about the same age as those Cobra Kai guys. I did break one of their noses, something I'm not sure I'll ever stop being proud of if I'm honest. I mean, I don't want to seem like I'm violent or something but no one would stand up to them and..." she shrugged. "I liked them knowing I wasn't afraid to fight back." She continued to smile and looks back and forth between Amanda and Sam. "I wasn't trying to hint or anything. I'm slowly getting some clothes back. And truth be told, I didn't come to Gotham with that much in the first place, I just threw some stuff in my backpack and got on the first bus I could. It's uhhh...a long story. But maybe my dad can get the rest of my clothes sent here."

It's probably the closest Barbara has come to telling someone other than her dad about her situation and she actually looks down at her plate, breaking eye contact as she remembers the events with her step-dad though Sam's offer and Amanda's hand squeeze and offer bring a bit of a smile back to her face. "Thank you. Both of you. It seems Gotham does have good people in it despite what the news says..."
 
Amanda didn’t know much about the Ghost Dragons, except that their territory wasn’t anywhere she normally went, so she couldn’t really comment on their respective ages. She could however assure the girl she didn’t hold the violence against her. “Daniel keeps saying Karate is for defense only. Sounds like you were more than justified to retaliate. And should be proud you succeeded. “

Amanda didn’t want to push and let her offer of clothes just stand. It wasn’t hard to guess Babs had pretty much run away from home, most likely her mother, so Amanda was happy to hopefully provide a safe space for her if needed. The police were obviously aware of Babs situation so Amanda felt no need to take action there.

“The Arkham population gets most of the press. “ Amanda admitted. “But yes, there are good people in this city. “
 
She smiles at what Amanda has said, picturing some of the ideas she was starting to form ever since she put on that Batman sweatshirt at Chloe's house. She knew it was a pipe dream but perhaps at Waynetech she could find some gadgets to reverse engineer. She knew she was getting ahead of herself though and nodded. "Don't worry. I only plan to use any skills I learn to defend myself or others."

Barbara smiled warmly at Amanda. "I'm at a table with a group of them and when my dad gets here you'll get to meet a good cop." She looks around the table thoughtfully and then back at Amanda before she resumes eating her dinner.
 
“If Daniel agreed to train you, I’m sure of it. “Amanda said as she returned the smile. She then frowned when Babs mentioned her father. “I wonder what’s taking so long. “ she wondered softly, but didn’t want to ignore her other guests and investigate so she continued to make small talk with her daughters friends.

Chloe only gave vague answers about her family life, but Babs would learn that Dave had an older brother in Bible college, a Mom who was a nurse for a small clinic, and a Dad employed as a mechanic at Wayne Enterprises. By that point, everyone had pretty much finished eating, then Jim and Daniel finally appeared.

“Sam? Could I talk to you for a minute? “ Daniel said as Jim approached Barbara, a small file folder in his hand. He bent down to hug his daughter, then nodded to the others.

“Babs? Could I see you in the living room please?” Jim asked politely.
 
Barbara glanced at the doors they had come out of at Amanda's question and put her fork down. She remembered the things she had spoke to her dad about and just hoped he didn't have Sam's dad against a wall frisking him or something.

Once the others finished talking about their families, Barba not missing Chloe's vagueness but not about to bring it up, she saw her dad and Daniel appear. She tried to read their body language but was distracted briefly by that small file folder in her dad's hand. She kept her face straight, hoping it wasn't Sam's rap sheet and stood, wiping at her lips with a napkin. "Mrs Larusso, I will be right back." She put slight emphasis on the will as a message to her dad and then followed him to the living room.

Once she was sure they were alone she spoke quietly. "If you're about to tell me Sam is a troublemaker I will remind you that I asked you to look into her eyes and judge her by what you see there, not what Mancusso put into her file. Ask her about Mancusso and see if the fear in her eyes is real or not..."
 
So that was the tone Babs wanted to set for this discussion. Jim frowned a bit and crossed his arms, then remembered what message that sent and awkwardly dropped them to his side.

“I was going to start by making sure you were all right. “ Jim informed her, wanting to drive home the fact that her well being triumphed over all. “But since you brought it up…Sam does seem to be a trouble magnet at least. I want to talk to her about Mancusso…who does has a step son about your age, by the way…and that’s what Daniel is asking her right now. If she’d like to talk to me. “ Jim didn’t want to go into detail about what he’d read in the file, that was Sams private business, but not everything there could be attributed to a misunderstanding or a false report.
 
She felt a bit guilty at his response and bit her lip, deflating a bit. "I'm fine. Though I should point out, Sam led us to a safe spot and drove us out of there once those Cobra Kai guys gave up." She sighed softly. "The same could be said about me. I've been in Gotham two days and have gotten into two fights. One of which I could have avoided." She looked at him. "If I was willing to let a teenage girl like myself be ganged up on by a group of boys." She reached out and gave him a quick hug. "Sorry, I've been a bit intense ever since what happened in the mall. Bossing my friends around, stuff like that."
 
Jim wrapped his arms around his daughter and squeezed her tightly when she hugged him. “I’m glad you’re safe, more than you know. I just want to make sure you stay that way. “ he told her. “And yes that includes vetting your potential friends. “

“And I’m not upset you got in a fight. You did the right thing. I will never be upset with you for helping someone. “ he promised her, though he had no idea what that promise might mean in the future. He smirked a bit when she mentioned bossing her friends around. “Sounds like there’s a bit of Captain in you as well. “
 
She smiles at him as the hug ends. "Well she's a friend, we're past potential now. She even offered to loan me some of her clothes."

She gave him a playful salute. "Maybe crime fighting runs in the family. Anyway I'll let you talk to Sam. Your spaghetti is waiting." She talks quietly. "Please go easy on Sam, Mancuso has her scared." She smiled once more and turned to walk back outside and rejoin the others.
 
We’ll see about that flashed through Jim’s mind, but that was a fight he didn’t want to have until he was sure it was necessary. He wasn’t sure about the clothes thing either, though from what he’d seen Sam dressed more conservative than Chloe so there was that at least. He didn’t catch the significance of her crime fighting comment, and nodded when she asked him to go easy on Sam. “I will. “ he promised, then glanced up as Sam and Daniel entered the room.

“Mis…Captain Gordon?” Sam said softly, the look on her face like she was about to face her executioner. Jim nods and greeted her before the trio sat down.

The others had just finished clearing the table, with plates set aside for the two men. “You’re just in time. “ Chloe said with a laugh as she handed Babs a stack of dirty plates.
 
She smiled at her dad and then when she turned and saw Sam she gave her her best reassuring smile then walked out onto the back porch. She chuckled as Chloe handed her a stack of dirty plates.

"Yes Ma'am Captain Chloe Ma'am." She grinned at Chloe and spun to take the plates back into the kitchen. She looked around as she entered the kitchen not sure if she needed to rinse them or how the after dinner chores had been divided up.
 
“Hey, don’t confuse me with your Dad. “ Chloe complained as she followed Babs inside with the pot, and Dave took the rear with the glasses.

“Just put everything into the dishwasher. “ Amanda suggested when she saw Babs confusion. Chloe nodded and quickly located the dishwasher, popping it open then loading it up as Babs and Dave passed her the dishes. It wasn’t long before the dinner mess had been cleaned up.

“So would you all like to play a game or something?” Amanda suggested, realizing she had inherited hosting duties and unsure how long Sams interrogation would last.
 
Barbara grinned and continued her teasing of Chloe. "Sorry Sgt Chloe! It won't happen again!" She winked at her and then nodded and helped the others load the dishwasher after Amanda's suggestion. She was glad to let the others take charge for now, her mind mostly focused on worrying about Sam and her dad's interrogation.

When Amanda asked if they'd like to play a game she blinked out of her confusion and smiled. "Sure Mrs. Larusso. What did you have in mind?"
 
“That’s better. “ Chloe declared when she got demoted to Sargent. She too nodded when Amanda suggested a game. “Well we have a few board games. Dominoes. Card games. Or we could do something outside, like volleyball, horseshoes or croquet. “ she tried to keep her suggestions to short easy games, also unsure how long the rest of her guests would be in conference.
 
Barbara smiles, glancing at the door to the living room then looks back at Amanda. "Well, we could do a card game or something outside while we wait for them to finish." She didn't add that being outside meant they'd all be there when the other three emerged but it was on her mind. "I'm open to whatever you all want to do though."
 
No one else seemed to have a suggestion so Amanda nodded. “Card games outside it is. “ she agreed. “I’ll be there in a minute, just have to find the games. “ she announced, then vanished down the hall as Chloe led the remaining trio outside back to the table.

“So I hope Sams doing okay. “ Chloe said worried as she sat down in her old seat. “I’ve seen your dad with files like that before. Usually the subject winds up in jail. “
 
Barbara smiles warmly to Amanda. "That sounds nice, thank you." She then turned and followed Chloe, sitting down with her. She looked at the door and then back at Chloe. "Well, I told Dad to go easy on her." She casually rested her chin on her hand and grinned at Chloe. "and if it does end that way, we start our criminal careers with a jail break. Right?"
 
“Captain Gordon? Go easy? Did he understand the words, or look like you were speaking Klingon?” Chloe asked with a light laugh, then shook her head. “I’m not sure I’m cut out for a life on the run. “ she admitted, then Amanda walked out and joined them. “So we could try Uno, Spades, or Go Fish. “ she said with a light laugh as she placed some small boxes on the table. “Unless someone has a favorite game. “

“Does everyone know how to play Rook?” Dave finally spoke as he spotted that box in the pile.
 
Barbara shrugged. "I gave him the 'please daddy' look and he said he would. And don't worry, we wouldn't have to be on the run for long. Just until we cleared our names or something!" She grinned and then looked over as Amanda walked out. "I know how to play those plus hearts. I'm willing to play any of them, it's up to you all really." She smiled at the others then looked at Dave when he spoke up.

"I don't but I'm willing to learn if you're willing to teach." She glanced at Chloe and Amanda, curious if they knew this game that she hadn't even heard of.
 
“Ah. Your secret weapon that no one else can use. Unfair. “ Chloe protested. “And if we actually committed the crime, clearing our names could be difficult. “ she pointed out.

Chloe chuckled softly when Dave brought up Rook. “You just like kicking my butt at that game. “ she complained, then shrugged. “I’m in. “ she agreed, then glanced over at Babs. “We can play a few practice hands, if you don’t mind someone looking over your shoulder. I recommend Dave. “ she said, and his eyes widened a bit as he realized that might mean he’d have to shift closer to the pretty red head.
 
Barbara shrugged as Chloe teased her about her 'secret weapon'. "Not my fault he had bad taste in women when he was yo..." she realized what she'd nearly said about her mother and cleared her throat. "Uhh...nevermind."

She smiled as she looked at Amanda. "Mrs Larusso? Do you know how to play Rook? I'm just fine with learning the hard way." She grinned at Dave. "Come on over, I won't bite. Remember? You can look over my shoulder and teach me the game. If what Chloe says is true, you might be the best player here, so I might as well learn from the best right?" She winked at him playfully then looked at the other two.
 
Everyone at the table, even Dave, easily picked up on what Babs had just been about to say about her mother, but everyone also knew enough that ignoring it was best. Thankfully the card game made a good diversion.

Amanda nodded when asked if she knew the game. “Our family played quite a bit before Andrew went off to college. Sam was the better player though. “ she admitted.

Dave tentatively smiled back at Babs, then jumped a bit when Chloe kicked him under the table. He then shifted his chair over, trying not to think of Babs panties or the exposed boob he’d seen earlier.

He shrugged a bit when Babs said he was the best player present, though he couldn’t deny it. He knew he was better than Chloe, who began to deal the cards, and Babs had never played. “All right. “ he agreed as he gave her a quick rundown on the basics of the game and showed her how he preferred to sort his hand.
 
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