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Post by Amanda Waller on May 16, 2014 6:20:55 GMT
July 4th – 10 PM
A year ago today they were saving the world from The Reach and shortly after from Darkseid but now here she was...on surveillance duty. Barbara leaned sideways in her chair and boredly looked at the holoscreens in front of her. Usually surveillance duty was relativity exciting, not as exciting as being in the actual field but that had always been something going on but not tonight. There seemed to be a decline in criminal activity which was good, it meant they were doing their job but it also meant she was left here to stare at satellite images of the planet. Normally, Barbara would not mind, the team rotated shifts much like the league did so everyone spent the same amount of time in the tower and in the field, and she had always found it interesting at how advanced the Watchtowers systems were but she would be lying if there wasn't somewhere else she'd rather be right now.
Her father had thrown a Forth of July BBQ and it was supposed to be one of the first times she had to spend time with him in months. Between school and the team her time had been full and she had been looking forward to spending time with her father and eating some of his cooking. Just as she had been ready to 'clock off' duty Aqualad approached her. Kaldur was supposed to have Watchtower duty tonight but something important had come up in Atlantis that required his assistance and he had to take his leave, and with the rest of the team having already left or already on missions she was the only option to take his place. Barbara knew she couldn't say no, duties as a hero came first and she didn't mind but....
As he Ztea'd back to earth after apologizing to her Barbara walked back to the chair she had just previously been occupying and sat back down, wondering just how disappointed her father was going to be that she couldn't make it.
After a few hours had passed with very little activity Barbara's mind started to wander and she couldn't have that. This was unlike her, she was usually always so focused on the task at hand. Maybe she was tired. It may only be 10 p.m but she had been going at it since 9 that previous night so maybe her body needed a pick me up. She reached out for the red mug sitting next to her and took a sip of the coffee she had forgotten about until now and made a face as soon as the brown liquid touched her lips. Cold.
Well, that was no good.
Pushing herself up from the chair she carried her mug and started off toward the Watchtower mess hall, if she was going to continue on tonight she was going to need fresh coffee. Barbara walked the distance from The Teams wing of the watchtower to the cafeteria and went straight for the table with the coffee pot on it only to find it empty.
Looking down at the stained glass basin she left out a groan. It had probably been Flash. He was notorious for taking the last bit of coffee and never making a fresh pot once he had. Setting her mug down on the table a little harder than she should have Barbara took the empty pot and rinsed it out, putting a fresh filter into the basket and fresh ground beans while throwing the old filer away and waited. She was quietly ranting in her head about the whole ordeal that she didn't hear the voice behind her until it was too late and she turned around, trying to make out what they had said but failing.
'Sorry, she said shaking her head ”what?”
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2014 6:45:40 GMT
"I said, aren't you supposed to be in Gotham eating a plate just like this?"
Conner had been to Smallville. The place didn't appeal, it really didn't, not as a location at any rate. However, the people... they were simply the most pleasant humans he'd yet met who didn't know who he was or seen to want anything from him. Even more importantly, that was where Jonathan and Martha Kent lived. It had been their Fourth of July cookout that had took him to that place once again.
Many of the Kent's neighbors had attended, he'd danced with many a girl his apparent age of 16 years (or done his best to do what everybody else was doing at any rate), and it had all culminated with Conner, Clark, Martha, and Jonathan all sitting at a picnic table together, the elder two watching 'their boys' put away abnormal amounts of food. The Kents were apparently used to it. They'd even made up a plate to go for Conner when the evening had wound down and he'd elected to return to the Tower so that Clark could have some personal time with his parents.
It was that plate that Conner indicated, holding it up for emphasis in front of his chest, wrapped in cellophane, to show Barbara. "I thought this was Kaldur's shift... his people don't even celebrate the 4th." Seeing as the date held no significance to Atlantis.
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Post by Amanda Waller on May 16, 2014 6:55:43 GMT
"I am...and he did." Barbara said while she brought and hand up and rubbed the kink out of her neck that leaning in the chair had caused. "But Aquaman called him back to Atlantis for something, so here I am." She was trying not to sound bitter but with Conner standing there with his plate of food only stood to remind her of what she had missed out on. "I just made some fresh coffee...want some?" Barbara motioned to the brewing pot behind her and looked back at Conner to see if she needed to grab a second mug or not.
"How was Smallville?" She asked, generally interested and just wanting to steer the topic away from Gotham and figuring this would be better than just standing there talking about the coffee she was making.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2014 17:00:21 GMT
"Oh..." Conner looked down at the plate blankly, quickly realizing what Barbara had missed out on. The Kents, in their way, were still pretty new and strange to him but they had welcomed him to their home and even invited him to stay with them for a time. He greatly enjoyed having that connection that people kept telling him was 'family'. Barbara had known her father all her life, done nothing but be close and understanding with him. Missing out on such an occasion with the man no doubt disappointed her far more deeply than missing out would have disappointed Conner.
"He could have just called me, or asked one of the League not based out of the United States. Atlanteans..." He set the plate beside where she'd been standing as she went off to get the mug. "No, like the big guy I don't really need to sleep. I just find it exceedingly pleasant to do so. Also, coffee tastes bad. You'll need a fork, though." He patted the edge of the covered plate of BBQ, half a corn cob, BBQ beans, and mashed potatoes.
Conner smiled minutely at her question. "Dusty and boring. The Kent Farm is pretty nice though. I can see why the Kents like it there."
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Post by Amanda Waller on May 16, 2014 22:53:56 GMT
Barbara shrugged when Conner said that Kaldur could have just called him. It was done and either way one of them would have had to cut their plans short and she just happened to be here. You win some you lose some she supposed. "You get used to the taste after a while.." she said, having lost patience in waiting for the coffee to finish brewing Barbara picked up the pot and slipped another cup underneath to catch what remained while she poured herself some, placing the pot back after removing the spill cup. Now content with her coffee, the red head took a careful sip, testing just how hot it was. Fork?.. She looked at Conner a little puzzled until she realized what he was implying "Oh I couldn't, the Kents sent that home with you. She appreciated the offer but she didn't want to take from him.
Sometimes dusty and boring is a nice change. She mused quietly, a nice little break was good for everyone every now and then. I hear small towns go all out for today? Barbara had never personally been suited for the small town life, having lived in Gotham all of hers but people always romanticized things like that so all she really had to go off of was the Hollywood ideal of what small towns were.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2014 17:39:52 GMT
Conner made a face at the thought of doing something unpleasant until you got used to it, that seemed insane. Why would anyone bother to get used to it if it tasted bad? "Or I can avoid the experience altogether. The people I see drink it seem to have a hard time functioning without it and that's something I could do without as well." The addiction, witnessed without the frame work of a normal upbringing, put him off as well. Willingly creating a physical dependence scared him, even more so since his use of the Shields. It would be disturbingly similar to letting someone control his mind and that was just out of the question for Conner.
He nodded as she repeated the name of the utensil he had suggested. "I had six just like it before I left, and even more corn than that." Fortunately, the Kents grew corn so he hadn't devastated their supply too badly. "They'd understand me giving it to a friend who's otherwise missed out entirely... in fact, I think they might even like me more for the gesture." They looked at him with old emotions, he looked just like their Clark, after all. It was... nice... as long as he didn't think about it for too long.
"It's all equal to me, really. My childhood was only six weeks long and spent inside of a test tube. Pretty much anything is a nice change." On the other hand, Conner also found he could efficiently complain about almost any environ as well. He just found that doing so after a while meant nobody would listen so he just saved it for his quarters and riding around in one of the League jets. "All out? Oh, yeah, the little parade. The crowds made me uncomfortable, they all kept doing double takes at me like they'd seen a ghost. Especially the ones Clark's 'age'."
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Post by Amanda Waller on May 19, 2014 1:52:11 GMT
I'd give anything to stay awake like you can. She yawned Batman keeps late hours and sometimes coffee is the only thing keeping you going. Barbara had learned early on that coffee was your best friend between running along rooftops and studying for her exams. When Conner went on about how he had already eaten six plates the same size while with the Kents and that they would insist that he share. It did all sound good and she hadn't eaten... Well, if you insist. Barbara walked the few steps to where the silverware was kept and grabbed herself a fork.
While he was describing the small town festivities, Barbara couldn't help but let out a small giggle. I'm sure they all wonder how the Kent's keep having such strapping young lads. Must be something in the water she teased
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2014 18:40:01 GMT
"And some would love to have a mentor as involved as the Bat, though I imagine many of them would also not care for the working hours." He shrugged. The man most people thought was showing him the ropes spent precious little time in the presence of Conner, leaving Black Canary to do most of the heavy lifting in the heroing business and nobody to be found for anything more involved than that. Canary gave him the occasional soft look but she seemed hesitant to get more involved than that. Conner couldn't blame her, his existence was awkward for a lot of people.
And, of course, he could only smile when she went ahead and decided to dig in to the plate of Martha's finest work. He really did enjoy being around those people, Jonathan and Martha Kent were good folk. "Compliment it and you'll magically receive a thank you card in the mail. Likely at your home address. I think Martha is a meta-human..." Conner shook his head slowly, wondering if maybe he hadn't stumbled on something significant there. He'd gotten three birthday cards, accurate ones, addressed to him (also accurately) there on the Watch Tower.
"Oh, I don't think anybody thought I was Martha and Jonathan's. Or at least not their son. A grandson, perhaps. Of course, I still haven't figured out how I even have a secret identity. Everybody around here knows, and the only thing that separates my secret identity from my real identity is a big red S." He shrugged. "Not that I wouldn't mind being their son, it's not like I came with a claim already attached... but here I am, whining about being a superhero without a family to somebody I assume has one and just can't be with them."
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Post by Amanda Waller on May 19, 2014 22:53:52 GMT
Barbara didn't go into more on the subject when Conner mentioned Superman I a cryptic sort of way, she knew their relationship was strained and that Superman did his best to avoid Conner at all cost. Batman may be a hard ass and demand the best but he also cared about his little crime fighting family like a father would his children. I'm sure he doesn't mean it.. She started but left it at that, figuring if Conner wanted to talk about it she would let him set the pace. Barbara was always one to sit and listen to the Team and their concerns or just whatever they wanted to talk about. Had always been willing to lend a ear but she never pushed the subjects and with as touchy as this one was she didn't want to over step her bounds.
Deciding that this was something that could be done while she ate the red head walked back to Conner and took the plate from him, peeled back the foil and looked at all that was on it. The plate was heaping with delicious looking food and Barbara knew that this was more than enough for her, in fact this whole thing might last her three or four meals. She deferentially didn't have the metabolism like some of the others here. She'd have to be well informed, having to raise a alien with super powers. Thou, it would be interesting to find out if the elderly Kent woman did in fact have some Meta potential. To be fair, the only thing that separates Superman's is a pair of glasses.. That was something Barbara never understood how it worked. Some of them were so secretive about their identities, wearing mask, hiding their alter egos from the people around them and then there was people like Superman that all he had to do was put on a pair of glasses and BAM. Instant secret identity. How he got away with it will forever remain a mystery.
Leaning against the edge of the table with the coffee on it Barbara held the plate with one hand and began shoveling a few bites of food. She must have been hungrier than she thought, or the food was just that good. Both were true. Doesn't make your problems any less important. She said in between bites. Families are a difficult thing to deal with in this line of work, adoptive ones or not. Which was why most of the team remained so close to one another.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2014 5:32:47 GMT
"Who knows what he means," Conner asked rhetorically. Nobody was talking to Superboy about it, Superman least of all. However, just about then, Conner was feeling tired of even thinking about the guy. In his heart he made a decision that his head wouldn't catch up to for a while yet.
Conner smiled warmly as she began to eat, taking pleasure from having done a favor for a friend. At least he could still do that much without having to jump through hoops or getting short changed on the return. It was good to take the small victories where they could be acquired. "I don't pretend to get it either, some of us get by with very very thin disguises. Have you seen Green Arrow? A hat and mask no bigger than a pair of sunglasses." A facial recognition program had probably outed him to the U.S. government years ago.
"Yes, especially when you're born a teenager and don't really have even an adopted family..." Conner had the barest hint of an idea, a hope really, that he might be able to seek out an arrangement with the Kents that would get him off the Watchtower, maybe a few extra bucks in his pocket if he found he was any good at anything around there. Maybe. "You know, if you want to go home I'll finish your shift here... or, Aqualad's shift that is."
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Post by Amanda Waller on May 22, 2014 15:21:08 GMT
Barbara laughed a little at Conners mention about Green Arrow. That was true and it made her think of a few others that worked with the same 'disguise' That was one thing she could sat about Batman, he was paranoid. Paranoid and careful and that made his and my extension her, Robin's and Nightwings identity locked down tight. Even if Tim and Dick did wear the same type of mask Batman was hacked into the NSA's security and could easily destroy any evidence that could have been collected. Something she was sure he did for the entire League.
Taking a few bites from the baked beans on the plate Barbara sat there and listened. She should probably get back to her post soon, leaving it unmanned (even if there was no activity) wasn't a good idea. When Conner mentioned not having a adoptive family Barbara wanted to mention the Team but she thought against it. They were all a little family. Sometimes they were all each other hand but she knew Conner knew that. Even if they all had made their makeshit family it wasn't the same and she knew what Conner meant. If she didn't have her father she would be looking for something more as well.
Barbara's eyes lit up behind her mask when he offered to take the rest of the surveillance shirt Really? You wouldn't mind? Even if it was late Gotham wasn't a city that did anything early and she might be able to catch the fireworks with her dad.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2014 17:34:22 GMT
Conner gave her that lopsided grin. "Trust me, the Tower is safe with me. Unless I get angry, bored, hungry, or speciest in which case there will be a swath of destruction through the many halls. You know, because that's the way I am." He gave her a wink, getting ready to bring that joke home with the punch line. "Then Superman will have to pay attention to me. Mu ha ha ha ha." Conner deadpanned the laugh.
"Yeah, BG, go on home and get your family quality time on. I already had as close to it as I was going to. Go, go. Have fun and tell your people I said hi. One of these days I'm gonna come down and hang out for an evening, see if I can't earn my very own cowl, drive the Batmobile, what have you." He waved her toward the transporters, turning to stroll back toward the control center where he could take up her duties of monitor staring.
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Post by Amanda Waller on May 24, 2014 13:55:16 GMT
In her excitement at the prospect of possibly salving her plans Barbara jumped up and wrapped her arms around Conners neck in a big, friendly hug. Thanks, I owe you! She let go and turned to wrap up the plate of food she had been eating and carried it over to the fridge. No point in marking her name on it, if Kid Flash or Flash saw it it was as good as gone regardless of who's it was. I will work something out with the big bat. She winked and started for the zeta tubes. Thanks again Conner, seriously. I owe you. With that, she punched in her coordinates and stepped into the transporter.
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