If she could have rolled her eyes harder, she would have. “Have you actually seen Star Wars, Hood? Bad reference. Poor form.” She shook her head back and forth with mock disappointment. Barbara slowed her pace as they reached the end of the walkway. Looking left and right, she turned back to her companion, arms crossed over her chest. All she wanted to do was get out of this building, get back to her bike, and forget this night ever happened. It had been a disaster from start to finish and more than that, she was frustrated with herself. Everything had been an elaborate string of rookie mistakes. Slip-ups that should have never happened.
When the Red Hood had turned away from her, just slightly, Barbara saw her chance and took it. Without a second thought, she approached him and with one swift movement her leg was up and pushing him up and over the ledge. There was a split second of remorse, one moment of regret before she reminded herself not only would he be fine – he deserved it. Peeking over the edge, Barbara smirked before somersaulting off, looking like a cross between a ballerina and an Olympic diver. Her descent was tight and it wasn’t until the last moment that she slowed herself, landing like a feather on the ground below.
Waltzing over casually, Barbara rapped on his helmet with her knuckles. “First rule to becoming a Jedi Knight, young Padawan, never piss off the redhead.” Her lips upturned into a taut smile before she spun around to take in their environment. The air was thick and humid to accommodate the abundant plant life surrounding them. It was breathtaking. Like being somewhere tropical, somewhere far from Gotham.
The echo of police footsteps had stopped minutes ago and she took that as a good sign. Inhaling deeply, she relaxed her posture. It looked like they maybe, just maybe, they would be able to make a clean getaway. That was all she could hope for, that and the retreat of Gotham’s finest; she really didn’t want to fight with the police. In fact, she was almost positive she recognized at least one out of the group of uniforms that had been chasing them.
Awkward.
Crouching down, Barbara slid a gloved finger over the waxy, two toned leaves of a clump of bromeliads. This little oasis reminded her of the botanical garden back in Cleveland. Once a month she used to cut out of her archive class early and hang out there. Her favorite exhibit had always been the tropical greenhouse with the giant Amazon waterlillies. She would find a neighboring bench, spread out her books, study among the silence of the flora, trying to imagine the fantastic adventures in other countries that surely she would have one day.
Barbara’s smile bowed, forming a small frown at the memory. She had hoped to be a million miles away by now, in some other country with some other life. Instead, she was here. Barbara just hoped all this sacrifice would amount to something, that it would mean something. Someday.
He followed her to the ground, landing as easily as she had. Before he looked up from his three point landing, she knocked on his helmet, making her another Star Wars reference. He rolled his eyes. Unsheathing his sword from the scabbard on his back, he stepped past her, cutting through a particularly thick tangle of vines and ivy. The cold metal cut clean through it, opening up a clearing from which the pair could see the vast expanse of green surrounding them.
It only then dawned on Jason where their mad dash had taken them; they were in the Monte Carlo casino, a renovation project that had been weeks away from completion before the owner had been found missing. No one had purchased the lot, and so it had sat for almost a year now. Apparently, ground floor security was much tighter than upper level stuff. The interior was plush, decorated for a crowd that had more money than sense, and it showed. Gold inlay, red carpet, and elaborate columns supported the walls.
Jason located the rear exit, and motioned for Batgirl to follow him. “So, Batsie. If you’re such a wise Jedi Master, where’s your blade? I don’t see one, and everyone knows that a real Jedi has a sword.” He stopped, turning his head to cut off her immediate reply. “And yes, I know it’s not a lightsaber. Shut it.” With a hard kick, he forced the alley door open, breaking the chain that held it shut. “After you, Princess.”
and all of this will never be the same again 