Birds of a feather (Barbara)

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Babs listened to what Dinah said about her father and what happened five years ago it sounded horrible what the government had done wait the government had done this? That didn’t make any sense why would they do such a thing? “The government released an army of Doomsday clones? Your serious? What would cause them to create and release something that dangerous on the world?” Nothing she could think of was a good enough reason for them to do something so insane then she realized Dinah had also told her, her father was dead and fell silent for a while before speaking again “Was it really him?” She looked at Dinah “Did you see the body?” this probably wasn’t how Dinah thought Babs would react so she decided to explain more on it. “I’m not the only one they took there are more people here besides me. I don’t know how many or who but I do know I’m not the only one. That‘s why I don‘t trust anyone anymore.”

“The only way I’ve learned as to who’s a Skrull is by death once they die they return to their Skrull forms. I managed to kill one once got the scares to prove it. In other words it might not have been my father it could have been a Skrull he could be on one of these ships.” At lest that’s what she hoped had happened to him and that he hadn’t actually died by a cone of some mindless monster which she still didn’t understand any of it. The Skrulls must be very good shape shifters if they've been running around looking like normal people and no one's noticed with all the technology they had and on top of that telepaths and they never picked up on them? Or maybe they were all Skrulls as well?

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"Because the government is stupid, Babs!" Dinah raised her voice as she started getting worked up, remembering what had started it all and how it started. "They were paranoid, what else is new? They started forcing everyone that put on a costume or had a codename to sign a registration act and hand over their lives like it was a stick-up. When not everyone complied, the government spiraled the rest of the way out of control and unleashed the Doomsdays to try and wipe us all out."

She started rubbing her eyes then grew even more agitated at the gross stupidity that had been the American government until Zarda and her council finally took over. "No I didn't see the body. As crazy as this sounds I only found out about it a short time ago no thanks to y...the impostor you. Life for everyone had gotten so crazy, sent everyone in so many different directions and made lives a living hell. When I finally found out i tried frantically to call your impostor and never got a damn response until I finally got fed up and almost literally had to kick your front door down. And that is how I ended up here."

Dinah stood up again shaking her fists and started pacing around, wringing her hands and running her fingers through her hair. Babs had been in here years and she had no idea how her best friend had survived. Dinah had only been here a few minutes and was already going crazy. She wanted to blurt about how there had to be a way out somehow but if there had been Oracle, the real Oracle would have found it by now.

"I hope you are right. I swear i hope you are right and he is still alive. Otherwise there is absolutely noone either of us can trust except each other." She grumbled and headed into the bathroom to splash water on her face. "So i guess this is it. You and me against the world with noone to turn to now or forever. Hope that bed you've been sleeping on is comfortable Babs." She wondered out loud. "Maybe we should just start killing people off each time someone new comes in since we know they will all be Skrulls. They are bound to run out eventually."

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Babs looked over at Dinah when she got mad “I knew the government was stupid that alone isn’t anything new to me but I never thought they would do something so insane so idiotic that they would do something like that.” While she was stuck here living her own nightmare the world had plunged into it’s own hell with those Doomsday clones rampaging around like they owned the place. If they were anything like the real one she knew it had to be really bad. “The Superhuman registration act? I’ve heard whispers about it for years I never thought it’d get off the ground. It would start to but something always knocked it back down I thought for sure it would stay like that.” The only thing she could think of was something big must have happened for the government to actually push it though and give it the green light. She took her glasses off and rubbed her eyes before putting them back on and getting up and following after Dinah to the bathroom.

“I hope I’m right too I really do. There is the rest of us here but I don’t think we’d be able to free them much less ourselves. I guess the bed is alright better then I thought it would be.” She shrugged before she leaned on the doorway with a hand on her chin thinking “The people trapped here they must be important people kings, queens, government people stuff like that. I mean it would make it easier to take over if you remove the ones in power. Then there’s me I was just a wheelchair bound woman not like I was important like a queen. And I don‘t have any power over anything.” That was one thing she didn’t get why would they want her? She understood why they would bring Dinah here so she wouldn’t blow her skrull clones cover. She snapped out of her thoughts “Whoa! wait a second we can't just go around killing everyone just like that. If we had all been replaced they’d would have moved the ship from where it is now. I’ve been on this thing long enough to know when it moves and it hasn’t that mean’s there are still people normal people down there enough where we can’t just go around offing everyone we see. Besides how do you expect us to get out of here?”

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Dinah's face went blank while she was still hunched over the sink and grabbed something to dry her hands. Barbara Gordon was the smartest person Dinah had ever grown close to if not the smartest she'd ever met period but sometimes the woman's naivete astounded her. Seriously. She turned and slowly locked eyes with her. If she had a marker at the moment she would have written the word stupid across Babs forehead all in capitol letters. "Come on, Babs. You aren't that clueless. You are THE ultimate information broker. the virtual owner of the information superhighway, It's like killing any sort of creature. You rip out the heart and the rest of the body won't live long afterwards. You are and always have been the heart and soul of all of us Babs. It comes as no surprise to me that they wanted to get their hands on you."

Nothing she could do and no decent answer she could give to Babs question really but it wouldn't stop her from trying. "I don't know Babs but if one thing is certain there are probably other heroes missing. Speaking of which..." Her voice trailed off before she patted herself around the waist and deepened her frown, failing to find a small device she always, almost always carried with her. "Crap on toast, they got my JLA communicator. That can't be good. Anyway I seriously doubt they would put another prisoner in here with us. I guess they only let me stay with you to try and drive us both crazy. They've no doubt done their homework and probably thought we might have killed each other by now. Who knows?"

Sh reached up and pushed a few strands of hair out of Barbara's eyes and then finally and gently took her by the arms, and pulled her close for a long overdue hug. "I missed you. Alot. Like I said the other you practically forced me and everyone else out of her life. Shut down the birds long ago. Have they hurt you any? Tried to torture you i mean?"

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Okay she walked into that one but she had the right to be off it had been a really long time since she actually talked to any of her real friends. “Yeah well being locked up and alone for god only knows how long I’m going to be a bit off my game.” She didn’t know what else to say about it Dinah had a point she just wished she wasn’t right so this would have never happened to her she’d live with being in a chair the rest of her life that she lived that she messed up or not, not some alien look alike that took everything from her and left her with nothing at all. She frowned at the thought now that she was actually thinking about it wasn’t that long ago she had forgotten about even thinking about getting her life back what was left of it she had no idea what that thing was doing with it. “More then likely there are a lot of powerful people on earth human and otherwise that they would probably want under their control sort of speak.”

“I don’t think any of the JLA could find the ships they’ve been here for weeks now I would think someone would have picked up on it by now. Or my double made sure they couldn’t pick up on the ships.” Just as she said that there was strange noise coming from behind her she already knew what it was with out looking. “I doubt that or they wouldn’t have just give us dinner.” she pointed a thumb behind her at the table that had just came up behind them it had two trays on it with goop on it. Sadly enough Babs was use to eating it. Babs hugged Dinah back “That makes two of us. Beat me? No punish only when I tired to escape and as for mentally my therapist bill is going is going to make Bruce wince at the price."

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There were indeed very few things that Dinah could say scared her. One was computers, Another was reliving memories of the three most harrowing experiences of her life that had come close to doing her in. Some of which she still had occasional nightmares about. The first was long ago before she and Babs worked together for the first time. When she had been attacked, raped, and had her vocal cords damaged. Number 2 was the experience with Ra's and she had been savagely beaten, Her heart had actually stopped before Babs dunked her in the lazarus pit. The tired was when she was captured by Savant and he chained her to a bed. end up with broken arms and a broken leg. And afterwards Babs fired her saying she couldn't afford to take the risk with her anymore. Of course that was only temporary but the whole nightmare was still capable of sending chills up her spine.

Now it seemed she was in another such scenario and this time there may well be no getting out for the both of them. She wanted to voice the question about whether Babs thought this might really be the end this time but she didn't. She didn't want to make Babs nightmare any worse than it had been for years now apparently. Dinah would have her own nightmares to deal with all over again.

Instead of saying anything when Babs mentioned dinner arriving, Dinah just moved over and sat on the edge of the bed. looking away to stare at the walls and biting her lower lip to keep from exploding again. "I'm not hungry..." She mumbled and frowned. I guess the therapy gives me something to look forward to. Damn it, damn it damn it to hell. I can't believe they took me down so easily."

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Babs let Dinah walk off while she headed to the table and sat down in front of her tray “Your going to have to get use to eating it or they’ll put a tube in you and feed you that way it’s a lot worst then eating it.” She had tired starving herself to death when she first got here and ended up with a tube in her it was horrible ten times worst then how they do it on earth. “I’ve tried starving myself after getting here and ended up with the tube it was horrible and I’ve tried killing myself every which way you can think of they show up before you even get close to death. They want to keep you alive and healthy. Eventually you just accept what their going to do to you and just wait until it happens.” That was her life in a nutshell now wait until they decide they want to do something to you until then you just try not to go to crazy with the waiting.

“From the looks of it, it was a cheap shot.” Taking Dinah down normally wouldn’t be an easy thing to do but when someone looked like your best friend you let your guard down around them because you wouldn’t expect it to happen. Babs dug into her dinner “Seeing anyone new since you split from Ollie?” again the red head was trying to catch up on the past that she had missed out on being apart of. That and lights out would be happening in about an hour and she was just killing time until then.

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Her best friend made a valid point. She shuddered lightly to think about what they'd try to do if they found out Dinah wasn't eating. She wasn't a cripple, she had plenty of fight in her but they nearly caved her face in with one punch. and it still hurt like noone's business. probably would for a few days. "Point duly noted and taken." Dinah whispered, cocking her head a bit and moving from the bed to the table. It wasn't more than mere seconds, 5 in fact before Barbara Gordon's remarks cut her like a knife and made her blood boil all over again.

Her face was calm and emotionless as she stood and with a quick heave sent her chair flying across the room, leaned forward with her fists pressed against the table and glared right into Babs emerald green eyes. Everything else Babs would say afterwards would fall on deaf ears. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? I swear if I ever catch you trying to kill yourself again I will make you wish you hadn't."

Babs face was stoic. It didn't even seem to faze her that she tried to commit suicide several times over. She didn't care from the looks of it and that drove Dinah up the wall like nothing else could. The mere thought of the greatest love she had ever known, though she had never told Babs that before, trying to kill herself would hurt Dinah more than Ra's or the Skrulls ever could. She couldn't bear the thought of facing life without Barbara Gordon.

Her hands were trembling. Dinah had to get away. She at enough of the food to appease the guards hopefully then left the rest sitting and moved back to the bed for fear of actually slapping Babs or worse. "Why...?"

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Really? Dinah just didn’t seem to get it everything she’s told the blonde seemed to have went in one ear and out the other. If she had been paying even the slightest bit of attention she would know why Babs tried to kill herself over and over again. She didn’t say anything at first just let Dinah yell before she moved away from her that’s when the red head got up it was her turn. “Have you not been paying attention to anything I told you? My mind is breaking I can feel it any day now it will and there wont be anything left. And I rather be dead then live the rest of my life like that!” By now tears where falling freely down Barbara’s face. “YOU THINK LIVING LIKE THIS IS EASY YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE THINGS I HAD TO GO THROUGH.” She yelled before storming off to the bathroom slamming the door behind her she would lock it if there had been one.

She slid to the floor pulled her knees up to her chest and hoped Dinah would leave her alone. You would think after all these years Barbara would be thrilled to see the face of her friend her real one and she was but now she just wished the blonde would go away and not come back. But no the skrulls put her in here and here is where she was going to stay until they either take over earth or they go back home.

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And that was that. Dinah Laurel Lance was out of breath and out of words that sounded halfway intelligent. And she remained that way for several minutes, sitting on the edge of the bed with her face in her hands once again. Not because of the pain but because of the redness forming in her eyes that now stung with tears as well. For a woman that was as tough as nails and one of the most dangerous fighters in the world, she now found herself driven to hysterics. This place was already getting to her. The past five years had gotten to her. The doomsday clone war before that had gotten to her and now she had nothing but hell and captivity to look forward to. If the redhead thought Dinah didn't get it, it was really her that didn't get it.

When she finally found her voice again she was still in tears and curled up on the bed laying on her right side and stared at the walls. No doubt Babs would be able to hear her just fine from the bathroom. If she was even bothering to listen that is.

"You aren't the only one that's wanted or tried to kill themselves during the last 10 +years." She finally admitted what noone else had known. Noone. She'd hidden it that well. "Do you think I would not rather be dead than not having you in my life? You aren't just my best friend, you're my greatest strength Babs. Not having you around devastated me and tore my heart out." The sound of her crying and the salty tears running down her aching cheeks and into her mouth mixed with her words. This was a Dinah that noone had seen before. A Dinah that she herself didn't even recognize but everything from the nightmare on her honeymoon night with Ollie until now had spent the last several years slowly breaking her and now she found herself wishing she was dead as much as Babs wished it for herself.

"Damn it I need you Barbara. I love you..."

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Barbara had heard everything Dinah had said but hadn’t moved from where she was sitting for a long time mostly she was trying to get herself under some form of self control before she finally pushed herself up off the floor. She cleaned up a little before she finally left the bathroom didn’t say anything to Dinah just got into bed behind her put her arm around her and pulled her close to her body. She had nothing more to say she was just to tired to fight anymore to tired of everything she just wanted it to all end. But alas the only thing that ended was the lights they had been turned off just after she had moved Dinah closer to her. This was probably going to be a very long night. But maybe she could pull her thoughts together long enough to come up with a way to get out of here she wasn't alone this time she had someone with powers here and one of the greatest fighters to ever live. There had to be some way for the two of them to get out of this nightmare and find a way back to earth.

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Dinah was still trembling when Babs came out of the bathroom. She heard the door open and close behind her but didn't turn her head when Babs approached. She wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if Babs had grabbed her by the legs, pulled her to the floor and hogged the bed for herself. Dinah wouldn't have blamed her and she wouldn't have resisted. She doubted she'd get any sleep tonight and from the way Babs had been talking, Dinah guessed the redhead wouldn't be either.

Expecting more yelling or to be slapped or worse. Dinah's body nearly jumped at the feel of Barbara Gordon wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. Just when she thought there were no more surprises Babs could offer her, she did it again and Dinah embraced her grasp, allowing herself to be pulled closer until no space remained betwen them. Nothing more could be said or needed to be said. She just laid there, enjoying Barbara's embrace while thoughts of things that had been and things no doubt to come spent the night haunting her from lights out until morning.

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Barbara did sleep although it wasn’t a deep sleep she was still aware of everything around her there was both an upside and downside to this she wouldn’t have nightmares tonight but she’d also be tried but not as bad as she would be if she was completely awake. Still it wasn’t a restful night sleep it did however felt like it had dragged on as if it wasn’t ever going to end. It did finally and the bright blinding lights came back on as soon as they did Barbara got up making her way over to the bathroom where she undressed and got into the shower she had done pretty much the same thing day in and day out each morning for the last ten or so years the only time it had changed was when they decided to run a program to get more information from her for one thing or another otherwise it was the same and her body just did it on it’s own with out her having to think about it. While Barbara was in the shower the table had returned with breakfast which looked just like dinner in fact it was the same thing. Being an alien prisoner was worst then being an human one at lest with them you stand a chance of getting out with alien’s it was very unlikely unless something happened.

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Despite how good Barbara's touch had felt, Dinah it seemed was the one that wasn't able to close her eyes all night. Too many things to think about. The only difference between now and her captivity from Savant was the fact she hadn't been physically tortured yet. Dinah wouldn't put it past them however at some point. Although they hadn't harmed Barbara physically considering her physical handicap and had even gotten her walking again, would they be as merciful to her or would they try and take her down a peg? She didn't know but she was bracing for the worst that could happen at any time. Flashbacks in fact of the whole ordeal with Savant are what kept her up all night. That and thoughts about the hopelessness of this place. Babs was right there would be no way to escape, why bother?

She rolled over when Babs started to stir and allowed her the space to move when she said she was going to the shower then merely laid there staring at the ceiling, trading glances between that and the food. All she could do was wait to see what the alien meatbags had planned for her, or when they would drag her out and try to do to her whatever they did to Babs. Maybe at some point today she would actually fall asleep. Not likely. She was starting to understand however why killing herself had become such a goal with Babs. With her in the shower, Dinah was starting to think about it herself, even while she moved over to a chair at the table and moped in front of her plate.

She doubted there'd be anything of importance to look forward to to do except watching her sanity melt away the same way Babs had. Last night she had actually confessed to Barbara Gordon she was in love with her . Babs bringing their bodies so close together seemed to indicate, at least to Dinah that the feeling was reciprocated but did love mean anything in a place where there was no hope no future and nothing to look forward to except the.......

"Knife on the table..." She smiled only a little and wrapped her left hand around it while her other hand had gently rubbed her throat as though looking for a place to stick it. She gave it some serious thought before shaking her head and angrily slamming the knife back down on the table. She couldn't let herself sink that far. The futility of it all would slowly do her in instead.

"Good morning..." She muttered whenever Barbara finally emerged from the bathroom. "Save any hot water for me?"

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Finally Barbara got out of the shower grabbing a towel she began to dry off as she walked out of the bathroom not really caring that Dinah saw her naked what was really the point in being shy around someone your probably going to be stuck with the rest of your life however long that is. Normally that wouldn’t be a bad thing they call it marriage they weren’t married and probably wouldn’t get married you can’t live happily ever after in a place like this unless you wanted to lose your mind then it’d be Disney land. Babs walked over to a small dresser crouched down pulled out a drawer going threw it there wasn’t much in it a few sets of clothes they get clean ones every week or so. While she was going through the things she was probably giving Dinah a nice view of her butt but more importantly a view of the scars yes she had scars from her days as Batgirl those ones where old but these ones they were much newer by five years or so they were twin ones that ran up the middle of her back it started at her butt running up to almost her neck and was spaced just far enough apart it fit a spinal cord. That’s the reason why she can walk now secret was out.

Barbara finally found a pair of dark blue pants and put them on before she realized Dinah had something lack of sleep made her mind slow this morning “Hot water doesn’t run out.” she called over her shoulder as she went looking for a shirt. It didn’t take nearly as long to find the matching shirt before she slid it on and pulled her hair out from the back as she made her way over to the table to sit down for breakfast.