Rookie Roomie

[Barbara Gordon]

“Comeoncomeoncomeon,” Barbara whispered at the printer trying to rush it into finishing, her fingers grasping the top of the sheet of paper with the extreme temptation to just pull it out. Her lips pushed together as she anxiously stared down the word printing out, having read them a few hours ago already and now was in a hurry to get moving. As the printer groaned out its final line on the paper, her fingers pulled it out from its grasp and folded it in half, quickly stuffing the printed email into her purse and heading out the door. Skipping over the steps and jumping straight to the ground, the red head was off with a smile and strolling down the street.

This was possibly the best situation for Barbara; the rent was cheap, it was (presumably) with an officer so her father couldn’t object and the roommate seemed extremely friendly. She hoped her father wouldn’t be a deal breaker for this – she paused, pulling out the email and reading the name – Mary Lou, since having the daughter of your boss as a roommate could be risky. The only other decisive factor to consider in this was Batgirl. Barbara bit her tongue lightly as she thought about it and began pursuing a valid extreme for her night life. Hoping her journalist job was enough of an excuse (and not another hindrance to the room), she grabbed a few gummies worms hiding in the bottom of her purse and marched passed the police station.

“Passed the Monolith Square,” she mumbled the instructions out loud, her blue eyes jumping up to glance around at her surroundings. She had unfortunately wandered towards a group of guys sitting around a bench suspiciously and, annoyed, she put on her serious face and stuffed away the letter. She didn’t want to appear lost but had unfortunately already been caught reading and looking around like a fool, so her best efforts went wasted. While her hand was in her purse, shoving the email into purse, she felt around for the bottle of mace she always carried with her.

“’ey, you lost baby?” one of the greasier looking men asked her in that usual sleazy tone, his grin widening while his lackeys around him chuckled and grinned themselves. Putting a hand on his thigh, he patted it loudly while his sunken in green eyes peered at her like she was naked. Sneering at him, she pulled the mace out and waved it in front of his face while walking by, causing him to flinch immediately.

“Oh you’ve had that happen before?” she spat out immediately with a laugh, actually converting a few men to laugh with her. Turning around to face them, not ignorant enough to turn her back on them yet, she shrugged at him while her hand firmly grasped the mace … just in case. “Why am I not surprised?”

Barbara smiled pleasantly at her own quick remarks and just as she began to turn around, she was quick literally slapped in the face with the building. Trying to balance the mace in her hand and the email, she glanced over her shoulders at the group of guys to make sure they had stayed put and searched the list of names.

“Burbles?” she read out loud by mistake, making fun of the person’s name before finding Mary Lou’s name. Taking a deep breath and holding it, Barbara pushed her index finger into the bell.

[Mary-Lou White]

I’m so addicted to the lovin’ that you’re feedin’ to meeeee,” came a only slightly off-key burst of song from behind the closed bathroom door in Mary-Lou’s apartment. Steam seeped from underneath the door, indicating that the virtuoso was in the shower and if one could see into the room itself (creepy much?) they would see the wholesome blond gripping her shampoo bottle and belting out the Mandy Moore tune as though she were fighting for survival in the American Idol grand finale. “Can’t do without it! This feelin’s got me weak in the knees! Oooh baby!” A pink-polish manicured hand spun off the water taps and the girl did a careful jig on the wet tiles while she replaced her shampoo bottle, wrapping herself in a large pink bath-towel before she stepped out onto the pink shaggy bathroom rug. She peered into the mirror, the song breaking off for a moment or two while she inspected her creamy skinned face for spots before she picked it up again.

“Body’s in withdrawal eeeeeeeverytime you take it away!” Mary-Lou rubbed herself dry in record time and then whipped her wet hair up into a towel turban and pulled on plain white cotton underwear. She paused at the blanket box at the foot of her bed, sitting down so that she could inspect her pedicure, still singing. “Can’t you hear me callin’? Beggin’ you to come out and play!” During the sickeningly sweet chorus, the Detective (wtf?) pulled on a pair of scrupulous blue jeans and a baby-blue colored polo shirt and then toweled her hair dry. As the towel hit the rim of the laundry hamper and disappeared from sight, Mary-Lou heard the door buzzer announcing one of the people who was coming to look at the apartment. Barbara had sounded really nice via email, and Mary-Lou hoped she was respectable enough. Raking her fingers through her wet hair to straighten it back out of her face, she beamed and practically bounded for the door.

“Come on up,” she replied into the intercom, her trusting nature always coming to the fore without her really thinking things through, and she hit the admittance button and went back into her cotton-candy decorated room. Pulling her hair into a ponytail and applying her moisturizer and lip balm, Mary-Lou skipped back to the door when she heard a polite but assertive knock. With a smile forming unbidden on her face she unhooked the security chain without looking through the peep-hole and undid the dead-bolt while simultaneously turning the door knob. Pulling the door inwards, her forget-me-knot gaze was immediately rewarded with the sight of a redhead who she assumed automatically to be her cousin until she paused in her hyperactivity to look at the girl’s face. This wasn’t Susie.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, holding her hand out in an automatic offer of friendship. “Hey there! You must be Barbara? I’m Mary-Lou,” she stated, not bothering to wait for a concession. Shaking the girl’s hand and semi-pulling her into the apartment, Mary-Lou stepped aside. “And this is the apartment. I sure hope my directions were okay, sometimes this area is golly busy!”

[Barbara Gordon]

Once through the door – which had been uncomfortably easy, she made a point to put the mace away in a more accessible pocket of the purse. At the bottom, mixed in with gum, gummie worms and loose change sort of lost the point of owning mace at all which was to be a quick and easy form of defense. During the trip up to the apartment (with another glance to the email for reassurance) she wondered how easy it would be to get a gun. Then again, it would have to be registered, loaded and locked when a punch to the face or a kick to the groin would be sufficient. She had always preferred physical force over cowardly guns, so why start now? Plus her mace had mainly been for threat and hardly used – her eyebrows wrinkled; well that was a lie. This was her seventh bottle of mace. But compared to the amount of times she had used her fists and legs instead, she hardly used it. She nodded; sure, that made sense.

Coming up to the door, she inspected the number 38B and knocked. Looking up and down the hallway, she was caught looking to her left as the door opened and snapped her head back in the direction of the woman and smiled. That was the last of her own actions for about a minute, as she was sent into a hand shake and somewhat pulled into the apartment. Barbara’s eyes opened a little wider at the energy level of this woman, her casual dress (for some reason she expected her to be in uniform) and then her eyes were smacked with an unusual amount of pink in the room. For a split second she felt like running, for pink meant one of two completely opposite things in a woman: she was either Satan covering up with a cute color, or she was the sweetest girl on the planet. Glancing to her side to inspect the woman for a second, she assumed the latter.

“Oh no, your directions were fine,” she reassured her with the same smile from the hallway and took the time to glance around again. Thinking of only Batgirl’s needs, she knew the apartment itself would be fine but that Mary Lou was the ultimate factor in this. She needed someone who wouldn’t really watch her closely, and be ignorant of her long nights despite journalism working during the day (well, most of the time). In the short time they had known her, Batgirl approved. Noting the space was fine – especially compared to the small dorm she lived in for four years – she turned back to Mary Lou and bite her lower lip in the corner, hoping this went over well.

“I have to be honest with you about myself,” she said kind of shady and cleared her throat, trying not to sound like she was hiding a third arm. “The reason police clearance is no problem is because my father is the Commissioner.” She flinched at her own words, sincerely hoping it didn’t make a difference but would understand if it did. Her own boss was a nightmare and if her daughter was anything like her mother, she’d quit her job before being her roommate.

[Mary-Lou White]

Mary-Lou was hypnotised. Since moving to the city she had felt a lot that way, mesmerized by the sights, sound, smells and people and the longer she spent in the bustling myriad of experiences the more she loved it. Her sunny face was fixed with a bright smile and Mary-Lou realised as soon as Barbara started talking that she was going to like her very much indeed. Pleased that Barbara hadn’t had any trouble finding the place she lead her potential new room-mate through the small but homely living area and went to the fridge to make drinks. Pouring two iced teas and busying herself with lemon slices and mint sprigs, Mary-Lou only really looked up from her domestic task when Barbara announced that her father was the Commissioner. The Commissioner. Commissioner Gordon.

Large blue eyes widened perceptively as she looked at the redhead across from her. No way. The Commissioner’s daughter? Living with her? Woooow. After a couple of seconds contemplating what this would mean, Mary-Lou shot an unusually direct gaze at Barbara. She didn’t appear to be the type of person who would jerk someone around unintentionally and Mary-Lou was certain that it shouldn’t be a problem. She offered Barbara another bright smile and topped the drinks off with the mint leaves before pushing one confidently across the counter towards her new friend. “I don’t see why that should be a problem,” she said earnestly, sipping her tea. Delicious.

“I’m not a crooked cop, Barbara. I love my job, and I love what your father has been able to do for Gotham. And,” she added, her eyes twinkling, “I would love to have you as my room mate if you’re interested.” She paused, placing her drink on a coaster and leaning against the counter comfortably. “I am out of here more during the week, and generally keep to myself on the weekends. But I am friendly,” she smiled, as though it needed to be said, “And you seem like a really nice person, too. I understand if you need time to think about it though.”

[Barbara Gordon]

The initial look given after admitting her relation caused Barbara’s eyes to widen as well, unable to immediately deceiver what the girl made of such news. Her fingers reached out to pull the ice tea closer to her and when the smile appeared, a sigh arrived. She nodded when the girl didn’t see a need for worry and she sipped the tea herself, slightly surprised as how good it was. Pushing her lips together to enjoy the taste, she put her hand up over her mouth as Mary indicated she was not crooked. Not having meant to insinuate such, she swallowed as she shook her head.

“Oh I didn’t mean –“ but the information that struck her ears biased the apology. She was barely around during the week and kept to herself on weekends? She wasn’t sure this could get any better. Her father would have to approve (and if not, Babs would insist), the apartment was nice, and the roommate was nice and hardly around! A bright smile appeared on the girl’s face as she had no need of extra time to think. Sticking her hand out to seal the deal, she proudly announced, “I would love to be your roommate.”

(( Sorry so short. ))

[Mary-Lou White]

Upon hearing that Barbara was practically ready to move in, Mary-Lou offered smiled and made her way around to where Barbara was standing. She could see it now – someone to share breakfast with, someone to have a joke with, or ask for opinions on outfits. Someone there. Her mother had been right. Maybe she did just need someone around to break up the monotony of her routine. The nightmares were just stress-related, they had to be. Having Barbara around would be the best thing ever. Without even thinking about it, Mary-Lou threw her arms wide and wrapped them around Barbara, giving her a tight, genuine hug before stepping back.

“It’ll be super-fun!” she chirped, bird-like as she hovered back to her ice tea, taking a sip and putting it back down. “Let me show you the room. Obviously there is room for your stuff there,” she waved her hand at the bookshelf, where her cds, dvds and books were stacked neatly into a bookshelf. A large tv sat on top of a wooden stand, a dark grey couch (loveseat and two armchairs) huddled around it and a large cage on a stand with wheels stood in the corner. “That’s just Mitzy,” she laughed. “She dudn’t bite or anything like that. I don’t expect you to feed her or pet her or anything unless you want to. She’s friendly.” As if you prove her mistress’ point, a small sable ferret popper her alert little head out of a suspended tunnel near the roof of her cage before disappearing with a soft squeak.

Leading Barbara down the sunny, pale-yellow hallway they passed a small but neat white bathroom with huge pink fluffy towels; a clean but tiny laundry room with a washer and no drier; Mary-Lou’s room until they came to the end of the hallway and the last door. “This is it,” she beamed over her shoulder and opened the door. The room was empty and painted a pale blue, with a window that overlooked the streets below. Robinson Park, green and leafy was just visible in the distance. The window was equipped with a fire escape, and a sturdy lock connected to the alarm system Mary-Lou’s father had insisted he install. There was a small built-in closet in the opposite corner. “You can paint it whatever color you like,” Mary-Lou nodded.

[Barbara Gordon]

Barbara’s smile was interrupted as her new roommate pulled her into a hug and the blue eyes widened in surprise. It wasn’t that Babs wasn’t open with people, but hugs were often reserved for family. “Oh – okay,” were the words that slipped out of her mouth before thinking and the hand that was before extended for a shake relaxed around the woman’s body. Her face relaxed into a smile and joined the friendly, already having a good feeling about this situation. As they pulled from the hug, Babs’ smile remained and she shoved her hands into her pockets. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad to actually have a friend here and there (computers made good friends until they gave her headaches..). Nodding, she followed her new roommate through the apartment but she hesitated when she saw the ferret.

Damnit, she cursed to herself as she realized an animal could easily compromise her sneaking in and out. Though thankfully it was caged; a dog or cat wandering the apartment would be much worse. So while she smiled to Mary Lou, as they passed the small sock-shaped animal, she waved her finger at it to warn it of snitching. Hiding the waved finger behind her back, she continued down the cute hallway, peering into the small laundry room (let’s be honest, she was probably going to keep going home for that anyway), and when they reached the room, she let out a sigh. Light blue, perfect. A good size. She eyed the alarm briefly, figuring she’d tinker around with it later in case it would go off when she exits the window. Smiling but silent, she walked into the room to inspect the fire escape and pointed to the window, turning to Mary Lou to give a wink. “Dad will like that.”

And so do I, she simply added in her thoughts, spinning around in the room briefly before clapping her hands together to face the blonde. “It’s perfect! I love it! And the color’s fine .. I’ve lived with pink since I made that choice when I was six,” she commented with a wave of her hand over the walls. “So! When is a good day for you? I’m itching to get away from my nosey little brother.”

[Mary-Lou White]

Although Mary-Lou might have come across to a lot of people as more than a little ditzy, she was a Detective. She was all smiles and politeness of course – she liked the look of Barbara Gordon very much – but she was weighing up her potential new roomie just the same. She was definitely more reserved that Mary-Lou was, that was for sure. She also seemed honest and kind, which were two qualities Mary-Lou prized highly in anyone sharing her personal living space. She had been unsure about renting out the room in the beginning, having seen enough of Gotham in her short time there to know that you couldn’t always trust the people you thought you could. After much deliberation and without telling her parents (which was something Mary-Lou rarely did) she had placed the ad. Barbara Gordon, home-grown girl-next-door type and daughter of the Chief of Police, was the embodiment of ‘perfect room mate’.

The blonde grinned when the redhead winked in her direction, feeling the situation shift around her like comfortable, warm air. Mary-Lou could tell a lot about a situation from the air; she’d always tapped into her sixth sense when she needed to make an important decision or figure something out and now was no different. Thrilled that Barbara seemed keen to take her up on the offer, her smile widened. “Oh, whenever you like!” chirped the Detective. “I have the weekend off, so I could help you move your stuff if you wanted?”

[Barbara Gordon]

“Great!” Barbara announced as if she had triumphed over something difficult, lifting a fist in the air in a celebratory manner. But as her eyes looked upwards, her mind somehow clicked back to her family and the inevitable process of dragging this out her parents were going to put her through. She seemed to freeze for a moment as she imagined telling them tonight and hoping that would jump start the process so she could move in by the weekend. Nodding to herself, confirming her imagination (things always went better in her head), she greeted reality again by looking at Mary-Lou and smiling hopefully. “This weekend is perfect! I just have some packing and explaining to do, and it’s done.”

(( Sorry about the shortness. ))

[Mary-Lou White]

“Sounds great! I’m working a few shifts between now and then, I think,” Mary-Lou pondered, her face getting a faraway look as she considered her mental schedule, “And I have a date tomorrow night.” She beamed as she lead Barbara back towards the kitchen, where she grabbed a piece of notepaper and a pen to scribble with. “But here’s my cell if you need me for anything. Don’t hesitate to call, okay?”

((No worries. I think it's winding down anyway! )